The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, September 4, 1981 Page: 10 of 12
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Rice University Woodson Research Center.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
OWLOOK
Rice leads field in 1981 SWC football race
Last year in this spot I predicted
that Baylor would finish fifth in the
1980 Southwest Conference
football race. That constituted my
largest margin of error.
In previous years my largest
margin of error would have been
eight places, because I would have
picked Rice first and they finished
last. Fortunately, I have never
made such a gross error (I was not
around back then).
Last year I averaged 2.13 places
off per pick, which is probably as
close as anyone else got, since most
folks made massive mistakes in
their picks for Baylor and Rice.
Last year I also made some coy
remarks about the tradition of
picking Rice first, and how I
figured the Owls would muster
seventh at the best.
Now 1 will be the only
sportswriter in the country in the
position to say "I told you so" if
Rice finishes first this year. That's
who 1 pick. Honestly. The Rice
Owls.
And here is the inevitable finish
of the 1981 SWC football race:
1) Rice Owls (4-4 in 1980)—
"Why do we do it?...Tradition!"
Rice lost 27 lettermen, which is one
heavy toll for a team trying to
climb to the top and making its
second step. Yet there are people
that remain, and a few new faces,
that will lead this year's squad to
the Cotton Bowl.
Robert Hubble is back, and that
means the offense is once again
tired up by the outspoken two-time
All-SWC 6-8 tight end. The pros
want him. and the rest of the SWC
wants him to graduate. He'll catch
another 40 passes this season.
The defense was tough last year
(for the first time in ages), and it
will get tougher as mean Clenzie
"Mohawk" Pierson gets meaner.
Expect fewer points from Rice
opponents this year, and just
enough offense to win the tight
ones.
2) SMl! Mustangs (5-3 in
1980)—Too boring to win it all.
They have the offense to take the
conference, and an inconsistent
hut good defense, but how could a
team of preppies, especially SM U,
win the SWC? Mustang Mania
pales in comparison to the exciting
auras surrounding humorous
A & M , oversized Texas,
controversial Baylor and those
outsiders—Arkansas.
In the limelight of the Mustang
attack is the terrible twosome of
Craig James and Eric Dickerson.
They are the best-known backfield
in the SWC, and well-deserving of
that honor.
With consistent play from the
defense and a healthy year for-
Dickerson and James, SMU will
finish in the top two this year.
3) Texas Longhorns (4-4 in
1980)— Destined to have a destiny.
Some say Texas is destined to win
the conference this year. When
7 exas does win it, they say the
I onghorns were destined to win it.
When Texas does not win it, they
say the Horns were destined to
struggle. When Rice ties Texas,
they say Texas was destined to
have a bad year.
Texas has a solid offensive
attack in running back A.J. "Jam"
Jones and flanker Herkie Walls,
f he offensive line is a bunch of
titans, and the defensive line, led
by All-America tackle. Kenneth
Sims, is no joke either.
But Texas has little depth on
their offensive line, a so-so
quarterback in Rick Mclvor, and
too little to go all the way. Witness
what happened last year when
Jones went down. The offense lost
its punch.
Texas could win the SWC if they
remain healthy, but I believe
history is destined to repeat itself.
defensive back. I am also partial to
quarterback Lionel Wilson, who
played at my high school and is an
excellent runner, but he will have
to beat out Audrey McMillian for
the job.
This team wins the conference
when least expected, and flounders
when expected to win. This year,
some people expect them to win,
just what they needed for a little
PR.
Some theorize that Baylor
marched to the crown on the
shoulders of the SWC's top
statistical running back, Walter
Abercrombie. Others hold that it
was the astounding defense that
gave Baylor their surge. I believe
that God Almighty looked down
4) Houston Cougars (5-3 in
1980)—Overdue and rebuilding.
The Cougars did not win the SWC
last season, so they are overdue.
The squad lacks experience, but is
full of potential, and potential and
pride have pushed theCoogstothe
top more than once.
There are few famous names on
this year's team. Lonell Phea is an
outstanding receiver, and Donnie
Love is a h ighlv-respected
others expect them to have their
worst season since joining the
SWC. I say they will be in the
middle of the pack.
5) Baylor Bears (8-0 in 1980)—
Blame it on divine intervention.
Baylor opponents last season
expected to encounter a jolly old
dancing Bear, but found a ten-foot
wounded and hungry grizzly
instead. After the McCall/ Playboy
fiasco, a SWC Championship was
upon the Baylor campus, saw no
McCall, and said, "It is good."
This year only six seniors return
to the starting ranks, including
Abercrombie and All—SWC
quarterback Jay Jeffrey. The Bears
expect some solid play from free
safety Vann McElroy and juniors
Mark Kirchner, an offensive
guard, and Charles Benson, a
defensive end. However, Baylor
lacks experience and depth at
several positions, and will find
themselves floundering around
with the best of the mediocre
teams.
6) Arkansas Razorbacks (3-5 in
1980)—Hog wild goes hog mild.
Just look at the cover of the
Arkansas media guide. Who are
these guys? No one I know.
Last year I predicted a painful
rebuilding year for the Hogs. I was
right. It appears that the Hogs are
still rebuilding.
When Arkansas has the ball,
running back Gary Anderson is a
bona fide double threat. If the
Hogs utilize his receiving talents a
bit more this season he could be the
next Earl Cooper.
Defensive end Billy Ray Smith is
the big man on the Arkansas
defense. He recorded 17 sacks and
46 unassisted tackles (65 total) last
year.
And those are the bright spots of
the Hog team. They do have a
winning tradition and a good
recruiting program, which should
help Arkansas to win three games
this year.
7) TCU Horned Frogs (1-7 in
1980) — They play in the dark.
TCU has suffered more than any
other team in the SWC, and it is
hard not to feel sorry for the little
critters. They are the team that no
one cares about.
The Frogs have one of the most
exciting receivers in the country in
junior split end Stanley
Washington. Others catch more
passes and gain more yards, but
Washington can make the clutch
plays and he makes them often. If
quarterback Steve Stamp would
learn to throw the ball where his
receivers can catch it, Washington
and flanker Phillip Epps could be
the two most awesome receivers in
the conference.
Outstanding defensive back
Darrell Patterson has been moved
to linebacker, but few expect the
change to hurt his performance.
But the move weakens the
secondary, and TCU needs all the
see Aggie, page II
CONTINENTAL ANNOUNCES
THE ARMADILLO FARE. *19.99
STAND BY FOR THE LOWEST FARE IN TEXAS.
You're gonna see a lot fewer
armadillos out on the highways.
Because Continental just made flying
around Texas affordable for anyone
who's not in a hurry.
Our new Armadillo Fare is good
on nonstop flights from Houston
to Austin, Midland/Odessa and San
Antonio. From there.^'ou can arma-
dillo to another Texas city for another
twenty bucks.
Just show up at the airport and
stand by for an unfilled Coach seat.
Chances are good you'll get on the
flight you want. You can check lug-
gage. But only one carry-on, please.
While you wait for your plane,
be careful not to sit on what appears
The Proud Bird
to be an unaccompanied leather carry-on.
You wouldn't want to offend an arma-
dillo, would you?
Good oF Continental sure wouldn't.
Ib Austin: 8:15am, 10:55am, 4:05pm, 7:30pm
To Midland/Odessa: 10:40am
To San Antonio: 7:30am, 10:50am, 7:40pm
Flights subject to cancellation due to
flight controllers' work stoppage.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES#
The Rice Thresher, September 4, 1981, page 10
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Davies, Bruce. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, September 4, 1981, newspaper, September 4, 1981; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245476/m1/10/?rotate=90: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.