Dallas Sports Blog

​A tie may be like kissing your sister, but what Texas pulled off Saturday in the Cotton Bowl was akin to drunken, relapse sex with your ex.

Sloppy. Ugly. Guilty. But yet, in the end somehow satisfying.

A combined 29 points. Eight turnovers. Key plays made by two different No. 12s for the Longhorns. And the game-saving play was actually a tackle made by Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, after a brain-fart interception.

Even after a 16-13 escape over a Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma team - Karma. Toldja. - the Longhorns know this: Win and they're in.

Even though only three of the BCS' six computer polls rank Texas in the top five (stat geek Jeff Sagarin has them rated 15th), at No. 3 in the initial poll it knows that an undefeated season and a win in the Big 12 Championship Game means a trip to the National Championship Game. Florida and Alabama are ahead of Texas in the BCS, but they'll have to play each other in the SEC Championship Game.

Moral to the story ...

​Dear Oklahoma,

I am indeed a bitch.

Sincerely,

Karma

Last year the Oklahoma Sooners were whipped by the Texas Longhorns in their annual mid-October showdown in the Cotton Bowl. Both teams lost one game all season, yet somehow - inexplicably - it was Oklahoma, through a discombobulated national computer ranking, that was awarded the Big 12 Conference South championship, a berth in the conference championship game and, ultimately, a spot in college football's BCS National Championship Game opposite Florida.

45-35, anyone?

How exactly did the Sooners pull the Okie Doke through the back door? By running up the score against lesser opponents, that's how. They call it style points. We all know it's bullshit.

Pass the Advil and crank up the wayback machine.

Let's kick off 2009 with one last, long, loving look back at the Cotton Bowl. Oh, the refurbished stadium will still be around, but its namesake game is moving to Arlington after tomorrow's Texas Tech-Ole Miss curtain closer and, other than Texas-OU, looks like nothing else of note will call its hallowed ground home.

From founder J. Curtis Sanford's idea in 1937 to Jim "Hoss" Brock's glad-handing to Michael Crabtree's final college game, the ol' joint will always gush with memories.

10. 2006: Alabama Smothers Leach, Tech.

9. 1983: Pony Express Survives Dan Marino.

8. 1991: Miami 'Canes Texas.

7. 1971: Revenge of the Irish.

6. 1966: LSU Stops Hogs' Streak.

In news that should surprise no one, Michael Crabtree's last college game will be Jan. 2 in the last Cotton Bowl played in Dallas. No official announcement, but I hear the Texas Tech All-World receiver and two-time Biletnikoff Award winner is making plans for the future.

And they include more Dallas than Lubbock.

Seems he's coming home for the Cotton Bowl. And he may be staying awhile.

According to a source, Crabtree, a former star at Carter High School, plans to participate in Deion Sanders' "Prime U" workout camps at SMU aimed at getting prospects ready for professional football in general and the NFL Scouting Combine in specific.

So, you jazzed about the old Cotton Bowl's final matchup?

The Only Team To Beat Florida vs. The Only Team To Beat Texas.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm intrigued by Mississippi vs. Texas Tech.

When the Cowboys move to Arlington, Dallas will move much closer to professional football.

How’s that? Because, according to a couple sources I spoke with this week, Cotton Bowl officials are in “final negotiations” of a deal that would bring a new United National Gridiron League franchise to town starting in January.

“It’s all but done,” a lil’ birdie whispered to me. “Looks like the team could play as many as 5-7 home dates at the Cotton Bowl next year.”

In this week’s dead tree version of Sportatorium I wonder how the post-Cotton Bowl Classic Cotton Bowl will stay relevant, or at least busy. I guess the UNGL is one of the answers.

Texas-OU has temporarily left the building. But – surprise! – another big-time college football game may be permanently on its way to the reupholstered Cotton Bowl.

A month after Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance visited Dallas to tour college football’s newest old stadium, gazillionaire Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens spent Tuesday kicking the tires on the Cotton Bowl’s $57 million renovation.

According to State Fair of Texas president Errol McKoy, Pickens, like Hance, was impressed. And Tech-OSU in Dallas remains a real possibility.

Try to follow along. Which, if you’re a City of Dallas leader or a Dallas Independent School District accountant, will be mondo difficult.

First, because some bozos don’t know how to subtract the 4 and carry the 1, DISD announces a $64 million shortfall. That’s shortfall. Opposite of windfall. Blamed on “inadequate budgeting.” Really? Ya think?! It’s like buying a $450,000 house and a $50,000 car then realizing, “Shit, I only have $12 in my checking account. Thought I had $12 million.” I mean, seriously, outside of my ex-wife and Judd Apatow characters, who does this?

Next, this. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I laid eyes on the $500,000 Trinity Project model. But I did know exactly what NOT to feel: Proud.

If you ever met former Cotton Bowl Association Executive Director Jim Brock and he greeted you with “Hoss” – in other words, if you ever met him – you realize the significance of his passing.

Brock, always ready with a cigar, a back slap and a “Hey Hoss!”, never met a man he didn’t like. And I’ve never met a man quite like him.

As for the old stadium he so passionately promoted for decades? Would you believe Texas Southern vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff?

Seems every week we’re learning what $1.1 billion (with a B) will buy. A Super Bowl here. An NBA All-Star Game there. Throw in some classic college football rivalries and a Big 12 Conference Championship Game.

But today we’re getting a peak – courtesy of our ol’ Cotton Bowl – at what $50 million (with an M) will get you.

Can’t believe there’s not a breaking press conference on ESPN, because news comes bolting out of Ada, Oklahoma this afternoon that on Oct. 18 the venerable Dallas stadium will host … wait for it … wait …