You think it’s a big day for second-ranked Texas (2-0), getting a chance at revenge against Texas Tech (2-0) at 6:05 p.m.? It’s an even bigger day for Texas Tech coach Mike Leach.
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
No, Leach didn’t declare it. The day comes from two guys who call themselves Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy, both amateur actors from Oregon who share Leach’s obsession with all things pirate.
“I think that definitely has potential to be a good omen for us,” Leach told reporters, presumably without holding a parrot.
Better potential would be Texas’ need to pay back Tech for blowing the Longhorns’ perfect 2008 season. Every Longhorn remembers Michael Crabtree’s winning touchdown reception with a second left.
Unfortunately, unlike Leach’s pirates from yesteryear, these Longhorns aren’t into revenge.
“I think using that is trying to focus on the negative,” Texas coach Mack Brown said this week. “I don’t like to focus on negatives. Revenge is something that you (reporters) make a big deal out of.”
It sounds as if he has convinced his players.
“We wear these wristbands that say, ‘We are Texas’ and we have a standard that we want to play to every week,” senior guard Charlie Tanner told reporters. “It’s not about the game before. We want to play the best we can every week.”
Last year’s loss was Texas’ first to Tech in six tries and the Red Raiders haven’t won in Austin since 1997. Personnel alone should be enough for Texas, a 17 1/2-point favorite. Tech will be without two defensive starters, end Rajon Henley (ankle) and safety Franklin Mitchem (arm).
Texas’ stingy defense will try to introduce new Tech quarterback Taylor Potts to college football, but the Longhorns’ running attack still hasn’t been unleashed. Starter Vondrell McGee missed the second half of last week’s Wyoming game with a sore ankle.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Regional matchups
Wyoming (1-1) at Colorado (0-2)
1:40 p.m., Folsom Field, Fox College Sports Central (414 Comcast)
“Legacy Day” had been set on Colorado’s 2009 home schedule long ago, but the timing for today’s game couldn’t have been better. Perhaps wearing throwback jerseys (gold with black numbers) and pants (silver with yellow stripe) will inspire the struggling Buffaloes. Simplifying the defense topped the to-do list, so look for linebackers Jeff Smart, Shaun Mohler and Marcus Burton and the safeties to blitz less to try to keep the action in front of them. Two Wyoming QBs combined for 50 pass attempts last week against Texas. Defensively, senior tackle John Fletcher, left, (Ralston Valley High) could be a thorn in CU’s stats.
Nevada (0-1) at Colorado State (2-0)
3 p.m., Hughes Stadium
Rams have John Mosure, left, back to full speed at running back and that expands the offensive playbook. The first third-down conversion will be a source of celebration. Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick and RB Vai Taua are the best CSU has faced so far at those respective positions. Rams are looking for their first 3-0 start since 1994, but not looking past Nevada to next week’s game at No.7 BYU will be key. The Wolf Pack is coming off a bye week and has had time to think about the season-opening loss at Notre Dame, 35-0. Nevada plays seven teams this season that went to a bowl game last year.
Air Force (1-1) at New Mexico (0-2)
5:30 p.m. University Stadium, CBS College (170 Comcast)
The big news for the Falcons is the return of junior cornerback Reggie Rembert, left. He was reinstated Friday as a “cadet in good standing, and he can play in (today’s) game,” Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Sam Cox, said in a release. Rembert was suspended indefinitely in the spring for an unspecified violation of academy standards. It will be a good game for him to get his legs under him as the Lobos are struggling under new coach Mike Locksley. New Mexico’s only touchdowns in two games came on defense, a 92-yard fumble return by Tray Hardaway against Tulsa.
Northern Colorado (1-1) at Eastern Wash. (1-1)
1 p.m., Woodward Field
UNC is looking for its first two-win season in four years, but Eastern Washington has won its past three Big Sky openers. The Eagles limp in after last week’s 52-point loss at No. 10 California. EWU dropped to No. 21 in the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) poll. This is a lot of the same EWU team (15 returning starters) that gave Colorado a scare last season. The Eagles have outscored UNC 82-23 the past three years, and EWU quarterback Matt Nichols, left, has led all three wins. Against Cal, Nichols started big, completing 7-of-8 passes for 79 yards on the first drive to tie the game at 7, then the Golden Bears took off.
CSU-Pueblo (2-1) at Chadron State (2-1)
Noon, Elliott Field
A win at Chadron against a ranked team would be a big statement for the Thunderwolves. CSUP has momentum after last week’s shutout against Fort Lewis. CSUP’s shutout last week was its first since reviving the program last season, and its 278 yards rushing was the best in the upstart program. Chadron is ranked No. 15 in this week’s Division II poll. The Eagles’ loss was at Pittsburg (Kan.) State, which is No. 11 this week. Chadron won 32-0 last year in Pueblo, and rolled up 462 yards, 241 yards more than the Thunderwolves. Eagles senior tailback Mark Haag, left, finished with 88 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Players to watch
Zac Lee, Nebraska
It’s the quarterback’s first road start, and it comes at one of the most hostile venues for visiting teams. Lee has been fantastic through two games, but those were against Sun Belt Conference teams. If Lee survives and thrives at Virginia Tech, Nebraska affirms its status as Big 12 North favorite. 1:30 p.m., KMGH-7
Marsalis Teague and Nu’Keese Richardson, Tennessee
The freshmen had been longtime Florida commitments before signing with the Vols in February. They’ll get an earful in The Swamp. 1:30 p.m., KCNC-4
Evan Royster, Penn State
Just 102 yards rushing over two games isn’t what fans expected out of the Big Ten’s top returning tailback. Penn State ran for 303 yards last year vs. Temple, so Royster and his offensive line could be primed for a big day. 10 a.m.
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
The senior from Chatfield High needs one TD pass against Rice to tie Josh Fields’ OSU career record of 55. 5 p.m.
Today’s games
BIG 12
Wyoming at Colorado, 1:30 p.m.
Duke at Kansas, 10 a.m.
Furman at Missouri, noon
Nebraska at Va. Tech. 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa at Oklahoma, 1:30 p.m.
Connecticut at Baylor, 3 p.m.
Iowa State at Kent State, 5 p.m.
Rice at Oklahoma State, 5 p.m.
Utah State at Texas A&M, 5 p.m.
Texas Tech at Texas, 6 p.m.
Kansas State at UCLA, 8:15 p.m.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Wyoming at Colorado, 1:30 p.m.
Nevada at Colorado State, 3 p.m.
Air Force at N. Mexico, 5:30 p.m.
Utah at Oregon, 1:30 p.m.
San Diego State at Idaho, 3 p.m.
Florida State at BYU, 5 p.m.
Texas State at TCU, 5 p.m.
Hawaii at UNLV, 9 p.m.
RMAC
CSU-Pueblo at Chadron St., 11 a.m.
Fort Lewis at Colo. Mines, noon
Neb.-Kearney at Adams St., noon
Western N.M. at Mesa St., noon
N.M. High. at Western St., 1 p.m.
