The Houston Texans are 5-0, trying to ride the metaphorical undefeated bull as long as they can and become Texas’s favorite team. But Texas and football are a match made in heaven for high schools, universities, and dramatic screenwriters alike. There’s no winning over Texas without first winning over the kings of Friday night, Coach Eric Taylor’s Dillon High School Panthers fromFriday Night Lights. Move the chains!
NOTE: Spoiler alerts if you’ve never seen season one of Friday Night Lights.
| 5-0 | Record Through Week 5 | 4-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Schaub: During his senior year at West Chester East High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, he led the school's football team to win the Ches-Mont League championship. | Quarterback | Matt Seracen: After taking the place of the injured QB1, Seracen drove his Panthers all the way to the Texas State Championship. |
| "It's about the team. And like we said last night, like we said today...Yes we can!" | Coach Quotes | "Every man at some point in his life is going to lose a battle. He is going to fight, and he is going to lose. But what makes him a man is at the midst of that battle, he does not lose himself. This game is not over, this battle is not over." |
| Brian Cushing, ACL tear. Bright side? Announcers get to sound classy announcing "Mister Alexander." | Biggest Player Loss of the Season | Jason Street, Spinal injury. Thanks to hindsight, we know that the Panthers kept their heads up after this serious loss. And then literally, keep their heads up. |
| Houston....Texans. | Team Chant | "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!" |
| There are two sets of twins, Dresdynn & Schuyler and Michelle & Rachel. | Cheerleaders | Two words: Lyla Garrity. |
| Reliant - "The Electric Company You Can Rely On" | Field Sponsor | Buddy Garrity Motors - "I'm Your Buddy!" |
| Toro | Team Mascot | Panther |
| Fantasy and real football rockstar, Arian Foster. Not only is he a powerhouse on the field, he's writes poetry, raps, keeps a vegan diet, volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Houston and gives back to his home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico! | Running Back | Mr. Dillon High School himself, the Ray Rice of Dillon, Texas, Mr. Brian "Smash" Williams. His quick feet and small stature take him to the top, eventually to college, but not without a few steroids along the way. |
| Houston Oilers (currently the Tennesee Titans) | Roots | Friday Night Lights (The movie) |
Houston Texans. Since 2002 when the Oilers left Houston for Tennessee, the Texans have spent the last 10 years earning their spot in the NFL and proving that they can win just like the best of 'em. Maybe Coach Gary Kubiak doesn't have the most poetic tongue or the family manskills of a perfected fictional father, but this is football and when you're undefeated you're a winner. Texas forever.
Rick Pitino has been here before, after making his 7th Final Four appearance, he’s now in his third go-round in the title game. He’s got plenty of experience on the big stage and he has the Cardinals playing high level basketball at the right time.
For years, both Neil Diamond and the Super Bowl Halftime show have been giving us, let’s say, mild overproduction (read: glitzy, flashy, and potentially unnecessary). So who’s got the edge between these two cheesy industry mainstays?
Harbaughs vs. Baldwins? Wow. What a battle! Let’s dig deep to see which pair of brothers has the upper hand.
