DDT

"They can't wait for that first SEC game against Vandy." 

—Sportscaster Brent Musberger on Texas A&M's second half crash against Arkansas 
and 0-7 record against SEC teams in recent years

Grapes of wrath avoided?

It didn’t happen, the 21st Century version of Steinbeck’s novel, with OU leading the wagon train west to the PAC12, followed by Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma state. The Big 12 will remain in tact for the time being, with one notable exception.
    Texas A&M made their shift official: They’re leaving home and abandoning decades of traditional rivalries to join the SEC. The Big 12’s mission, now, is to keep Missouri home and add a couple new members. Mizzou has flirted with the SEC but may be smart enough to know they can’t win over there.
    Good additions to the Big 12 would be Houston, SMU and TCU, assuming the latter has the juevos rancheros to pick up the gauntlet and come back to Texas now that their new nirvana, the Big East, is substantially diminished with the loss of Pitt and ‘Cuse, who have membered up with the ACC. UConn and Rutgers are talking about leaving the Big East, too, so TCU will be leaving a strong mid major to join what soon may become a mediocre mid major. From penthouse to outhouse.
    The arms race, riddled with hyprocrisy and infidelity, continues. Texas A&M accuses Texas of upping the ante by starting their own network, but the Aggie move to the SEC could end up hurting other programs which, in effect, is what they’re accusing Texas of doing. Baylor, KU, KState and Iowa State, all of which have invested fresh millions in upgrades, could be hurt the worst if the Big 12 is downgraded.
    But for the time being, the Big 12 Conference, the grandchild of the old Southwest Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference (aka Big 6, Big 7, Big 8) will remain as is.
    And Nero fiddled while Rome burned. In this case, Nero is the NCAA.


Ags await Vandy
The Texas State Boys and Girls Home for Farmers and Mechanics at College Station was rudely introduced to the SEC Saturday when they saw Arkansas come from behind to win the contest 42-38. The Cadets led 35-17 at the break.
       The Ags have been outscored 52-12 in the second halves of games this year. They have lost seven in a row to SEC squads and haven't beaten one since 1995.          
      "They can't wait for that first SEC game against Vandy," said sportscaster Brent Musberger.


From the sketch book:
Ft. Hancock, Texas. Six man football. Friday night lights in heart of darkness far West Texas between El Paso and Van Horn. School buses and wooden bleachers and the whole town turning out for every game. 
   No band because every boy in school was on the football team. Scores in the 70s every game.
   Ft. Hancock won a number of titles in six man but when their population grew and they had to join a larger division and start playing 11 man, they disappeared. Lost a lot of games. 
   But the water tank out on the interstate still boasts the glory days and in big letters says, "Ft. Hancock, state champs in six man football, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991."
   I was coming out of Mexico after running a tour through Copper Canyon. Timed it just right and drove into Ft. Hancock in time for a hot dog, a Frito pie and a Coke and to watch "The Fort" maul their neighborhood rival Sierra Blanca.