When the fifth ranked Longhorns take the field against their bitter rivals, they’ll find that many of their opponents are Texas born before they’re Sooner bred.

The top ranked Oklahoma Sooners do much of their recruiting in the great state of Texas.  High school hot beds can be found throughout the country, but the deepest talent pools come from specific areas — including our own metroplex.  Both UT and OU have nabbed a number of players from cities such as Mansfield, Duncanville, Southlake, Colleyville, and many, many more.  These suburbs have pumped out some of the finest players on the division one level.  That’s saying something about the quality of Friday night football here in the Lone Star State.

In the big world of collegiate athletics, little high schools from all over infiltrate massive student bodies of major programs.  Former high school players will see familiar faces on opposing sidelines.  Carroll Dragon alumni and now Texas Longhorns Adam Ulatowski and Tre Newton may recognize guys like James Hanna of Flower Mound or Alan Davis of Colleyville.  Texas starting cornerback Ryan Palmer of Bowie shares Arlington ties with Sooner quarterback Ben Sherrard who played for the Lamar Vikings.

It’s the bitterest of rivalries that brings out the best and most legendary performances.  Just years ago, I stood in the stands watching star running back Adrian Peterson run wild against the Longhorns as a freshman.  The 18 year old went for over 200 yards against a defense that featured Derrick Johnson, Nathan Vasher, Michael Huff, Brian Robison and Cedric Griffin (all NFL players.)
   
I remember this 'All Day' freshman going nuts as he bowled over Longhorn would-be tacklers.

There were grumblings in the stands as many orange bloods wished the phenom had chosen the Forty Acres instead of Norman, Oklahoma.  Nonetheless, he chose I-35 North and for a while it made all the difference.  This star born in Palestine, Texas became Sooner bred as such is the case for many high school players.  Whether its north or south of the Red River, many start with the same humble beginnings.

Come Saturday morning the Cotton Bowl will be split down the middle, half blood red and the other burnt orange.  Die-hards will shout “Hook’em Horns” while their evil twin prefers horns down.  Prior hometown allegiances will matter no more.  If one chooses Oklahoma, shame on them, if the other selected Texas, boo-hoo to you.  Through the madness of it all, one must remember that these former neutral players once had a choice.  Often times it's either Texas or OU.

Last week I didn't even bother posting Nick's gloomy picks.  I thought I may be jinxing myself by offering my insight to the world.  Well it matters not as my little wager went spiraling down the toilet like dollars in the shape of a log.  The conference I follow the most, the lowly Pac 10, laid a total goose egg last week as they went 0-5 against the Mountain West.  Lucky for me I took Arizona to cover at New Mexico and Arizona St. to cover against UNLV.  So so bad.  Don't do as I say and don't bet as I do.

Let's tackle the big games, what the hay?  There's no sure thing in my book so why not put coin on games that are going to be televised?  It will transform you from a casual fan of Tennessee-Florida to watching every handoff exchange between Tebow and Harvin.  Now join me in mind-numbing pain as you turn your Saturday into a constant pep-talk of self.  "All I need is a touchdown plus a two-point conversion, then a stop on D and a field goal, now c'mon you _________ ."  Ahh yes, you know what I'm talking about.

Colorado (moneyline) vs. West Virginia - I always like home-dogs. Colorado is a 2 point underdog at Folsom Field and I think they surprise on national TV this Thursday night.  West Va. truly let me down against East Carolina a couple weeks ago, so I say let the Big XII roll.  Buffaloes win a nail biter and the hippies of Boulder rush the field.  Many jesus-sandals left behind.

Florida (-7) at Tennessee - Tennessee lost to UCLA folks, what does that tell you?  UCLA lost 59 zippo to BYU.  Tim Tebow is a machine, running back/wide out Percy Harvin is finally healthy.  I don't care if this is in front of 100,000 + in Knoxville.  The Mighty Gators win by two touchdowns or more on the road.  "I said it's GREAT, to be, a Florida Gator!"  I've heard this chant many a time from Gator spring breakers after ripping the beer bong.

                 
                  I think these are the same guys I saw on South Padre Island several years ago.

Michigan St. (-8) vs. Notre Dame - to be honest I don't have much clue, but my gut instinct tells me Sparty wins big at home.  Notre Dame barely beat San Diego St., then they handle a Michigan team with an identity crisis.  I watched Michigan State run all over Florida Atlantic as Javon Ringer went for nearly three bills.  I say he goes over two bills this week and Sparty rolls.  Michigan State 27, Notre Dame 14.

Wake Forest (moneyline!) at Florida St. - Wake is a four point dog but I take them straight up to increase that payout.  Riley Skinner is legit.  He can make all the throws and is a good scrambler.  I'm not sure about the 'Noles, although they are at home.  If you don't have the juevos to take the Deacs straight up, take the four points.  Head Coach Jim Grobe is one of the best in the biz.

LSU (-2) at Auburn - I'm not sure what the over/under is but I would take the under no matter how low it is.  I think this is a lot of defense in a conference match up loaded with speed. Auburn won 3-2 over Miss. St., proving their offense to be anemic.  Imagine what a speedy LSU defense will do against Auburn, a team struggling to grasp the spread.  LSU wins in a low scoring close one, 14-9.

Georgia (-6.5) at Arizona St. - if ASU would've won last week I'd be ready to ride that desert train.  Maybe they were looking ahead and it bit them in the ace.  I can't get over the fact that they lost to UNLV, at home!  They suck, I'm sorry.  Pac 10, forgive me but I have lost thine faith.  Georgia comes in and makes a mockery of the Devils.  How dare thee compete with the SEC.  Georgia steamrolls ASU 31-10.

 * one little tid bit - Tennessee, Auburn, Arizona State - home dogs.


"Let the Cowboys ride!" Coach Wade and his boys have looked sharp after their first couple of games.  Cleveland could get no pass rush on Romo and he just picked them apart.  Much kudos to the offensive line.  Against Philly I thought both o-lines were so good that we had a shootout on our hands.  McNabb is a killer.  When the man is healthy he's one of the best in the league.  In what was the most watched cable TV event of all time, we fans were treated to a great game played by two elite quarterbacks.  The Cowboys must improve their pass rush in order to beat teams with stellar quarterback play, because you can have a secondary full of Deion Sanders' and it won't matter when there's that kind of time.  Some quick tidbits.

                  
                     The definition of a man (82) happens play tight end for the Dallas Cowboys.

• Felix Jones is a dynamic kick returner.  He has excellent vision and hits creases at full speed, reminiscent of Devin Hester.  I get excited when I see him field a ball.  He is better than I thought, props to Felix the Cat.
• The Barbarian is a punishing runner and I think he'll lead the league in touchdowns behind the big ass of Leonard Davis.  I consider Davis and Gurode one of the best guard-center tandems in the league.
• The chemistry between Romo and Witten is special.  Witten is a tough son of a gun, playing with a partially separated shoulder.  And how bout those soft hands of his?  He makes so many tough catches.
• Zach Thomas is playing inspired football.  You see him cover that slot man on a post route? He was right there churning those undersized white legs and still made a play.  His passion rubs off on the D.
• Tony Romo, can't say enough.  Super poise, bounces back from blunders, even helps people on the side of the road.  Years later when talking legendary Cowboys, fans will mention the swash-buckling No. 9. 

I didn't fare so well in Week 1.  I did pick Alabama to upset Clemson and Mizzou to cover but that's about it.  My Beavers got upset by Stanford, Michigan looked terrible against Utah, and Washington was despicable in a loss to Oregon.  Fear not my friends, for this week I've got some sure-fire picks that should win you some stacks of chedda...see, nobody do it betta.

West Virginia (-8) at East Carolina - the media jumped all over the Pirates after an upset victory at Blacksburg against Virginia Tech.  They'll come in feeling like hot spit but will be embarrassed at home by a superior team. The Hokie Birds had no offense, the Mountaineers have a Heisman candidate in Pat White.  Look out.  West Va. by 20ish.

Oregon State (+16.5) at Penn State - that's a lot of points for the Nittany Lions to cover and Joe Pa just suspended his starting defensive end and D tackle for smoking pot.  The Beaver run D may have trouble but they'll put up points on the offensive end. I expect Penn St. to win, but the margin will be slim in Happy Valley.  Penn St. wins by 10 or less.

    
    Get your 'Guns Up' this week as the Masked Rider and Texas Tech should easily cover the spread.

Texas Tech (-11) at Nevada - if Tech is who the media says they are, they should have no problem thumping the Wolfpack.  I was shocked when seeing the line this low.  I expect both teams to put up a ton of points, but the Red Raiders won't be stopped.  C'mon, they're one of the top 15 teams in the nation right?  Tech scores 50 and wins by three touchdowns.

Texas (-26.5) at UTEP - the Miners let me down in getting smoked by Buffalo of all teams.  They must be absolutely dreadful.  Texas is known for clobbering mediocre foes, so I expect nothing less from my alma mater.  The Longhorns stampede the lowly El Pasoans by the count of 52-20.

Well there you have it.  Now parlay that puppy and turn those smaller bills into fat hundy's.  It's nearly game time!