Texas Tech at Oklahoma: Mike Leach man-crush thread

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 7:00 PM EST in College Football Comment 142 comments

There. I said it. And I meant it.

Whatever happens, this should be a really fun game to watch.

Question: Assuming you would like Tennessee to hire Mike Leach as its next head coach, who are you rooting for tonight and why? If he wins, there's probably more on that merry bandwagon. If he loses, he's probably (might be?) out of the Big 12 Championship Game, which would mean that we could talk to him sooner. Sooner. Heh.

Anyway, what do you think?

Poll

Assuming you want Mike Leach as Tennessee's next head coach, who are you rooting for tonight?

Texas Tech

53 votes

Oklahoma

63 votes

116 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 142 comments

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Comments

FYI

I’ll be late into the game tonight. We have the trek to Hodges for the Mrs. in a few minutes.

…tell them not to score too many points before I get online, willya? ;-)

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I will

but they won’t listen.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Understood.

Coaches can be so bullheaded at times.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, I voted Tech.

Even though I picked Oklahoma on the FOP board, a Tech win would be far more benificial to me maintaining my lead. So there ya go.

;-)

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gah.

BenEficial.

I do know that. Aaarrrrr….

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

What a hit by Hunter. Stopping the dude right at the goal line when the other guy had the head of steam.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

not that it mattered

Score on the next play.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Crabtree!

I hope he liquifies somebody.

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 8:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Trump wants to make Leach his HC

you’re hired!

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 8:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Nice!

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trump on Leach

“You’re going to be a rich man at the end of this season. Everybody wants you.”

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So is Trump another reason

to hire Leach? Any chance he becomes a booster of whatever school Leach is at?

Nah.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 8:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Whatever team Leach ended up coaching for

All the players would have to get that mean, mean haircut. You know the one.

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I love how Tech always seems to fall forward.

It’s like the tackle itself gains 3-4 yards every time.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

you mean

shave a balding pattern in your hair and don (oh, pun) a hairpiece?

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 8:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That pun was golden.

Like Trump’s underwear.

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 8:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Utah leading? Nice.

I’m rooting for the midmajors big time. I want 2 in BCS bowls.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Same here

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"half bear, half cat" Kelly's team up 14-7

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 8:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

heh

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A Penn State QB with a good day?

That’s not normal…

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hee hee

arkansas loses. petrino smells. Croom wins. all smiles

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 8:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't feel any love lost for Arkansas this year.

After the way they ran Nutt out, and after the way Petrino hung the Falcons out to dry, they can wallow in mediocrity for a while.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Utah just won their game.

41-24 with 12:00 left. There’s no way to come back with that kind of time, so long as Utah runs the ball every time they touch it.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 8:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I give Harrell this much.

He’s not afraid of a collapsing pocket.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

paterno

will come out of surgery as a head in a jar and a cyborg body ( a la futurama). and he will coach for ever.

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With Nixon as President

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Tech can get 8 yards per play

Even when the defense knows what’s coming, well, then I want that.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brief concern.

If Leach comes to UT, you can bet that all SEC schools will be sending buckets o’ cash to Stoops to ask how to defend his offense.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is that legal?

I some of the UT-suck has rubbed off on TT tonight. They seem to be making mistakes I’ve not seen them make this year.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sheesh.

I “think” so the UT-suck ….

Sorry

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Last try.

I “think” “some” of the UT-suck …

Omigod.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know why not.

When Clawson came here, other SEC schools were contacting Richmond’s rivals for tips.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With buckets of cash?

That’s no way to get good information.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

?

Briefcases better?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was just a phrase.

The point is still there.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Remember this:

“As Lewis describes it, "It’s as if his opponent’s defense has some deep dark secret that takes time for his offense to extract." Once he finds it, game over, man.”

Link.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Even at that, no team is invincible.

When 11 20ish guys line up against 11 other 20ish guys, anything can happen.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

And that “time” thing is loaded. There are only 60 minutes. And how long it takes the other team to figure things out can be a deciding factor as well.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Man

The pace of this game is very fast.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I liked the call to go for it.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Haven't seen that type of courage from a UT coach in a while.

Too much kicking a meaningless 24 yard FG with 0:10 seconds left in the first half instead of trying to attack. But I’m not bitter.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

chrome plated bawlsy

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oklahoma

building a solid case for the top of the rock, paper, scissors chain.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If they win as big as the first half suggests,

they deserve the nod over Texas. No question.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sheesh, OU is gonna replace Ohio State in the BCS Championship game.

Another blowout this year.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 9:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Point of interest in the Big 12 South love triangle:

TTech beat Texas in Lubbock.

OU is leading TTech in Norman.

Texas beat OU in Dallas – nominally neutral, but still more of a “home” game for Texas than OU.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So....

are we having fun yet?

:-D

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gah.

Didn’t mean that to be a reply.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brutal

by BigBeefe on Nov 22, 2008 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"The ultimate walk-on"

A kicker.

Something amusing about that…

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is the ACC going to have any ranked teams at all next week?

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Georgia Tech?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably.

FSU might sneak back in, too.

But at this rate, they won’t have anybody left. If UGA beats GTech and Florida beats FSU, then whom?

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FSU hopefully. =]

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Duke maybe?

Cutcliffe has somewhat turned them around. Maybe not a one year fix though

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

only in round ball

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Boston College will be ranked on Sunday.

Mostly out of default. They lost their QB to a bad ankle injury and will have to play a freshman against Maryland next weekend.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But the thing is this: the guaranteed BCS bid out of that conference likely will be ranked lower than 20.

And a lot of mid-major teams will be ranked higher. Significantly higher.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

That’s pitiful.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good point

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's to prevent

the defense from hitting one of those o-linemen when they stand up and look at the sidelines?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I've often wondered that myself.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Penalties

The offsides should be defended w/ a false start, right?

I guess that’s the question. Why isn’t it a false start?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't have an answer.

I wondered why UT’s opponents didn’t do that last year every time the offense looked to the sidelines.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The offensive player isn't simulating a snap

Which is the definition of a false start, I think. Simulating a snap is taking a step back or forward, not just raising your body and looking to the sidelines.

by rblakeh on Nov 22, 2008 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense, but

what if – when the line looks up – the defense reacts to the motion and uncoils, piling into them?

Would you then call a delay of game on the defense? Offside? When they were reacting to the offense moving? That’s what makes it such a weird little question.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cincy up 28-7

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm calling ballgame

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Huge, huge, huge half for the Sooners.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This should silence Mack Brown, at least.

Or so you’d think.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The ACC, Big East, SEC and Big 10 have a lot of territorial overlap, which has to hurt recruiting.

Especially for the ACC and Big East. That has to be a part of the reason they’re suffering so much right now.

The Big 12 and PAC-10 have very little overlap with any major conference, which makes things much easier on them.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well,

at least we get to see Leach’s half-time adjustments to a first half skull crushin’

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I was looking forward to that.

It’s one thing for a team to be on point when they’re succeeding, but you want to know how a coach can manage a team when things are falling apart.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cincinatti is looking real good tonight

Just sayin’

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Nov 22, 2008 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yep

just agreein’

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's the score

And who are they playing again?

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

28-7 at home against Pittsburgh.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

28- 14 vs Pitt

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pitt just scored

And it’s 28-14 Cincy

Cincy has been dominating the whole game.

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Nov 22, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Other than when Pitt was up 7-0 early

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Nov 22, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty solid

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A win will put Cincy somewhere around #15 in the BCS

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Look at that

Tech is trying to score from their own 20 with 14 seconds left in the half. Gotta like that.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 9:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oreg. State won on a last-second figgie.

And USC’s dream is still a nightmare…

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's possible for 3 guaranteed BCS berths to be ranked below #15.

PAC-10: Oreg. State if they win a squeaker will be around #15.

The Big East winner, depending on how things finish.

The ACC winner, almost guaranteed.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oreg. State: that ‘squeaker’ refers to the upcoming game against Oregon.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is probably an old joke in the Big 12

But it just occurred to me. The Guns Up hand sign is really just an L is for Loser sign with imaginary bullets.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 10:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

heh

I don’t know if it’s a joke over there or not. I do know that the commenters at BON are very, very bitter right now.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

400 yards of offense in one half?

Wow.

…

Wonder what that’s like…

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

if you mean

in one half of a season, i gotta answer for ya.

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 10:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Influence of blogs:

5 years ago, the announcers would have been stone cold sober to the question about what Tech has to do. Now, like bloggers, they laugh.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I've always liked Herbstreit

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 10:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude plays to win

Onsides kick to start the half.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

He has a far better comprehension of game strategy than most coaches. Sure, the onsides is a risk, but the conventional kick is a more guaranteed slow death.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is getting really ugly

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 10:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yikes

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 10:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeesh

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cincy losing control, as well. 28-21

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm viewing this positively

Maybe this will make Leach want to come to UT worse.

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Basing this is on the assumption he wants to come AT ALL

by samhitch on Nov 22, 2008 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was a wicked horse collar

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 10:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They're beginning to look better.

Obviously, it’s too late. But still, that second half figuring-it-out thing is kicking in a bit.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cincy wins

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 10:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brian Kelly is your leader after tonight

Whether it’s the right pick or not, Hamilton will love Kelly’s schemes. Very similar to ours.

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 10:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Your last sentence should disqualify him.

CHANGE

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 10:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes we can!

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody watching Ricky Hatton vs Paulie Malignaggi?

Who ya got?

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 10:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who?

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"There's on-ly one Rick-y Hat-ton"!

The Brits know how to support their fighter. It’s like his version of Rocky Top.

by wvvol on Nov 22, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I ate

that at Olive Garden last night

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

does Ricky Hatton

come with endless salad and bread?

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Nov 22, 2008 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, but the Malignaggi

is great with Alfredo

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously, though.

Is that boxing? MMA?

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

boxing

Hatton lost to Mayweather Jr in December

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So, who's ranked higher tomorrow?

Utah or Texas Tech?

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ask again later

At say, 8:00 tomorrow morning. I’m guessing Texas Tech.

Go Vols!

by Joel on Nov 22, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TTU

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 11:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was perhaps the most laborious touchback I've ever seen.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hm

Well, Leach’s offense got man handled, but still actually looked decent. He went up against his former boss who had 2 weeks to prepare for it, and still had some success. They’ve already won one big game (Texas), so it will be interesting to see how they do against (I hope) an SEC opponent in the bowl game.

I still like Leach’s coaching philosophy. It can be said that the defensive scheme was designed around ‘not losing,’ but everything else was definitely going for the win.

OU looked awesome tonight.

by rblakeh on Nov 22, 2008 11:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That is the one thing to remember: Stoops is the one guy in the country who would know how to beat Leach.

That also gives confidence to the players, and OU is a supremely talented team. Going into the game as the lower seed didn’t hurt either.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is now a very real possibility of a TTech - Ole Miss Cotton Bowl.

If nothing else, that would be a fun game to watch.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That doesn't seem like a fair matchup

Ole Miss is a good team, but the records don’t really match. I think it was Texas that destroyed Arkansas last year (really just a pretty good team, not great)…. making the SEC look bad.

by rblakeh on Nov 22, 2008 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The other possibility is LSU.

But that almost requires an Ole Miss loss in the Egg Bowl.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Cotton Bowl last year

It was Mizzou.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Nov 23, 2008 2:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

21 - 65

Tech just made it a respectable loss :)

by rblakeh on Nov 22, 2008 11:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

heh.

painful, but amusing.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is good for Tennessee fans.

Now that Leach’s offense isn’t considered to be totally unstoppable, it’s easier to sit back and ask more fairly whether we want him here.

I’m guessing the answer is still yes, but at least it’s not all roses and sunshine.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Like everyone else,

I expected a closer game. I was expecting a public announcement of Leach’s new contract after shoring up the Big 12 S title. Now, we’re definitely that much closer…if we want him

by ChattVol on Nov 22, 2008 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The bigger problem was that the Tech defense was badly outmatched tonight.

That OU offense was incredible – especially on the line. They were terrific with the no-huddle as well. Once they knew where the mismatches were, they could just march down the field and deny Tech the opportunity to substitute.

And on defense, they did what nobody else could do; they got to Harrell. Their D-linemen simply won out on the 1-on-1 battles and got pressure on him. That’s the one thing that can stop the Leach offense, and OU did it in spades.

by hooper on Nov 22, 2008 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Having more talent helps, but it’s not really a gamebreaker. Having more talent in all of the right places at all of the right times is almost impossible to overcome.

by rblakeh on Nov 23, 2008 12:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is off topic, but I was just checking GoVolsXtra

Man, I really dislike John Adams when he writes directly about the Vols. He’s constantly giving backhanded complements. He trashed out the 98 team and basically said that they lucked in to everything. And tonight he’s got an article about how the only reason UT won today is because of Vanderbilt’s poor quarterback play. Which yeah, that was a contributing factor, but needs to stop writing like an amateur blogger and more like a professional journalist.

/rant

by rblakeh on Nov 23, 2008 12:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs