Herman's Texas Longhorns could be Alamo Bowl-bound

While I got ya, here are nine things and one crazy prediction:

1. Unless it gets into and wins the Big 12 championship game, Texas is looking more and more like a strong fit for the Alamo Bowl to play Washington, Washington State or Utah. But there’s still an outside chance as many as three Big 12 teams could find themselves in the New Year’s Six games. The Alamo, to be played on Dec. 28, pays out more than $4 million per school and would be thrilled with landing Texas for the first time since 2013. But that bowl has never had Oklahoma, West Virginia or Iowa State, and all three would travel greater distance and spend more hotel nights in San Antonio than the nearby Longhorns. West Virginia played Utah in last year's Heart of Dallas Bowl, so that could be a factor, and also has played twice in the Lone Star State already in Austin and Lubbock. “The last four years, there’s been only four top-15 (ranked) matchups outside the CFP, and we’ve had all four of them, and it looks like we’ll have a top-20 matchup this year,” Alamo spokesman Rick Hill said. He said they’ll consider head-to-head matchups, potential storylines and star power of the players. You've got to figure a Washington State-Texas pairing would be sexy with the newly mustachioed Mike Leach on one sideline. But the Cougars are still hopeful of a New Year’s Six date. Hill said the Alamo Bowl has had 10 games since 2005 that have come down to final two possessions of the game. That sounds right up Texas’ alley.

2. If there’s anyone searching for a new athletic director, I’d like to recommend John Currie. He’s available after getting fired by dysfunctional Tennessee following less than a year on the job when the Volunteers' search for a head football coach went awry. Currie made for a convenient scapegoat and deserved much better. The former Kansas State athletic director, who was at that school for eight years, was at Texas’ basketball game Monday night at the invitation of Texas' Chris Del Conte. Currie has been hired by Texas as a consultant on the school's major capital campaign, something he’s doing with a number of schools. He’s also been to Georgia Southern and South Carolina. “I have tremendous respect for John and what he did at Kansas State and for his entire career,” Del Conte said. “What he did at Kansas State was phenomenal.”

3. The Longhorns basketball team has some work to do. Yes, it’s 3-0 but hasn’t shot the ball well (24 of 81 threes, 29.6 percent) and isn't getting the most out of sophomores Jericho Sims and Matt Coleman. But Shaka Smart likes the early contributions from new guards in freshman Courtney Ramey from St. Louis and Eli Mitrou-Long from Mount St. Mary's. "I like him a lot. He has a moxie," Smart said of Ramey. "He has a pure heart about how to play the game, and that goes a long, long way, in terms that will be infectious." Smart said Monday night he wasn't happy with Mitrou-Long's first-half play but added, "Then, we got on the same page. He obviously gave us a good spark." Amen to that. Texas looks to be offensively challenged (again) but one that's very athletic, can bang inside, will press more than every before and can get to the rim. ... Del Conte said he wasn't worried about the lagging attendance at home games because of great season ticket sales. Texas has sold 6,176 of them.

4. Charles Omenihu isn't sure whether he'll cry on Senior Night or not. "I'm not a fortune-teller," the Texas defensive end said. "I live day to day." He obviously will play in the NFL. After that, "I think I may go on TV or in management for a college or pro team. I think I've got a nice face for TV." ... Senior nose tackle Chris Nelson said, "I'll never forget that first summer when I was a freshman. It was the worst. We were supposed to run a mile-and-a-half on the track. I ran two laps and thought I'd run six. I just lay there." ...  I’m wondering if part of the misfortunes of the defense is overwork. In an attempt to be the most physical team, is it possible Tom Herman’s teams hit too much during the week and wear themselves out? Their fourth-quarter fades have become legendary.

5. If I were college football czar, I would institute two bye weeks for every team. Wouldn’t that be highly beneficial to player safety? ... Who has the most receptions without a drop this season? Washington State's Easop Winston Jr. leads the nation with 43 catches and no drops. Fifth on the list? None other than Texas' Devin Duvernay, who has 31 catches without a drop.

6. The Golden State Warriors are offering a monthly "In The Building Pass" for $100 a month. Just to get into the Oracle Arena for every home game. Yikes. You don’t get a seat. You aren’t allowed into the seating bowl to find an empty seat. You do have access to the arena’s bars and restaurants where you can watch the game on television. I’ve got a better solution. Come to my house for only $50 a month and pay for overpriced drinks. There’s one born every minute. Of course, the Warriors do have 44,000 people on their season-ticket waiting list.

7. Texas expects to sign 15 baseball players to national letters of intent Wednesday, including Lake Travis infielder Brett Baty, the 2018 Texas Gatorade player of the year, and outfielder Douglas Hodo III, whose father Doug was a starting outfielder on the Longhorns’ 1983 College World Series champions. 

8. Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to Greg Lott, the former Texas quarterback whose girlfriend was Farrah Fawcett.

9. Almost finished the last season of “House of Cards.” I’ve loved this series of political intrigue, and the soundtrack is the best ever for a television show, but it went just too dark this season. Love Doug Stamper, but way too much Robin Wright talking to the camera. Giving this season only six ducks.

10. Crazy prediction: The Houston Texans will sign running back Le’Veon Bell in the offseason.