In a perfect world, they would replace the Big East in the BCS. Or at least I think they should. The BCS will say no because they have contracts signed several years ago. But way back when they signed them, FSU ruled the ACC while BC, Va Tech and Miami made the Big East a very strong conference. Fast forward now and the Big East is about par with Mt West, which ctually had three teams ranked ahead of the Big East champ. And a conference like the Big 10 gets two teams in the mix - meaning more trickle down money to Indiana soccer and Northwestern field hockey - than the Mt West gets. Here's the story: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3861079

Has nobody mentioned that yet?

(Scratching my head why ... I found out 3 hours ago and came here to find out what you had to say)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/index

Could this have happened at a more peculiar time?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Bo Schembechler, who became one of college football's great coaches in two decades at Michigan, died Friday after taping a TV show on the eve of the Wolverines' No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown with perennial rival Ohio State. He was 77.

Bo Schembechler 1929 - 2006

Kevin Sherrington wrote a nice column on Major Applewhite in today's DMN ... Here's the story link:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/091306dnsposherrington.33b0a7a.html

Excerpt:

Anyway, you need specific talent for what Applewhite calls "today's offense." But Hatfield's recruits have responded. And the new offensive coordinator has returned the favor.

Against UCLA, the Owls threw in a little more option just to mix things up.

Applewhite could break out the Wing-T against Texas, and it's not going to do much good. One of the worst sins of any coach is to play a ranked team after it loses a big game.

And who's up after Texas? Florida State. Apparently the NFC East was already booked for September.

If anyone can convince undersized underdogs they've got a shot, it's probably a coach who looks like Howdy Doody and played like Dirty Harry.

History Lesson:

The Year - 2003
Texas starts a new quarterback in Chance Mock against a Sun Belt team. Texas beats New Mexico St, 66-7, in Austin ... No. 6 Texas then hosts unranked Arkansas, which had a decent quarterback in Matt Jones.

Arkansas wins 38-28 with a mediocre defense. Arkansas began the 2003 season 4-0 before losing to Auburn, 10-3, which had defensive guru Gene Chzik at the reigns. Arkansas finished 9-4, including an Independence Bowl win. The Horns ended 10-3 with a loss to Washington St in the Holiday Bowl.

Fast forward to 2006 ... Texas pummels Sun Belt weakling North Texas, 56-7, under first-time signal caller Colt McCoy. Next up for No. 2 Texas in Austin is top-ranked Ohio State. The Buckeyes QB is much better than Arkansas' Matt Jones a few years ago and the Buckeyes will have a considerably better defense.

Does Texas drop another one in Austin? Or does Texas' defensive genius have something else up his sleeve?

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/2006-05-30-oklahoma-bomar-probation_x.htm?csp= 34

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Municipal Judge M. Fred Austin sentenced Bomar, 20, to six months of probation. He'll also be required to pay court costs and an administrative fee.

"We do that routinely with young people, especially 20-year-olds who are caught drinking beer before they are 21," Assistant Municipal Counselor Laura Yates said after a hearing in Oklahoma City Municipal Court.

In seeking the sentence, Yates said she took into consideration that Bomar was a first-time offender with no prior convictions. She said she recommended similar sentences to several people in comparable circumstances last week.

Bomar, who set an Oklahoma freshman record for passing yards last season, was cited by Oklahoma City police March 10 after an undercover police officer spotted him taking beer from friends, pouring it into a white cup and then drinking it at a New Orleans Hornets' basketball game at the Ford Center.

Yates said police officers kept a sample of the liquid in Bomar's cup, and Bomar also admitted that he had been drinking.

Bomar's probation requires him to avoid being arrested again or receiving any traffic tickets.

Prosecutors in Norman dismissed a minor in possession of alcohol charge against Bomar in January due to a lack of evidence. Bomar is also scheduled to be arraigned July 13 in Norman on a misdemeanor citation for hosting a nuisance party.

Bomar, who turns 21 on July 2, threw for 2,018 yards last season and had a touchdown pass in Oklahoma's 17-14 win against No. 5 Oregon in the Holiday Bowl. He was 8-3 as the Sooners' starter.

Oklahoma spokesman Kenny Mossman said any discipline would be handled internally and coach Bob Stoops would not have any comment.

This is:

Stoops shakes up OU staff

03:54 PM CST on Monday, February 6, 2006
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops hired a new assistant coach Monday and then shook up his entire offensive staff as the Sooners prepare for the 2006 season.

Northwestern offensive line coach James Patton was hired to fill a similar role at OU, the school announced. Patton had been at Northwestern the last five seasons. Last year, the Wildcats allowed just 11 sacks and the offense ranked fourth nationally by averaging 500.3 yards per game.

Patton's arrival means that current offensive line coach Kevin Wilson will now coach tight ends as fullbacks and have more free time in his role as a first-year offensive coordinator.

Also, tight ends coach Kevin Sumlin will now coach the receivers and have the title of co-offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator.

All of these moves were triggered by the departure of Darrell Wyatt, the receivers coach who left OU for the Minnesota Vikings' staff.

Stoops had said previously that he was in no hurry to hire a new assistant coach. He purposely delayed hiring a new assistant until after national signing day on Feb. 1.

OU releases 2006 schedule
School officials released the 2006 schedule on Monday, and for the sixth straight year, the Sooners will play only Division I-A opponents.

OU will play home games against Alabama-Birmingham (Sept. 2), Washington (Sept. 9) and Middle Tennessee (Sept. 23). The Sooners will play at Oregon, which lost to OU in last season's Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, on Sept. 16.

Sept. 30 will be an open date, and then OU will meet Texas in the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 7.

In addition to its regular Big 12 South schedule, OU will also play Big 12 North teams Iowa State (Oct. 14), Colorado (Oct. 21) and go to Missouri (Oct. 28).

The annual Bedlam Series game against intrastate rival Oklahoma State is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Here's the story of the 2007 recruiting class (it never ends does it?) from today's Dallas Morning News. Apparently, one of the top QBs in the land is the kid from Texas High in Texarkana. He's already compared to Highland Park's Matt Stafford.

Ryan Mallett of Texas High is 6-6, 230 and has Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, and BAYLOR??? on his early list.

Here's the link: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/020206dnsponsd2007.1722a783.html

here's the story:

Ryan Mallett, the next big thing among Texas high school quarterbacks, might be the most self-effacing person in Texarkana.

Seriously.

Take his assessment when asked to compare himself and Highland Park's Matthew Stafford, this year's top-ranked quarterback in Texas and the nation. Stafford and Highland Park beat Mallett and his Texas High team in the first round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs last fall.

"He can run a little bit," Mallett said. "I can't run at all."

Mallett, a 6-6 ½, 235-pound junior, plays basketball and football. Does he picture himself as a two-sport athlete?
"Just football," he said. "I don't think I could play basketball in college."

He was 6-3 in the eighth grade. Was he coordinated?

"Probably not," Mallett said. "I used to be clumsy."

Now for the honest truth: Mallett is one of the top juniors in the country. He is one of the top two quarterbacks in the class of 2007, according to Rivals.com.

"He's probably got the strongest arm in the history of Texas high school football," said Bobby Burton, Rivals.com recruiting expert.

Texas High coach Barry Norton said, "His size and his arm strength stand out. He has a cannon for an arm. The deeper people dig, they realize he is a student of the game."

Mallett said he already has received between eight to 10 scholarship offers, including ones from Texas, Baylor, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. He has taken visits to Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska and Michigan. He says he doesn't have any favorites at this point. He'd like to make a decision before the 2006 season.

"It would be better to get it done so I can play my senior season with it behind me," Mallett said.

Mallett calls himself a country city slicker who grew up near Fayetteville, Ark. And yes, he was a Razorbacks fan. But he said that Arkansas is not his favorite team now. In fact, he doesn't know who it is.

He moved to Hooks, Texas - the hometown of Billy Sims - in the seventh grade. His family moved to Texarkana in the eighth grade. His father, Jim, is a middle school coach in Texarkana.

Mallett started for Texas High as a sophomore, guiding his team to the state quarterfinals. He was even better as a junior, throwing for 2,219 yards and 21 touchdowns. He said his improvement was noticeable running Texas High's pro-style offense.

"Just my knowledge of the offense," Mallett said. "Knowing where people are going to be, I can help them out. And my reads have gotten a lot better since sophomore year."

Mallett is considered a gunslinger. He likes to emulate Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre because, he said, "he's a competitor and never lets anyone intimidate him."

When asked how far he can throw a football, Mallett said only, "a long way."

In Mallett's honest opinion, there is more to him than that.

"It's probably what people see first," Mallett said. "But if they run the tape back two or three times, they'll see that I'm doing everything else right."

E-mail twills@dallasnews.com

RIVALS.COM STATE TOP 50 FOR 2007  
Player  Ht.  Wt.  High School  Status  
QUARTERBACKS  
Nathan Dick  6-3  194  Allen  Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Nick Fanuzzi  6-3  200  San Antonio Churchill  Iowa, LSU, Nebraska, Texas, Texas A&M  
G.J. Kinne  6-3  195  Canton  Alabama, Nebraska, Baylor, Tennessee, Texas A&M  
Jaret Lee  6-2  200  Brenham  Florida, Texas Tech, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU  
Ryan Mallett  6-6  230  Texarkana Texas High  Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, Baylor  
Brock Mansion  6-5  225  Episcopal Dallas  Nebraska, California, Texas, Texas Tech  
Gilbert Moye  6-2  200  Jasper  Houston, Oklahoma, Okla. St., Texas, Texas A&M  
Logan Turner  6-1  185  Sulphur Springs  Texas Tech  

RUNNING BACKS  
Lennon Creer  6-1  190  Tatum  Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, LSU, Baylor  
Kendall Hunter  5-9  175  John Tyler  Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Colton Johnson  5-10  225  Waller  Texas A&M, Colorado, Iowa State, Missouri, Texas  
Eli Lemon  5-10  175  Houston Yates  Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, LSU  
Marcus Mendoza  5-10  175  Spring Woods  Kansas St., Oklahoma, State, Texas A&M  
Joseph Reese  6-2  190  Pflugerville Hendrickson  Arizona, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Texas  
Bradley Stephens  5-10  180  McAllen Memorial  Houston, Iowa State, Oklahoma State  
Justin Sturns  5-11  205  Rusk  Kansas St., Neb., Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Foswhitt Whittaker  5-9  170  Pearland  Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, Texas  
Johnny Wooten  6-0  205  Garland  Texas Tech, Arkansas, Nebraska, Southern Cal  

WIDE RECEIVERS  
Romie Blaylock  5-11  175  Cedar Hill  Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor  
Curtis Brown  6-0  175  Gilmer  Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Dez Bryant  6-1  195  Lufkin  Texas Tech, FSU, Kansas St., Oklahoma, Texas  
Terrance Toliver  6-5  180  Hempstead  LSU, Notre Dame, Texas, Texas A&M  
Malcolm Williams  6-3  205  Garland  Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Texas  

TIGHT END  
Dante Pinchback  6-5  255  Irving  Iowa, Notre Dame, Texas  

OFFENSIVE GUARD  
Jerrod Gooch  6-4  284  Vidor  Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M  

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN  
Trey Allen  6-4  285  South Grand Prairie  Texas A&M, Kansas State, Oklahoma  
Ben Bass  6-5  265  Plano West  Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas  

OFFENSIVE TACKLES  
Marquis Franklin  6-5  315  John Tyler  Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State  
Kyle Hix  6-6  290  Aledo  Texas, Texas Tech, TCU  
Matt Nader  6-6  295  Austin Westlake  LSU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Duke  

DEFENSIVE END  
Marquis Frazier  6-3  240  Garland  Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma  

DEFENSIVE TACKLES  
Adrian Campbell  6-5  241  Richardson Berkner  Baylor, Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, LSU  
Patrick Dorsey  6-2  265  Houston Yates  Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M  
Andre Jones  6-4  305  El Paso Andress  Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Texas, Miami  
Stephen Thomas  6-2  275  Lancaster  Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma  

LINEBACKERS  
Richetti Jones  6-3  220  Lincoln  Texas, A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas  
Keenan Robinson  6-3  215  Plano East  Texas, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Notre Dame  
Chris Sanders  6-0  200  Corsicana  Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor  
Kenny Sims  6-1  205  Arlington Seguin  Baylor, BC, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Derrick Stephens  6-3  220  Cypress Falls  Houston, LSU, Notre Dame, Texas A&M  

CORNERBACK  
Derrius Bell  5-11  170  Arlington Grace Prep  Baylor, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas  

DEFENSIVE BACKS  
Tekerrian Cuba  6-2  180  Tyler Lee  Miami, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M  
T.J. Johnson  6-1  180  South Garland  Kansas State, Texas A&M  
Larry Rosebud  5-10  170  North Mesquite  Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Curtis Thomas  6-1  190  Aldine  Nebraska, LSU, Fla., Colorado, Oklahoma St.  

ATHLETES  
John Chiles  6-2  190  Mansfield Summit  Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas A&M  
Justin Johnson  6-1  208  Rich. Berkner  Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M  
Sam Proctor  6-1  190  Pearland  KSU, Michigan, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  
Christian Scott  6-0  185  Skyline  FSU, Arkansas, Boston College, Colorado  
Earl Thomas  5-10  175  West Orange Stark  Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech  

I know that not many people who read this board even acknowledge other Texas sports outside of football, spring football, recruiting, men's hoops, men's hoops recruiting and the College World Series (but only when Texas is in it) ...

But for those of you not aware, Texas women's hoops coach Jody Conradt tied Dean Smith for second on the all-time college basketball wins list with 879 in the team's 71-70 win over Kansas State today.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/012306dnspoutwomen.2bdc7dca.html

Pat Summit - 900
CONRADT - 879
Dean Smith - 879

How does she rank among the active UT coaches?

Poll

Who is the best coach at Texas?

2%

Rick Barnes - men's basketball

1 votes

30%

Mack Brown - football

12 votes

5%

Jody Conradt - women's basketball

2 votes

58%

Augie Garrido - baseball

23 votes

2%

Eddie Reese - men's swimming

1 votes

39 votes | Poll has closed

We all know who Texas plays next year:

North Texas, Ohio State, Rice, Iowa State, Sam Houston State and then seven Big 12 games ... But look at Future Schedules. Nobody but Rice in non-conference, including three empty spots on the 2007 schedule and nobody in the following years. We know Texas wound up dropping Utah, or Utah dropped Texas. But is Texas going to get another strong team on their schedule or start making a habit of playing every bad team possible?

Link for future schdules:
http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=33&url_subchannel_id=& ;url_article_id=14&change_well_id=2

Who other top-tier teams are playing in years to come:

Oklahoma - Miami (2007, 09), Washington (2006, 08), Florida State (2010-11), Notre Dame (2013, 15), Tennessee (2014, 15), LSU (TBD)
Auburn - vs. West Virginia (2008, 2009)
Florida State - vs. Florida (2006 - 2014), Colorado (2007-08), Alabama (2007), Oklahoma (2010-11), West Virginia (2012-13)
LSU - vs. Va Tech (2007), Oklahoma (TBD)
Miami - vs. Texas A&M (2007-08), Ohio State (2010-11)
Notre Dame - http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/future_schedules/notredame_future.htm
Ohio State - Washington (2007), USC (2008-09), Miami (2010-11)
Penn State - Notre Dame (2006-07), Syracuse (2008-09), Alabama (2010-11)
USC - Arkansas (2006), Nebraska (2007-08), Colorado St (2008), Ohio State (2008-09), Notre Dame (Every Year)

Schools like LSU, Georgia, Florida and most other top-tied teams have their schedules filled with middle-class teams already. So who does Texas pick up on future schedules? A dangerous passing team from the MAC? More crappy Sun Belt schools? More 1-AA teams?

Which games are going to get nationally televised for the exposure and which aren't? Actually, we already know that answer

Tick, tock
Tick, tock
Tick, tock

happy hour begins in 15 minutes and will last until kickoff, when the real drinking begins

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Since everybody and their dog is in forward-thinking mode about USC being the best ever even though they have just one outright title and haven't won this year's yet, let me throw a bone out there.

Like Miami (2000) and USC (2003), Texas lost only one game in 2004. Should Texas beat USC by, say 17 points or more, and Vincent Young decides to stay and the Horns beat Ohio State at home, Oklahoma in Dallas and run the table to the Fiesta, will we have the same debate over Texas being the best ever this time next year?