(Eric Gray/AP photo; previous weekly reviews here)
Texas Longhorns 59 Texas Tech 43
The Texas Longhorns (9-2/5-2) had been left for dead after losing to Oklahoma six weeks ago, but the resurgent Horns are in solid contention for a BCS bowl game after defeating the defenseless Red Raiders (7-4/3-4). Although Tech closed to within 10 points a couple of times during the 47 point 4th quarter, this one was really never in doubt because Tech’s defense simply could not slow down, much less stop, the Horns’ offense. At least Coach Leach didn’t fire his defensive coordinator or blame his players after this defeat. This time, Tech’s loss was apparently the fault of the referees. Referring to Randy Cristal, the head referee for Saturday’s game, being an Austin resident, Leach asserted the following in post-game comments:
“That can be argued in a variety of directions. Maybe it is something as simple as guys sitting over the water cooler in their office, in Austin, talking to their friends about the great game they are going to see, the great players they are going to see. Perhaps a preconceived notion has developed how it’s going to come out.”
Leach apparently forgot that Tech was the beneficiary of a couple of dubious hometown calls at the end of one of Tech’s rare victories against Oklahoma. The reality is that Leach is a mediocre coach of a one-dimensional program that is 1-11 against ranked teams and 2-13 against UT and OU during his tenure at Tech. The Horns close their regular season against Texas A&M (6-5/3-4) in their annual rivalry game the day after Thanksgiving.
Update: Here is Leach’s after-game rant. The remarks will almost certainly result in the Big 12 Conference levying sanctions on Leach.
Update 2: Leach was fined $10,000 by the Big 12 on Tuesday and received a public reprimand. According to a Big 12 press release, Leach is ìon notice that any future such behavior will result in a more serious penalty, including a possible suspension.î
ìCoach Leachís public statements called into question the integrity and competence of game officials and the Conferenceís officiating program,î Dan Beebe, the Big 12 commissioner, stated. ìAccordingly the seriousness of this violation warrants a public reprimand and the largest fine issued to date by the Conference.î
The Cougars (6-4/5-2) laid a major egg in their effort to win their second straight Conference USA title when they laid down and rolled over to Tulsa (7-3/5-2). Houston has had problems with its defensive unit for years, so giving up 56 points to Tulsa is not all that surprisng. But It’s hard to understand how a team such as the Cougars, that is averaging almost 550 yards per game, would generate less than 400 yards of total offense against a poor Tulsa defense, 97 of which came in the Coogs’ only TD drive of the game while behind 56-0. The Cougars will attempt to regroup next week against an improving Marshall (2-8/2-4) that has won their last two games. Meanwhile, perhaps Houston head coach Art Briles won’t be such a hot commodity for other head coaching jobs after the Tulsa debacle.
The Aggies (6-5/3-4) actually were in a position to pull ahead during the 2nd half of this one when Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione called a series of plays that is typical of why he will be fired come season end, if not before. Early 4th quarter, the Aggies were marching down the field pounding the rushing game against a tired Mizzou (9-1/5-1) defense after closing to within 24-19. After reaching a 1st and 10 on Mizzou’s 12 yard line, the Aggies telegraphed a dive play on first down that was stopped for a one yard gain, QB Stephen McGeen threw an incompletion on second down and, on 3rd and long, Franchione inexplicably called a middle screen pass that was completed for a seven yard loss. Thus, rather than continuing to pound the rushing game against an overwhelmed defense in clear four down territory, Franchione inexplicably turned to the Ags’ ineffectual passing game, which stifled the drive. After Aggie kicker Matt Szymanski pushed the 36 yard field goal attempt wide right, the Aggies had completely lost the momentum, prompting the Tigers to score 16 fourth quarter points to put the game away. The Aggies close their season on the Friday after Thanksgiving in their annual rivalry game against the Longhorns (9-2/5-2).
What more can you say about the resilient Owls (3-7/3-3)? This time, the Owls came back from a 15 point 4th quarter deficit to pull out the victory on a game-winning 31 yard field goal. The potent Owls offense generated 535 total offense, including 365 yards passing from QB Chase Clement. The Owls finish with two home games, next week against Tulane (3-7/2-4) and against Tulsa (7-3/5-2) on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The Texans (4-5) were off this past weekend. Next Sunday, they play Reggie Bush and New Orleans (4-5), which is coming off a loss yesterday to previously winless St. Louis.
Difficult, but honest assessment of the Texas Tech program. I’m a Tech ex and life time Red Raider. Lubbock folks need to demand better from their coaches and AD Gerald Myers. They often settle for the mediocre because of steep challenges one faces in trying to recruit players to dusty West Texas. We have in the past, however, hired coaches who could produce a more well rounded program. I think of Steve Sloan and Jim Carlen. Both coached in the 70’s.
I commented on this issue following the game on my blog at
http://jeffreymark.typepad.com/myfolder/2007/11/tell-tale-sign-.html
Furthermore, rumors are flying that Tech is looking at former Red Raider asst. coach and Houston Cougar’s Art Briles.
Thanks Tom, for the compelling post.
tom need to check out his facts before he goes on babbling senseless garbage. first off the 1-11 vs ranked teams must have been numbers he made up to make himself feel good. perhaps he forgot tech beating #4 cal, #3 ut, #25 nebraska, #25 OU, #18 A&M, #17 KSU, #23 osu, and #18 ole miss. as for it being a one dimensional program yes it is…it has only one dimension winning-year after year. perhaps he doesnt know the question to who is the only team to never have a losing record in the big 12. nope its not ou or ut. and to justify this years thrown game by saying the 05 ou game was thrown too is not only bad logic, but also inaccurate considering that henderson was CLEARLY into the endzone while layed out on glenn januarys body. but we wouldnt want to confuse tom with any facts and pop his bubble. anyone who has watched leach coach for the last 8 years knows he has the most creative mind in college football. he created a system that can score at will on anybody (including handing nebraska its worst loss in thier history) and he created a system that truly believes the game is never over until the clock has 4 zeros on it–as was proven in the bowl game against minnesota. finally to disprove that leach is a mediocre coach i would like to reference some more facts (something tom doesnt like) leach is now 63-37 in his first 100 games coached. he coaches in what has continually been among the toughest divisions of any conference around. these numbers dont lie. tom just doesnt like numbers
Mtarch, Leach’s 63% winning percentage is not unprecedented at Tech:
Pete Cawthon (1930-1940): 69.3%
Steve Sloan (1975-1977): 65.7%
E.Y. Freeland (1925-1928): 64.9%
Jim Carlen (1970-1974): 64.4%
David McWilliams (1986): 63.6%
Mike Leach (2000-2007): 63.0%
Spike Dykes (1987-1999): 54.6%
Moreover, Leach’s teams have routinely beaten up on cupcake opponents, although I will concede that he is not alone in doing that.
And, on that 2005 OU game, if the ball had been properly spotted after Amendola’s 4th down catch on Tech’s final drive, Henderson would have never had the opportunity to be involved in his controversial scoring play.
Leach’s offense is formidable, but his obsession with it appears to have had a detrimental impact on the development of even an average defensive unit. In 8 seasons, his teams have not won a conference championship or played in a conference championship game. This season, he has publicly humiliated a key member of his coaching staff and now publicly criticized longtime Big 12 referees in violation of Big 12 Conference rules. Neither of those outbursts is likely to help Leach bring his first Big 12 championship to Tech.
As noted in an earlier post, my sense is that Leach has peaked at Tech.
if you look at your video it even shows he that where he caught the ball in the air was at the marker before he was pushed back the spot was correct as shown on other camera angles as well. also yes they havent been to a title game but you have to look at why in a logical manner before you babble off your incorrect opinion. ut and ou have a much bigger media outlet and than tech strictly because they are older schools and are in more populated areas. leach has a lot to contend with to get talent to come to tech. the fact that he has put together a program that has consistently been the #3 team in the big 12 behind those 2 schools and has given them many scares (including this weekends thrown game) shows how far hes come. and to note your previous stats about previous coaches, only one of those coached in the big 12. leach plays much stronger teams year in and year out than did previous swc coaches so to win 63% is an accomplishment. the fact that he hs put together such an original offense that no one had done before shows how willing he is to think outside the box that other football minds tend to refuse to leave.