(*Watch if our Header Image makes no sense...gotta hand it to you, this might be a long, inside-joke filled read)

Folks we are back from hibernation and after a turrrible 2019, Texas ended its worst decade in history on a high note! It’s only up from here!! We’ve basically been nursing a 9-month hangover in the dark, and surely we find ourselves in glory days after Sam Ehlinger, a Texas running game averaging over 6 a carry, Joseph Ossai in the opposing backfield, and D’shawn Jamison on return duties laid a very obvious blueprint for success and 2020 will be the first year of our #NoStressDecade? Happy New Year, indeed!

Wait…the Farmer’s Almanac (and Seinfeld) confirms that the year 2020 is still part of the past decade...and the world is currently locked down with what??? And how many have died??? And the Senate found WHAT with the impeachment??? And so sports are still...continuing?

This will take a bit to process, folks. But as of now, the time is 10:37pm, Tuesday September 8th, the accursed year of 2020. As of this writing, Texas football is still on for Week 1 (or is it technically Week 2? — Or is technically the beta version 0.2 of the season because we’ll release the full version in Spring?). USF already preempted the COVID-cancellation by eliminating our shot at more Charlie Strong turtleneck memes. Now our Big 12 underlings are dropping opening days like they’re Milwaukee Bucks future contracts.

• First TCU got a little too horny for their toad and the ‘rona spread like the downstairs angry hairs at Freaknik 92.
• Then, Oklahoma State deflected another news cycle of Gundy T-Shirt Fashion Week by delaying their matchup with the Golden Hurricanes (which ironically may be the name of the Russian act that ultimately got OAN credentialed in the first place) due to extended COVID protocols in Tulsa. Not sure why there would be an outbreak of COVID with the science-loving Tulsa residents.
• Then, hot off the presses, Baylor dropped their opener with La Tech due to an actual hurricane dispersing players all over the state and making contract tracing impossible. Corona Fest 2020, with not a single Kenny Chesney in sight. Is there no justice in this cruel, cruel world?

Luckily, so far the rest of the Big 12 is on track to play this weekend (thank God Sturgis isn’t in Big 12 country). Texas Tech just laughs at infectious diseases in general while scientists frantically analyze cultures of Red Raider co-ed’s antibodies, as the cure for everything is probably in there somewhere. Oklahoma has stopped releasing COVID data publicly entirely, citing ‘competitive disadvantage’ because they need every edge they can get until the Justin Fields transfer request goes through. West Virginia is perpetually dry heaving as they realize 0% stadium capacity means they will have to watch the game from their couches, which can’t (well, technically shouldn’t) be on fire if they are literally sitting on them (burn wards are frantically stocking up on supplies, please donate). The Kansas schools are actually thriving, as their state density is finally proving to be an asset. And Iowa State? Well they’re stretched a little thin as Matt Campbell has invoked his Campbell Soup clause, trying to capitalize on the ‘Chicken Soup for the Covid Soul’ crowd.

But before Texas gets into a big 9 game schedule against the ten Big 12 schools, there is the issue of beating some Minors. Which shouldn’t be hard, because everyone on our team is at least 18, with many closer to 22! We kid - we obviously know this is the UTEP Miners, who put the L in “L Paso.” The fighting Mia Khalifas have exactly one FBS win in the past 3 years, but do boast more men’s basketball national championships than all other Texas schools combined! If the UT starters find themselves in the game beyond the 5 minute-mark of the 3rd quarter, consider that a canary in the coal mine-r for the rest of the season.

It is an unprecedented year, Horns fans, one wrought with not just the anxiety of Big XII title aspirations but a year where each week will be interwoven with the unspoken apprehension of a season that could at any moment go up in smoke. Everywhere you turn there are sacrifices throughout the college football world. There will be no tailgating at The Grove. There will be no Pac 12 after dark. There will be no ritual Buckeye blowout of Michigan. There will be no cupcake November FCS matchups for unnamed SEC teams to pad their W-L records. It simply won’t feel like a normal college football season. So soak up every minute of every day, Horns fans, because we are one of the lucky few. We have football. And also, Maryland definitely can’t hurt us this year.

Hook ‘em.

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Better Know a Roster

Of the 119 UTEP Miner players: 46 are transfers from Juco/other programs, 20 are caucasian, and 100% are familiar with Marty Robbins and Feleena’s tragic love story. They also have kickers numbered: 13, 29, 40 and 49. This is bound to get weird for the only Texas school in a different time zone.

Steven Hubbard (OL, Jr) - More like Steven HubBEARD, amirite? Amishly, this is a terrible start to get off to. Many days and Menonites have passed since we last wrote one of these...let’s just chalk it up to us not being quite Haredi...we’ll Sikh to do better in the future.

Tucker Dunbar (OL, Jr.) - transferred from something called “American River College.” Which means he Justin Long-ed his parents into paying for him to go fishing. Tucker Dunbar also sounds like a character from a mid-2000s slacker-comedy.

Kway’Chon Chisom (DB, Jr.) - I never know why I chose a particular name to investigate anagrams. You just feel it. A certain alphabetical no se que je ne sais quoi. Kway’Chon gave us:

• Macho con whisky
• Honky swim coach
• Cocky ham, who’s in?
• Hi, cocky showman
• Hi, cock-shy woman
• Nay, show him cock
• Hominy cock wash
• Smoky China cow

Connor Helsius (LB, Jr.) - Only 3 countries on earth still hold out from using Celsius, so everywhere outside of the US, Burma, and Liberia will totally love my crime fighting comic book where a scientist named Connor Helsius by day moonlights as “Honor Celsius” at night.

Jacob Moi (LB, Fr.) -

Robert Corner III (DB, R-Jr.) - Bobby playing Corner is the most literal college football name since Hassan Defense played defense or Kenny Gainwell put up 2000 yards.

Darius Baptist (DB, Jr.) Praise Amaewhule (DE, R-So.) - Baptist Praise? Bless your heart, I grew up in the Baptist Church. If you raised your hands too much or threw too many ejaculatory “Amen”s, you would be the topic of conversation at Luby’s. (This joke was written before the news. RIP to the Luanne Platter)

Fabio Novoa (OL, R-Fr.) - I Can’t Believe It’s Not Better

Forest McKee (FB, Sr.) - Can’t see the Forest for the McKees.

Gavin Baechle (K/P, Jr.) - While his name looks like a knock-off Boosh, that face is way more Uncle Rico.

Dresden McIver-Brown (DT, Fr.) - Hollywood pitch meeting: “Picture Kurt Vonnegut writing an East German POW Macgyver character who has to become unstuck from an alien planet using only a paper clip. I’ll get started on the trilogy.” Also, MacGruber played TE at UTEP.

Pedro Escobar (LB, Fr.) - Pablo’s son seems more “fat guy in a sweater thousand-yard-stares into distance” than “ruthlessly kills thousands”:

Davis Burns (WR, Fr.) - I’ve seen the kid’s HUDL, so I can only imagine his name is more of the Tech variety.

BKAR Quiz:

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Around the Nation

There were plenty of reasons to justify all-day football watching last Saturday beyond just yearning for a sense of normalcy that being swaddled in the soothing facade/blanket of “amateur” athletics provides. For instance:

• Senior Shane! Lifetime Longhorn Shane Buechele welcomed Kicker/Punter/Kickoff Specialist Chris Naggar into the Dallas Longhorn retirement community of SMU with a narrow victory against one of the Top-3 teams from San Marcos, TX.

• UTEP and SFA met in the first recorded football game featuring two axe-related mascots.
• Kirk Herbstreit tried to get all the way back in the Burnt Orange good graces when he picked the Longhorns for his College Football Playoff final 4. He also followed Joseph Ossai giving elocution and public speaking lessons (seriously how is the kid so composed and intelligent at 21) with real, raw, empathetic emotion. Love you Kirk.
• Marshall is the best team in the country, apparently. That is exactly as likely as the M.O.C winning an Oscar for that film.
• There were epic battles involving our armed forces. Middle Tennessee brandished a 2nd Amendment Jade Helm AR-15 against the actual US Army and their tanks, losing as predictably, 42-0. BYU went Church versus State vs. Navy and sank our nation’s battleship 55-3.
• However, the most epic naval battle of the week was probably saved for the stormy waters of Austin, TX. While our Longhorns were preparing their minds, The Battle of Lake Travis was being waged just down the road. What will forever live in infamy as the US version of Dunkirk, #Dumbkirk. You hate to see so much boater suppression in an election year.

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Sun Bowl Social Distance Quiz

Which of these is a socially-distanced, Covid-restricted stadium capacity photo of UTEP’s Sun Bowl as opposed to regular?

It was a trick! These are all from the team that flirts with the FBS 15k attendance requirement.

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Now! That’s What I Call Moo-zik — Vol. 2.1

We at The Pregamer take COVID-19 precautions incredibly seriously. As such, we will not be able to promote the music of artists who chose to violate social distancing guidelines and held shows during these uncertain times. For this reason, unfortunately, we will not be able to feature music from such revered artists as Smash Mouth, Fozzy, The Chainsmokers, and Chase Rice. We will find a way to endure, though please remain patient as the quality of our programming will surely suffer.

1. “Margaritaville”, Jimmy Buffet: I’m all for overexplaining a joke, but man, they really outdid themselves this time. The bed of Lake Travis looks like bottom of The Bermuda Triangle right now thanks to these MAGAritaville jamokes in the single greatest display of a visual metaphor ever. If you can’t boat, don’t vote.
2. “WAP”, Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion: These are dark times. Fantasy booking marching band performances is the light. I’d like to think that in an alternate reality, DKR would be packed this Saturday, lively, but not overly so. Suddenly, a gentle, familiar beat enters the collective awareness of all those in attendance. A sudden urge for macaroni in the pot is felt by all. The Showband Of The Southwest launches into a full-blown, beautiful rendition of Wap. Driven by tubas, a surprisingly raunchy oboe solo, and Big Bertha herself, over one hundred thousand voices call out in jubilant praise “THAT’S SOME WET A** P****.”
3. “See You Again (A Song for Luby’s and Fuddruckers)” Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth: Texas Monthly just published an excellent Luby’s love letter. I got the Twitter follow from Fuddruckers last year. Losing icons hurts. Hug your chicken fried steaks while you can. You never know when the not-so-gentle warmth of a heat lamp will burn out for good.
4. “Here You Come Again”, Dolly Parton: Coming out as staunchly pro-BLM and sending generations of “fans” into a tizzy is a power move. Probably the same folks who never realized “9-5” wasn’t just a “work sucks” song. Also, football’s back. Here it comes again.
5. “White Flag”, Dido: And here you were thinking there wouldn’t be another boat wreck joke in the playlist. Nah. Choose the ships you’re willing to go down with wisely, my friends. Things like “Gushers are a top-3 snack” and “Racism is evil and by tolerating it and not using every opportunity available to stamp it out harbors an environment for its systemic progression.”

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Bigger UTEP Zaddy?

Ed Hochuli, in his UTEP playing days? Zaddy. Paydirt Pete, this very minute? Zaddy

Who’s better for going through this thought experiment? Humanity.

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Predictions

Kyle Carpenter: I have watched about 23 full TV shows and Lord-knows-how-many movies during this extended lockdown since Texas last played. I have TNT-known drama®, I have laughed until I cried, and I’ve gone deep in the Tiger King extended universe. I am happily looking forward to my eyes glazing over and just letting the Texas touchdowns wash over me, carefree. 63-7.

VY Pump Fake: I dusted off the ole NCAA 14 and, after rage quitting only once, arrived at a final score of 35-10 Texas. Adjusting for 2020 UTEP… final prediction Texas wins 52-10.

Intern Eli: Sam trucks some poor cornerback back to the Mines and Metallurgy ages. The Zoom Invite to New York starts in Austin, and it’s one Sam clicks on immediately. Texas- 54, UTEP- 6.

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Parting Shot

Never forget that in 2009, the week after trailing the eventual could’ve should’ve been National Big-12 Champion Texas Longhorns 47-7 at halftime, UTEP beat a Case Keenum and Kevin Sumlin (and Dana Holgorsen) outfit ranked #12 in the country by having something called a David Buckram rush for 262 yards! This of course was their last win versus a ranked opponent.