Rhubarb Report 054

Thanksgiving is a day to eat turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. But it is also a time to give thanks for all that we have in our world. Sometimes, that aspect appears to get lost within the chaos that can be the impending holiday season. We now have Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Did giving thanks get lost in the retail mix?

I hope that Thanksgiving has given you the opportunity to spend time with those whom you love and cherish. While you are recovering from Thanksgiving, grab a fork and dig in to the latest episode of the Rhubarb Report!

1. The US Grand Prix was barely in the history books – a total of two days – when the 2013 Big 12 football schedule was released. The Big 12 – in their infinite wisdom – put the UT/OSU game in direct competition with the 2013 US Grand Prix. Oddly enough, the FIA released the 2013 F1 schedule a month ago, so it was public knowledge before the Big 12 football schedule was released.

We all know this won’t work. It doesn’t require a degree to figure this one out.

I realize that the University of Texas (more specifically, the football program) has been the big dog in town for ages. When the Austin City Limits Music Festival first arrived, there was a lot of scheduling consternation for a “mere” 65,000 people per day. But now, UT has to contend with an international event, one that truly puts Austin on the global stage.

Who will flinch first - DeLoss Dodds or Bernie Ecclestone? I know where my money is. I just hope that the city of Austin will be the voice of reason in this showdown. Now that F1 has a November toe-hold in Austin, and a successful one at that, Austin will have to find a way to balance these growth issues. The University of Texas is no longer the only show in town – and Bernie knows it.

2. Speaking of the University of Texas football program, another lackluster performance reared its ugly head yesterday against TCU. The Horns apparently ate too much turkey and were sluggish throughout their loss to TCU. Oh, and it was the Horned Frogs first victory in Austin since 1967.

Longhorn Nation was sounding optimistic over the past few weeks. But last night, we witnessed the common thread that seems to have run throughout the season. Even when the Longhorns had a shot at a share of the Big 12 title, they looked lethargic. The play-calling was highly uninspired. When in doubt, it still comes back to coaching, and I would expect a lot more from a $5 million per year head coach.

Mack Brown may have lost his edge after 15 years at the helm. I think it is fair to say that at some time or another, every high school football player in the state of Texas has wanted to wear the burnt orange. So how is it that there continue to be questionable issues in recruiting? Remember, this is the same coach that passed on recruiting Robert Griffin III as a quarterback. For those who point to the 2005 national championship, was it coaching or the fact that Vince Young put the team on his shoulders?

Expect some intense discussions amongst the Longhorn faithful in the coming weeks, especially if the Horns lose to KSU and finish 8 – 4. Wins against Wyoming, New Mexico, Ole Miss, Kansas, Texas Tech, and Iowa State are not exactly the kind of “statement” we need.

3. I will end this episode where I started: Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of my friends and family. I am thankful for all of my clients and students who teach me on a daily basis. I am sincerely grateful for all of the life experiences that have brought me to where I am today. I am thankful to have the capacity to think, to reason, to write, and to create. And I thank each and every one of you that has joined me on this journey as your presence makes it so much more enlightening and vivid on a daily basis.

Photo credits: Wikipedia