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Author: Charles Branch

Horns edge out Purdue before facing Tech & LSU.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in College Baseball, TEXAS SPORTS.

The magic in 2018 was unforgettable for the Horns as Cody Clemens led the way with clutch hitting and over 20 home-runs leading them to Omaha. It was remarkable to see and this season will try to get close to equivalence.

The Horns will be without short stop David Hamilton for the season as he suffered through an Achilles injury. The horns lost a  total of five players from last season and some of the question marks are in some important aspects of this team most notable the pitching; referencing to Chase Shugart and Nolan Kingham.

The Longhorns bring in a challenging group and the expectation to win another Big 12 title and earn a top seed to Omaha. David Pierce is a fine coach at developing talent and fans will definitely keep an eye out for this promising group. There might be hiccups early in the season or there might be some progress. At this point the horns have earned a respectable 6-2 record to start the birth of the 2019 season. The offense should be the strength of this team even with the absence of Clemens. Pierce has turned this program into a competitive and strong one each and every year. They will lean on the bats of Tate Shaw, Austin Todd, Duke Ellis, and Ryan Reynolds.

The Disch has already hosted Purdue giving Texas a series win over a span of three games. Gaining this momentum has given them a confidence as they prepare for a battle with series against 2nd ranked LSU and #3 Texas Tech. If they can come out of this maybe splitting these two it’s a success and and will direct them into the right direction.

With Pierce’s strength and knowledge regarding his team, there’s a stability that he will put his players in the right positions to win. A one game at a time mentality for this young rebirthing team is the right thing to do and the leadership from Pierce will definitely be used. Once this team gets their feet underneath them and the hard work they portray this season they should be able to match the success. The expectation is not out of reach. We’ll get a real feel once they face the Red Raiders. And they will see them again down the line. It’s not a failure if you see them go back and forth and maybe going just 1-2. They have time and with a respectable 6-2 record it can only get better. The uncertainty of how they’ll start the season is behind us and now it’s time to turn up the notch. There will be bumps and bruises but the grind will hopefully turn this team into the team to beat in the BIG 12. Grab a seat, get some popcorn, and Hook ‘EM.

March Madness is Perfect.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NCAA BASKETBALL.

The wildest college playoff is about to come alive for March Madness for two weeks time. Every year is a surprise, bubble teams squeeze themselves in, snubs have to accept their fates, fan brackets are crushed in the first week, Cinderella’s develop, and unsuspected players create their legacies as they are talked about forever. Fan favorites are born; the last seconds are dragged on capturing moments for all to see that will be discussed in the office; Who will win? How many teams do you have left in your bracket etc..

Many NBA players have taken that with them to cast their careers with Steph Curry and Gordon Hayward.

Let’s go back to Gordon Hayward for a second, in 2010 a college kid who looked like he snuck in the locker room, stole a jersey, and just took Butler all the way to the Finals against Duke. Hayward missed just inches as the basketball hit the rim ricocheting causing Duke to rush the court as the last seconds ticked away. Coincidentally Brad Stevens coached Butler and earned himself one of the best basketball developers in the sport. Hayward got drafted by Utah then ended up in Boston as he teamed up again with his former coach.

 The underdog is one of the go to stories giving casual fans to take a look what all the attention is about. That was the case for Curry in 2008 as he led Dayton to wins over Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. It all seemed possible for the small boyish face to go all the way but Big 12 representative and eventual champion Kansas beat them 59-57. He beat records for most threes in the tournament that year. It’s pretty safe to say he didn’t ease off the trigger a few feet back in the NBA.

The stress that goes into each game for the fans shoot at the very beginning. A little voice creeps in saying, “I think this is the game that ends the season,” because in all reality only one team can win. Their eyes are glued to the screen, yells are called on fouls that are suspect. There is a little bit of paranoia, are the refs getting paid? The logical answer is no but we all remember the debacle in the NBA a few years back with Tim Donaghy. For two hours everyone soaks up the intensity. The last five minutes feels like a second game, is this one of the games that will be talked about the next day. Conversation is intense as well.

This year gets a little interesting. One of the tops team in Duke grabs headlines for their confidence, youth, and one of the top picks Zion Williamson. And just for nostalgia sake Rick Barnes who has coached Tennessee one of the top teams in the nation. Sorry Texas fans but Tennessee won on the coaching changes with Shaka Smart not able to be a consistent threat. With Rick Barnes you knew what you had.

  • Texas guard Kerwin Roach II (12) shoots past Oklahoma State forward Yor Anei (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 69-57. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

 The Longhorns have a chance to sneak in as the Big 12 hasn’t had a clear cut leader of the pack. They have to finish strong and demand attention or maybe even winning the Big 12 title to get in as a lower seed.

The name March Madness is the perfect. Heart comes to life on the hardwood, teams are strengthen or weakened, stories are written, upsets are on high alert. This year will be no different, this year will carry out its own identity. Roll out the balls and let’s meet at half court because there will bound to be something worth remembering this year. 

Colt McCoy update

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

A fractured fibula ended Colt McCoy’s season when he attempted to take the Redskins to the playoffs when starter Alex Smith, who suffered the similar injury earlier in the season, was lost for the year. For all non-medical individuals, the fibula bone is the long slender bone that connects the ankle all up to the knee, it’s commonly known as the calf bone.

McCoy fell to the ground and his leg bent in a rather awkward way against the Eagles. Surprisingly he toughed it out for two more plays before he limped his way to the locker which was the last sight we saw from him the rest of the season. He finished with three touchdowns along with three interceptions in three games this season. Bone fractures are way more beneficial than a ligament injury, which in many cases may require nine months to a year before they can compete again and a whole year before they feel confident and play like they did before the injury. Luckily for Colt after his surgery he should be back before Super Bowl weekend to get ready for the 2019 season.

Bad luck ruined his opportunity in the 2018 season as he signed a two-year deal worth $6.5 million. Colt was on pace to void his contract, whether be a free agent or an increase in salary if he played 65% of his snaps this season. But Washington is believed to bring him back as the backup for the fifth straight season consequently from the fibula injury.

At 32, McCoy is as seasoned at they come with experience. He was drafted in the third round by Cleveland but never placed himself as their franchise signal caller. He was then traded to the 49ers who played for just the one year. Washington signed McCoy in 2014 who went through the whole RG3 and Kirk Cousins debacle. Both of them moved on after the 2017. The Redskins were content with the idea of McCoy as the starter before they traded for Alex Smith this past offseason.

Eagles’ quarterback Nick Foles established a need to have a quality backup that can play if need be. Washington still has a need for a backup but won’t feel comfortable with Mark Sanchez who replaced McCoy as the third quarterback that started for the Redskins. There is some trade value for McCoy as many teams struggle to develop a backup quarterback just in case something happens to their signal caller.

A fifth-round pick would be reasonable to acquire McCoy if the Redskins want to take a new path to find their quarterback of the future, but the 2019 NFL Draft is very weak in terms of finding the next franchise saving quarterback. They have yet to find their franchise quarterback when RG3 was behind center who has had jumped teams the last few years and Kirk Cousins signed a mega deal with the Vikings who many thought had not even come close this season as a payoff. The Vikings failed to make the playoffs.

The 2020 season will most likely give Colt the chance to test the free agent market and will attract many offers from quarterback needy teams. He is well respected among his teammates and will be a great presence in the locker room which he brought from the forty acres. Many scouts believed he wouldn’t last in the league this long but the fans have looked in the distance with satisfaction he is still alive and well. The memories of beating Ohio State, the come from behind victories, the record breaking stats, and the wishful thinking of what if he didn’t get hurt in the national championship game against Alabama have given him story to root for.

Tom Herman’s Next Class

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

Many fans and media were really impressed with the overachieving season the Texas Longhorns had to finish the year, especially with the forever impressive win to beat the fifth ranked Georgia Bulldogs who might have been snubbed from the National Playoff.

A great win to finish the season will intensify the expectations for the 2019 season. And just like every season players come and go. Playmakers jump to the NFL a la Lil’Jordan Humphrey or finish out their eligibility; Gary Johnson, Breckyn Hager, Kris Boyd, and Charles Omenihu come to mind.

What does this mean for the starting offense and defense? The defense will take a big hit losing a majority of their starting first team and a lot of experience. Luckily after receiving draft stock analysis Junior Safety Brandon Jones has decided to return for his final season to graduate. Teaming up with Freshman stud safety Caden Sterns definitely eases some fans minds heading into the offseason. The secondary will need to find cornerback replacements from Devonte Davis and Kris Boyd who has NFL quality talent to compete at the next level. Freshman corners Anthony Cook and Kobe Boyce played extensively in the Oklahoma State game when Davis and Boyd were suspended for the first half. The freshmen were exposed early causing the Horns to play catch up the rest of the game before losing. They will have a full off season and will compete to earn the starting left and right cornerback positions.

Colin Johnson will return to the field to give Sam Ehlinger a big target who will team up with Devin Duvernay next year. The offense should continue where they left off as Keaontay Ingram will run full time from splitting time with Tre Watson this past year. Fans will see if he has the ability to elevate his game in 2019 judging from this season he will be more than capable.

Tom Herman in year two successfully recruited another top ten class to spring board them into the offseason in December grabbing twelve elite prospects from the top 300 athletes.  Three starting offensive lineman will move on from the team leaving multiple spots on the line up for grabs. Tyler Johnson a four star offensive tackle ranked 37th nationally signed in the early signing period and will be enrolled early in January. He will compete with redshirt freshman Junior Angilau another top 300 prospect from their previous third ranked class for one of the tackle jobs.

Gary Johnson was the leading tackler will be missed for the Horns who leaves a huge void in the middle of the of the front seven. De’Gabriel Floyd an All American linebacker who played his senior season at Westlake provides fire power to a lot of question marks that need answers. He will bring toughness to the position to help stop the run in the Big 12 as he too is also an early enrolled player.

Photo: Pat Carrigan Texas Sports Monthly

Herman signed talented receiver in Jordan Whittington from Cuero, Texas who can play all three phases of the game. He took over the state championship game and was the MVP on both the defense and offense sides of the ball. He will enroll early in January to show the coaches his playmaking ability to be used in September.

There were many players that were able to benefit from the 4 game rule that allowed players to qualify for a red shirt season. The depth on the Texas team is very deep which adds the idea the talent that Texas has been able to rack up has greatly improved. Ayodele Adeoye played in four games and will likely take over one of the linebackers jobs vacated from Wheeler and Johnson. Pairing him with Floyd will give them a nasty duo. And last season Texas brought in its third ranked class and many players were able to red-shirt the season. Herman has brought in the talent and has shown he can coach them up to the Texas standard. Sam Ehlinger has weapons to take this offense to the playoff where fans think back of Colt McCoy and Vince Young. It’s been ten years since the Horns has been in the national title game will next year have this team in the hunt? September can come back fast enough.

Houston, we have a QB.

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

The Houston Texans last year found their quarterback of the future in Deshaun Watson. Many fantasy owners for about five weeks dominated their leagues because of his dominance in games. And it showed drastically with his chemistry with DeAndre Hopkins and his last four games with a Quarterback rating of at least 100 before suffering a torn ACL in practice. J.J. Watt was also lost for the season from a leg fracture in which Jadaveon Clowney had to step up to prove his first round caliber a few years ago.
Many outside fans and media have questioned how high this Texan’s ceiling and pedigree is under Coach Bill O’Brien who has many wondering if he is the reason they haven’t taken that next stop to become a championship level team. The Texan’s have the franchise quarterback, the playmaking receiver, and a defense that can take over games when they have to. All it needs it for it all to come together.
The AFC South has gotten stronger among the Jags, Colts, and Titans who have made drastic changes. Sacksonville has maybe taken over the top of the division with their elite defense, Andrew Luck is back and can maybe continue where he left off, the Titans made the playoffs and have made a coaching change with former player and coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel spent 2014-2017 on the Texan’s sideline coaching the linebackers and last season as the defensive coordinator. It doesn’t seem like the week division Houston fans have come to be familiar with.
The addition of J.J. Watt and Tyrann Mathieu , the development of Watson, and the continuing growing of the running game can take this team great lengths in the 2018 season.
Unfortunately the first two weeks of the season they got off to slow starts against the Patriots and Titans but made some strides late in the game to come back before falling 0-2. The running game has picked up steam thanks to Lamar Miller.
Houston must come alive early in games to avoid stagnant offensive drives. They have the fire power but there needs to be better game planning and execution from the players and coaches. The AFC isn’t strong like it’s been in past years. The NFC is almost eight deep now with the emergence from the Rams and Vikings. So unless something changes the AFC might have a 9-7 team to sneak into the sixth seed this year, but that’s three months away and there is a ton of football left.
Here’s to a great season, tailgates, cookouts, and yelling fans on Sundays. Get your lungs ready the first couple of weeks are over and the rust is wearing off. Now is the time to get ready for some football.

Texas escapes Tulsa

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

Texas pulled out an ugly win against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes 28-21 Saturday to even their record to 1-1. The Golden Hurricanes missed three field goals and had two turnovers.  Lil Jordan Humphrey took over the offense with seven receptions, one hundred and seven yards, including a touchdown. Sam Ehlinger used his legs to clinch the game in their last drive to convert the much needed first down to win their first game of the season.
The game got underway as Freshman Safety Caleb Sterns intercepted Tulsa’s quarterback Luke Skipper on the first play of the game. Ehlinger took advantaged completing a thirty six yarder to Humphrey at Tulsa’s one yard line then ran it into the endzone on the next play.
After a missed field goal and a few change of possessions Texas offense began to click. Four plays for fifty four yards is all it took to extend the lead. Keontay Ingram broke a tackle scoring from twenty nine yards out to make it 14-0, it seemed like it was going to be a blow out early.
And it sure looked that way as Safety Brandon Foster took the ball away from Skipper. Unfortunately Texas punted on their next two drives failing to keep their explosiveness going. It seemed the Golden Hurricanes were going to put some points on the board after a block punt in Texas territory, but they missed their second consecutive field goal.
Texas had a chance to score before halftime so they handed the start of the drive to the running back tandem Ingram and Watson. Texas was able to rush five times for thirty five yards. This opened up the pass for Humphrey for a tremendous forty yard touchdown to end the halftime 21-0.
Tulsa made some adjustments in the second half putting a scare on the Longhorns. They stopped the offense with two punts and a fumble before they put fourteen on the scoreboard cutting the lead to seven.

The Horns responded with their longest drive in the game going thirteen plays after Watson ran in for a touchdown giving them some breathing room 28-14. Of course it had to get interesting it’s college football. Tulsa came after that possession to cut it again to seven putting the horns into a crucial drive.
It all came down to third and one at their own forty yard line. The game was on the line. The game turned to Ehlinger as he rushed for three yards to keep the game going and the clock moving. Daniel Young entered the game for the Longhorns rushing for 9, 30, 2 clinching the win. An ugly loss but wins are just that wins

Tarps take down Horns. Again!

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in Football, UT FOOTBALL.

Texas allowed one to slip away Saturday to open up the season against Maryland losing 34-29 at FedEx Field home of the Redskins. Maryland freshman Jeshaun Jones showed out with his own hat trick catching, throwing, and running for a touchdown. The game began with a moment of silence for the Maryland’s fallen teammate Jordan McNair who died of a heat stroke in the spring. Once it all started the revenge game from last year’s upset loss slowly went out of reach. Where did it all go wrong?
On their first possession, Maryland exploded with a few big plays that put Texas on their heels with a Taivon Jacobs twenty-three yard pass then Jeshaun Jones capped off the drive with a twenty-eight yard run into the endzone. The defense was unable to figure out what was going on early on.
After back to back punts Texas gained great field position as Brandon Jones returned it to the Maryland’s thirty-nine yard line. The Longhorns on their very first play, Sam Ehlinger connected with Devin Duvernay for thirty-nine yards to tie the game 7-7. It seemed the game was evenly matched with each team creating big plays against the defense early.
Jeshaun Jones would keep it going catching a Kasim Hill sixty five yard touchdown by the eight minute mark of the first quarter. Maryland ran away with the game in the second quarter once Jeshaun Jones threw a touchdown to Jaivon Jacobs to take a 24-7 lead.
The ejection of linebacker Gary Johnson and the first half suspension of Anthony Wheeler contributed to a decimated defense.
Texas responded with a Keontay Ingram touchdown, a Terp’s safety, and a beautiful throw to a leaping Colin Johnson to trim the lead 24-22 that changed the momentum of the game at halftime.
The third quarter went underway as both defenses held firm to force punts. Texas was able to stop the Terps on a fourth down when Hill attempted to run for the first down. Sam Ehlinger came out and completed another completion to Colin Johnson at the two yard line. Kyle Porter stepped into the endzone to give the Horns their very first lead of the game 29-24 towards the end of the quarter.
The elements came at the beginning of the fourth to cause an almost ninety minute weather delay. After mother nature left the Terp’s went on an eleven play drive to take back the lead. Tayon Fleet-Davis scored on a seventeen yard run that took a ton of time off the game clock.
Impatiently Texas tried to come back forcing an interception and a fumble with less than five minutes left in the game.
Maryland was able to squeeze a field goal to go up by five and made the decision to run out the clock that Texas was able to stop with three minutes left to play to give the Horns one more drive for a comeback win.
Ehlinger completed a seventeen yard completion to Lil’ Jordan Humphrey to midfield and a fourth down thirteen yard conversion to Duvernay. It looked like a Ehlinger game winning drive, but on their final play he rushed out to the right side of the field launched it over his intended receiver’s head and was caught by a Maryland secondary player; A gut blowing loss to start the season.

Fantasy Football is Back

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in NFL FOOTBALL.

Fantasy football is back.

The owners have sent out their memos to all returnees from the previous season. Dues have been paid and the previous champ has been bragging all year about how unbeatable he is. It’s time to get ready for the draft.
Zeke Elliot or Todd Gurley? Could David Johnson be a dark house for the top pick. Leveon Bell has been holding out for a new contract and things are getting a little dicey in Pittsburgh. How high can Antonio Brown go? And is Alvin Kamara ready to lead your team as a sleeper pick from his unbelievable rookie season?
This fantasy season is very intriguing as if it isn’t right? The first round of this year’s draft is pretty cut and dry with maybe a few new names. More names are crawling up the draft board like Saints receiver Michael Thomas and his teammate from the above paragraph in Kamara.
There are multiple strategies to winning you can go RB-RB in the first two rounds, RB-WR, and maybe even WR-WR if you take Antonio Brown first and all the top tier RB’s are off the board.
Let’s say you select somewhere in the middle of your draft order in a twelve team league. The top three are off the board and of course Antonio Brown is gone as well. Where do you go from there? Saquon Barkley and Leonard Fournette are intriguing names or maybe you go OBJ or DeAndre Hopkins. The first round is always volume usage and whoever builds on yardage and stats. In this point in time it’s better to go running back. Barkley is believed to be ready to carry the load in New York and Alvin Kamara is ready to take the baton from Mark Ingram. Go ahead and take the proven commodity in Kamara. With Ingram suspended for four games, it’s a guaranteed lock he’ll see a heavy production this season. Drew Brees is still slinging the ball so you know the Saints offense will easily produce.
Always go for the big value and for sure production in the first round. You don’t have to be fancy just pick the logical pick. Save it for the fifth through ninth rounds.
You can wait on the decision to draft a quarterback in the fourth or even the fifth depending how your draft plays out. Rogers, Wilson, and Brady can wait go stack yourself on the runningback and receiver position. According to the ESPN fantasy website Keenan Allen had almost same amount of fantasy production as Tom Brady. Yes the positions are different but make sure you have enough ammo in the runningback and receiver positions before you splash on a quarterback. Philip Rivers is a considerable option in the later rounds with as much a QB1 as you can get without sacrificing your choice of playmakers.
Like every season comes with new players changing sceneries. Kirk Cousins is the prime candidate for such a case along with Jerrick Mckinnon and Jarvis Landry. When do you take a flyer on these guys. Mckinnon is a great option for a quality number two back as well as your flex player. Jarvis Landry is your steal in the mid rounds. Josh Gordon will take some time comeback so there will be plenty of looks coming Landry’s way in the beginning of the year. Cousins can be thought with same quarterback strategy in the draft. You don’t have to stress about it early. Make your selections thoughtfully and you’ll be stable.
There are two tight ends who have WR1 or WR2 value and they can have a significant impact sending your team deep in the playoffs. Gronk and Kelce have the ability to average fifteen points on your team. If they are available to you in the mid second consider them or even at the end of the third don’t even hesitate. These two players and throwing Ertz from the Eagles in to the mix will give you the equivalent of a WR1/RB2 in your lineup. Let’s say that one of your starting RB or WR is either out or on a bye week. This gives you enough flexibility to steal out a win during midseason which has important implications for playoff berths. Everything counts.
The more powerful your bench is the more opportunities you will receive in trades. For example you stocked your stable of runningbacks but maybe a little weak on your WR2 position. The waiver wire is uncertain and you don’t need to release a bench player for an inconsistent player. So what are your options? You have more leverage in this scenario. You can trade your third running back for that receiver you need and don’t have to break your line up.
Always set yourself up with the best outcome and consider the untradeable players you had at the end of the year if the right trade comes available. That one trade can give you wins down the road if you don’t know how to get over the hump. If you believe you don’t have the best team look for ways to improve it. Go small and work your way up.
That trophy is on the line, anyone can win it, why can’t it be you? It’s your year.

Sports Betting Now Legal for States

Written by Charles Branch on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS.

Sports Betting Now Legal for States

By Charles Branch
Sports betting has been a complicated subject among betters and traditionalists in recent years. In the year 1992 The Supreme Court passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act making sports betting illegal across the United States. Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana were the only exceptions. The law established a protection on the integrity of sports from shaving points to even allowing sports executives and officials to manipulate the outcome of competitive matches.
Most remembered was the NBA referee in Tim Donaghy who was convicted of betting on games he personally refereed for. Donaghy served almost a year in prison before serving the rest of his sentencing in a halfway house.
March of 2018 The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had no right to determine the laws over states that sports betting is illegal. States now have the power to appoint sanctions, laws, and regulations through the legislature. What does this mean for the future of sports betting?
Just like the passing of legal marijuana a state tax would most likely be applied or even a usage fee based on the sport books and websites. The most known sports betting websites Fanduel and Draft Kings would most likely reap the rewards in the next coming months depending on the outcomes from the rest of the forty six states.
Traditionalist states will methodically approach this wanting to preserve the purity of sports within each league. Gone are the days where you have to be in a Vegas casino and here we introduce the option to make bets and risks from a click on a computer while we drink our morning coffee. Times are changing and mere open mindedness has come to life. We see this in fantasy football leagues and other friendly betting events.
The black market will take a hit based on their billion dollar revenue stream, but just like the legalization of marijuana the economy boomed for states like Colorado and Seattle.  This industry will match the marijuana market if not succeed that tenfold. Ad sales through websites and television commercials will spike marketing the average joe to stick their hand into the frenzy.
Ratings will spike with the top tv networks, sports bars will have more revenue coming in, and the intensity will escalate among the bbq watch parties. Apps will be created for easy access and sports will be changed forever.