Nov 10
ARC - 7s Grand Final Tournament in Irving, TX
While A&M's Coach Mills has the luxury of sitting a few starters, I just cannot see this happening. A&M is playing to a standard of excellence that they think is necessary to beat the likes of Cal, Davenport, Life, Lindenwood, etc at the end of this month. Click here for their account of last weekend.
Texas is sitting in the seat of the spoiler. They go into Dallas with the opportunity to prevent Oklahoma from making the trip to Aggieland and to teach a lesson in humility to the Aggies. Can they do it? They certainly believe they can, but - with the exception of the SWC tournaments - we have yet to see the goods against A&M & Oklahoma.
And what about Oklahoma? They have played consistently well throughout the ARC 7s series, falling short only to Texas A&M. The Sooners must play exceptionally well to impress their 7s prowess on the competitions committee as those individuals decide which teams are offered at-large invitations to the USAR NC7C.
Favorite - A&M
Team to Watch - UT (saved 1st 7 last week)
Fire-Snorting Dark Horse - OU
SWWC - SHSU at Texas St at 12pm at Texas State's rugby pitch
This is the first XVs match of the SWWC season with SHSU & Texas St in their infancies as clubs. The home-field advantage should be important. But, more than anything, I am more than happy to see women's collegiate rugby in Texas growing. We need more of this (really, we do).
SWC - UNT at St Edward's at 1:30pm at Burr Field
UNT's a big, physical team with a penchant for old-school, smash-mouth rugby. St Ed's possesses a technical, phase-play-intensive game of ball control with organization on the defense. There is an eloquently violent beauty in both styles. I really hope someone has the good sense to video this match and post it. This should be barn-burning slobberknocker! Home-field advantage to St Ed's, though.
SWC - Houston at TCU at 2pm at TCU's Intramural fields
Houston possesses a LOT of athletic talent on their team, but lacks consistency at the helm (coaching issues). This must get resolved, and quickly. They visit a dedicated, well-coached TCU Rugby team that is on a roll and intends to stay there. Advantage to TCU, this weekend.
Lonestar - Angelo State at St Edward's Dev XV at 12pm at Burr Field
There's naught else to do in the middle of nowhere but stay in shape and play rugby. Angelo State travels well, usually. St Ed's Developmental XV will be no less well-coached than their 1st XV. Slight advantage to Angelo State.
Lonestar - LeTourneau at UDallas at 2pm
Not much is known about LeTourneau except that this is their first season of rugby. The University of Dallas rugby team has been around forever. Until Jerry Jones destroyed Texas Stadium, UD's hillside pitch had a great view of Irving, but I digress. Advantage UD.
Lonestar - SMU at UT-Dallas (Field 6) at 7pm
The Comet is flying! UT-Dallas is 10-0 in conference play since their conception. This team is deep and experienced. I do not think that SMU has the umpf to stop the UTD juggernaut. Sure, the Comets played some close matches this season and got beat by a more experienced D-1AA team, but this team got better with age last year. Advantage to UT-Dallas.