For once, Richard Justice actually wrote a decent/accurate(kind of)/funny article. In other words, not complete garbage.
his take on the upcoming season... Its written as a dialogue to himself, so don't get confused.
The Aggies are my team this season. TCU? Not so much.
This is going to be a great week. College football is back. Seems like it has been forever. The Aggies, Longhorns, Owls and Coogs are all playing, and those are going to be my teams this season. There's nothing better than the anticipation of these last few days before kickoff.
Let's not get carried away, Richard. We both know major league baseball is way better than college football.
Good point.
And there are the Rockets. There's nothing better than going to a Rockets game.
I agree, but for the sake of argument let's pretend to be excited about UH-Texas State.
Why aren't you rooting for TCU? Are your feelings still hurt over all the nasty things their fans wrote you last season when you dissed them? Pretty weak, my friend.
I'm done with TCU. I spent the most miserable day of my sportswriting life at TCU last December for the Air Force-UH bowl game. Press box temperature had to be in the 30s. It was so cold I couldn't even enjoy all the free stuff they gave me for covering the game. After the game, I high-tailed it out of there and drove to Waxahachie to write my column.
Anyway, it's the start of college football, and what we need around here is a statement of policy about our rooting interests for the year. Ready? Here goes.
Texas A&M The Aggies are my team in 2010, and it's not just because I want a good seat on the bandwagon. First of all, the Aggies are going to be great fun to watch, and if the team with the best quarterback usually wins the Big 12, then the Aggies are in good shape. Jerrod Johnson is the conference's most exciting player by miles. If lecturing reporters and acting annoyed at even the most innocent questions were a category, Bob Stoops would win in a rout even though he's not a player. Personally, I'll be happy for the guy to start beating Texas again if it makes him easier to live with. The Aggies also have the conference's best defensive player in Von Miller. I'm hoping their overhauled defense will put their offense in position to win games. Gig 'em.
Fan analysis: Strange bunch. At times, they seem happier when their team is losing than when it's winning because they love complaining about the AD, coach, etc. But that attitude may be a defense mechanism. It has been so long since A&M was really good they've forgotten how to act. Hopefully, this will be the season they buy in completely again.
UH I just like 'em. I like the coach, the quarterback, AD, staff, etc. This is a huge year for the Coogs. If they were to run the table, they'd have a great chance to get in an AQ conference. And the more the Coogs win, the easier it will be for Mack Rhoades to raise money for that new stadium. Eat 'em up.
Fan analysis: There's not many of them, but they're a loud bunch, and not especially tolerant. They'll dog-cuss you in a heartbeat if they think they're being insulted. They can also write some pretty tough e-mails. Those e-mails would have more meaning when UH starts offering a grammar class. However, their number appears to be growing with season-ticket sales reaching 10,000. Aggies and Longhorns sell more than that for a scrimmage, but that's beside the point. UH fans may never get over the Big 12 snub and forever use it as an excuse not to go to games. They seem to read every article and web site carefully looking for an insult. They fail to understand that unless they start giving money and going to games, they're never going to get where they want to go. Now it's about them, not someone else.
Texas Tech If you don't like Tommy Tuberville, you don't like anyone. He has restored dignity, organization and professionalism to football at Texas Tech. Now let's see if he can win as much as Mike Leach won. Here's hoping.
Fan analysis: Good folks. Fair-minded folks. Just want their piece of the pie. They'll also dog-cuss you in a heartbeat if they think you've been unfair, but they're also appreciative when you show them you care.
Rice Interesting year for the Owls. Will Sam McGuffie be the electric player he was in high school? Does David Baliff need a good year to keep his job? Regardless, it's easy to root for Rice. If Rice wins, it's a message to every other school that you can too do things the right way and still win.
Fan analysis: There's a small number of them, but they care deeply about sports at Rice. I've had lunches with them, and they're into the football team as well as track, swimming, baseball, etc. They're the people you end up working for. Accordingly, I will be very nice.
Baylor Art Briles has inched the Bears slowly in the right direction, and to know Art Briles is to love Art Briles. He'll have QB Robert Griffin back this season, and hopefully, he'll be as good as ever. The Bears need a good season, and they need big crowds at Floyd Casey. When the Aggies split for the SEC next spring, all hell is going to break loose, and the Bears need to be positioned to get into a good conference.
Fan analysis: When they're getting beat 60-3, they'll tell you it's not important because the entire mission of the school is about studying the Good Book and not engaging in sinful activities like dancing or watching Mad Men. Every eight years or so, they beat someone they're not supposed to beat, and when that happens, Baylor fans are the most obnoxious of all. They're worse than even Texas fans if that's possible. Baylor Nation showed up in huge numbers for March Madness, and it was inspiring seeing those oceans of green and gold. They wrote me some very nice e-mails, but didn't send me any gifts. Disappointing.
Texas The Longhorns have spoiled us. They've won so much that when they lose a game, it's news. If they're not playing for a national championship, their obnoxious fans act like they've had something stolen from them. These people need to calm down and enjoy the ride. When Mack Brown leaves, they'll be joining the rest of the pack.
Fan analysis: They think they're better than you. Actually, they think they're better than almost anyone. Texas Fan is the guy in your office everyone hates. If you ask him the time, he'll say, ''Let me check the Rolex.'' He pretends to know football and says things like, ''Did you see our left guard get out there with the containment?'' Whatever, Brad. His hobbies include suggesting his wife get the same kind of plastic surgery the woman down the street got. Texas fans think of themselves as good fans, but they're clueless. If the Longhorns lose a game this year, they will demand Mack Brown be fired. They defend the UT baseball coach even if he leaves a young pitcher in to throw 190 pitches (said young pitcher is now injured) or if he makes a fool of himself in Omaha or gets arrested for driving with a snoot full
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