The BLUE RIVER SHOOTOUT thread

[BlueHair]

Because they figure it's going to be a rout, so they used the BYU-FSU game instead. That'd be my guess. They're not going to put two BYU games on there.

I don't think it will be a rout. In fact, I expect Oklahoma to keep it pretty close. BYU by 3-10 sounds about right. Of course, after the usual "no respect" talk, they will lose 3 conference games.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Is there any known reason why the OU/BYU game is not on this list?

12 must see non-conference games

Nice to see Oregon on that list twice.

[Babs]

Is there any known reason why the OU/BYU game is not on this list?

12 must see non-conference games

Coincidentally, ESPN listed their 10 "significant" non-conference games on their evening ncaafb show, and they listed OU-BYU.

[il Padrino Ute]

Coincidentally, ESPN listed their 10 "significant" non-conference games on their evening ncaafb show, and they listed OU-BYU.

I suppose it just depends on who makes the lists, eh?

[Babs]

I don't think it will be a rout. In fact, I expect Oklahoma to keep it pretty close.

we're trying to keep expectations realistic, but hoping to at least make a respectable showing.

[TripletDaddy]

Check out this article about the new stadium. It is actually a long article justifying the high prices for the BLUE RIVER SHOOTOUT.

BYU fans will be happy to know that on-site parking for the game will cost $38. OUCH!

http://newsok.com/house-that-jerry-j...ad_story_title

[TripletDaddy]

Question for Dallas-philes.

Looking into hotels for the BLUE RIVER SHOOTouT.

We are looking at Dallas as the home base for the weekend. Will the traffic or distance be prohibitive on gameday? The new stadium is in Arlington, I believe. I did a yahoo maps, as well as mapquest (that's a good one, too) and it looks like about a 30 minute drive. Does this sound about right?

Any other recommendations? Staying in Arlington doesn't sound fun (is there anything to do in Arlington other than watch the game?) so we would rather stay in Dallas or Irving, but I am open to suggestions.

[il Padrino Ute]

Perhaps there will be a Rangers game at The Ballpark.

[Babs]

We are looking at Dallas as the home base for the weekend. Will the traffic or distance be prohibitive on gameday? The new stadium is in Arlington, I believe. I did a yahoo maps, as well as mapquest (that's a good one, too) and it looks like about a 30 minute drive. Does this sound about right?

Any other recommendations? Staying in Arlington doesn't sound fun (is there anything to do in Arlington other than watch the game?) so we would rather stay in Dallas or Irving, but I am open to suggestions.

I was thinking about this this week. I keep thinking of it like it's RRR, but it's not. Does it really make sense to stay at the west end? Not really. At the same time, who wants to stay in Arlington or Fort Worth? (Though if you're bringing the kids, Arlington is where six flags and all the family touristy stuff is.)

As far as the drive -- Dallas traffic is pretty bad and really unpredictable. It took me 45 minutes to make it the 20 miles from Plano into Dallas, and that was all-freeway and on a Saturday afternoon. I would be really surprised if you stayed in Dallas (proper) and made it to the stadium in 30 minutes on gameday. But that's mostly an educated guess, and frankly the "educated" part is limited at best.

Perhaps FM can chime in on the traffic out that way. Didn't he live near Dallas?

The practical part of me is thinking of staying somewhere west of Dallas on I-30, then driving east into Dallas proper for the night before, then driving out west for the game on Saturday. But the not-practical part of me wants to stay in downtown Dallas or the west end because it's closer to the fun stuff. Or perhaps I'll campout in Waters's backyard. The german shepherd seems friendly enough.

[TripletDaddy]

I was thinking about this this week. I keep thinking of it like it's RRR, but it's not. Does it really make sense to stay at the west end? Not really. At the same time, who wants to stay in Arlington or Fort Worth? (Though if you're bringing the kids, Arlington is where six flags and all the family touristy stuff is.)

As far as the drive -- Dallas traffic is pretty bad and really unpredictable. It took me 45 minutes to make it the 20 miles from Plano into Dallas, and that was all-freeway and on a Saturday afternoon. I would be really surprised if you stayed in Dallas (proper) and made it to the stadium in 30 minutes on gameday. But that's mostly an educated guess, and frankly the "educated" part is limited at best.

Perhaps FM can chime in on the traffic out that way. Didn't he live near Dallas?

The practical part of me is thinking of staying somewhere west of Dallas on I-30, then driving east into Dallas proper for the night before, then driving out west for the game on Saturday. But the not-practical part of me wants to stay in downtown Dallas or the west end because it's closer to the fun stuff. Or perhaps I'll campout in Waters's backyard. The german shepherd seems friendly enough.

For us, we will be sans kids, so no Six Flags..but good idea. We love amusement parks. Also, I thought about a Rangers game, but I live about an hour from 2 MLB parks and 15 minutes from a third. I've been to plenty of baseball games, so I don't have much desire to go to one while we are there. I've been to that stadium already. If I had not, then there might be some allure. I am positive my wife won't want to go.

I am assuming that Texas heat will be unpleasant that weekend, so being outside for hours on end might not be a great idea, anyway.

I don't mind 45 minute drive to the stadium. That is fine with me. But you are correct, it would be nice to get a local to chime in.

The other practical challenge......Dallas isn't really a tourist destination, is it? There is the Book Depository/6th Floor Museum (cool, but we have seen that, already. I am sure we will go again). They have an Art Museum and a zoo, which might be fun. It is a bit far out for booking, but maybe there will be a concert or play that weekend in town. If you are from Dallas and you are hosting people for the weekend, what is it that you tell them that they have to go see while they are there?

The more I look into Dallas tourism, the more Austin is looking like a good idea. We are toying around with heading down to Austin on Thursday morning, staying there overnight with our friends, seeing the town, the UT campus, going to dinner, etc. Heading into Dallas on Fri afternoon and going out to dinner. Does OU do a fun pep rally? We would be down for checking that out.

I am assuming that Saturday will be GameDay for the large chunk of the day.

[Babs]

For us, we will be sans kids, so no Six Flags..but good idea.

Hold up. Whom does one procure to watch preschool triplets? That's impressive!

I am assuming that Texas heat will be unpleasant that weekend

More than likely. Which is super, as I need an excuse to wear my tank tops.

The other practical challenge......Dallas isn't really a tourist destination, is it?

I have played tourist in every major destination in Texas. Here's my take, fwiw:

DFW is a tourist destination only in the sense that any major city is a tourist destination to someone from, say, Lubbock or Tyler or Laredo or Gainseville. It has world-class arts, major league sports, etc. But whereas some cities have a some kind of differentiating appeal - a unique geography or culture or history or people - Dallas feels like little more than urban sprawl on the plains. A couple from LA are going to be rather underwhelmed, I suspect.

The more I look into Dallas tourism, the more Austin is looking like a good idea.

Assuming you don't mind an entire city decked out in burnt orange, I absolutely agree with this. The campus itself isn't much to speak of imo, not particularly pretty landscaping or architecture, and not an awful lot of history (except for that clock-tower sniper thing, and that's just rather morbid). But the city itself has an identity - a soul and charisma - that you don't feel in Dallas. The parks are gorgeous, you've got lots of eclectic local dining, the music scene is great, and plus there's always the chance you'll run into matthew. You can't go wrong.

To tell you the truth, if you haven't visited Texas much and may not make it back anytime soon, you might start out an hour south of Austin in San Antonio, take in the Alamo and the Riverwalk, then head north to Austin, then head up for the game. I don't know how much time you have to invest in this trip, though. San Antonio and Austin are both cities that deserve to be seen at night.

Anyway, that's my perspective as an erstwhile lone star tourist.

[TripletDaddy]

Hold up. Whom does one procure to watch preschool triplets? That's impressive!

My mom and sisters. They call often asking if the kids can come visit for a weekend. Free in-family babysitting for vacations is a nice perk.

To tell you the truth, if you haven't visited Texas much and may not make it back anytime soon, you might start out an hour south of Austin in San Antonio, take in the Alamo and the Riverwalk, then head north to Austin, then head up for the game. I don't know how much time you have to invest in this trip, though. San Antonio and Austin are both cities that deserve to be seen at night.

This is a great idea, actually. My wife has never seen the Alamo or the Riverwalk, so why not do that on Thurs, head to Austin on Fri and stay the night there with our friends, then head up to Dallas first thing in the morning on Saturday. We can go out to a Dallas dinner after the game. UT plays some typical community college loser on Saturday, so Friday night before the game in Austin should be fun.

PS it is pretty telling that BYU/OU are playing each other in Dallas and I have to go down to UT in Austin to find something fun to do the night before the game.

[Babs]

This is a great idea, actually. My wife has never seen the Alamo or the Riverwalk, so why not do that on Thurs, head to Austin on Fri and stay the night there with our friends, then head up to Dallas first thing in the morning on Saturday. We can go out to a Dallas dinner after the game. UT plays some typical community college loser on Saturday, so Friday night before the game in Austin should be fun.

you're welcome.

it is pretty telling that BYU/OU are playing each other in Dallas and I have to go down to UT in Austin to find something fun to do the night before the game.

No doubt. You should come down for OU-Texas instead.

[TripletDaddy]

Game time announced. 7PM EST.

http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArtic...ATCLID=3745278

[Babs]

Game time announced. 7PM EST.

http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArtic...ATCLID=3745278

awesome. should be a kickoff temp of 98, ~80% humidity. Nothing like football weather.