Texas-Texas AM Preview
by Scipio Tex on Nov 24, 2010 5:27 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns and Other Football
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PrintIt's Aggie time.
Unlike Oklahoma, for which we reserve pure hatred and a secret desire to see a flaming dirigible crash into their football facility, or see their campus overrun by a pack of homosexual rapist orangutans sprung from a biology laboratory by a PETA enthusiast with a lock pick, this is a rival we're most comfortable regarding with equal measures of bemusement and condescension. We play the older brother who puts the Heisman stiff-arm on little bro's forehead while he swings wildly in the air, his face red and puffy with tears and frustration, never connecting on his enfeebled haymakers; a team and school that offers so much comedic material on a consistent basis that it's like watching a Whale Wars/Millionaire Matchmaker mash-up with over dubs of Barney Frank explaining Freddie Mac.
They want us to hate them as much as they hate us and instead we offer them the ultimate insult - laughter. And pointing. Then more laughter. Then eye rolling. Then we take a nap.
For much of my life, I've treated Aggie fans much the way I treated mall security guards as a teen. The similarities are obvious. They possess dubious authority, love paramilitary uniforms, are easily outwitted with simple ruses, it's fun to steal their keys (kept dangling on belt - why? To a 16 year old boy, dangling mall security guard keys are like shoelaces to a puppy- I must take them and throw them on the skating rink ice), and on one glorious occasion friends and I were able to secure a personal effect (left shoe) from a security guard with a Super Troopers mustache and toss it satisfyingly in the Arboretum duck pond. Not to mention the time that a friend jumped in a security guard's mini-truck and took it for a joyride while the guard trailed him like Rerun in the What's Happening opening credits.
Now defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter and QB Ryan Tannehill have gone and supplied these blowhards with a taser and and sprinkled their roster with off-duty APD.
What the hell? We're going to get our asses kicked. The mall isn't fun anymore.
This year's Aggie team is gutty, well-coached, has finally found a QB (will this impact Jerrod Johnson's Heisman candidacy, John Lopez?), and rediscovered the merits of playing defense, long lost since the glory days of Dat Nguyen tunneling into our backfield with punji sticks.
There's a good chance they come in to Austin and whip our ass. Which isn't hard. Everyone whips our ass in Austin this year. The cast from Rent would whip the shit out of our offense. Our coaching staff would have trouble figuring out how to handle the innovative tactics at the Somme. They'd probably tell our machine gunners to fix bayonets.
By the way, there's nothing more insufferable than a victorious Aggie. They're the New Money of college football winning and if Longhorns regard a football win as an arrogant birth right, Aggies see victory like a Scratch-Off lottery win in a trailer park: unexpected, glorious, and deserving of an extended Fuck You soliloquy to all of their creditors, delivered in tighty-whities clutching a bottle of Mad Dog 20-20 at midnight.
Let's break these Mar-ubes down, Hammer style:
Offense
They have one. That is to say that they have philosophies, practice plays, schemes, scout and game plan, and possess skill players that engage in exercises such as blocking, throwing, and catching. At first, I was confused by the exoticism of their offense: attacking opponent weak points, running plays that built off of each other, occasionally using 2nd and 2 as a down as something other than an opportunity for a QB sneak, but eventually I adjusted to their trickery.
Ryan Tannehill has been great for them. Dude is like a cross between Cory Pullig and Jerry Rice. He doesn't mess up, he can use his feet to buy time and convert a 3rd down, and he's delivers the ball where receivers can do something with it. Like, catch it? He has a 10-3 TD-INT ratio and he never kills them with a knucklehead play. That's not faint praise either. He's more than just a bus driver. He's like a cool bus driver for Elvis Costello circa 1983.
Cyrus "The Warriors killed him!" Gray has taken over for Christine Michael and has now reeled off 5 consecutive 100+ games. Running is hard. Though A&M starts true freshmen at both tackle positions, their OL is more effective than ours, largely because they receive coaching, basic S&C attention, and schemes that don't hamstring them from the get-go.
Since the beginning of the year, I've pointed out that every opponent's goal will be to attack our safety positions. The surprising Ryan Swope (65-760-4) and Jeff Fuller (62-959-11) will do it well. This week will be no different. A&M will put enough receivers on the field until we either go so DB heavy as to allow them to run with impunity or until they can draw single coverage on Scott/Gideon or force two deep coverage so deep that 15 yard posts and drags will be candy from a baby.
Similarly, they'll work on E Acho's knee and see how he responds to running with Gray out of the backfield.
Their weakness is a very basic one: protection. The Aggies give up a lot of sacks, a lot of pressure, and a lot of hits on the QB. They deal with this in a number of ways - draws, screens, short passing game with Swope/Gray, but unless they can establish a credible running threat or Tannehill can hurt us with his feet when we bring pressure, this is our best chance for disruption and forcing turnovers. Eddie Jones has been disappointing down the stretch in terms of assignment football, but this is a game that's potentially in his wheelhouse along with Sam Acho. If we can get pressure with 4 or 5, we've got a good shot at preventing them from picking too hard at our safety scab.
If we fall into the no-man's land of last year in which we're scared to do anything but contain rush and we can't cover downfield with safeties that provide help like a bucket of water thrown on a man holding a power line, it will get Corps-member-in-jodhpurs ugly.
Defense
Tim DeRuyter has been exceptional, taking a horrid A&M unit and making it respectable. Shades of Muschamp 2008. The jump from being ranked in the 100s to the 50s is the reason that the Aggies are 8-3 instead of 5-6 (along with Tannehill's steady hand and aversion to turnovers). The Aggies share a lot of similarities to what we do and though their personnel are less talented, they're playing with an offense and special teams that's largely supportive of that unit rather than destructive.
And, in my estimation, they're playing harder. Because they're playing for something. Their coaches don't pony express their game plan from Sun City in Georgetown.
I won't bother with the minutiae of individual breakdowns, because A&M is playing unit defense. It's not about the players individually, it's about how they're playing mistake-free football together. A&M's mistakes are largely physical - a guy gets beat - not mental. And their effort is through the roof. I don't know how you could compliment a coach more.
The LBs and DBs are the clear strength of the group and their play has been surprisingly good.
The bottom line is that A&M's DL - when not trying to take your balls and go home - a twist on the old adage in every sense, is very ordinary. You should be able to run the ball on them and protect the passer. A&M's pressure should have to come from blitzes, which should create opportunities downfield. But that's all theoretical. The reality is that our offense has stunk against terrible defenses all year and I see no reason for that to change now.
Our best strategy would be to involve Gilbert heavily in the running game when A&M is spread out - use him up, there is no tomorrow - use Cody to wear on them throughout the game, see if you can get a surprise DJ Monroe sighting, and make a play or two downfield in the passing game.
DJ Monroe In The Flat
The key is no turnovers and red zone conversions.
Special Teams
If we break even, or our players don't run around in random circles like Benny Hill after seeing a trollop's breasts, it's a victory.
Overall
This A&M program - for years a laughing stock - is a sharp contrast to our own right now - in effort, recruiting, development, urgency. Maybe we pull it together, give real effort, and the staff decides to coach as well as they spin. We can win this game, but it's going to require someone on our offense and defense grabbing this team by its scruff, like Lady Reveille in a rough trade kennel, and dragging it to victory.
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Texas will lose this game by 20 or more.
Don’t worry—-it isn’t a bad thing, only way possible that rids us of Greg Davis.
by Willow01 on Nov 24, 2010 5:40 PM CST reply actions
And, then depression set in. (Bill Murray, Stripes)
by The Horn Identity on Nov 24, 2010 5:57 PM CST reply actions
Scipio, the last time we were favored in Austin the field turned into the swamp. Does the grounds crew have an hijinks this time around? I know you have artificial turf now, but who knows. I think the weather will hurt our offense more than yours, but I’m still predicting a win. Do you think your offensive masterminds job is tied to your teams performance in this game or is his fate sealed. I think some Ag will start a KeepGregDavis.com site if things get out of hand.
by Kilgore Trout on Nov 24, 2010 6:27 PM CST reply actions
Funny and depressing. If you can’t laugh at yourself then you are officially an Ag. Thanks for the humor. For the record, all the bad bounces even out tommorrow. Ags fumble 3 times and we recover 7 which sets up 5 FGs and we win 15-13.
by Bartoncreek on Nov 24, 2010 6:30 PM CST reply actions
If the Horns somehow win (very doubtful) and finish 6-6 and go to a bowl, Davis will stay.
He may even stay if the Horns lose a close one and finsh 5-7 with no bowl. I think a blowout with low Longhorn offensive output seals Davis fate. I just don’t see how he survives that scenario with all the seats we have to fill and the new television contract we now have.
Mack does understand one thing very well and that is he is in the entertainment business.
by Willow01 on Nov 24, 2010 6:46 PM CST reply actions
Offensively we most certainly will be better off taking some of the air out of the ball. Throwing 40+ times will in all likelihood have disasterous results. Not sure what Fozzy’s status is but in somewhat cynical way, his unavailability tomorrow would be a blessing in disguise forcing Davis to load up Cody with 20+ carries and turn to DJ for 6-7 in relief. We abandon the run and we will get clobbered.
by Reno Hightower on Nov 24, 2010 7:02 PM CST reply actions
Thanks Scip, for this review and all of the reviews this season. Hook ’Em !
by torre on Nov 24, 2010 7:10 PM CST reply actions
I hate that I am torn between wanting UT to beat A&M into a submissive, quivering mass of macamaroons, and wanting A&M to win 9-6.
Tomorrow night’s weather could be an apropos setting for one of UT’s worse seasons ever. Lose, and our last chapter ends on a miserable cold, dark night to match the internal misery suffered for the last four months.
Current game time forecast 40% rain and temps in the low 50s to high 40s.
by texoz on Nov 24, 2010 7:16 PM CST reply actions
I just wanted to give a hearty thanks to ACE for whipping up the DJ Monroe picture.
by Sailor Ripley on Nov 24, 2010 7:21 PM CST reply actions
Watch them feature DJ Monroe just to piss you off…He goes for 180+ and three tds, Davis stays, and Monroe transfers….
by LandThieves on Nov 24, 2010 7:36 PM CST reply actions
I may die pennyless in a gutter somewhere never having made something of myself in life, but I’ll always have the picture that I took of Aggie corps turds squeezing their nuts on TV that has now become ubiquitous on the internet.
by Johnnymac on Nov 24, 2010 7:38 PM CST reply actions
That picture is all kinds of awesome.
“By the way, there’s nothing more insufferable than a victorious Aggie. They’re the New Money of college football winning and if Longhorns regard a football win as an arrogant birth right, Aggies see victory like a Scratch-Off lottery win in a trailer park: unexpected, glorious, and deserving of an extended Fuck You soliloquy to all of their creditors, delivered in tighty-whities clutching a bottle of Mad Dog 20-20 at midnight.”
Yes. Insufferable is the EXACT word I have been using to describe dealing with ags the past few weeks. I am saving that quote to put on my Facebook status after the game. My freakin’ Newsfeed has looked like a homage to the Fightin’ Texas Aggies for the past few weeks. And 95% of the people who suddenly have pride in the maroon & white NEVER commented on ag football seasons the past few years. And they call Texas fans “fair weather.”
That said, I still don’t know what I want. I WANT to beat the ags in the worst way, but I also WANT to have a new offensive coaching staff (save Applewhite). I want the best of both worlds, but not sure if the latter will happen if the former does.
by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on Nov 24, 2010 8:07 PM CST reply actions
^that should say, “That said, I still don’t know what I want more.”
by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on Nov 24, 2010 8:13 PM CST reply actions
I’m calling my shot right now- we win 9-7, three field goals set up by our D forcing 3 turnovers in the red zone. Aggy’s sole score is off of a pick 6 on a 2 yard out telegraphed by formation. We win, Davis still goes, Muschamp picks next OC.
Or a slightly more probable outcome is the powerball ticket I purchased for tonight’s drawing hits and after the game call DeLoss and tell him there is a $20MM donation contingent on Davis being fired in the next 48 hours.
by stuckinmn on Nov 24, 2010 8:30 PM CST reply actions
Winning is going to require someone on this team demonstrating some balls and some heart. So far, there is scant evidence of either. We are soft and dumb.
by ransomstoddard on Nov 24, 2010 8:33 PM CST reply actions
No one worry! Curtis Brown is returning punts again. I see no potential problems there.
by Newy25 on Nov 24, 2010 9:39 PM CST reply actions
For me, this game is “Mr. Davis’ Opus”. He’s finally going to hear his symphony as he is retired. I think it will be spectacular, in either a terrible or fantastic way. I could see him call 8 straight WR screens or 1 yd out patterns. I could see him unveil the pistol, call WR reverse passes on consecutive plays or QB sneak on 1st down. I’m pretty excited. If they’d have announced his retirement before the game, I would have made an effort to go.
Other things I’m looking for:
- Aaron Williams damn near tried to pick a fight with FAU when they came out before the game. I wouldn’t be surprised by some fisticuffs before the game.
- I want to see if DeRuyter can contain himself and not take chances with his defense.
- Will the defense give a crap? Can Jeffcoat get his mojo back? There are opportunities for negative plays against this Aggie OL.
- Will the Horns play like football is a fun game? This team is so mentally fragile.
I don’t see a win without a defensive or special team score… or 2.
by ultralight on Nov 24, 2010 9:40 PM CST reply actions
“We are soft and dumb.”
It would appear so, and this chaps my ass severely..
by F - me on Nov 24, 2010 10:06 PM CST reply actions
Fantastic pic. Thank you Ace.
Thank you Scip for the effort in a brutal year to rewatch games and break down what you saw. Wait a second….is the reason that we have made zero adjustments on offense due to the fact that the tape from the last game isn’t fun to watch?
Oh and I’m making my second largest bet of the year (Colo @ OU -24) on the Ags. I just don’t understand why Vegas has it so wrong. Seriously…..why do they have it so wrong? I’ll ask dick tomorrow.
by Dude on Nov 24, 2010 10:11 PM CST reply actions
“The bottom line is that A&M’s DL – when not trying to take your balls and go home – a twist on the old adage in every sense, is very ordinary. You should be able to run the ball on them and protect the passer.”
Scip – you’re going to be surprised when TJE (he of pinching fame), Patterson and Mathis end up on NFL rosters for a couple of years. This is a good DL (with no depth) and Terrell Williams has done a fantastic job coaching them up.
Where our defense is weak is up the middle – Williams/Hodges/Hunter/Terrell are all extremely average. Campbell (#2) in the game changes things a lot. If you had a semblance of offensive structure I would look for this to be attacked. As Greg Davis provides the majority of the braintrust, I expect our perimeter to be attacked, and Judie/Frederick to combine for 5 stops behind the line.
Happy thanksgiving, this blog continues to be a great source of football knowledge. And overwhelming faggotry.
by bizzle on Nov 24, 2010 10:13 PM CST reply actions
I hope we give Britt Mitchell lots of help against Von Miller, otherwise Gilbert will be getting “Uli’d” all night.
by CA_longhorn on Nov 24, 2010 10:15 PM CST reply actions
If Texas loses tomorrow Mack will be 2-3 against A&M in the last 5 years. We never play well against them for some reason.
by ChrisApplewhite on Nov 24, 2010 10:23 PM CST reply actions
Thanks for another excellent write-up.
My guess is we win 23-20, go to a bowl, and still get a new OC for Christmas (well, perhaps actually next year, but close enough.) GDGD gets a promotion to "Vice-Head Coach in Waiting in Case After Waiting the Head Coach in Waiting is Temporarily Unable to Perform His Duties" as part of a Longhorn line of succession plan for the continuity of coaching during a national emergency/prostate surgery. And of course since this requires GDGD be secured in an undisclosed location on game day, he will have to give up OC duties. A noble sacrifice when called to step up for more important service to program and country.
by Del Unaware on Nov 24, 2010 10:33 PM CST reply actions
Dear lord with the numbers.
Try this Mack is 8 out of the last 10.
by thirtyand0 on Nov 24, 2010 10:36 PM CST reply actions
Hope Powers doesn’t comment on Boise and our “murderers’ row” schedule.
twitter.com/Fake_Mack
by 2 in 13 yrs on Nov 24, 2010 10:38 PM CST reply actions
I literally can envision no way we win this game. Our defense will play well, as usual, but will still give up about 30 points, as usual, because of Benedict Davis on the offensive side scuttling everything around him, as usual.
31-16.
I don’t feel like I have to root for a Texas loss in order to get rid of Davis though. I think his fate is already sealed and he is toast. I can root for Texas unrestrained.
by PatronSaint on Nov 24, 2010 10:39 PM CST reply actions
I predict a close game early and a 2nd half blowout. I said at the start of the season here that RC proclaimed he’d rather have a good experienced QB ( Bucky) than an experienced O line. You guys said JJ wouldn’t last the season .
We were both right for the wrong reasons. Happy Thanksgiving and don’t let the turnstile hit you on the ass on the way out in the 3rd quarter.
by Aggie Lurking on Nov 24, 2010 10:51 PM CST reply actions
PatronSaint – from your lips to God’s ear!! Hook ’em!!
by BornaHorn on Nov 24, 2010 10:56 PM CST reply actions
“I don’t feel like I have to root for a Texas loss in order to get rid of Davis though. I think his fate is already sealed and he is toast. I can root for Texas unrestrained.”
This.
Fuck the agroids, let’s mudhole ’em!
by uthookem on Nov 24, 2010 11:03 PM CST reply actions
Turns out after the Texas players got off the team bus and walked down the center of the field, they see several FAU players spitting and jumping around on the Longhorn logo at the 50 yd line as there walking to the locker room. A. Williams and others took offense to this and things got heated which lead to all of the pre game smack talk going on and finally to some Horns players confronting the FAU players when they entered the field before kick off.
by Playmaker44 on Nov 24, 2010 11:06 PM CST reply actions
Aggie Lurking-
Better a turnstile to the ass than your players happy hands to our balls – Save it for the barn. Dress warm and enjoy. I’ll buy you a beer at Ghost Room post-game.
by Salt Pillar on Nov 24, 2010 11:22 PM CST reply actions
I know we will likely lose, but I’d love to see those Agholes all dejected leaving our house after buying up our tickets. They are so confident right now. This whole season has been so damn aggravating.
Fuck those sheep bangers, I’m with uthookem,
Let’s mudhole them.
by Saltshaker on Nov 25, 2010 1:41 AM CST reply actions
Fuck ‘em all! Regardless of the DKR Divas’ 5-7 record, Mack Brown will still elect to accept an invitation to the We Should Not Be Here Because We Are A God Damn Train Wreck Bowl. Greg Davis is an asshole, but Mack is the captain of the Titanic.
48-13 TAMU
Our WSNBHBWAAGDTW Bowl opponent will prison rape us.
There will not be a new OC in ‘11. Who the fuck cares?
Jack Kevorkian:Terminally ill adults::Mack Brown:Longhorn Football Seasons from 2010 until there’s an 80% turnover within the offices of Moncrief-Neuhaus
by Brewster McGibbons on Nov 25, 2010 2:27 AM CST reply actions
We’re going to have to play it safe on offense and defense, try and keep it close and hope to actually land on a fumble or otherwise get crucial turnovers or big plays. This, at least, actually plays to our strengths as a team.
Early in the year I was looking forward to the rematch with A&M’s receivers with Aaron Williams, Curtis, and Chykie all healthy. Part of the reason Jerrod torched us last year was that AJ had to come out with his knee injury, we played zone to cover it and they just nailed the safeties and linebackers over and over again.
Now we have only Aaron and hobbled Curtis and we replace Earl with Scott or Vaccaro. All the potential holes they pounded last year are even larger, and I don’t think this DeyRuter D gives up 80 yard lanes for Gilbert.
I’m betting we play far better than we did against Ok. St. but lose by a similar score, 34-17. We should play bend, don’t break and try to get to Tannehil with our stud Rush-ends but we never possess the field position to play that game.
by Nickel Rover on Nov 25, 2010 4:49 AM CST reply actions
I predict another titillating open game thread lead-in by BC’s own Sailor Ripley. In the event he has yet to scribe the offering, let me suggest…
“If we can beat the aught-ten Longhorn football self loathing, we might have a chance.”
The game will be won by those who master both the six inches of space between the ears and stuff the zebra cornucopia with the most benjamin’s.
Happy gobble-gobble, Gobblers.
by TXStampede on Nov 25, 2010 5:36 AM CST reply actions
I think wind is going to be much more of a factor than rain. Expecting gusts up to 30mph all evening.
Good thing GD is adept at constructing 80-yard drives via the running game.
by gazmorida on Nov 25, 2010 5:37 AM CST reply actions
I predict I’ll be so drunk from the Saints-Dallas game I won’t care.
I’m recommendng the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and Bell’s Best Brown to ease the pain of those sheepfucker’s humping us into submission.
by bateshorn on Nov 25, 2010 7:14 AM CST reply actions
Too early for a bloody mary? I’m strongly considering it.
by nordberg on Nov 25, 2010 8:06 AM CST reply actions
This one will hurt. The glimmering hope is that somehow he coaches can convince Texas that they are talented. And can be quite good if they pound Cody and throw deep.
On a final note our fans suck. The crap that sits in the stands is worse than the team on the field. They are quiet, whiny, spoiled and leave early.
by Orange River on Nov 25, 2010 8:32 AM CST reply actions
Nordberg,
God invented bloody Mary’s and mimosas so drunks wouldn’t have to feel guilty for drinking immediately upon waking up.
by t1climb1 on Nov 25, 2010 8:33 AM CST reply actions
I will not drink until tonight when the game kicks off. A personal penitential sacrifice, if you will.
by Ag_in_TX on Nov 25, 2010 8:42 AM CST reply actions
Brilliant post. The appearance by DJ Sasquatch and the trailer park image, scary as it might be, were both dead on. I’ll be bundled up for the game tonightand, since I’m sure to be sitting next to a bunch of Ags, will sneak in some Mad Dog to hand to them after they kick our ass.
by Voice of Reason on Nov 25, 2010 8:43 AM CST reply actions
BTW – please roam over and leave any comments you may have on our pregame write up at:
http://spenceparksoapbox.fantake.com/2010/11/24/texas-am-texas-preview/
Merci beaucoup.
by Ag_in_TX on Nov 25, 2010 8:44 AM CST reply actions
t1climb1, I wasn’t going to, but you kinda talked me into it.
by nordberg on Nov 25, 2010 8:49 AM CST reply actions
SO I ran into a guy yesterday complaining about Texas fans complaining and whining about our losing season, and how he is sick of us not accepting this seasons results.He says
" EVERY team has a losing year once in a while." I say. Uh ,. NO.. GO HORNS BEAT THOSE DAMN AGGIES.
by Donald Mohler on Nov 25, 2010 9:00 AM CST reply actions
Today’s Austin American Statesman is full of Deloss fawning over Mack Brown and basically saying the whole “one off year” deal. Hate to tell you folks, but Greg Davis isn’t going anywhere. They’ll get rid of 2-3 offensive assistants and have GD in the saddle for Gilbert’s junior year. It’s amazing to think it’s already Gilbert’s junior year.
In the last 10 years…
Conference championships – Stoops 6, Mack 2
Played for BCS championship – Stoops 4, Mack 2
Heisman winners – Stoops 2, Mack 0
by T Man on Nov 25, 2010 9:39 AM CST reply actions
I don’t get fans that could root for Texas to lose to A&M in hopes that some bigger goal may be achieved. Longhorn games are a today, right now kind of thing to me. I pull for and am emotionally attached to the Burnt Orange no matter what.
What happens on other days for the program are entirely different issues whose results are in no way affected by whomever I root for. Hell, even the game isn’t impacted by who I root for- only I am impacted by that.
I’ll be hoping we win and riding whatever emotional roller-coaster the game the game provides. Should we lose, it will mean a sucky offseason listening to Aggies hoot obnoxiously about how they’re back and even more obnoxiously about themselves being the classiest fans in the world. Should we win, I’ll be happy about it and too smug to even bring it up around Aggies not out of class but out of arrogance.
Win or lose, what happens with the program will transpire as it will. They don’t care who I root for Thursday night. They likely won’t give too much weight to an upset of the Aggies, a non-top 15 team who on normal years we’d beat by two touchdowns with mediocre effort.
I’m not calling anyone a bad fan. I truly just don’t get how some people twist themselves into a position where you actually hope your team loses and think that specific hope impacts much of anything beyond your own little world.
by RomaVicta on Nov 25, 2010 9:47 AM CST reply actions
“I want it now!”
One of children’s favorite bedtime stories is a Birthday for Frances. I like it, too, for the charming illustrations, hilarious dialogue, and instruction in cutting-edge behavioral economics.
Frances, the story’s young heroine, secures an advance on her allowance in order to buy bubblegum and a Chompo bar as a birthday present for her little sister Gloria. Yet, as she returns with her father from the sweet shop, Chompo bar in hand, Frances begins to think of all kinds of reasons why she, not Gloria, should eat the chocolate.
“You would not eat Gloria’s Chompo bar, would you?” asks her father, anxiously. “It is not Gloria’s yet,” replies Frances, but her reply is muffled because she is already chewing on Gloria’s bubblegum.
Traditional economists would read Frances’ behavior as being purely Machiavellian: She lied to her parents to get her hands on chocolate that she never dreamed of giving to her sister. Most normal people would take a kinder view of Frances’ failings: She intended to give the candy to Gloria, but when it was actually in her hands, the temptation to eat it herself became overwhelming.
Mainstream economics has no way to describe Frances’ behavior, because it assumes people are impatient in a consistent way: If I would rather have $110 on Dec. 6 than $100 on Dec. 5, then logically I would always be happy to wait a day for a gain of 10 percent, and I would rather have $110 tomorrow than $100 now.
Most people do not actually behave like this. The “now” has a strong pull. Almost everybody says they are happy to wait a day at some future time, but not today. They would prefer $100 today to $110 tomorrow and, while they say they would prefer $110 on Dec. 6, come Dec. 5, if you ask them again, they will change their minds, just as Frances did.
That is why some people are executives (strategists/managers) and focus on the big picture while others focus over emotional detailed drivel that costs them in the long run.
by Willow01 on Nov 25, 2010 10:56 AM CST reply actions
I’m with RomaVicta (and not just because we’re old, old friends from days in Austin). The deep self-satisfaction that comes with a win over the Aggies clearly outweighs any speculative chance at change. Go Horns! Stomp the Aggies!
by LongHornedFrog on Nov 25, 2010 11:05 AM CST reply actions
Chemotherapy sure sucks in the short term, too, but it is better than the alternative.
by stuckinmn on Nov 25, 2010 12:01 PM CST reply actions
Deloss’ fawning over Mack was priceless. Of course, Deloss keeps score by dollars not by championships so no wonder.
Same day he says Mack is best in business Stoops get 18 votes for big xii coach of decade to mack’s one.
by 2 in 13 yrs on Nov 25, 2010 12:33 PM CST reply actions
I do – despite all considerations of coaching changes – want this game to end with ‘Horns on top on the scoreboard. I don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s one point or 50 points, I want a win. Maybe 1 point would be best, on a 68 yard FG into the wind with one second on the clock after a fifteen minute reffing huddle to see if there was still time on the clock when Gilbert went out of bounds and if his knee was down in bounds before the ball touched the ground out of bounds. A final of 13-12 would be sweetest, but I’d settle for 43-40 or anything else.
The idea that a loss to agy would ensure the exit of our OC does not sit well with me, because it would give me some grounds to not regret a loss. And although I might say I want us to lose, it’s just not true.
That said, win or lose, if in fact Greg stays (at OC – I don’t care if he gets Cleve’s job and jets to Thailand to get hung) and/or Major and Will leave, I will not be gruntled.
by Tex Long on Nov 25, 2010 1:01 PM CST reply actions
I can’t believe you typed this
“By the way, there’s nothing more insufferable than a victorious Aggie.”
After typing this.
" this is a rival we’re most comfortable regarding with equal measures of bemusement and condescension. We play the older brother who puts the Heisman stiff-arm on little bro’s forehead while he swings wildly in the air, his face red and puffy with tears and frustration, never connecting on his enfeebled haymakers; a team and school that offers so much comedic material on a consistent basis that it’s like watching a Whale Wars/Millionaire Matchmaker mash-up with over dubs of Barney Frank explaining Freddie Mac.
They want us to hate them as much as they hate us and instead we offer them the ultimate insult – laughter. And pointing. Then more laughter. Then eye rolling. Then we take a nap."
There is nothing more insufferable than a longhorn. period.
7-7 in our last 14 in Austin, 15-15 in the last 30 of the series, and after tonight Ags will have won 3 of 5. I don’t care about the periods from 1890-1910 and 1940-1970 where you basically built your entire lead in this series. Yay, you can beat an all mail military school, do you get all hot and wet when you guys play the citadel?
Funny part is, that all male military school, beat you to a heisman and a national title, and after tonight they will have beat your school more times than you’ve beat them since 1980.
Enjoy your longhorn delusions/Garret Gilbert for the next 2 years.
by Specialized on Nov 25, 2010 1:37 PM CST reply actions
Specialized:
Yay, you can beat an all mail military school, do you get all hot and wet when you guys play the citadel?
The US military thanks the brave Aggies for reliably delivering parcels.
by Scipio Tex on Nov 25, 2010 1:41 PM CST reply actions
@specialized, the last time you won a national championship, FDR was president, a coke was .05 cents a bottle and you could buy a sheep to marry for $2.50…
you have haven’t finished the season ranked since 1999, you should compare yourself against the rest of college football to gauge your effectiveness and not use snippets of time against UT to try prove your validity as a program. texas doesn’t use aggy to measure itself, it uses the top ten typically. you might want to tap the breaks a bit, you are as relevant to college football as justin bieber is to rock and roll…
by mileslong on Nov 25, 2010 2:22 PM CST reply actions
Interesting that 30 is the nice round number chosen as most representative of the series. Not 10, 20, 40 or 50. Why is that? Seems like 10 years ago, 20 was the nice round number chosen by Ags as the most accurate indicator of the series.
Aggy rule of calculation #1- choose the round number closest to and including the beginning of the FedEx years. In 10 years, the number that best represents everything will magically be 40.
by stuckinmn on Nov 25, 2010 2:38 PM CST reply actions
I’d like to thank all All Mail School grads for carrying Greg Davis’ gameplans in for the last season.
And a special Thanksgiving gift for Specialized: We really wish we were you. That would be so great.
by RomaVicta on Nov 25, 2010 3:28 PM CST reply actions
Thanks, specialized, for providing an example of just what Scipio was talking about.
by hopefulhorn on Nov 25, 2010 4:56 PM CST reply actions
How have we had this many replies without South06 showing unfurling his labia?
Good stuff, Scipio. F these clowns!
by Helpline on Nov 25, 2010 5:42 PM CST reply actions
Oops. Drinking for thanksgiving and typed the wrong word.
Male is what I meant, and the sentiment still stands.
More so now, actually.
by Specialized on Nov 26, 2010 12:43 AM CST reply actions
I wasn’t using Texas as a measuring stick, I was pointing out how asinine most of ya’lls thought process is regarding Texas A&M. Since most of us have been alive the series is almost dead even.
Yes Texas won 6 in a row recently and a national title. That has made a world of difference, but I’ll say again.
A&M is 19-17 against you since 1975?
A&M is 8-7 their last fifteen times in Austin?
AND A&M has won 3 out of the last 5 meetings?
AND all of this happened with the best decade of Longhorn football being right smack in the middle of it? (and A&M’s too, to be fair)
It’s time to stop looking at this as a big brother-little brother rivalry and more of two equals.
Equal in size.
Equal in academics.
Equal in resources.
by Specialized on Nov 26, 2010 12:49 AM CST reply actions
Wow. You totally nailed it. You could not have been more right about how the game would turn out.
by Frank on Nov 26, 2010 9:09 AM CST reply actions
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