SB Nation User Blog: Pablo M

NCAA Reponse to Question of bowls

Pablo M — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:10:17 -0000

Here is the response I received from the NCAA. I have blocked out my personal email as I do not wish spam or pranks showing up in my box.

The origanl question posed was which teams from the Big 12 can be selected to the Fiesta bowl given the current BCS rules and NCAA guides.

Thus I am disappointed in the mail I recieved.

From: MBrand@ncaa.org

Date: Friday December 12, 2008 4:24pm

To:pablo222@_________.net

Subject: Bowl Selection Proceedure

Mr. Madison,

It is not beneficial to address the question you have posed after the bowl selections have been made public. To answer your hypothetical question, would cause confusion and could lead to unresolvable complaints. For this reason, please understand that the BCS rules are not perfect. Now that the selections are completed, any hypothetical question is made mute. Please just accept the bowl selections as they have been made as nothing can be changed once the bowls have made their selection and teams accepted the bids.

Sincerely,

Myles Brand

Texas Tech Players talk about BCS

Pablo M — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:27:58 -0000

I watched several interviews on the local NBC channel 11 today.

They all acknowledge that they have an outside shot to go BCS bowling which is the Fiesta.

Thus the sports broadcaster for NBC channel 11 understands and the Players at Tech understand that they have a shot! Not much of one but a shot none the less.

Hopefully, I will get the NCAA letter to show everyone that Tech has a shot officially Monday should Texas get picked on Sunday after the final regular season BCS rankings come out.

This is contrary to the what everyone is thinking. Right now, there are people here in this board who are so Anti Tech to say that Tech has a zero chance at a BCS bowl. Yet, the Texas Tech Football office says they do have a chance.

I think Leach and the players on the Team know more than a few lack luster fans about what is possible and what is not!

Let Tech go all the way to the BCS!

Because should Oklahoma lose to Missouri, then Texas goes to the NCG and Missouri goes to the Fiesta. Thus if Missouri wins, Tech has a zero shot at the BCS!

If Oklahoma wins, Tech has a chance no matter how small against a Big Money old boy network school!

Texas Tech Does qualify for Fiesta

Pablo M — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:20:14 -0000

I have posted on several threads which show with out question that Texas Tech can go to the Fiesta Bowl.

The reason is simple:

The BCS rules found here at http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/eligibility is there for all to read and see that I am speaking true.

Many people are ignoring a few facts.

First who are the teams that are considered by the BCS as automatic qualifiers.

They ar for the Big 12 teams:

Automatic Qualification

1. The top two teams in the final BCS Standings shall play in the National Championship Game.

2. The champions of the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and Southeastern conferences will have automatic berths in one of the participating bowls after the 2008 through 2013 regular seasons.

3-4 deal with teams that are not BCS conferences. They are for Utah basically.

5. If any of the 10 slots remain open after application of provisions 1 through 4, and an at-large team from a conference with an annual automatic berth for its champion is ranked No. 3 in the final BCS Standings, that team will become an automatic qualifier, provided that no at-large team from the same conference qualifies for the national championship game. Oklahoma would deny Texas

6. If any of the 10 slots remain open after application of provisions 1 through 5, and if no team qualifies under paragraph No. 5 and an at-large team from a conference with an annual automatic berth for its champion is ranked No. 4 in the final BCS Standings, that team will become an automatic qualifier provided that no at-large team from the same conference qualifies for the national championship game. Okkahoma would deny Texas if they finished 4th.

Ok What have we learned. That #3 or #4 would normally be the selection to a BCS unless that conference sends a team to the NCG.

Since the assumption that Oklahoma will go to the NCG, then the ranking of 3 or 4 in the BCS means nothing for Texas. That is what the rules say for those ranked 3 and 4 above.

Ok What is an at large team and how does it apply to Texas Tech and the Big 12:

At-Large Eligibility

If there are fewer than 10 automatic qualifiers, then the bowls will select at-large participants to fill the remaining berths. An at-large team is any Football Bowl Subdivision team that is bowl-eligible and meets the following requirements:

A. Has won at least nine regular-season games, and
B. Is among the top 14 teams in the final BCS Standings.

No more than two teams from a conference may be selected, regardless of whether they are automatic qualifiers or at-large selections, unless two non-champions from the same conference are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS Standings.

Thus as the above points out, that it does not matter if the team is an automatic qualifier or not. But in the case of Texas Tech, Tech is an automatic qualifer but the problem is that the Big 12 has 3 teams which fit that definition and only two can be selected.

Ok, So Oklahoma goes to the NCG. Who then goes to the Fiesta according to the BCS rules?

Team-Selection Procedures

The bowls will select their participants from two pools: (1) automatic qualifiers, all of which must be selected, and, (2) at-large teams, if fewer than 10 teams qualify automatically. The following sequence will be used when establishing pairings:

1. The top two teams in the final BCS Standings will be placed in the National Championship Game ("NCG").

2. Unless they qualify to play in the NCG, the champions of selected conferences are contractually committed to host selected games:

  Atlantic Coast Conference-Orange Bowl
  Big Ten Conference-Rose Bowl
  Big 12 Conference-Fiesta Bowl
  Pac-10 Conference-Rose Bowl
  Southeastern Conference-Sugar Bowl

3. If a bowl loses a host team to the NCG, then such bowl shall select a replacement team from among the automatic-qualifying teams and the at-large teams before any other selections are made. If two bowls lose host teams to the NCG, each bowl will get a replacement pick before any other selections are made. In such case, the bowl losing the No. 1 team gets the first replacement pick, and the bowl losing the No. 2 team gets the second replacement pick. If the Rose Bowl loses both the Big Ten and Pac-10 champions to the NCG, it will receive two replacement picks.

DID YOU SEE IT???? One more time!!!!! "If a bowl loses a host team to the NCG, then such bowl shall select a replacement team from among the automatic-qualifying teams and the at-large teams before any other selections are made. "

Ok who are the automatic qualifying teams for the Big 12? The Big 12 champion and any team ranked 1 or 2. Thus only Oklahoma satisfies the rule as it is defined.

Thus Texas and Texas Tech qualifies because it satisfies the rule under

A. Has won at least nine regular-season games, and
B. Is among the top 14 teams in the final BCS Standings.

Thus the Fiesta will have to replace Oklahoma.

Thus the Fiesta will selected between Texas and Texas Tech based on the following:

Team-Selection Procedures

A bowl choosing a replacement team may not select any of the following:

  A. A team in the NCG;
  B. The host team for another BCS Bowl;
  C. When two bowls lose host teams, then the bowl losing the number one team may not select a replacement team from the same conference as the number two team, unless the bowl losing the number two team consents.

4. After steps No. 1, 2 and 3 have been completed, any bowl with an unfilled slot shall select a team from the automatic qualifiers and/or at-large teams in the following order:

  A. The bowl played on the date nearest to the National Championship Game (for 2009, Fiesta Bowl) will pick first;
  B. The bowl played on the date second-nearest to the National Championship Game (for 2009, Sugar Bowl) will pick second;
  C. The bowl hosting the game that is played in the time slot immediately after the Rose Bowl game (for 2009, Orange Bowl) will pick third.

The rotation noted in paragraphs A, B and C is as follows:
  January 2007 games: Sugar, Orange, Fiesta
  January 2008 games: Orange, Fiesta, Sugar
  January 2009 games: Fiesta, Sugar, Orange
  January 2010 games: Orange, Fiesta, Sugar

All teams earning automatic berths must be selected.

5. After completion of the selection process as described in Paragraph Nos. 1-4, the conferences and Notre Dame may, but are not required to, adjust the pairings taking into consideration the following:

  A. whether the same team will be playing in the same bowl game for two consecutive years;
  B. whether two teams that played against one another in the regular season will be paired against one another in a bowl game;
  C. whether the same two teams will play against each other in a bowl game for two consecutive years; and
  D. whether alternative pairings may have greater or lesser appeal to college football fans as measured by expected ticket sales for the bowls and by expected television interest, and the consequent financial impact on Fox and the bowls.

The rules are very clear! Texas Tech can go to the Fiesta should the Fiesta wish to select our Red Raiders over Texas.

Subsection D is where Texas Tech really out shines Texas because Texas Tech is a team many around the country have tuned in to watch an Texas Tech Fans spend money very well when they travel to bowls.

There is no reason for us Fans to give up on the Fiesta without showing some kind of fight and demand at least a review from the Fiesta Selection Board.

#2 Texas Tech @ #5 Oklahoma

Pablo M — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:16:20 -0000

Everyone is biting their nails and looking for some sort of crystal ball. I even have seen more crippled rabbits as people are looking for rabbits feet to rub after they rubbed all the hair off the older ones.

So I have established the Rabbit rehab program to help rabbits learn to run again with artificial little feet. You can donate to this fund through Seth.

So what will the Texas Tech game look like in Norman?

Here is a couple of links to show how the game will go down!

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=OKlahoma+v+Texas+Tech&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oET6YhrQyrw&feature=related

Go Tech Beat OU 45 to 38!!!

Oklahoma Injury report Update

Pablo M — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:53:10 -0000

Auston English out for the regular season Knee injury

Alan Davis Out for TTU game possible out for OSU as well Knee injury

DeMarcus Granger expected play time for TTU. Torn ligaments tendons and bone fracture of the foot. Sooners have had him on reserve. Because of lack of depth on Defense is expecting to play Granger more than they normally would. Under normal conditions Granger would sit out the games until he is more than 85% well.

Ryan Reynolds LB Out for season ACL injury

Jonathan Nelson DB Out for TTU knee injury

Eric Mesik TE broken ankle out for season

Manny Johnson WR Dislocated Elbow.... Wearing a brace while getting major minutes for the TTU game. Stoops praises Johnson and expects him to provide major help against Tech. Stoops talked about problems at WR and dropped balls in previous games.

Texas Tech v OU matchup Injury report

Pablo M — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:26:42 -0000

I thought I would list some significant important injury reports so that as the game gets closer we can better have a picture on the game in Norman.

Texas Tech does not list any injuries. There is no significant injury news to prevent any player from playing in OU.

Crabtree's high ankle sprain should be totally recovered by game time.

Duncan's sore neck also should be fully recovered by game time.

No other injuries reported or noted.

Oklahoma has several injuries of note.

1. LB Ryan Reynolds out for season Stoops requesting a Medical harship redshirt for this season so Reynolds can play next year.

2. DE Auston English will not play against TTU as reported by Stoops but expected to be hopeful for OSU if he gets clearance from Dr to start light workouts next week with hitting the week following TTU game.

3. DE Alan Davis out prehaps for the last two games and perhaps for the season with the same knee injury as English who has been out for the last 2 months.

4. WR Adron Tennell ACL out for season

5. RB DeMarco Murray knee sprain expected to be 100% for TTU

6. DE John Williams torn Achilles out for season may be career ender.

7. DT DeMarcus Granger battling foot injury Torn tendon/ fractures of several bones of the foot expected to be 50/50 for TTU game.

8. C Jon Cooper battling knee sprain that has not properly healed over the last month and a half. Unknown type of sprain. Expected to be 100% for TTU game.

9. RT Branndon Braxton Fracture leg. 50/50 for play time with TTU

10. WR Manuel Johnson dislocated elbow. Expected limited play time TTU

Leach's new Contract The possibilities.

Pablo M — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:26:13 -0000

With so much misinformation and out right lies and deliberate rummors flying about Leach and him landing a Job everywhere on the coaching circuit and even getting a job offer from Trump is bogging down the facts and the truth.

So lets look at the facts: Salaries paid out as of Dec 31, 2007 as reported by all Div 1 schools are as follows:

1. Charlie Weis, Notre Dame - $4,200,000
2. Pete Carroll, USC - $3,800,000
3. Les Miles, LSU - $3,751,000
4. Nick Saban, Alabama - $3,750,000
5. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma - $3,500,000
6. Urban Meyer, Florida - $3,400,000
7. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa - $3,030,000
8. Mack Brown, Texas - $2,910,000
9. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas - $2,850,000
10. Tommy Tuberville, Auburn - $2,825,000
11. Mark Richt, Georgia - $2,800,000
12. Jim Tressel, Ohio State - $2,600,000
13. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan - $2,500,000
13. Bobby Bowden, Florida State - $2,500,000
15. Philip Fulmer, Tennessee - $2,400,000
16. Mark Mangino, Kansas - $2,300,000
17. Greg Schiano, Rutgers - $2,250,000
18. Mike Bellotti, Oregon - $2,100,000
18. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech - $2,100,000
18. Butch Davis, North Carolina - $2,100,000
21. June Jones, Southern Methodist - $2,000,000
22. Al Groh, Virginia - $1,875,000
22. Gary Pinkel, Missouri - $1,875,000
24. Tommy Bowden, Clemson - $1,850,000
24. Jeff Tedford, California - $1,850,000
26. Mike Sherman, Texas A&M - $1,800,000
26. Art Briles, Baylor - $1,800,000
28. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina - $1,773,000
29. Joe Tiller, Purdue - $1,764,000
30. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland - $1,750,000
30. Mike Leach, Texas Tech - $1,750,000
32. Houston Nutt, Mississippi - $1,700,000
32. Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State - $1,700,000
34. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech - $1,600,000
35. Joe Paterno, Penn State - $1,500,000
35. Randy Edsall, Connecticut - $1,500,000
35. David Cutcliffe, Duke - $1,500,000
35. Randy Shannon, Miami - $1,500,000
35. Jim Leavitt, South Florida - $1,500,000
35. Jeff Jagodzinski, Boston College - $1,500,000
41. Ty Willingham, Washington - $1,470,000
42. Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville - $1,420,000
43. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin - $1,400,000
44. Ron Zook, Illinois - $1,350,000
45. Rick Neuheisel, UCLA - $1,250,000
46. Pat Hill, Fresno State - $1,230,000
47. Gary Patterson, Texas Christian - $1,219,000
48. Brian Kelly, Cincinnati - $1,200,000
48. Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh - $1,200,000
48. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest - $1,200,000
51. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State - $1,150,000
52. Dennis Erickson, Arizona State - $1,100,000
52. Bo Pelini, Nebraska - $1,100,000
52. Todd Graham, Tulsa - $1,100,000
52. Tom O'Brien, North Carolina State - $1,100,000
52. Greg McMackin, Hawaii - $1,100,000
52. Dan Hawkins, Colorado - $1,100,000
52. Mike Riley, Oregon State - $1,100,000
52. Gene Chizik, Iowa State - $1,100,000
52. Ron Prince, Kansas State - $1,100,000
61. George O'Leary, Central Florida - $1,086,000
62. Rich Brooks, Kentucky - $1,075,000
63. George Robinson, Syracuse - $1,054,000
64. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State - $1,050,000
65. Mike Stoops, Arizona - $1,025,000
66. Tim Brewster, Minnesota - $1,000,000
66. Bronco Mendenhall, Brigham Young - $1,000,000
66. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford - $1,000,000
66. Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt - $1,000,000
70. Tommy West, Memphis - $931,000
71. Chris Peterson, Boise State $900,000
72. Bill Stewart, West Virginia - $800,000
72. Larry Fedora, Southern Mississippi - $800,000
72. Steve Fairchild, Colorado State - $800,000
75. Ken Niumatalolo, Navy - $750,000
75. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern - $750,000
77. Chuck Long, San Diego State - $717,000
78. Kyle Wittingham, Utah - $678,000
79. Stan Brock, Army - $650,000
80. Bill Lynch, Indiana - $625,000
81. Paul Wulff, Washington State - $600,000
81. Bob Toledo, Tulane - $600,000
81. Kevin Sumlin, Houston - $600,000
81. Troy Calhoun, Air Force - $600,000
85. Al Golden, Temple - $575,000
86. Skip Holtz, East Carolina - $560,000
87. Joe Glenn, Wyoming - $551,000
88. Mark Snyder, Marshall - $470,000
89. Mike Price, UTEP - $460,000
90. Dick Tomey, San Jose State - $451,000
91. Rocky Long, New Mexico - $440,000
92. Mike Sanford, UNLV - $439,000
93. David Bailiff, Rice - $400,000
93. Frank Solich, Ohio - $400,000
95. Mario Cristobal, Florida International - $381,000
96. Chris Ault, Nevada - $368,000
97. Derek Dooley, Louisiana Tech - $350,000
98. Hal Mumme, New Mexico State - $349,000
99. Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic - $331,000
100. Tom Amstutz, Toledo - $313,000
101. Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois - $300,000
101. Neil Callaway, Alabama-Birmingham - $300,000
103. Larry Blankeney, Troy - $288,000
104. Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State - $283,000
105. Bill Cubit, Western Michigan - $266,000
106. Butch Jones, Central Michigan - $265,000
107. Todd Dodge, North Texas - $261,000
108. Brent Guy, Utah State - $250,000
109. J.D. Brookhart, Akron - $244,000
110. Robb Akey, Idaho - $240,000
110. Brady Hoke, Ball State - $240,000
112. Charlie Weatherbie, Louisiana-Monroe - $205,000
113. Gregg Brandon, Bowling Green - $200,000
114. Ricky Bustle, Louisiana-Lafayette - $196,000
114. Jeff Genyk, Eastern Michigan - $196,000
116. Turner Gill, Buffalo - $191,000
117. David Elson, Western Kentucky - $180,000
118. Steve Roberts, Arkansas State - $171,000
119. Doug Martin, Kent State - $170,000
120. Shane Montgomery, Miami (OH) - $144,000

What most people do not realize is that Leach has already passed that amount paid to him last year because of the sliding scale of pay for wins.

Thus Leach right now has crossed the 2 million mark for Winning in the Gator Bowl and having 10 wins. Leach's current contract has $168, 867 per win. This is in addition to his base salary.

Thus just on that number you have the 10 current wins plus the Gator Bowl. That gives a base of 1,857,537 with another $506,601 possible for a perfect season of 13-0 going into the National title game.

Then there is the bonuses for BCS bowls and the 1.2 million bonus for a national title.

Leach's contract from what I have been told will roll in Setenrich's salary that has been paid to him over this year. Thus add to the base $285,000 plus a few other items.

I also expect that Leach will see a significant increase in graduation bonus from the current 60% 75% 80% .... model he currently has.

I expect his base salary to double if not triple. I Also expect that the win bonus to increase. By how much? That will have to be determined by factors such as ticket sales, TV revenue and other projections.

But the point is that just based on modest increases to Leach's contract Leach could see him being in the top 10 most highest paid coaches in the NCAA.

This number has nothing to do with compensation adds like Clothing, Comercials or other endorsement items. How much endorsement money Leach can get is based on how much effort Leach wants to spend making appearances and doing commercials or other endorsements. Leach historically has not gone out of his way to go after that market. Leach could easily cross the 3 million plus mark last year by doing appearances and endorsements and commercials.

He will see an even greater demand for him after this season.

But I fully expect to see Leach having doubling effect on his salary without to much effort. If the Boosters really pushed to raise money and commit to a set add, then Leach could pass Brown at Texas for the second most paid coach in the Big 12.

Make no mistake, Tech has the money to make Leach money happy. The key in reality is Leach himself and his fit in Lubbock.

If Leach is a man of his word which he has said is important to him, then he will remain here at Tech because he has said which two schools he would go to if he ever decided to leave Tech for another College. Neither of those schools are looking to replace their coach anytime soon.

The only other place is the NFL and Leach has had an on again off again outlook. At times, he has said he does not want to go to the NFL and other times he has said it would be an oportunity. Thus, I would have to conclude that only one or two NFL teams hold any attraction for him.

The one thing I hope Myers puts into the new contract is a higher buyout amount. That is of significant importance in todays choices of coaches being drawn away from one school to another. Generally, schools look at buyout amounts to decide if its worth the effort to actually go after a coach. Some programs money is no object like Michigan, LSU and Auburn have displayed. Tennessee buyout for example was $250,000.

The issue is that by law; the base salary is set by budget which in Tech's case is controled by a bunch of beaucrats who are mostly A&M and Texas ex's. Thus I do not see the beaucrats giving Tech any extra benefits like they do for their own schools.

Thus the difference will have to be made up through ticket sales and Boosters.

Thus for those who are worried, donate to the TTU boosters at the Red Raider Club with the purpose of boosting Leach's salary.

The truth is that Tech really should consider expanding the Stadium in seating after they finish the east side for the 400 seats they will add for the few rich people who can afford those lux boxes and actually endorse the North side expansion project.

Where the ticket office is knocked down and seats are added to connect the East and west side stadium and leaving a space for the Jumbo tron. This would add an additional 25,000 seats bring the stadium to an absolute max compacity after the east side expansion to around 80,000.

If they should ever add an additional 2 sections to the South Side to add seats where Gate 1 and the Student Gate is then we could technically see a 90 to 100,000 seat stadium.

But that is something to consider down the road.

New Logo for the Texas Tech Defense!

Pablo M — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:59:39 -0000

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=143837&l=d74bf&id=1355409060

I was talking with my brother who commented that the Texas Tech Defense needed a better name than the swarm and needs a defining logo. That it needed a more menacing name something that puts a thought of dread in your mind when you see it. So I drew up this idea which he liked and suggested that I post it to other Tech fans.

Since I am still having problems posting pics and if the link does not come up,

you can go to the link here to view: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=143837&l=d74bf&id=1355409060

Let me know what you think?

Pundits are Picking OSU to Upset TTU

Pablo M — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:02:20 -0000

Now that the Texas Victory has started to wear off, many of the Sports writers and Pundits are saying they do not think TTU can go toe to toe with OSU after such a hard fought win over Texas.

They have said that TTU does not have enough in the gas tank to get it done. They even suggest that our Red Raiders are looking past OSU to Oklahoma.

The spread is narrowing as of today from 10 points on Sunday to 6 on Tuesday to 3 today. Its got me wondering if they will call it even by Saturday or make the Raiders the underdog. I kind of doubt that but its very obvious that the spread is significantly narrowing.

This Narrowing started after the NFL pick 6 picked the NFL top games then went on to pick Alabama v LSU and OSU v TTU. The NFL picked Alabama huge over LSU in a day game and picked OSU over TTU because they say we can not stop the run. They even went so far to suggest that Crabtree is overrated and Harrell is an unproven QB who has not shown enough to impress anyone over the last couple of years.

It was harsh on the NFL network pick 6 show.

But I hope people tell our boys that they are being called a fluke and that they will lose not only this Saturday but they are even suggesting that TTU loses to Oklahoma and Baylor because as they put it, too much power in row sinks the run.

But I am starting to hear this on ESPN which does not suprise me along with other pundits from other sporting news places. There are a few who are picking TTU but the margin right now is 4 to 1 against TTU winning over the next two to three games.

My Top 25 End of Week 10

Pablo M — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:36:53 -0000

I am so proud of the Texas Tech team with the way they fought and won Saturday. It was pure pleasure to run the numbers and see where I thought they should fall.

Top 25

1. Alabama

2. Texas Tech

3. Penn State

4. Texas

5. USC

6. Oklahoma

7. Florida

8. Oklahoma State

9. Utah

10. Missouri

11. TCU

12. Ohio State

13. Ball State

14. Georgia

15. Michigan State

16. BYU

17. Boise State

18. North Carolina

19. LSU

20. Georgia Tech

21. California

22. Maryland

23. Kansas

24. Western Michigan

25. Tulsa

Next 10

26. Florida State

27. Cincinnati

28. Air Force

29. Pittsburgh

30. West Virginia

31. Navy

32. Minnisota

33. South Florida

34. Vanderbilt

35. Northwestern