Wow … what an overnight trip to Texas Tech! I confess, it was a bit of an “impulse buy.” But, a ticket to the Oklahoma State game became available, and gas prices were hovering at only $2 a gallon. How could I resist a little PingWi-Fi road trip?
Who doesn’t love to crash an ABC Sports telecast featuring the #2 team in the nation? (Although the pollsters may rethink the deuce later today … considering the good, old-fashioned woodshed-treatment doled out to the high-ranking OSU Cowboys last night).
And, did someone say tailgate partay? (I mean … my first Wi-Fi press conference was conducted from the back of an SUV.) “I am there!”
So, headed into Lubbock — Hub of the South Plains and the heart of Texas wine country — I didn’t know what to expect. Tech outlasted a Texas Longhorns come-from-way-behind rally the week before. Would Tech be up to another challenge this week? (Shout out to all geeks — how can you not love a team called TECH?)
Hmmm … How to maximize the Tech experience? I contacted the Texas Tech sports information offices for press credentials, just as I had at the first of the season. Rejected again — by my alma mater! (I guess they aren’t as appreciative of a TTU journalism diploma as I am.)
Texas Tech Guns Up!
But, there was a better option anyway. Linking up with my college roommate was a no brainer. (As background … while I opted for the life of a migrant worker, road tripping blogger — he is a successful banker.) He got skills and connections. Many of his buddies are bankers too — BUT every weekend they loosen or lose their ties … and get their TECH ON for world-class tailgating!
Ha … loosen their ties? These guys were in red sunglasses, cowboy hats, Tech ball caps … and one gentleman — Walter I believe — was sporting red and black cowboy boots, hand-tooled and sporting the phrase “Guns Up” to support the double T team. OH and get this. The business savvy of the group had translated into tailgating for success as well. Paying homage to the first rule of retail … they had the best location/location/location in the Tech parking lot. And talk about goods and services: brisket, bratwurst, adult beverages and everything in between.
But did they have Wi-Fi? (If you have followed this blog, you knew I would ask.)
Ha. Who cares — they got a watering hole on wheels! “My ride is here!”
Their party wagon is a pirate black, early ’70s Chevy Suburban with Double-T red leather seats, a masked rider emblem covering the hood, T-E-X-A-S T-E-C-H tastefully plastered on the sides … a fine black coat of paint that must have been at least 2 grades above aerosol … and my favorite … a keg in the back connected to a serve-yo-ownself spigot protruding from the sidewall near the end of the truck. (I bet that thing dissuades door dings.) Flashy, yet functional!
So … if you have cold draft flowing from your sweet ride, who needs Wi-Fi? What the heck. It was a big game, so I put down the laptop and got my GUNS UP too. Jones AT&T Stadium was the hotspot of the moment. And it was like old home week. I saw Jon Mark Beilue … yet another fine journalist from the Amarillo Globe News … a newsroom that launched FOX Network’s Major Garrett, among others.
About the game … the stats say it all: Graham Harrell, 456 yards passing and six TDs … 56-20 over the Top 10 OSU Cowboys (OSU almost beat Texas, as Texas Tech did). If Graham Harrell is not the Heisman winner, it is time to start examining the voting process! By definition, he is turning in the best single-player performances in the country — week after week. He has completed more passes than other top quarterbacks have even attempted. Has anyone really analyzed that statistic and its significance? Oh .. last revealing category last night: Texas Tech punts — 0, for an average of 0 yards, 0-second hangtime and of course 0 yards returned.
So, in summary … it was a trip full of surprises. After Tech’s defeating Texas the week before (as I expected) … I wondered if the crowd would be complacent for this game. Well .. the team was pumped and so was the Red Raider/pirate nation — 55,000 strong. Yes, I expected another win, but I didn’t expect the blowout. Man … there are a lot of “supposed sports experts” eating crow today! “Open yo eyes and embrace the pirates!”
"Tech Responsibly"
But here is what I found most surprising. I hear this drivel all the time about Texas Tech misbehavin’ — so I was curious to see them in action. I have been away from the school for more years than I like to admit. So, it was not that difficult to be “an outsider” … and to look on with an objective eye.
I was so impressed. Throughout the throng of red and black — beneath the old school Red Raider flags and new Mike Leach-inspired pirate flags — there were lots of orange-clad, OSU fans too. I saw the OSU visitors sample the free food, grab a brewski or two at will … and they were treated as friends .. as welcome guests … with hospitality and courtesy rather than animosity.
Therefore, to all of the whiny losers who have fallen to Texas Tech this year — Lubbock and Texas Tech proved to be most gracious hosts … beyond hospitable … with overt sportsman-like tendencies!
This Tech team is for real. If your team runs out on the field with them … ha … well, they better have their manly safety garments in place. The score — a perfect 7 pings — that’s one for each scoring possession for Graham Harrell and his multi-headed receiver corps. (They actually had 8 scoring possessions, but the ping-o-tron rating system only goes to 7.)
