Fort Worth - In his post game press conference, Gary Patterson said "the guys downstairs need to do a lot of soul searching."  I'd call that the understatement of the year but would add that the coaches need a little introspection as well.

No doubt the defense needs to search deep within their soul and find that inner beast they have been lacking for most of this still young season.  At times they remind us of the nationally ranked defenses of 2009 and 2010.  Other times they look like the Horned Frog clown circus, trying to figure out who to cover.

On the offensive side of the ball, they have shown more spark but seem to be a slow starting unit that has to play catch up.  However, when they catch up it is with a vengeance.

Fort Worth - Excuse me if I make a few typo's, my retinas are burned from watching some amazingly bad football, this afternoon.  That's not being fair.  It wasn't all bad, just 75% of it was.  Oh well, eight more games in the season and lots of opportunities to improve the grade, and record.  

Offense C minus - About half way through the second quarter, I began to wonder if the offense had gotten the memo about there being  a game today. There was a unit lining up to play offense but nothing really happened.  In the second half there was some life out of the unit and the overall numbers are not bad but the execution and perhaps the play calling were not up to standard.

QB grade C plus - Pachall had a good game overall but lacked authority in his running.

RB grade B minus - One of the bright spots in today's offensive effort

WR grade C minus - Not bad at times but in overtime, you need to hang on to passes

OL grade C minus - Decent effort at times but this unit cannot be considered "road grader" quality yet.

TE grade C minus - Probably deserved a better grade but I am not in the mood

Defense grade D plus -When this unit plays with a sense of urgency and intensity for 60 minutes, then its eay to see what kind of potential they have.  When they don't, they have a tendency to stink up the joint.  

DL grade  C minus - They failed to contain SMU's Zach Line but at times played with fire in their bellys.

LB grade C minus - Has anybody seen Tank Carder?  A few nice plays from the hero of the Rose Bowl but otherwise, non existent.

Safety grade  D minus - Torched once again

CB grade D minus - Torched once again

Special Teams grade D - From Greg McCoys brain fart fumble, to the botched FG attempt to the shanked punt,  the special teams sucked, to put it mildly.  I have always had my doubts about special teams coach Dan Sharp and now I know that I was right.

The Oracle had a hiccup has week and did not offer his predictions.  Oracles and hiccups don't get along well, you know. Get your wallets out, go the ATM machine and call your bookie because you are about to get rich if you follow my predictions and bet huge.

Air Force @ Navy -  I love AFA but the love ain't gonna help them this week.  Navy in a romp.

Nevada @ Boise State - The Wolfpack won't be so lucky this year.  Boise rolls on the blue turf

San Jose State @ Colorado State -  Label this game the who gives a damn bowl. Somehow CSU prevails but you never know, SJSU could pull it off.

SMU @ TCU - June Jones has never beaten Gary Patterson and he isn't going to start this week.  The Horned Frog defense hits its stride.

New Mexico State @ New Mexico -  The first game in the post Locksley era and the result will be the same as one in the Locksley era.  NMSU Aggies continue the pain for New Mexico

Thats all folks.  When you collect all of that money, just remember who helped you win it and if you are feeling guilty about it, buy me a pair of shoes.

Not Only No But Hell No

Fort Worth - Like most TCU fans, I was reading several conference realignment comments on Killerfrogs.Com, last week. It occurred to me that the author of one post had it exactly right.  No body ever says no to the University of Texas.  The legislature never says no.  The referees rarely say no ( but they usually make up for it when they do ).  Fans never say no and apparently conference commissioners, presidents of Big 12 schools as well as athletic directors of those schools are incapable of just saying no.

Well that's not exactly right, the PAC-12 did say no to further expansion but what about the rest of the free world?  Since the very beginning of the Big 12, school presidents and athletic directors have acquiesced to the demands of UT and its AD from hell, DeLoss Dodds and the question remains, why?  

What would happen if they don't get their way?  Would they leave the conferece in protest?  Let 'em.  Where else are they going to go?  The Big 10?  Not with that albatross of a network around their neck? The SEC? Unlikely as the commissioner of that league is a tough, no nonsense guy who cannot be pushed around.  The ACC?  Maybe but there could be a lot of pushback from member schools of that league who have to send their girls tennis team to Austin for matches. The Big East?  Lets move on.  How about the PAC-12?  Oh I forgot, they already said no.

The lesson for the presidents and athletic directors of the Big 12 is this, say no to Texas and call their bluff.  The horns have painted themselves into a corner and have no place left to go and if they threaten to go independent, then let 'em do it.  That will last about 2 years.

Dear Frog Face - Is DeLoss Dodds really the antichrist?   signed.....non believer

Dear non believer - Yes he is.  Look at those eyes.  They're glowing for God's sake.  How much more proof do you need?

***

Dear Frog Face - Will we get an invitation to the Big 12?  I need to start planning.  signed...Ready to Go

Dear Ready to Go - Who knows?  I sure don't and I don't trust any of those bastards because they are all in cahoots with the guy whose eyes glow red.

***

Dear Frog Face -  Are you married?  My wife says that she knows someone who would be perfect for you.  signed....P Whipped

Dear P Whipped - I used to like marriage.  I  fact I liked it so much that I tried it four times.  Tell your wife thanks but unless her friend wants to really debase herself, that I am not interested.

***

Dear Frog Face - I have had it with you.  Get ready to have your ass kicked.  signed....Rowdy 

Dear Rowdy -  You would hit a man with terminal flatulence? Good gosh a mighty.

How can one explain the financial success of the University of Texas athletic department, under the guidance of athletic director DeLoss Dodds? There are, of couse, three plausible conclusions that can be drawn.  

1. DeLoss Dodds is an astute businessman who is always one step ahead of the competition
2. DeLoss Dodds sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the financial success of UT's athletic department
3. DeLoss Dodds is the Antichrist.

There is no doubt that #3 is the answer but I want you to understand and agree with my conclusion so allow me present the evidence.  I'll think that you will soon agree with me.

Lets start with the name, DeLoss  Dodds.  Rearrange the letters and among the possible word combinations is "Less Odd Odds".  What does that mean?  Obviously it refers to the lack of odds associated with anything that DeLoss attempts to do, which means it's a sure thing.  Ask yourself, "how does one always have a sure thing?"  It's only possible if you are God or the Antichrist.

Need more proof?  I thought so. Just follow me and you'll soon agree.

Daily Oklahoman:  Big 12 football: West Virginia is the final hope - Thats a new twist on things

SI Live:  Big East should reach out to Texas as quickly as possible -  Do we really want to dance with the devil?

FWST:  Texas, Texas Tech look at PAC-16 option as ACC expands -  I thought the Pac-12 was an "academic first" conference. What does Tech bring to the table?

FWST:  Coach says Frogs need to put in premium effort - We need that effort all the time, guys

Bengals.Com: Bengals lose game, find QB- Was there ever any doubt?

Philly.Com:  With Big East shake up, expect local after shocks - 

USA Today:  Syracuse, Pitt exit Big East, shake up conference realignment - Traitors

Yahoo Sports:  Rick Pitino paints an ominous picture of the Big East's future - What future?

Monrose News Star:  ULM's defense tested at TCU - Yeah, just a little

**Thats a wrap**

Fort Worth - Long before the Longhorn Network was even a glimmer in DeLoss Dodds' eye,  the Horned Frog Network was being considered.  In the early months of former athletic director Danny Morrison's tenure, the HFN was being planned but those plans were abandoned for similar reasons/problems that LHN is now experiencing, difficulty in getting carriers such as the major satellite and cable providers to subscribe to the network.

Morrison and a team of advisors wanted to capitalize on TCU's recent athletic success and further establish the TCU brand but after pitching the concept to local cable providers, it was dropped for lack of interest on their part.  Lack of overall regional appeal was a determining factor for the providers.

The Oracle had a good week, last week, going 4-1.  Those of you who took my predictions to heart and bet money, are probably cashing your checks in the Cayman Islands and enjoying drinks with little umbrellas in them.  Nonetheless, here are my predictions for this week.  Once again, bet everything you have on these and then get out of the country before Obama finds out you have money.

Boise State @ Toledo - This is a joke, right?  Toledo?  Boise by 3 touchdowns and I am feeling generous towards Toledo

Colorado State @ Colorado - This game is for the bragging rights of Colorado.  The only problem is, no body gives a rats rectum.  CSU keeps l.

Wyoming @ Bowling Green -  BGSU has shown offense and a stout defense in its first two games. Wyoming has shown offense but gave up 35 points to Weber Grill State.  BGSU by 10.

University of Louisiana Monroe @ TCU - The Frogs are fresh off a rout of Air Force and are anxious to play a game in their semi finished new stadium.  Frogs by 25

Texas Tech @ New Mexico -  Head coach Mike Locksley's career reaches another milestone as they are trounced by Tubervilles triumphant team. Don't you love alliteration?  Tech in a runaway.

Washington State @ San Diego State - Both teams are 2-0 going into this contest but 2-0 takes Rocky Long a little too far away from his career .500 record.  WSU in an upset.

Hawaii @ UNLV - I want to believe that UNLV can win this game and maybe they can. After all, they'll be in front of an adoring throng of 12,000 fans.  However, Hawaii has too much for them to handle this time.

' all for now.  Get your checkbooks out, bet the family farm on these picks and you don't have to thank me.  After all, this is what I do.

When GP goes, lets hire this guy. Who knows how good we would be but it would be entertaining.