How so? Texas isn't a national seed and wasn't expected to make it out of the super regionals. Unless you're talking about the high expectations of Texas fans. Rice is a national seed, 1-0 vs. Texas, and has the better team.
This is a much different year for college baseball. The four teams still alive in the winners' bracket all have solid pitching and defense. None allowed more than 2 runs against their first round opponent. College baseball has changed dramatically since the diamater of the bats has been reduced. Pitching is much more of a focus than before. Also, it should be noted that Omaha is notorious for being a hitter's park. Most casual college baseball fans only see college baseball when it is on ESPN for the CWS. So their only impression of college ball is high-scoring slugfests at Rosenblatt. This is not representative of the game. As a point of reference, Rice and Cal State Fullerton both have team ERA's around the 2.70 mark. Jim Rome's "ping" philosophy is outdated.
Texas is also the flagship school of Texas, while Rice is a private school with a 4k enrollment. I think the pressure is even. Obviously the whole national seed thing was crap, as it was totally biased for the SEC, and I think only 4 of the 8 teams made it to the CWS. By now, the national seed goes out the window. I think the pressure is on every team but SMS.
Big game tonight. Woohoo!! I think any pressure that UT may have on them for being the defending champs has been elminated by the motivation factor. They feel the committee really screwed them over, so I don't think they're worried as much by repeating rather than proving the committee wrong. Rice, on the other hand, may have more pressure due to past failures at the CWS. Should be an amazing game regardless.
That's the way it should be, that's good baseball. I've seen some amazing defense so far in the CWS and the Regionals too. Fun to watch. Every hit means something unlike in the past.
I've had several people come into my office today saying "GO RICE". I've told each one to FUGGGGOFFFFFFF!!!!
You have to admit, the orange jumpsuit photo was hilarious. I'm looking forward to a good game tonight.
Got to see Rice play Sat and it was a very good game (not to mention all the fod I ate ) I believe Rice will go as far as their pitching will take them.....Rice seems to have the mojo going.....Rice is beating Texas, WOW
NICE JOB, RICE OWLS!!!! DOMINATING!!! Under ordinary circumstances, I would rub this in like the mother it is, but that was just humiliating. It would probably be in poor form to rub it in further than what the horns just experienced on the field.
Why are you rooting against UT? Couldn't get in? Great game by Rice. That is an awesome team. I find it hilarious though how this topic was quiet when UT beat Miami and FSU (even UT fans didn't post), but now it's active. As for the orange jumpsuit thing, that guy looked nothing like Tim Moss. Trader Jorge is alot more civil at Hornfans, lol.
What a beautiful play. Kolkhorst MAULS Huston Street and leaves him writhing in pain on the ground after the throw goes awry. Other than this, was there anything more beautiful than seeing Niemann and Townsend flash the Horns Down Salute in the dugout after the game? Nothing like TEN RUN RULING the hapless horns.
