CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

Of Having Confidence in God when Evil Words are Cast at Us

2010-12-27T21:46:00.000-06:00

Of Having Confidence in God when Evil Words are Cast at Us

O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, and patient, who knowest the frailty and sinfulness of men, be Thou my strength and my whole confidence; for my own conscience sufficeth me not. Thou knowest what I know not; and therefore ought I under all rebuke to humble myself, and to bear it meekly. Therefore mercifully forgive me as often as I have not done this, and grant me the next time the grace of greater endurance. For better unto me is Thine abundant pity for the attainment of Thy pardon, than the righteousness which I believe myself to have for defence against my conscience, which lieth wait against me. Although I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified,(4) because if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight should no man living be justified.(5)

CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER - Special Bowl Edition 2010-2011

2010-12-27T16:15:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

Like Fine Wine

This issue doesn't have an expiration date. It's aged over the summer and fall and is now ready to be uncorked for a select few readers. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Cargo Bike

"It fit in there this morning!" The bicycle wasn't cooperating as our hero attempted to put it back into the hatchback. A couple walked by and laughed at the puzzled cyclist trying to get the cargo back into the vehicle. "Quite a puzzle that's been created here." After about 15 minutes of angling, hoisting and bewilderment, logic took hold. There wasn't as much air in the tires this morning when the bike was loaded.

After letting some air out of the front tire and removing the entire front wheel for good measure, the bicycle was securely placed in the cargo bay. So, after bicycling, if the infernal machine refuses to cooperate, remember to let a little air out of the tires and see if that helps. This has been a public service announcement of the Crimson Pigskin e-Letter.

The R Word

Back in February, it was announced Southern Cal had extended a football scholarship offer to a 13-year old quarterback named David Sills. The youngster is a very talented player and has developed many skills which will help him be a successful player. FoxSports.com noted his personal coach has stated he's "never seen anyone his age do what he has been able to do".

Regardless of the young man's ability, poaching stars from junior high has its pitfalls. How many injury free games does Sills have to play before he ever gets on campus at USC? Does a program with the talent level of SC's need to dip below high school for athletes? How long will the media leave former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin alone about this, taking into account he bolted from Knoxville after one year? Maybe this will divert sports fan attention from the Tangerine mob and place it squarely on a lad who can "break down NFL game film". Sills may not even want to play football any more by the time he's out of prep school.

In any event, someone at USC needs to invoke the 'R' word by taking Responsibility and telling the football program to wait until young master Sills is old enough to sign a letter of intent without breaking every NCAA rule known to man and let the kid complete puberty before he has to face a collegiate defensive line. As for the rest of the 13-year old phenoms out there,…they need to remain on window Sills until they're ready for college athletics too.

Sooner Breeze

For all the publicity surrounding Oklahoma's inability to win a bowl game, until December 31st, 2009 versus Stanford at the Sun Bowl, there was quite a draft in the room on April 19th, when three of the top five picks in last month's NFL draft were from OU. This was the first time in university history or NFL history for that matter this had happened.
As if Coach Bob Stoops needs any more recruiting tools to lure the best players in America to Norman, Oklahoma to attend college. It is a fairly safe assumption none of the three top five draft picks were promised spots on the team when they were thirteen. Incidentally, the Sooner breeze blowing across the NFL stage was on the anniversary of the Oklahoma Land Run.

Thunderous Run

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history which spans back all of two seasons. Thunder forward Kevin Durant scored more points than anyone in the NBA on the way to a best of seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers. A team this young making the playoffs is quite an accomplishment.

The Lakers won the first two games of the series, before the Thunder was able to win two games in Oklahoma City. Tied at two games to two, there was some hope Rumble T. Bison and the OKC youth could win game 5 in Los Angeles. The Lakers rose to the occasion and took a 3-2 series lead before returning to Oklahoma City for game 6 which the Lakers won by only one point.

What a year for a young team which expected to have Durant among others back this year, despite Durant's looming free agency, a contract was ironed out over the summer and since returning from playing overseas, Durant has continued to shine along with point guard Russell Westbrooke. So far, the Thunder is off to a 21-10 start this season. Oklahoma City hosts the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Oklahoma City Arena.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

Does anyone know if there is a Goliad, Arizona? The Oklahoma State Cowboys earned their way to the Alamo Bowl, sponsored by Valero (You know, those teal and yellow gas stations?) in San Antonio, Texas. The game, versus the Arizona Wildcats, kicks off Wednesday night at 8pm CST. For more information and a look at a very nice website, check out www.AlamoBowl.com. The game will be indoors. Weather will not be a factor.

Goliad was a town in the Republic of Texas that was routed by the Mexican Army, led by the ever-inhospitable General Santa Anna. This incident followed the unfortunate series of events at a mission called The Alamo. When first ordered to execute all those captured at Goliad, the Mexican Commander declined to do so but pressure from Santa Anna won out and Goliad became another grizzly incident which gave Texans another rallying cry as they eventually won their independence from Mexico.

Nowadays, The Alamo, a monument to bravery and the undying spirit of Texas is surrounded by parking lots and faces storefronts riddled with stairwells leading to the famed Riverwalk below. Since Christmas, Oklahoma State and Arizona football fans have been perusing the sights and sounds of San Antonio amid daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-50's to the low 70's.

This brings a close to the Texas History lesson and opens the game up to some prognostication. As Foxsports.com has noted, Mike Gundy and Mike Stoops, head coaches for Oklahoma State and Arizona respectively each have brothers on the University of Oklahoma coaching staff. Oklahoma was the last team to defeat OSU and has not played Arizona for a number of years.

Do you think Bob Stoops or Cale Gundy was in the more sharing mood this holiday? Probably Bobby. Arizona is more motivated to win and has seen plenty of game footage of a team stopping the OSU offensive onslaught (NU and OU). 'Zona 27, OSU 24.

FIESTA!

After defeating Nebraska in the Big 12 Conference title game, first Saturday in December, Oklahoma was invited to play the Big East Conference champ Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl. Even though the desert has been anything but good to the Sooners, prevailing thought across college footballdom is OU is a can't lose team New Year's Day at 7pm CST.

Entering yet another New Year's bowl game after what many Sooner fans considered a so-so 10-2 season featuring a win over Texas in October (Texas won't be attending a bowl this winter due to their win-loss record. They may soon have a television network but if a university has a t.v. network and doesn't make it to a bowl game, will there be anyone watching it?).

The only way Oklahoma loses this game is if the bus breaks down and they are more than 3 hours from the stadium. UCONN will have all the motivation to win and Oklahoma will start flat but just like they played better all season, the team will improve throughout the game and once they settle in, they'll beat the Huskies. OU 45, UCONN 20.

This has been a limited circulation exclusive CPeL. Enjoy and Happy New Year to all!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 8

2009-12-19T21:46:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

A WORD OF WELCOME

For many families, the word busy doesn't begin to describe the weeks between the middle of November and the beginning of January. No matter how busy it gets this year, make sure to carve out some time to enjoy the season with family and friends. If you get a chance to take in some college football along the way,…BONUS! Welcome to a wonderful time of year and may it be celebrated far and wide all year long. Merry Christmas to all,…And to all a good night!

JOE T's

A sprawling eatery on the south end of the Fort Worth, Texas Stockyards is serving the best Mexican food this side of the Rio Grande. Family owned Joe T. Garcia's authentic south of the border delights and delectable short menu are legendary in Fort Worth. Every item, sides included, has its own distinctive and glaringly hand-crafted flavor. A stop at Joe T's like tasting art on a plate.

Homemade salsa, corn and flour tortillas, enchiladas and sweet marinated fajita protein are highlights of the fare available in a somewhat noisy but charming atmosphere. Courtyard dining areas are open in warm weather for those who enjoy dining al fresco. Pricing is middle of the road so take the whole family. It's an experience not soon forgotten and definitely a repeat visit destination.

HOT ROD GRILLING

It's off season for backyard chefs in the USA, particularly along the eastern seaboard of the US this weekend where snow is drifting and visions of sugar plums are dancing in the heads of children and the young at heart. Time to look ahead to springtime and how outdoor cuisine, is to be prepared when the bluebird is on our collective shoulder again. Here's a high octane way to grill for the motor enthusiast.

According to the August 2009 issue of Popular Science magazine, Trent Watley had reached an impasse with his grilling equipment. He had replaced many spare parts and wanted to resolve the problem long term. What was needed was an apparatus made of material which could withstand and contain the heat of burning coals while being large enough to house a cooking surface. It also had to close to keep the heat and smoke inside, giving his food that rustic open air cooked flavor. Watley settled on a V8 engine.

First he gutted the engine with a plasma cutter, a process which took 15 hours. He then had it cleaned in a machine shop. Popular Science goes on to report he made the grate from stainless steel. The highly combustible fuel was removed from the carburetor assembly for obvious reasons. Hinges were welded on the side of the motor so the lid could be opened and Watley was looking at his prototype cooker made from a V8 (not to be confused with the veggie drink).

The motor/grill was welded to a metal stand which also holds the propane canister. Flames were painted on the gas tank for that hot rod effect. The end result of Watley's labor was one shell of an engine. His friends liked them so much he built more and now sells them at: www.v8-grill.com. Bon appetite!

THE CRIMSON REEL

New in theaters is the Michael Oher story. It arrives in the form of a football tear-jerker entitled The Blind Side. This film parades through a virtual who's who of the Southeastern Conference (the estute sports fan will find the timing of the movie interesting in regard to SEC coaching staffs) and tells the incredible tale of how Oher was taken in by a Memphis, Tennessee family. He was taught how to become a good student and to turn his raw athletic ability into a career in the National Football League. Against incredible odds, Oher blocks his way into the hearts of movie goers of all ages.

Headliners Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw don't hurt the movie's charm either. Get out there and see it at a matinee this winter or when it comes out on video for certain. This show is on the CPeL's A list.

SPORTS CUSTER

Roger M. Williams writes in a September 2009 Smithsonian magazine article entitled Last Fan Standing:

"Early in this past season's National Hockey League playoffs, I turned on the telecast of the Washington Capitals-New York Rangers game. I have lived in Washington for the past 25 years, but I was rooting for the Rangers. Growing up they were [my] hockey team. To this day, whenever and whomever they play, I want them to win."

Williams goes on to state he has also been a fan of other New York City teams including the Yankees, Giants and Knicks, although he has lived in a number of major league sports cities over the years. The sports teams of his childhood have always held his allegiance.

His loyalty has survived not being able to regularly see his teams from the NYC market on the tele (British for television). Additionally his diehard Giants fanaticism has found him "on Autumn Sundays,… [joining] a small, furtive group [of Giants' fans] in a dingy sports bar," with no sound on the broadcast because the Giants' fans are far outnumbered by Redskins fans.

A couple of his friends have switched fandom as they've moved from city to city "confusing transitory pleasure with true love" but Williams remains true. The George Custer of sports fans aka The Last Fan Standing concludes: [My grave marker shall therefore bear a list of my teams and this epitaph: "In victory or defeat, in places near or far, forever true."] Now that's a sports fan.

LOVING CONGRATULATIONS!

TO: Don & Marcia on your Wedding Day

Best wishes and many years of happiness together. You are class personified. Any person counted as your friend is most fortunate. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Congratulations from CPeL.

FALLING BACK

Maybe it was the time change. Maybe it was the Holidays. Maybe it was [fill in the blank] but there hasn't been a CPeL on the presses for a few weeks. Apologies all around again and as always, you're welcome to a full refund for your missed issues. CPeL,…the price is always right.

TULSA

Since the last issue, Tulsa worked its way out of bowl contention but ended the season on a winning note. The fifth win of the season was a 33-30 overtime edging of Memphis at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa. The 2009 Golden Hurricane concluded the season with 7 losses to go with the 5 wins.

CPeL received word this week a star wide-receiver recruit at Oklahoma wants to transfer to Tulsa. That's good news for the TU receiving corps. A good spring of training and Tulsa will be back in form this fall presenting that exciting Golden Hurricane brand of football.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas finished with a 7-5 record against LSU in overtime loss, 33-30. Despite a losing a tough game against a divisional rival, the Razorbacks made it to the postseason, by being invited to the Liberty Bowl. There they will face Coach Skip Holtz and the East Carolina Pirates.

Hog faithful and coach Bobby Petrino are still searching for that winning formula which will take them to the top of the SEC Western Divison but after the last few years, Liberty is sweeter than ever. The game is to be played on January 2, 2010 at 4:30pm CST. U of A 34, East Carolina 21.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee is bowl-bound but with some complications. Alleged recruiting violations, involving hostesses (not the tasty pastries on the bread aisle at the local grocer's) hover over Knoxville like the lights over Neyland Cathedral. They're constant factors to deal with at the high-profile institution and sometimes they need to be attended to.

Overall, the Volunteers improved and achieved yet another 7-5 mark, which placed them in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. UT's opponent in the game will be Virginia Tech. Kick-off is scheduled for New Year's Eve at 6:30pm CST. This should be a good match-up and will provide Tennessee with a much needed extra month of practice as they continue the climb back to elite status in the SEC.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Oklahoma State had a date with BCS destiny and it was nipped in fall bloom over Thanksgiving. The consolation prize is a trip to Dallas, Texas for the Cotton Bowl Classic against Ole Miss. The Rebels are coached by former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. Nutt has experienced a good deal of success in Oxford (no, not in England). The lead Reb is always positive and gets the most out of his players.

It's a good January 2nd bowl game for the Pokes after a list of lesser bowls in previous years. Who needs all that warm sun in Tempe anyway? Who needs any awkward Burlington Coat Factory moments? Who needs to travel that far to tank a bowl game?

Cowboy fans can visit the 6th Floor Library, explore the grassy knoll for Pete's six-shooter, shop til they drop at Grapevine Mills and enjoy the indoor comfort of Jerry's World at game time. Since the game is being played in Arlington at Dallas Cowboy Stadium and not at the Cotton Bowl, is it still the Cotton Bowl? Those silly Texans.

Dallas PD gets a break as Oklahoma State fans leave Dallas better than they found it. Kick-off is at 1pm CST. UM 29, OSU 24.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma finished 7-5 with a bittersweet victory over Oklahoma State. The Sooner defense shut the Cowboys out 27-0. OU's offense remains non-existent as Oklahoma faces a solid Stanford Cardinal team in the Brut Sun Bowl. Brut will make sure that no matter how bad the OU offense is they will still smell great. . This no-stink guarantee is more than most teams have this winter. Hopefully the Oklahoma end zone will get more use than the men's room at Bed Bath and Beyond this outing.

On the other side of the football, the Cardinal hasn't been this dangerous since The Three Musketeers. Stanford has a Heisman Trophy candidate at running back but he will be running into the strength of the Oklahoma defense which has historically stopped the run well against any competition. Fans can't miss Toby Gerhart. He will be the guy wearing number 5 running into the OU defensive line repeatedly as he has 1736 rushing yards to show for that kind of activity against PAC-10 competition.

Many believed the Sooner team should have voted not to attend a bowl after a nearly .500 year but in this age of TV contracts and big bucks for bowls, Oklahoma is headed to El Paso, Texas on December 31st. Kick-off is at 1pm CST. The OU cheer squad and the owner of the restaurant the Sooners eat at will be the most motivated people in west Texas during this game.

Bad press for losing bowl games or not, all OU got out of this was a few TV shekels and the month of December to figure out which direction the goal line is. Stanford has a month to prepare and everyone else has stopped OU so why not the smart guys from Palo Alto? Stanford 13, OU 2.

THE PERCENTAGES

All those eons ago when the last picks were made, CPeL was running at
At 69% on the year. After posting 4-1 last issue, that brings the season total to 22-9. That's 70% for all those diehard fans of teams not appearing in bowls this year.

Thanks for reading. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 7

2009-10-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

THAT WAS IT!

I never thought this day would come in my lifetime,… -Stevie Wonder

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 16, 2040
One hundred twenty thousand of what seemed like representatives from the entire world arrived at the packed LA Coliseum to bid farewell to the most beloved performer known to the music industry. Some had camped out until their vacation time had run out to get a parting glance at a legendary music icon. Many left flowers at stadium gates or lingered in adjacent neighborhoods playing HyperPod music or shedding tears to mourn the memories made during the four decade long career of a man who can only be described after his passing as the King of Popular Music.

At more than 80 years of age, Michael Jackson, who spent his life after the 2009-10 This Is It! tour traveling around the world feeding the hungry, visiting those who were sick, in prison or impoverished, and starring in his own reality television series entitled Extreme Community Makeover, passed from this Earth. To say he will be missed by music fans and laymen alike would be a horrendous understatement. Jackson is survived by his three adult children who each have a charity foundation named after them which is funded entirely by Jackson's Love Trust Foundation.

Traffic and crowd control was nearly impossible for the Los Angeles Police Department so backup was called in from many nearby suburbs as a million LA'ers for a day waited in unbearable traffic, splashed by the stellar southern California sunshine for 16 hours or more just to salute the parted celebrity. It was a solemn occasion which will never be forgotten by anyone who organized, publicized, patrolled or attended the events. Each of four ceremonies were as shiny with stars as Jackson's famous sequined jackets, worn in concerts so many decades ago.

Instead,…The Staples Center in LA was filled beyond capacity as Michael Jackson's controversial life was celebrated by his loving family and celebs from all areas of the performing arts. Jackson's fame had certainly ebbed and flowed and for reasons which at times may not have been positive to most of mainstream America or even his fans. No one could question Jackson's ability to sing even Baptists into a groove and his energy onstage was unequalled.

To quote a CBS news anchor who reported on Jackson's life in the aftermath of his passing, there were so many parts of his life that were just "for lack of another term weird", that it was tough for him to maintain a huge following at times. After many hooplas which do not need to be recounted in this newsletter, Jackson's departure came way too early, disappointing Stevie Wonder, among many other colleagues, fans and relatives. With a movie documenting the steps to Jackson's comeback tour being released just this week, entitled This is It! the flick can't help but be a reminder of how fleeting life is and how we should decide whether we, as followers of celebrities, should demand more from our entertainers offstage. In Jackson's case, he lived, entertained, brought more controversy to the world than it need or he should have. Everyone watched sadly and saw it coming (with the exception of Wonder),…then That was It!

AGE OF COMPLIANCE

Jenks, Oklahoma has one of the most successful, if not the most successful, high school football programs in the state. Recently, some coaches got in hot water regarding treatment of some student-athletes. One infraction cost the Trojans (not to be confused with Southern Cal) nine forfeited games from the 2008 season. Yipee for those nine opponents which could only pad their win-loss records long after the season was over.

The governing agency over high school sports in the state of Oklahoma decided that part of Jenks' penalty would be to mandate a compliance officer to oversee that the entire athletic department so they will follow all the Oklahoma high school sports rules in every sport. Sounds like a great idea. Colleges have compliance officers to consort with the NCAA so why not the "football factory" high schools in the Sooner State. After all, if student-athletes can't spend part of the school day on athletics anymore, why not regulate the sport until it's no fun for anyone, from the athletes and coaches to the kindergartener's who go to the games to eat popcorn and drink Sprite from the concession stand. Ah, but digression has reared its ugly head.

That aside, the more interesting part of the mandatory compliance officer scenario is the fact, reportedly, Jenks has to pay for this new required post during a time when the state legislature has just cut the state budget by 5% and more cuts may follow. It would not be a stretch to think other larger sports programs will be next and soon there could be compliance officer conclaves with foam antenna toppers and thermal coffee cups celebrating the fact the big boys aren't on top any more because athletics have become so expensive, even the big ticket schools can't afford to comply with the rules.

Then the little guys will want compliance officers because if the big boys have 'em, everybody gets 'em. That should tank sports in schools across the state fairly quickly and then folks have to find something else to do as a community on Thursday and Friday nights in the fall. Yes Winston, the age of compliance has come. Save your glove, helmet, parallel bars, cleats, ball caps and shoulder pads because high school athletics may be headed to a museum near you.

MOUTHS OF BABES

"Why are 'Up With Trees' signs made of wood?"

FALLING BACK

This has nothing to do with the Essential John Waite Album. Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night or you're gonna be early for your next meeting/appointment/meal/phone call, etc… This has been a public service announcement of the CPeL.

RETRACTION X 2

Due to some speedy research for the last issue of CPeL, there were two incorrect items in the reports. First of all, Arkansas defeated Auburn soundly in Fayetteville, Arkansas instead of on the road at Auburn. Secondly, the Oklahoma City Thunder won their exhibition game against the Miami Heat 96-91. Thanks to readers for keeping the editor on his toes!

TULSA

The Hurricane played on Wednesday night for the second time in a row last week. The first week, Tulsa lost to Boise State in Tulsa, 28-21 in front of cold rain-drenched spectators. Then, for the second time in as many weeks, they dropped another close game. TU was leading the University of Texas-El Paso 24-13 early in the 4th quarter. That's when the Miners tunneled out 15 unanswered points, winning 28-24. The Texas-El Paso loss hurt worse due to the fact it was a tough Conference USA road game.

The stylish blue road helmets with Tulsa in gold on the side can take another rest this weekend because, at 4-3 overall with only one conference loss, Tulsa hosts Southern Methodist University this Saturday. The game kick's off at 1pm. A good win can get the Hurricane back on track to clean up on the rest of the conference schedule. Golden Hurricane 45, Mustangs 27.

ARKANSAS

The Hogs faced former head coach Houston Nutt at Ole Miss on Saturday. While the Razorbacks trailed early, they showed some grit by getting within 7 points of the Rebels 24-17 in the 3rd quarter but two 4th quarter field goals put the game out of reach. The final score was 30-17 in the loss. Eastern Michigan visits Fayetteville, Arkansas Saturday evening for what will be a nightmare for the 0-7 Eagles. Nothing like scheduling a directional school at home to build some mid-season confidence. Kick-off is at 6pm CDT,…Eagle Alka Seltzer at 6:30 CDT.

TENNESSEE

Sometimes rebuilding can be a rough gig. Tennessee fans are witnessing what appears to be a legitimate resurgence of the Volunteer football program. Aside from the UCLA game, this team has lost to some of the superior teams in its conference by narrow margins instead of being taken behind the proverbial woodshed by the likes of Florida and Alabama on the road Saturday. Tennessee lost those two games by a combined total of 12 points. The loss to the Crimson Tide at Tuscaloosa, Alabama Saturday was a 12-10 heartbreaker. That's a vast improvement.

Another year or two with some great coaching and this team will be competing for the Southeastern Conference title, if not a national championship. Provided Tim Tebow graduates (and he has to eventually) and Nick Saban pulls his customary disappearing act from 'Bama after they play for a national title, in the near future, the Volunteers are next in line considering Georgia's recent journey into mediocrity.

Saturday evening finds the guys in the white helmets and jerseys with tangerine trim at South Carolina for an eastern division SEC game against the Gamecocks. SC needs to be prepared to be haunted by a stingy UT defense. Things continue to turn around for Rocky Top & Company. Tennessee 20, SC 13.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Oklahoma State won over Baylor at Waco, Texas Saturday 34-7. The previous week, they defeated Missouri 33-17. Will they score 35 this week? If they do, they could be leading the Big 12 Conference. Maybe, just maybe,…this is the year.

Tulsa sports anchorman big Al Jerkins said this week Halloween is a perfect time for Oklahoma State and Texas to meet because each "has just the right shade of orange" to be playing October 31st. Yes, the Longhorns will make another appearance at T. Boone Pickens Stadium, get scared out of their collective wits by a spunky Cowboy squad and saunter back to Austin, Texas with another late, comeback victory under their belt, on the way to an unobstructed Big 12 Conference championship. Texas 36, OSU 35.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma faced arch nemesis Texas at the Cotton Bowl on October 17th. The game was a hard fought 16-13 loss. The Sooner defense more than rose to the occasion but a sputtering offense, guided by the youthful, mustached, backup quarterback, Landry Jones, went into its cocoon just like it did against BYU and Miami as they surrendered the noisiest patch of grass on the Texas State Fairgrounds to the Longhorns.

OU's hopes for overtime sailed away when a field goal attempt seemed to have been caught by a six-year old boy riding in a box, attached to the bottom of a homemade weather balloon. The way the game had gone, OT would not have been a pleasant event for Oklahoma so it was better to accept the crushing 3-point defeat in regulation time. That must be five in a row for UT. So goes the series.

A trip to Lawrence, Kansas was much more fun for OU's offense which had not trouble putting 35 points on the board when it didn't count a lick. This was the Sooners' first win outside of Norman, Oklahoma this year. Holding the Jayhawks (whatever they are) to 13 points was another strong showing for the Oklahoma defense. This weekend, Boomer and Sooner are at home to trot their stuff against another team from the Sunflower State.

Kansas State was once coached by a man named Bill Snyder. Snyder was credited with the greatest program turnaround in NCAA history at KSU. His assistants had the familiar names of Stoops, Mangino, Venables, etc.. This is Mr. Snyder's first season back with the Wildcats (excuse me, PowerCats) and he gets to visit his protégés for a friendly contest this Halloween. It's homecoming for the Sooners and they don't want the kitty kats ruining it for them. The OU defense comes up with another brilliant effort and the offense plays to its potential for a 6-0 Oklahoma win!

THE PERCENTAGES

CPeL missed last weeks picks but the picks from the October 17th weekend played to the tune of 3-1 for a total season record of 18-8. That's a whopping 69% for all those Northwest Airline pilots out there.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 6

2009-10-15T14:40:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

ANDALICIOUS

Located on the Northwest corner of 61st and Yale, in Tulsa, Oklahoma in Kingspointe Village is another hidden jewel of the culinary community. A tasty Tex-Mex experience awaits diners at Andales Tex-Mex Cantina. The food is hot and fresh, with some new twists to old recipes such as Spanish Rice, white or yellow queso dip and a variety of homemade salsas.

The prices won't leave a dent in your budget and there is a competitively priced lunch menu. Unlike one of the other major cantina chains, Andales still has fajitas-for-two on the menu for a reasonable amount of cash. On your birthday, dessert's on the house so order up some decadent bunuelos and enjoy the lightest, crispiest dessert in town. As if the question had to be asked,…Yes, Andales has speedy friendly service so come on! Enjoy!

LADIES DON'T LOOK!

Outdoor water parks closed on Labor Day. With temperatures dropping and people commuting to work in canoes, are gentlemen prepared to deal with another shower when nature calls? Probably not. That's where Anti-Splash International comes in.

ASI not only manufactures a men's room wall receptacle screen guard, they've taken sanitation in the loo to the next level. The company makes a mat that hangs in the back of the receptacle and limits, even eliminates backsplash with incredible effectiveness. The device comes in three colors: Royal Blue, Scarlet Red and Environmentalist Brown.

Installation is easy but be careful to stay dry. The manufacturer's instructions are to replace the mats "every two weeks or so, depending on traffic." The website goes on to say dry, sanitary living goes for "about 35 cents per day" per device. This has been yet another public service announcement of the CPEL.

TULSA

With the Oklahoma Thunder several miles away in downtown Tulsa losing 96-91, the TU Golden Hurricane had their own troubles on their hands. After a see-saw game in the first quarter, Boise State scored 10 points in each of the 2nd and 3rd quarters to take the lead over the Golden Hurricane for good Wednesday night at Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The ESPN televised contest was played in cold misty conditions which customarily don't arrive in this part of the country until Halloween. In this case, a 4th quarter TU touchdown wasn't enough to catch up to the Broncos as Boise trick-or-treated its way to a 6-0 record. This was one of the "measuring stick" games on TU's schedule and Coach Todd Graham's team almost reached the high water mark, losing 28-21.

At 4-2 the Hurricane has not suffered a Conference USA loss and is still in the hunt for the conference championship. For the second week in a row, Tulsa plays on Wednesday night at the University of Texas-El Paso. UTEP has presented some challenges for TU in previous years but surprisingly Tulsa has won 5 of 7 meetings in El Paso versus an even 4-4 record against the Miners in T-Town.

Tulsa is loaded with talent and has faced some tough competition in Oklahoma and Boise State but the Miners could tunnel out a good game, having faced #2 Texas and being able to defeat Houston at home. A conservative Hurricane overcasts the Sun Bowl Wednesday for another televised game on ESPN. Tulsa 35, UTEP 20.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas fans wished they were looking into the future when the team handed Auburn 21-point loss in the unfriendly confines of Auburn, Alabama. This brought the Hogs' record to 3-2 on the year, 1-2 in conference play. Celebrations were likely limited to the ride to the airport because this week is a little tougher for U of A.

Florida's Heisman and national championship winning quarterback is highly questionable for this Saturday's game at The Swamp in Gainesville, Florida. According to a FoxSports.com report The 1:30pm CDT contest with the Razorbacks has been circled as a "trap game" on the Gators' schedule. Now with Tim Tebow likely not to play, and in light of the Hogs' road win at Auburn, the cardinal and white fans are rolling up to this one with a great deal of optimism.

This game could make Arkansas' season and losing will do no damage so if pigs fly, the Russian Boars could pull this one off. Since Florida has thoroughbred athletes at every position and a raucous crowd that refuses to let its team lose, CPEL is still going with the Gators. UF 31, Splash! Chomp! Razorbacks 24.

TENNESSEE

Winning solidly, by a score of 45-19, over rival Georgia last week had to be sweet for Rocky Top and the other hounds sniffing around Knoxville, Tennessee. With conference losses to Florida and Auburn, from the eastern and western divisions of the Southeastern Conference respectively, there is little margin for error for the Volunteers as the rest of the schedule approaches. UT is idle this weekend but travels to Alabama for a swim at the Tidal pool in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Predictions on that one next week.

OKLAHOMA STATE

The Cowboys (not to be confused with the John Wayne flick) picked up a good road win in College Station, Texas Saturday, winning 36-31. Kyle Field is a purgatory for opposing teams and a five-point win is equal to a 10-12 point win anywhere else in the nation so winning over aTm was a good victory and definitely a step in the winning direction for OSU.

Saturday night at 8:15pm CDT, a wildcard Missouri Tiger squad comes to Stillwater, Oklahoma for what should be a topsy-turvy interdivisional Big 12 Conference game. While the teams are fairly evenly matched, MU is still smarting from a home loss to Nebraska last weekend. It would appear the Shuckers are re-emerging as a force in the North. Fortunately, the Pokes don't face NU this season.

Always athletic, Mizzou should provide a lot of entertainment and only frostbite will prevent T. Boone Pickens Stadium from emptying before the final whistle blows. Oklahoma State, star wide receiver Dez Bryant swirling in controversy, should be focused enough to win but weather may play a factor in the late evening contest. OSU 37, MU 34.

OKLAHOMA

Not to complain, but somebody needs to do something about this rooster 11am CDT kick-off business. Fair goers won't even have time to frog down a Fletcher's Corny Dog a fried Snickers bar a fresh beverage of choice and not splash their boots (Thanks to ASI.) before stadium gates open at the Cotton Bowl in downtown Dallas, Texas Saturday morning. Beware the Ides of October.

On a positive note, Oklahoma fans will be able to make a hasty exit through the mob of inebriated Texans after Texas soundly defeats the Sooners. Yes, gloom and doom for the Okies in this one. Here's why:

- Oklahoma has a rusty Heisman winner, in Sam Bradford, returning at quarterback for only the second week this season.
- Oklahoma's receivers' gloves have as much wear on them as the men's room splash mat at Bed Bath & Beyond because they couldn't catch a cold at the North Pole.
- Texas has a score to settle with the Sooners after defeating OU last season, then sitting on their Texas sofas, burping pizza juice, watching the boys in crimson play for a national title on January 8th against Florida.
- UT multi-year senior Jordan Shipley made OU's defensive backfield look like a Pop Warner crew enough times last year that there's no reason to believe he won't eclipse this defensive backfield just like he did last week against Colorado.
- Texas and Miami share game tapes and the hole in OU's defense can be seen from a weather satellite.
- Offensive game plan: 1st down, hand-off up the middle, 2nd down, hand-off up the middle, 3rd down,…surprise! Hand-off up the middle. Punt!

Had enough? Here's to opposite's day ala Spongebob Squarepants. 'Horns 52, Oklahoma 30.

THE PERCENTAGES

Last week CPEL went 3-2 thanks to the Arkansas and Tennessee wins. That brings the season total to 15-7. That's a small retreat to 68% for Big Tex and his Lone Star officiating team.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 5

2009-10-08T19:21:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

OU star women's basketball player Courtney Paris hopped into Jimmy's Egg with a friend Saturday. She still had the eye of the tiger and looked like she was ready to post up anyone and everyone in the place. What was on the table before the crown princess of Oklahoma Basketball? An omelet and pancakes.

Saturday, September 19th found a couple of former super football stars in Norman for the Sooners' ballgame against Tulsa. The Boz, Brian Bosworth, was standing on the sidelines with the team, as he often does, and seemed to be enjoying the nice weather as he rooted the Sooner defense to a shut-out win. Bosworth was an anchor at linebacker during the 1985 national championship season.

On a cool November day, during the fall of 1975, in Columbia, Missouri, OU was trailing and had been struggling with the Tigers. The University of Missouri grounds crew had not cut the grass on the field for some time, in an effort to slow down the speedy Oklahoma offensive backfield. It worked until the closing minutes of the game.

That's when number 24 broke loose into the Mizzou secondary, and raced as fast as his painted silver shoes would carry him into the end zone. Within a TD (No, not Tom Dirato) the Sooners scored again and went for the two-point conversion. The play was called for number 24. Coach Barry Switzer's $100 per hour babysitter carried the day and the Sooners were not derailed from winning their 5th national title as a result, defeating Michigan in the Orange Bowl, 14-6.

Switzer's former childcare specialist was on the sideline on the 19th, in a navy blazer and a white ballcap. He wore some light trousers. "Hey, that's Little Joe down there." "It is?" "Yeah." "And he's wearing silver shoes." Joe Washington was wearing custom silver shoes he had not painted himself. There was on Sooner legend and champion, guiding more young champions. Way to go Little Joe!

THE CRIMSON REEL

Hey, CPEL sorts through the latest flicks for you. Don't waste any more time going over lists of movies online or in the newspapers. Read CPEL and get the straight scoop before you head out to a favorite local theater and drop some change on a groaner. Here are a few ratings you can count on.

Transformers 2: This movie, released summer 2009, is as good, maybe better than the first installment. The characters already introduced in round one, they, the storyline and the Spielberg humor have definitely matured over time.

The story takes more than a coupla of twists and turns (What kid is going to tell his alien robot 2010 Chevy Camaro a.k.a. Bumble Bee to stay home from college?!?). Out dvd October 20th, this is one of the only movies in recent memory worth the price of prime-time admission.

G-Force: When a classified project is cancelled, secret agent guinea pigs go on a cute high-tech 3-Dimensional romp through sparks and attack appliances, leaving behind a trail of bewildered looks and destruction. Can they defeat the ultimate enemy? Hope so! Sort of a spoof of some other movies, only the younger crowd will like this great one for young kids. Other than that, save your cash for another movie going adventures.

All About Steve: Currently in theaters, Sandra Bullock has been in bigger movies and is probably trying to forget taking part in this one. Oklahoma City gets a mention when protesters are gathered to debate about a newborn infant with three legs. There is a near riot as the groups attempt to persuade the parents to decide to keep the leg or amputate. Further evidence the common sense located in this part of the nation has relegated it to flyover zone status.

Reminiscent of Something About Mary, this show is an off-the-wall, face in hands, comedy that seems to spiral downhill at the beginning and skids to a predictable finish, considering it's a story about mass media and misunderstanding, two things which go hand in hand. Save yourself the trouble and watch laundry tumble dry.

Harry Potter XLIII: The Half-Blood Prince: Another summer/fallish film, the mystical effects in the Potter series are fairly mind-blowing and downright creepy sometimes. Fortunately for CPEL's reviewers, it's easy to pick up the story and let the imagination run wild, even at the 6th motion picture in the list. Who couldn't use a little "liquid luck" these days?

Jokes have been made about the aging acting corps but there aren't many studios out there making movies like these. Whether Potter is controversial or not for moviegoers, these are some well made thought provoking movies. A niche audience gets its next dose of HP in what won't be the last spooky movie surrounding Hogwartz. See it, if you dare.

TULSA

After the loss at Oklahoma, Tulsa cleaned up on overmatched Sam Houston State 56-3. Then after one week at home all season so far, the Hurricane came up with a 27-10 win at Rice. TU's next outing is on Wednesday night, October 14th, when Boise State visits Chapman Stadium/Skelly Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a mid-week televised contest.

Tulsa is currently 4-1 with the only loss to the Sooners. Boise State is 5-0. National sportscasters are already making a case for the Broncos to make a BCS bowl at the end of this season. There is a lot of football to play before that happens but, realistically, the Golden Hurricane is the only thing between Boise and an undefeated season.

TU needs a good crowd to win Wednesday. There may be some local factors hindering that. First of all, the Tulsa State Fair will have come to an end 3 days before, whisking much of Tulsa's expendable entertainment income away with it. Secondly, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be holding an exhibition game, against the Miami Heat, at the BOk Center downtown which tips off at the same instant as the kick-off at TU. Fans should plan on bringing jackets, potato mashers and anything else that will help deal with the red hot Broncos. Tulsa 38, Potato Horses 41.

ARKANSAS

Just when it looked like pigs could fly, the Hogs became a sandy spot underneath the Crimson Tide at Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 26th to the tune of 35-7. Then on October 3rd, U of A was able to defeat Texas A&M, 47-19, at Jerry's World in Dallas, Texas brining the season total to 2 wins, 2 losses. Next up for the Razorbacks is a visit from undefeated Auburn. An 11am CDT kick-off will ensure Arkansas fans can get all their weekend chores completed after the loss. Auburn 30, Hogs 6.

TENNESSEE

The still fragile Volunteers, now at 2-3 on the season, defeated the Ohio Bobcats 34-23 on October 3rd, before dropping a 26-22 decision to Auburn at Knoxville, Tennessee. There's probably no shame in the loss since the 5-0 Tigers are currently tied for first place with Alabama in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Maybe the ragtag Vols were thinking ahead to their annual donnybrook with Georgia, coming up this Saturday.

The game will also be at Neyland Cathedral in Tennessee. This should be an evenly matched event but UT has already lost a couple of games they could have been more competitive in so they'll follow suit and let the Dawgs have this one late in the game. Rocky Top and UGA won't be meeting at the hydrant after this game. Bulldogs 24, Volunteers 22.

OKLAHOMA STATE

After having their own Rice boil in Stillwater, Oklahoma 41-24, followed by rambling all over Grambling State 56-6, the Cowboys had a week off to recuperate from some injuries and get ready for Big 12 Conference play. This week finds the Pokes traveling to College Station, Texas for a game at Texas A&M. The Fightin' Texas Aggies have been down in recent years but have had a few shining moments already this season leading up to their current 3-1 record. OSU shouldn't have much trouble winning the game and coming back to a home date with Missouri on October 17th. OSU 45, Texas Aggies 16.

OKLAHOMA

The Sooners had September 26th off. Maybe it was a good thing? Maybe it was a bad thing? October 3rd found Oklahoma and a few fans in muggy, Miami, Florida to play a former rival Hurricanes team from the University of Miami. Things looked great until the Miami offensive coordinator found a big hole in the middle of the Oklahoma defense and Sooner star running back, Demarco Murray found himself on the turf after sliding down, untouched, on more than one critical play in the game.

Then with visions of BYU dancing in Sooner fans' heads, Oklatanic sank into the breezy Atlantic, 21-20. Oklahoma is now 2-2. OU's struggles on defense were equaled by offensive lethargy which was best illustrated with hand-offs to running backs straight up the middle of the closing Miami defense on 3rd down and double-digit situations way too many times.

This weekend Baylor visits Norman, Oklahoma for the Sooners' conference opener. Baylor is outmanned and OU shouldn't have trouble but they'll find a way to struggle enough for a few loud groans to float over campus. It shouldn't shock the most casual observer if the crimson club hands the game to Baylor in preparation for the Texas Longhorns the following week, at a lovely neutral site in Dallas, Texas. Sooners 29, Bears 28. Will Bradford be back in time for the burnt orange? With Jermaine Gresham and Ryan Broyles out, will it matter?

The CPEL refuses to report on Oklahoma any more this season unless the Sooners' record is above .500. If at any time this season, OU's record dips below .500, the CPEL will replace Oklahoma's space with restaurant reviews. Hopefully there will be coverage of the Sooners after the Baylor game. If not, you know,… At least Tums help with indigestion. Alka-Seltzer couldn't cut through that display Saturday night and the fans deserve better.

THE PERCENTAGES

When the toils of life infringe on the entertainment section, the CPEL doesn't make it to the box so last week was not picked by CPEL. The record after the previous week's perfect 4-0 picks landed a 12-5 record. That's 70% for all those Miami Dolphins moonlighting at Hurricanes out there.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 4

2009-09-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

IN MEMORIAM

Ted was many things during his life. He was a model citizen with an excellent, understated sense of humor. He was a successful attorney, who on occasion represented athletic celebrities in one of the major markets of America. He enjoyed the performing arts, opera in particular.

As a young man, he married an amazing lady from the United Kingdom. While she didn't catch more fish on family fishing excursions, "She caught bigger fish than the men did." She was the daughter of a World War II British service man. Ted and his bride lived in a time when people understood: Anything worth having in this world requires hard work and sacrifice. These are foundational truths they passed on to their children. Ones which will endure for years to come.

As his 96 years of life drove on, he saw the face of sports change in many ways. Reportedly, he was a follower of Sooner football and a young Oklahoma student-athlete named Sam Bradford gained Ted's attention as he rose to starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma. He didn't care too much for the giant television monitors at sporting events because they were very distracting. He felt it drew too much attention away from Major League Baseball, a game he was deeply passionate about.

Of all the things Ted was and did in his life, the thing he was the most was loved. That became evident early on. Count this as one life which is better for having known him. So, it is with profound sorrow and excessive gratitude, the CPEL would like to say: God bless his descendants and all they come in contact with.

BRO-NESS JONAS

At the ripe old ages of 21, 20 and 17, respectively as of last week, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas (The Jonas Brothers, JoBros for short) just completed an enormous leg of their 2009-2010 world tour. This latest globe-hopping episode which featured American Idol Jordin Sparks as special guest took the JoBros from the Bahamas to Europe and coast-to-coast in the U.S.

For those who may have caught the Jonas Brothers last tour movie, currently on dvd in spotty 3-D imagery, the latest tour following up the release of the CD Lines, Vines and Trying Times is a quantum leap ahead into live show presentation. The boys brought along a full brass ensemble, spare drummer, guitar player and two violinists. The most refreshing thing about the Bros is with the exception of Joe, the face of the band who shares lead vocals with his brother Nick, the oldest and youngest are very good musicians. This show, which musically offers everything from ballads to pop/rock fusion funk stylings is worth every dime of admission.

Joe's lead vocals are a highlighted through a few numbers approximately two-thirds into the performance. He has a special live version of a song called Much Bette,r during which he ad libs comments directed towards country music star Taylor Swift. "Got a rep for breakin' hearts. Now I'm done with country stars. No more tears on her guitar,…I'm not bitter", he croons as the little girls go berserk. Ah,…young love.

At one point in the show, Joe urges all parents to stand and dedicates Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline to them, serenading them as they stand throughout the number. Diamond's distinctive vocals are unequalled on this tune. However, Joe is able to showcase his solid vocal skills and makes the grown-ups want to sing along. He and his brothers are as comfortable on the stage as they are when their mom makes them take out the trash.

The hottest musical group Disney currently promotes traveled by Bro plane, Bro train and the Bro bus, into the hearts of girls aged 5 to 25, and onto the cover of a special edition of Rolling Stone magazine. A reporter from the periodical which "gathers no moss" rode along with the Bros on five different tours stops at various geographical locations, including the Jerry Dome in Arlington, Texas. The entire mag is dedicated to all things Jonas.

There are pictures of the boys playing softball against a local all-star (girl's) team, wiffleball in the parking lot of a venue the day before a show and the youngest, Nick, hiding in an equipment trailer, riding safely past the crowd to the enormous 140-foot stage. The monstrosity had a double rotating center and two more lilly pad-like platforms on either end. The design assures hundreds of floor seated teens a chance to reach out and touch the fingertips of the JoBro of choice.

"Are you sure you're ready for a concert with all those screaming little girls?" "Oh yeah. Been to much louder shows over the years. Piece of cake." The cool tones of the Bro-ness Jonas could be heard peaking over the nine year-old girl directly behind with the lungs of Christina Aguillera,…just barely. Eyewitnesses reported they "couldn't scream when Kevin, Nick and Joe were on the stage". They could barely even talk. "I can't believe I cried. That's how excited I was", stated one concert-goer.

With the window of the Jonas Brother's tour bus bearing yet another message of love from an adoring fan, concert tee proudly donned and a new infusion of memorabilia in hand straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, delighted fans strolled into the warm Tulsa night and rolled back to respective residences, ears ringing and still humming catchy tunes like World War III, S.O.S. and Fly With Me. Says Rolling Stone, "What will the Jonas Brothers do when the screams of little girls are no longer heard [at their concerts]." What will the little ladies father's do?

TULSA AND THE BOYS IN CRIMSON

There's a new University of Tulsa Sheriff in town. He goes by the name of Captain 'Cane. While retaining the same name as the last mascot, the new and "improved" Cap'n 'Cane (No, not the breakfast cereal.) back story goes as follows according the the University of Tulsa athletic webpage:
"The Captain `Cane story goes like this . . . Colin Cane, a freshman at The University of Tulsa, worked in IT support at night to help pay his way through college. During an electrical storm one night, Colin was called to the TU sports complex to fix a malfunctioning satellite that was broadcasting a live game. Never again would he watch his favorite team in action as a mere mortal. As he adjusted the satellite, the roar of the crowd coursed through the transmitter just as it was zapped with static electricity from the storm. Colin became entangled in a web of cyber-athletic forces. The atmospheric oddity known as a "binary vortex" mutated Colin over the course of several years. He eventually lost his hair but gained super-human powers. Thus he became Captain `Cane, a champion athlete and highly educated zealot of all things TU.
The Hurricane-type mascot has been a part of the TU tradition since 1977, when the mascot was known as "Hurc" and later a transformation to the nickname "Huffy". In the early 1990's, Captain `Cane took on a new look."
MEANWHILE IN NORMAN,…

Each time the Golden Hurricane offense worked its way into field goal range, they were either penalized or sacked back out of field goal range. The clear, sunny afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma came to a close with OU pitching a shutout, winning easily, 45-0. To make matters worse, defensively, TU had given up a school record six touchdown passes to Oklahoma's backup quarterback, Landry Jones.

In most cases six TD's (No, not Tom Dirato) would be a great thing and the fans cheered every one of the lovely scoring tosses. In the Big 12 Conference, it means no scoring rushing the ball. That's not a good sign. Championship teams have stellar defenses, like OU's so far, but they can run the ball on good defenses and get a couple of yards on third down.

Next week's opponent Miami of Florida and the Texas Longhorns are licking their lips watching game film on this. Bottom line: OU's offensive line has to push people off the ball and prove the running game exists and can be a potential weapon or it's gonna be a long conference schedule in Norman.

Tulsa's high-octane offense returns to play tonight in Tulsa, versus Sam Houston State. The Hurricane didn't play a bad game at Oklahoma but they have a couple of areas they can improve on, such as protecting the ball on pass plays. Oklahoma picked off two D.J. Kinne passes en route to the win. The SHSU defense isn't nearly as stout as Oklahoma's stingy, hard-hitting crew. After three weeks on the road, Tulsa wins big in the home opener. Captain 'Cane huffs, puffs, screams like a nine year-old at a Jonas Brothers concert and scoots the Bobcats back to the Lone Star State. TU 56, SHSU 20.

The Sooners are idle this weekend and will face Miami, in the Sunshine State next Saturday. Don Woods could've told them how to handle the Hurricanes. More to come on this match-up later.

ARKANSAS

In a valiant effort, the Hogs lost to Georgia last week, dropping a 52-41 shoot-out to the Dawgs in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The home venue lent itself to a Razorback victory but even though the CPEL picked the porkers in an upset, it didn't materialize on the playing surface. Yuck.

Within the hour, Bobby Petrino's flying 'Backs will be wading in a Crimson Tide flowing directly through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On the road and facing a tough opponent, U of A is overmatched today and despite success in recent years against the Tide, should face another tough divisional conference loss. 'Bama (No, not the pies.) 31, Whoa Pig Souiee Razorbacks! 20.

TENNESSEE

The "King" Elvis Presley would have been tearing up on Saturday night in Memphis, or Kalamazoo or wherever he's playing pinochle with Michael Jackson these days, when the Vols lost a 23-13 defensive battle against arch-rival Florida in the Splash! Chomp! Swamp of Gainesville, Florida. Evidently the defensively minded coaching staff picked up some tips from Oklahoma on how to defend against the Gators' super-star quarterback Tim Tebow and did so with equal success, allowing the juggernaut which is the Florida offense only 23 points.

This moves UT to a 1-2 record, with only one of those being a critical divisional loss to the future luggage of the Southeastern Conference from the wetlands of , Central Eastern North America. The Volunteers can bounce back tonight as they host the Bobcats of Ohio University. Clearly outmanned and outclassed, U of O will take their gate receipts and a loss back to Athens, Ohio. Tennessee 63, Oh High Uh 3.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Back in the winning saddle, Pistol Pete poached a few owl eggs and made a victory omelet in Stillwater, Oklahoma Saturday night, 41-24. The Pokes were never in danger of losing and allowed 21 points in the second half but made up for it by scoring 20 of their own in front of a home crowd of orange and black fans.

Today at 6pm, the Cowboys will be rambling all over the field with the Tigers from Grambling State. There's no way Grambling wins this game. Oklahoma State's offense is little dinged up but can still put a lot of points on the board in sixty minutes of effort. Stillwater encounters the euphoria of winning another home game. The Grambling State Tiger Band enjoys the euphoria of another winning musical/dance effort. OSU 49, GSU 13. Grambling Band 9 on the richter scale. Cowboy Marching Band 7.

THE PERCENTAGES

With last week's 3-1 posting, the CPEL is now picking 8-5 on the season. That's 61 ½ percent for all those shoe salesmen out there. Onward and upward!

Apologies for the tardiness of this week's newsletter but the reader will note NONE of the ballgames picked have kicked off so no pre-knowledge is available to improve the quality of the picks. Too bad for the CPEL. Disgruntled fans are entitled to a refund to be determined at a later date,…much later.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 3

2009-09-17T21:03:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

WHY COLLEGE FOOTBALL?

In its twelfth year, The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter (CPEL) is privileged to bring readers unique perspectives on a great game, NCAA football. Whether taking the readers to the games in stories as varied as the 119 Division I programs participating in the sport or expounding on the legends and lore of the storied teams America loves, CPEL mixes the celebration of life, that is athletics, and the humor that tying us all together to bring something new and thought provoking to each recipient's e-mail box.

For more than a century, in most states, donning a sweatshirt and cheering on a favorite team, against the backdrop of nature's fall colors, has been a rite of the season for fans. That season is now. What are you waiting for? Find a local game or pick a team and follow them all season. Watch the games with close friends and family. Memories can't help but be born over some good grilling and friendly ribbing (no pun intended).

Observe the players at each position on the field gaining experience and becoming part of a team, going all out not for their own glory but for the young men on each side of him. These are the kinds of things taught to players not so many years ago by a clever coach named Lou Holtz. If anyone knows about families brought together by college football, it is he.

What does this have to do with a football newsletter on the internet? In Holtz' autobiography, Wins, Losses and Lessons, the old ball coach relates a story describing an example of how college football fanaticism can in fact become a meaningful part of one's life for the better. The account begins with Holtz telling about his high school football coach back in East Liverpool, Ohio, Wade Watts.

As a first-time football player at nine years of age, Holtz describes himself as "an eighty-pound wonder who made up for his lack of size by being slow and weak". He played many games in high school but it was his thirst for learning the game inside and out that sparked the interest of Watts. "Imagine my surprise when Coach told my parents, 'I think Lou should go to college and someday become a coach',…My parents decided Coach Watts was right: I should go to college. I said, No. They said, Yes. So we compromised like we always compromised in our home. I went to college."

Years later, Watts had retired to California and Holtz received a call from Mrs. Watts. "Coach Watts isn't doing well and it would sure boost his spirits if you would call him,…I invited him to the Notre Dame-Southern Cal game in Anaheim. I put him in my wife's seat, and we won the game 38-37." The next year Watts stood on the Notre Dame sideline with Holtz and the team.

After eleven years of this ND-USC tradition, Coach Watts passed away, "two months after I retired from Notre Dame". Mrs. Watts called again to say "the Notre Dame-Southern Cal game kept him alive longer than anyone expected. 'He lived for that weekend.'" Why college football? Family, Future, Tradition & Love.

TULSA @ OKLAHOMA

The Golden Hurricane scored 44 points on the road in Albuquerque, New Mexico last Saturday night and only allowed the Lobos 10. What this means is TU is now undefeated at 2-0 while UNM is a winless 0-2. Is this any indication of what will transpire when the team loads up on a bus Friday and rides to Norman, Oklahoma to play the 1-1 Sooners? Probably not.

What TU has going for it is a solid offense which can put up astronomical numbers in a hurry. The defense however, is relatively untested and a more hostile environment would be difficult to imagine than Owen Field. The Hurricane will need to evolve into The Perfect Storm before Saturday if Todd Graham plans on defeating the state's top dawg on the football food chain.

Last week found Oklahoma swim-finning past Idaho State High School's Bengals 64-0. CPEL predicted a score of 70-0. Shucks. What does anyone know about the Sooners? The offense has some stars but the brightest one with the Heisman hardware is watching the proceedings in street clothes.

Quarterback Landry Jones did a respectable job last outing but against a lackluster defensive unit at best. Oklahoma still struggled to score inside the red zone. Despite the intermittent revolving gaping hole that appears in the Oklahoma defense, they appear to be able to stop opponents if they have to and with 80,000 onlookers in attendance (silent bystanders of course) they should be able to put the brakes on Tulsa's offense sufficiently to pull this one out. Oklahoma 38, Tulsa 27.

ARKANSAS

The 2009 Hogs resemble a decent football team. They were idle last weekend and will need to rise above decentness Saturday when the Georgia Bulldogs roll into The Natural State. Oklahoma State defeated Georgia in the season opener so the Dawgs are not invincible but always have enough athletes to make a contest interesting.

In regard to the Southeastern Conference standings, a Razorback loss would only cost them a half-game because Arkansas is in the western division while UGA hails from the eastern division. All that to say Arkansas could still play for a conference championship at the end of the year as long as all the teams from the west lose at least one game as well. Arkansas' rebuilding hits warp speed with a win over Georgia. Hogs 28, Dawgs 20.

TENNESSEE

The Volunteers lost a 19-15 heartbreaker in Knoxville, Tennessee Saturday to Coach Rick Neuheisel's UCLA Bruins. A five-point UT fourth quarter wasn't enough to overcome the 9-point deficit left over from the third stanza and an undefeated season slipped out of the Vols' grasp again.

Next up is the defending national champion, Florida. Making this early-season assignment tougher is playing on the road in Gainesville, Florida. CPEL has stated year-in and year-out the later in the season this game is played, the better chance Tennessee has to win it. Third game of the year, on the road, after a crushing non-conference loss. Nope. Splash! Chomp! Gators 40, Vols 18.

OKLAHOMA STATE

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were Houston Cougarized while attempting to round up Pistol Pete's Posse. "It was like watching the Bad News Bears take the field," reported one game attendee. As right as Poke fortunes had gone the week before, the tables turned to an equal amount for the worse as UH won in Stillwater, Oklahoma 45-35. Good thing it was a non-conference meeting.

This week, an angry posse will round up the Rice Owls and stifle their wisdom to the tune of 52-21.

THE PERCENTAGES

Thanks to Tennessee and Oklahoma State going against last weeks predictions opening week's 3-2 record has now blossomed into a 5-4 tally. That's 55% for all those college football statisticians out there. Onward and upward.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 2

2009-09-10T20:51:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

FOOD AND MO FOOD

"This quaint, Southern-style restaurant is a living shrine to gluttony - in the finest sense of the word,…" states a TravelChannel.com article regarding Lambert's Café. One look at the dining area of the Ozark, Missouri location and it's clear the building serves one purpose: feeding a large number of people a large quantity of food. The densely yet comfortably packed diners can order an entrée and await "pass around" items which arrive by land and by air.

That's right; Lambert's website isn't named www.ThrowedRolls.com for nothin'. Aside from enormous portions of any number of down home delights from chicken fried steak to center cut ham, fried okra, macaroni & tomatoes, black-eyed peas (Tonight's gonna be a good night.) & hot dinner rolls with a side of sorghum are brought directly to the tables so many times each customer is leaving full. Keep your eyes open though because those quadruple-decker carts with hot rolls are thrown to customers, ready or not.

Step up to the trough. Catch a roll. Enjoy a delicious meal. Lambert's Café can make any trip through Missouri a lot better.

ENTERTAINING CONVENIENCE

The nation's largest retailer, the world's most recognized name in fast-food and a pharmacy chain in the southwestern U.S. have teamed with an Illinois company to bring the convenience of dvd rental curbside. Redbox dvd vending machines can save movie watchers a stop on the way home. Once the preliminary info has been obtained on the initial rental (credit card #, e-mail address, etc.) renting dvd's at $1 a pop is easy! Great price, plentiful locations, it's a renter's paradise.

The line was forming outside the restaurant. Most of the visible cars in the parking lot were driven by dvd renters. The population outside the building was equal to that inside. There was a small patch of shade over the kiosk since it was on the east side of the structure.

The growing queue indicated the lady at the machine was a first-time renter. Understandable. Looking back, that first rental at a new-fangled dvd vending machine could be a little tricky for a garden variety novice. She kept flipping back and forth between menus on the touchscreen until it nearly defied reason. Must return video,…getting to the machine is the key. If she dropped her purse on the sidewalk, maybe the return could be processed before she stood back up. This is goin' nowhere, rapidly.

To the seasoned, dvd vending machine renter's (DVMR) eye, this is a scenario to be avoided. Speed up. Act nonchalant. There's another machine just up the street. Nearing this location, there are two vehicles of DVMR's from the grid-locked machine at the fast food place. "It's pandemonium back there!" Feigning ignorance, they get in their car and drive away.

This machine is facing west, and the sun has been beating down on it all day long. There's a fancy curtain over it which reads "Please close sunscreen when finished." An older gentleman completes his transaction and it's smooth sailin'. OUCH! The machine is hovering somewhere around the temperature of boiling water and the sunscreen isn't much cooler but it has to be held up to see the monitor. "You're dvd has been returned successfully." Success, at last. Out of curiosity, is that almost new flick available here? Nope. On to the next machine.

One hour later, popcorn bowl and Diet Dr. Pepper in hand, the spouse carries in a dvd of the same show from the local video store. "Hey, how much for the video?" "Ninety-nine cents" is the reply. "Must have had to wait in line a looong time?" "No. All the DVMR's were backed up at the Redbox so the video store was quicker". "Would you like some popcorn?" "Yes. That's convenient." Crunch, crunch, crunch,…gulp.

SPORTS JAM CLEANSING

The Golden Hurricane and the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team have created a sports traffic jam for the city of Tulsa on Wednesday night, October 14th. That's the night TU football hosts Boise State (of Fiesta Bowl infamy) and the Thunder holds an exhibition game versus the Miami Heat. The Thunder/Heat exhibition tips off at 7pm CDT. Tulsa kicks off against the Broncos at (You guessed it.) 7pm CDT. For fans who like to go out and see state teams compete but have no strong preference for football or basketball, this will pose quite a dilemma which could tear at the fabric of sports affinity state-wide.

When a team loses it's home opener, on a neutral field, to an inferior opponent, fans have to flush it out. Oklahoma's loss to Brigham Young last weekend left many Sooner fans seeking cleansing. Here are a few tips to help after the season opening debacle in Dallas:

1) Wash every stitch of clothing taken to "Big D" TWICE, whether it was worn or not.
2) Dip soles of shoes in a sink of water and scrub them with a brush. If they're Chuck Taylors, wash and dry them. If they have leather or suede uppers, use leather/suede cleaner liberally to remove any excess soil picked up in the city of Dallas.
3) To complete the colonic for losing (losonic for short) and get the system entirely cleared, remove any OU flags or memorabilia from your vehicle.
4) Get in line at a local car wash (Act nonchalant like a DVMR.)
5) Keep your head down under the bill of a Bass Pro Shop ballcap but lift your eyes over the dash and see how many Oklahoma State fans are lined up ahead of you. They've been cleansing for years.

Doesn't that feel better? Loss recovery: Just another of the public services offered by the CPEL. [Editor's Note: The CPEL makes it a practice to deliver non-biased reports/commentary but admittedly, this was too funny to pass up.]

TULSA

TU started the 2009 campaign in mid-season form Saturday night in New Orleans, against Tulane. The Hurricane led 20-3, at the half, and was never in danger, winning 37-13. This was also the Conference USA opener so Todd Graham's team moved to 1-0 on the year and in the league.

This weekend Tulsa enters the 2nd round of a 3-game road trip with a non-conference opponent. The bus is pointed West this time and the opponent is the New Mexico Lobos. If TU's road luck holds, they should sail through this game on the arm of quarterback G.J. Kinne and the sure hands of one Slick Shelly.

TU punt returner Damaris Johnson's 66-yard TD (No, not Tom Dirato.) punt return in the fourth quarter has created a high level of anticipation for TU's special teams when opponents punt. It looks to be a great year for Tulsa Football. 'Cane 45, Lobos 20.

ARKANSAS

The Hogs rooted out a nice home victory Saturday night in Fayetteville, Arkansas taking Missouri State behind the proverbial woodshed 48-10. That has to be a satisfying win for the future bacon of America and it's fans. Arkansas didn't give up a point the entire second half. That's tough to accomplish even against NCAA Division I-AA opponent like the Bears.

U of A is idle this weekend and resumes play on September 19th versus Georgia. All Hog fans have to be excited the team is off to a 1-0 start and won in grand style. A win over currently 0-1 Georgia could get the Razorbacks on track for a nicer season than CPEL had previously predicted. Southeastern Conference teams always play a lot tougher in conference games so it remains to be seen if the Hogs can pull it off.

TENNESSEE

When was the last time Tennessee defeated anyone 63-7? Saturday in Knoxville, Tennessee. The lucky recipient of the loss was the Sunbelt Conference's Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Fisherman Joe Kreiger used to say "They all count one". Vol fans are glad they do as their team sports a shiny 1-0 record, for now.

The Volunteers will need the emotional boost entering this weekend's game against UCLA. The Bruins have typically found a way to upset some very good teams and it is certain they will give UT their best effort at 3pm CDT. Underestimating a team coached by Rick Neuheisel would be folly for Lane Kiffin and Tennessee's coaching staff.

This one is feeling like a close last-minute victory for possibly an overtime episode. Vols hungry home crowd vaults team to victory. Rocky Top 48, Bruins 42.

OKLAHOMA STATE

In case readers have been on a deserted island with no cable or internet or telephone or telegraph or newpapers, the Apokealypse has occurred. Break into your emergency batteries and canned goods. Saturday afternoon, Oklahoma State took one small step for Pete and one giant leap for Orange Power when 53,012 fans witnessed them "bulldogging" Georgia 24-10. The win propelled the Pokes to a number 5 ranking nationally.

Boone Pickens Stadium looked like a shining jewel on the tele (British for television) and a spunky Zac Robinson led the Cowboys to the decisive win on 11-22 passing for 2 TD's (No, not Tom Dirato.) and zero interceptions. Both scoring tosses were to star wide receiver Dez Bryant. Robinson, and running backs Kendall Hunter along with Keith Toston combined for nearly 170 yards rushing. Good offensive balance like Saturday's will serve OSU well as the season wears on.

The first opportunity to keep another defense off balance comes to Stillwater, Saturday at 2:30pm CDT. The Houston Cougars aren't strangers to Oklahoma State football. This will be the third time the teams have met in four seasons. Houston upset OSU deep in the heart of Texas and the Cowboys returned the favor last season winning big over the Cougars. CPEL prediction: OSU 51, Houston 31.

JERRY'S WORLD

Another crew of Cougars was ready to growl Saturday night at "Jerry [Jones]'s World" in Arlington, Texas. First of all, the new Dallas Cowboy's Stadium is an incredible structure. It looks like a finger nail sticking up between some trees from a distance, then like a grayish white reflective UFO with four steel beam legs, one protruding from each corner, and planting itself into as many bunkeresque concrete supports, from the parking lot.

Inside, the facility has the feel of the old Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, mixed with the Louisiana Superdome and Dallas' downtown American Airlines Arena. "It is a beautiful building isn't it? It has 3 million square feet of space and 3500 HD tele (British for television) screens placed throughout the area" the guide stated. "WOW!!!" the fans said. Words, pictures, cable, telegraph, telephone nor newspapers can describe the overwhelming nature of the two world's largest high definition television screens hanging above the playing surface.

Only seeing them in person can one render an accurate estimation of true magnitude. To top it off, there are two smaller ones facing each end zone and hanging from the same framework. "Do you think anyone will hit the tele (British for television) with a kick tonight?" "They raised it up higher last week" the guide continued, "If they hit it tonight, the Cowboys should sign them up right away". Watching the game on the field is nearly impossible with a display like that in the viewfinder. Even with the distractions, it's amazing.

OKLAHOMA

The 6pm CDT kick-off commenced what has become Oklahoma's customary series of illegal procedure penalties as offensive linemen were jumpier than Barney Fife after locking himself inside one of Mayberry's two jail cells. The Sooners led 10-3 at the half. Just before the intermission, Heisman Trophy quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a shoulder injury which sidelined him for the rest of the evening. That left the offensive controls in the hands of redshirt freshman Landry Jones.

With a solid football name like Landry, fans had to figure he would know his way around a backfield. While Jones didn't really commit any errors which hurt the team, he didn't exactly light up the BYU defense, which seemed to pick up steam as the night went on, denying OU the end zone at which time the offensive line penalized itself back to the 6-yard line. Adding three points on the field goal kept the team from having enough points to win. OU's defense didn't play particularly badly, but had to be disappointed not to win after holding BYU to only two TD's (No, not Tom Dirato.) in the contest.

After giving up home field advantage (There's no way BYU beats this team in Norman, Oklahoma) and receiving the first loss of the season, Oklahoma returns to the friendly confines of home this Saturday evening at 6pm CDT. This week's victim, Idaho State. OU 70, ISU 0.

The only person this game will help is Jones who needs experience to be able to perform as an adequate backup quarterback. The rainbow passes he was tossing around in the third quarter Saturday made the eyes of every defensive back in the Big 12 Conference a big as saucers. The challenges are great. Let the excitement begin.

THE PERCENTAGES

OU's loss and OSU's victory last weekend left a two-game pock mark on the CPEL's picks record for the week. The current tally is 3-2 for all those college basketball fans out there.

God bless all the families affected by the events of September 11, 2001. CPEL remembers. God Bless America!!!

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

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The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 12, Issue 1

2009-09-02T20:21:00.000-05:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

AND NOW,…

Arriving in your e-mail box from parts unknown,…Celebrating life, cooler weather and the families college football brings together every fall,…THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER rides again! With the clock quickly winding down to kick-off it's time to get this show on the road. Enjoy!

COMPANIMALS

The Sports Animal was broadcasting from Buffalo Wild Wings on Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City Saturday morning. The theme of the event was to raise funds for the Dan Lutz Rehabilitation Fund. Lutz, a former broadcaster on "The Animal", as the station is called in its own advertisements, passed away in 2002. According to the organization's website, its mission is "to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. The primary focus is to help people with disabilities gain their independence.

Reportedly, Lutz, who was dependent on a wheel chair, "learned to drive Oklahoma Center for Rehabilitative Driving Services." Since Lutz's passing the center bears his name and continues to train people with disabilities to drive and become more independent. Between callers asking when OU will go back to the wishbone offense and spats between local athletes and sports radio personalities bickering over which city is the best, it's heartwarming to hear about the compassion of the "Sports Animals".

HAIR RAISING EXPERIENCE

In a FoxNews.com report with the shelf-life of an MRE, Blair Blacker reportedly flew combat helicopters during the Vietnam War. Now, years later, after achieving the rank of Colonel and retiring from the U.S. Army, Blacker is in the hair business,…literally. Hair is his business and business is good!

Where does Blacker get the hair? China and India are major exporters of human hair. Blacker says, "It's not processed or dyed like a lot of hair we have here," What uses does the hair serve? Most of the hair is used to repel insects from crops. Consumers may be able to purchase SmartGrow garden mats in local retailers.

The report also says the hair can be used to construct items "such as false eyelashes and wigs, to the more obscure: it's a common raw-material source for l-cysteine, an amino acid frequently used in baked goods such as pizza dough and bagels." Yummy! Eating that morning bagel or a visit to a favorite pizzeria could be a hairy deal. Bon appetite!

LABOR DAY

Monday is Labor Day. Don't wear white after that. This has been a public service announcement of The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter. CPEL,…something for everyone in a fashion conscious climate.

TULSA

The Golden Hurricane kicks off a day ahead of the other four CPEL teams. Friday night September 4, at 7pm CDT, the season begins for TU at another TU,…Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game against the Green Wave will be televised on ESPN. Each team possesses one of only a handful of team names which does not end in the letter 's'. Who are the others?

Tulsa coach Todd Graham has a new contract and one of three players will be the new quarterback, leading the Hurricane offense. A bumpy start could be in store but stable coaching will get the team back on track before they lose a game in the inhospitable confines of the Louisiana Superdome. Tulsa pulls out the win 38-27, before two more consecutive road games at New Mexico and Oklahoma. Maybe they can soak up that extra day of rest on Saturday. They're gonna need it.

There's no trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas this season to trip up the boys in blue. Overall, the season looks to be another good one on 11th Street. CPEL is predicting a 9-4 finish with a nice pre-New Year's bowl game. Good luck Hurricane!

ARKANSAS

Bobby Petrino's (Sounds like a great pro golfer's name. The PGA's ready when you are Bobby!) Razorbacks should be improved this season but again, the Southeastern Conference schedule can be like climbing a mountain with an anvil in each pocket. Quarterback Ryan Mallett is guaranteed to hammer the competition this season and his coach thinks the offense can be much improved over last season's.

Saturday evening at 6pm CDT, the sacrificial lambs from Missouri State arrive at Razorback Stadium to pick up the first mark in the loss column. The Hog defense may be suspect at this stage of the season but may be much better near the end in a repeat of last year's effort. Arkansas wins easily and gives the home crowd something to cheer about before a week off and a visit from Georgia on September 19 for a reality check supreme. Welcome to the SEC.

A season projection of CPEL is for a 9-4 record with a nice trip to the Cotton or Independence Bowl. Tough to pick against U of A opponents Georgia, Alabama at Tuscaloosa, defending national champ Florida in Gainesville and LSU in revenge, at Baton Rouge. One highlight will be a game against old Southwestern Conference rival Texas A&M in Dallas Cowboy Stadium on October 3.

TENNESSEE

Before he was unceremoniously run out of town on a rail, there was a young coach named Terry Bowden who led Auburn to a perfect regular season record unexpectedly. Can Lane Kiffin reproduce that kind of success at UT? The revival begins at Neyland Cathedral in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at 11:21am CDT. The faithful tangerine nation would like this season to be as unique as the kick-off time and full of victories as in times past.

The echoes of past victories will be heard Saturday when Western Kentucky visits for another David v. Goliath sort of affair. Rocky Top will be all over the Hilltoppers like a blood hound on the hunt. Rrrrrrruffff!

Bouncing back in the aforementioned SEC is at best a relative term. The Volunteers understand relativity and rationalization and ibuprofen on too many game days, in recent memory. The proverbial crystal ball reveals a 9-4 season at best, with a finale in the Outback Bowl where they can vent frustrations on some middle wrung team from the Big 10 (Big 11 for most people).

OKLAHOMA STATE

It's been billed, by some OSU fans, as the "Apokealypse". The 9th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys host the 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, September 5 at 2:30pm CDT. The Tulsa World has reported Oklahoma State has sold more season tickets this year than ever totaling over 44,000 seats. This is shaping up to be a great early season intersectional contest. The Cowboys are the up-and-comers in the Big 12 and the Dawgs return to face the music (probably Country music) for upending OSU's early season hopes in Athens, Georgia last year at this time.

This game is evenly matched on the field. Coaching gives Georgia a slight edge over Mike Gundy and the reshuffled deck of coaches on the OSU sideline this year. Attitude will be everything Saturday when the cameras are broadcasting this outstanding specimen of college football at its best. Maybe Pistol Pete will even shave for this one. After decades of observation, he ALWAYS has a five o'clock shadow. ALWAYS! Whiskers aside, Georgia will outlast the home team in a close game 31-24.

Good thing Georgia's not a conference game. The season won't end on Saturday and there are 11 games left of which OSU has a chance to win each one. When the dust clears on this one, a 9-4 record seems feasible until Gundy finds out a way to become dislodged from behind Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.
OKLAHOMA

SoonerSports.com lists some memorable season openers this week and the commencement of this year's national championship campaign may get more attention than any of them. The Sooners opens the season versus Brigham Young University at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Irving, Texas on Saturday evening at 6pm CDT. In the first outing since a loss to Florida in the national championship game OU's opponent is ranked a considerable distance below the lofty 3rd place ranking Oklahoma is currently perched on.

Led by last season's Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, the OU offensive unit will be put to the test each week in the treacherous Big 12 Conference's Southern Division. Oklahoma plans to start a converted tight end at center to stabilize an offensive line which was decimated by graduation and the NFL draft. Whether Bradford can remain durable enough to take each team's best shot will be the key to the success of the Sooner offense and the only hope for repeating the gaudy numbers it put up last year.

BYU shouldn't provide more than a strenuous workout for Oklahoma even at a neutral site. Fans won't know much about the Sooners offensive line until a game at Miami of Florida on October 3. The good news is the OU defense should be better than it was last year. That defensive is good enough to take a couple of big games on their shoulders and win them. A 13-1 finish is within the realm of possibility with a rematch against Florida in a second consecutive title game.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

P.S. For a little more good reading, check out the CPEL Express notes online at:
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 22

2009-03-04T00:27:00.002-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

BELLY LAUGH

No more sleepless nights because the wait is over. An age old mystery has been solved. FoxNews.com reports after three years of gazing into his own navel and the navels of others, an Austrian chemist, by the name of Georg Steinhauser, has discovered the cause of belly button lint. His claim is abdominal hair acts as hooks which pull unsuspecting cloth fibers into spelunker's cave where forces similar to those at work in the center of a black hole make the matter very dense. The article states, "Therefore, this is a typically male phenomenon. The abdominal hair collects fibers from cotton shirts and directs them into the navel where they are compacted to a felt-like matter."

Steinhauser's report went on to identify the average bearer of navel lint as "a slightly overweight middle-aged male with a hairy abdomen." An all too common tale to be sure. "[Steinhauser] also noticed that 'old T-shirts or dress shirts produce less navel fuzz than brand new T-shirts.'" So redirect that wardrobe budget and pick up those new tees later. For added economical entertainment, save up all your lint specimens, and those from all available sources you know the origin of, to make your own pillow. Now the secret of navel lint has been unveiled, there will be a lot more peaceful rest around the globe.

78.9 MILES PER HOUR

"Where's your hat?" This guy didn't look like he'd served a heartbeat on a pirate ship but there he was walking past the malt vinegar bottles sporting his card stock pirate hat. The symbolic skull and bones sky piece carried the announcement he had "sailed away from the ordinary". No argument.

He appeared to have come from a table with a woman and a young boy. Hoping he was setting his course back over that direction, the reply came, "Just waiting for the big moment". Every old salt knows timing is critical when planning to hoist the colors and set sail. Courtesy smiles were exchanged with the humorous quips and he returned to his crew.

Were speeding permitted on the fair highways and byways of the great State of Oklahoma, 78.9 miles per hour would have been the velocity of choice since time had apparently accelerated and escaped to the point infringing on speed ordinances seemed like a good idea. The race was on. Six-thirty o'clock came and went like another mile marker. What was the big deal? Shipwreck treasure! Arrrrgh!

This particular evening was extraordinary because it was one of those functions lending private access to Odyssey Marine Exploration's Shipwreck Pirates & Treasure exhibit at the Oklahoma Science Museum. The display contains items found at the shipwreck site of a Civil War steamship named The Republic. There are a number of interesting items and some interactive kiosks which allow visitors to attempt to recover simulated treasure (Arrrrrrgh!). There is a collection of belongings of actual former pirates and plenty of supporting information spread throughout the Shipwreck galleries.

Another item of note is a life-sized model of the Zeus Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) which is currently used by archaeologists to search wreckage for treasure (Arrrrrrgh!). There is an additional simulator which allows the guidance of Zeus to lift rare precious cyber booty from its aquatic home like an underwater crane game.

A very interesting part of the tour is a hurricane simulator tube. It looks like a phone booth. Stepping into the plexiglass canister and closing the door presses the switch which activates the wind turbines. There's one fan blowing air horizontally at approximately knee level. The other fan is blowing air straight down from above tube so it's difficult to tell which direction the wind is actually being clocked in.

A wind meter shows the lucky gustee inside and those watching and chuckling outside the cylinder how fast the wind is traveling. Just when thoughts drift to a journey through the vacuum transport system in a bank drive-thru, the felt-like matter can be felt gently lifting, rearranging and being replanted in one's navel. When the wind speed reaches 78.9 miles per hour, the turbines slow down and gradually the wind subsides, leaving the participant with ruffled clothing and a new hair style.

"You ring it!" "No, you do it!" Clang! There was Captain Jack, his wife, son and and a scallywag who was the spittin' image of Sparrow himself, Captain Jack the Elder grinning under his balding noggin which was crowned with his cardstock lid. "Happy sailing!" Arrrrrgh! "Happy Sailing to you."

SPRINGS AND BLOCKS

Spring football practice has started this week all over America. While Oklahoma State is Marveling at the question of whether to attempt to recruit former Miami University quarterback Robert Marve, the Sooners are addressing the issue of replacing four, possibly all five offensive linemen. Failure to train another O-line by fall will certainly block OU's chances at yet another championship run this season. OU offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson, is a magician with developing young linemen but it will be a tall order in a year the rest of the Big 12 is hoping to exact revenge on Oklahoma.

The Cowboys will be breaking in a new, yet familiar, defensive coordinator in Bill Young. Reportedly, the former OU defensive coordinator is an OSU graduate and is happy to be back in the state. Typically when the Oklahoma State offense scored what appeared to be enough points to win a game, the defense would give up more. If Young can stick around Stillwater, long enough, the Pokes' defensive effort can be brought up enough to match the very good production the offense has been having. That can spell more wins.

Defending Big 12 Conference champion Oklahoma will have a decent if not solid defensive unit and hasn't lost any assistants so far this off-season. Finding an anchor like linebacker Ryan Reynolds can make this unit downright stingy. If and when the defense steps up, it will be a fun group to watch this fall. There are a lot of good offensive players in the Big 12 who are currently licking their lips in anticipation.

MADNESS?

It's March. That means after a weekend of did those three games actually account for anything? conference tournaments is over, the Madness can ensue. Thursdays through Sundays the latter half of this month, there will be hoops on in the morning and hoops on at night. If watching March Madness is wrong, fans don't wanna be right.

OU, a team of destiny, is reminiscent of Bob Huggins Cincinnati Bearcat teams a few years back. Oklahoma has mystique and talent up and down the roster. Youth notwithstanding, they could actually make a Final Four appearance, then win it all.

National superstar, Blake Griffin, sat out a couple of games after receiving a concussion in Austin, Texas against the Longhorns. One of those games was a miserable home loss to the Kansas Jayhawks last Monday night. The teams were tied for first place in the Big 12 entering the contest. The Jayhawks emerged from Lloyd Noble Center with the lead.

Griffin is now back in the lineup and will make Jeff Capel's Sooners a very tough team to beat. Don't forget about freshman phenom guard, Willie Warren. Seeing those two on the court is a slice of 1988 all over again. Basketball at Lloyd Noble Center is fun to watch again.

Travis Ford has the Cowboys playing good basketball just in time for a possible invitation to the big dance. They defeated Kansas State tonight by a score of 77-71 in Stillwater. That is win number six in a row for OSU which faces Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon in Norman. Bedlam equals madness so the festivities start early this March.

BILL HALEY'S TIME TRAVEL

[The following is a public service announcement of the Crimson Pigskin e-Letter.]

One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock rock!,…. In what astronomers are billing a good year for comets, the band would be proud to know everyone who participates in daylight savings time will leap one hour into the future Sunday morning at 2:00am (insert your time zone abbreviation here.). 3:01am will be exactly the same moment as 2:01am. Thus, a flux capacitor, like the one being driven around inside a souped up Back to the Future movie prop Delorean on Cherry Street, will not be necessary to hurdle most of North America into the future. When that car hits 78.9 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious lint removal.

Remember to set your clocks forward one hour. Thank you, Bill Haley & The Comets. Thank you, Benjamin Franklin. Thank you astronomers. Keep reaching for the stars.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week!

Carlos

P.S. Remember to check out www.crimsonpigskin.com to see if you have missed any of the special winter/spring issues posted recently.

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 21

2009-02-09T22:49:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

THE ORANGE EXPRESSWAY

A recent dvd release from Universal Pictures entitled, The Express, chronicles the story of Syracuse running back Ernie Davis. His career at SU spanning from 1959 to 1961, Davis held the distinction of being the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner after the '61 season. In 1959, his sophomore year, the Orangemen won the national title.

The role of Coach Schwartzwalder is played by Dennis Quaid. Schwartzwalder was named national coach of the year after an 11-0 regular season, followed by a win over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. He had floored Davis when he assigned Brown's old number, 44, to the young workhorse. Quaid's performance as the hardnosed ball coach is believable and adds a lot to the predictable storyline.

The Ernie Davis story picks up where the great Jim Brown's leaves off and ends tragically in 1963, when at 23 years of age, he loses a battle against leukemia. With the exception of winning the Heisman and a sad ending, Davis' story parallels that of late Oklahoma star running back Prentice Gautt, right down to being Cleveland Browns of the NFL. Davis' health had declined such that he never played a down for the Browns although he suited up and stood on the sideline before his condition completely disrupted everyday life.

Gautt told stories about his time as a high profile African-American football player in the southern United States in the late '50's. One of the most notable memories has been clouded by time and transmission as it's handed down from former Sooner players. Accounts range from Gautt being sneaked into the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City through the service entrance, before home football games because of segregation to those of him being welcomed by reporters and glaring flashbulbs. Some say the denial was at The Fort Worth Hotel instead of the Skirvin. Davis and two teammates were relegated to sleep on cots in service quarters in Dallas, Texas before the 1959 Cotton Bowl.

Not as much of a tear jerker as Brian's Song, and cut from the same cloth as Remember the Titans, the recruiting scenes alone make it a an interesting flick for college football fans. Seeing the torch passed from Brown to Davis, then on to Floyd Little is an intriguing part of the tale. There's no time like the wait for spring football or the summer to rent it. Happy viewing!

TACKLING THE BIG JIM

A couple of seasons back, the Crimson Chronicles, predecessor to the CPEL, related a story about the Big Jim Omelet at Jimmy's Egg. The following is a presentation from an 11-year old guest writer who bravely battled the aptly named breakfast and emerged victoriously. This piece may be better than the usual writing found in CPEL but don't get any ideas. The author doesn't plan on handing over the reins to a youngster,…at least not yet. Here goes.

Daddy and I were watching a TV show that was talking about Beth's 12 egg omelets and he mentioned the Big Jim at Jimmy's Egg and I asked what their service times were. They are open from 7 'o'clock to 2 'o' clock so we went and I ordered the humongo omelet. The person who brought out the food thought that the wimpy Popeye omelet was for me and that the big one was for Daddy. I thought uh-uh I'm not eating the tiny one, I'm not that wimpy.

Being only 11 years of age I ate the Big Jim at Jimmy's Egg at 41^st and Peoria. I couldn't believe the hospitality and the speedy people that worked at this restaurant. It was like no other experience I ever had. I think this place definitely was a highly recommended location in which you could get a delicious omelet.

My experience with eating something bigger than my stomach [also known as the Big Jim] was slightly painful considering that 3 quarters of the way I started to become full. Lucky for me I had a big glass of Dr.Pepper to help me get it down. My omelet had double green olives, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, black olives, potatoes, green onion, bacon, sausage, and bell pepper. It was yummy and I got it quickly which was awesome.

Once I got it, I started to chow down and I told myself that I couldn't eat the hash browns and my homemade sourdough toast, or I would lose my appetite before I could finish my egg. The hash browns in a way made me want to fall over because I was so stuffed. I almost went outside before we could pay. I wanted a nap.

Conversing about the legendary Vermonster, created by Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Co. made me excited about the next trip to Texas. In Texas, I could stop at B & J's and order the enormous 20 scoop concoction covered with lots of toppings. People would be amazed if I finished it. In fact, my Dad was even amazed I could finish the Big Jim.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 20

2009-02-06T01:23:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

TWO FLAMES

On an entirely unexpected day, in an entirely unexpected way, lunch rush at an Asian Diner made its way onto the agenda. The place began to fill up with those fast-moving, important looking, tense lunchtime people. They lined up to order and seat themselves. Ninety percent of the customers present needed a table fast so they can make it back to work digging fortune cookie paste out of their teeth, occasionally catching the faint taste of peanut or wasabi, gentle reminders of the midday meal, lasting all afternoon.

Thai fare is notorious for its spicy heat. Today's bowl o' paradise had a healthy dose of peppery liquid throughout the dish. Steam was rising above the bowl making it seem hotter than usual. Feeling the burn as sweat pooled on the scalp more and more people could be seen lining up for a turn on the burning-go-round it became evident savoring the tasty fork melting chicken and tofu concoction was not going to be part of the plan.

Abandoning the chopsticks for speed's sake, the Jethro Bodine-sized serving spoon was employed to gulp everything down quickly and free up the table for the straight-faced movers and shakers who were coiled and ready to pounce on a table at the first sign of departing diners. "Do you need a refill on your drink, sir?" "Yes, please" half coughing from the smoldering noodle sauce. Didn't take too long and the bottom of the bowl was in sight. Relinquishing the table, it was time to move on to the second set of flames.

The crab-stuffed mushroom caps were delicious. A second helping was in order. They were placed directly on a thick granite heating tray with Sterno cans glowing underneath. The stainless serving tongs had been sitting on top of the granite for some time but the beckoning delicacies needed immediate attention.

Upon lifting the tongs, a reflex arc was ignited when it became painfully evident the utensil was hot enough to cook on. Quickly dropping the tongs they spun onto the top of the granite surface. Then like a pinball flipper, one branch of the tongs smacked one of the mushroom caps across the granite. It ran out of granite runway and went airborne, sailing rapidly towards a pair of trousers which acted as a backboard.

After the initial ricochet, gravity pulled the flying stuffed fungus earthward where the fall was broken by a shoe. The footwear was angled just such that the morsel banked off the shoe and was propelled underneath the table. There it was cloaked by the long black tablecloth. Whew! "Don't look around. Maybe no one noticed." Food lore is born. "Diet Coke, please."

PROSPECTING

pros-pect: noun. Something expected; a possibility. Prospects=Chances as in take one. ABBA would be proud.

National NCAA signing day was Wednesday, February 4^th. That's the day university sports programs hang their futures on high school recruits replenishing their rosters. A combination of many things makes a great sports team. It requires good athletes which are conditioned, disciplined teachable and coached by very good coaching staffs to be the best they can be. Signing day provides the good athlete part.

Old time prospectors would spend weeks, months, years and entire adult lives looking for sweet yeller gold in the caves, streams and mines of the western America. Many times, they found little or none of the precious metal. It doesn't take long looking at the lists of prospective athletes signing with their favorite colleges to realize they aren't all headed for an illustrious future at Fort Knox. The chances of finding a Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson or a Vince Young are about the same as a frontiersman finding the mother lode.

Coaches all over the nation will spend careers looking for the next player who can play the game as well as the legends did. That is what national signing day is all about. Well, that and it's a nice bridge for sportscasters to cross between bowl season and spring drills which begin next month. Here's hoping all the local universities find some diamonds in the rough that shine like superstars or at least some good costume jewelry.

THE SUPER DUPER BOWL

In a much closer game than many predicted, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 27-23. The game was almost as exciting as the Dorito's ads. The Steel men were in control of the game from the time they made a 100-yard TD (no, not Tom Dirato) run on a defensive play which set records for the most re-run play in NFL history, the longest Super Duper Bowl touchdown, the longest defensive play on a turnover and the longest distance number 92 has traveled on foot since his last holiday shopping trip to the mall.

The NFL had a play-off and found a "World Champion" yet again last Sunday. One has to think though, what exactly was a team which lost 7 regular season games doing in the Super Duper Bowl? Was that enough to reduce it to a mildly Super Bowl? The mass media 3-D blitz for a few seconds of commercials was enough to do that.

Would a play-off do the same favor of devaluing the regular season in college football? Probably. It would be second fiddle to the NFL play-offs. A mythical national champ adds some mystery and charm to the game. It also indicates that there may be something more important to academia than just winning ballgames, although, winning ballgames is a good way to go.

Why don't the teams which lost wildcard games back in December protest and say they deserve a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy? Because that would be too much like college football and no one wants to confuse the two leagues. In any event, that's another Super Bowl in the books and it's back to speculation about college prospects. Don't worry NFL fans, the draft is on April 25^th & 26^th. Then fans can see how the four year old college prospects "pan out".

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 19

2009-01-21T22:53:00.003-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

A Wii REGRESSION

Seen those people playing video games on the Nintendo Wii lately? Next time you do, imagine they're lying on their back, wearing a diaper or a nifty pair of Sooners overalls. Some of the game play motions look like an infant flailing around in the air thinking to themselves,…"Hey,…these reachers and grabbers are great. Think I'll grow up and use these to win the Super Bowl on Madden 2017 or to rid the world of evil in a game of Call of Duty 15".

It's always been a hoot watching gamers move game controllers around in the air attempting to move heroes on the screen further over to miss obstacles or get a clear shot at the enemy. It's even more of a chuckle when there are not wires tethering the gamer to the console. Boxing is fun to watch because the player has to move both remote controls to one side or the other and it looks like they really have a guard up.

The Rocky Balboa strategy is to let the computer boxer make a speed bag outta ya until your Mii is a little punchy, then Left! Left! Left! Ding Ding! The winner and still champeen!...the person who gets to be a little infantile with family and friends! Perhaps a wee regression is good for the soul after all. For those who game as a team,…"There is no I in WE".

THE CRIMSON REEL

Movie reviews have been a part of the Crimson Pigskin e-Letter in all its forms over the past 11 college football seasons. This issue includes three more for your entertainment. The following estimations and guesstimations will help the reader become a much more informed moviegoer and possibly contribute to world peace. Well, they may not bring world peace but they will prove that CPEL has something for everyone.

PAUL BLART * MALL COP – Starring and produced by funnyman Kevin James, this is the story of a mild-mannered mall security guard, officer, cop (Take your pick.) who is the Rodney Dangerfield of the mall he "observes, detects, records and reports" the ongoings of. Blart's dream is to become a state police officer but his hypoglycemia has his aspirations sidelined. Then one day a group of high-tech criminals take over Blart's domain. Against overwhelming odds, can Blart keep the bad guys from completing a huge heist and free their hostages? It's worth the price of admission to find our. Funny stuff.

HOTEL FOR DOGS – This is a cute movie about some orphans who decide to keep stray dogs inside an abandoned inner city hotel. Some of the gadgets to keep the dogs occupied are ingenious (although not as ingenious as a Wii) and the creativity brings a great deal of charm to the picture. Starring fugitives from a couple of Disney flicks, the youth actors/actresses are excellent while the adults, aside from Don Cheadle and the lady who plays his wife, are over the top. The story line has made for TV written all over it but the magnitude of the big screen is needed to get the full effect of the doggie-sitting devices. Dog lovers will be overwhelmed with pride. Good flick for kids and non-action film types.

VALKYRIE – OK, Pet peeve. Ready? The audience is pelted with no less than six different speech accents during the two hours this film runs. Now, in the author's opinion, it's much easier to follow the movie with the characters speaking English as opposed to German with subtitles. However, the characters were supposed to be officers in the World War II German war machine and Tom Cruise speaks good ol' US of Aan with other actors wavering back and forth from flairs of the Von Trapp Family Singers in The Sound of Music to one of the Beatles (not Ringo, but a combination of the others). It's a very suspenseful movie, based on a true story and seems like it is historically accurate (spoken with southern United States drawl) for the most part.

SODA WARS

Big 12 Conference sponsor Dr. Pepper boasts 23 flavors with the likes of Julius Erving and Kelsey Grammer singing its praises. "Trust me, I'm a doctor" they say with a sly grin that says, "I've been guzzling these twenty-three flavors and they're great. You should guzzle them too". Then there's a mom and pop root beer stand in Tulsa, Oklahoma which makes some delicious root beer with but 14 ingredients. CPEL has brought in universally known Yoda, the wise little greenish wrinkly taste tester, to sort through all this flavor madness for the readers. The battle begins.

CPEL: Yoda, it's truly an honor to hear from someone of your stature on the matter of Which tastes better?: 23 flavors of Dr. Pepper or 14 ingredients which make up the root beer manufactured at Weber's Root Beer Stand in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Yoda: A privilege to be here, it is. Thankful I am for your invitation.

CPEL: No problem. Have you tasted both sodas and are you prepared to discuss them for our readers?

Yoda: Taste them I have not. Use the force to compare them I will.

CPEL: Sorry Yoda, the force ain't gonna help with this little taste test. You're gonna have to drink each one and give us your distinguished opinion so the readers can get an idea of your take on each.

Yoda: Rude you are smartypants paddiwan apprentice. Bust you to space private I will.

CPEL: Wish you wouldn't do that but here goes. Which would you like to sample first?

Yoda: Pass the plastic bottle to me first. Drink it I will. Gulp, gulp, gulp. Burp. Excuse me.

CPEL: Ok, what did you taste?

Yoda: Obscure the power of the force, the plastic bottle does. Tasty the flavors are.

CPEL: OK. Try this one in the brown glass bottle with an honest to goodness metal cap on top.

Yoda: Yes. There is no try but drink it I will. Gulp, gulp, gulp. Burp. Excuse me.

CPEL: All right Yoda,…what do your taste buds tell you about this one?

Yoda: Dulled by plastic the flavors are not. Taste the spices and tree bark I do. Overcarbonated, it is not. Gulp, gulp, gulp,…gulp.

CPEL: Hey, where'd the second sample go.

Yoda: Ah, down my gullet has it traveled. Universe juice soon it will be.

CPEL: Hold on. I think that's a little more than the readers wanted to know. What are your overall impressions and what is your final rendering on this taste test?

Yoda: Which soda is which told me you have not. A sneaky paddiwan, er, uh, space private you are.

CPEL: Oh yeah. Nearly forgot. That's why you're out there saving the universe and I'm conducting taste tests for internet newsletters. Number one was the 23 flavors of Dr. Pepper. Number two was Weber's Old Fashioned Root Beer, containing only 14 ingredients.

Yoda: While delicious the DP is, choose the root beer I must. True refreshing flavor measured in thousand gallon vats is not. Homemade this root beer is. And in the same location I flew over in 1933. Soda war the root beer has won.

CPEL: You're quite the Earth historian Yoda. Honored to have met you and certainly all the readers have benefited immensely from your knowledge and flavor expertise. Anything you'd like to add before you have to go?

Yoda: Carbonated flavors many you will drink when refreshment you need. Enjoy them all in good health you will.

CPEL: We'll do our best to live by those wise words Yoda. Thank you so much again for guiding us in these uncertain soda wars.

Yoda: The privilege mine is. Good-bye for now space private.

CPEL: Safe flight Yoda. Hope you make out ok in Return of the Jedi.

TULSA vs. BALL STATE

It was pouring cats and dogs in Mobile, Alabama when the Hurricane took the field against the Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday January 6, 2009. This played entirely to Tulsa's advantage in this year's GMAC Bowl game. Coach Todd Graham's Golden Hurricane hit the gas and never looked back as the passing game took a back seat while running back Tarrion Adams rolled up 207 yards on 19 carries.

Clearly abandoning CPEL's plea to pass the ball every down in hopes of winning, the benefit of the doubt goes to the TU coaches and players for adjusting to the harsh weather conditions and holding BSU scoreless the entire second half. The passing did finally blossom, giving way to the final possessions being run between the tackles. Before the rain had subsided in the second half, Tulsa built an insurmountable lead and the Cardinals hopes for victory fell out of the proverbial nest so to speak as Tulsa won 45-13. Congratulations to the Hurricane on a great 11-3 season. Here's hoping the winning ways continue!

THE CURSE

There it was under the tree. It was an eye-popping shade of red with white lettering on the front. It read "1977 Orange Bowl" and had the silhouette of a Sooner Schooner silk-screened on it. Brother got one just like it and just like those crimson number 24 jerseys that came the year before, the boys donned them as soon as the wrapping paper hit that textured shag carpet.

One week later on New Year's night, the Sooner football team was embarrassed by an upstart Arkansas Razorback team, coached by a gentleman named Lou Holtz, 31-6. It remains one of the biggest upsets in the history of NCAA football. OU fans who remember that night are still trying to forget it.

Flash forward 31 years (Sound of time machine whirring, clunking, buzzing and grinding to a halt in 2008) It was sweet too! Bright crimson with crisp bold white lettering and the BCS Championship Game logo right in the center. Best part was there wasn't a mention of the Sooners' opponent to be found.

As usual, Santa had pegged the perfect gift. He knew the Sooners had been nice all year and it was time for the gifting frenzy. Our hero knew when he saw it, it had the potential for disaster. When that someone special smiles and says, "I got this especially for you", notions that the curse may have worn off over the last three decades blurs the judgment and it gets worn right away. Enter the Florida Gators.

The Oklahoma Sooners put their collective best crimson foot forward on Thursday, January 8, 2009 when they faced the University of Florida in the BCmeSs National Championship Game. OU played a whale of a ballgame and came up a couple of plays short on the losing end of a 24-14 (not to be confused with the 23-14 Soda Wars above) decision. There were two definitive plays in the ballgame. On the first play OU's star finesse (not to be confused with the shampoo) receiver Joaquin Iglesias had a Sam Bradford pass in his hands and let the Florida defender take the ball away from him like he was in a junior high sandlot game.

The other play was the jumpball pass Tim Tebow made to his roommate for the Gators' final TD (no, not Tom Dirato) of the evening. His roommate was covered, unlike the time Boise State ran a Statue-of-Liberty and defeated OU in a Fiesta Bowl which bears forgetting as well. These incidents made the UF defender and Tebow's roomie the unsung heroes of the night. The Iglesias play was apparently enough to drive namesake, Joaquin Phoenix, into becoming a rapper. The word artist belongs nowhere in that last sentence.

Oklahoma had one field goal blocked during the night and came up with zero points on two trips into the red zone in the first half. During the first delightful journey, Florida stopped the Sooners on a brilliant goal line stand and the second one ended with the tipping, juggling and consequential intercepting of a Sam Bradford pass with less than ten seconds to play in the half.

Both teams' defenses shone brightly the entire game as the half-time score of 14-14 indicated. Tebow took over the Gator offense, the game, South Florida, the Phillipines and who knows what all in the middle of the third quarter. From that point on, Florida gained the edge they needed to win despite Oklahoma coming in with a great game plan. The missed points and turnovers proved too much to overcome in the end.

Florida, however, was able to get a field goal, bringing the tally to 17-14, then the NCAA women's basketballesque jumpball toss in the fourth quarter sealed the victory. Ultimately, it was probably the national championship t-shirt that precipitated the loss but if there was any blame to be shouldered by the OU coaching staff it is that passing the ball brought them to the big dance and when the chips were down, they failed to run the ball into the end zone against a tough defense in goal-to-go situations in the first half and the rest is history. The Sooners played their hearts out like all those crimson clad champions who have posted championship seasons before them.

Tebow is a class act and the Sooners played a great game. The country was treated to a great national title game as a result. Oklahoma made the BCmeSs look good for an evening. Moral victories are for other teams in and out of the Big 12 Conference but Bob Stoops and the team have nothing to hang their heads about. They had a great season.

Afterward, Tebow and Bradford chose to remain collegians for the 2009 season instead of taking lucrative pro contracts to leave school early. Sportswriters are criticizing them for it these days. These guys are two more things that make a great game even better. Healthy seasons to both and may they meet again.

THE PERCENTAGES

The Tulsa win cost one loss on the CPEL season record. The OU loss added one win to the CPEL season record. This brings the season total to 44-14. That's 76% for all those college quarterbacks who are declaring for the draft early.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 18

2009-01-06T18:12:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

THE CRIMSON REEL

Wondering which motion pictures warrant a chunk of your Saturday afternoon with college football wrapping up? Look no further. Here are three quick holiday theater release reviews for CPEL readers.

Bedtime Stories – Adam Sandler makes a funny kids' movie. There are some good laughs and a couple of items the commercials didn't cover. Worth going to see with the movie passes you found in your stocking.

Marley & Me – This is a tear-jerker with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. If you welled up while watching Ol' Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows as a kid, take a backpack full of facial tissue. Reminds the viewer of Jay Cronley's Tulsa World stories about his Springer Spaniels except this one isn't funny at times.

Yes Man – Just say NO to the latest effort by Jim Carrey. While there are some chuckles during the show, there are some groaner moments and this one may be best watched with a remote at the ready after it comes out on dvd.

CPEL movie reviews. Something for everyone.

FIESTA

The Texas Longhorns were able to overcome a great defensive effort by the Ohio State Buckeyes last night. UT scored with 16 seconds remaining in the game and won 24-21. This wasn't exactly the We're number one! Blowout mandate Horn fans had hoped for but it is a BCmeSs bowl victory over a quality opponent. The win serves to remove a bad taste left over from being left out of the BCmeSs championship game.

Texas faithful checked another item off the Christmas wish list when a December 23^rd news report stated wide receiver Jordan Shipley was granted a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship. Sooner fans and OU defensive backs will remember Shipley better as simply "number 6". This perspective was gained from seeing Shipley's back as he raced to the end zone a couple of times contributing to the OU loss at Dallas in October. The Washington Post quoted Shipley as saying "It is definitely a blessing to be able to play one more season at Texas." Indeed. God bless us every one.

G-M-A/C A GOOD BOWL

Tonight the Golden Hurricane faces once beaten Ball State in the GMAC Bowl. The venue for this match-up is in Mobile, Alabama. Kick-off is set for 7pm CST. According to Weather.com, current weather conditions in Mobile include mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of 72 degrees. Judging from the radar (CPEL is not in the meteorology business.) there may be some showers before the game is completed.

Tulsa's main chance at victory is grasping onto an offensive identity which has been missing since the last series in the loss at Arkansas in November. "Throwing" caution to the wind, the Hurricane needs to line up five wide receivers and play some good ol' sandlot ball, "slinging it all over the yard" as Jim Traber would say. They can remain competitive in this game if quarterback David Johnson can make instinctive plays, comfortably directing a wide-open offense and finding receivers to get the ball to. Bowl time is too late for TU to worry about balancing the passing and running games. The offensive line is not going to "bowl" over Ball State's defensive line.

Defensively, TU has to avoid gambling and attempt to create turnovers without sacrificing good tackling over it. How many times in big games, have defensive players missed tackles while trying to strip the ball from a runner? A lot. Tulsa just needs to settle into a fast-paced rhythm and enjoy playing football again. If they don't make mistakes, there will be a chance to claim victory at the end of the night. Ball State 38, Tulsa 28.

HOLIDAY BOWL

Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant and Zac Robinson bore the brunt of a physical Oregon Duck defense Last Wednesday night in San Diego, California. After the Cowboys played very well in the first half, the Ducks began to pull away in the third quarter, eventually winning 42-31. This was due to three factors. Oregon made some very good half-time adjustments. Injuries to Bryant and Robinson slowed the Pokes' offense down and finally, Jeremiah Masoli, the UO quarterback, took matters into his own hands, keeping the ball on a number of occasions just to deliver punishment to OSU defensive backs, ala Walter Payton, before either being brought down or entering the end zone.

Oklahoma State message boards were abuzz after the game with reports of many San Diego area Sooner fans appearing at the game wearing red, along with a number of Southern California fans in their team regalia. Had Oklahoma State won, there would have been posts about how head coach Mike Gundy now has to replace three assistant coaches. Perhaps this would be a good time for T-Bone to poll the 2-3 Big 12 Southern Division plug and start over? Maybe not.

THE SHOWDOWN

Sooner fans knew in their hearts, this time would come. Since Bob Stoops left Florida after winning a national championship as defensive coordinator to become head coach at Oklahoma it was inevitable the two teams would meet. Due to conference alignments, it would likely be for a national championship. But when? It just happened to be at the end of Stoops' tenth year at OU.

Enter the Big 12 Conference. With a three way tie for first place in the Big 12 Southern Division and the knowledge a second Texas victory over Missouri wouldn't gain enough BCmeSs points to get the one-loss Longhorns into a national title game, the conference tie-breaker system which selected the team with the highest current BCmeSs ranking to represent the division paved the way to Miami and a title shot for Stoops' Sooners.

The Stoops-Florida connection may be the best hope for an OU victory in Thursday night's BCS National Championship game. If the Oklahoma coaching staff has dug deep and come up with a game plan worthy of an OU versus Florida title game, then the boys in red will have a chance to join Notre Dame as the only university with eight (8) national championships. There are a number of hurdles to jump before that happens.

On the other sideline stands one of the best coaches, if not the best, in the nation. Urban Meyer took a team in Utah to an undefeated season before rolling into Gainesville, Florida and the rest is history in the making. Just two seasons ago, the Gators won a national title, at the expense of a much slower Ohio State team. The game was never close and never in doubt.

Oklahoma's troubles only begin when considering the best coaches in America have had a month to plot their championship doom. Most, if not all, of the mental edge goes to Florida. UF's outstanding quarterback and winner of the 2007 Heisman Trophy, Tim Tebow, didn't win again this year. That is motivation for him to bring his best game ever to the show Thursday. Oklahoma's quarterback, Sam Bradford, did win this year's award. This very scenario has motivated more than one stellar championship defensive effort for opponents. If that isn't enough, the Gators enter the game ranked second, behind OU which is perched above them at number one for the first time since October.

In favor of Oklahoma from a football perspective, Florida will need its All-American linebacker and speedy defensive backs to try to cover OU's plethora of receivers. No one prepares a quarterback to play better than OU's quarterback coach Josh Heupel. This game will not be an exception. Bradford can scramble, unlike the Heisman winner Oklahoma took to its last championship dance. Should Florida turn the ball over, as in most big games, OU's offense will make sure the ball makes it to the end zone. UF's offensive coordinator bailed out and went to Mississippi State last month. This has caused grief for more than one bowl team in the past. Tebow is practically a coach on the field so this probably won't be much of a boost for OU.

Oklahoma's defense has been susceptible to giving up some easy points at times this season. The way Oklahoma's defense can withstand Florida's running attack will be a key to the game. If it holds up through one half of play, the team which makes the best half-time adjustments will have a decided advantage in the second half. The Sooners must avoid allowing UF frequent long kick returns. This was another weak spot OU has had another month to shore up.

The emotional edge seems to play the biggest role in games of this magnitude. Since Florida has the motivational edge and they've been in the big one recently enough their players remember what it takes to win, while time has edged the players from OU's last title game team off the roster, CPEL has to cringe while taking OU's propensity for showing up flat in these games in recent years to making the following prediction (Hear the cringe?) Florida pulls away from a gutsy Sooner squad late in the 2^nd half. Gators 45, OU 31

THE PERCENTAGES

The Ducks' victory over OSU brought the CPEL season record to 43-13. That's 77% for all those David Letterman fans out there. Two games to go!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 17

2008-12-30T12:29:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

COUNTER SHINE

"It might be neat if strawberries, banana , blueberries, milk and ice were added to the blender. That could make a good smoothie!" A few minutes later, the eleven year-old had indeed made a vessel of fine looking smoothie.

"Here's a sample" she said with pride. The concoction tasted very good. It's tough to beat the flavors nature intended, fresh fruit, milk and crushed ice hurtled into each other at speeds which crush each ingredient into unrecognizable fragments and creates uniform smooth mixture. This stuff should be called a smoothie.

The only truly recognizable elements were a few strawberry seeds and a lovely purple tint, obviously a result of diffused blueberry juice. "Do you like it?" she beamed. "Yes! This is the perfect smoothie."

How exactly the samples had been obtained was not certain but upon return to the blender, the plastic pitcher was twisted off its stand and lifted above the machine, displacing it from contact with the seal which is to contain mixtures such as smoothies inside. This quick movement created a trapdoor effect and ALL of the liberated contents began to expand over the entire surface of the blender, the counter top beneath and like a little purple volcano, the delicious substance oozed all around into ever cranny on the counter.

Some of the oozing stuff (Couldn't really call it a smoothie at this stage of the game.) crept under the edge of the sink and dropped into a cleverly placed bucket. The cleaning people had obviously had this happen before. A scramble for paper towels began.

Once the lava was under control, it couldn't help but be noticed the countertop hadn't been shinier! And, home improvement types, the substance effectively stained the "stainless" steel sink with a nice dark bluish purple coloration, like an acid washed concrete floor. Scrubbing that sink with a pot-scrubber wouldn't remove it.

The smoothie looked great but in the end, shiny counters, spill-free operation of a blender and sink staining a stainless material were the valuable rewards of sacrificing the ingredients and the time to return the area to some semblance of order. The smoothie incident wouldn't slow our heroes one bit. There was too much fun to be had. Next year, maybe the other sink gets it!

SAM THE MAN

Who could blame Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford if he foregoes not only his senior year but also his junior year at OU and leaps at the chance to be the number one pick in this year's National Football League draft? If everything pans out as it appears, Bradford could be the next quarterback of the Detroit Lions. The Lions were 0-16 this season so there they're terrible but there will also be a new coach for Detroit this fall which means he could get a shot at rebuilding a franchise which has been decent a number of times over the years, mostly thanks to Oklahoma State's retired Barry Sanders. Yeah, fall is cold in Michigan but all the ball is played indoors.

What else does Bradford have to prove at the collegiate level? Nothing. He has already won a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore and passed Oklahoma's way into the national title game behind an offensive line NFL scouts are salivating over. Win or lose a week from Thursday, Bradford has done everything he can for OU and his own prospects for that matter. Staying to attempt to win a national title could be a rough proposition since an offensive line like the one he currently hides behind won't be recurring during his stay in Norman.

Now if somewhere in that heart of his, Bradford can justify turning down being the top pick in the draft, millions of guaranteed dollars and what Indiana Jones calls "fortune and glory" then fans at Oklahoma will be able to see him one more year. After that he's outtey!

This raises a question about fans' willingness to watch a great NFL prospect quarterback play not to get hurt (The name Adrian Peterson comes to mind.) just so he can get a "better deal" at the end of his junior season? Repeating: Heisman, national title game, 1^st pick in the draft. There is no better deal. Not next year, not the year after, not ever.

A few short years ago, college football fans had the privilege of seeing players develop and the comfort of knowing who would be on the roster the next season. The fun of watching a Billy Sims win a Heisman and return for a senior campaign, full strength and as breathtaking as ever on the field, is a pleasant and distant memory in the current age of early exit to the pros.

CPEL has stated before, this is one of the things wrong with college football, a sport which is becoming more and more like college hoops, with sophomores going out early. This fall, Sooner fans will pay ever increasing ticket prices and show up in droves to support their team and its quarterback after two years of seeing one of the greatest qb's OU's ever had. Now this is not to say OU quarterback's coach Josh Heupel couldn't help shape up another candidate by late August but Sam's the man of the year and as much as fans would love to see at least one more year of excellence, if the quarterback's jersey has Bradford on the back of it next season,…he needs to prepare for early entry into the Heisman Trophy winner's autograph tour.

MALZAHN MOVES,…AGAIN

Tulsa co-offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, has decided to become offensive coordinator at Auburn. Earlier there had been some talk of TU's head coach Todd Graham bolting for Auburn but when that did not materialize, Auburn hired Gene Chizik from Iowa State. Chizik in turn had plucked Malzahn from the artistry which has become the Hurricane's GMAC Bowl season finale. Graham doesn't anticipate missing a beat on offense headed into Tuesday's game against Ball State in Mobile, Alabama.

OKLAHOMA STATE

This leads us to tonight's unpleasantries. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti compared Oklahoma State to USC on the news last night. He said "USC has a great defense. They have a great offense". Notice any coach-speak in there? This game is against a PAC-10 opponent an the San Diego, California venue is right up their alley. In addition to the program's penchant for controversy in recent years, the Holiday Bowl is the Ducks' home away from home.

Oklahoma State may be the better team. Certainly on offense, they are as good as anyone. "The better team," as Barry Switzer always maintained in big games "doesn't always win." The Cowboys need to make sure they don't become deflated by some good ol' hometown West coast officiating or other distractions. Is there a Sooner fan out there who isn't whispering, "It could happen."?

Reportedly, Oregon enters the game reasonably healthy with something to prove. Since they were dismantled by Southern Cal and didn't get to jump on the PAC-10 title like it was a Junebug, they have a little chip on their feathers entering this particular contest. To them the opponent is not relevant. They will see USC out there. They are a good team or they wouldn't have been sent to the Holiday Bowl to begin with, especially to face the Pokes from the Big 12, a conference the PAC-10 has strong feelings for. And they're not all good ones.

Donald, Daffy et al have a history of being prepared for their San Diego appearances and also have the ability to put up a lot of points in a hurry so they can never be counted out until the game is over. It will be much easier not to change channels if Oregon trainers packed the blue-green-blue again color shifting helmets. They're one of the most aesthetic trademarks in college football.

In any event, tonight is a night of firsts. These programs have never met on the gridiron. OSU's arena league uniforms meet NFL Europe's Oregon Duck garb. The good guys in the white hats ride out to meet up with a band of notorious quacking waterfowl. ORANGE POWER meets YELL-OW. Lets just hope the game is decided by players and coaches and the guys with the little YELL-OW hankies keep their noses out of it. Probably not. One of the classic bowl match-ups of this post-season. Oregon 31, Oklahoma State 28.

More later,…

Thanks for reading. Enjoy tonight's game and have a very Happy New Year!!!

Carlos
www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 16

2008-12-17T23:30:00.001-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

BECOMING CHRISTMAS

Christmas time is known around the globe as the season of giving. This year, CPEL encourages its readers to give at individual levels of ability. This means over the next two weeks, look for opportunities to give what you have to give to others.

If there is a favorite charity or the best Church in the world and someone can afford a sizable donation, give it. Sometimes the best memorials for those missed over these holidays are donations in memory of a loved one.

If making dreams come true is a priority and there's a chance to make the wish of a disabled child come true this Christmas, make it happen. If taking children to buy gifts for an underprivileged young person at a local Angel Tree is best, take them and make it Christmas for someone else. If there's a coat or blanket in the closet which isn't needed where it is, find a local shelter and give them. If a busy schedule only allows a gift of a kind word or even a smile, for the next two weeks, give them.

At the end of the two weeks, which falls nicely at New Year's, find a moment to reflect on the gifts offered this year to those unknowns. What did Christmas become for those helped by the generosity of strangers? What has Christmas become for the giver? Who has the giver become this Christmas? Merry Christmas.

CHAMPION 3-D SHIP

A company out of Los Angeles, California (Where else when entertainment is involved?) called 3ality Digital has reportedly been given permission to broadcast the BCmeSs national championship game to 80 theaters across America in 3-D. 3ality has been testing the new 3-D sports technology on a couple of recent NFL games. Viewer reviews were positive with the exception of the satellite connection encountering difficulty and some near motion sickness setting in when the movement on the screen nearly scrambled onlookers brains.

Now fans across the nation will be able to watch Oklahoma and Florida battle it out for college football supremacy while they duck and dodge what appear to be players and cheerleaders leaping out of the screen. Ironically, the only theater 3ality has listed in the state of Oklahoma to show the Sooners' effort to get championship number 8 is located in Stillwater. FoxNews.com posts ticket price ranges between $18 and $22. Please keep 3-D glasses on at all times to deflect gridiron blood, sweat and tears.

HOW HEISMAN CAN YOU GO?

Last Thursday night in Orlando, Florida it appeared Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow was on his way to his second Heisman Trophy. The ESPNU awards crew interviewed Tebow's older brothers, Tebow's parents and others in regards to the 2007 Heisman recipient's winning attitude and his team leadership. There was footage of Tebow visiting an orphanage in Africa run by his father, sharing the Gospel, which makes the holiday season possible, and indoctrinating small African children to say "Go Gators!".

Tebow's mother said her physician had recommended she have an abortion when she was pregnant with Florida's future quarterback. After being told by professionals her child would likely not live if she was allowed to go to term, fighting Timmy Tebow grew to become a great young role model, the heart and soul of the Florida Gators and the recipient of the greatest college football honor, the Heisman Trophy. The man is as tough as nails.

Flash forward and back simultaneously. There were two other outstanding quarterbacks nominated for the Heisman this season. One was a tough little quarterback from Texas and the other was the leading man in a scoring machine the likes of which college football hasn't seen in decades. When a program is as successful as the Longhorns' has been, it is difficult to separate honest to goodness ability from commercial-like hype. Everything's bigger in Texas, including the legends.

Some, not all, universities have conducted publicity campaigns to get players nominated and awarded so when a high profile school like Texas sends a Heisman candidate to New York, it's almost unfair because someone will be under the impression the player is all hype. UT's quarterback Colt is the real "McCoy". It's a shame the trophy couldn't be sawed into three pieces and chunk awarded to each of the stars.

In the end, the most down-to-earth, steady field general of what seemed to be an unstoppable offense ended up with the hardware. Giving the Heisman Trophy a wedgie of sorts, Sam Bradford lifted the bronze trophy with his uninjured right hand. His left hand was healing in a crimson cast after a post-season surgery. In Bradford's acceptance speech, he thanked God. He thanked his family. He thanked Boren, Castiglione, Dasher, Dancer, Santa, and a frog he kept in a shoebox as a boy among others. A little digression there.

Main point is: Bradford, role model and hero of the great Cherokee Tribe, was grateful and humble. McCoy or Tebow would have been grateful as well but one can't help wondering what's in store for Texas' and Florida's opponents in the upcoming bowl match-ups. Judging from the looks on their faces as the bright lights shone on Bradford, it's not going to be pretty. OU may get a toothy 3-dimensional surprise on January 8^th in Miami.

TULSA

The party started and ran until there was approximately a minute and a half remaining Saturday afternoon, December 6th in Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane was hosting East Carolina and as many teams find out, when the coach on the other sideline is named Holtz, they can never be counted out. Such was the case in a 27-24 loss to the Pirates in front of a predominantly home crowd. The loss dropped Tulsa to a 10-3 record and relegated them to ConferenceUSA runner-up. CPEL predicted an 11-3 finish for TU. Winning the first Tulsa football game of 2009 would make this prediction stick!

Then there was talk of TU's coach, Todd Graham, jumping ship, ala Steve Kragthorpe when Auburn University called. That story turned out to be a false alarm as Iowa State's Gene Chizik will take on the task of coaching a team which can compete with Alabama. He was a defensive coordinator for the national champ Texas Longhorns in 2005 so he may be able to win with the kind of talent which can be lured to scenic Auburn. Unless a young man's a wrestler, it's difficult to understand what charms Ames, Iowa holds and now Chizik won't have to paint that picture.

Since this section is about Tulsa Football, here goes. TU has been invited to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. The game is played on January 6^th. This bowl is the site of the miraculous come-from-behind win Marshall pulled off over, you guessed it, East Carolina in 2001. Tulsa's lucky opponent is the 12-1 Ball State Cardinals. The Redbirds lost to Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Championship. That loss is the only blemish on the BSU record.

Wonder if TU will get air time on David Letterman since the show's host is a Ball State graduate, fan and benefactor? The campus in Muncie, Indiana opened the $21 million David Letterman Communication and Media Building opened in 2007. A true BSU follower, Letterman has made many jokes about Ball State over the years on his late night comedy show. The Cardinals have borrowed Letterman's repetitive comedic strategy by winning this season, over and over and over again. This will be a tough game for TU but is winnable with the right kind of mindset. Prediction later.

ARKANSAS

CPEL predicted a "6-6ish Independence Bowl kind of record". Arkansas finished the season with their 5^th win over conference rival Louisiana State, rounding out a 5-7 mark. Other than the fact the Hogs won't be participating in post-season play, that's a close prediction.

TENNESSEE

CPEL predicted a 10-4 (good buddy!) record for the Volunteers. This stinker of a prognostication fell victim to an anemic Tennessee offense that left its defense hanging out to dry while its coach became a mid-season lame duck. UT completed the season with an unheard of 5-7 record. Tennessee will not be participating in post-season play due to lacking enough wins to reach a bowl game. The 109,000 fans which fill Neyland Cathedral for home games can be guaranteed better days are ahead. The Sooner, the better.

OKLAHOMA STATE

The Cowboys aren't just a bunch of kids riding around on horses hoping John Wayne can stay in the saddle long enough to go out in a blaze of glory. The Wild West isn't just a hokey western program on the tele (British for television) either. The Cowboys are orange clad warriors of the football field and the Wild West is the new west end zone at newly expanded T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As exciting as all the new toys at OSU are, a trip to San Diego, California to represent the Big 12 Conference against the Oregon Ducks of the PAC-10 Conference is a fantastic reward for a good team which has just wrapped up a great 9-3 regular season. While finishing 4^th in the Southern Division of the Big 12, the Pokes won all their non-conference games and could be considered Big 12 Northern Division champs by virtue of defeating all three north teams on the schedule. The Cowboys exceeded the 7-6 preseason expectations of the CPEL.

As for the Cowboys' opponents, hopefully, the Ducks won't be bringing a notorious PAC-10 officiating crew to oversee the festivities. Otherwise, yellow hankies will hit the turf at the "Murph" and Oregon will surf away with a controversial win as they've been known to do. Another request is for Oregon to wear the color-shifting blue, green, blue helmets and to ditch the white ones and the yellow ones. It's tough enough looking at uniforms that look like a pro wrestlers wardrobe for four quarters without being subjected to two teams in solid white helmets months after Labor Day.

Pistol Pete takes a break from hunting wabbit and gives Duck hunting a whirl. Advice to OSU,…DUCK! Prediction later.

OKLAHOMA

Big 12 Conference Commissioner Dan Beebe shed some light on how OU sailed into the BCmeSs championship game during an interview at the Big 12 Championship game on December 6^th, a game which Oklahoma won over Missouri 62-21. The Sooners made it look easy against an outclassed Mizzou squad quarterbacked by perennial Hypeman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel. It was Oklahoma's third Big 12 Conference Championship win in a row.

Beebe stated the conference uses BCmeSs rankings as a divisional championship tie-breaker so a Big 12 team will not be eliminated from a chance to have enough points in the BCmeSs to make it to the national title game. And the Big 12 cashes in again courtesy of the Sooners. Cha-ching! SUCCESS! CPEL picked Oklahoma to finish the year 11-3. Oopsey!

History would argue the BCmeSs title game is not winnable for OU. This time, Bradford is hauling Heisman honors into Miami and facing a defense which is better than anyone in the Big 12 with the exception of the Longhorns. The Sooner roster is sporting a total of four All-Americans.

Florida's offense is powered by Tebow who makes opportunities in the running game whether the Gator's passing game is effective or not. Then there's the what have you done for me lately media who has ruled out any chance of Bob Stoops winning another BCmeSs game this century. Somehow a 12-1 record and another title game appearance doesn't appear to be jeopardizing Stoops' future. There are approximately 115 teams which won't be playing that night. Most of them, along with members of the media, will be burping pizza juice on their respective sofas.

Another line of thinking is with two more than excellent coaching staffs and great athletes at nearly every position on the field, anything can happen. The good news for Sooner fans is there are Cuban cafés along South Beach which stay open into the wee small hours in case the game takes a turn for the worse early. Not that that's ever happened before or would again this January. Prediction later.

THE PERCENTAGES

Tulsa's loss and Oklahoma's win brings CPEL's season totals to 42-13. That's 76% for all you regifters out there. Order a lump of coal suitable for placement in any stocking online today!

Thanks for reading and have a very Merry Christmas!

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 15

2008-12-03T22:21:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

WIN 'EM ALL

Hey, Texas,…Texas Tech,…and all the resta yas! If controversy is to be eliminated from picking BCmeSs champions each year, someone (Alabama) needs to win ALL the games on the schedule, even in the grueling Big 12 South. Easier said than done right? What were those naughty BCmeSs computers thinking? Well, lets take a look at the non-conference opponents for Oklahoma and Texas, the two teams in question for supremacy in the Big 12 South with a chance to go to the Big 12 Championship game to play some 9-3 team from the Northern division.

Texas' non-conference schedule consisted of 6-6 Florida Atlantic, 5-7 Texas El-Paso, 5-7 Arkansas and 9-3 Rice. The Owls were the only team of the lot which even got a faint whiff of a conference championship, tying Tulsa for first place in the Western division of Conference USA. UT defeated three of the four non-conference teams by the same score of 52-10.

The Sooners put shellackings on Chattanooga 57-2, 10-2 Big East Conference champion Cincinnati, 0-11 Washington and 10-2 Mountain West runner-up Texas Christian. Oklahoma faced conference champions while UT played a list of also rans. It would appear BCmeSs computers are incapable of distinguishing the fact Oklahoma's loss was to the Longhorns or that Texas lost to Texas Tech or Florida lost to Ole Miss for that matter. Maybe the decision made objectively as opposed to drawing names relieved fickle voters from picking whichever team feels good at the end of the season or perhaps not picking a team because they've been to the championship a few times in recent years and came up empty?

In the end, it's a difficult proposition sending any team up to the big dance but why not the Sooners? Does strength of schedule actually account for something in the computer rankings? Does margin of victory? Does being one of the two hottest one-loss teams in the nation account for anything? Does having the best quarterback to don a Sooners' uniform, ever, mean anything?

Heisman voters may feel for Colt McCoy at Texas or Graham Harrell at Texas Tech and they are great football players at this level. The Big 12 wouldn't have been nearly as strong without these guys. With all that accounted for, no one is more deserving of the Heisman than Sam Bradford but go ahead and give one of the Texans the Heisman so voters can feel good about themselves. As long as the other crimson team sportscasters all over America have been saying "no one wants to play against" is on the tele (British for television) January 8^th, "they" got it right. Otherwise, win ALL the games on the schedule or at least play somebody.

TULSA

It looked like the emerald city on the tele (British for television). Those shiny green Marshall helmets and uniforms were glowing like the Great and Terrible Oz himself. The team behind the curtain turned out to feel like humbugs after trailing Tulsa 21-7, then tying the game at 21, 28 and 35 only to let it get away in the fourth stanza by a field goal 38-35.

The win clinched the Conference USA western division title over Rice and sends the Hurricane to Saturday's Conference USA championship game which kicks off at 11am. The game will be played at Skelly Field in Tulsa, TU's home field. East Carolina, coached by Lou Holtz' son, Skip Holtz, is a formidable opponent. Tulsa and the Pirates have not met this season but ECU defeated Virginia Tech and West Virginia back in September before losing to Conference USA opponents Houston and Southern Mississippi. TU's only conference loss was to Houston. The Hurricane finished the regular season with a 10-2 record.

Both of these teams are very good and the championship game will not disappoint. Winner gets a trip to the Liberty Bowl. Tulsa wins a classic on a cool Oklahoma afternoon 48-35.

(There was an itsy bitsy typo in last week's CPEL stating the Marshall football team was decimated in 1960 but the accident occurred in 1970, 38 and not 48 years ago. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

ARKANSAS

The unwinnable game in Little Rock versus Louisiana State became a lot more winnable as the afternoon wore on Friday after Thanksgiving. LSU's inexperienced quarterback and Casey Dick's third quarter replacement of younger brother Nathan Dick was another key in Arkansas' upset of the Bayou Bengals in the closing seconds of the game 31-30. The Tigers became the Hog's fifth victim in what must have been the longest twelve games known to man for Razorback faithful.

Things are looking good for Arkansas next season. The team will make a vast improvement in the off-season under coach Bobby Petrino and as he and the youngsters get settled in the fun will begin next fall,…if Ole Miss and Alabama don't make it miserable to be a Hog.

TENNESSEE

Lane Kiffin cleaned out the defensive coaching staff and reportedly plans to hire two more Kiffins onto his coaching staff. Three Kiffins beats two pair. At least that's what Tennessee fans are hoping for. The aces in Gainesville, Florida will probably have a couple of jokers popping out of their sleeves but it will be fall before the Vols find out again.

At least the smell of victory permeated the nostrils of Rocky Top on Saturday as the Volunteers pulled out one more victory over Southeastern Conference eastern division rival Kentucky, 28-10. Astoundingly, as reported by FoxSportsNet.com the UT defense was ranked fourth nationally and finished the season with a non-bowl reaching 5-7 record. We bid them a fond farewell for the season, along with the Hogs.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Several thousand fans short of a capacity of 60,000 saw Oklahoma State hang around with a kick-off return for a TD (no, not Tom Dirato) and the subsequent outclassing of the Cowboys, particularly on two fourth and goal TD's (no, not Tom Dirato) along with stellar performances by Bradford and OU tight end Jermaine Gresham. Oklahoma State's superstars looked average except for a couple of nice catches by OSU receiver Dez Bryant and the now you see him now you don't running of the 1580-yard season leading rusher Kendall Hunter. NFL quality tight end Brandon Pettigrew was a virtual no-show during the 61-41 scorefest at T. Boone Pickens Stadium.

It was there for the taking but the Pokes gave up too many yards to the juggernaut the Sooner offense has been all season. In previous meetings at Stillwater, Stoops' teams have become stale in the bedlam contest. This time, OU didn't let up or go into an offensive cocoon. They took the 11^th ranked 9-3 Cowboys behind the woodshed to earn a trip to the Big 12 Conference championship.

OSU had a great year and will end up in a nice bowl game. The Holiday Bowl is reportedly a possibility. One would think the Cotton Bowl would not be entirely out of the question. The familiar confines of the Alamo Bowl would be a bitter pill to swallow after this particular campaign in light of the fact OSU finished 4^th in its division due to being stacked with Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. A trip to the Texas Bowl or Independence Bowl would be a slap in the face. If those are the only bowls available, Mike Gundy should boycott them at all cost. They are a step in a negative direction.

Oklahoma State proved to be better than any team in the northern division of the Big 12 by defeating Missouri easily earlier this year. If any of the big three miss a step next season, Pistol Pete and T. Boone will be there to take up the slack. Will they bring a ball coach? Time will tell,…

OKLAHOMA

They're Baaaaack! Much to the chagrin of members of the sports media who view OU in a BCS game as a recurring nightmare, Oklahoma has a chance to play for another national title this winter. Thanks to the aforementioned objective computer rankings and a few well placed poll votes, OU has one more hurdle before a dream game against Alabama, Florida or Texas for all the marbles.

Bob Stoops and the Sooners are familiar with the Missouri Tigers after defeating them soundly a number of times the past couple of seasons. Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel started the season as a Heisman candidate and is wrapping up the season as quarterback of a 9-3 team which lost to rival Kansas last Saturday in a heartbreaker. Tiger athlete Jeremy Maclin is Obi Wan Kenobi this weekend because if anyone helps MU, he is the only one who can.

While this is the second week in a row MU has played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri and it is practically a home game for them, Oklahoma is on a mission. ABC could just replay video of one of the last three times OU faced Missouri and it would show the same outcome. OU rolls into Miami 55-17.

THE PERCENTAGES

Thanksgiving weekend ended with the CPEL at 2-2 on the holiday. This brings the season total to 41-12. That's 77% for all those scarecrows, tin men, lions and Tigers and bears out there. Oh my!

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 14

2008-11-26T11:31:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

SHOPPING AVERSION

The following message includes CPEL's top ten quick ideas for making sure you don't have to participate in the world of rugby that is Friday after Thanksgiving shopping. Feel free to use each and every excuse liberally, as needed. Make a fun holiday game by creating your own variations. Here's a start.

10. Staying home fights crime. A car full of gift items is too much temptation for those who would possess the stuff of others. Local hero for a day!

Fabric allergies? Red alert! If there aren't piles of dyed fabrics in every direction there aren't flare-ups…achoo! Allergic to avarice? Don't leave the driveway.

Home is where the heart is. It's the holidays and true nostalgics will not be bound by the constraints of mass merchandising campaigns and once a year pricing.

Economics rule. Conserve $1.53 (This is not a typo.) gasoline in case the price increases to $4.00.

Self-beautification. Staying in that turkey-induced cocoon means emerging on Monday like a beautiful butterfly (for most. Others will need to wait for Easter.).

On-line shopping is much more fun and much less perilous. Microwave pork rinds? The gift that keeps on giving. Ship it? By all means. Pass the tapenade.

The honey-do list must be attended to,…STAT! Shopping will have to wait (til Thanksgiving weekend 2012).

Food Network is showing a recipe for Caribbean jerk deep fried turkeys. There are only 364 days to perfect the art. Better start today.

There is too much gratitude to express in just 24 hours. It's gonna take til Saturday night around midnight. Gotta sit this shopping trip out. Shucks.

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter is best savored during pre-game, half-time and post-game of a traditional rivalry like the ones on the tele (British for television) while turkey dinner percolates its way around the circle of life. Who can concentrate on shopping with all that going on?

This has been a public service announcement of the CPEL holiday rescue unit. CPEL,…bringing clarity and peace to all, in the murkiest holiday times.

TULSA

Intrastate team names aside, the two teams with the closest, most interesting and least understood names played the final conference game for both schools. Each are small, private urban institutions focusing on academics. One is found in mid-town of one of the most livable cities in America and the other is located smack dab in the middle of a reconstruction zone, just below sea level. The university with a name derived from a Creek Indian word meaning "old town" was victorious over the university named after the person whose endowment made the creation of the school possible in 1884. Tulsa defeated (Paul) Tulane Green Wave 56-7, in front of a chilly but happy home crowd.

Saturday finds the Hurricane with its ear to the ground back East for a 2:30pm CST kick-off. The thunder being heard isn't Aunt Edna's deluxe turkey dinner gurgling and rumbling in the aftermath of total food decadence. If it comes from the direction of Huntington, West Virginia, it's the sound of the Marshall University Thundering Herd. Marshall is the school movies have been made about regarding the November 14^th, 1960 plane crash that decimated the team, coaching staff and even reporters.

The 4-7 Herd is currently tied with three other teams for second place in the Eastern division of ConferenceUSA enters the game as a decided underdog to Tulsey Town by virtue of the Golden Hurricane having only one conference loss and a first place C-USA ranking. Coach Todd Graham needs to pack extra traction cleats for the 'Cane because footing can be a little treacherous after a Herd Thunders through. After the game, thunder to the kitchen and make another turkey sandwich with dressing on the side. If there's any remaining cranberry sauce scarf it down too. Tulsa 48, Marshall 20.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas was Bulldogged in Starkville, Mississippi Saturday. Mississippi State pulled out a close game 31-28 in what was thought to be the Hogs' last chance at a win this year. A twelve game season just seems a lot longer than an eleven game schedule when most of the marks are in the loss column. With two days of practice remaining, the 4-7 pork futures are looking up towards the end of August, 2009.

The Hogs close out the season against the Louisiana State University Tigers. While LSU has had some difficulty sustaining the same kind of record as in recent seasons under Nick Saban and Les Miles, it appears the Bayou Bengals good year is being overshadowed by the incredible success of divisional foe, Alabama, which remains at the top of the polls. LSU has settled out around 18^th nationally.

While LSU, nor Arkansas will play for the SEC title, their meetings have typically been competitive and since it's the last home game for Arkansas, the Razorbacks are sure to provide plenty of entertainment and suspense for the home crowd. Arkansas will not be participating in a bowl game this season so this will have to substitute. Arkansas begins rebuilding, Bengals get ready for, in all likelihood, the Outback or Cotton Bowl. LSU 10, Arkansas 3.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee "upset" Vanderbilt Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee by a score of 20-10. Miley Cyrus must have taken a break from her busy tele (British for television) and big screen voiceover career to give UT the 411 on a strategy for navigating Music City USA. Rocky Top and outgoing coach Phillip Fulmer angled in the victory better than Billy Ray (who reportedly "wants his mullet back") reels in laughs in Bill Engvall's DVD release entitled Bait Shop.

In what has been a disappointing year for Volunteer fans, CPEL would like to post the following reminder:

Being a Tennessee fan is an entirely volunt(ee)ry activity. It is important for any and all of UT's faithful fans to be aware number one Alabama is taking applications for new fans. SEC defectors will be given preferential treatment. By renouncing Rocky Top and going over to the dark side fans are in no way forfeiting confidentiality under the Fans Against Rotten Treatment Statement.

Next up is a visit to Lexington, Kentucky and a friendly scuffle with the Wildcats (excuse me, PowerCats). With no bowling possibilities and an emotional victory last weekend, UT likely doesn't have much left in the tank. Kentucky basketball academy 27, Tennessee defectors anonymous 13.

OKLAHOMA STATE

The Cowboys were idle last weekend. OSU head coach Mike Gundy was on the news this week, touting the new state-of-the-art facilities under the west end zone of T. Boone Pickens Stadium. The newly renovated stadium will provide much more seating for fans interested in attending future big games against the likes of Texas, Nebraska and Texas A&M. The project has been phenomenal and will undoubtedly lure many blue chip prep stars to Stillwater to wear the orange and black. In turn, the fans in the new stands will see the best teams to dawn football uniforms where the prairie began.

OKLAHOMA

When was the last time a team in Norman, Oklahoma really wanted to win? When was the last time a Sooner squad dominated an outstanding opponent in all three phases of the game? When was the last time a visiting quarterback got such a good look at the Outback blimp and a western night sky because his back was on the turf? When was the last time tele (British for television) announcers stopped talking just to watch a stadium full of fans go completely berserk? Saturday.

In an atmosphere unequaled since the 1985 OU versus Nebraska game (en route to a national championship), Oklahoma opened the throttle on the Sooner Schooner and never let up, defeating number two Texas Tech, 65-21. Earlier in the week, head coach Bob Stoops had implored OU fans to be "more vocal" for the game against the Red Raiders. Sooner fans made "more vocal" the understatement of the season.

Each time the Raiders had the ball, the crowd was deafening. Each time the Sooners stopped Tech on 3rd down, the crowd was deafening. Each time the Sooners scored, hysteria set in. The improbable margin of victory was a great send-off for a senior-laden offensive unit which will never play another game at Owen Field. In the end, Stoopsey gave the fans a game ball for rendering Yosemite Sam's offense ineffective in the first quarter.

The half-time score of 42-7 made the second half a festival for a record crowd and a team which finally played up to its potential. Former OU linebacker Brian Bosworth was standing on the sidelines, his son's arms around his neck for most of the game. He had to be flashing back to a day when he led the crimson charge on defense and Oklahoma was competitive in nearly every game, bowl or otherwise. Winning covers a multitude of sins. With OU back in the conference and national title hunts, the fake punt call at the rotten bowl has nearly been forgotten and none too soon. Up next is a stout team which doesn't like OU very much and takes Bedlam personally.

OKLAHOMA @ OKLAHOMA STATE

For the sixth time this season, two of the best four teams in the best division of the best conference in the nation will meet on the gridiron. This game has local, state and national college football landscape ramifications. If readers need convincing the definition of "Bedlam" isn't throw out the record books, line up and face the fury of what amounts to a steel cage grudge wrestling match (which would clearly give OSU and advantage) then parity and the Cowboys' 9-2 record which has propelled them to the 12^th spot in the national rankings should make believers of all.

This installment of the annual intrastate brawl features great offenses and what have been adequate defenses for the most part, with flashes of brilliance. Oklahoma's kicking game has been maligned by fans and media nearly all season but shined like a new penny Saturday night when it counted. If this game comes down to a field goal, advantage Oklahoma State. Home field advantage, Oklahoma State. Gundy brothers advantage, Oklahoma.

Chances are it will be up to the members of the team and coaching staff, along with the Pride of Oklahoma and 75,000 less red-clad OU followers than last week to pull OU through to victory if the Schooner gets bogged down crossing Pete's Gulch. Is the orange comet hurdling toward Earth, waiting to make it's once in 20-year appearance? Has Oklahoma learned what it takes to play lights out football for sixty minutes in a hostile environment?

As temperatures dip into the 30's by game's end Saturday night, Oklahoma plays for a chance for enough points to pass Texas in the BCmeSs standings. Oklahoma State loves to be a spoiler. Who will Santa grace with their Christmas wish first? He wears a red and white suit. OU 51, Oklahoma State 38.

THE PERCENTAGES

Last weekend, CPEL picked 2 for 4 correctly. This brings the season total to 39-10. That's 80% for all those New Orleans seafood fanatics out there.

Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving! It is a privilege to serve you.

Thankfully,

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 13

2008-11-21T23:36:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

BOLTING DEVELOPMENT

New in theaters this weekend is a family film from Disney Pixar. Bolt is a tale of a dog who goes from big screen hero to the animal shelter from whence he came as a pup. Voiced by John Travolta, the playful never say die, Bolt has to find his owner after he inadvertently gets shipped from Los Angeles to New York City. Not until he meets a cynical cat and a superfan hamster, complete with hamster ball, does he realize real life is better than watching his reruns on the tele (British for television).

The voice of Miley Cyrus keeps turning up as Bolt's owner, Penny, a little girl who longs for the return of her canine rescuer. Bolt and company meet pigeons of various accents during a cross-country journey Lassie and Rin Tin Tin would be envious of. This 3-D feature is for kids and kids at heart. So much so, it warranted an ovation from all ages in the audience as the credits began to roll (also in 3-D).

ROBOBILITATION 2

In a follow-up to an earlier CPEL story about University of Oklahoma students developing robot systems to help medical patients with musculo-skeletal rehabilitation, namely teaching people to walk again, Honda has designed a new device which helps people hoof around even when there may be impairments keeping them stationary. FoxNews.com compares Honda's invention, direct from Tokyo, Japan, to a "bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes".

Even though it's nice to have a toaster that looks like a kitty cat, inventions like the one Honda is contributing to society will make life better for many people who may not be able to get from room to room, much less from coast to coast. A stylish Bolt decal would be a welcome accent for those fashion conscious readers and you know who you are. And, you heard it here first because OU beat Honda to the punch.

KING OF KP

Smithsonian Magazine for November, 2008 ran a small article about the king of rock n' roll's time in the United States Army. Of Elvis' days in green, Smithsonian states Presley's commanding officers were instructed to treat him like anyone else in the the armed forces, singing voice, record sales and swiveling hips notwithstanding. The report continues by adding the fact the entertainer whose popularity has now spanned three generations pulled kitchen patrol duty, cleaned toilets and took part in all the daily activities of the average GI. Maybe that's why America and most of the world fell in love with him to begin with.

TULSA

After a week off, a fragile Tulsa Golden Hurricane squad traveled to Houston, Texas (birthplace of humidity) and took a lickin' a Timex watch would have stone cold stopped over. After being bitten a number of times by the turnover bug, resembling a Gulf Coast mosquito, Tulsa couldn't recover and as TU was crossing the 30-point mark, UH was crossing the 60-point mark. It was especially difficult to watch after the close loss at Arkansas two weeks earlier.

Tulsa returns to the friendly confines of Chapman Stadium in Tulsa for Senior Day versus Tulane on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is set for 2:00pm CST. Take a jacket and watch the Hurricane in their last stop before the Conference USA championship. Tulsa 45, Tulane 35.

ARKANSAS

The Hogs were off on November 15^th in preparation for the last winnable game on the U of A schedule. Saturday finds the Razorbacks in Starkville, Mississippi for a game against divisional opponent Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are the last team likely to be bulldogged by Arkansas because the following week Louisiana State pays a visit.

Even with a national ranking hovering around 20, LSU is dangerous. Friday after Thanksgiving, there will be some more ham on the table. Arkansas 27, MSU 21.

TENNESSEE

The Volunteers take on in-state rival Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday at 11:30am CST. Vandy is 6-4 on the year and is known as an academic institution as well as a mid-range athletic school. That means there will be a lot of intelligent sorts in the black jerseys. This however, doesn't mean the Commodores won't take a break from the books to rub in one of the worst records in Tennessee football history.

Tennessee starts over on so many levels but not until the Kentucky game is over on November 29^th. On the coaching front, UT plans to name a head coach in December. A broken shell of a former team folds in Music City USA. Vandy 40, Tennessee 3.

OKLAHOMA STATE

In a conference as good as the Big 12, teams must win trap road games like the Colorado game Saturday night. Even in the thin air just outside the Mile-High City, Oklahoma State was able to secure a 30-17 win, going away. Each time CU got anything going on offense, OSU had an answering score and control of the game well before the fourth quarter even started. While Colorado isn't the best team in the northern division of the Big 12, the Cowboys' solid win again shows the strength of the southern division which still holds four spots in the top 10 nationally.

At 9-2, OSU is idle on the 22^nd. Thanksgiving is next week and maybe Poke fans will be thankful for a win over arch-rival Oklahoma on the 29^th. More on that later.

OKLAHOMA

To date, two teams have clearly outclassed the rest of college football. Those two teams are Alabama and Texas Tech. Both sport undefeated records going into the last two weekends of the college football season. One team's path runs through Norman, Oklahoma on Saturday night at 7pm CST. That's when Texas Tech visits OU in what has become a divisional rivalry in recent years.

The presence of Mike Leach as head coach at Tech and Double-T's ability to defeat Oklahoma in two of the last three meetings, controversial as the wins may be, have brought a little West Texas salsa to a series which Oklahoma owned since the Big 12 was formed. Controversy, amazingly enough, decreases exponentially the further one travels from Lubbock, Texas. Tech had an advantage in games against then number one Texas and number 6 Oklahoma State because the games were at Tech. The game against the Sooners in not going to be in friendly confines.

Oklahoma's chance to spoil 2^nd ranked Tech's chances for a Big 12 championship comes on a chilly night in front of a capacity crowd at Owen Field. In Tech's favor is the fact Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has requested fans be more vocal for this top five match-up. While they're at it, fans shouldn't call a fake punt on 4^th and 13 in OU territory and come up 18 inches short of a possible national title the fifth weekend of the season. Then a game like this might be between number one and number two.

Not sure picking on the fans to be louder is the way to go since the last time Stoopsey spoke of this kind of thing, it was from a stage on Hollywood Beach, Florida. "Be loud tomorrow,…We're gonna need you!" he said. The next night, USC spanked the Sooners in a 55-19 loss the program has yet to rebound from entirely. Viewers in Japan will see this game via tele (British for television) at 10am along with various football fans all over the world as the Sooners put a 59-2 home record under Stoops on the line.

Mr. Mayogi needs to tell Daniel Sahn ball control is key. Keeping Tech's superstar quarterback and wide receiver off the field, then gathering up a couple of opportune turnovers, the Sooners pull it out in the end. Oklahoma 48, Tech 41 in OT.

THE PERCENTAGES

With only two CPEL teams in action last week, the picks were 1-1. This brings the season record to 37-8 for all those Honda engineers out there. Onward and upward!

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend! Sayonara!

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 12

2008-11-15T00:32:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

SAILING ON AIR

It can be hauled on a boat trailer. Once it's been backed down the boat ramp, it can cast off like most other boats. Then the wings can be folded out and this particular boat can be transformed into a seaplane. The December issue of Popular Science magazine has a short article describing the Icon A5 – Amphibious Light Sport Aircraft and how it will increase the number of amateur pilots taking to the air and/or water due to its versatility.

The A5's stylish design looks like a giant Jet Ski crossed with a two-seat light aircraft. Doesn't look like much of a fishing craft but by the time the reverse propeller and unleaded gasoline fueled engine land in a favorite cove, the fish are likely to be on the other side of the lake. In other words, the only people who won't be impressed with your picture perfect aquatic landing will be the other fishermen.

When the fishing trip is over, fold the wings back up, or get the automatic folding winged model and let the machines do the work. Load it back on the trailer and if the garage is more than 28 feet from front to back, the compact seaplane and trailer will fit in there. Then it can be rolled back out the next time the pilot is headed in a direction with a safe water landing site.

ALL ABOARD

Travel from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth via Amtrak's Heartland Flyer rail service has picked up in recent months. This circuit of Amtrak's routes was already popular for tourists and travelers, then the increase in passengers occurred during the recent spike in fuel prices. With service departing in the morning and returning the same evening, Amtrak transports families on great day trips.

Unlike buses and commercial aircraft, the Flyer has plenty of seat and legroom. There is freedom to walk around the train and a dining car downstairs in case that nougatocity craving strikes. Get a window seat and catch the sites many others miss from the interstate. All aboard! Next stop, fun!

TULSA

The Hurricane took last weekend off after the loss at Arkansas on November 1^st. This Saturday finds TU in Houston, Texas for a meeting with the University of Houston Cougars. UH is 5-4 entering this contest and is currently 3^rd place in Conference USA. Ranked 25^th nationally, Tulsa is at the top of the league. After this game in the birthplace of humidity, the Golden Hurricane will still be at the top of the league. 'Cane 48, Houston 24.

ARKANSAS

The Hogs took a 34-21 loss on the chinny, chin chin Saturday at South Carolina. Now at 4-6, Arkansas has the weekend off to prepare for a trip to Starkville, Mississippi on November 22^nd for a winnable game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. That will be the last winnable game on the schedule because the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Razorbacks host Louisiana State. Five wins in the first year under coach Bobby Petrino isn't a complete bust. There will be a lot of Hog calling going on next fall when the team starts building with bricks instead of straw and wood.

TENNESSEE

Most of the news revolving around the University of Tennessee is about coach Phillip Fulmer coaching his last two games at UT on November 22^nd and 29^th. The coach has seen the highs and lows of Volunteer football winning a national championship in 1998 and ten years later watching the 2008 offense dig them into a 3-7 hole. The 109,000 fans who flood Neyland Cathedral Saturday in and Saturday out will have the spark of a new coaching staff next season and the subsequent rebuilding process but the Volunteers will be hovering around the top of the Southeastern Conference before man lands on Mars.

OKLAHOMA STATE

One of only two CPEL teams in action this week, Oklahoma State lost at Lubbock, Texas to the Texas Tech Red Raiders last Saturday night. Tech's offense made it look easy as they have against all the other opponents they faced on the way to their lofty 10-0 record and number 2 ranking. OSU had some success on offense running the ball and with short to medium range passes to the tight end but standout wide receiver Dez Bryant was invisible most of the night. Tech's defense is typically not as stout as this year's installment which makes it look like the Double T could run the table.

Saturday finds the Cowboys in the thin air of Boulder, Colorado. The Buffaloes have been a sore spot on many team's schedules in recent years but if Oklahoma State can get back on track after last week's mugging, Pistol Pete should return to Stillwater happy with a 9-2 record. If CU has other plans, OSU could be in for another long evening. OSU 38, CU 21.

OKLAHOMA

Last weekend, Oklahoma visited conference opponent Texas A&M. The Aggies are struggling this year under new head coach Mike Sherman. Saturday afternoon was no exception to this. The Sooners went home with a runaway 66-28 victory which was worse than the score indicated.

OU is idle this weekend in preparation for Texas Tech in Norman, Oklahoma on November 22^nd. Tech's head coach, Mike Leach, was OU coach Bob Stoops' offensive coordinator in 1999 before he took over at Tech. Nine years later, Leach and Tech are at the top of college football. If Tech wins at Oklahoma next week Baylor can't stop the Red Raiders from reaching the Big 12 Championship game even if they could somehow upset Tech.

THE PERCENTAGES

Last week CPEL went 2-2 on the picks, thanks to OSU and Tennessee losing. This brings the season record to 36-7. That's 84% for all those amateur pilots with fishing licenses out there.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 11

2008-11-06T23:50:00.000-06:00

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

PLUGGING IN

Paid parking could soon be a thing of the past. FoxNews.com reports drivers of electric cars in the near future may be able to receive extra pocket change for connecting the batteries in parked cars to the nation's power grid. Through a process called "V2G Technology" energy from the batteries can be stored for use in homes, businesses and any other electrical device consumers deem necessary. Current research is being conducted for V2G to work with existing hybrid vehicle formats.

Drivers could receive payments for the voltage contributions which could be used to cover the cost of parking, tolls or a new battery (little humor there). This plug-in, go to work, unplug, go home, collect the cash scenario would be appealing to many auto owners but here's a new twist. Remember those windmills being used to generate electricity from the wind? What if,…car manufacturers bolted one of those windmills to the top of an electric car on a swivel so it could catch wind from any direction? Shockingly, this device is already known as the helicopter.

FALLING MEMORIES

Some were green. Some were brown. Others were yellow, red, gold, orange and even purple. Then they began to fall. Autumn leaves have been in full color during recent days here in the heartland of America. Weather this year has cooperated and the annual display has been as delightful as ever.

Hillside after hillside is covered with trees, some appearing to display every spot on the color wheel as if gracefully painted by a master artist. CPEL invites you to get out and view the remaining miles upon miles of the plant world's threshold to the holiday season and chilling wintry weather before they're all earthbound. Then the swirling shells tracked all over roadways and walking paths can become something besides just a cleanup project.

ZOORIFFIC SWEETS

Yes, Fall. A time for glowing country sides and collecting candy with the aroma of elephant waste floating through the air like a Texas Tech TD (no, not Tom Dirato) pass. "Kaegan! Come back here!" Kaegan's mother was a witch. No, she really was a witch. Kaegan, a rambunctious three to four year old was dressed as a princess, complete with a Disney princess candy gathering receptacle. She had wandered over near some huge coolers with some kind of fancy flavored water drinks and other Coca-Cola products which were to appease the masses lined up for opening time.

Our heroes had learned those who trick-or-treat too late, end up waiting in the parking lot for a very long time. Positioned near the front of the line, the latecomers were stringing along the winding path between parked cars in the premium pay to park (until the advent of the electric automobile) lot. More importantly, they were behind a throng of people at the head of the line who tried to look nonchalant at the pole position as it were (for all the NASCAR fans out there). "That's right,…we're in front of you because we thought ahead." You know the type.

There goes Kaegan again. Maybe one of those child harness/leash things is in order? Does that princess container light up? It's about to be night time and we don't want Kaegan falling into a Halloween display to be found the next day lying in a pile of Reese's Pieces bags with a smile on her face, chocolate stained princess outfit, blue tongue and a Cherry Mash dangling from her lip. Nope, not a pretty thought.

Maybe Captain Elizabeth Swan there could find a pirate's way into the park to load up on sugary treats before the land lubbers outside could gain entry? Probably not. "What time is it now?!?" "Two minutes later than the last time you asked." "OPEN THE GATE!" "Only fifteen more minutes to wait doll,…at least we're not back there like last year (glance over shoulder,…chuckle).

Finally, after what seemed like the same amount of time had passed before last year's visit, this guy in a synthetic buffalo hat makes a couple of jokes, then opens the gate. People everywhere were rushing through the gate like their team had just won a ballgame. Clipping, holding, whoa! il-legal procedure. Throw the flag! Throw the flag! Some thirty year old guy dressed up like a whoopee cushion was the only one who appeared to be making any headway and for obvious reasons. Easing up behind a gaggle in the line, he created an auditory emanation and the waters parted like Gomez Addams' hair.

As the evening became cooler and darker the custom eco-friendly shopping bag which based on its size, wouldn't qualify as airline carryon luggage, became heavier and heavier. "Look, there's a giraffe!" "More candy, more candy, more, more. Wonder how Kaegan's faring in all this madness. Bet she didn't go through the spook house. Yeah, give it a whirl,…"This will blow your mind" "It'll blow something else too!" Kaegan!!!

TULSA

In a heartbreaking 30-23 finish, the only undefeated major college football team from the state of Oklahoma lost at Arkansas Saturday afternoon. TU quarterback David Johnson's pass on fourth down and goal was too far ahead of the covered receiver in the end zone. The missed TD (no, not Tom Dirato) pass brought Tulsa's winning streak to an end.

Tulsa's twenty-three points was the lowest score of the season for the Golden Hurricane which had an excellent chance to win until Arkansas took a kick-off return for a score during the third quarter, sealing the win. TU's current record is 8-1. The particularly difficult part of the loss for most fans was the fact the Hurricane played well enough to win against a team from the outstanding Southeastern Conference and came up short on two running plays previous to the loss of possession after fourth down.

The good news is the Hogs aren't in Conference USA and the loss, although it dropped TU out of most top 25 national polls, won't affect conference standings or the 'Canes' chances of making the Liberty Bowl at season's end. TU has a weekend off before traveling to post-Ike Houston for a game against the Cougars on Saturday, November 15^th. This will likely be the only loss on TU's record this year.

ARKANSAS

After winning over a very good Tulsa team, Arkansas travels to South Carolina for a Noon CST kick-off against USC. Even with the TU win behind them, Arkansas is going to have a very tough time in this game. Steve Spurrier will have his team ready to make it a long afternoon for the visitors. South Carolina 38, Razorbacks 21.

TENNESSEE

The Vols lost last weekend at South Carolina, 27-6. That's another eastern division loss for UT, the third such loss this fall. But just when things seemed to be lousy in Mudville, some unassuming visitors rode in.

Ah, here it is. That non-conference breather game three quarters the way through the season. The sacrificial lamb, which escaped September and made it to November before visiting Neyland Cathedral, arrives this week in the form of the Wyoming Cowboys. While Tennessee has suffered losses at the hands of the likes of Florida and Georgia, Wyoming's yellow and brown (not to be confused with falling leaves) team of renown has lost to Air Force, Bowling Green and New Mexico among others.

The last chance for UT's bench warmers to shine in front of the home crowd, subs will be thicker than fleas on the Rocky Top mascot Saturday in Knoxville. Many happy players and many happy fans will pour into the streets of eastern Tennessee after seeing an overmatched Wyoming team bear the brunt of weeks of frustration on the part of the Volunteers. Tennessee 45, Wyoming 10.

OKLAHOMA STATE

Of course true OSU fans can remember having and 8-1 record but the majority are in completely new territory when the team continues to pick up win after win. Most of them wish this was more familiar territory but the Pokes are handling the victories and the national notoriety very well. Evidence of this was shown when the Cowboys rolled to an easy 59-17 win over Iowa State in Stillwater, Oklahoma Saturday, despite Iowa State's kick-returner holding his own track meet. ISU gained more than 300 yards in kick returns alone and could only muster 17 points. Oklahoma State was able to amass 59 points in the contest.

Later that evening, OSU's upcoming opponent, Texas Tech upset number one Texas in Lubbock, Texas. Now Tech is leading the Big 12 Conference and has achieved a number two ranking nationally, right behind Alabama. The interesting phenomena surrounding the end of the Red Raiders game last weekend are indicators of what OSU can expect. That's mayhem.

The mayhem will play in Pistol Pete's favor because if the same outfit shows up that cleared the field in Lubbock last time out, Oklahoma State's ability to play at a very high level without going berserk every time something good happens will keep them on an even keel in the most inhospitable environments. Mike Gundy's assistants coach a perfect game and the players come through with another upset victory as they take on their third top two opponent in five weeks.

Both teams look like Arena Football League mannekins but the cooler heads will prevail. Tune in at 7pm CST and see Oklahoma State defeat Tech 58-55 in a circus-like festival of vanishing defenses and incredibly high-octane offenses. One of the best games of the year.

OKLAHOMA

The big red scoring machine produced another 62 points Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma. The Nebraska Cornhuskers turned the ball over on three of their first five possessions and it was off to the races as OU scored 35 points in the first quarter alone. The Shuckers never really got the offense on track until the second half and that was about as late as the people at the end of the trick-or-treat line. Numerous times OU receivers raced to the end zone quicker than Kaegan ran to a bowl of Tootsie Rolls. The final score was OU 62, Nebraska 28 in Bo Pelini's first visit to Norman as a head coach.

This week the Sooners travel to College Station, Texas to play the 4-5 Texas A&M Fightin' Texas Aggies. The Tulsa World's Dave Sittler pointed out Oklahoma has not won big in Aggieland and has lost to aTm as much as anyone during the Stoops era. Other sources say A&M has located their offense but the "Wrecking Crew" defense still needs an overhaul. Oklahoma's determination to reach a BCS bowl game will pull the team through,…this week. Sooners 41, Aggies 28.

THE PERCENTAGES

CPEL was 3-1 last weekend with the only misstep occurring in the Tulsa loss to Arkansas. This brings the season mark to 34-5. That's 87% for all those Top 10 Big 12 fans out there.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER