According to the Big XII website the Colorado-Texas game on October 10th will start at 6:15.  The game will be televised by either ESPN or ESPN2.  Buffs need a win at West Virginia to avoid a 1-3 non-conference record.  Texas takes over the top spot in scoring offense in the nation at just under 50 points per game.

On the same day Mack Brown announced Fozzy Whitaker was back at practice and could see his first action of the season Saturday, he also said he would like to trim down his rotation of running backs and go with the the “hot hand”.  Right now that means Tre Newton is the first option.  Since Newton is also their 3rd down back in passing situations, that means he’ll spend a lot more time on the field as long as he’s producing.  Cody Johnson is their short yardage back with just three carries in the last two games, but 4 rushing touchdowns overall.  Vondrell McGee was the starter but has been bothered by an ankle, Whitaker is the explosive, but just can’t stay healthy.   Last year he appeared in seven of their 13 games and ran for 306 yards on 64 carries.  Then there is D.J. Monroe, the redshirt freshman burner who can take it the distance any time he touches the ball.  Monroe is a change of pace guy who will also be featured in the “wild Horn” package when they line John Chiles up at quarterback.  What they don’t want Monroe to have to do is pass protect, at about 170 pounds, Browns says Monroe could try to take on linebackers and defensive ends, but might end up in Colt McCoy’s lap.  So saturday will prove interesting as the running back situation sorts itself out before a  week off.

The Texas Stars opened training camp Tuesday at the new Cedar Park Center.  This marks the return of pro hockey to central Texas after a one year absence.  The Austin Ice Bats played at the Expo Center and then Chaparral Ice Center from 1996-2007.  With no disrespect to the Bats, these is a huge upgrade in the level of hockey.  The Stars are to the Dallas Stars what the Express are to the Astros.  Playing will be coming and going from Dallas to Cedar Park and vice versa all season.  To make the product even more appealing is the facility.  The Cedar Park Center will hold 6800 for hockey and the expression “no bad seat in the building” is actually true.  The Stars will play in the American Hockey League and have built-in rivals in San Antonio (Rampage) and Houston (Aeros).   First chance to the see the team is Sunday the 27th against San Antonio at 3:00pm.

The Texas baseball season will end tonight in Omaha.  The question is,  will Texas close it out with a dog-pile on the mound or with the disappointment of coming so close, but leaving with second place?

Texas sophomore Cole Green will get the start for the Longhorns, but other than Taylor Jungmann, the entire pitching staff will be ready to go.  As of 4:25 pm it is warm and sunny, but there is a chance of thunderstorms throughout the evening. 

Here’s a look at the Horns arrival to Rosenblatt Stadium at about 3:30 Central time.

The UT-LSU championship series game will be delayed because of thunderstorms in Omaha.  The game is scheduled to start at 6:10, but it looks like it will be at least 7:00 before they get started.

The Longhorns are trying to avoid elimination with a win over the Tigers and force a third and deciding game.

The Longhorns will try to extend their season tonight against LSU.  Texas will need to end the Tigers 14 game winning streak that goes back to May 20th in order to force a deciding 3rd game on Wednesday.  Horns hoping they have a little history on their side, two of the last three CWS winners lost their first game of the Championship series, Oregon State in 2oo6 in Fresno State last year.

Texas fans have not given up hope.  Check out the video below as fans lined up some 7 hours before 300 tickets went on sale for tonights game.

 

The heat is on the Longhorns and everyone else in Omaha.  It is smokin hot for the 2nd straight day.  I know its hotter in Austin, but maybe it feels so hot because its not supposed to be an oven up here. Actually its not that unusual for the temps to reach the 90’s this time of year, but after covering this event 8 times over the last 18 years,l I’m more used to 70’s and 80’s than high 90’s. 

We arrived at Rosenblatt Stadium around 11am and the fans are already lined up behind the outfield for those bleacher seats. Die hard.

LSU did to Texas what the Longhorns have been doing to other teams this entire post season.  LSU scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th with two outs to the tie the game 6-6.  Tigers won it with a two out rbi single from Mike Mahtook in the top of the 11th.  Horns face elimination for the 2nd time in the post season.  Horns won the third and deciding game against TCU in the Super Regional.  Augie Garrido it will be tough to accept this loss, but also said that if they Horns let this one linger on Tuesday, they have already lost the game. 

Texas arrived just after 3:00 to Rosenblatt Stadium for Game One of the CWS championship series.  LSU rolled in about a half hour later.  It was pretty clear based on the reception that unless the UT fans are late arriving, there will be more Purple than Burnt Orange in the stadium.  Even though the Horns are the number one seed, you get the feeling they are the underdog.  Texas has been battling all post season starting wtih that 25 inning win against Boston College in the 2nd game of the regional.  LSU has been red hot for a while.  Tigers have won their last 13 games.  You have to go back to May 20th against Vanderbilt for their last loss.  While LSU has won all five of their national championship games, they have never played in a best of three series for the title.  Texas is 1-1 in that format, losing two in a row to Cal-State Fullerton in 2004 and then beating Florida in two straight for the last title in 2005.

Here is some video from both teams arriving.

Its game day in Omaha.  That is actually rare for the Horns lately.  Texas has  played a grand total of three games since winning the Super Regional on June 7th. Now it comes down to the best two out of three against LSU.  Tigers won five titles from 1991 to 2000.  Texas is looking for its third championship since 2002. 

 Rosenblatt Stadium has been THE destination for College Baseball players for more than 50 years.  That is coming to an end.  A new park is under construction in downtown Omaha that will  be ready for the 2011 CWS.

 Below you can take a quick driving tour of the area where the park is being built as well as the cool drive into Rosenblatt Stadium.