Road Trip!

Now that the Horns are about to play in their first road game of the year, it’s time to rank the six away games. I’m projecting some things at this point, so I’ll definitely revisit and revise this ranking in December after the dust settles.

For this list I’m using a combination of factors: the town, the game, gameday atmosphere, the stadium, travel, weather, anticipated sidebar trips, and that certain je ne sais quoi…although I’m confident that some of these destinations don’t speak French.

6. Lawrence, KS – Kansas on September 27

I’d be much more excited to go on a whitetail bowhunt in Kansas at the end of September than I am for this game. The Jayhawks are miserable. Basketball hasn’t started yet. Lawrence isn’t appealing. Memorial Stadium is a non-factor. I’m trying…at least the weather should be nice and I’ll get a break from central Texas September-heat?

5. Manhattan, KS – Kansas State on October 25

Even though Manhattan is about on par with Lawrence, there are three things that make the KSU game more attractive than the KU game. First, the Wildcats are a very solid football team – by the end of October, they’ll be even better. Texas versus KSU promises to be a good game. Second: Bill Snyder Family Stadium is better than Memorial Stadium. Third, the only thing the KU game had going for it was the weather and temperatures in late October will be even better than they should be at the end of September.

4. Lubbock, TX – Texas Tech on November 1

2008. 2002. Strange things happen to the Longhorns in Lubbock – when they’re on upset alert, they win; when they should win, they lose. With so much football to be played between now and November, this is a very difficult game to project. At the very least, the game should be entertaining. On the other hand, Lubbock leaves a lot to be desired.

3. Stillwater, OK – Oklahoma State on November 15

Stillwater has Eskimo Joe’s and if you don’t like that, you should try Eskimo Joe’s. Actually, as a fan of red dirt music, Stillwater is appealing. That alone bumps it up a spot above Lubbock. Then add in facilities built off T. Boone’s billfold and a dangerous OSU football team…Stillwater is a clear cut choice for #3 on the list.

2. Arlington, TX – UCLA on September 13

I haven’t been to AT&T stadium yet, so that alone puts the UCLA game in the top half of the list. Add in the intrigue coming off Texas’ loss to BYU and the game scores well on my ‘interest’ scale also. I classify the metroplex as ‘I wouldn’t live there, but I like to visit’, so this game fits well within that M.O. Plus it can be a scouting trip for dives for #1…

1. Dallas, TX – Oklahoma on October 11

Let’s be realistic…this game is penciled in at the top of the road trip list every year. Between the State Fair, the game, corny dogs – I don’t need to make a list. Y’all know what’s up. Some say the Cotton Bowl is old. I say it’s ‘charming’. Some are already calling for the Horns to get blown out by the Sooners. I say ‘If it happens, I’d rather see it in person.’

I’ll be making a photo journal of all six road trips. I’m interested in your recommendations for eats, sights or anything unusual along the way. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop by