Set your DVR's: That's right, Pony Excess, ESPN's 30 on 30 documentary on the pay-for-play scandal at SMU. You can watch the trailer here:
"Pony Excess" - ESPN 30 for 30 Trailer (SMU Football, NCAA Death Penalty) (via StoneyCrookRecords)
Whitlock, Okafor, Stephens and Leong Named to AP All-Big 12: Congrats to DT Colby Whitlock for being named the AP's All-Big 12 first team (the Big 12 head coaches had 3 defensive ends on the defensive line rather than 2 defensive tackles and 2 defensive ends). Congrats are also in order for RT Mickey Okafor, WR Lyle Leong and KR Eric Stephens being named to the second team. LG Lonnie Edwards, LB Bront Bird and LB Brian Duncan were named honorable mention.
Seeing Okafor on the second team is a bit of a surprise, but Leong and Stephens on the second team isn't a surprise to me at all. Congrats to all of these players.
Recruiting Update: Other than the bowl game, the next big football event is National Signing Day and ESPN's Jamie Newberg takes a look at all of the Big 12 teams. Newberg says that currently, Texas Tech has one of the best classes in the conference, and those of you who are curious as to what's next, here's Newberg:
What's next: With 21 commitments already on board, there's not much left to do. Texas Tech is among the leaders for linebacker Ramik Wilson (Tampa, Fla./Jefferson). While the Red Raiders likely trail Auburn for ESPNU 150 tight end Brandon Fulse (Fort Meade, Fla./Fort Meade), they will get an official visit from him on Dec. 12. They are also in the hunt for cornerback Devin Gaulden (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University School) and defensive end Branden Jackson (McKeesport, Pa.) took an official visit to Texas Tech earlier this fall. They are also in the mix for in-state defensive linemen Roy Robertson (Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie), Horace Arkadie (Irving, Texas/Irving), Brandon Alexander (Brenham, Texas/Brenham) and Isiah Norton (Dallas, Texas/Kimball). All have been offered by the Red Raiders.
This looks like a pretty good list of players to possibly follow as potential commits. I'd expect that Texas Tech signs 25 players, even though the class appears to be relatively full, there will be some attrition and some additional spots will probably open up between now and signing day. Newberg also summarizes the highlights of this year's class.
Footnote: I linked to AAS.com's Kirk Bohls' article yesterday, especially for the news about why ESPN has allegedly offered Texas the television deal and I didn't even catch this until this morning, but Bohls also said that an NFL scout said that there are 12 draftable seniors on Auburn's team. That's probably a really high number, but it does give me a little big of solace knowing that Tuberville does have an eye for talent. It's the coaching part that we have to be worried about.
Red Raider to Play Huskies: Texas Tech will be in Seattle on Saturday afternoon playing the Washington Huskies. DT's Tommy Maggelson previews the game (DTN's preview is to be posted later today) and he talks with PG Mike Davis about the Huskies:
"It’s going to take time to get them guys into the movement of the game and the rhythm of the game because they’ve been out so long," Davis said. "But once we have everybody back, though, we’ll be full force. We’ll have two big guys again down low to rebound for us and help us on the boards as well as control the paint."
RP.com's Travis Cram and RP.com's Andy Ellis (he does the color commentary when John Harris isn't filling in) both write about the team, while Cram's article also looks at the Lady Raiders.