Bevo's Daily Roundup 10.30.08

Trick or treat. Halloween weekend brings some very big challenges for a few teams, including Texas and Texas Tech. You probably know about Mike Leach's interest in pirates, but there are some other interesting historical figures, as well as a friendship with Donald Trump. Leach is not your run-of-the-mill coach.

After all, Leach is so much more than just an offensive wizard. His fascination with ancient pirates is such that his desk features a flintlock pistol from the Bluebeard era and he often flies a skull-and-crossbones flag from Tech's video practice tower. Leach also loves Daniel Boone, Geronimo, Jackson Pollack, rugby (which he played at BYU) and is a friend of Donald Trump.

Is the nation watching this week's game? You bet. Two representatives from every BCS bowl are coming to Lubbock. Mike Leach has kept his two Heisman hopefuls from the press this week and all interview requests have been turned down.

Tech is known for having a somewhat thin-skinned fan base, but it has been eerily quiet on boards. The Star-Telegram's Gil Breton said:

Thus, I was stunned by my Tech online visit on Tuesday. The No. 1-ranked college football team in the land — hated Texas, as most Red Raider fans know it — will be putting its perfect record on the line Saturday against Texas Tech’s 8-0 mark.

And, yet, there was an eerie peace online in Tech country. It was guns up, venom down.

Wonder if Leach will have any comments on officiating this year?

The whole Texas Tech tortilla throwing thing. Strange. BON reader Tech92 shed some light on this phenomenonon on yesterday's BDR:

I think some drunk frat boys thought it would be funny as way to show support at a game in the late 80s. It just sort of grew from there. There wasn’t ever a referendum-for-the-tortilla type thing. It just sort of happened spontaneously. I could be wrong, but that’s my understanding.

Mack Brown did not need any motivational ploys this week, but the posters at Raiderpower.com had some ideas, just in case.

Curtis Brown got his first start against OSU. Guess who he got to cover?

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp may be familiar with Leach's offense. He spent a season at Valdosta State, the same school that served as the testing laboratory for Tech coach Mike Leach and his mentor, Hal Mumme.

Do you know the coach who may have had the most impact on McCoy's success this year? Greg Davis? Major Applewhite? Mack Brown? No. You may be very surprised.

The boys over at College Football Guys think Colt McCoy is awesome. Yes, we know.

There are actually other games in the Big 12 this weekend. Really, there are.

The Aggies are feeling much better about themselves. They play Colorado.

OU plays Nebraska on Saturday. Remember when that was actually a rivalry? Crimson and Cream Machine has some Sooner quotes on the Cornhuskers.

OSU is still coping with last week's loss.Iowa State is up next.

Can you name the Big 12 quarterback that has ZERO interceptions this season? Hint: This team plays Missouri.

Earl Campbell had more back surgery. I'm sure we are all sending good thoughts his way.