ESPN: Texas football as good as it gets

ESPN.com came out with state football rankings today. They used all the data they could find from everything from the NFL to high school ball and when the dust settled, Texas came out on top.
Check it out.
The lowdown on Texas.
California and Florida came in second and third respectively, while Pennsylvania and Ohio rounded out the Top 5.


Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle has an oft-updated blog that I read regularly. Yesterday, he noted a good story on Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis by the San Antonio Express-News' Mark Wangrin


I don't have much else to write about, but if you still feel like reading, read about the Birdman. It's not the best-written story, but it's a good read.

Ross Wrecks Car, Durant Wrecks Arkansas

I'm home for the break but not entirely out of the loop.
In case you are: Aaron Ross had a strange day Thursday morning. The Stateman's Suzanna Halliburton reports that he was slightly injured in a car accident after apparently falling asleep on his way to practice. Police found him at near a restaurant after management called the police saying there'd been an attempted robbery.
Ross wasn't arrested and is expected to play in the Alamo Bowl. He's from the San Antonio area, and I don't think a pack of wild dogs could keep him from playing in this game.

I was at the Texas - Arkansas mens basketball game. The most impressive thing about Kevin Durant was that while it seemed to turn in a lackluster performance, he finished with 26 points and 13 boards -- his fifth double-double of the season.
Razorback head coach Stan Heath took notice of the freshman.
"We didn’t have much of an answer for him," he said. " He is a special, special player, and I think he was the difference in the game."

Former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite's Rice plays today in the New Orleans bowl. It's been a bit of a storybook year for the Owls who won their last six games en route to a 7-5 record and their first bowl appearance in 45 years.

Suggested Reading

So, from time to time, when I have nothing else to write about, I'm going to try and offer a few suggestions on stories you should read. I know this is nothing new for bloggers. Buster Olney's blog is a perfect example.

But my suggestions are primarily for my peers, fledglings in the sports writing business. With that in mind, the stories might not always be the most timely. They're just stories that you need to read, because the best way to become a better sports writer is to read, read, read.

So today I have four good columns.

There is no honor for UF's Marshall
Possibly my favorite of the bunch, Peter Kerasotis of floridatoday.com tells the story of former Gator Candy Marshall and his exclusion from the school's Rong of Honor.

Beauty in the little things
Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star remembers time spent with Lamar Hunt, "the founder of the Kansas City Chiefs, the man who named the Super Bowl and a guy who once tried to buy Alcatraz." There's a lot to learn about Hunt, especially for the clueless in my generation.

Stats alone no measure of this man
The Chronicle's John P. Lopez makes a surprisingly good case for Jeff Bagwell's inclusion in the baseball Hall of Fame. I'm no homer, and I didn't expect this column to do much for me. But, as it turns out, it's a real good read.

Not as simple as black and white
Page2 columnists from espn.com are underrated I think. Here Jamele Hill weighs in on Larry Johnson's assertion that race is the reason he's getting along better with Herm Edwards than he ever did with Dick Vermeil.

There ya go, school's out, and I know you're bored. Read.

VY vs Hoge

I've always liked Merril Hoge, but I'm not sure what he's trying to prove by discounting Vince Young's every success. I don't think he has anything against Young, but he's being hardheaded and making himself look like a dolt in the process.
With the help of YouTube, you can see Hoge's comments spliced with VY highlights and come up with your own opinion.

This doesn't even include Young's 39-yard game-winning romp against the Texans, and oh by the way, according to Hoge, Young made a mental mistake when he didn't throw on that third-and-14. He should have found Bobby Wade in the slot.

"If that ball comes out, [Wade] probably scores," Hoge said.

Darrell K Royal once said that only three things can happen when you throw and two of them are bad. Young kept it on the ground here and found the endzone himself. Furthermore, throwing in that situation is questionable if a run will net you even four or five. Facing third-and-long in overtime, the primary purpose of that play was to improve the field goal kicker's shot at winning the game. Scoring wasn't the goal; extending the drive wasn't even the goal.

Winning the game was, and the Titans did just that in memorable fashion thanks to VY's rookie antics.

Jeff Bagwell Retires

A bit off-topic, but it's Jeff Bagwell...

Afters 15 seasons with the Astros, he announced his retirement today. The pain in his shoulder became too much to bear it seems.

At least Craig Biggio's got another solid season or two in him.

Ei Di(gt) Vi = Pgt + Bgt Ei Di(gt+1) Vi - egt

Ei Di(gt) Vi = Pgt + Bgt Ei Di(gt+1) Vi - egt

Apparently that's the mathematical, undeniable proof football teams should elect to go for it more often on fourth and down. That's according to David Romer, an economics professor at Cal-Berkeley.

Here are Romer's findings, thanks to an espn.com column:

A team facing fourth-and-goal within five yards of the end zone is better off, on average, trying for a touchdown.

At midfield, on average, there is an argument to go for any fourth down within five yards of a first down.

Even on its own 10-yard-line -- 90 yards from the end zone -- a team within three yards of a first down is marginally better off, on average, going for it.

Alright, I'll give math its due. Knowing about probability and expected value are huge, if you're a poker player. I am. I even have a poker blog.
But poker and football are two seperate games. One is a form of gambling that can be almost entirely reduced down to math. The other is decided by 200-300-pound men in modern-day suits of armor.

Maybe Carolina head coach John Fox put it best:

"Statistical analysis like this doesn't interest more people because it's sterile. It's not real. It's a damn paper. Here's the thing: It's all matchups at the goal line. I don't think his stats and computers take matchups into account, am I right? It's not about stats and probability at the goal line, it's about yours against theirs. Guards on linebackers. Who's hurt? Do they cover your tight end? Who's playing well, who isn't? Are they the No. 1 run defense and we're the 31st-ranked run offense?

"There's no question the other thing that isn't factored in here is momentum. No question there's a huge emotional swing that you have to factor in. You move to the one and don't get in? Factor that in as far as momentum the rest of the game? A stat can't do that. There are just way more factors that go into this decision than just one equation. How's your offense playing? How's your defense playing? The score? Time remaining in the game? Should I throw that out the window and look at this stat? Let me tell you something, if we're up seven and I can kick a field goal to go up 10 – that means two scores, with two minutes left to play in the game – I don't give a crap on fourth-and-1 if I think I can get in the end zone or not – I'm kicking the dang field goal. See, I don't want to dismiss this paper. But I won't hold it up as gospel, either."

Amen brother.

I'm not just writing this because of the Bellman Equation (you know, those letters and symbols above). I also drew inspiration from Chuch Bower and Frank Frigo's "What would Zeus do?" In the New York - Dallas game, Zeus calls for the Ginats to go for a two-point conversion when they're down by one with 1:06 left in the game?

Why?

As best I can figure it, it's because Dallas was favored to win the game before the opening kickoff. At kickoff according to oddsmakers, the Cowboys had a 60 percent chance of winning. If New York ties it there, the Giants will still lose 60 percent of the time, according to the computer. So, their best chance at winning is to go for the two-point conversion, which apparently must work more than 40 percent of the time.

I've lost myself, and therein lies my point.

As much as football minds hate reporters second guessing them, it's gotta be worse coming from mathematicians. Right?

Another thing I can do without: the PROTRADE The Sports Stock Market sidebar on each ESPN.com gamer. I like how they point out game changing plays, but the before and after Win Probabilities are completely worthless.

If I understand this right, after the Ravens converted on third-and-six with 10 minutes to play against Kansas City while leading 13-3, the Chiefs were left praying for a three-outer or miracle runners after the flop.

This isn't poker.

Wrong McCoy Would Start if Alamo Bowl Were Today

Sorry, but if everyone wants to call Colt 'The Real McCoy,' Matthew must be the wrong one. Right?
We'll probably never know seeing as how Texas expects Colt to get the start December 30 in San Antonio. But things would be different if the game was played this week.
“Right now we’re working Matt McCoy as the starting quarterback,” Mack Brown said. “We would play Matt today if the game started.”
Brown said earlier that the team would have a third quarterback ready, and Quan Cosby appears to be that guy. He practiced at the position Tuesday during Texas' first bowl practice.
So best case scenario, the depth chart will read: Colt McCoy, Matt McCoy, Quan Cosby.
If Colt can't recover in time, it could be: Matt McCoy, Quan Cosby...
With Colt recovering from a severe pinched nerve and Jevan Snead nothing but a memory, the season's come full circle for Texas.
Once again, the quarterback position is the team's biggest question mark.

Blalock an All-American

The AP All-Americans have been named and guard Justin Blalock is Texas' only first team representative.

Aaron Ross may have won the Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation, but according to the AP, he wasn't even one of the top two corners. Leon Hall of Michigan and Daymeion Hughes of California are on the first team, and Ross is relegated to the second.

Michael Griffin is also on the second team meaning that somehow half of the Texas secondary that was exploited all season got All-American recognition.

The Big 12's only other first-teamer was Baylor's Daniel Sepulveda. Sepulveda, a linebacker turned punter, is the NCAA's only two-time Ray Guyy award winner.

Take a look at the full 2006 AP All-American team.

Other news you might find interesting:

Greg Schiano of Rutgers has won Walter Camp's 2006 Coach of the Year Award.

Southlake Carrol's head coach has finally been lured away. Todd Dodge, a former Texas quarterback, and his Dragons are 14-0 this season. Two more wins and they're state champs once more.

By the way, if you haven't looked at the final coaches' poll, you should.

Ross Wins Thorpe Award

Aaron Ross picked up where Michael Huff left off last year, by winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back.

"I just feel unbelievably blessed to have won the Thorpe Award," Ross said. "I'm overwhelmed. It's such a great honor that is named after the greatest athlete of all time and has been won by so many great players. I can't beginto say how humbling it is to join such a prestigious group."

While the secondary struggled all season, Ross excelled. He racked up 73 tackles, and 23 passes defended.With five interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, he totaled 10 takeaways. He also registered one sack and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in this, his senior season.

"Aaron Ross has made game-changing and game-winning plays for us all season," defensive coordinator Duane Akina said. "I believe the voters are truly honoring the nation's best defensive back."

Ross was also named as a first-team Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American, as was offensive lineman Justin Blalock. Defensive end Time Crowder and safety Michael Griffin earned spots on the second-team.

Found: D-Coordinator?

The Houston Chronicle's Joseph Duarte is reporting that Miami's defensive coordinator Randy Shannon has been offered the same job at Texas.

Despite Miami's poor 6-6 record the defense was strong, finishing fifth in total defense and third in rushing defense. Shannon's also had success against the pass during his tenure at The U, twice leading the nation's best passing defense.

Mike Leach to the U?

Class in 10 minutes, so I have to make this short. Various Florida and Panhandle papers are reporting that Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach has expressed interest in the head coaching job at Miami.

Larry Coker's firing left the position vacant, and Rutger's Greg Schiano has already declined the job. Hurricanes officials haven't even contacted Leach about the job apparently, but Leach's agent, Gary O' Hagan, said they were interested.

Another early candidate, Steve Spurrier, has also been retained, so Leach's chances could be improving. If he gets the job, he'll need to take a break from studying pirates and brush up on his street smarts.

Reggie McNeal Arrested

After never quite catching on in College Station, Reggie McNeal's going to have a hard time just holding on with the Bengals.

Sunday he became the seventh Cincinatti player arrested this year. McNeal is facing resisting arrest charges after elbowing an officer who'd denied him admission to a nightclub. After being told the club was closing, McNeal became aggressive, eventually elbowing one of the cops, according to Houston police spokesman Gabe Ortiz.

This isn't the first sign that McNeal has turned out to be a typical Bengal.

When Odell Thurman was arrested on drunken driving charges earlier this season, McNeal was one of the passengers. Thurman was later suspended for the season. Another passenger, Chris Henry was suspended a couple weeks later for two games.

McNeal was cut early with the Bengals then signed to the practice squad and finally put on the 53-man roster on September 7. He's played two games but not done anything. I think I'd be surprised if they even bother suspending him. It seems more likely they'll cut him and make him an example to the other rowdies on that team.

I know I would.

Texas to Alamo Bowl

The Gator Bowl has announced that West Virginia will be facing Georgia Tech on January 1, in Jacksonville, Florida.

For Texas that means a spot in the Alamo Bowl. The game will be played on December 30 in San Antonio -- not quite up to Texas expectations, certainly not after they had two games left in the regular season and just needed to beat Kansas State or Texas A&M to clinch the Big 12 South.

The season ended with a collapse, no doubt about that. But a lot of teams would welcome an invite to the Alamo Bowl. The Longhorns will be up against an underachieving Iowa squad that finished 6-6 this season. Last year saw Michigan and Nebraska face off in what became the most-watched college football game in ESPN's history. While Nebraska won that game, Ohio State won the Alamo Bowl in 2004.

This is Texas' first appearance in the Alamo Bowl.

Give Florida a Chance

Michigan had their chance, and all they showed was how a 3-point loss could feel like a blowout. Anyone who watched the game had to realize that Michigan had as much of a chance as they'd ever have against the Buckeyes and still came up short. They won the turnover margin 3-0, and still lost the game.

Mark Schlabach agrees with me.

I'm the first person to rag on the SEC. Most overrated conference in the nation, easily. Boring, rugged offenses make their gritty defenses look really good. (The title game was a welcome aberration.)

But how does the conference get selected as the toughest in the nation over and over, then slighted come bowl season?

Michigan had their shot; it's time to give the Gators theirs.

Texas Making Headlines

They're out of bowl contention an hoping, at least I know I am, they get a berth in the Gator Bowl. But the Longhorns are still in the news.

First off, Dennis Franchione revealed he sent a note to Mack Brown apologizing for Kellen Heard's late hit on Colt McCoy late in A&M's 12-7 win.
"We regret and apologize for the late hit on Colt by Kellen Heard," Fran's note says. "We do not teach this type of play or condone it. After meeting with Kellen, I know he feels badly that this happened, and he expressed that he did not want to display malicious intent.

"We will handle this situation as a coaching staff with consequences for the action. Kellen is in complete agreement and said that he wants Colt to know that he certainly regrets it and he apologizes for the incident."

Nice gesture of him, I suppose. The note goes on to wish Texas good luck in their bowl game and is signed awkwardly "Coach Fran, staff, Kellen Heard and teammates"

The Holiday Bowl-bound Aggies won't say how Heard is to be disciplined but he will be facing consequences.

"Kellen and his teammates know this will not be dealt with lightly, and that’s enough for the public to know, too," Frachione wrote on his website.

****************************************************

Bigger news for Texas was the announcment that Jevan Snead is transferring. Once one of the most highly touted prospects in the nation, Snead couldn't win the job from McCoy. Despite late season developments that seemed to make it likely Snead had more playing time just around the corner, he's elected to play elsewhere.

Sophomore DE Chris Brown andsophomore OT Greg Dolan are gone too, also citing the desire for more playing time.

"All three guys told us they had a great experience, but they felt their best opportunity for more playing time was to transfer," Brown said. "That's totally understandable, and we appreciate everything they did for our program during their time here. We wish all three the best of luck in the future."

In his first and last season with the Longhorns, Snead got into eight games, completing 26-of-49 passes. Two of those completions went for touchdowns, and Snead rushed for another.

"I had a great time at Texas and can't thank Coach Brown enough for everything he did for me," Snead said. "Coach Davis has taught me so much. I will always be grateful for having the chance to learn from him. ... I just think that for me to reach my goal of being a starting quarterback, I need to go somewhere else. I'm going to miss all of my teammates, coaches and the great fans, but I will always be proud of my time with the Longhorns."

While Texas fans won't take the loss of Snead lightly, it offers up plenty of pun opportunities for them.

How about...

"No need for Snead"

"Snead ya later"

or my favorite,

"We don't Snead you anyway"