Texas Tech Wednesday Morning Notes - I Hate the Economy Edition
by Seth C
on Jul 2, 2008 6:21 AM CDT
Double-T Nation News:
I'm going to go a little off-topic today, but I think it still pertains to Texas Tech, or at least it pertains to me as it relates to Texas Tech.
I don't want to get into a political discussion about whether or not there is a recession, but has the current state of the economy affected your ability to root for your Red Raiders?
For example, I've decided to sell my truck, not because I can't afford the monthly payment, but rather because I can't afford to drive to Lubbock from the DFW area 6 or 7 times a year. My truck affects my ability to drive out to Lubbock. Of course, my other option is to fly to Lubbock, but I've always preferred the drive and right now the current cost to fly to Lubbock is anywhere between $69.00 and $122.00 (this doesn't include the costs for a cab). If I drive and average 18 miles a gallon, it costs me about $168.00 to drive to Lubbock in my truck.
Because of the rising gas prices, I'm probably going to purchase, if I can even sell my truck, a nice economical car, something that gets 25 or 28 miles a gallon. If I were to average 26 miles a gallon, that's about $116.00 to drive to Lubbock, which nets about $52.00 a trip (which is about the cost of a really cheap motel).
Now imagine me having this conversation with my wife, who could care less what type of car I drive, as I inform her that I want to sell my truck so that it makes more sense to drive to Lubbock to support my team. She said she was fine with it, but one year ago, the cost to drive to Lubbock was the last thing from my mind. In fact, until I sell my truck, I've put any trips to Lubbock on hold.
So this is how the economy has affected me, but has it affected you? Do the rising prices of, well, everything, affect your ability to purchase game tickets or am I absolutely insane in my desire to save money? My round-trip to and from work from my home is 3 miles, so it's not as if I'm looking at purchasing a more economical car because of my daily commute, this is purely related to the economic feasibility to see my team.
Texas Football:
We have two pretty interesting scheduling notes this morning,the first from SI.com's Stewart Mandell, where he ranks the Ten Season-Defining Games in 2008, and your Red Raiders check in against the Longhorns at #7:
7. Texas at Texas Tech, Nov. 1. The schedule sets up favorably for the Red Raiders -- who return QB Graham Harrell, WR Michael Crabtree and eight other starters on offense -- to make a run at their first Big 12 South title, but to do so they'll almost certainly have to snap their five-game losing streak to the Longhorns. The ever-outspoken Mike Leach claims poor officiating contributed to the past two defeats.
The fact that Texas Tech is even on this list is somewhat of a moral victory for me. Being part of the conversation means that Texas Tech is becoming more and more relevant from a national perspective and this is a good thing.
The other bit of news is from Da Wiz, along with The National Championship Issue, as they, "measure how difficult a non-conf schedule a team tried to arrange" (click here for the actual study and here for Texas Tech's data). Texas Tech makes a couple of appearances (sooo ashamed), but I think the overall theme to take away from this is that every team schedules easy opponents or refuses to travel during the non-conference portion of the season. No conference is immune from scheduling cupcakes.
Fox34 takes a look back at the Iowa State game.
How about this gem, this is the first touchdown in the Mike Leach era, which should have been against New Mexico (Texas Tech won, 24-3).
First TD in Mike Leach era at Texas Tech (via VirtuaCory)
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The trucks
I’m glad you’re finally getting rid of the gas guzzler and going to a cleaner machine. Is there any reason why you’re aiming so low for gas mileage? I wouldn’t accept anything under 30 these days. Pretty happy with my Mazda 6, but I’m not too happy with the gas mileage (rated for 32 highway but I’ve not gotten that for a few trips. not counting 34 i got with a good tail wind last weekend).
A new 6 or a used Accord or Civic or Camry would treat you well. (sorry, it’s a subject that i’ve got a bit of care for).
by kayakyakr on Jul 2, 2008 8:10 AM CDT 0 recs
those numbers are just numbers I threw out there. the better the gas mileage the better the car, as far as I’m concerned. my only problem is that my wife doesn’t want me to get too small of a car, so I’ve got to make her happy too.
i’m also going to go used all the way
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 2, 2008 9:15 PM CDT
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Still in LBK
After graduating in ‘05, I was fortunate enough to land a job with a company that just happened to win the contract for building the new county jail. So, my g/f and I ride our bikes to the games and avoid the gas, parking, traffic, etc. But, the prices have caused me to take fewer trips home to San Antonio. I suppose more people will be carpooling or sharing RV’s or buses if these prices get much more out of control. Not necessarily a bad thing, though.
I just wonder how much season ticket sales will be affected in ‘09. After this year, this project will be done and I’ll probably have to fly or carpool up here from SA for the games. I’m just glad I’ll still be up here this season. Anybody gonna have some good tailgating I should check out?
by djollie111 on Jul 2, 2008 11:13 AM CDT 0 recs
High gas prices
I have a 4runner which gets around 20 miles per gal. I’ve thought about getting rid of it but there are too many positives that out weigh getting another vehicle at this point. My vehicle is paid off, I prefer the space of an SUV, and on long road trips I end up using my wife’s hybrid (40 miles a gal). Plus, technology is going to rapidly change within the next couple of years on all vehicles. Ford & GM especially with their current inventory structure. As it relates to being a Red Raider fan, the last home game I’ve been to was the last game Tech be UT only because I had a couple younger brothers that were at Tech during that time. I would rather watch the game on tv or travel to a place where there’s other things to do in the city (ex Rice 2007 and Nevada for 2008). If we are BCS or Cotton bowl bound I’ll be there. Especially after seeing the poor turnout at the Gator Bowl. Reguardless of the price, flying is a preference for any avenues outside of the Dallas/Houston area. During my Tech years in the late 90s, I fulfilled my “on the road” site seeing experience between Lubbock and Dallas. Plus, now that I’m in Austin it’s just too far to drive. Flights & hotel costs are too expensive for what you get in Lubbock. I would rather save that money for a trip to Mexico, California or Florida for the summer. Plus, you can’t beat cheap beers, food and your own couch while watching the game on high def.
by ashton99 on Jul 2, 2008 11:43 AM CDT 0 recs
on some level, i feel that i should also save my duckets for bigger and better things, just stay at home and watch the games, but i do feel somewhat obligated to go to a couple of games as part of my “job” here at DTN. honestly, i feel its a little bit phony for me to run a Texas Tech website and not even make it out to Lubbock during a season.
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 3, 2008 6:20 AM CDT
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Make the Wife Smile!
I drive the KOOlist 2003 VW Beetle on the planet (I will post a photo to prove my point later). 33mpg on the highway.
My wife has an 2007 MINI Cooper 36-40 mpg!
Either one will drag a Hybrid backwards faster that it will go forward.
Both these cars would put a smile on you wife’s face, and provide an entainment value that makes them much more than just basic transportation.
Even if you don’t buy a MINI you should go to MINI of Dallas and get Sonja Turner to take you for a test drive. This chick can DRIVE!!! I mean Danika Patrick type fast !! Its better than a roller coaster!!
Sonja Turner
MOTORING ADVISOR
turners1@autonation.com
Phone: 972-406-6323
Fax: 972-243-0517
by bmaxw on Jul 2, 2008 12:41 PM CDT 0 recs
yuck VW. sometimes you get a good one such as your own. Most of the time, the vw’s are POS’s
by kayakyakr on
Jul 2, 2008 5:31 PM CDT
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"Art of the Cupcake Schedule"
Let’s not forget that the University of Tulsa dropped Texas Tech for Arkansas in their opening game of the 2008 season. Yes, Tulsa was too scared to play us and wanted to play a cupcake: Arkansas! Tech then tried to secure a game with LSU as a replacement for Tulsa. A game we were excited about (but apparently didn’t sit well with their fans). After talks broke down, LSU’s AD tried to make it look like it was our fault! But we know the truth:
People are not going to play home and home with Texas Tech.
Wes Welker can't be stopped.
by 10forTech on Jul 2, 2008 12:54 PM CDT 0 recs
i didn’t reference that situation b/c i think that the information didn’t include 2008 (i think)
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 2, 2008 9:16 PM CDT
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Um, Gus Malzahn has ties to Arkansas
There is a reason Tulsa may want to schedule Arkansas instead of Tech; Malzahn was the offensive coordinator there for one season, after being a high school coach at Springdale for a long time.
Trying to say Arkansas is a cupcake when you’re Texas Tech is amusing.
by Beergut on Jul 4, 2008 3:15 AM CDT 0 recs
Was it worth $150,000?
Maybe you didn’t check out any of the links associated with my post, but Tulsa had to pay a hefty fine for pulling out of the contract with Tech. You’re not expecting us to believe that the reasons for the last minute re-nig was because of ties to the program, are you?
Yes, Tulsa was too scared to play us and wanted to play a cupcake: Arkansas!
A bit of sarcasm, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that less than 2 weeks after Arkansas got their asses handed to them by Missouri in the Cotton Bowl and Tech defeated Virginia in the Gator Bowl, Tulsa pulled this crap. A more plausible (and statically provable) explanation is that Tulsa, seeing an opportunity to play an easier non-conference opponent (especially considering RB Darren McFadden was moving on), chose to break a contract with Tech even if it penalized them financially.
Wes Welker can't be stopped.
by 10forTech on
Jul 4, 2008 2:30 PM CDT
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Huh...
So, you’re really going to sell your truck so you can take a few road trips? Sounds strange. Sorry, but it kind of does. Take a buddy with you and split gas, bro. Since you obviously don’t spend too much on gas for your commute, I don’t get it. Unless there is more to the story, which I think there almost has to be.
by Tech92 on Jul 4, 2008 10:20 PM CDT 0 recs
No really
I like to take at least 10 trips out to Lubbock, and yes, that’s damn expensive. Not to mention, I’m some what cheap or am looking to save a buck or two. The other part of it is that I really don’t use my truck (I think I’ve hauled something in it 5 times in 2 years). Just seems wasteful.
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 6, 2008 6:21 AM CDT
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Oh, and
there’s really not any more to the story, other than me wanting to save $50 a trip (which is about $500 over the course of a football and basketball season for me). Really. Unless you know something I don’t know. One other note, I’ve got two friends two are Tech grads who are from my area and are willing to go to Tech games and although they like going, they aren’t as enthusiastic as me.
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 6, 2008 6:57 AM CDT
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get you a scooter, those things get like 90 miles to the gallon.
by kayakyakr on
Jul 6, 2008 10:19 PM CDT
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honestly, i’ve thought about that, but i’m not sure how respected it is for an attorney to come cruising into work on a scooter. i’ve also thought about busting out my old skateboard and cruising into work.
Go Raiders . . .
by Seth C on
Jul 6, 2008 10:49 PM CDT
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haha, that would be awesome. briefcase strapped to your back, suit and all, cruising down the road on a light blue scooter (it has to be light blue, don’t ask me why). You’d be my first choice in lawyer, I don’t care what your specialty.
by kayakyakr on
Jul 7, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
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