We begin this week with a president, the US Space Program, and a once vibrant SWC “rivalry” that now teeters on toward the brink of extinction.
JFK’s Rice University speech September 12th, 1962 about the challenge of going to the moon
On September 12, 1962, in a speech at Rice Stadium, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to meet his goal, set the previous year, to send a man to the moon by the end of the decade.
“But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may ask, why climb the highest mountain? Why 35-years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Texas play Rice?” (The crowd went crazy.)
“We choose these goals … not because they are easy, but because they are hard,” said JFK.
This weekend, let’s see which teams send its alums over the moon from another otherworldly performance, and which never quite seem to get off the launching pad.
No. 7 Oklahoma at No. 19 Texas (FOX, Noon) Unlike the Brett Kavanaugh Judiciary Committee hearings, the 113th edition of the classic Red River Showdown (Texas leads 61-45-5) will indubitably answer a pair of questions.
Are the Oklahoma Sooners a legitimate playoff contender, and how far along the path of relevance have the Horns of Texas traveled?
Oklahoma QB and Heisman contender Kyle Murray AP photo
As always in Norman, offense rules the day and the explosive “Sons of Steve Owens” are under the command of its dual-sport marksman, and Heisman contender, QB Kyle Murray (17 TDs-2 Ints-70%) who is also signed, sealed, and delivered to the Oakland A’s for a cool $4.7 million, as the ninth overall pick in the recent MLB draft. What a country!
The Sooners aerial master is assisted by a trio of game-changing targets: Marquise Brown, averaging a Paul Warfield-esque 22-yards per reception, CeeDee Lamb, and Lee Morris, while the injury riddled running attack now featuring Trey Sermon has been as clunky and inconsistent as a Chevy Vega.
But as the faithful are well aware, if the “Sons of Lee Roy Selmon” hope to remain blemish free in the Big 12, its colander-esque D (90th overall, and 90th defending against the pass) led by backers Kenneth Murray, Curtis Bolton, and Mark Jackson, needs to tighten as strongly as the Cod catch restrictions imposed by NOAA Fisheries on Georges Bank.
In Austin, the UT performance has been as “gey and tioram” (Scottish; for dull and dry) for so long, that its 4-game winning streak, the longest since the start of the second term for Barak Obama (2012) is a cause celebre.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger AP photo
The director of this mini-revival is its gritty, anvil-hardened sophomore QB Sam Ehlinger (9 TDs-2 Ints- 64%), who won’t conjure up any images of Colt McCoy, but plays with the same competitiveness as Harvard Law School students trying to land a spot on the Review.
The feisty kid is assisted by tailback Tre Watson, and a pair of Sequoia – sized receivers Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Collin Johnson, on an offense that searches for points (28 a game – 72nd in scoring) almost as intently as a beachcomber with a metal detector, or Diogenes searching for an honest man.
The senior laden D of the “Sons of Bevo” anchored by backers Gary Johnson, Anthony Wheeler, and end Charles Omenihu, is the backbone of the ‘Burnt Orange eleven, but against Oklahoma will be tested more than an NFL PED violator.
Despite losing some its luster, this game carries more intrigue than the sudden CEO switch at General Electric, or the next move by the eccentric Elon Musk.
That said, we think, with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein it will be; “OOOOOOKLAHOOOOMA! Where the ‘wins’ come sweeping down the plain,” as the “Sons of Bud Wilkerson’s” keeps its playoff invite aspirations very much alive.
No.5 LSU at No. 22 Florida (Ch.4, 3:30 p.m.) It’s amazing how a pair of top-ten victories enhances the prestige of one’s resume.
Before the start of the season, secret meetings were being held in Baton Rouge by the newly formed LSU “Pitchfork Society” who were planning the proper time to storm the football offices of it native son, Coach O (Orgeron), whose seat was considered hotter than a Victoria Secret lingerie show.
But after reeling of five straight victories, Mr. O and his Bayou Bengals find themselves happily ensconced with a penthouse view, courtesy of its No. 5 ranking, and is one of the early season surprises.
LSU grad-transfer QB Joe Burrow AP photo
One of the keys to that resurgence was the welcomed addition of Ohio State grad-transfer QB Joe Burrow, who brings balance and stability to an offense (77th overall, 48th scoring) that in recent years looked more like the disheveled empty supermarket shelves of a North Carolina coastal town a few days before the arrival of Hurricane Florence.
The top Tiger is assisted by a pair of quality wideouts; Justin Jefferson, and Steve Sullivan, but its signature running attack, led by its steamrolling tailback Nick Brossette, is solid, but doesn’t have the breakaway panache of recent Bayou vintage.
As always just like Ford will always sell Mustangs, in the “Land of Jambalaya” defense remains is the driving force in Baton Rouge.
D-Coordinator Dave Aranda, comforted by a $10 million dollar contract, is the architect of the nation’s 12th stingiest (12 pts.) eleven, led by a pair of wrecking ball swarmers; backers Devin White, and Michael Divinity, along with blitzing safety Grant Delpit, and this group will ultimately determine if the “Pitchfork Society” remains at bay.
Florida’s new headman Dan Mullen AP photo
In Gainesville, to steal a phrase, the “Swamp” did need draining, and the Gators new headman, Dan Mullen is the perfect “Rotor-Router” director, as Florida has captured consecutive SEC road games for the first time since 2012.
QB Felipe Franks (12 TDs – 3 Ints – 57%) is the established leader of these distant cousins of Steve Spurrier (92nd in total offense, 42nd in scoring), who in reality, are as far removed from the “head ball coach’s” high-flying Fun ‘N Gun days, as Dwayne Johnson is from wining an Academy Award.
The Boys from Orange Juice land motor behind a squadron to tailbacks featuring; Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine, while receivers; Freddie Swan, Van Jefferson, and Tyrie Cleveland provide inviting targets.
But it’s the Gators Park Avenue D, the nation’s ninth stingiest (14), anchored by backer Chauncy Gardiner-Johnson, and ends Jachai Polite, and Jabar Zuniga, who continue to give its faithful hope that brighter days are on the horizon.
There is no doubt that Mullen will quickly return the Gators to SEC relevance, but on Saturday afternoon the visitors from Jambalaya country, with apologies to Hank Williams depart the Swamp victorious and singing; “Good bye Joe, you gotta go, me oh my oh…..son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.”
No. 13 Kentucky at Texas A&M (ESPN, 7 p.m.) In the land of thoroughbreds, and big time basketball, Kentucky football, that’s right Kentucky football, is all the rage in Lexington.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops celebrates with his Wildcats AP photo
Coach Mark Stoops, who is a better builder than I.M. Pei, has the Wildcats undefeated (3-0) in SEC play for the first time since the Carter Administration (1977), as it travels to its first meeting with the Aggies of Texas A&M since Dwight D. Eisenhower was occupying the Oval Office-1953.
Amazingly these “Sons of Babe Parilli,” have achieved such early heights behind an offense that is so unbalanced, it would take the “Flying Wallendas” years to correct.
The Boys from Tobacco Country roll on the legs of the nation’s 12th best ground assault, that features America’s seventh leading ball carrier Benny Snell (127 yds. a game), who has been able to churn the turf better than a wheat farmer from Kansas.
But the Wildcats aerial attack, led by its dual-threat JC transfer QB Terry Wilson (2 TDs-5 Ints 66%), is a bottom feeding 117th and has only one true target; possession receiver; Lynn Bowden.
As always, the house specialty for any Mark Stoops coached team is a snarling defense, and this 2018 version, the nation’s (t-3rd) tightest (12), is equally adept at stoning runners, and disrupting passes behind backers Josh Allen with 10.5 (t-3rd) tackles for losses, his partner Kash Daniel, and safety Darius West.
Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond AP photo
In College Station, first-year coach Jimbo Fisher has created a Hagler-esque toughness not seen in College Station since the days of the legendary R.C. Slocum.
And the leader of this 12th man brigade is QB Kellen Mond (7 TDs-4 Ints-60%) (he has won the approval of the Aggies mascot Miss Rev, the First Lady of Aggieland), who reacts to pressure with the coolness of Paul Newman in “Butch and Sundance” with assists from a quintet of receivers featuring; Camron Buckley, Jhamon Ausbon, and tight end Jace Sternberger, mixed with tailback Trayveon Williams, whose 6-yard a pop average consistently moves the chains.
On D, the “Sons of Ray Childress” led by backers Otaro Alaka, Tyrel Dodson, and end Landis Durham, stones runners (6th), but struggles mightily defending the pass (108th) which might not be an issue against Kentucky’s anemic aerial attack.
This is another game of great intrigue, and we think Kentucky’s thoroughbred run, gets nipped at the wire on Kyle Field by the 12th Man.
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 24 Virginia Tech (Ch.5, 8 p.m.) Since he was handed the keys to the golden-domed Cadillac, QB Ian Book (7 TDs – 3 rushing – 74%), has played like a runaway bestseller.
ND QB Ian Book surveys the field AP photo
With apologies to Dan Folgelberg, the Irish “leader of the band,” has infused the offense, the entire team, and the Irish Nation with more juice than Tropicana.
More importantly, the players respond to his “duende” (legendary Globe columnist George Frazier’s great adopted creation) style, the same way the congregation used to respond to Reverend Billy Graham.
[Here is one of Graham’s quotes: “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost, something is lost, when character is lost, all is lost.” Very apropos for the current state of our government, wouldn’t you say?!]
The “Touchdown-Jesus” top-cat relies on a trio of defense stressing, road-running tailbacks: Dexter Williams, Jafar Armstrong, and Tony Jones, while wideouts Miles Boykins, Chris Finke, Chase Claypool, along with tight end Alize Mack, who provide better targets than the Palestinian protesters being fired upon by Israeli snipers.
On D, the “Sons of Alan Page,” anchored by backers Te’von Coney, Dru Tranquill, and safety Alohi Gilman isn’t stellar, but does swarms to the ball with the same aggression as “Two Scoops” aka POTUS displays toward Elizabeth Warren.
In Blacksburg, it has always been a challenging tall task for a visiting team to victoriously walk out of Lane Stadium, and when the added karma of a pregame statue unveiling of its iconic Hall of Fame coach Frank Beamer is factored in, the difficulty rises exponentially, nearly to the brain power level of the MIT Math Department.
Virgina Tech new QB starter Ryan Willis AP photo
VaTech Coach Justin Fuente, who harbors concerns regarding his team’s maturity, and discipline, has anointed QB Ryan Willis as the replacement for the injured (broken leg) starter Josh Jackson.
The r-shirt junior is assisted by a chain moving trio of receivers; Eric Kumah, Damon Hazelton, and Hezekiah Grimsley, while tailbacks Steven Peoples, and DeShawn McClease, are classic hard-charging Hokie style tailbacks.
On D, the “Sons of Bruce Smith” which features backers Rayshard Ashby, Dylan Rivers, and safety Reggie Floyd are younger than the Vienna Boys Choir, and that lack of experience (78th overall) particularly defending against the pass, is not the best recipe against the Irish.
Coach Beamer’s statue will sit high, wide, and handsome in its location on Beamer Way, but it will be the Irish who will be showing the winning way.
Boston College at No. 23 North Carolina State (NESN, 12:30 p.m.) The question lingering over the Eagles football program is like a scene from a Shakespearean tragedy; will its gimpy (ankle) All-American tailback AJ Dillon, be able to suit up in Raleigh? (Note: game time decision – hasn’t practiced this week.)
BC All-America tailback AJ Dillon questionable for game AP photo
Boston College is 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since the last days of W’s Administration (2007), and sits 4-1 for the first time in nine years.
But the Eagles depend on its tone-setting starry tailback, the same way Brett Kavanaugh depends on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to get him across the goal line.
If its Earl-Cambell-esque bell-cow can’t go, the the “Sons of Mike Holovak” will roll with the next man up, Ben Glines, who on a short term lease is a quality replacement.
QB Anthony Brown (12 TDs-4 Ints-56%) is the erratic leader of the Chestnut Hill operation, with assists from receivers Kobay White, and tight end Tom Sweeney, but in another blow for the offense, his Linus-blanket target, Jeff Smith, (upper body injury) remains very doubtful.
The BC D led by its tackling machine backer Connor Strachan, and assisted by a pair of angry defensive ends Zach Allen, and Wyatt Ray, (who have combined for 14-tfls and 9-sacks), has had some quality moments, but overall this group has performed as poorly as Cardinal O’Malley his with his tepid response to the latest sexual scandal in the Catholic Church.
NC State QB Ryan Finley AP photo
In Raleigh, the undisputed leader of the NC State Wolfpack, is its sixth-year senior QB Ryan Finley (8 TDs-1 Int-68%), whose rocket arm mixed with his pocket presence has NFL scouts singing his praises.
The commander of the “Sons of Phillip Rivers” is assisted by a quartet of receivers; Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, Emeka Emezie, and Thayer Thomas, who have combined for an eye-popping 79-catches, but the ground game led by Ricky Person, and Reggie Gallapsy is drier (109th in nation) than a 30-day aged filet from the meat locker of Grill 23.
The D of the “Sons of Mario Williams,” courtesy of a cupcake diet, holds down the nation’s 13th stingiest (15) ranking, anchored by backer Germaine Pratt, corner Tanner Ingle, and tackle Larrell Murchison, and will be tested sternly by the Eagles.
This is a tough game on which to get a handle.
It’s been a decade (2008) since BC last knocked off a ranked team on the road, and yet the Wolfpack has compiled its unblemished record against teams nearly as weak as the Minutemen of UMass.
And despite the fact that Finley gives us shivers, we’ll stick with the “Sons of Tom Coughlin” to deliver a hugely important victory, not only for the Eagles, but the continued employment of its headman Steve Addazio.
Last week: 5-0 Season record: 18-7
That’s it from cyber-space. We’ll be up and running with our recap Sunday afternoon, until then Peace, and listen to the music. PK
Saturday Football 