[floydenheimer]

Erickson makes great mid-game adjustments. I think he's seen just about everything so he has an easy time of finding solutions. I really can't say enough about him, he can flat out coach. Going from Koetter to Erickson is night and day. Erickson is adding new wrinkles to the offense each week, I see new plays every game that often catch the other team by surprise for a big gain.

Rudy Carpenter seems to come out over-excited and makes mistakes. Most of the reason why they spot teams points early is due to interceptions/turnovers on their own side of the field, giving the other team an easy go of it. Once Rudy calms down he begins to pick apart the defense. If ASU gets and keeps good field position, the other team has a tough time getting to the endzone. Their D is stout. Tryon did a great job on Jackson this past weekend, only gave up 2 big plays to him and had an INT. The teams that play defense in the Pac-10 are the ones that rise to the top.

Dmitri Nance has arrived, get used to it. Pac-10 schools have 2 more years of this guy to look forward to. He's short, powerful, and quick. Let's not forget Herring though, he made another Houdini-act run that had people shaking their heads in disbelief. The guy is just plain fast. We'll have him for another year too. They might be more effective as a tandem than Torain was as a primary back.

If anyone missed the gameday piece on Keegan Herring, I encourage you to watch it. Not only is he an incredible athlete, he's an incredible person. Check it out here: Link

I'm becoming more convinced this team is a contender each week, they seem to improve and overcome adversity every time out. Time to take it to the Ducks! Go Devils!

 

[Orcin]

For anyone who has not seen this yet... amazing video.


15-lateral touchdown on final play of Trinity game



P.S. I found out the Trinity player, Curry, who touches the ball 4 times during the play, and finally scores the TD, is from the high school in my neighborhood (Clements High School in Sugar Land, TX). There is an article about him and this play on the front page of the Houston Chronicle this morning.

 

[virometal]

^ Very nice. The play by play guy totally lost in the end while the color guy warmed up a couple times, settled down, then completely lost it, "That's A Touchdown!!! That's A Touchdown!!!"

BTW BA, are you going to Norman this weekend?

--

Another great weekend moment was the Georgia celebration penalty. I'm sure everyone has seen it. Hats off to Richt. That will earn player respect and bring the team together. Screw the fifteen yards.

 

[Orcin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW BA, are you going to Norman this weekend?

No, I will be watching on my nice BIG Sony HD!

My son is going though, so please be nice to our band. The word from past band members is that the crowd in Norman is very classy and made them feel welcome and appreciated. This will be an improvement over Lubbock where they had a state police escort in and out of the stadium.

I have a cheeseburger lunch bet on the game with a friend here at work. We agreed to use the spread as posted in the Chronicle on Tuesday, so I get 21 points! Of course, we lost at Tech by 28, but I think I may have a shot at keeping it to 20 or less.


_______________________________________________


The latest on the Aggie (soon-to-be) coaching vacancy:

Fran will be fired after the regular season, and R.C. Slocum will coach the bowl game if there is one. Fran will be fired for violating his contract with regard to the VIP newsletter, and therefore our win over Texas can't save him.

The leading candidate/first choice to replace him is Rich Rodriguez (WVU coach). I am dubious about him accepting the position, because he is a WVU alum and former player. I don't know that the A&M job is an upgrade either but maybe $4 million per year will get his attention. Rodriguez runs a style of offense that fits the existing personnel at A&M, and one that will satisfy the alumni. He has taken a program from nothing to national prominence, and he will have a lot more to work with here in terms of facilities and support. He is an aggressive recruiter who can give Brown and Stoops a run for their money with the top TX talent.

The #2 candidate is Bo Pellini (LSU defensive coordintor). His resume speaks for itself. He has a solid mix of college and pro coaching experience, and might be the hottest coordinator in the country. However, I really think he is going to take the Nebraska job.

Jeff Tedford is still high on the list. However, I am convinced that he would not leave Cal for our job, so I am not seeing him as a serious possibility.

Tommy Tuberville is also still on the list; however, he has made comments this week about wanting more security. The rumor is that Auburn will offer him a contract extension and he will accept.

Other people on A&M's short list:
Bob Davie (ESPN Analyst) - A&M defensive coordinator from 1985-1993 during the heyday of the "Wrecking Crew" defense. This would be a safe hire, but maybe a bit stodgy. He had success at Notre Dame if you study the record, even though the general impression is otherwise.

Art Briles (Univ. of Houston coach) - a Texas native who would be a strong recruiter. He is a legend as a high school coach at Stephenville in the 1990's and has been at UH since 2003. This would be a good hire, but not a big splash like Rodriguez or Pellini.

Greg Shiano (Rutgers coach) - He is the flavor of the month, and would probably do a great job. He has no Texas ties however, and would have a major cultural adjustment. I don't think our (defensive) personnel fit his system either, although I wish they did. He turned down the Miami job last year, so why would he leave Rutgers to come to A&M (unless it is money)?

One name that has surfaced that really jumped out at me was Bill Cowher! Aggie fans are always throwing names around like Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells, so I don't put much stock in this. It would be VERY interesting though. Aggies would love his style.

Speaking of pro coaches, Gary Kubiak is not considered a candidate because he already has a job.

A lot of this information is courtesy of AggieCoach.com. The rest comes from spending too much time in the Kyle Field bathrooms and concession lines.

I think the most likely outcome is Briles unless Rodriguez can be convinced to come.

OUT

 

[randerson3024]

OU will prevail.

 

[Orcin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by randerson3024 /img/forum/go_quote.gif OU will prevail.

Yes, I agree. It would be very hard to find anyone who would disagree, which is why the line is 21 points.

 

[virometal]

Where did the RR rumour come from? I guess money talks, but he has a good thing going at WVU. Like you said, he's an alum, he's getting good athletes. The way the Moutaineers are set-up, they can be in a BCS bowl almost every year if they continue to roll conference foes like they've been. Leave that for the rough and ready Big 12 South with UT and OU on the schedule every year, trips to Lubbock and Stillwater every other year, and a conference championship game as the reward for passing through that quagmire?
--

Your son will be safe in Norman. The fans are an extension of the state, other world nice to outside visitors. Sure, there's some bad apples like everywhere else, and I wish GMS would get louder. But, they don't chant profanity or toss anything at opposing players. It's great place to watch a game. I'm a little biased though.

I think OU can cover 21. That is a really high spread for a conference game other than Baylor. It depends on whch OU team shows up. Heck the Aggies could win. Nothing guaranteed during this crazy season.

 

[Orcin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal /img/forum/go_quote.gif Where did the RR rumour come from?

I think it comes from the Aggie braintrust putting together a generic profile of the perfect fit for this job... out pops a picture of Rich Rodriguez. It is probably more wishful thinking than reality. Hence my prediction of Art Briles, who is probably the best-qualified candidate with something to gain by taking the job.

 

[virometal]

Been reading AggieCoach.com. Heck, if the base can pony up $4 mill for a coach, why not RR. That would definitely be a splashy hire. He did flirt with Bamar last year, even though my cynical side thought that was more of a juice WVU for more jack kind of thing. I love the AggieCoach criteria.

--

Speaking of splashy hires, the Bayou Bengals are traveling to the Crimson Sabans this week. Bamar is a hot upset pick around here. It seems we don't get many SEC'ers in this thread. That's surprising. It's been another wacky year in the grand ole conference. Who wants to win the East?

I'll take the Vols. Fulmer is going to save his job yet again. UT gets the Hawgs and Comm'ies in Neyland with a big game at Kentucky to end their season.

Tennessee loves home cookin'. They're 4-0 in Knoxville, 1-3 away.

 

[granodemostasa]

neyland stadium is a crazy home field advantage... so yea, I like rocky top to win that side of the SEC.

prediction, cal wins against wazzou, 31-28. Oregon over Asu, 45-28.

 

[floydenheimer]

==

 

[Skylab]

I've been to a UT game at Neyland Stadium. It was CRAZY. Really enjoyed it.

 

[randerson3024]

Quote:

Originally Posted by virometal /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ Very nice. The play by play guy totally lost in the end while the color guy warmed up a couple times, settled down, then completely lost it, "That's A Touchdown!!! That's A Touchdown!!!" BTW BA, are you going to Norman this weekend? -- Another great weekend moment was the Georgia celebration penalty. I'm sure everyone has seen it. Hats off to Richt. That will earn player respect and bring the team together. Screw the fifteen yards.

Nope, I'm still in Sunny Bahrain. I think we will have a strong game against A & M, and don't forget, Oregon plays ASU, so there will be a slot to move up.

 

[granodemostasa]

no disresptect, but i've seen Oregon live. unless Oregon gives costly turnovers (like they did 4 times in the cal game) they are rather unbeatable by any team i've seen except the 2005 trojans.... and the game is at autzen.

 

[randerson3024]

Actually, given my extreme bias as an OU fan, I think LSU is the best team in spite of their record. The quality of collegiate football these days makes it so much more competitive, and I think more enjoyable to watch.