Stoops, Brown: Pac-16 would have been good, but Big 12 still strong
IRVING – Texas coach Mack Brown and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops both took their teams to the Rose Bowl during the last decade. Between the two, they took their teams to the Holiday Bowl five times.
There were tense moments in early June when it looked as if Brown, Stoops and most everyone else in the Big 12 South Division would be making regular trips to the Pacific coast. And had the Pac-10 Conference more or less merged with the Big 12 South, both coaches would have been OK with it.
Stoops said when a Big 12 breakup appeared imminent, his reaction was, “Initially disappointment. When it seemed inevitable, kind of excited.’’
“Different venues. Different opportunities. Playing some games out west is exciting. Who knows, having a possible championship game in the Rose Bowl might have been cool. I always look at opportunities as kind of exciting.’’
Brown and Stoops were both in the Metroplex on Wednesday for Big 12 media days. But last month’s headline making events – when Colorado and Nebraska bolted and the league was all but written off, then saved – were still something to talk about.
“I told (UT president) Bill Powers and DeLoss (Dodds, the Longhorns’ athletic director) I thought it was great if we stayed; we would have rather stayed,’’ Brown said. “But if we had gone to the Pac-10, that’d be fine. That’d be great. You end up playing the guys on your side (division), you play a couple from the other side it looked like, and then have a championship game. So I thought we were going to come out good either way.’’
Colorado accepted an invitation to the Pac-10, and Nebraska took an offer from the Big Ten, though both schools remain in the Big 12 at least for this year. Two things kept the league from going out of business: Commissioner Dan Beebe exerted pressure on the other 10 to stick together. And when Texas turned down the Pac-10, it killed the deal for OU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.
On Tuesday, Beebe derided the very idea of 16-team mega conferences, saying they would be more a pro-style “association” than a conference, rife with headaches for governance, fans and athletes.
Stoops said he didn’t think the much-discussed plan would have been much more difficult for the athletes involved than what they currently face.
“If you’re the only one going to the Pac-10, then yeah, that’s a big burden,’’ he said. “But if we had an eastern division with the Texas schools and us and possibly the Arizona schools, that’s very manageable. Then you only have to go all the way west a few times, just like we got to go north a couple of times the way it has been (in the Big 12). That’s why all of us together make each other stronger.’’
The Big 12 in the near term is still in for some dramatic changes. When Colorado and Nebraska go away, so will the conference championship game and a regular-season schedule format in which South Division teams play only half the North teams each year and vice versa.
Without the conference championship game, Brown said, Texas and maybe some others will look to add a strong non-conference opponent to offset what’s lost in strength of schedule.
Nebraska played in the Big 12 championship game a North-best five times, and Colorado went four times, all since 2001. So the league is losing some programs that have flexed some muscle.
Stoops and Brown said their departures need not be a killer.
“I’m very excited about where we are now,’’ Stoops said. “We’re operating right now like the Pac-10 and the Big Ten have for over 100 years. What’s the big deal? Now the shoe’s on the other foot. We don’t have a championship game and they do, or likely will. In the end, we’re still a strong product.’’
Brown seconded the opinion of his rival coach, pointing to the Pac-10 and the pre-Penn State Big Ten as the Big 12’s new model.
“Both of those have had a major player in the national scene just about every year,’’ the Longhorns coach said, “so I don’t see a change in very much at all.’’
One significant change will be felt by all the football teams, but particularly those from the North Division. Instead of missing teams such as UT and OU twice every four years, now they’ll play everyone every season. Oklahoma has won the Big 12 title game six times and Texas three times.
Stoops scoffed at the notion that will make it even harder for schools other than Oklahoma and Texas to win the league.
“I don’t take it for granted like – I’m not putting this on anybody – the media does,’’ he said. “We’ve got nine teams to beat. Just beating (Texas) doesn’t do it. You’ve got to beat them all. We’ve done that a fair amount of times. It isn’t just that game, and it isn’t just between us two.’’
Brown said forming tighter rivalries with Big 12 North schools – all members of the old Big 8 that folded into the Big 12 in 1996 – would be a benefit going forward. When the league started, Brown said, some Longhorns players and fans had little familiarity with their new brethren.
“And the local guys can tell you, they just weren’t as excited about them, and it was harder for our kids because they didn’t know anything about them,’’ Brown said. “Now you’ll know more because you’ll play them every year.’’
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If the Fat Rats had not been in charge at Tech, the opportunity would not have been missed to “go alone” to the PAC-10. A little salesmanship, and of course the keeping of Mike Leach for a top notch draw, would have done the deal. But Hance, Myers, Scovell, Sowell, White, and the despicable gang that cheated Mike Leach out of his job made sure it didn’t happen. Just the facts, folks.
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harold I could have not said it better, this swindlers done us wrong. I am sure the crybabies will come crying foul about staying on topic. bah humbug
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Harold and friends jus dont get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PAC 10 offer for us was only good if UT went. Offer for Okie Lite was only good if OU went. If either OU or UT had fully committed then all of us would have gone. There was N E V E R an offer for just Tech to go to the PAC 10 and probably never would be in the near future.
You people need to just be positive and support Raiderland. The conference is good enough where it is right now. New TV money will be forthcoming within next yr or two when contracts renew. For now lets just work on firing a**hole Dan Booboo
and then win this stinkin conference – something the Pirate N E V E R did. In fact didnt even come close. Lets all try to get together now and have some fun this year with our Raiders! Things around here will work out. The sun will rise tomorrow with or without us. This season may not be perfect but it is gonna be a fun ride!
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Harold, you are an idiot, we had no offer without Texas…wake up Team Leacher
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I (We) support the school but want Tub to flop!!! Yes it is possible to do this. After all, prior to the captain dropping anchor Tech had no winning tradition. Therefore to fall into mediocrity is nothing new or something the fan base cannot survive. The proverbial line in the sand is drawn, stay on your side.
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Does anyone really think the Pac 10 wanted ultra-conservative Tech?
We were a part of the bigger package.
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Whatever the case, Texas has always ruled the Big 12 and will continue to do so. The rest of you are here because we are allowing it. But, you better start getting more competitive or we will kick you out and replace you with teams like Houston or TCU. Last year they appeared more worthy than you and other dead weights in the Big 12. Hookem…
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Big Horn: With all due respect: UT may not be ruling the big 12 football very much longer. UT has a very difficult schedule.
There will be no 11 win season for UT this year. There is a high probability for a loss to Texas Tech, OU, and Nebraska in football this season. The UT basketball team was medicocre at best. The UT baseball team choked later in the season.
The UT track team was dominated by Texas A&M. The “Short Horns” may have more money but they under achieve!!!!!!!!!!!
Ask OSU and Mr. Pickens if money can buy a championship.
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K-Mart, you said, “With all due respect: UT may not be ruling the big 12 football very much longer.”
First of all, you should respect all UT fans, because we are first class.
Second, I see that you are admitting that UT has been ruling the Big 12.
Third, We Shall Continue to Rule because we have the best football program in the country. Our team could compete with at least half the NFL teams; we’re that damn good.
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Big Horn, are you here looking for approval from us? If your team is the greatest in the history of the world, then why does it matter? we are obviously in your head, otherwise you would not spend all your free time on the Tech board. Go back to wal-mart and buy some more turd colored t-shirts.
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Rick and Kountry Mart: Forget trying to keep pace with the Horns. Focus your attention on much more achievable tasks. Like ending the 0-2 streak against Mizzou and the lowly Buffs!!! Lets not forget the Aggies. Despite your wild optimism, Tech will suffer their first losing season in some time. Now with Leach gone, Tech shares the bench with the likes of the Cyclones and Baylor.
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I hope Mack and Stoops don’t get reprimanded, they better get their minds right
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Burnt Orange Nation: You are the one with the wild optimism: Colt is the only reason the short hornsdid not finish 6-6 last season. You will miss Colt this season and and will lose 3-4 games. Be glad that TCU isn’t in the big 12. There is NOway UT could beat TCU! If UT is ruling the BIG 12 then UT is ruling a second rate conference! Your team would lose big time
in the NFL and would finish 3-4th place in the Southeastern Conference UT is an over rated bunch of wimps.
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Translation to burnt orange nation’s post: “I sure hope Tech is not as good as they have been in the last few years! I am scared to death of our trip to Jones Stadium in September! We will probably leave Lubbock with a loss on our record just like last time!”
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I sense that Kounry Mart is about to jump ship to TCU. Lots of admiration for the lame frogs. By the way, didn’t tech drop their game with the frogs for this year? Did not get scared? Maybe you all ought to schedule Lubbock High…a sure win.
What is tech’s overall record against UT? something around 12 wins and 45 losses!!!!
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I am working on creating a weeping towel for the game. I will soon be selling them online, just in case you want to use them…for sure against texas and maybe even smu…lol.
my friend is designing some demin hugsters too…do you prefer fringe or rhinestones? How many techsters does it take to change a tire? 10, eight to hold the car up, one to change the tire and one to blow air into the flat…lol lol lol
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dont confuse a turkey vulture for a wild turkey come this fall…lol.
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burnt orange nation: Your senses are wrong. I am a Red Red Raider fan. Who are you trying to convince here about your Short Horns? Yourself? Ohteerwise you wouldn’t be posting here. The aggies who post here…….Typical Aggies………….
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Kountry Mart: I applaud your efforts to engage my comments. However, please share your thoughts on the losing streak to Mizzou and the lowly Buffs. It isn’t true that tech was scheduled to play TCU this year? The stooges at all costs wanted to avoid a guaranteed beat down at the hands(?) of the frogs…correct?
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K-Mart, how can u support a team with the name Texas Technological University? Such a silly name for a supposed university.
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Big Horn and Burnt Orange Nation: You guys take me way too seriously. Just doing some “trash” typing to see how yal would react. I’ll always support the Red Raider but I have more important things in my life to be concerned about college football.
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Like what? Down here I live for UT football, hanging out on 6th street, and keeping Austin weird.
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I live in the metroplex. I try live for the Lord and my family. I run ultramarathons for fun. There is more to life than football.
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I missed a word or two. It should be: I try to live for the Lord and my family. I run ultramarathons for fun. There is more to life than college football.
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I can’t believe so many are still pouting about Leach’s firing. He was a one-dimensional coach who took the program as far as he could with his coaching style and buccaneer offensive play. Leach was never going to win a conference championship, let alone a national championship. Need I remind you of the embarrassing implosion at OU two seasons ago. Tuberville is the kind of coach (believes in recruiting a defense) to take TTU to the next level. While it is true the manner in which Leach was fired was unethical and a cheap way to try to save a few millions dollars, I am pleased to see that our program is moving in a promising direction.
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It looks like burnt orange nations life is so thrilling that he spends time sitting at home posting messages on redraiders.com. If the most important thing in your life is UT football and talking smack online to fans of other schools then you are going to be sorely disappointed with your life. I recommend you get a life, which does not mean hanging out on 6th street, getting drunk, listening to mediocre live music, and getting tramp stamps.
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The first 5-6 yrs of the Big 12 were ruled by Nebraska football. OU did not get things going until 200o, and UT did not become a Big12 Power until 2004 with Vince Young. Ebb and Flow, things will change at UT soon.
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The reason all the Bonghorns are on this site is they’ve run out of bongwater. Either that, or their paroles haven’t been granted. Ty (Craig James), nice try.
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Yes things do tend to go in cycles.
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Shorthorn fans:
Here is a little well known fact about your kind. It is a fact that about 50% of the fans of the top NCAA Football Programs choose to be fans of the respective Football programs because they have little or no self confidence. They derive what little confidence they have by jumping on the band wagon of programs like TU, OU, USC, etc, etc, etc. You can separate the real fans from the pretenders by reading the posts of idiots just like you. Real UT fans dont waist their time making idiotic remarks like youve done on this board. Step back and take a real look at yourselves in a mirror. I know that after you read my post you will (in the back of your mind) think about what im telling you. That it self will confirm the facts that I am now presenting you. Do your self, and your loved ones, a favor and get a life already. Tech fans don’t give a heck about what you have to say. You are not going to change the mind of one Tech fan. We are Tech fans for the very same reason that Longhorn fans are UT fans. We love our schools for who they are. Have you ever considered this. UT is expected to contend for the NC every year, But they very seldom ever do. How many NC’s have they won in their history. Tech on the other hand, is not expected to do the same. When we are successful in knocking off programs like UT, OU, and others, it makes life all that much better. Here is another fact, Tech has cost UT a chance at more then one NC. Tech is a big thorn in Bevo’s side, and Mack Brown will be the first to say so. Tech has done more with less in the past 10 years then any other NCAA school that I can think of barring maybe Boise State. Tech has the 4th best winning % in the Big12. I lot of other Big 12 football programs would love to be able to claim that. As I said before, get a life. If the rest of the people on this board would refuse to take the bait being laid out by these idiots they would go away. They are only here because they get great enjoyment out of putting others down because they achieve an inflated sense of being. I have said about enough.
Wreckem Texas Tech
Im looking forward to another BLACKOUT in Lubbock in the 3rd week.
P.S. EAT MORE BEEF
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burnt orange nation said:
Like what? Down here I live for UT football, hanging out on 6th street, and keeping Austin weird.
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You are very successful at what you do. You are definitely bringing about a sense of weirdness on this board.
Wreckem Texas Tech
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K-mart,
What are you talking about. Colt is the reason why they did not win the NC. He faked his injury the first time he got hit because he knew what was going to happen, and knew that it would cost him in the Draft. It wound up doing so anyway.
Cost of a hotdog at the Jones – $2.50
Cost of a beer at the Jones – $4.50
The look on Colt’s face when Crabs strolled in to the endzone and wiped out UT’s 2008 NC hopes – PRICELESS
Nuff said
Wreckem Texas Tech
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blah, blah, blah,….I will be out of touch for a few day. I intend to spend the weekend in pursuit of fine adult beverages, wholesome chicks, and all things orange!!!!
hey east tech whatever…so I imagine you fall in the 50% who are bandwagon jumpers
kountry mart- an honorable way to live life
I am going to hire a few charter buses for the game in September and share the wealth, bring some ambitious panhandlers to ply their trade in Lubbock…too many in Austin. oh yes, is their a landing strip near the stadium? I plan on flying my Lear jet to the game.
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Pac 16 would have been great for Tech. If Hance & Myers are smart (I know they really aren’t) they would be on the phone every day talking to the Pac 12 commissioner trying to secure a solo invitation to join their conference. The next time the music stops I could see Tech being left behind.
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I figer makin $2.000,000 a year b.s.in is a lot better than losin a million a year tryin to sell Catfish.
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texas t-shirt fan team has won one national title in 45 years.
Wow that is domination. Vince Young was the blind hog finding an acorn.
SEC I think is where the domination is.
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I heard the Tech Ticket Office was only selling 50 tickets to Orange T-Shirt Fans. Most of those going to the ugliest band uniforms in the history of NCAA football — looks like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans knock-offs.
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every time I go to Lubbock it reminds me of some place out of a twilight zone rerun. I bet a good 90% of you fans never been to a tech game and the other 10% did but to work the pop and popcorn stand.
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With all the money UT has, & with all those 4 & 5 stars they like to brag about, it is really kinda sad they can’t win by simply showing up….really pathetic to do so little with so much. You’d think they’d have a Heisman player & a NC every year.
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free wheelin’ grampa aggie said:
every time I go to Lubbock it reminds me of some place out of a twilight zone rerun. I bet a good 90% of you fans never been to a tech game and the other 10% did but to work the pop and popcorn stand.
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Funny. I feel the same way every time I go to Austin, & have to endure the pot smoking & pan handling that takes place right out in the open on any of the downtown streets. Not to mention the absolute disgusting way Barton Creek has been handed over to trash-acting people.
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Texas really struggled early in several games last year including Wyoming and Colorado. Colorado could have easily upset UT last year. UT didn’t beat the Red Raiders by much and the OU/ Texas game was very close. UT did win the games thanks to clutch play by Colt. There are a lot of teams besides UT that will be in the running for a championship as there are every year. Austin seems too “liberal” to be a true “Texas” city.
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actually there are plenty of right wing nuts here too. KM your analysis of the UT season is irrelevant. Bottom line is wins. need I inform you that there is no credit for almost won or nearly lost? After all what did having all the passing records and stats win tech?
stats are for losers- coach boom
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This stat isn’t: 39-33
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how unfortunate for many techsters that there claim to fame is a game played two years ago. talk about living in the past. By the way, is that the same season that OU plummeled Tech on national TV with all the marbles on the line?
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Team Bevo: My final analysis of the UT season is quite releavant! Bottom line UT choked and lost to Alabama in the championship game. Bottom Line UT choked and lost to TCU in the college baseball regionals. Bottom Line UT basketball choked. Bottom Line UT track choked! Bottom line UT is over rated. Bottom line, Who are you trying to convince about UT? Team bevo I think you are trying to convince yourself otherwise you would be posting on the UT message board.
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I remember the 2000 OU Texas game team bevo. I believe Mike Leach was offensive coordinator at OU. UT should be quite proud that OU scored 60 points on the UT defense. MY favorite is the 39-33 Texas Tech victory two years ago I also enjoyed the two K-State victories in a row over UT 3-4 years ago. I even enjoyed the two Texas A&M victories over UT in row.
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KM- I like your tactic of avoiding the less flattering moments of TTU football: Still no response to the losses to Missou and the hapless Buffs. I can recall a Basketball game during the 2006-07 season, UT was visiting Tech. Kevin Durrant scored more points than the WHOLE tech squad in the second half…lol. Needless to say, the Horns appled a routine beatdown of the RRs.
While UT may not win as many championships as capable of, they are in the picture especially in Football and Baseball. When is the last time tech has won an outright conference title in football? Or a CWS? If I were you, I would abandon the sinking ship that is tech.. lol…the aggies are very welcoming to t-shirts.
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Team Bevo: I am a Red raider fan not a Longhorn or Aggie fan. Who are you trying to convince here? The Longhorns are good in football and baseball. Yea for them. Tech lost a game to Mizzou and Colorado. Win some lose some. I really don’t care about UT or A&M. I am glad you like my tactics team bevo. Nice positive moment. Again I want to read about Red Raider sports not Long Horn Sports. Who are you trying to convince Team Bevo? Yourself? I really don’t care about UT. They could fly to Mars and back and good for them. Who are you trying to convince? Yourself evidently. When was the last time you were on your own UT message board?
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Is this a UT board or a Tech board. I could have sworn that I was reading an article on Redraiders.com.
Huh?
Misguided idiocentric neomaxizumdwebbies
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Your a what east techsan?
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Not really jealous of anybody Team Bevo: I don’t take college sports that seriously. It is interesting follow a team but I don’t worship coellge football. I went to church this morning to worship my Lord and Savior. I like Tech football but my real sports intersets and goals involves running a 100 mile ultramarathon at age 54. I finished my first 50 mile ultramarathon at age 52.
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mispelled college and interests on the previous post. Team Bevo: I just think it is nice that your team has won those championships. Now go on and post that on some other team message boards so they can be impressed.
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Team Bevo: Here is the actual data on college football national championships fro http://wikipedi.org. Have a nice evening!
Princeton 28
Yale 27
Michigan 22
Notre Dame 21
Oklahoma 17
USC 17
Ohio State 13
Harvard 12
Nebraska 11
Pittsburg 11
Miami 9
LSU 7
Texas 7
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Just thought I would point out, Kountry Mart that you misspelled the word “misspelled”.
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and swam the english channel using only back stroke
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Team Bevo: I have never heard of Pikes Pike LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you fish for pike when you reached the peak? I think we both could use some spelling lessons from Karl. If you bait your hook with a perch maybe you can catch a Pike when you swim Lake Ontario with the backstoke, team bevo.
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Team Bevo: I have enjoyed this debate with you. I think it is very impressive you ran Pike’s Peak non stop! I will never be a Texas fan though. I like the West Texas culture and that is what I am a Texas Tech fan. I obtained my MS and BA from Emporia State University in Emporia Kansas. If you are a runner, there is nothing like running through the plains of Kansas!
Of course I cheer for the Emporia State Hornets as well as the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
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team bevo: I heard you roped a Tornado too!!!!!!!!
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Note to Big Horn – most of you are first class trash…you should not be respected.
Thanks.
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Ty ses:
“can’t believe so many are still pouting about Leach’s firing. He was a one-dimensional coach who took the program as far as he could with his coaching style and buccaneer offensive play. Leach was never going to win a conference championship, let alone a national championship. Need I remind you of the embarrassing implosion at OU two seasons ago. Tuberville is the kind of coach (believes in recruiting a defense) to take TTU to the next level. While it is true the manner in which Leach was fired was unethical and a cheap way to try to save a few millions dollars, I am pleased to see that our program is moving in a promising direction.
Yew is raght, scept Tub may be the kind, but he ain’t the one.
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