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Red River Report Card: Grading Out The OU/UT Matchup

If you own a television, or computer, or radio, or read a newspaper, or even just have eyes or ears, you probably already know this. But just in case you still own a phone with a hand crank and get your stock tips from ticker tape — in which case, I’m not sure how you ended up here — allow me to break some news to you. There’s a big football game in Dallas tomorrow. No, it doesn’t involve the Cowboys. Amazingly enough, it doesn’t even involve JerryWorld either. It’s the annual Red River Rivalry game between the University of Texas and Oklahoma University at the Cotton Bowl.

Now, I know most of Dallas never attended either school, but considering it’s the biggest sporting even in town tomorrow, we have to say something about it. Does the fact that I’m a UT fan have anything to do with my unabashed interest in this game? Maybe. Does that mean that this post is a little biased? Possibly. But to the average fan of college football in Dallas, it’s a big game that’s happening right in your backyard, and with apologies to SMU, that’s something that doesn’t happen around here all too often. For the rest of you, this can just serve as yet another reminder to stay away from Fair Park tomorrow morning. Here we go…

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On T.O., Texas and TCU, Stars’ Start, Etc.

While the Cowboys’ defense was seemingly setting new lows for offside penalties, Terrell Owens’ new offensive unit had 11 false starts.

While Miles Austin was setting the Cowboys’ record for receiving yards in a game with 250, Owens was piecing together a season high in catches with four. He doesn’t have 250 receiving yards this season. His team gave up six points and lost by three. Wonder if he texted Austin with congratulations.

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Big 12 Conference Question of the Week: Does the League Need a New Football Travel Agent?

I realize we might not be having this discussion if Mike Leach’s whiz-bang offense could move straight ahead for one yard when necessary. But Texas Tech’s 29-28 loss at Houston on Saturday night was just the latest example of what can happen when BCS schools visit non-BCS campuses. Especially Big 12 teams. Wins often don’t mean much, losses too much.

Tech at Houston (loss). Kansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette (loss). Colorado at Toledo (loss). Texas at Wyoming (more difficult for a half than it should have been).

The Big 12 will play more games at non-BCS schools this season than any other BCS league. More than the Pac-10 and Big Ten will play combined. You tell me whether the Big 12 is to be congratulated or criticized in its non-conference scheduling.

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Week 2: Rick Perry Republic of Texas Football Poll

Obviously, these rankings are going over like Kanye West at an awards ceremony. Exactly one person volunteered to be a pollster (and, thank you for the offer). I wasn’t kidding. If you want to vote and you’ve got way too much free time on your hands, like I do, contact me. Also, I could use more email.

We’re moving forward one way or another. It was a big week in the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry. Sure, Houston pulled the big upset, but why can’t Texas A&M (OK, A&M-Kingsville) and Angelo State get in on the act, too?

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Can Roy Williams Handle the Job?

Roy Williams. And Roy Williams. According to my notes, they played in exactly 1 game together as Dallas Cowboys team-mates. It was that amazingly forgettable day in St Louis when Roy Williams (OU) and Roy Williams (UT) joined forces for the Dallas Cowboys. One day is all.

And then Roy Williams (OU) broke his arm and was lost for the year and will now resume his career in Cincinnati. Best of luck to the Bengals. Before he left, we all had a chance to see on full display the level of maintainance that he required from time to time. He did not like people saying things about his performance. He did not like criticism. And it appeared to actually negatively effect his play over the course of time.

And now, we have a new Roy Williams (UT) who appears to have a certain maintainance level, too. Yesterday, was another day in this off-season where Roy demonstrated that he doesn’t care for people questioning his quality :

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