Saturday Six-Pack Week 7: The Great Tradition of the Red River Shootout

Oct 8, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops meets with Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown prior to the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

In a month filled with great tradition, one of the best is the Red River Shootout. The annual pairing of the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns at the State Fair of Texas remains a piece of college football history, a living representation of the game’s history in an ever-changing landscape. There’s been talk in recent years that outside influences want to homogenize the Red River Shootout, basically in lockstep with the movement to make the sport less like college football.

To Jerry Jones et al, I have a word of advice as it pertains to the Red River Shootout and a possible move to Cowboys Stadium:

Until the Cotton Bowl is rubble, Oklahoma-Texas had best play with the State Fair backdrop. And in a sentiment that the aforementioned (afore-video’d?) Charlton Heston would appreciate, those pushing Red River Rivalry can have Red River Shootout when they pry it from Sooner and Longhorn fans’ cold, dead hands.

OKLAHOMA vs. TEXAS

Last season’s installment was supposed to be the return of BCS implications to what I consider the premiere rivalry of the Aughties. Oklahoma proved that Texas wasn’t back back, and the Sooners quickly deflated themselves. Dreams of the crystal ball are likely dashed for both participants again this year, each sporting a Big 12 loss heading into the Cotton, but conference title aspirations are alive and well.

Oklahoma got a significant boost earlier this week with the NCAA declaring Fresno State transfer Jalen Saunders eligible. One of the nation’s leaders in receiving touchdowns a season ago, Saunders could add a dynamic element from the slot currently lacking in the Sooner offense. Tavon Austin was able to do damage against the Longhorn defense a week ago in a similar role.

But more striking in West Virginia’s 48-45 instant classic win over Texas was running back Andrew Buie gashing the Longhorn rush defense for over 200 yards on the ground. Advantage Bob Stoops, who has called for more opportunities for Damien Williams.

Forcing the tempo offensively favors OU. While the Sooner offense has yet to live up to expectations, the defense under new(ish) coordinator Mike Stoops has returned to form. Texas has proven it can put up points against mediocre defenses like Oklahoma State and West Virginia, but lighting the scoreboard against the Sooners is a more challenge prospect for David Ash and Co.

STANFORD at NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame has not fared well in its recent meetings with Stanford. In 2009, Toby Gerhart trucked one Irish tackl

ing dummy

er after another to pave his way to the Heisman presentation in New York. Last season, the only notable items in a game far more lopsided than the 28-14 final score were Brian Kelly benching Tommy Rees for Andrew Hendrix, and Stanford’s Combat Pros.

And in the Cardinal’s last visit to Notre Dame, Andrew Luck had one of the more pedestrian outings of his illustrious college career. Luck is obviously gone, leaving Josh Nunes behind center. The Cardinal player who most challenged the Notre Dame defense that meeting is back, though. Stepfan Taylor rushed for 108 yards and helped set the table for the Stanford offense.

Perhaps the 2012 Cardinal offense gained some confidence after scoring 54 points last week, but even an observer witnessing football for the first time is not going to confuse the Arizona defense with Notre Dame. For a fourth consecutive season, there could be a Heisman Trophy contender on the field when these teams clash, and this time it’s Manti Te’o.

Both an inspirational and play making leader of the No. 2 scoring defense in college football, Te’o will make accumulating yards difficult for Taylor.

DUKE at VIRGINIA TECH
Sep 22, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Sean Renfree (19) looks for an open man during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE
Be honest: had someone told you prior to the season that Duke-Virginia Tech would have ACC implications, you first would have assumed they meant basketball. After clarifying they were indeed referring to football, you would have staged an intervention to ween him/her off what hallucinatory drug they were using.

Alas, here we are. Duke is 5-1, oh-so-close to its first bowl game since 1995 and fostering dreams of a Coastal division title. Conversely, Virginia Tech is limping at 3-3 and struggling for answers. Logan Thomas Heisman talk that persisted a few short months ago seems laughable in retrospect, and the defense that always buoyed Hokie teams is shockingly porous.

My, how the tables of turned. The perpetual ACC cellar dweller Duke can prove that its hot start is no fluke, while the symbol of conference stability would be in quite the precarious position. Sean Renfree is expected back under center.

OREGON STATE at BYU

Those hoping for a Civil War pitting two undefeated Oregonian football programs against each other received some bad news this week with the announcement Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion would miss 2-4 weeks. Mannion has been among the most prolific passers in the nation with 1358 yards on 107 completions. Back-up Cody Vaz gets the nod against a stout BYU defense yielding just 8.8 points per game. Only Notre Dame and Alabama have been better.

Where the Beavers have hope is that there’s a reason BYU has been comparable defensively to unbeaten Notre Dame and Alabama, but sporting two losses. The Cougar offense has struggled mightily, and the outlook is further muddled with quarterback Taysom Hill injured. Riley Nelson has failed to regain the spark he exhibited in rejuvenating the offense a season ago, and against the Beaver rush defense, he won’t be able to rely too heavily on a ground game.

The above’s the recipe for a score resembling a baseball game — or a good, old fashioned SEC defensive struggle.

SOUTH CAROLINA at LSU

Which is the more frightening proposition: your car breaking down in the middle of the summer in Death Valley (Calif.), or a nighttime date in Death Valley (La.)?

Though LSU often takes the field with superior, or at the very least equal talent, a tremendous advantage the Tigers enjoy is psychological. The aura of playing under the Death Valley lights seems to overwhelm visitors. Has that facade cracked somewhat with LSU struggling in its three most recent outings? Its last time in Baton Rouge, LSU hosted FCS Towson and struggled to put the Tigers away.

LSU also has failed to establish any offensive rhythm. That has to equate to a tremendous psychological advantage to the Gamecocks, coming off a dominant defensive performance against what was the most potent offense in the SEC last week vs. Georgia. Jadeveon Clowney has generated Heisman consideration with his awe-inspiring play off the line.

The Gamecock offense is also starting to show some punch to back its tremendous defense, even without Marcus Lattimore producing at a Heisman pace. Steve Spurrier must go deep into his bag of tricks against the LSU defense, though. While the Tiger offense is lacking bite, the defense is still national championship caliber. The tremendous Tiger front will hone in on Lattimore’s carries early and force the game into Connor Shaw’s hand.

The X-factor could be the raucous audience, seething after a conference loss and with a few extra hours to tailgate. This Death Valley may not be in the Mojave Desert, but the crowd can certainly turn it into Bat Country.

ADMIRAL ACKBAR TRAP OF THE WEEK: KANSAS STATE at IOWA STATE

The last four times Iowa State and Kansas State have met, the final score was within single digits. All four times, K-State won.

The Cyclones scored an impressive win at TCU last week, capitalizing on the absence of Casey Pachall. While intercepting quarterback Trevone Boykin three times in his collegiate debut isn’t an overly impressive statistic, the Cyclone offense mustering 37 points against a Gary Patterson defense is.

ISU might be finding its offensive rhythm at an opportune time. Though his statistics are less impressive overall, Jared Barnett simply captains the Cyclones more effectively. He’ll need to sustain drives to keep the ball away from Collin Klein and the Kansas State offense as much as possible. K-State wins with long, debilitating drives that sink an opposing defense like quicksand.

Make effective use of running back James White, control the time of possession as much as possible and keep the defense fresh: that’s the key to a Cyclone win, and crucial for ISU to finally get over that hurdle it’s been unable to clear against K-State since 2007.

SATURDAY’S SIX-PACK: SHINER BOCK OKTOBERFEST

One Texas October tradition deserves another. In another of the Red River Shootout, let’s raise a glass of the seasonal brew from the Lone Star State’s best brewery.

Shiner Bock produces numerous excellent beers, so you really can’t go wrong with any of its offerings. But for the time of year, Shiner Bock Oktoberfest is a great option. Grill some bratwurst to pair with this Marzen-style beer and take in a few great, October traditions all at once.