Montana State is aware of the noise factor at Kyle Field. The coaching staff has spent a considerable amount of time working on hand signals and "other means of silent communication." Other means of silent communication that does not include the use of hands? Like the honey bee's waggle dance? Too bad this is not televised. However they communicate, their first-year head coach Rob Ash is confident of their ability to "call the entire game on offense and defense with silent communication." His confidence is rooted in his previous experiences including a game at "Northern Iowa in the dome" which was "an extremely noisy venue" and "it was extremely difficult for communication there". His team relied on hand signals and the honey bee's waggle dance and "did a terrific job". Coach Ash expects "it will be the same for our team down at Kyle Field."Northern Iowa. Are you kidding me? Mr. Ash needs a lesson in scale. The UNI-Dome (where Norther Iowa plays, pictured above) has a capacity of 16,000 and is a venue for "community events such as recreational and craft shows." Kyle Field holds up to 87,555. That is is almost 5.5 (5.4721875) times the size of the UNI-Dome.

As much as I hate it, I have to give Brent Z some credit. My buddy made an interesting connection between John David Crow and Acie Law.

Only three true freshman have a chance to see action this weekend (defensive back Billy Chavis, defensive lineman Von Miller and wide receiver Roger Holland) "but that can all change with one injury." It is nice to see that we can recruit guys that are strong enough to play in their first year. Last year seven true freshman saw action, I am not sure how many saw action in the first game.

Now "Thunder and Lightening" has reentered as a nickname for HIT AND RUN, who were named both as candidates for the 2007 Doak Walker Award (presented annually to the nation's top college running back, last year Darren McFadden got it). This is simply irresponsible journalism. Thunder and Lightening were dismissed from the get go as "overdone". What we need is a higher authority to set the record straight. Whatever Lee Corso, Chris Fowler, or Kirk Herbstreit call Goodson and J-Train will be what I consider to be official.

I am back from Vegas and recovered enough to read. We have a bit of catching up to do.

Senior defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore committed to TAMU. You would have no idea this guy is a four-star recruit considering he is planning on being “just.. another player on the defensive line.” Just another player? Come on Kapron! Give us a line about bringing the Wrecking Crew back!

The four-letter network peers into their crystal ball and sees that Big-12 south will "pound" the Big-12 north. Someone got paid to come up with that analysis. At least it is not another installment of "Who is now".

Last year our passing offense was 11th in a 12 team conference. With HIT AND RUN commanding the back field, defenses are going to put 8 or 9 guys in the box, so our receivers need to step it up. Franks and Brown may have only combine for 369 yards and one TD last year (Schroeder had 612 yards and 4 TDs), but this year they have the confidence to "make big plays and... win every game."

Damn it! "Beauty and the Beast" is gaining traction. Their name is Hit and Run!

Our prayers have been answered!

A new surface of "interlocking tiles... will cover the old concrete track around the playing surface and gives the Aggies a non-slip surface that Franchione has been asking for since his arrival." The unique demands of the track (i.e. horses crap on it) made $Bill's job a little harder, "A&M had to find an anti-microbial surface that meets all the health requirements for prevention of staph infection that can set in on cuts and abrasions." I would have voted for extending the seating another 20 yards, but I guess fans getting crapped might not "meet all the health requirements." Too bad we didn't have this in our high out of his mind skinny ankled quarterback days.

Here is a picture of the tiles. Courtesy of ParisTx04.


Not happy with gray? $Bill looked into getting maroon, but was warned it would "weather its way to pink."

Ashlee Pistorius was named a Preseason All-American by Soccer Buzz magazine. This must be the like the AP All-American, but since the AP does not pay attention to women's collegiate soccer, they do not produce their own list. Last year Pistorius also received honors from NSCAA/adidas (All-America, All-Central Region) and the Big 12 (All-Conference, All-Tournament), but those were handed out at the end of the season so Soccer Buzz must be the only preseason honor. Irregardless, congrats Ashlee.

Fran is really selling the value of the McFerrin Athletic Center. After Monday's practice Fran commented that the indoor facility provided a break from the heat and helped the team "install fast and learn faster." I wounder if $Bill is looking to reassure donors that the investment was worth it after my buddy Brent Z from the SA Express related a team's mental toughness to their exposure to heat, or in our case, a lack of exposure due to the indoor facilities.

Fran is learning from other (former) TAMU coaches. McGee recently said that each week the team needs to concentrate on "playing hard, playing smart, playing consistent and playing for each other." It's not exactly the "play hard, play smart, play together" mantra of Billy G, but is it very close.