Let The Games Begin!

Jackie Stewart, three time F1 world champion, always used to say it in his thick Scottish brogue: “It’s a great day for motor car racing”.

And in Texas, in September, we have our very own version: “It’s a great day for college football”!

It’s a great time of the year. It’s a time when you finally realize that summer is on it’s way out, the fall is coming, and a season of college football is upon us. Visions of national championships and BCS bowls run through our heads. You put the Texas vs Oklahoma game on your calendar like it’s a national holiday (hold on – it isn’t?). You remind yourself that Thanksgiving isn’t only about turkey and family – it’s also about “beating A&M”.

Going to the game just adds to the excitement. There is burnt orange everywhere. Tailgaters on every street – and street corner – within a couple of miles of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium. Nowadays, tailgating involves the all-too-familiar sight of a student or alum with a beer in one hand – and a cell phone in the other. My oh my the times have changed – at least with the cell phone! 

Saturdays are Game Day. Plain and simple.

This year’s home opener against the University of Louisiana-Monroe wasn’t anything to get excited about. It was a 59 – 20 thrashing – and of course, none of us were terribly surprised. Actually, I was surprised we gave up 20 points. And defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would agree, saying “You do not want to give up 20 points. Ever.”

I like that thinking, Will. Remind the defense of that when we get to Dallas on October 17.

Speaking of that fateful day in October – how about them Sooners? One of only two Big 12 teams to lose in week one. Send the Thank You cards to BYU. And with Gresham and Bradford out, they look … normal. When do they play Baylor? Fortunately, I think they have some cream puffs lined up all the way to mid-October, which may score them enough time to get their starting line-up in order.

And on the topic of starting line-ups – let’s insert D.J. Monroe in it. This tailback has some moves, he’s got vision, and he’s got speed. He’s the most exciting tailback I’ve seen in the Texas backfield in quite some time. And he didn’t drop the ball either. Give him the game ball for his stellar performance. And it’s ok to look to the future of quarterbacks in the post-McCoy era, because Garrett Gilbert looked great in his one series on the field (and first touchdown drive). He’s got a great future in burnt orange.

I would have thought that Muschamp’s comments would have rated pretty high for quote of the day. But – well, as long as Lou Holtz and Beano Cook are out there, the award is in jeopardy. Yes, Lou get’s the quote of the season (not day) award when he announced, on public television … “Charlie Weiss is the most under-rated coach in U.S. college football”.

Yes, he said that. Has Lou lost it? Has Lou read a newspaper in the past couple of years? Did Lou read the numbers on Weiss’ contract? What’s the record to date, Charlie? Yeah, we won’t bring that up. I guess Holtz drank the same Kool-Aid as Beano Cook, who proclaimed that Notre Dame would be in the National Championship game in January. Hello?

So I guess they will share the Quote Of The Season award – before we’ve barely even gotten started!

Ahhh the craziness that is college football – let the games begin!