The Crimson Pigskin e-Letter: Vol 11, Issue 11

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER

 

PLUGGING IN

 

Paid parking could soon be a thing of the past.  FoxNews.com reports drivers of electric cars in the near future may be able to receive extra pocket change for connecting the batteries in parked cars to the nation's power grid.  Through a process called "V2G Technology" energy from the batteries can be stored for use in homes, businesses and any other electrical device consumers deem necessary.  Current research is being conducted for V2G to work with existing hybrid vehicle formats.

 

Drivers could receive payments for the voltage contributions which could be used to cover the cost of parking, tolls or a new battery (little humor there).  This plug-in, go to work, unplug, go home, collect the cash scenario would be appealing to many auto owners but here's a new twist.  Remember those windmills being used to generate electricity from the wind?  What if,…car manufacturers bolted one of those windmills to the top of an electric car on a swivel so it could catch wind from any direction?  Shockingly, this device is already known as the helicopter.

 

FALLING MEMORIES

 

Some were green.  Some were brown.  Others were yellow, red, gold, orange and even purple.  Then they began to fall.  Autumn leaves have been in full color during recent days here in the heartland of America.  Weather this year has cooperated and the annual display has been as delightful as ever.

 

Hillside after hillside is covered with trees, some appearing to display every spot on the color wheel as if gracefully painted by a master artist.  CPEL invites you to get out and view the remaining miles upon miles of the plant world's threshold to the holiday season and chilling wintry weather before they're all earthbound.  Then the swirling shells tracked all over roadways and walking paths can become something besides just a cleanup project.

 

ZOORIFFIC SWEETS

 

Yes, Fall.  A time for glowing country sides and collecting candy with the aroma of elephant waste floating through the air like a Texas Tech TD (no, not Tom Dirato) pass.  "Kaegan!  Come back here!"  Kaegan's mother was a witch.  No, she really was a witch.  Kaegan, a rambunctious three to four year old was dressed as a princess, complete with a Disney princess candy gathering receptacle.  She had wandered over near some huge coolers with some kind of fancy flavored water drinks and other Coca-Cola products which were to appease the masses lined up for opening time.

 

Our heroes had learned those who trick-or-treat too late, end up waiting in the parking lot for a very long time.  Positioned near the front of the line, the latecomers were stringing along the winding path between parked cars in the premium pay to park (until the advent of the electric automobile) lot.  More importantly, they were behind a throng of people at the head of the line who tried to look nonchalant at the pole position as it were (for all the NASCAR fans out there).  "That's right,…we're in front of you because we thought ahead."  You know the type.

 

There goes Kaegan again.  Maybe one of those child harness/leash things is in order?  Does that princess container light up?  It's about to be night time and we don't want Kaegan falling into a Halloween display to be found the next day lying in a pile of Reese's Pieces bags with a smile on her face, chocolate stained princess outfit, blue tongue and a Cherry Mash dangling from her lip.  Nope, not a pretty thought.

 

Maybe Captain Elizabeth Swan there could find a pirate's way into the park to load up on sugary treats before the land lubbers outside could gain entry?  Probably not.  "What time is it now?!?"  "Two minutes later than the last time you asked."  "OPEN THE GATE!"  "Only fifteen more minutes to wait doll,…at least we're not back there like last year (glance over shoulder,…chuckle).

 

Finally, after what seemed like the same amount of time had passed before last year's visit, this guy in a synthetic buffalo hat makes a couple of jokes, then opens the gate.  People everywhere were rushing through the gate like their team had just won a ballgame.  Clipping, holding, whoa!  il-legal procedure.  Throw the flag!  Throw the flag!  Some thirty year old guy dressed up like a whoopee cushion was the only one who appeared to be making any headway and for obvious reasons.  Easing up behind a gaggle in the line, he created an auditory emanation and the waters parted like Gomez Addams' hair.

 

As the evening became cooler and darker the custom eco-friendly shopping bag which based on its size, wouldn't qualify as airline carryon luggage, became heavier and heavier.  "Look, there's a giraffe!"  "More candy, more candy, more, more.  Wonder how Kaegan's faring in all this madness.  Bet she didn't go through the spook house.  Yeah, give it a whirl,…"This will blow your mind"  "It'll blow something else too!"  Kaegan!!!

 

TULSA

 

In a heartbreaking 30-23 finish, the only undefeated major college football team from the state of Oklahoma lost at Arkansas Saturday afternoon.  TU quarterback David Johnson's pass on fourth down and goal was too far ahead of the covered receiver in the end zone.  The missed TD (no, not Tom Dirato) pass brought Tulsa's winning streak to an end. 

 

Tulsa's twenty-three points was the lowest score of the season for the Golden Hurricane which had an excellent chance to win until Arkansas took a kick-off return for a score during the third quarter, sealing the win.  TU's current record is 8-1.  The particularly difficult part of the loss for most fans was the fact the Hurricane played well enough to win against a team from the outstanding Southeastern Conference and came up short on two running plays previous to the loss of possession after fourth down. 

 

The good news is the Hogs aren't in Conference USA and the loss, although it dropped TU out of most top 25 national polls, won't affect conference standings or the 'Canes' chances of making the Liberty Bowl at season's end.  TU has a weekend off before traveling to post-Ike Houston for a game against the Cougars on Saturday, November 15^th.  This will likely be the only loss on TU's record this year.

 

ARKANSAS

 

After winning over a very good Tulsa team, Arkansas travels to South Carolina for a Noon CST kick-off against USC.  Even with the TU win behind them, Arkansas is going to have a very tough time in this game.  Steve Spurrier will have his team ready to make it a long afternoon for the visitors.  South Carolina 38, Razorbacks 21.

 

TENNESSEE

 

The Vols lost last weekend at South Carolina, 27-6.  That's another eastern division loss for UT, the third such loss this fall.  But just when things seemed to be lousy in Mudville, some unassuming visitors rode in.

 

Ah, here it is.  That non-conference breather game three quarters the way through the season.  The sacrificial lamb, which escaped September and made it to November before visiting Neyland Cathedral, arrives this week in the form of the Wyoming Cowboys.  While Tennessee has suffered losses at the hands of the likes of Florida and Georgia, Wyoming's yellow and brown (not to be confused with falling leaves) team of renown has lost to Air Force, Bowling Green and New Mexico among others.

 

The last chance for UT's bench warmers to shine in front of the home crowd, subs will be thicker than fleas on the Rocky Top mascot Saturday in Knoxville.  Many happy players and many happy fans will pour into the streets of eastern Tennessee after seeing an overmatched Wyoming team bear the brunt of weeks of frustration on the part of the Volunteers.  Tennessee 45, Wyoming 10.

 

OKLAHOMA STATE

 

Of course true OSU fans can remember having and 8-1 record but the majority are in completely new territory when the team continues to pick up win after win.  Most of them wish this was more familiar territory but the Pokes are handling the victories and the national notoriety very well.  Evidence of this was shown when the Cowboys rolled to an easy 59-17 win over Iowa State in Stillwater, Oklahoma Saturday, despite Iowa State's kick-returner holding his own track meet.  ISU gained more than 300 yards in kick returns alone and could only muster 17 points.  Oklahoma State was able to amass 59 points in the contest.

 

Later that evening, OSU's upcoming opponent, Texas Tech upset number one Texas in Lubbock, Texas.  Now Tech is leading the Big 12 Conference and has achieved a number two ranking nationally, right behind Alabama.  The interesting phenomena surrounding the end of the Red Raiders game last weekend are indicators of what OSU can expect.  That's mayhem. 

 

The mayhem will play in Pistol Pete's favor because if the same outfit shows up that cleared the field in Lubbock last time out, Oklahoma State's ability to play at a very high level without going berserk every time something good happens will keep them on an even keel in the most inhospitable environments.  Mike Gundy's assistants coach a perfect game and the players come through with another upset victory as they take on their third top two opponent in five weeks. 

 

Both teams look like Arena Football League mannekins but the cooler heads will prevail.  Tune in at 7pm CST and see Oklahoma State defeat Tech 58-55 in a circus-like festival of vanishing defenses and incredibly high-octane offenses.  One of the best games of the year.

 

OKLAHOMA

 

The big red scoring machine produced another 62 points Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma.  The Nebraska Cornhuskers turned the ball over on three of their first five possessions and it was off to the races as OU scored 35 points in the first quarter alone.  The Shuckers never really got the offense on track until the second half and that was about as late as the people at the end of the trick-or-treat line.  Numerous times OU receivers raced to the end zone quicker than Kaegan ran to a bowl of Tootsie Rolls.  The final score was OU 62, Nebraska 28 in Bo Pelini's first visit to Norman as a head coach.

 

This week the Sooners travel to College Station, Texas to play the 4-5 Texas A&M Fightin' Texas Aggies.  The Tulsa World's Dave Sittler pointed out Oklahoma has not won big in Aggieland and has lost to aTm as much as anyone during the Stoops era.  Other sources say A&M has located their offense but the "Wrecking Crew" defense still needs an overhaul.  Oklahoma's determination to reach a BCS bowl game will pull the team through,…this week.  Sooners 41, Aggies 28.

 

THE PERCENTAGES

 

CPEL was 3-1 last weekend with the only misstep occurring in the Tulsa loss to Arkansas.  This brings the season mark to 34-5.  That's 87% for all those Top 10 Big 12 fans out there.

 

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

 

Carlos

www.crimsonpigskin.com

 

THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER