Morning Coffee Preps For Another San Diego Vacation

by Peter Bean on Dec 3, 2007 6:26 AM CST in Football Comment 31 comments

As the basketball team flies back from a wildly successful trip west, the football team begins to make holiday plans for a trip to Southern California of its own. Yesterday Texas confirmed that it will play Arizona State in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, the Longhorns' fourth bowl trip to San Diego in the last eight years. Texas is 1-2 in its previous trips, losing 28-20 to Washington State in 2003, beating Washington 47-43 in 2001, and falling to Oregon 35-30 in 2000.

Despite the high hopes we had heading into Aggie week and disappointment with the team's performance, I'm a-okay with this bowl placement for personal reasons. For starters, I can actually attend this football game; after being stuck studying away from Austin this fall, I'm ecstatic to get a chance to tailgate and attend a Longhorn football game this year. As disappointing as the product was at times, it's easy to forget that the games remain seminal social events. We'd have fun with Texas football if the team was 0-12. (Barely, but I think so.)

Additionally, my cousin is a junior at ASU, giving us a great excuse to heckle one another all month before attending the game in San Diego. And finally, if any BON'ers are planning on making vacation plans in San Diego for the bowl, do let me know. I'm certain that myself, my brother, the Other Andrew, and Newbs will be tailgating and in attendance.

Along with being personally gratified that the 'Horns will be competing near my folks' home in Southern California, the Holiday Bowl appearance means a quality matchup with the Pac 10 runner-up, Arizona State. The Sun Devils finished at 10-2 under Dennis Erickson this season, losing only at Oregon and to Southern Cal. Out of conference, Arizona State defeated San Jose State, Colorado, and San Diego State.

We'll get into the details of the matchup throughout December, but the important thing is that we're playing a quality team to close out the season. Win or lose, this is good for the 2008 team; outside the BCS Bowl participants, there aren't many higher quality teams one could draw for a postseason opponent.

And finally, when I said Pac 10 runner-up, I was referring to the football team, not hotness of the female population. Looking at my cousin's roster of friends on Facebook is like scrolling through a Rolodex of 21 year old models. And let me assure you that you do not want to search for 'Arizona State girls' if you're at work and don't have Google's Safe Search activated. Among the publishable page one results:

Apparently, the girls can't resist themselves, either. See you at the Gaslamp District, Longhorn fans.

--PB--

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I have been going to Tempe

for the past two years for work, I have never seen or met more plastic hot but completely devoid of intellect girls and douche bag, backwards hat wearing, I work out because I am short and want to look like a square dudes in my live. I think the Phoenix valley is a haven for rejects who could not make it in California.

by Wells on Dec 3, 2007 9:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

Downtown Tempe is pretty sweet though; it's like a mini version of 6th. And The Library is a pretty fantastic bar.

The pictures also make me wonder why no one's started a Big XII Poon site. Somebody make it happen!

My adopted kid is pure genius at the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

by jc25 on Dec 3, 2007 10:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Mini version of what 6th steet is now

someplace I try never to go to becuase it is full of tools looking for a fight and chain restaurants and bars.

by Wells on Dec 3, 2007 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

touche.

My adopted kid is pure genius at the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

by jc25 on Dec 3, 2007 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mill Ave?

Are you talking about Mill Avenue? It's a lot like Guadalupe St. with bars.

But I know what you mean about all the bros who just hang out there. It sucks.

I'm a big fan of the Valley. It's a lot like North Dallas, just a bit hotter.

Gilbert - Frisco
Chandler - Plano
Scottsdale - Plano West
Mesa and Tempe - Garland and Richardson

by CheeseHorn on Dec 3, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Girls of Arizona State....

now 33% sluttier! And 50% more fake!! That's a double whammy, my friends.

atsmahboy Kelson

by BigTexBD on Dec 3, 2007 12:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Impending doom - or not ?

The pictures bring forth two thoughts.

Perhaps a semester or two at ASU would have been very fun!

None of my daughters will attend college in Arizona!

On the Holiday Bowl & our beloved football program.

Does anyone else have a feeling of impending doom with regards to Texas football? With the additions of Pelini & Sherman to an already tough big 12, I am very concerned at the silence coming from the 40 with regards to what happened this year. I do not hear Mack re-affirming that the most talented players will play, & that all steps required to rectify the defensive issues we have had over the past two years will be agressively corrected. No press conferences, no nothing from Mack! Morover, from the player statements on the Holiday Bowl, it seems that no ass chewing at all has occured - what happened to the NOS's (not our standard) that everyone used to honor.

I know my thoughts on recruiting should be taken with a grain of salt - as Mack has been a recruiting wizard, but I just can't help but be concerned that the wheels are not being greased on recruiting as well. It was reported today on Scout.com that while Mack is in New York at a ceremonial football type function, 8 members of the Colorado staff (including the head coach) made a trip to Lynn Katoa and family and secured a commitment. With the way we currently "develop" talent, should Texas drop out of the top ten in recruiting we will be in serious trouble. Not one rivals 5 star yet and Stoops has three from our state. Perhaps Mack might want to get his ass & that of his staff to Pennsylvania and the Pryor family home, and then to California to the Scott residence and get it done!

Kind Regards & yes - OU still sucks, JBob

by jbob on Dec 3, 2007 1:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I share your concern

First, I think it is embarrassing for Texas to go to the Holiday Bowl, especially considering the frequency with which we make the trip to SD.

I think Arizona, based on their season this year, should kick the living shit out of Texas based on our season this year. However, Texas should never have to settle for the mediocrity that we have dealt with this year. Does Texas have the talent and ability to win that, and many other, games? Yes. Will it happen? Well, I haven’t read that Mack has dismissed his entire coaching staff and replaced them with people that are competent and have some understanding of football, so I will go with No.

I am not only worried, but pissed off that Mack has done not one thing to address the concerns from the humiliation we suffered at the hands of the aggies. If/when recruiting starts declining, it will likely be a slippery slope that we will not be able to get off of. Look at the McWilliams and Mackovic eras. They got on a downward spiral, and couldn’t stop it. Mack needs to take immediate and substantial action or I sense even worse days ahead.

And as a side note, while I am a big Mack fan, and am eternally grateful for the MNC 2 years ago, that should not excuse the obvious mistakes he is making, and if he refuses to make the necessary changes, then he should "retire."

by Texas Our Texas on Dec 3, 2007 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They'll Be Up for #10

I think Mack will have the team ready to play in the bowl game because his string of 10-win seasons is on the line, and that seems important to him. Will he make substantitive changes next year in either his staff or coaching philosophy? I doubt it.

"Only angry people win football games." --DKR

by OBdoc on Dec 4, 2007 7:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Did the McWilliams or Mackovic eras

every have high points in which to come down from?

by Wells on Dec 4, 2007 12:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If I recall correctly

Mackovic won the last SWC, and the first Big 12.

by Texas Our Texas on Dec 4, 2007 2:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A Big 12 Championship

With an 8-5 record. I wonder if people would be satisfied with that kind of high these days.

by Wells on Dec 4, 2007 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't understand this point

Simply pointing out that we have experienced worse in the past is not justification for failures today. Of course, things could be worse. But fans are frustrated because things can and should be better.

--AW--

by awiggo on Dec 4, 2007 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No point

just trying to be funny.

by Wells on Dec 4, 2007 9:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And to think...

... They offered me a full scholarship...

Nah, I have a feeling these girls are like our closer desert neighbors, the Tech-sters. "Look, but don't touch."

Growing up, I only fed Jared Norton paper. That's why he eats plays.

by Horn Brain on Dec 3, 2007 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They might have cooties, good call.

by Red Blooded on Dec 3, 2007 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

According to Coach Brown, PB...

... all jobs are open at this point.

Has he been reading BON?

Texas coach Mack Brown has told his team that every starting job is on the line as the Longhorns prepare this month for the Holiday Bowl.
"I told the kids today, ‘All jobs are open,’ " Brown said during a Monday teleconference. "We’re going to grade them every day."
Brown is taking this stance after the Longhorns’ performance in a 38-30 upset at the hands of Texas A&M, Nov. 23. As a team, Texas did not play well until the Aggies had built a 21-point, second-half lead. The Longhorns had similar inconsistent games against Nebraska and Oklahoma State, but won those.
Brown said he and the coaches have gone back and reviewed every single mistake Texas committed in the A&M loss. They’ll have about three weeks to correct the problems before taking on Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl.

Life is an Occasion. Rise to it.

by patienthornsfan on Dec 3, 2007 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

12 largely uninspired games later...

Mack sees some problems. A quick one, he is. Any guesses on the acutal number of lineup changes?

And the "two tongues" pic would make a good desktop wallpaper.

by FutureMan on Dec 3, 2007 6:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"reviewed every single mistake"???

Wow, talk about an "all-nighter"!

"Only angry people win football games." --DKR

by OBdoc on Dec 4, 2007 7:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sense some jealousy

Especially from the really bitter guy not only dissing our ladies but Mill Ave. Come on, no need to be a hater.

No sense to talk in absolutes either. Sure there are plenty of "fake blonde/tan" girls, but there is an equal abundance of gorgeous brunettes, or whatever else you could possibly want. The 2:1 girl/guy ratio is a beautiful thing.

We also have Rudy Carpenter who gets more pumped up the more times he is drilled and sacked. He loves the pain.

by ASUBoyd on Dec 3, 2007 4:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling

that another 1991 Miami beatdown is coming.

Arizona State is a very, very good team.

You better hope they're more worried about the fact that they didn't go BCS, b/c if they're motivated going into the Holiday Bowl..... bad things, man, bad things.

by Beergut on Dec 3, 2007 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Either that...

... or a repeat of the 2004 Holiday Bowl, with a disappointed Pac 10 BCS also-ran whined and pouted their way into the game with a mediocre Big XII team, and got their asses handed to them.

The Golden Bears of Cal entered the game as the nation’s # 4 ranked team and an 11 point favorite. Someone forgot to mention this to the 23rd ranked Red Raiders.
Riding the arm of the nation’s top ranked quarterback Sonny Cumbie, Texas Tech drubbed the Bears in another high scoring Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. Cumbie threw for 520 yards on 39 of 60 attempts and threw three touchdown passes en route to his offensive MVP performance. The crowd of 63,711, the second largest in the game’s history, watched the Red Raiders amass 597 total yards.

Life is an Occasion. Rise to it.

by patienthornsfan on Dec 4, 2007 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs