While everyone is in prediction mode...
by TallMike on Feb 7, 2010 5:01 PM CST
64 comments
Here is another thought: Many of us noticed in a Coach Tuberville interview that he mentioned that he annually asks the team to select a focus opponent. That choice is expected to remain confidential (I do wonder if it leaks out). Who do you believe/guess/predict to be this year's focus team...and why.
I am making TAMU as the call, partially due to their win last year, partially due to it being in collie station, and partially due to Coach T's history of having coached there...in his darker years.
Sept. 4 SMU - WIN
Sept. 11 at New Mexico
Sept. 18 Texas*
Oct. 2 at Iowa State*
Oct. 9 vs. Baylor (at Cotton Bowl, Dallas)*
Oct. 16 Oklahoma State*
Oct. 23 at Colorado*
Oct. 30 at Texas A&M*
Nov. 6 Missouri*
Nov. 13 at Oklahoma*
Nov. 20 Weber State
Nov. 27 Houston
Have a fun Sunday evening...fun game scheduled tonight...looking for your interesting comments this afternoon and Monday.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.
0 recs |
64 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I'm hoping it's
MOBILE – HOMA
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Although it should proabably be the pickup game in the James' back yard.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I’m considering 3 games:
1) Texas…to make a statement to the rest of the conference that we’re still a team to be dealt with, even with all the controversy.
2) “98% of Their Alumni Drive a Maroon Tahoe”…for reasons mentioned in the original post.
3) Choke-lahoma…just because we generally don’t play well there and, when we beat tu, this will be the Big 12 South championship game.
I’m picking the Choke-lahoma game.
I like your rational behind the Texas game...it could help with the Oklahoma game as well.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I'll agree with the aTm game.
Last year’s game was just sickening.
They are up and coming so it would be good to DESTROY them this year and not them build ANY momentum for the future.
UT is too early in the season for it to be THE focus game and OU is NOT a baby step I’d take as a new coach who’s trying to build confidence and loyalty with his team.
I dont agree with having a focal point in the middle of a season
the players could overlook other opponets, or lets say we win the game is the season considered a successful seaon, nothing let to play or? or we lose, the season is considered a failure…
I'm not so sure I'm on board with the strategy as well.
But it’s what worked for Tubs before so he wants to try it out here.
My question since hearing him mention it in one of his interviews has always been: Which of our main Big 12 opponents does he use as a focal point and how is he gonna pick?
by Damien Franco on Feb 7, 2010 7:38 PM CST up reply actions
Toygh one...
Because it will be the last conference game and could also possibly be for the Big-12 South title. If the defense AND offense play as well as is anticipated, Tech could be undefeated or with one conference loss at that time (not against UT, but someone else), with UT and OU having a loss each. A win would seal the title and put Tech into the Big-12 Championship game. A win there could possibly send them to the NC game, but no less than one of the BCS games. So, because of the implications and possibilities, I choose, not a conference game, but THE CONFERENCE TITLE GAE. By making that the game to focus on, all the rest become must-wins just to get there.
TTpilk
"THE CONFERENCE TITLE GAME"
I had to go here, because I think to focus on any of the regular season games inhibits the players thinking concerning all of the other games. It just makes sense to key on the championship game, although TallMike doesn’t list it here.
TTpilk
Problem there is the players don’t know who their opponent is in that game at the beginning of the season. The impression I had was that they’re supposed to be sort of semi-stalking and thinking angry thoughts about the marked team for the entire season before they take them out.
I understand
I am just saying that the game itself, regardless of WHO is the opponent, should be the focus, for the stated reason. I feel it just makes better sense than keying on a regular season game, which COULD affect the approach to games before and after said key game. Now, if pressed to choose a regular season game, then I must go with the UT game because, well, just because.
TTpilk
I understand your thinking, but you chose not to answer the question.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I'm with you
Conference championship should be the main goal of every season. If you wanted to pick someone to go all out for, sure make it OU. But dont make it the focal point. Just show film throughout the season of the ’08 game and remind those that were there how bad that felt. Talk about that ALOT during OU week. We do need to go up there full of piss and vinegar. But definitely agree, conference championship should always be the goal of a season, if not the national title.
I think you both have missed the concept...
the focus game is not the focus, the focal point of the season…it is a focus game.
To get the idea, such a game/concept has to have value…surely anyone does not expect a focus game to displace a team goal / a program goal of winning championships.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
It's the typical dumb idea thought up by CEO types
with way too much time on their hands. The typical employee nods their heads solemnly as the CEO explains it & then they go back to doing their jobs. It’s the football version of buzzword bingo.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
Yeah...
and has anyone seen my red stapler?
by Damien Franco on Feb 8, 2010 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
I’d be afraid of picking a game in mid-season because of the inevitable letdown afterward. I want to beat UT more than anybody for the same reason as Pilk – just because, but that’s too early. Besides, I don’t think we have to name them in order to play our best. OU has some serious payback coming (this year wasn’t enough) and they are the last scheduled game, so I’d aim for them if I had to pick just one.
If we were to go to the B-12 CG, if the players can’t get up for that, they don’t deserve to win. It will likely be NU and they know we have their number lately.
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
Watch out for the Colorado team..
Coming after – 2 x home stint* a virtual home game in the Cotton Bowl versus Baylor followed by a big fight against OSU in the Jones. I am very interested in whipping the Buffs in Colorado.
"do routine things routinely"
by centexraider on Feb 8, 2010 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
Part of my rational for initiating this FanPost is to explore why a coach would create such a thought for a team.
It cannot make sense unless he has seen value for it in the past, so he has a rational—albeit undisclosed—that leads him to recognize some cause and effect that furthers the development of the team.
Can it be something like: most of the players at team X are percieved to be as a group much better than we are, in order to win we have to execute much better than they do…that could be a motivator to better learning at practice and better attention to detail in execution…
It could be a way to help develop team chemistry as the players start focusing and coming together to meet a great challenge. As they improve over the games that lead to the focus game, they are much better equipped to handle the remainder of the games and to play a div play off…some thought around improving the rate of improvement applies to this particular thought.
I don’t know, but I find the whole of it pretty unique in the way I have thought about team preparation.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I was also wondering........
…about the wisdom of the practice and whether they had letdowns at the other schools where he did it.
One things about aiming for UT – we have a bye the next week to work through any letdown. And it would give the team a confidence boost for the rest of the year.
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
I have to go with OU on this one
They just seem to be one of the better teams we will play this year, especially playing in Norman (Which is typically pretty nasty). It’s later in the season for UT and aTm, so I foresee better focus on them late. They were our “season ruiner” back in ’08 and could stand in our way once more. To me, a focus on them would be our best option…
A&M
A&M will throw everything at Tech in order to win. They may not admit it but I do believe they hate us more than Texas now. We have bullied them and made them a cellar dweller since the Big 12 creation. I’m around aggies quite a bit and they dispise anything Tech. Tech in the Leach era has become the third best school in the south division and they have a hard time with that. Last season gave them hope and lord knows that’s all they talk about. Finishing 6-7 and losing in a bowl game means nothing to them because they beat Texas Tech. That win has been their “born again” moment. I think all Tech fans know that it’s a must to beat the aggies regularly in order to keep their egos in check. For us it’s become a game that we should win but for them it’s a game that they hang their whole season on.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
funny but true
Aggies are a team in search of an identity. The new regime – on the sidelines T. Tubervile and staff – must have a signature we have “arrived” event. So it’s my vote that event is the ut game. M. Brown and Muschamp are going to be very cautious arriving in Lubbock. To them this game is a trap event, even a season changer. They have lots to lose being ranked @ # 4 -5 in the early preseason polls. That wildly successful Texas recruiting class they snagged has to be validated. My vote – ut – is the bogeyman of the Tech locker room.
"do routine things routinely"
by centexraider on Feb 8, 2010 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
TEXAS,TEXAS,TEXAS
We have to have that game.Talk about a confidence builder.I don’t think it will ever be revealed but imo the week that we played A&M last year there must have been other distractions that got in the way of production and what was supposed to be a sure win.You can’t tell me that all that happened in the end just happened all at once.That is why I feel that yes we are going to have to bring it all at A&M,Players will be focused and ready to make the debacle right.Questions I ask is will Tubbs direct players to believe that they can win every game?Thus resulting in not have that dreaded slip up game?being a defensive minded coach I feel better about that.If and I say If even though I predict a 12-0 season we are in position by the time OU rolls around to win the South I predict that we will have to play our best game ever.but TEXAS has to be won.Hands down.
Without a doubt Sly
Winning against Texas will set an entirely different tone for the 2010 campaign.
"do routine things routinely"
how about they focus on SMU first
then after that, they “move on” to New Mexico, then Texas, then ISU, then, Baylor, OSU, Colorado, aTm, Mizzou, OU and Houston, (no need to focus on Weber – IMO)
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I'm hoping I can play against Weber St
It’ll be kind of like the 12th man, except more like the 11,000th man. Does Budweiser make a gatoraid?
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
yes
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Feb 9, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
I'm an idiot. One more try.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Feb 9, 2010 11:30 AM CST up reply actions
I read that label.....
lots of electrolytes in that one…….“good to keep up the yang”
Any kids of the 80’s got that quote?
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Thank you for trying......
Answer: The Golden Child staring Eddie Murphy
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Wow...
I don’t know what’s worse…me remembering that movie or you for bringing it up.
by Damien Franco on Feb 9, 2010 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
I think most teams probably already have a game they circle on the calendar every season. For UT it’s OU, for aTm it’s UT, etc.
Knowing we don’t have a long-standing rivalry with really anyone (A&M is fairly new with the hot venom), Tubs probably just wants the guys to find a reason to get even more fired up about a particular opponent. Probably one of the “stretch games” (meaning a game that will really be a tough one to win no matter what – UT or OU) will be the pick.
I have no issue with it.
In my day.....(here we go again)
aTm was the rivalry game if it were here and ut was the game when it was here. For both, University would be blocked off the night before from 19th to 4th. Good times.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I'm surprised you can remember that far back
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
Makes sense.....
who would want all that horse manure from the horse and buggys piling up right before game day.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I don't think the wheel had been invented yet
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
If Blackbeard is talking about the pre-game riots of 1977, 78 & & 79, I was there
Very good times. Unless you were a cop or a business owner on University. Or their property insurance agent.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
The bong came later
But us Indians had the peace pipe back then. “I’m not gonna say what them injuns was smokin’ cause I don’t want to get anybody in trouble.” – Flip Wilson
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
ha, that's what makes this place
however, I must say that my days at Tech consisted of driving up in my 71 Duster, playing pickup games in the BARN. and watching some good football in the Carlen years. Seemed to have worked a little class time in there somewhere – but I don’t remember that part other than the hottie I had for freshman english.
But after Carlen left, we went thru some very trying times up until Spike came on board and Leach upped the ante. Chance is hard for me cause I do know what we CAN end up with. Some of you may not understand, but Sloan was the first “second coming” – or perhaps the first Catfish Jesus.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Behold, the new Catfish Jesus Avatar....
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Jesus played the sax?
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
+ a pot of spaghetti and a box of wine
homemade. by me.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Feb 9, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
I hope it's Black Box..
or atleast Peter Vella
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
looks more like "Charlie the Tuna" when he was with
“Blood, Sweat, and Tears”. (think “Spinnin’ Wheel”)
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Carlen came just after I left. J.T. King was still coaching when I was there.
The sad part is that we didn’t have any real pre-game traditions yet (other than the run to the strip). No tailgating or anything like that. Student seating was politely called ‘Festival seating’, which basically meant a mixture of ‘first come, first served’ and ‘whoever is the biggest and meanest’. For something like the Texas game, we’d be standing in the east parking lot early in the morning – no real lines, just a mob at the gates in the chain-link fence. When they started to unlock the gates, it was mob rule, followed by a speed dash into the stadium. Poeple were sometimes hurt, and more tragically, whiskey bottles were sometimes broken. Grown men were known to weep at the loss.
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
I hope it's tu
an arse kickin of the austin elite would set the tone for the year…not only within the team…but within the DTN.
A&M
We were humiliated last year by them in our house. We need to right the ship and beat them in their house. It is a signature game on the road and sets up OU.
"Players are made when they get here", Tuberville
not sure we are allowed to say "ship" anymore.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
How are you spelling that?
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
Stop giving Blackbeard so much ship
I mean, what the truck?
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
the big catfish thanks you.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
