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Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (It's all about to go down...)

I'm wondering if we can put together a roll call for those attending the monster game in Ames. I'm thinking as a resident Iowan on OB I could put together a pretty good tailgate.

Side note, I tried to get season tickets this year in the Jack Trice Stadium Endzone Club (my son is a Sophomore in Ames, but don't worry, he wears his burnt orange loud and proud on campus every day.) No dice on the tickets though. Demand has never been higher at Iowa State.
It feels like you've assumed some responsibility for that game. No pressure. ;)
 
There was a lot of tension in my house because we had plans after the game and I had been pacing and showing signs of frustration in the moments leading up to it.

I just screamed out, "YES! YES!"

And I don't remember much after that other than the immense amount of relief and emotion. I was nearly brought to tears as soon as it happened. All I could think about was his dad.


I streamed the firs half in church and then got home to watch most of the second. Didn't start getting nervous until ~80 and then the nerves went up ~10% every minute. My first reaction on any goal now is to look for the var, but somehow I realized it was off a corner very quickly and went nuts, almost just like John and Neil.
 
I streamed the firs half in church and then got home to watch most of the second. Didn't start getting nervous until ~80 and then the nerves went up ~10% every minute. My first reaction on any goal now is to look for the var, but somehow I realized it was off a corner very quickly and went nuts, almost just like John and Neil.
Yeah, it was about 80 that the backside started puckering up significantly.

We have to dig deep on Wednesday.
 
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I live in WI and have made several Ames games including 19 (no comment). Planning on a trip this year. Would be interested in tailgate

@txfight
I missed the 2019 (thankfully) but I was at the 2017 when ISU handed us first downs on penalties on two scoring drives to get the W.

I was also at the infamous (that's how Cyclones fans refer to it) 2013 game when Jonathan Gray didn't fumble and we won 31-30.

But I was also at the 2015 game on Halloween when Texas was not only shut out, but I'm not sure our offense penetrated their 20 yard line until the last drive of the game. That was fun :(
 
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I missed the 2019 (thankfully) but I was at the 2017 when ISU handed us first downs on penalties on two scoring drives to get the W.

I was also at the infamous (that's how Cyclones fans refer to it) 2013 game when Jonathan Gray didn't fumble and we won 31-30.

But I was also at the 2015 game on Halloween when Texas was not only shut out, but I'm not sure our offense penetrated their 20 yard line until the last drive of the game. That was fun :(
It's been a mixed bag to say the least.
 
I missed the 2019 (thankfully) but I was at the 2017 when ISU handed us first downs on penalties on two scoring drives to get the W.

I was also at the infamous (that's how Cyclones fans refer to it) 2013 game when Jonathan Gray didn't fumble and we won 31-30.

But I was also at the 2015 game on Halloween when Texas was not only shut out, but I'm not sure our offense penetrated their 20 yard line until the last drive of the game. That was fun :(
I missed 15 game fortunately my kids were trick/treat age and I skipped the trip. So we can move past that game.

2019 was my sons first live Longhorn game. We were right next to UT visiting section at end zone. The final FG for ISU was right in front of us. The offsides was so obvious. After re kick, and success, we’re walking out and ISU Stadium plays Sweet Caroline. WTF!
 
The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.
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Those games were actually at Fort Worth.

I guess that old "Lupton Magic" or whatever stupid slogan they ripped off wasn't working.
 
(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.
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The difference with Mack is that he opened his career with two top ten teams outside of conference on the road.
 
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The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.
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Those games were actually at Fort Worth.

I guess that old "Lupton Magic" or whatever stupid slogan they ripped off wasn't working.
Oh.
 
(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.
=======================================================

The difference with Mack is that he opened his career with two top ten teams outside of conference on the road.
And got blown out in both. The UCLA game was an all-time moral victory for playing to the en d and not getting beaten by 40.
 
In two weeks, we're going to see the wildest stretch of recruiting that we've seen in some time.

Beginning on June 1, the restriction against on-campus visits ends, and with recruits able to visit schools for the first time in almost 15 months, it's going to be on.

When I say it's going to be on, I mean that the defining moments of the 2022 recruiting class will take place in the next 45-60 days. Don't be tricked into believing that the first National Signing Day being a little more than half a year away means much. Also, don't buy into the myth that much of what Texas does on the field this year is going to significantly impact the final results of the 2022 recruiting class.

Oh, there will be a few December/January announcements and the performance on the field could impact a few decisions, but the reality of the situation is this...

a. A majority of the best prospects in the state of Texas have already made commitments.
b. The majority of the most important official visits that remain for the 2022 class will occur during the month of June, as stir crazy kids hit the road.
c. Of the remaining elite kids left on the table in the state of Texas, it wouldn't shock anyone if nearly half or more make decisions before September 1.

Although my LSR Top 100 rankings for the Class of 2022 will be updated this week, the majority of the elite kids have been established for a while, and as things currently stand, six of the Top 10 and 10 of the state's Top 20 are already committed.

Of those 10 that haven't committed, these are the guys that matter the most for the Longhorns:

WR Evan Stewart
OL Kam Dewberry
OL Devon Campbell
OL Kelvin Banks (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)

LB Harold Perkins
CB Denver Harris (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)
CB Bryce Anderson
Ath Brenan Thompson

It's probably hard to pinpoint exactly which of these players will pull the trigger on decisions before the high school football season starts, but it'll almost certainly include a handful of names on the list.

None of this is saying that there aren't other outstanding football players available in this class; it's simply an acknowledgement of the stakes involved once the visits start taking place in June.

The moment is nearly upon Steve Sarkisian, and he's going to need to rely on his staff's incredible sales tactics and a recruiting pitch that features more vision than anything else. When it comes to recruiting, the 2021 season is about 2023 recruiting as much as it is about the 2022 crop.

Get your popcorn ready.

No. 2 - Stealing an idea from Alex Dunlap...

This isn't a list of the top 10 prospects in the state; rather it's a look at the Top 10 most important players to the Longhorns in terms of value, positional needs and positional scarcity.

1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)

It's all about the offensive linemen and a sprinkle of special individual recruits. You could make a case that the entire Top 5 could be nothing but the five best offensive linemen in this class.

No. 3 - On a fairly slow weekend as we get ready for June...

Full confession - the 10-year old version of me really enjoyed this Tweet.



No. 4 - A damn good weekend on the 40 Acres for the non-revenue sports...

In the event that you weren't keeping score at home...

* The Longhorns pulled off the double at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning the team titles on both the men's and women's side of the ledger.

* The Texas women's track team set a record with 207 points for the program's 12th overall team title and second consecutive. Meanwhile, the 173 points posted by the men's side were the second-most by any team in Big 12 history.

* The Texas women's rowing team won its six straight Big 12 title. Is Texas a swimming and rowing school?

* The No. 2 Texas women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 and takes on No. 7 Florida State on Wednesday for a chance to make the Final Four.

Not a bad weekend at all.

No. 5 - Cat Osterman-level dominance ...

When it's all said and done, Tara Davis is going to go down as one of the best athletes this school has ever seen.

She's the best female long jumper in NCAA history. It’s undeniable at this point.



No. 6 - Without overcooking the grits...

It's a big week for the Texas baseball team. Not the biggest week of the season. Those bad boys occur in June.

So, let's not make too much out of whatever happens with the Longhorns hosting West Virginia and TCU headed to Manhattan, but the conference title is on the line this weekend.

If iron sharpens iron, then the pressure that the Longhorns will feel in their series with the Mountaineers should prove to be a perfect tune-up for regional and potential super action regional. The opportunity is there, but the margin of error is slight.

The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.

I'm curious to see what Texas and TCU both show from a championship backbone standpoint.

No. 7 – BUY or SELL …



(Sell) I typically steal his intel at all times, so I'd call it a wash. I can't remember the last time we were on different sides of a prediction.



(Buy) I think it's a tall task for both, but I'm more confident of Beard getting there faster than Sark.



(Buy) At some point, you have to believe when the team has been this good over the last 60 or so games going back to 2019.



(Sell) I don't believe Texas is going to be that good yet. Ask me this question again in August.



(Buy) Yeah, man. Feeling good.



(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.



(Buy) However, it also needs to be said that they could still not be as good as last year's team as well. Both options are not out of the realm.



(Sell) I don't know if Texas gets there in year one, but it's not unrealistic that they could. Texas feels like the No. 3 team in the league to me going into the season, which means that they don't have to climb too high to get into the game.



(Sell) Not in 2021, anyways.



(Sell) I'll send you an email. I've got you. If you're dealing with medical problems, please allow Orangebloods to be riding shotgun with you on us, OB family is family.



(Sell) But, maybe it wouldn't be too far from that number.



(Sell) #TeamCard




(Buy) Yup, I'm buying that all day long.



(Buy) It's a baby buy, though, but I'll still step on the limb with Campbell and Banks.

No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend...

,,, Charli Collier starting off well...


... Congrats to the Sam Houston State football team.

... This was such a nice moment at this weekend's Hoops hall of fame inductions.


... The East comes through Philly this year. In The Process, I trust. Bring on anybody.

... I'd be ok with Steph Curry winning the NBA MVP. I'm not sure he's ever been better.

... It wasn't the weekend he was hoping for after a first round 63 in his own backyard, but another Top 10 finish is a positive step forward for Jordan Spieth. That's a 9th, 3rd, 1st, 48th, 4th, 15th, 3rd and 4th in his last nine starts heading into this weekend's PGA Championship.

... Charles Oliveira winning in the UFC in 2021 was not a headline I ever expected to see.

... The grind of starting the first two months on the road appears to be taking its toll on Austin FC in its first season.

... Luis Freaking Suarez. It had to be him saving Atletico's season on Sunday, didn't it?

... Good for Leicester City. It's hard not to appreciate a club like Leicester winning the FA up for the first time in nearly 60 years. Also, are we at a point where we should say that Leicester has replaced Arsenal in the Big 6 of English football?

... This was all I needed for my birthday. Well, this and my family. I was more than good all day.


... This was my wife moments after this occurred.


No. 9 - My Top 10...umm... Top 10... if you know what I mean...

With all due respect to Anwar Richardson's request for a Stevie Wonder list after the man turned 71 years old this week, it's my birthday and I thought it would be more fun to do a different set of rankings.

Let's call this the "Top 10 women to post photos of for my birthday" if you're into that sort of thing.

Everyone thinks I'm #TeamMiley, first and foremost, but the reality is that she doesn't crack my personal Top 10.

p.s. - I'm pretty sure I could name my wife's Top 10 list. Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy are high on that one, I know.

Let's do this!

10. 1980s Vanity
9. 1990's Angela Bassett
8. Diane Lane
7. Janelle Monae
6. Zoe Saldana
5. Natalie Portman
4. Stacy Keibler
3. Candice Swanepoel
2. Keira Knightley
1. 1990's Elle McPhearson

No. 10 - And Finally ...

I just wanted to take a moment to say a special thank you to Robert Hurst, a dear sweet man that has been a friend to Orangebloods for nearly all 20 years that we've been going strong.

When I visited his home this weekend to pick up the final items for the JimTexas scholarship silent auctions we had last month, it dawned on me that with his battle with cancer, I can't take for granted that I'll ever get a chance to visit with him again in person.

A piece of my heart broke when I drove out of South Austin.

Robert... from the bottom of my heart... we love you, man.
Happy belated @Ketchum! Great writeup. your top 10 list is spot on! I might switch #10 & #7. I still have dreams of Elle McPhearson getting out of that car in the Pepsi commercial.
 
SI swimsuit editions were everything.
Yes they were. My older cousin got them and he let me look at them without my Aunt knowing. He would have gotten into big trouble.

Also...I must say you're good people. Helping out @Ihateaggie like that is what this place is all about. You helped me out in the past. Ihateaggie I hope you get through this medical issue well. You'll be in my prayers.
 
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Thanks. Not my best, but considering the circumstances of it being my birthday and I was doing stuff with the family for much of the day, I'll take it. ;)
That’s really kind of you to help out those guys the way you did. You have a big heart. 🤘
 
Yes they were. My older cousin got them and he let me look at them without my Aunt knowing. He would have gotten into big trouble.

Also...I must say you're good people. Helping out @Ihateaggie like that is what this place is all about. You helped me out in the past. Ihateaggie I hope you get through this medical issue well. You'll be in my prayers.

a. I had Elle photos in my locker at school throughout middle school. lol.

b. OB family is family. We need to be here for our brothers and sisters.
 
This isn't a list of the top 10 prospects in the state; rather it's a look at the Top 10 most important players to the Longhorns in terms of value, positional needs and positional scarcity.

1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)
I think Sark would tell you that a certain committed prospect should be on top of this list. Heck another committed prospect might be number 2 as well.
 
1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)
1. Quinn - first person Sark called and the recruit he talks to more than any other... AGNB
2. Bear - freakiest of freaks
3. Banks - the only elite true tackle prospect in the state.
4. Brown - need elite Jack prospects desperately
5. Harris - day 1 starter
6. Campbell - best guard in the nation
7./8. Stewart/Hudson need at least one
9. Anderson - only this low because db is deeper than other positions at Texas.
10. Dewberry - likely guard, maybe RT potential.
 
1. Quinn - first person Sark called and the recruit he talks to more than any other... AGNB
2. Bear - freakiest of freaks
3. Banks - the only elite true tackle prospect in the state.
4. Brown - need elite Jack prospects desperately
5. Harris - day 1 starter
6. Campbell - best guard in the nation
7./8. Stewart/Hudson need at least one
9. Anderson - only this low because db is deeper than other positions at Texas.
10. Dewberry - likely guard, maybe RT potential.
Agree with all but Dew and Campbell. Campbell could be a great right Tackle and Dewberry can absolutely play Left or right tackle. Agree banks is best pure tackle
 
I think Sark would tell you that a certain committed prospect should be on top of this list. Heck another committed prospect might be number 2 as well.
It could, but that wasn't the purpose of this particular list.
 
1. Quinn - first person Sark called and the recruit he talks to more than any other... AGNB
2. Bear - freakiest of freaks
3. Banks - the only elite true tackle prospect in the state.
4. Brown - need elite Jack prospects desperately
5. Harris - day 1 starter
6. Campbell - best guard in the nation
7./8. Stewart/Hudson need at least one
9. Anderson - only this low because db is deeper than other positions at Texas.
10. Dewberry - likely guard, maybe RT potential.
well, that's certainly an interesting take,.
 
Agree with all but Dew and Campbell. Campbell could be a great right Tackle and Dewberry can absolutely play Left or right tackle. Agree banks is best pure tackle
I'm not completely sold that Banks is a tackle. He absolutely could be, but there are times when he plays like an interior guy.
 
well, that's certainly an interesting take,.
Our lists weren't that different, other than my including three guys that are committed to other schools. When it comes to those three, their being committed elsewhere doesn't change how important they are to Texas based on the criteria you laid out.

I'm not completely sold that Banks is a tackle. He absolutely could be, but there are times when he plays like an interior guy.
I just don't see that at all with Banks. He's the only one out of the top 4-5 guys that has Tackle length.
 
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