Rumors are flying, and I love it. This is the time of the year that is a reporter's dream. Just rumors and whispers, stuff that we take and run with.
The latest rumor is about yet another conference move; Texas A&M bolting to the Southeastern Conference. This is believed to be largely due to the University of Texas receiving it's own network.
I was born and raised in Maroon, and Texas A&M and College Station both hold a place near my heart. I love the tradition, the students, the teams, and the overall atmosphere (Although I hate the weather). I also love this potential move.
Think about it... Why wouldn't they move? Texas is dominating the conference (Believe it or not fellow Texans, but it's not all about football. This is something I've had a hard time grasping as well.) They'll have their own network, and when the recruiting process comes down to it, they have the edge over every other school because they can say "We put you on TV three times this past year, why wouldn't you come here?"
Seems a bit unfair right? Should have thought about that earlier. No one was complaining when UT kept the conference together, but now they realize how stupid they were for not seeing what was going on.
The Sooner network will probably happen pretty soon, and looking at the pecking order A&M would be somewhere after that. The Kansas State Wildcat network would appear around 2060.
Texas A&M moving to the SEC makes a ton of sense. That would give them a HUGE recruiting edge. "You can play in the best conference in the nation, and against the best opponents in the nation." What competitive athlete wouldn't jump at that chance?
It makes the most sense, and I'd love to see Oklahoma State go with them... But I don't see that happening. For some reason we can't separate from those weirdos down in Norman.
That being said, the 2011 season is upon us, and only a few weeks until the cannon on top of Boone Pickens goes off as the first kick goes sailing through the air.
Paddle people will be paddling, band members will be blowing/percussing, frat stars tailgating, and alumni screaming. It's almost imminent that the pregame video will include some sort of "You tell 'em I'm coming... And hell's coming with me!" cameo, and who can forget the Garth Brooks recycling commercial?
Are you ready?
I just got chills. Football season cannot get here fast enough, so I'm filling my time with all things OSU in the dead time before them. I have read every practice report, every article, every feature, everything. Time to fast forward.
But that's impossible, so instead I'll go ahead and do a Schedule breakdown to maybe make this go a little faster.
Game 1: Louisiana Lafayette: OSU 41 ULL 17 Uniform Prediction: White helmet, Orange Jersey, White Pants
The year's first home game, and it will be a big one. The Cajuns hung with us for awhile last year, but this year's squad will do what last year's team did not- Set the pace early. OSU came out flat, and that's what hurt them. This year, I see them coming out of the gates at a dead sprint.
Game 2: Arizona (ESPN): OSU 38 UA 24 Uniform Prediction: Gray Helmet, Orange Jersey, Gray Pants
The first big test of the year, but I see Oklahoma State simply overpowering them as they did in the bowl game last year. The early pace of the game is what will win ballgames for the Pokes this year, and that will show again in this game as they come out guns ablaze.
Game 3: @ Tulsa: OSU 44 Tulsa 30 Uniform Prediction: White Helmet, White Jersey, Orange Pants
The in-state rivals (do we even call them that?) will hang for awhile. Tulsa has a talented squad last year, and will again this season. This will be our first peek at the true colors of the defense. Will they stay poised when Tulsa's offense doesn't back down while OSU's offense runs the score up? Or will they crack under pressure? This game will be where the defense goes from boys to men.
Game 4: @ Texas A&M: OSU 38 A&M 28 Uniform Prediction: Black Helmet, Gray Jersey, Black Pants
The uniform prediction is my favorite. This is just mean looking and I'm excited to hopefully see this combination sometime this year. A&M has the best backfield duo in the country in Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael. Gray carried the team in the last 6 games of the year last year when Michael went down with a broken leg, and now that he's back it could be deadly. Lucky for the Pokes, our defense is usually okay with the run. It's the pass they have to worry about for some reason, and A&M's quarterback Ryan Tannehill has yet to throw a pass farther than 10 yards (exaggeration), so I'm not too worried about it. Pokes roll on!
Here stands Oklahoma State's first bye week. This is key to not only rehab the injuries, but get mentally prepared for the rough stretch ahead.
There's the first half. I stand by my statement of Texas A&M being the game of the year. If the Pokes can get past the College Station trip with a 4-0 record, the next game of the year will come on October 22nd.
Look for the next breakdown soon on the middle section of the schedule.
TWITTER QUESTIONS
Each blog post, I will answer any questions sent to my twitter account (@bmorris_ocolly).
@bleednornge72: What is your best guess right now for two deep at the DT spots?
I think the Cowboys will roll with their Pre-Spring lineup at D-Tackle. I talked to Christian Littlehead at Media Day this past week, and the guy looks REALLY good. He's lost about 50 pounds, and is built like a tank. Behind him will most likely be Maurice Hayes. Hayes has the quickest first step around, and has the strength of a bear. The only thing I worry about is his lateral quickness.
On the other side, Nigel Nicholas and Joe Okafor will likely be the rotation. Nicholas started for Jarka last year in a few games, and fared decently well. Now a junior, he's had a chance to mature and hit the weights. I think he will be a force in the middle this year. Okafor is a good change of pace to throw in there. He has a ton of potential (Three star prospect in HS, had offers from LSU, Nebraska, Arkansas). He played D-End in high school and is very fast, but the only thing I worry about is his height. He's 6'6, and those interior lineman are experts and finding leverage and driving the tall D-Tackles out of there. If he can find a way to counter that, he'll be the wild card in the middle.
That's all I've got this week, follow me on twitter (@bmorris_ocolly) to get your questions answered, and thanks for checking my blog out!
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