* This is the type of story that makes college football fun: on
the wall of a Texas team meeting room that lists the Longhorns' Big
12 championships, observers noticed the lettering read "1996, 2005,
2008*." The asterisk, in case you weren't paying attention for
the past six months, is a reference to a season in which Texas beat
Oklahoma and Missouri, the two teams that played in the conference
title game. Mack Brown appeared to be unhappy with the development,
saying, "That's a mistake. It will clearly be corrected." No, Coach,
that's where you're wrong. Mistakes are getting busted for DUI, or
committing recruiting violations, or throwing a pick in the end zone
trailing by five with two minutes left. A mildly controversial but
good-natured jab at your rival is not a mistake. It's outstanding.
* But it wasn't all fun and games in Austin, as there was an
actual spring game to be played. Colt McCoy had a rough time of it,
completing 13-of-24 passes... and two of those passes were completed
to the defense. Texas is considered to have some of the more
knowledgeable college football fan bases, so this will be a nice
test: whether they see that performance as a sign that McCoy's not
yet in Heisman contention form (glass half empty), or whether it's a
sign that the defense is ready to step up this year (glass half
full).
* The guy who arguably caused all that asterisk nuttiness, former
Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, has signed a national
endorsement deal with Subway. The promotional campaign will tie
Crabtree's #5 jersey to the chain's "$5 Footlong" commercials. Now
when that horrifically effective sandwich jingle is stuck in your
head all day, you can thank the Red Raiders.
* Arizona State redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Elway is
leaving the football program. Coach Dennis Erickson said, "He's just
tired of football and wants to do something else with his life." It
must not be easy being the son of a famous football figure. Speaking
of which...
* Three Iowa football players, including the son of coach Kirk
Ferentz, were arrested for public intoxication early Tuesday
morning. See, Coach Brown: if this story is true, THAT'S a mistake.
144 days and counting...
Texas
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/040709dnspoutbrief2.addc7aea.html
Colt McCoy
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/secondary-stars-at-texas-spring-game.html
Michael Crabtree
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/crabtree-now-a-teammate-of-jared.html
Jack Elway
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2009/04/06/20090406asufoot0407.html
Iowa
http://hawkcentral.press-citizen.com/article/20090406/HAWKS0104/90406010/1053