Texans and Bearkats...Oh my!!

Today's post is dedicated to two teams that are near and dear to my heart. One is my Alma Mater and the other is a team I'll cheer for till I die. Today the Sam Houston State Bearkats play in the FCS National Championship game which is a pretty big deal up in Huntsville, Texas. Following the Bearkats game will be the Houston Texans playing their first playoff game in franchise history against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

This is the only Sam Houston State card I own. I pulled it out of a PressPass discounted blaster last year. Rhett Bomar isn't the Bearkats QB but he'll have to do for this post since my options are limited. The Bearkats have a high powered offense and they'll need it today but I'm confident they'll bring home the win.

The next two cards I'm going to show aren't my best Texans cards but they're special for another reason. On New Year's Eve I was visiting family up in small town Texas when I noticed my 5 and 6 year old cousins had 2011 Topps Football cards. Being the Texans fan I am I told them that if they had any Texans I'd buy them from them for $2 a card. I know I overspent offering $2 a card but I at least wanted them to be able to grab another pack for giving me theirs. So long story short I bought 2 little base cards for $4.00 BUT my cousins went home a little richer.

If you would have told me at the beginning of the year the Texans would win the AFC South I'd have agreed with you. However, nobody saw the Texans making the playoffs with a 3rd string rookie QB coming in towards the end of the season. Yates hasn't played perfect but he hasn't been horrible in the few games he's played this season. Just making the playoffs is a big deal to Houston fans but we're hoping they can at least win their first game.

This is the guy who'll have a huge weight on his shoulders today. Arian Foster is the key to the Texans having a successful game. TJ Yates has to play a mistake free game but he doesn't have to make all the plays, Ben Tate can run for 100+ yards we know, Andre Johnson (when healthy) is a top 3 receiver in the NFL, Brian Cushing and the rest of the D seem to answer the call when it matters most but the rhythm and the momentum of the game relies on what Foster can do with the ball. Foster is talented, he's fast, he's determined and he still plays with that chip on his shoulder from being undrafted. Those are the reasons I think he'll have a great game and lead the Texans to their first playoff win.

Am I being optimistic with my predictions? Of course I am. Am I being unrealistic with them? Not at all. It's about time Houston area sports succeed at the next level and I can't think of a better day than today to start. 

Bulls On Parade!!!

Eat 'em Up Kats!!!

AFC South Champions

Forgive me for my tardiness but I needed a couple of days to settle down from the excitement, ha. I grew up here in the Houston area and have supported Houston teams my entire life. I supported the Oilers while they were here and when the news broke that Houston would be getting a new franchise I became a Texans supporter instantly. After 10 years of sub-par football the Texans have finally clinched a playoff spot and division title.

Houston is one of those cities where teams are consistently mediocre with spurts of success here and there. We may not be as "cursed" as the Cubs, the City of Cleveland or Detroit but we have had more than our fair share of heartbreak. The Oilers and Astros both had success here and there but always found a way to break our hearts when it mattered most. The Rockets had two championships and Houston will forever be grateful for those. The Dynamo, Aeros and the now defunct Comets have had great success here so at least we have that to hang our hats on. 

Don't take any of what I just said as bitching and moaning. I was just giving a brief history of Houston sports and why fans were so excited when the Houston Texans brought home a division title. The way they clinched the AFC South Sunday was fitting for where this team is headed. In years past they would have either come up short driving down the field or they'd have been on the other side giving up a lead and losing. Not this year, this team has really bought into the "next-man-up" mentality and it's making them a dangerous team to play. 

I'm excited for what's coming next for the Texans and I'm hoping they can at least win a playoff game or two. Here are a few photos from the impromptu celebration outside Reliant Stadium Sunday night.

*All photos courtesy of the Houston Texans Blog*

J.J. Watt saying hello to the fans.

T.J. Yates, Jacoby Jones and DeMeco Ryans

Connor Barwin pumping up the crowd.

Texans faithful going crazy!

Congrats again to the 2011 AFC South Champion Houston Texans!! Which reminds me, I need to run to Academy and see if they've got any of the division champion shirts in stock.