University of Texas and ESPN Reach Agreement For Network

The University of Texas and ESPN reached a 20-year, $300 million contract with the sports giant. ESPN also agreed to help set up and run the Texas Longhorn Network. It is set to launch in September 2011. The University can expect a lot of money headed their way with this agreement. This shows the power that the University of Texas exhibits in the sports world. There will be 24 hour coverage of Texas Athletics on the new network.

Texas Starting Early

The Texas Longhorns kicked off their spring practices last week, getting a head start on the rest of their fellow Big 12 competition. The Texas Longhorns receivers will need to step it up to prove themselves this spring, if they expect to see play time in the coming season. With All-American Jordan Shipley gone, UT has numerous receivers fighting for their sport on the starting roster. If any expect to show the coaches they have what it takes, spring practice is their chance. So far, James Kirkendoll has been the stand out reciever, but we'll have to wait and see what the coaches think.

Texas Longhorns

The University of Texas Longhorns football team has had an outstanding history, since their establishment in 1893. The Longhorns played their first game against Dallas, whom they beat 18 to 16. The Longhorns football team would continue on with a great record, earning the name of “best in Texas.”

Over the decades, the Texas Longhorns have accumulated an 845–318–33 (.720) overall record, along with numerous national championships and conference championships. This overall record has only been beaten by Notre Dame and the University of Michigan. The University of Texas Longhorns team is also ranked second in number of bowl game appearances with a total of 48 games.

A few Longhorns players have won Heisman Trophies, as well as eleven inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, along with many other recognitions and accomplishments. For the last 71 NFL Drafts, dating back to 1938, at least one football player has been selected from Texas Longhorn football team. In 2008, the Texas Longhorns were ranked the seventh most prestigious college football programs since 1936 by ESPN.

2010 Manning Award to Texas' Colt McVoy

If you have been living under a rock and don't know what the Manning Award is, it is presented annually to the college American football quarterback. The judging is done by the Sugar Bowl Committee and the winner is to be the best quarterback in the United States. The Manning Award has only been presented annually since 2004, with a Texas quarterback already on the list.

The Manning Award is named in honor of the prominent Manning family who have all been quarterbacks in the NFL. This includes Archie, a former University of Mississippi and New Orleans Saints quarterback, along with his two sons, Peyton (graduate from University of Tennessee and now plays for NFL Indianapolis Colts) and Eli (graduate from Ole Miss and now plays for the NFL New York Giants).

This year the award goes to Colt McVoy, a former University of Texas player. Colt McVoy also won the 2008 Walter Camp Award and was the 2008 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Passing up the 2009 NFL Draft Pick to finish his four years at Texas, Colt McVoy will definitely go as a #1 draf pick. My vote: Seattle Seahawks. What do you think?

Go Colt!