Texas vs OU

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Crazy start. 2 to 6 after Diggs returns a botched extra point attempt.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Cool, they're bumping the Tornadoes at the break.

[austro]

Ok, that was just terrible play by the secondary.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

FUCK! Williams rips a 95 yard TD run. OU up 13 to 2.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Which Kenny has more ink, Stills or Vaccaro?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'd like to see the Longhorns do a better job of tackling. That Bell dude is a horse.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

20 to 2 Sooners over Longhorns in the 2nd quarter. Two TD runs by Bell.

[MRaup]

This defense is embarrassingly bad. Between terrible tackling and questionable playcalling, Texas is enroute to a blowout.

And the offense is pretty horrible as well.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bad play all around. No cylinders firing.

[Ron Brand]

This defense is embarrassingly bad. Between terrible tackling and questionable playcalling, Texas is enroute to a blowout.

And the offense is pretty horrible as well.

Fucking embarrassing. I'm just about done with this team

[austro]

Fucking embarrassing. I'm just about done with this team

Here's a new contest: at what point in the game will UT get its first first down?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Okay, I think I can find about 1,000 things better to do than sit in front of this here teevee watching this crap.

[Ron Brand]

Okay, I think I can find about 1,000 things better to do than sit in front of this here teevee watching this crap.

Yeah. I can sit here, fighting throwing up, or I can do something else with my life. I'll check back next year, I'm tired of the embarrassment every week.

[austro]

Embarrassment seems like an understatement, but I can't come up with a better word.

[austro]

May have to throw incompetence in there too.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The camera will start looking for McCoy about now.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Here's a new contest: at what point in the game will UT get its first first down?

If you had "exactly one play before they throw an interception" you win.

God this is awful.

[austro]

Timeout with 8 seconds left when you're down 63-15? Seriously?

[remy]

What an embarrassment.

[MRaup]

I've been as big a Mack Brown supporter as there has been for a while, but I think today swung me to the dark side. That was just pitiful. I can't recall ever feeling so ambushed by a game that felt winnable in my career as a UT fan.

[austro]

Watching Stanford @ ND. They just showed a clip of Stanford -- with "Touchdown Tommy" Vardell -- upsetting then-#1 ND. In 1990. Touchdown Tommy was 22 years ago? Where's my walker?

[juliogotay]

I've been as big a Mack Brown supporter as there has been for a while, but I think today swung me to the dark side. That was just pitiful. I can't recall ever feeling so ambushed by a game that felt winnable in my career as a UT fan.

Yep. I think it's over for him. This isn't going to end well. He set out two years ago to rebuild the coaching staff and change the direction of the program and we get this? Diaz is way over his head. It has  looked to me all year that we're playing with nine guys on the defense. Guys always out of position, running into each other like the Keystone cops. And that tackling is inexcusable. The coaches are letting them try to "blow guys up" rather than tackle. And the offense is not better with Harsin. The common denominator is the man at the top of the program.

[austro]

I've been as big a Mack Brown supporter as there has been for a while, but I think today swung me to the dark side. That was just pitiful. I can't recall ever feeling so ambushed by a game that felt winnable in my career as a UT fan.

Yeah, it may be time for a change. Frankly, I have little confidence in their ability to assess talent. Or maybe they assess it well but can't coach it. I really think that their emphasis on signing HS juniors causes them to pick up guys who top out early, passing over guys who mature later but at a higher level.

I'm watching Tech shred WVa right now and wondering why the pre-eminent public university in the state couldn't do the same thing.

[austro]

What an awful weekend. Cards win, Yankees win, ND wins, OU wins. All I need now are a Texans' loss and a Cowboys' win to complete the shitfest.

[Waldo]

I can't recall ever feeling so ambushed by a game that felt winnable in my career as a UT fan.

I actually think 65-13 was worse for me, maybe just because I witnessed the beatdown in person.  After that game, and the game last year, getting blown out by OU regardless of circumstances has always been in the back of my mind.

When you really get right down to it, though, debating which 40-50 point loss to OU is the worst kick in the balls is a bad problem to have.

[MusicMan]

When you really get right down to it, though, debating which 40-50 point loss to OU is the worst kick in the balls is a bad problem to have.

"This is not who we are."

By now, Mack, it is.

[DVauthrin]

"This is not who we are."

By now, Mack, it is.

It's time for a change.  My only saving grace is I had to work a festival and didn't get to watch the embarrassment.  But everyone on the staff can go imho.  The only two I'd think about keeping in some capacity are Harsin and Major.   

[DVauthrin]

I've been as big a Mack Brown supporter as there has been for a while, but I think today swung me to the dark side. That was just pitiful. I can't recall ever feeling so ambushed by a game that felt winnable in my career as a UT fan.

I'm with you, though some of the earlier OU blowouts were winnable games too.    This was embarrassing.  You know it's bad when my friends that love to rag me when Texas loses, more or less didn't out of pity.

[BizidyDizidy]

What a gut punch

[DVauthrin]

What a gut punch

Gut punch is being too kind.   If I ran the program Mack would be asked to resign tomorrow and Diaz would have been lucky to make it through halftime(and he would be fired on Monday).  I'm not even sure I keep Harsin and Major around.  I'll sum up my thoughts this way:  407 yards of offense for OU in the 1st half, 677 for the game, over 300 on the ground.   Enough said.  

[BizidyDizidy]

Sorry, was talking about the highway robbery in south bend. Would describe the red river shootout as more of a non-consensual gangbang.

[BizidyDizidy]

Btw - if you are bringing in a new coach, don't stick him with anybody from the old staff.

[remy]

Baylor looked godawful tonight too.  Texans better fucking win tomorrow.

[austro]

Sorry, was talking about the highway robbery in south bend. Would describe the red river shootout as more of a non-consensual gangbang.

How was that last play by Stanford not ruled a TD? Of course, they pretty much deserved what they got by running the most unimaginative plays possible.

[jbm]

Sorry, was talking about the highway robbery in south bend.

Seemed like bullshit to me.  Either the whistle had been blown and you don't need a review or the whistle hadn't been blown and the review is whether the ball crossed the line.  It clearly did, IMO.  By the way, fuck those homer ND announcers.  

No ass whipping of the Longhorns surprises me anymore.  However, never crossed my mind that the defense could be this bad.  

[DVauthrin]

Sorry, was talking about the highway robbery in south bend. Would describe the red river shootout as more of a non-consensual gangbang.

It's fine.   I haven't watched any college football today, and I'm thankful for that as a Texas grad.  Yes, your description of Texas-OU is accurate.

[Savage]

Seemed like bullshit to me.  Either the whistle had been blown and you don't need a review or the whistle hadn't been blown and the review is whether the ball crossed the line.  It clearly did, IMO.  By the way, fuck those homer ND announcers.  

No ass whipping of the Longhorns surprises me anymore.  However, never crossed my mind that the defense could be this bad.  

His other elbow was down before he stretched across the goal line. 

[MusicMan]

What a gut punch

Four chances. Don't leave it in the officials hands.

[Mr. Happy]

As most of you know, I've never been a Mack Brown fan from his days as an assistant coach at LSU when I was there, but it appears that he's gotten long in the tooth and it's time for a change. 63-21? Dear Lord. My Tigers escaped, and that is a kind word, against South Carolina, although it always is immensely gratifying to win against the "ole ball coach," who was going apeshit on the sidelines.

As for Stanford, you got what you deserved. Run the same player four times in a row? What's that definition of insanity? It is in a strange way redemption for ND over something that happened to them playing at LSU during the Gerry Faust debacle era. I was working in the athletic department at the time, and we knew that ND ran the power I to the three hole 100% of the time inside the five yard line. Sure enough, in our game, ND had first and goal at the five. Trot out the power I. LSU has three players in the three hole. Two yards on first down. On second down, here comes the power I again. This time, LSU puts four players in the three hole. One yard. Repeat for third down. Result: one yard. Fourth down and goal at the one. LSU game film is hilarious here because I could not honestly tell you how many players were covering the three hole, but it was at least six. We stone them. The QB could have and should have audibled when he saw the defensive alignments but didn't.

I knew right then and there that Gerry Faust was in way over his head.   

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

His other elbow was down before he stretched across the goal line.  

Which other elbow? I don't see any part of his body contacting turf before the the ball breaks the plane. I'll watch it again but that looked like a touchdown. Also Taylor said he made it, I don't think the kid would lie about it.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to root for a team that isn't a case study in dick stepping.

[austro]

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to root for a team that isn't a case study in dick stepping.

I have a bad feeling about tonight's Texans' game. It would be the cherry on top of a lousy sports weekend.

[Savage]

Which other elbow? I don't see any part of his body contacting turf before the the ball breaks the plane. I'll watch it again but that looked like a touchdown. Also Taylor said he made it, I don't think the kid would lie about it.

Remember it was called no TD on the field - so you have to have evidence to overturn it.  But go back and look and the final bit when he's stretching for it.  He falls through a gap of bodies and is lying down - the bodies shift a bit and you can see his arm (including elbow) resting on the field.  Taylor's conviction that he scored is irrelevant.  I also have no idea if a whistle blew or not, but the ND players reacted as if one did. 

Lost in all of this, btw, is that Stanford played like crap.  Only TD was a gift-wrapped fumble in the end zone.  Hard to argue you got robbed when you score only 3 points that weren't off ND dick-stepping and, as bizidy points out, you run the same rushing play 4 times in a row from less than 4 yards (against a defense that hasn't given up a rushing TD all year but has a suspect secondary).

[BizidyDizidy]

The offense is abysmal. Painful after the Luck years.

[BizidyDizidy]

At least the Cowboys choked it.

[chuck]

At least the Cowboys choked it.

Sadly, as a Texans fan, that was a bad outcome. Enjoyable, sure, but ultimately unfortunate.

[austro]

Sadly, as a Texans fan, that was a bad outcome. Enjoyable, sure, but ultimately unfortunate.

Baltimore will blow a couple of games before this season is over.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Remember it was called no TD on the field - so you have to have evidence to overturn it.  But go back and look and the final bit when he's stretching for it.  He falls through a gap of bodies and is lying down - the bodies shift a bit and you can see his arm (including elbow) resting on the field. 

From every replay I've seen I can't tell if his elbow is on the ground or a fraction of an inch off or 3 inches off the ground. The one view that might have been conclusive is obscured by another players shoe.

[BizidyDizidy]

Looks like Baltimore might be missing Lewis and Webb next week

[chuck]

Looks like Baltimore might be missing Lewis and Webb next week

And beyond.

[Savage]

From every replay I've seen I can't tell if his elbow is on the ground or a fraction of an inch off or 3 inches off the ground. The one view that might have been conclusive is obscured by another players shoe.

Elbow before ball.  http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1550591/ballnd.gif

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Elbow before ball.  http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1550591/ballnd.gif

It looks like the ball breaks the plane and the elbow is obstructed enough that you can't see the turf. I guess you see what you want to.

[MusicMan]

Jeffcoat out for the year with a torn pec.

[Ebby Calvin]

Jeffcoat out for the year with a torn pec.

Oh good.

[Ron Brand]

Jeffcoat out for the year with a torn pec.

That's got to be career-threatening.

[austro]

Jeffcoat out for the year with a torn pec.

In-fucking-credible.

[juliogotay]

That's got to be career-threatening.

He has had a torn pec. I guess it didn't completely heal. I remember three years ago when Jeffcoat and Jordan Hicks commited on National Signing Day and it was a big deal. they were going to be the leaders of the next great Texas defense. Now they are in their junior year and both have missed a good bit of time with injury and really have just made a limited splash. Malcolm Brown is following that same path. Can't stay on the field.

[Ron Brand]

He has had a torn pec. I guess it didn't completely heal. I remember three years ago when Jeffcoat and Jordan Hicks commited on National Signing Day and it was a big deal. they were going to be the leaders of the next great Texas defense. Now they are in their junior year and both have missed a good bit of time with injury and really have just made a limited splash. Malcolm Brown is following that same path. Can't stay on the field.

He tore the left pec last year and had surgery. Yesterday's year was of the right one. The problem for him will be the extended rehab necessary to be strong enough to play at the level he's capable of. He's still feeling the effects of last year's injury that reduced his time in strength training.

[Ron Brand]

Barking Carnival's Scipio Tex has a viewpoint.

[JimR]

Barking Carnival's Scipio Tex has a viewpoint.

"It's no longer about Mack Brown. It's about Texas Football. I don't mean Texas Football Inc. Or the goddamn hype machine and the idiot marketers. I mean our football team winning games on the field. And despite the best efforts of Bellmont and a URL address to imply otherwise, It's not Mack Brown Texas Football. It's Texas Football. He didn't build this. He's a caretaker. He's not the program. He serves it. He can't any longer."

this is so true. the media guides and website scream that there was no Texas Football before Mack Brown. bullshit.

[drew corleone]

I read that this morning and agreed with pretty much everything.

On Saturday I left with 7 minutes to go... in the second quarter.

[MusicMan]

On Saturday I left with 7 minutes to go... in the second quarter.

Despite everything on the field, the ABC shots of the exterior, with fans streaming out before halftime, were what convinced me he's finished.

[drew corleone]

The sad thing is I didn't even feel bad. Last year I did, but after 2003 I told myself I was never sitting through another debacle in that stadium. Next year I may go and just watch from the fair instead of going inside the Cotton Bowl, unless we have a new coach in place.

[MusicMan]

The sad thing is I didn't even feel bad. Last year I did, but after 2003 I told myself I was never sitting through another debacle in that stadium. Next year I may go and just watch from the fair instead of going inside the Cotton Bowl, unless we have a new coach in place.

Voting with our pocketbooks is the only message Dodds understands.

[juliogotay]

Despite everything on the field, the ABC shots of the exterior, with fans streaming out before halftime, were what convinced me he's finished.

Eerily similar to the UCLA game when Mackovic was HC. Most believe that was his final nail.
Brown is different though. He has nine lives. Not sure how many have expired. I can't see Dodds under any circumstance making the decision to let him go.

[Ron Brand]

In Mack Brown's Monday PC with the print press, he said

any talk of him retiring or stepping down needs to be put to bed. He said he's only heard positive things in the wake of the OU game.

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world," Mack said. "I know I've got time to fix it."

Old Yellow Stain.

[jbm]

Positive things?

Looks as if he is going back to full whiny-Mack mode.  It is hard for me to respect him when that persona takes over. 

[MusicMan]

At least one player understands:

RT @ranriggs: Wow quote from DE Alex Okafor: "Right now we have no confidence in our run defense." #longhorns #ut

[JimR]

Mack Brown is fucking delusional.

[juliogotay]

He's had time to fix it. He ran off most of his coaching staff and scoured the country for the best coaches in the country. They've had time to instill their method. It's something else. Let's see, the common denominator...

[Ron Brand]

Let's see, the common denominator...

We're Texas.

[OregonStrosFan]

We're Texas.

There is no better high school football in the nation than in the State of Texas. And because of that, I expect the University of Texas to be very good (not just 'good') every season.  And for better or worse (as a displaced Texan), I identify (and am identified with) University of Texas football.  I'm tired of hearing my Ducks buddies tell me that UT Football has become somewhat irrelevant.  To a point they are correct, but I'm sick of hearing it, and sick of it being somewhat true.  It's time (and has been time), to make UT football 'relevant' again.  And its (past) time to let Mack go... [That said, I still hope Baylor goes undefeated against UT for the next 50 or so years... Sic 'em!].

[Ron Brand]

I was referring to the passive arrogance of UT as illustrated by the "We're Texas" ad campaign.

[OregonStrosFan]

I was referring to the passive arrogance of UT as illustrated by the "We're Texas" ad campaign.

Just using your post as a segue...

[JimR]

i always enjoy it when fans of another team weigh in to tell UT what it should do. how did that TCU game work out for you, OSF?

[MRaup]

i always enjoy it when fans of another team weigh in to tell UT what it should do. how did that TCU game work out for you, OSF?

Ziiiiing!

[OregonStrosFan]

i always enjoy it when fans of another team weigh in to tell UT what it should do. how did that TCU game work out for you, OSF?

Not as well as I'd hoped...  FWIW, That my post may have come across as less than respectful of the program should be chalked up as an err in drafting.  I respect the University of Texas football program, and want (rather expect) it to be a national powerhouse every year. Whether rightfully or wrongfully (after all, I chose to go to BU over UT), I identify strongly with the program. 

[ybbodeus]

'Sup?

[JackAstro]

"It's no longer about Mack Brown. It's about Texas Football. I don't mean Texas Football Inc. Or the goddamn hype machine and the idiot marketers. I mean our football team winning games on the field. And despite the best efforts of Bellmont and a URL address to imply otherwise, It's not Mack Brown Texas Football. It's Texas Football. He didn't build this. He's a caretaker. He's not the program. He serves it. He can't any longer."

this is so true. the media guides and website scream that there was no Texas Football before Mack Brown. bullshit.

I was really hoping to show up here and see that you'd already posted that wheels are in motion, change is coming, everything's going to be okay.

[MusicMan]

I was really hoping to show up here and see that you'd already posted that wheels are in motion, change is coming, everything's going to be okay.

Think again

“Mack Brown,” McCombs said, “has earned the right to determine when and how he leaves.”
McCombs was influential in the hiring of Brown, and he loves what Brown has done and how he has done it. The two often talk, and McCombs says when you've been through the wars with people like this, you don't abandon them.
“Nobody's going to do anything more,” McCombs said Monday, “than pat him on the back.”

[Bench]

Manny Diaz will be the sacrificial lamb at the end of the season and Mack will be back next year (if he wants to be). 

[JimR]

let's see how this Saturday turns out.

[Taras Bulba]

let's see how this Saturday turns out.

Baylor's "defense" has highly restorative powers for an opposing offense.  Texas should feel right perky, afterwards.

[JimR]

Baylor's "defense" has highly restorative powers for an opposing offense.  Texas should feel right perky, afterwards.

i have heard that one before.

[MusicMan]

Baylor's "defense" has highly restorative powers for an opposing offense.  Texas should feel right perky, afterwards.

Our offense isn't the problem.

[JimR]

Our offense isn't the problem.

of course it is. i heard MB himself call it "inept."

[MusicMan]

of course it is. i heard MB himself call it "inept."

Perhaps if he'd stop ordering runs into the line in the false hope that it would keep the worst defense in UT history off the field, it wouldn't be.

[HudsonHawk]

of course it is. i heard MB himself call it "inept."

Coach Brown, what do you think of your team's execution?

[johnmckay] I'm all for it [/johnmckay]

[drew corleone]

of course it is. i heard MB himself call it "inept."

It was definitely inept against OU, but the historicals show a pattern in that game that doesn't necessarily exist against other teams. OU has shut down very good offenses in the Brown era.

Texas *should* move the ball against Baylor.

[juliogotay]

let's see how this Saturday turns out.

Yes, MB is at his best in rallying a Texas team from a devestating loss to OU. He has that routine down.
And, yes, I expect Texas will defeat Baylor Sunday.

[drew corleone]

Yes, MB is at his best in rallying a Texas team from a devestating loss to OU. He has that routine down.
And, yes, I expect Texas will defeat Baylor Sunday.

Well hell, let's give him another 5-year extension. It drives me crazy when I hear this (note: Brown mentioned during that awful presser on Monday), as it somehow absolves yet another loss.

Four ass-whippings in 13 games against Stoops? Meh, we'll just beat Baylor next week and everything will be okay. Of course last year broke that streak.

[ybbodeus]

13-1 the week following OU? Meaningless to some, I suppose, other than its being a reflection of Mack's ability to get the team refocused the week after that game.

[drew corleone]

4-9 with 4 blowouts in your biggest game of the year seems more meaningful, and a reflection of his ability to get his team prepared in THAT game.

10 of those wins came as a higher-ranked team, btw (6 against unranked opponents), so it's not as much refocusing and "righting the ship" as it is doing what they're supposed to do.

[remy]

13-1 the week following OU? Meaningless to some, I suppose, other than its being a reflection of Mack's ability to get the team refocused the week after that game.

The stat I heard somewhere over the weekend that blew me away was the fact that UT has lost NINE straight games against ranked opponents.

[drew corleone]

Yes, dating back Nebraska in 2010.

[drew corleone]

Here's another stat... We would need to win out for Mack's 2010-2012 record  (24-15; 0.615) to beat out John Mackovic's last three seasons (22-14-1; 0.594). Of course the trends would be going in opposite directions, but Johnny Mac did deliver two conference titles in that span.

[Waldo]

Another embarrassing stat I heard on the broadcast:

Texas is WINLESS against OU when it lost to OU by 28+ points the previous year.

Get ready to drop trou and bend over next October too.  Just gotta keep it close, then we'll go back to work and have a chance in 2014.  Clap clap clap.

[BizidyDizidy]

http://kegsneggsblog.com/2012/10/18/place-your-bets-will-mack-brown-coach-texas-in-2013/

[BizidyDizidy]

Yes, dating back Nebraska in 2010.

Was that the screwjob, or game after the screwjob?

[Bench]

Was that the screwjob, or game after the screwjob?

If you just count the 60 minutes of legal game time the streak would go back further.

[MusicMan]

If you just count the 60 minutes of legal game time the streak would go back further.

Other than the fact that it was "legal" game time, or the fact that the win in 2010 was after that game, this is an insightful comment.

[drew corleone]

Let's not let reality get in the way of being clever.

[Bench]

Let's not let reality get in the way of being clever.

I never do.

[Phil_in_CS]

13-1 the week following OU? Meaningless to some, I suppose, other than its being a reflection of Mack's ability to get the team refocused the week after that game.

If you play the teams in the same weeks each year, you will have Baylor following OU each year. That would lead to a pretty high win % the week after OU...

[drew corleone]

It's not Baylor every year.

[Waldo]

It's not Baylor every year.

Even still, Baylor has beaten Texas twice in a row.

Saturday's game is hardly a gimme for Texas.  Not many of those left on the schedule anyway.

[drew corleone]

I wouldn't call any remaining game a gimme. Kansas played tough at home last week. Iowa State beat us in Austin two years ago.

[BizidyDizidy]

I wouldn't call any remaining game a gimme. Kansas played tough at home last week. Iowa State beat us in Austin two years ago.

Come on, you can't really be worried about Kansas.

[Ebby Calvin]

I never do.

C'mon Bench. When are you ever clever?

[drew corleone]

Come on, you can't really be worried about Kansas.

The same Kansas team that played tough against Okie State last week? Yes, I am worried about that game. When your team cannot play defense to save their lives I see no reason to not be worried about every single game.

[Bench]

C'mon Bench. When are you ever clever?

I never do.

[DVauthrin]

Even still, Baylor has beaten Texas twice in a row.

Saturday's game is hardly a gimme for Texas.  Not many of those left on the schedule anyway.

Unless Manny Diaz can look in the mirror and get past his precious schemes, Texas can lose to anyone left on the schedule.  His refusal to adjust is mind boggling.  Never would've believed after 6 games we would be talking about a solid offense carrying one of the worst defenses in Texas history.  But here we are. 

[OregonStrosFan]

And while I'm dishing out advice... Seems a couple of Texas schools (Baylor, UT, y'all listening) could benefit from this kid.  WOW!

[EasTexAstro]

And while I'm dishing out advice... Seems a couple of Texas schools (Baylor, UT, y'all listening) could benefit from this kid.  WOW!

That would be impressive for a NFL kicker. Actually, from anyone. Amazing kick.

[ybbodeus]

Doin' Kreuz for the pre-game, as I type. Fear this will be the highlight of my day. Please--no Kevin Spacey resets. To go Dan Rather? "Let's eat, go back to Houston and all call ourselves winners."

[austro]

Doin' Kreuz for the pre-game, as I type. Fear this will be the highlight of my day. Please--no Kevin Spacey resets. To go Dan Rather? "Let's eat, go back to Houston and all call ourselves winners."

I did Mueller's in Taylor for lunch yesterday. The brisket was so tender that you couldn't just pick up a slice in the middle without it falling apart.

[ybbodeus]

We experienced the same here. Glorious! Time to head that way

[Waldo]

I did Mueller's in Taylor for lunch yesterday. The brisket was so tender that you couldn't just pick up a slice in the middle without it falling apart.

My personal favorite BBQ joint.

[BizidyDizidy]

My personal favorite BBQ joint.

So good, but so peppery. Not a big black pepper fan.

[HudsonHawk]

So good, but so peppery. Not a big black pepper fan.

Black pepper makes food worth eating.

[BizidyDizidy]

Black pepper makes food worth eating.

Can't remember where I read it, but someone had a good point on the oddness of our use of pepper. With salt, there is a specific interaction in terms of bringing out other flavors, etc. that makes sense as a ubiquitous seasoning. Pepper on the other hand is just a very assertive spice - why don't we have cinnamon or nutmeg or garlic or thyme shakers at the table?

[HudsonHawk]

Can't remember where I read it, but someone had a good point on the oddness of our use of pepper. With salt, there is a specific interaction in terms of bringing out other flavors, etc. that makes sense as a ubiquitous seasoning. Pepper on the other hand is just a very assertive spice - why don't we have cinnamon or nutmeg or garlic or thyme shakers at the table?

Probably because pepper goes with EVERYTHING, while nutmeg does not.  Pepper is the greatest invention since microwave popcorn.

[Ron Brand]

Can't remember where I read it, but someone had a good point on the oddness of our use of pepper. With salt, there is a specific interaction in terms of bringing out other flavors, etc. that makes sense as a ubiquitous seasoning. Pepper on the other hand is just a very assertive spice - why don't we have cinnamon or nutmeg or garlic or thyme shakers at the table?

I suspect part of it is that you add pepper at the end of cooking for most dishes, and savory or aromatic herbs benefit in the cooking process.

[sporadic]

Probably because pepper goes with EVERYTHING, while nutmeg does not.  Pepper is the greatest invention since microwave popcorn.

I am completely shocked that you are a fan of microwave popcorn.  It is not like popcorn is that hard to make (the old fashined way)...and it is light years better than the microwaved crap.  I am a lazy man around the house, but I refuse to eat microwave popcorn.

[HudsonHawk]

I am completely shocked that you are a fan of microwave popcorn.  It is not like popcorn is that hard to make (the old fashined way)...and it is light years better than the microwaved crap.  I am a lazy man around the house, but I refuse to eat microwave popcorn.

Microwave popcorn is so much easier than making it the "old fashioned" way.  Especially since the microwave variety does not involve having to build a fire.  

[sporadic]

Microwave popcorn is so much easier than making it the "old fashioned" way.  Especially since the microwave variety does not involve having to build a fire.  

Dirtying up one pot and expending five extra minutes is well worth it, for me at least.  I guess it also helps that the kids enjoy it so much...making popcorn turns in to 5-10 minutes of unimpeded family time around my house.  Can't get that from sticking a bag in the microwave.

[HudsonHawk]

Dirtying up one pot and expending five extra minutes is well worth it, for me at least.  I guess it also helps that the kids enjoy it so much...making popcorn turns in to 5-10 minutes of unimpeded family time around my house.  Can't get that from sticking a bag in the microwave.

Yea, but I don't want to spend 5-10 minutes with your family.

Seriously though...I like popcorn made on the stove or open fire as much as the next guy, but it's decidely more involved than sticking a bag in the microwave.  I get that you like the "experience" of making fresh popcorn, but I just want a bowl of salty goodness without missing too many pitches.  Also, I'll say it...I don't mind the taste of microwave popcorn. 

[MusicMan]

Pepper on the other hand is just a very assertive spice - why don't we have cinnamon or nutmeg or garlic or thyme shakers at the table?

I am shocked that you do not have herb shakers at your table.

[Bench]

I am shocked that you do not have herb shakers at your table.

Given the staggering amount of salt he apparently dumps on every dish it would be pointless. 

[HudsonHawk]

Given the staggering amount of salt he apparently dumps on every dish it would be pointless. 

Biz has never invited me over for a nice home-boiled meal, so I can't say if he oversalts or not.  But I find that most people do not use nearly enough.

[BudGirl]

Biz has never invited me over for a nice home-boiled meal, so I can't say if he oversalts or not.  But I find that most people do not use nearly enough.

That would be me.  But, I like to think it is a healthy reason.  But, I do use many other spices/herbs.

[BizidyDizidy]

Biz has never invited me over for a nice home-boiled meal, so I can't say if he oversalts or not.  But I find that most people do not use nearly enough.

I do have a fairly salty palate. Haven't been cooking much since I moved up to NYC.

[BizidyDizidy]

That would be me.  But, I like to think it is a healthy reason.  But, I do use many other spices/herbs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[BizidyDizidy]

I am shocked that you do not have herb shakers at your table.

What pisses me off is almost no restaurants provide salt at the table anymore.

[HudsonHawk]

That would be me.  But, I like to think it is a healthy reason.  But, I do use many other spices/herbs.

There is really no evidence that a reasonable amount of salt is unhealthy.

[HudsonHawk]

What pisses me off is almost no restaurants provide salt at the table anymore.

What pisses me off is pre-ground pepper.

[subnuclear]

There is really no evidence that a reasonable amount of salt is unhealthy.

Have you ever tracked the amount of sodium you eat in a day? Avoiding a high amount of is a lot of work.

Gary Taubes is right to point out that nutrition is a very hard to study and I hope he gets people to do better work, but he has a story to tell and I'm not sure I would trust him in general.

[MusicMan]

What pisses me off is pre-ground pepper.

Like that's all that pisses you off.

[Andyzipp]

Probably because pepper goes with EVERYTHING, while nutmeg does not.  Pepper is the greatest invention since microwave popcorn.

What type of onion are you wearing today?

[Bench]

There is really no evidence that a reasonable amount of salt is unhealthy.

There is plenty of evidence that an unreasonable amount of salt is untasty.  And uncouth. 

[BudGirl]

There is really no evidence that a reasonable amount of salt is unhealthy.

I don't use a lot of salt, but I use salt.  Geez, I know pretty much first hand what low sodium can do.

[HudsonHawk]

Like that's all that pisses you off.

I thought we were limiting it to table spices at this time.

[HudsonHawk]

What type of onion are you wearing today?

The big yellow kind.  I don't like the little red ones.  They were brought here by the Hessians.

[EasTexAstro]

Y'all are just pouring salt in the wound thread.

[hostros7]

I would also like to go on record that stove top popcorn is the tits and takes slightly more effort than the microwaved version.

To bring this comment up to the current rabbit trail of the thread, I thoroughly enjoy a liberal dose of McCormick's spicy montreal seasoning and/or Jane's crazy salt on my stove-popped popcorn.   

[HudsonHawk]

I would also like to go on record that stove top popcorn is the tits and takes slightly more effort than the microwaved version.

To bring this comment up to the current rabbit trail of the thread, I thoroughly enjoy a liberal dose of McCormick's spicy montreal seasoning and/or Jane's crazy salt on my stove-popped popcorn.   

What if you're REALLY old fashioned?  You have to chop kindling, rub two sticks together to get the fire going...

[Bench]

What if you're REALLY old fashioned?  You have to chop kindling, rub two sticks together to get the fire going...

Just wait for a lightning strike. 

[MusicMan]

I thought we were limiting it to table spices at this time.

What if Kubiak were to offer you pre-ground pepper?

[hostros7]

This is the point where we should point out that a microwave isn't exactly cutting edge shit.  Biz probably knows how to sous vid some maize and served with a dipping foam of slow-churned butter, made from hand-milked cows in Wisconsin by "artisan" art history majors.  

[hostros7]

What if Kubiak were to offer you pre-ground pepper?

It depends whether or not he passes it to him or runs it over the table.

[Guinness]

It depends whether or not he passes it to him or runs it over the table.

Not to mention whether or not he is wearing a hat. Which sort of brings up a metaphysical question:  if the roof at Reliant is open and one is wearing a hat, but due to weather they close the roof at halftime, must one remove one's hat?

[BudGirl]

hostros 7 is on a roll today.  I'd nominate you for POTV, but you'd never know I thought it was funny.

[HudsonHawk]

It depends whether or not he passes it to him or runs it over the table.

And don't get me started about "passing" the salt or pepper without passing the other...

[Waldo]

I would also like to go on record that stove top popcorn is the tits and takes slightly more effort than the microwaved version.

I don't like popcorn anymore, but when I was a kid my dad used something like this and it seemed to get pretty good results with little or no mess like on the stove.  Was fun to watch, too.

[HudsonHawk]

I don't like popcorn anymore, but when I was a kid my dad used something like this and it seemed to get pretty good results with little or no mess like on the stove.  Was fun to watch, too.

Air poppers are convenient, but I think it gives the popcorn a stale taste.  Who remembers Jiffy Pop?

[MusicMan]

Air poppers are convenient, but I think it gives the popcorn a stale taste.  Who remembers Jiffy Pop?

Drew Barrymore remembers it

[VirtualBob]

Who remembers Jiffy Pop?

Or the wonderful SNL skit with the "jiffy pop airbag" that allowed the driver to snack on popcorn while waiting for the police and tow truck to come to the scene of the accident.  [searches vainly for link on U-Toob]

[drew corleone]

Not gonna find it. SNL clips don't last long on Youtube.

[ybbodeus]

It would be on the SNL site, though.

[MusicMan]

It would be on the SNL site, though.

Maybe.  They're pretty inconsistent about what they post.