Hooked: Obsessed, and still learning.

If you’re here, thanks. It means a lot.

I can’t put my finger on what caused my motivation to wilt faster than a rose without water. In Texas. In July. But, I’m back. I honestly don’t know if this blog will maintain momentum past the Buckeye game, but I can honestly sit here right now and promise you I’m going to try.

It’s been a big year for me outside of Texas football, watching the Eagles get bounced in the playoffs, and the Dallas Stars suffering a similar fate. Stephanie and I got married in Belfast in June ’26, and it was fucking magical. It was also really fucking hot, and for our Texas family braving planes, trains, and automobiles, the lack of AC was indeed a shock.

Related to said wedding, enter Wade and Jessica. My brother-in-law and his wife once again coming up incredibly clutch with the Longhorns memorabilia, this time in the form of a wedding gift. How do you top signed Mac Brown Texas Monthly and signed longhorns legends football? A signed Vince Young jersey from ’05, that’s how. If that doesn’t get the blood pumping to the unmentionables of any Longhorns fan, I don’t know what will.

So, here I am, writing once again thanks to Wade and Jessica. Texas football. Season 4 (for me).

What are Texas going to do this year? Win it all. Until we don’t. For anyone curious when that is, 7th November against Missouri State. Trap game.

What am I basing my ever-so-optimistic prediction on? Nothing but a gut feel and cracking open a second beer. Maybe I’m at that sweet spot of Longhorns supporter now where my blind optimism has made way for steeling oneself for crushing disappointment. That said, I am excited for tomorrow.

I’m excited to cook wings and make ranch. I’m excited to do a shot of fireball. And I’m excited to snuggle up on the couch with my wife and kids to shout at the TV for a while.

The little devil sat on my shoulder, however, is telling me that this is the year. I think it has to be.

There’s plenty of talk of Arch Manning leaving at the end of this season. I don’t think that happens unless he’s wearing a ring. He leaves a national champion. He doesn’t need the coin, and the familial pedigree are wise enough to guide him into playing another season rather than floundering in the NFL. While I think Arch will stay in the absence of silverware, there’s plenty of great players heading for the door at the end of this season’s campaign. And unless we pull some insane portal wizardry it’s going to be hard to argue that next years roster can get it done, even if Arch stays.

But, what do I know? I’ve spent but 4 seasons watching college ball, I live in England, don’t watch SportsCentre, and don’t read nearly as much content on 24/7 Sports (shoutout my guy, Eric Henry), Reddit, or anywhere else to know if my thoughts are sane or pure delusion.

Maybe that’s the thing. Originally I wanted this blog to be smart and intelligent, and a little quirky. Maybe I’ve got to be deluded and quirky and accept the fact that in the grand scheme of things “you know nothing, Jon Snow”.

If delusion and quirky, uneducated Texas Longhorns takes are your thing, then this might be the blog for you.. if I can keep it going.

Hook ’em. 🤘