THE SOUTHWEST
Jim Lee is a square-built Houston attorney with reddish-brown hair and a great expanse of jaw, which he thrusts belligerently forward when he discusses his favorite sport—that is to say, football.
"As a graduate of the University of Texas," he says, "I guess I should be a lot more interested in the school than I am. But it seems that football is my only tie with the university. I'll drive 163 miles to Austin to watch an intrasquad football scrimmage, but I won't drive that distance to attend the dedication of the new law building. I'm a little ashamed of myself for that attitude, but that's the way I am."
In truth, that is the way a lot of people are in the state of Texas, where the most and best football in the Southwest and some of the wildest in the nation is played. Some say the natural gait of a typically lean-faced, rangy Texas halfback is that of a thirst-maddened longhorn pursued by heel flies; the natural attack of a given team in the Southwest Conference something comparable to the movement of a trail herd stampeded by lightning.
Texans, who by and large are proud of everything in the state right down to the last ball of cotton above ground and the last barrel of oil below, are chest-thumpingly, flag-wavingly proud of the kind of football that has produced Sammy Baugh, Ki Aldrich, Davey O'Brien, the Rote boys, Bobby Layne, et al.
"Maybe we don't always have the best teams or the best players in the country," says Jim Lee, "but we have the truest champions, because we're the only big conference that plays a round-robin schedule. I think our league is the most competitive for that reason. Except for the University of Arkansas ours is entirely a one-state conference.
"The players grow up in Texas, and I think this accounts for many of the upsets which occur. Maybe this boy over here at Muleshoe reads about the All-America from Amarillo, but he remembers cleaning his plow in high school. He wasn't impressed then, and he's just as unawed now when he goes out to play college ball."
Last season, by the way, Rice Institute in Lee's home town was third in the nation in football attendance. Only the big midwestern universities, Ohio State and Michigan, surpassed rich little Rice, a privately endowed school with an enrollment of just 1,885.
"I think the reason college football is so popular down here is that it's the only sport in which we're big league," Lee says. "In baseball we're in the American Association, a minor league. We don't have a pro football team. College football gives us something to rally around, and intersectional games give us a chance to compare our teams with those from other parts of the country. In other words, in college football we're on a basis with the rest of the country, not inferior."
One of the reasons for the excellence of Southwest Conference football (apart from the high quality of the area's high school teams) is the devotion its coaches invite the players to bring to the game. One afternoon at Rice, after a particularly rough early-season workout, Coach Jess Neely's players were heads-down from exhaustion as they stumbled from the practice field to the locker room. Those who spoke grumbled through parched lips about the intensity of the drill. Bill Whitmore, Rice publicity man, approached the field past a staggering file of players.
"Coach," said Whitmore when Neely came abreast of him, "those boys aren't saying nice things about you."
Neely fixed Whitmore with a cold stare. "B-e-e-a-l-l," he drawled, "if theah's one thing weah not runnin' around heah it's a pop-you-lar-ity contest."
At Texas A & M, Coach Jim Myers greeted his freshman players this year with a nice little obstacle course, reminiscent of wartime toughening-up installations. Myers feels that high school kids aren't as rugged as they used to be because of cars and other modern conveniences. So he has built walls, fences, jumps, crawl-unders and rope-climbs. "It will be so tough maybe all or half of the freshmen can't do it," Myers said as the freshmen began to come in, "but they will learn how." The varsity, it seems, is excused except for a few familiarization laps. Myers feels it's too late to start them on a full-scale obstacle-course program.
Needless to say, coaches in the conference like very much to win. Twelve years ago when Frank Broyles, head man at Arkansas, started his coaching career at Baylor, he frequently sat in the press box to analyze opponents' strategy. Once, when Baylor was playing Southern Methodist at Dallas, Broyles left the press box a few minutes before the half and jumped into the elevator to arrive ahead of the team in the dressing room. As he emerged from the elevator, a tremendous roar hit his ears. Broyles rushed over to a fan coming out of the stands, grabbed him and asked what happened.
"Aw," growled the fan, "those indelicacies scored."
"Yeah," blurted Broyles, "but which indelicacies?"
Historically a conference of wild and woolly offensive tactics, the Southwest tempered its headlong style a bit and made a stab at becoming defensive-minded when Paul (Bear) Bryant, high priest of defense, coached Texas A & M for four years. When Bryant left for Alabama after the 1957 season the teams began opening up again. This fitted in nicely with the trend away from the split-T formation which began several years ago.
Texas Christian and Texas U. ran almost exclusively from the wing T in spring training; Texas Tech will have it in their bag of offensive tricks.
Darrell Royal, coach of the Long-horns (whose 15-14 victory over Oklahoma last season tickled all Texans pink), made the switch to counter a defensive trend.
"When the split-T quarterback moves down the line," Royal says, "11 men start moving with him. What we're trying to do is freeze the defense so it can't mass to meet the ball carrier. If you can reduce the ratio from 11 to 1 to 5 to 1, then you're going to spring some backs loose for long gains instead of the three- and four-yard split-T gains.
"With its reverses and bootlegs, the wing T immobilizes the defense and brings the 5-to-1 ratio a lot closer. The wing T cuts down pursuit, which is what killed the split-T."
Arkansas' Frank Broyles is another coach who foresees a swing back toward wider-open offenses, but not as a fun-and-games activity for the players. "Football is no longer a finesse game," he asserts. "It used to be that you worked to break a back loose; you depended on trickery and deception; you talked about long runs.
"Football today is a three- and four-yard game. It's who pays the price, who hits the hardest. Look at the quotes after a game. A winning coach will usually say he outgutted them, or his team was more hard-nosed, or his team wanted to win more than its opponent. Today you throw a challenge to your team. It's a physical proposition—who's toughest, you or your opponent. Football used to be fun. Today it's work."
Part of the work cut out for any Southwest Conference team is the purely mental labor of staying keyed up week after week. This is a conference in which upsets are the rule, as Jim Lee knows so well. The odds are often meaningless when subsectional pride and the adrenaline of traditional rivalries come into full play. For the last 25 years conference football writers have put their best thought to selecting the SWC champion in a preseason poll. Despite all that furious thinking, they have been wrong exactly 20 times. And in two recent years the predicted champion not only did not place first but came in dead last. A good many fools are rushing in now to say, "Well, this is Southern Methodist's year; that Don Meredith is the best passer in the country," or, "How can Abe Martin miss with that gang at Texas Christian?" Wiser heads are hedging—the wiser the head the longer the list of preseason probables.
"I'd rather see my school, Texas Christian, beat Southern Methodist than win the conference championship," says E.A. Strange of Wortham. The Texas U. fan feels much the same way when his hackles begin to rise at the sight of the Texas A & M marching corps or the sound of the rivals' cheer, "Hulla Baloo, Canek, Canek."
From piney woods to chaparral, Gulf lowlands to high plains, hullabaloo time is here again.
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ABILENE CHRISTIAN
Abilene, Texas
Colors: Purple and white
THE DOPE: The Wildcats figure they've got themselves a nice ole football team, and come fall they're going to prove it. The main causes for optimism are a pair of ends—Rob McLeod, 6 feet 5 inches, and Rob Nickerson, 6 feet 4 inches—both of whom can run, catch, block and tackle. The Wildcats have solved the passing problem by using two quarterbacks who can throw: Sophomore Don Davis and Senior Bob Powell. A Texas A & M transfer, Rob Fleet, 220 pounds, eases the tackle situation. The backfield men running out of a straight T, with occasionally a split end or a flanker, have the speed of a flat-footed hippo, and they're about as easy to stop. The slow backfield makes the Wildcats painfully vulnerable to deep passes. If Coach N. L. Nicholson can develop some defensive backfield-specialists to take advantage of the more generous substitution rules, then the Wildcats could succeed against a strong schedule.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 5, lost 5, tied 0
SEPT. 19 at East Texas State, N (6-27)
SEPT. 25 at Chattanooga, N (12-22)
OCT. 3 Lamar Tech, N (no game)
OCT. 10 at Memphis State, N (no game)
OCT. 17 at Howard Payne, N (49-30)
OCT. 24 at Miss. Southern, N (22-0)
OCT. 31 Trinity (15-26)
NOV. 7 at SW Louisiana Inst., N (27-8)
NOV. 14 at Texas Western, N (14-6)
NOV. 26 McMurrey (7-20)
ARIZONA
Tucson, Ariz.
Colors: Red and blue
THE DOPE: The Wildcats must appear like tabby cats to new Coach Jim LaRue. The team is slow afoot and has imperceptible depth. LaRue will have to depend upon incoming freshmen and junior college graduates, as the holdover lettermen just don't have the ability. Coach LaRue figures to build the team around three players: Tackle Tony Matz, a powerfully aggressive offensive blocker; rangy Center Ted Urness, who specializes in blocking kicks and had four blocked extra points to his credit last year; and Sophomore Larry Williams, a smooth-striding end, who played varsity as a freshman. The offense could perk up if Sophomore Quarterback Ed Wilson continues his strong passing in varsity play, but even then the Wildcat backfield doesn't have the speed for long gains or for catching up with far-flung passes. The Wildcats face a strong schedule and will have to play this season with a patch-as-patch-can lineup.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 3, lost 7, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Brigham Young, N (no game)
SEPT. 26 at West Texas State, N (15-8)
OCT. 3 Idaho, N (16-24)
OCT. 17 New Mexico, N (13-33)
OCT. 24 Colorado, N (12-65)
OCT. 31 at Utah (no game)
NOV. 7 Texas Tech, N (6-33)
NOV. 14 Air Force Acad. at Boulder (no game)
NOV. 21 Texas Western (14-12)
NOV. 28 at Arizona State, N (0-47)
ARIZONA STATE
Tempe, Ariz.
Colors: Maroon and gold
THE DOPE: The Sun Devils are in a building period, having lost 17 of 30 lettermen, but don't expect a decline in their won-lost record of 7-3 last year Coach Frank Kush has welded the remaining 13 lettermen together with 34 sophomores to form a formidable squad. Speed up and down the line and as far back as fullback will make the Arizona Staters difficult to defend against. The flanks are strong with Bill Spanko at one end and Karl Kiefer at the other. But it's at tackle that the Sun Devils really shine. Here they have Charlie Krofchik, strong and capable, and Sophomore Jesse Bradford, who runs the hundred in 9.5. At halfback they have Nolan Jones, a 5-foot-9 195-pounder, who was a starter as a freshman, and Joe Drake, a strong two-way player. Fullback Ed Ellis, a 9.7 man, zooms around and through the line with equal ease. The backfield is well set except at quarterback, the key to the Sun Devils' multiple offense.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 7, lost 3, tied 0
SEPT. 19 West Texas State, N (16-13)
SEPT. 26 Utah State, N (no game)
OCT. 3 Montana State, N (no game)
OCT. 17 at Colorado State (no game)
OCT. 24 at San Jose State, N (20-21)
OCT. 31 New Mexico State, N (23-19)
NOV. 7 at Texas Western, N (27-0)
NOV. 14 Brigham Young, N (no game)
NOV. 21 Hardin-Simmons, N (6-14)
NOV. 28 Arizona, N (47-0)
DEC. 4 at Hawaii, N (47-6)
ARKANSAS
Fayetteville, Ark.
Colors: Cardinal and while
THE DOPE: The Razorbacks came on strong the second half of last season, and they have the offensive material to carry on the surge. Coach Frank Broyles, in his second year at Fayetteville, has a depth problem, especially at guard, but he has a high-class backfield and a strong first-unit line. Quarterback Jim Monroe is an all-round ballplayer whose strongest asset is his versatility. The halfback corps suffered a severe blow when Jim Mooty, all-conference in 1958, sustained a head injury. Lettermen Billy Kyser and Fred Akers will be hard put to stave off six challengers. Lance Alworth will be the hardest to keep out of the starting lineup, as this sophomore runs the 100 in 9.6, is a booming punter and an excellent passer. In the line, Tackle Marlin Epp and Center Wayne Harris anchor a hard-charging, sharp-tackling crew, while Sophomore Earl McPike, 225-pound, strong-charging tackle, helps to firm up the alternate unit.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 4, lost 6, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Tulsa (14-27)
SEPT. 26 Okla. St. at L. Rock, N (no game)
OCT. 3 Texas Christian (7-12)
OCT. 10 at Baylor, N (0-12)
OCT. 17 Texas at Little Rock, N (6-24)
OCT. 24 Mississippi at Memphis (12-14)
OCT. 31 Texas A & M (21-8)
NOV. 7 at Rice (0-24)
NOV. 14 at SMU (13-6)
NOV. 21 Texas Tech at Little Rock (14-8)
BAYLOR
Waco, Texas
Colors: Green and gold
THE DOPE: The Bears brought in new coach John Bridgers, a defensive expert from the Baltimore Colts, to teach a new dimension to the Baylor boys. Now the Bears will try for a better-balanced style of play. There will be bright new faces peering out from behind the face guards as Coach Bridgers rebuilds a graduation-shattered team. Largely inexperienced, the line will suffer from lack of heft, and Sophomore Center Bill Hicks will range far at linebacker trying to compensate for the errors of the inexperienced line. The Baylor attack will feature zooming halfbacks, Senior Billy Prestidge and Sophomores Ronnie Bull and Tom Minter. Quarterback will have either Ron Stanley or Bob Ply at the controls of the pro-style T, throwing to Baylor's best end Al Witcher. The Bears will find it tough going against the bigger SWC opponents, so it's a case of wait till next year when an impressive crop of freshmen come of age.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 3, lost 7, tied 0
SEPT. 26 at Colorado (no game)
OCT. 3 LSU at Shreveport, La. (no game)
OCT. 10 Arkansas, N (12-0)
OCT. 17 Texas Tech, N (26-7)
OCT. 24 at Texas A & M (27-33)
OCT. 31 TCU, N (0-22)
NOV. 7 at Texas (15-20)
NOV. 14 at Southern California (no game)
NOV. 21 SMU (29-33)
NOV. 28 at Rice (21-33)
HARDIN-SIMMONS
Abilene, Texas
Colors: Purple and gold
THE DOPE: The Cowboys for the most part will be up against it, burdened by a considerable lack of experience, particularly in the line. However, with eight out of 11 starters graduated, Coach Sammy Baugh still has the nucleus of a spirited offense. Quarterbacks Harold Stephens and Jim Butler, both nationally ranked passers, are back; and they have their favorite freshman, End Sam Oates, an honorable mention All-America and all-conference choice last year, to throw to. Gene Uccellini is a storming 205-pound fullback who gained 399 yards rushing in spite of playing behind Pete Hart, who ranked fourth nationally in rushing. Halfbacks Joe Allen and Charlie Bowers give the Cowboys breakaway threats at either side besides providing downfield pass catchers. The line has good over-all size with Center Cleatus Drinnon, 230 pounds, and Tackles Fred Thigpen, 235, and Cliff Manning, 215, providing a solid front.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 6, lost 4, tied 0
SEPT. 17 North Texas State, N (no game)
SEPT. 26 at Wichita, N (13-6)
OCT. 3 at Auburn (no game)
OCT. 10 at Georgia (no game)
OCT. 17 at Tulsa (14-0)
OCT. 24 at West Texas State, N (26-6)
OCT. 31 Texas Western, N (14-6)
NOV. 7 Trinity, N (no game)
NOV. 14 at New Mexico State (26-20)
NOV. 21 at Arizona state, N (14-6)
HOUSTON
Houston
Colors: Scarlet and white
THE DOPE: The Cougars, despite the prospect of a chilling first-half schedule and minus five brilliant players from last year's team, will still have a fast and creditable squad. The line is light (200-pound average) with Tackle Jim Colvin, 220 pounds, the biggest and probably the fastest of the forwards. Behind the small first unit are Juniors Jim Windham, 220 pounds and Sophomore Dan Birdwell, 225 pounds. The backfield forces are sparked by Claude King, a senior halfback with the speed of a dashman and the balance of a gymnast. The other halfback, Pat Studstill, is even faster than King and adds to his usefulness by being a good pass catcher and a long punter. At fullback, Sophomore Pete Burk continues the speed motif and joins another tough backer-up in keying the defensive forces. Coach Hal Lahar has devised a split-wing T to spread the defenses and to enable Claude King to carry the ball more frequently.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 5, lost 4, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Mississippi, N (7-56)
SEPT. 26 Alabama, N (no game)
OCT. 3 Cincinnati, N (34-13)
OCT. 10 at Texas A & M, N (39-7)
OCT. 17 at Oklahoma State (0-7)
OCT. 24 North Texas State, N (6-10)
OCT. 31 at Tulsa, N (20-25)
NOV. 7 at Wichita (44-0)
NOV. 14 at Texas Tech (22-17)
NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque
Colors: Cherry and silver
THE DOPE: The Lobos brought the prize designation "Skyline Coach of the Year" to Coach Marv Levy in his first year at the helm when they confounded preseason predictions by finishing second in the conference. This season with an all-junior and -senior lineup (21 lettermen and all but two of last year's starters back) they are taking dead aim on the championship. Coach Levy has two unanimous all-conference selections in Halfback Don Perkins and End Don Black, who set a new Skyline record by catching nine touchdown passes. The defense will be substantial, as Bo Bankston and Center Ron Beaird play the backer-up spots with zest and a real feeling for contact, while two tough tackles, Frank Gullick and Bob Winovich, help to stiffen the defensive lineup. The wing T offense is handled by Quarterback Chuck Roberts, a fair passer with a flair for the big play—six touchdown passes out of but 19 completions.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 7, lost 3, tied 0
SEPT. 19 New Mexico State, N (16-7)
SEPT. 26 at Colorado State, N (17-12)
OCT. 3 Texas Western, N (6-15)
OCT. 10 at Utah State (34-14)
OCT. 17 at Arizona, N (33-13)
OCT. 24 at Montana (44-16)
OCT. 31 Denver (21-15)
NOV. 7 Brigham Young (19-36)
NOV. 14 Wyoming (13-12)
NOV. 21 at Air Force Academy (7-45)
NEW MEXICO STATE
Las Cruces, N. Mex.
Colors: Maroon and white
THE DOPE: The Aggies have the rest of the Border Conference uneasy as their new-found muscles become evident, and it would surprise no one if they were to become contenders this year. Coach Warren Woodson has applied his skills as a master of offense, installing the wing T and filling the gaps in the starting lineup with big, hard-running junior college transfers. The backfield now has a strong passer in all-conference Quarterback Charlie Johnson and three slam-bang running backs in Fullback Louis Kelley and Halfbacks Pervis Atkins and Bob Gaiters. All three weigh over 200 pounds. Atkins is a 9.7 man and Gaiters almost as fast, as is starting End E.A. Sims. The line has a strong forbidding look with all-conference linemen. Tackle Bill Locklin, 212 pounds, and Guard J.W. Witt, 210 pounds, leading the way. The Aggies, ambitious for a prestige schedule, have a team almost equal to the task.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 4, lost 6, tied 0
SEPT. 12 Arizona State College, N (19-23)
SEPT. 19 at New Mexico, N (7-16)
SEPT. 26 at Tulsa, N (no game)
OCT. 3 McMurry, N (10-7)
OCT. 10 at Trinity, N (0-20)
OCT. 24 at Texas Western, N (17-16)
OCT. 31 at Arizona State (19-23)
NOV. 14 Hardin-Simmons, N (20-26)
NOV. 21 West Texas State (32-39)
NOV. 28 at Mexico (28-14)
NORTH TEXAS STATE
Denton, Texas
Colors: Green and white
THE DOPE: The Eagles soared to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference in 1958 and have built an aerie there. This year they are loaded—but really loaded—with a lineup formed by experience and plenty of anxious, talented juniors and sophomores in reserve. The line averages 210 pounds and is led by all-conference Guard Bill Carrico. Meanwhile, lending considerable support in the center of the line is Sam Stanger, 230 pounds. At end, Hal Byrd has gained conference honors for his tremendous blocking and for his timely pass receptions. Three of the backfielders—Quarterback Vernon Cole, Fullback Bill Groce and Halfback Abner Haynes—were selected for all-Missouri Valley honors. Haynes is the best, ranking near the top in all of the conference offensive lists besides placing second in pass interceptions. Coach Odus Mitchell has the material to work his multiple T and keep the Eagles atop their perch for another year.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 7, lost 2, tied 1
SEPT. 17 at Hardin-Simmons, N (no game)
SEPT. 26 at Texas Western, N (26-8)
OCT. 3 West Texas State, N (no game)
OCT. 10 at Cincinnati, N (8-8)
OCT. 24 at Houston, N (10-6)
OCT. 31 Wichita (13-15)
NOV. 7 Louisville, N (21-10)
NOV. 14 at Tulsa, N (8-7)
NOV. 21 Drake, N (42-0)
RICE
Houston
Colors: Blue and white
THE DOPE: The Owls have Coach Jess Neely back for his 20th season and figure as a long shot to win the Southwest Conference. Once again Coach Neely has the kind of team he favors: solid but not flashy. The solid middle of the line features the play of two brothers—Guard Rufus and Center Boyd King who are slam-bang blockers and tacklers and shape up as likely All-America prospects. Bill Bucek is the best and most versatile back on the squad. He is very fast, a good receiver, an alert defender and an extremely accurate field goal kicker, who should get more call for his specialty, this season. Owls' T formation with flankers is handled competently by Quarterback Jon Schnable, who does everything well enough without being outstanding at anything. Weakness at end and an undistinguished back-field could be overcome by a sprightly bunch of junior college transfers and smart-moving sophomores.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 5, lost 5, tied 0
SEPT. 19 at LSU (6-26)
OCT. 3 at Duke (no game)
OCT. 10 Florida, N (no game)
OCT. 17 SMU, N (13-7)
OCT. 24 at Texas, N (34-7)
OCT. 31 Clemson, N (no game)
NOV. 7 Arkansas (24-0)
NOV. 14 Texas A & M (21-28)
NOV. 21 at TCU (10-21)
NOV. 28 Baylor (33-21)
SOUTHERN METHODIST
Dallas
Colors: Red and blue
THE DOPE: The Mustangs have a first-string lineup that compares with the best in the country, but the main reason everyone is so bullish on them is Quarterback Don Meredith, one of the best anywhere. With Meredith running his split-T formation, Coach Bill Meek has one of the strongest passing arms in the country at the ready. The Mustangs can send either 6-foot 3-inch, ham-handed End Henry Christopher or gliding Halfback Glynn Gregory galloping downfield after those long, sure Meredith passes. The defense won't be able to stack up against the passing game because all the backs, including Meredith, can run. The backfield men are all two-way players and Halfback Tirey Wilemon is the best safety man in the conference. The line, big and experienced, is hardest to dent in the middle, with 220-pound all-conference Center Max C. Christian flanked by two sturdy seniors—Guards Bobby Lovelace and Charles Terrell.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 6, lost 4, tied 0
SEPT. 26 at Georgia Tech (20-0)
OCT. 3 Navy (no game)
OCT. 9 Missouri, N (32-19)
OCT. 17 at Rice, N (7-13)
OCT. 24 Texas Tech (no game)
OCT. 31 Texas (26-10)
NOV. 7 at Texas A & M (33-0)
NOV. 14 Arkansas (6-13)
NOV. 21 at Baylor (33-29)
NOV. 28 at TCU (20-13)
TEXAS
Austin, Texas
Colors: Orange and white
THE DOPE: The Longhorns, now in their third year under the rebuilding program of Coach Darrell Royal and his multiple T offense, have been cast as contenders for the conference championship, and the return of 22 lettermen along with an influx of talented sophomores makes this a sound estimate. The team looks stronger on defense than last year, particularly with End Monte Lee returning after a year's absence. The defensive line gathers much of its strength from the crack linebacking of Guard Bob Harwerth, who is a high-speed offensive blocker as well, and the powerful charges of Tackle Tillman O'Brien, a 220-pounder. Halfback Rene Ramirez is the real class of the backfield, and he does everything. Fullback Don Allen helps out with his strong blocking and able linebacking. Quarterback Bobby Lackey, last year's starter, will have spirited competition from two sophomores: Mike Cotton and James Saxton.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 7, lost 3, tied 0
SEPT. 19 at Nebraska (no game)
SEPT. 26 Maryland, N (no game)
OCT. 3 California (no game)
OCT. 10 Oklahoma at Dallas (15-14)
OCT. 17 Arkansas at Little Rock, N (24-6)
OCT. 24 Rice, N (7-34)
OCT. 31 SMU (10-26)
NOV. 7 Baylor (20-15)
NOV. 14 TCU (8-22)
NOV. 26 at Texas A & M (27-0)
TEXAS A & M
College Station, Texas
Colors: Maroon and white
THE DOPE: The Aggies are in the unhappy position of having an exceptionally rich supply of backfield talent and a slow, undermanned line up front. Quarterback Charlie Milstead is already being billed as an All-America prospect, having accumulated 1,135 yards passing last year. In order to take advantage of Milstead's passing potential, since he is too slow for a tailback, Coach Jim Myers has junked his single wing for the multiple offense. Junior Halfbacks Jon Few and Randy Sims are both strong, fast runners. The Aggies would be very dangerous on the ground were it not for the fact that the line has neither the strength nor the speed to spring the backs past the scrimmage line. Defensively, the undersized middle of the line looks particularly vulnerable, but Coach Myers is hopeful of moving in Sophomore Guards Mickey Walker and Wayne Freiling to bolster things. Still, there is not much optimism at College Station this year.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 4, lost 6, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Texas Tech at Dallas, N (14-15)
SEPT. 26 at Michigan State (no game)
OCT. 3 Miss. S. at Mobile, N (no game)
OCT. 10 Houston (7-39)
OCT. 17 at TCU (8-24)
OCT. 24 Baylor (33-27)
OCT. 31 at Arkansas (8-21)
NOV. 7 SMU (0-33)
NOV. 14 at Rice (28-21)
NOV. 26 Texas (0-27)
TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Fort Worth
Colors: Purple and while
THE DOPE: The Horned Frogs took the SWC by surprise last year when they grabbed the title. But this season SMU and Texas are determined to revise the pecking order. TCU still has Tackle Don Floyd, a rock-'em, sock-'em All-America, Guard Ramon Armstrong, an enthusiastic offensive worker, and 28 other returning lettermen. Meanwhile, up from last year's second team are a number of game-tried juniors, notably 235-pound towering Tackle Bob Lilly and Center Arvie Martin. Coach Abe Martin has set up an even stronger backfield to spring on the 1959 foes. Quarterback Larry Dawson makes the T and wing T more dangerous with his hard running. The senior halfbacks—Marvin Lasater and Marshall Harris—are strong blockers and clear the way for Fullback Jack Spikes. TCU followers expect another title, but it won't be easy; they lost Guard Sherrill Headrick through scholastic failure, and the entire SWC is improved.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 8, lost 2, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Kansas (42-0)
SEPT. 26 at LSU, N (no game)
OCT. 3 at Arkansas (12-7)
OCT. 10 at Texas Tech (26-0)
OCT. 17 Texas A & M (24-8)
OCT. 24 at Pittsburgh (no game)
OCT. 31 at Baylor, N (22-0)
NOV. 14 at Texas (22-8)
NOV. 21 Rice (21-10)
NOV. 28 SMU (13-20)
TEXAS TECH
Lubbock, Texas
Colors: Scarlet and black
THE DOPE: The Red Raiders, entering their final season before becoming an active member of the Southwest Conference, will be beaten and battered by their future conference brethren. Last year the Raiders started by knocking off Texas A & M and then had to face up against Texas, TCU, Baylor and Tulane. Texas Tech again has this kind of a schedule but with a squad that lost 16 lettermen. Meanwhile, Coach DeWitt Weaver finds himself with a 190-pound end, Jerry Selfridge, at one tackle, and 226-pound Bobby Cline at the other, while Quarterback Glen Amerson was a sophomore fullback last year. Halfbacks Dan Gurley, Ronnie Rice and Sophomore Fullback George Fraser provide a strong ground game. And Don Waygood returns to handle the split end chores. With only Center E.J. Holub, a brilliant defender, to blunt the middle offensive thrusts, the Red Raiders will be paying a heavy price for conference admission.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 3, lost 7, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Texas A & M at Dallas, N (15-14)
SEPT. 26 Ore. State, N (no game)
OCT. 3 Tulsa, N (7-9)
OCT. 10 TCU (0-26)
OCT. 17 at Baylor, N (7-26)
OCT. 24 at SMU (no game)
OCT. 30 at Tulane, N (0-27)
NOV. 7 at Arizona, N (33-6)
NOV. 14 Houston (17-22)
NOV. 21 Arkansas at Little Rock (8-14)
TEXAS WESTERN
El Paso
Colors: Orange and white
THE DOPE: The Miners will be robbing the cradle as they start five sophomores and hope to come up with a likely freshman or two for the first eleven. Last year Coach Ben Collins had to use freshmen as starters to get through a tough schedule, so this year he has the benefit of blooded sophomores to work with. Two of them—Tackle Jim Harvey and Guard John Young—add mobility to the line. They pair up with two upperclassmen—Tackle H.A. Cowan and Guard Bill Hannon—to give the Miners a strong tackle-guard combination. Coach Collins has switched over to the wing T in the hope of getting better offensive blocking. Quarterback John Furman gives the team consistent passing, but he is hampered by a dearth of fast receivers. Sophomore Halfback Glenn Reed knows all the nifty running tricks, and he could be the Miners' breakaway threat, but he has been hobbled by hit-or-miss blocking execution.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 2, lost 7, tied 0
SEPT. 19 Univ. of Mexico, N (no game)
SEPT. 26 North Texas State, N (8-26)
OCT. 3 at New Mexico, N (15-6)
OCT. 10 West Texas State, N (29-12)
OCT. 17 at Trinity (0-49)
OCT. 24 New Mexico State, N (16-17)
OCT. 31 at Hardin-Simmons, N (6-14)
NOV. 7 Arizona State, N (0-27)
NOV. 14 Abilene Christian, N (6-14)
NOV. 21 at Arizona (12-14)
WEST TEXAS STATE
Canyon, Texas
Colors: Maroon and white
THE DOPE: The Buffaloes, with a new stadium that features chair-back seats and outlets for electric coffeepots, appear to be well fixed for customers but in a bad way for players. Last year they won one out of 10 games, and any improvement this year will be slight. The line is reasonably secure with husky Guards Leon Manley and Carroll Stafford helping Tackle Ed Meyer, the noblest Buffalo of all, hold down the enemy offense. Coach Clark Jarnagin has switched from the split-T to the wing T in hopes of spreading the defense for his wiry, pint-sized (average weight: 160 pounds) halfbacks. Speedy Sophomores Jim Janes, Jerry Williams and Ned Jolly are the best of these, while the only power back is Junior Jones Hedrick at fullback. He will have to carry the line-plunging burden as well as the punting. But unless the Buffaloes come up with a passer to augment the back-field speed, the new stadium may go unfilled.
SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 1, lost 9, tied 0
SEPT. 19 at Arizona State, N (13-16)
SEPT. 26 Arizona, N (8-15)
OCT. 3 at N. Texas State, N (no game)
OCT. 10 at Texas Western, N (12-29)
OCT. 17 Mississippi Southern, N (0-15)
OCT. 24 Hardin-Simmons, N (6-26)
OCT. 31 Drake, N (no game)
NOV. 7 Virginia Tech (12-28)
NOV. 14 at Trinity, N (7-35)
NOV. 21 at New Mexico State, N (39-32)
ILLUSTRATION
JOE KAUFMAN
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WATCH FOR: Lobbed passes grabbed by End Hob McLeod
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WATCH FOR: The sure-handed catches of End Larry Williams
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WATCH FOR: The long leaping catches of End Hill Spanko
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WATCH FOR: Sprinter-punter-passer Lance Alworth
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WATCH FOR: End-play stylist Al Witcher
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WATCH FOR: Pass receiving prodigy End Sam Oates
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WATCH FOR: The uncanny stability of rusher Claude King
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WATCH FOR: Hottest halfback in conference, Don Perkins
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WATCH FOR: Pass-minded Quarterback Charlie Johnson
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WATCH FOR: Abner Haynes, a ball-carrying menace
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WATCH FOR: Busy, bustling backfield man Bill Bucek
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WATCH FOR: Don Meredith filling the fall sky with passes
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WATCH FOR: The play-jamming tactics of Bob Harwerth
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WATCH FOR: Charlie Milstead's long, looping passes
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WATCH FOR: Don Floyd make ball carrying unpopular
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WATCH FOR: E.J. Holub shore up the defenses
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WATCH FOR: The sure-handed tackles of Jim Harvey
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WATCH FOR: The vigorous line play of Tackle Eddie Meyer