Rankings Mean Little to Texas in This Game

The Texas Longhorns will have their focus completely on Texas A&M;, not on polls and rankings.

The No. 5 Longhorns are sixth in the bowl championship series standings, but that won’t matter today when they take on the Aggies--their biggest rival--for the 108th time.

Regardless of rankings or favorites, the state’s most tradition-steeped rivalry is more about Texas’ Hex Rally to cast a spell on A&M; against the Aggies’ 12th Man spirit, and the Hook ‘em Horns hand signal versus the Aggies’ thumbs-up sign.

“It’s a rivalry I have a lot of respect for,” fourth-year Texas Coach Mack Brown said. “You get to go play in their stadium, that big crowd, home of the 12th man. That’s pretty cool. That’s a special stadium. It’s something to look forward to.”

Texas (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) will return to Kyle Field for the first time since 1999, when they also were ranked fifth but lost to the emotionally charged Aggies, 20-16.

The game was one week after one of the Aggies’ most storied traditions ended in tragedy. A 59-feet stack of huge logs collapsed, killing 12 students who were building the annual bonfire.

“Looking at this year, most people will say invariably that Texas is the better team,” A&M; Coach R.C. Slocum said. “They are ranked No. 5 and we are not ranked. In many cases, it [the ranking] has not had an effect on the outcome of the ballgame.”

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Arkansas State announced the firing of coach Joe Hollis during the closing minutes of the Indians’ final game of a dismal season.

Arkansas State finished 2-9 with the 28-22 loss Thursday to Division I-AA opponent Nicholls State.

Arkansas State President Les Wyatt issued a statement announcing Hollis’ termination as coach and interim athletic director. The statement was released during the fourth quarter.

Hollis, 54, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will have surgery next month.

He was 13-43 in five seasons with the Indians, who have lost 19 of their last 22 games. His football contract was to continue through the 2004 season.

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The up and down college football career of Nevada defensive tackle Johnny Thomas is down--and out.

He quit the squad and Coach Chris Tormey said he won’t be back.

“His troubled career is over with us as a Wolf Pack football player,” the coach said.

Tormey said he doesn’t know why Thomas left and the player could not be reached.