Stewart Mandel, of SI, states why he will keep Texas at #2 on his AP ballot. When all is said and done, he defers to the team who won on a neutral field.

I just hope some voters see this article Sunday morning.

I am a big fan of Mike Leach, but he is dead wrong here. Leach believes that Texas Tech, victims of a 44 point drubbing on national TV last week should be the highest ranked 1 loss team (After Oklahoma who he ranked above Alabama in the coach's poll).

"When asked if he thought Tech should remain above Texas, Florida, Southern Cal and Penn State, he said, "Throw them all in there. We should be the top-rated one-loss team.''"

Mack seems to be taking the high road right now (saying he won't comment about the mess until after the A&M game). Stoops is taking the completely opposite approach.

Excerpt.
"Stoops had some interesting things to say about the latest BCS rankings. He said Texas is ahead of Oklahoma because the Longhorns beat the Sooners, then shouldn't Texas Tech be ahead of Texas for the same reason? And shouldn't all three Big 12 teams be ahead of Florida, who lost at home to an unranked team?"

Interesting read at the LA Times on the intensity of the rivalry and how lobbying might determine who wins the South Division.

Reason #139 Why Texas Tech (tceh to Aggies) is not a serious National Championship Contender: Their field goal kicker earned a spot on the team after nailing a 30 yarder during a halftime promotion.

Excerpt:
"Williams is a Tarleton State transfer student who won a month of free rent at the Tech/UMass game several weeks ago by kicking a 30-yard field goal. After his successful try, Williams was walking back to his seat when he was flagged down.

They relayed a message to me saying that Coach [Mike] Leach wanted to talk to me," Williams told RedRaiderSports.com the next day. "He told me to come into his office on Tuesday and talk to him, and then Coach [Clay] McGuire told me to come and speak with him on Monday."

They missed my personal favorite: "Chase Daniel's Girlfriend Fakes it Like the OU Punter" but captured some other classics.

Texas received all 65 first place votes after the MU dismantling at DKR. In the coaches poll, UT received 58 of 61 first place votes. Oklahoma State checks in at #7 in the AP and #8 in the coaches poll.