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Tommy Nobis
Another SWC great is gone. The ESPN story has a video with some hard hitting clips. Texas Sports article with a great photo of him at a jersey retirement.
Upset Lives Here!
Okay, so the game was actually in Austin... What a win by Texas Tech! Kingsbury skates away with the first back-to-back Austin wins in program history. Equalling Mike Leach's two wins against Texas (although they were both in Lubbock). Now both are bowl eligible along with everyone but Arkansas, Baylor, and Rice. Two of those schools lost their coaches after this weekend. Bret Bielema and David Bailiff are both out of a job.
Week 13 Doubleheader
[Helmet matchup from 1968]
It all comes down to this... TCU claims a spot in the Big 12 chanpionship by beating Baylor at home. A pretty even series, although TCU dominating the Revivalry since the end of the SWC.
[Helmet matchup from 1977-83]
And this. It's all on the line for Tech in Austin. A win and Tech might get to go bowling. Will the defense show up? Hell, will the offense show up??? I don't even know why I post the winsipedia link on this one...
Week 12 SWC Matchup
[Helmet matchup from 1967]
West Texas Championship is back. We got your rivalry right here! In 1961 the Saddle Trophy was a joint purchase between Lubbock Avalanche Journal and the Fort Worth Star Telegram. After 10 games the trophy went missing. The internet cried for a new saddle and M.L. Leddy's Boots and Saddlery in Fort Worth made it happen complete with backdated results. Pretty even series - but since the SWC ended, Tech edges out TCU 4-3. Tech will have their hands full today - but TCU is riddled with injuries and is starting a freshman quarterback.
Week 11 SWC Matchup
[Helmet matchup from 1970-71]
For the sake of history... dead even! We broke out of a 6 year Baylor stronghold last year. Looking to repeat this year. To say Tech needs this win is a massive understatment.
Week 10 SWC Matchup
[Helmet matchup from 1961]
TCU has won the last three... big, ugly blowouts - even last year when TCU finshed with a losing record. TCU favored by eveybody... which Kenny shows up?
Week 9 SWC Matchup
[Helmet matchup from 1957]
Baylor and Texas in Waco... there is the potential for something really bad to happen here. For the helmet matchup 60 years ago, they tied. Being the victim of Baylor's lone win this season I wish on no one. Nobody deserves that. While my heart goes out to the players (most of which probably weren't here when all of that happened), the universe has mandated a death penalty of sorts to get Baylor back in line with its values and morals. Can't fight Mother Nature. Let's hope Texas Football takes care of business.
UH Hand Sign Origin
This whole paw torn theory is cooked up! When I saw this statue at the Tech UH game, I knew this was a "new" story. I have tracked the history of SWC handsigns for many, many years and have documented them (and their evidence) on my Hand Sign page. There is more sleuthing detail over there about the history of the documenting UH websites. Basically, the story started to change around 2010. Now I understand, you want to get to the bottom of things and a research effort may have commenced. But there is ZERO citing of any injured Shasta photos, any written or published source, or any documented interview with someone who was there when they claim the paw thing happened. So let's put basic logic to work. There is documented photographic evidence that in 1962 the victory V was being used as a handsign. In 1953 if Shasta's paw was torn in the cage in Austin, how in the world (in 1953) would students in the stands know about it? Maybe UH asked for medical assistance (her handlers were just frat boys afterall) from the UT staff - but how would students at the game get word of this so quickly? And then so cleverly come up with a missing toe handsign? Which, I might add, was the addition of the middle finger to their own handsign... Yea, let's use the middle finger and deface our own handsign. Nope. And then in 1968 when UH beat Texas, this handsign used at a game 15 years earlier reappearred - when the school had been using the victory V handsign. Nope, nope, nope. It's a great story, but it is fabricated. We all know how the sign came about.
Week 4 Doubleheader!
[Helmet matchup from 1967-71]
A new meaning to doubleheader... Some bozo went and put this game at 11am at the same time as the Tech Houston game which I was planning to attend. But I don't want to miss this game - could be a great game and those Arkansas Jerry Jones tribute unis promise to be pleasing to the eye. What to do, what to do? Good Bull Hunting played a great prank saying the Aggies would be wearing these Oiler tributes. Aggies have won five in a row, but I am not sure they are good enough this year and Arkansas is coming off that TCU drubbing. During the SWC years Arkansas was more successful. Now they are both red headed step children of the SEC. I'd say they deserve each other... Am I still bitter? You betcha!
[Helmet matchup from 1995]
Battle of the Bevel... can we both please lose that crap? Surprisingly there are only 30 games in this series and Tech has only won 11. And during the 20 year SWC overlap of the two teams, Tech only won 7. Houston has the longest home win streak in the nation, should be a great game. And I probably will end up going since I know we could lose and it would be no shocker if we do. You see, I went to the Tech Houston game at Robertson in 2009 - we were supposed to win handily and we got beat by Cougar High. Their very first win over a Big XII team. I have not been back since. New stadium, I think it is time. Plus, I won't have to listen to #Tuberfail as an analyst!
Arkansas Tribute to Jerry Jones
First and foremost... not a huge fan of the guy. But this is a very unique and well thought out tribute. And man, do those unis look good! Lots of detailed looks (front, helmet, shoulder stripes, pants) including a step by step of the helmet assembly. And an informative piece done by Uni Watch that questions the Arkansas Equipment Director about how the uni came to fruition. And... the graduate assistant that actually came up with the idea!
Rice and Harvey
Rice surprised us with a wonderful helmet decal honoring Texas and echoing #HoustonStrong at Saturday's #SWCmatchup against Houston. Both teams met pre-game at midfield for handshakes too - video here. It was a beautiful game... of course, except for the lopsided nature of the game. Houston retained the Bayou Bucket.
I missed this earlier in the Week
With a chance to be 3-0 for the first time since 1984, SMU coaching staff tweeted this gem of an homage to 1984 complete with a pair of striped socks I begged for (but sadly no response)! As for the game, SMU got another strong start and dominated the first half. But TCU pulled it together after halftime to retain the Iron Skillet.
Week 3 Doubleheader!
A skillet and a bucket!
[Helmet matchup from 1982]
The Bayou Bucket is Back!!! Rice vs. Houston was the last football game played in the SWC. It's a classic SWC matchup and it has been missing for the last three years. The series heavily favors Houston over the years, but Rice manages to consistently upset Houston every few years or so. As for the bucket, it was found in a New Braunfels antique shop, mounted on a trophy and cost $179.20. Named after Houston's "dirty old bayous", it is fitting this game is being played for the city of Houston in the wake of Harvey and our overflowing bayous. Talk about dirty old bayous... More fun details in this article. And some memorable games here. ESPN article on the two Houston teams playing in Houston after Harvey. Rice Thresher preview here. And... some serious smack talk!
[Helmet matchup from 1991]
SMU is looking for its first 3-0 start since before the death penalty three decades ago. Morris wants the Iron Skillet on the hilltop. However, TCU looked strong against Arkansas last week. TCU is favored heavily - will that play into complacency despite Patterson's reminder of the 2005 loss right after a top 5 upset of OU? Has TCU really rid themsleves of last year's inconsistency? If you are new to this game and wonder what the heck the Iron Skillet is, look here. But please don't use this article as evidence of good journalism - it is a near copy of their 2010 article... You can do better SMU.
Houston and Harvey, Part 2
Week 3 sees UofH playing for more than the name on the front of the jersey. That same name on the front will be on the back of their jersey instead of individual player names. While this may be considered TNOB (Team Name on Back), it is really the city name. Putting all of Houston on their backs and playing for Houstonians in their matchup against Rice.
Houston and Harvey
Houston's first game was rescheduled to a later date - they were supposed to wear a Texas flag decal. They wore it in week 2 with an additional #TexasStrong decal.
Honoring Broyles
After wearing JFB inside the hog logo on the helmet for week 1, Arkansas has gone back to their standard helmet logo and now has a Frank Broyles decal on the back of the helmets.
First 2017 SWC Matchup!
[Helmet matchup from 1995]
(if they had played in 1995)
This matchup is only the second meeting of these two teams since the SWC broke up. Arkansas dominated the series since 1959 with TCU winning only twice. Last year saw the series revived with Arkansas pulling out the win in double overtime at TCU. They play in Fayetteville this year - I am 30 miles away and am not going... wtf?
One Day and Counting!
Texas A&M. Well, the only played one SWC game last year... beating Arkansas.
Two Days and Counting!
Texas finished pretty high up with two wins just outcscoring Baylor and Tech. But then got trounced by an average TCU ending Charlie Strong's tenure. Last year had a definite classic SWC feel to it.
Three Days and Counting!
Texas Tech also ended with a 2-1 season with a win against TCU and a pounding on Baylor.
Four Days and Counting!
TCU also played five SWC games - but was all over the map. Three wins against SMU, Texas, and SMU. But losses against Tech and Tech and Arkansas.
Five Days and Counting!
Arkansas split with the win against TCU and a beating by A&M.
Harvey Helmets
Lots of schools showing support for Texas in the wake of Harvey. Here is a collage of Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, and SMU. Tech, despite their aid for Harvey and Kingsbury's #ScoreOnHarvey campaign, came out wearing only the I Like Spike memorial decal. Kingsbury is wearing a red and white Harvey patch.
Six Days and Counting!
SMU is stil on the verge of greatness, but just can't pull it completely together. The stunning win against a 6-1 Houston but a drubbing by TCU and and Baylor earlier in the season.
Seven Days and Counting!
Baylor played five SWC games last year but only managed wins against SMU and Rice. Hmmm, looks like the Make Baylor Suck Again campaign already began last year...
Frank Broyles Memorial
A beautiful tribute on the Arkansas helmet decal for Frank Broyles. The story is here
Eight Days and Counting!
Despite the fact Houston was clearly a better team this year, they only played one SWC game this year and that was the upset loss to SMU.
Nine Days and Counting!
Rice fell back down into the bottom spot this last year with only one game against Baylor.
I Like Spike
Very well done decal paying tribute to Spike Dykes! Video getting helmets ready.
Bright Lights?
The first uni surprise of the year. Absolutely hideous. Pretty much the worst thing I have seen in a while. Maroon and black tire tread - a signaure Adidias element that is a solid woof. Helmet fades from maroon to black? That ridiculous big ATM on the side of the pants? I guess "Bright Lights" is a fiting name for a uni that belongs on a high school student.
And he reaction to hese dogs has been less than loving.
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