Mike Craven
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Mike Craven
@cravenmike.bsky.social
3.3K followers 220 following 380 posts
Senior college football writer at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football | Buy my book on college football published by Texas Monthly: https://www.texasfootball.com/store/product/dave-campbell-s-guide-to-texas-college-football
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Mike Craven @cravenmike.bsky.social · Nov 14
I wrote a book about the history of college football in the state of Texas with Texas Monthly and Dave Campbell’s if you’re looking for a Christmas gift.

www.texasfootball.com/store/produc...
Dave Campbell's Guide to Texas College Football
www.texasfootball.com
cravenmike.bsky.social
Justin Burke expected to leave UTSA for Kentucky to be on Will Stein’s staff.

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
UTSA OC Justin Burke Expected to Join Will Stein at Kentucky
UTSA offensive coordinator Justin Burke is expected to join Will Stein's staff at Kentucky after three years calling plays for the Roadrunners.
www.texasfootball.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:49 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Neal Brown will become the new head coach at North Texas. ESPN first.

#GMG

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
BREAKING: North Texas Expected to Hire Former Big 12 Head Coach to Replace Eric Morris
Sources say that North Texas is expected to announce former West Virginia and Troy head coach Neal Brown as the next leader of the Mean Green football program.
www.texasfootball.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
North Texas HC search talk, Texas CFP chances, previews for Big 12 and AC championships.

A loaded podcast this week with @carteryates.bsky.social and I.

open.spotify.com/episode/12xN...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
"They were going to send me back to Friona if I didn’t adapt."

On Colby Carthel's second act at SFA and how adaption helped the Lumberjacks return to national prominence and the FCS playoffs.

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Colby Carthel’s Second Act: How Adaptation Revived SFA Football
After a gut-wrenching 0-2 start, Stephen F. Austin turned heartbreak into fuel, riding veteran leadership and renewed focus to a 10-game surge, a conference title, and a playoff rematch with Abilene C...
www.texasfootball.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Is a favorite emerging for the North Texas job?

#GMG

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Is a Favorite Emerging for North Texas Job?
Is former West Virginia and Troy head coach Neal Brown the favorite to replace Eric Morris at North Texas? Names are starting to emerge for the Mean Green.
www.texasfootball.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Texas owns college football in 2025. A&M, Tech, UNT, Texas, Houston, SMU, TCU—everyone had a storyline in a wild Week 14.

Here’s what it all means for the CFP and beyond:

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Texas Football Report: 10 Takeaways From Week 14 and the 2025 College Football Playoff Picture
With Texas surging, Texas A&M regrouping, Texas Tech rolling, and North Texas closing in on history, Week 14 showed why the Lone Star State now sits at the heart of the 2025 College Football Playoff r...
www.texasfootball.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Do the Texas Longhorns deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff?

Horns make case with big win over Texas A&M. If chalk occurs, #HookEm is likely fighting with Notre Dame, Miami, and BYU for final CFP spot.

Will big wins override bad losses?

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Do the Texas Longhorns Deserve a Spot in College Football Playoff?
Texas strengthens its playoff case with a rivalry win over Texas A&M as Steve Sarkisian cites a brutal schedule, top-10 victories, and a belief that the Longhorns belong in the CFP race.
www.texasfootball.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:36 AM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Quick thoughts from Texas' 27-17 win over Texas A&M

- Tre Wisner with 87 carries for 553 yards, 1 TD in four games vs. OU, Texas A&M
- Is this a blessing in disguise for an Aggie team that'll now host CFP game?

#HookEm #GigEm

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Manning, Wisner Lead Texas to 27–17 Win Over Undefeated Aggies
Texas surged past unbeaten Texas A&M with a dominant second half, powered by Arch Manning and Tre Wisner, strengthening the Longhorns’ CFP case and extending their rivalry control.
https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2025/11/28/manning-wisner-lead-texas-to-27–17-win-over-undefeated-aggies?ref=article_preview_title
November 29, 2025 at 4:51 AM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Week 14 CFB Questions

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
The Year of Texas: Playoff Paths, Title Shots, and a Revival of the Lone Star Showdown
Texas stands at the center of the college football universe as five teams chase the Playoff, four eye conference titles, and nearly every program in the state battles for a bowl in a historic Week 14.
www.texasfootball.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
CFP Rankings

3. Texas A&M
5. Texas Tech
16. Texas
21. SMU
November 26, 2025 at 1:10 AM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Job Board for North Texas

Expect the Mean Green to look for a similar profile to Morris when he was hired - young, offensive-minded, experience as a HC is a plus, and not afraid to look in non-FBS ranks.

#GMG

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Job Board: Names to know for North Texas opening
As Eric Morris exits for Oklahoma State, North Texas turns to a crowded field of proven play callers, Texas-tied recruiters, and fast-rising head coaches eager to guide a G5 power on the cusp of natio...
www.texasfootball.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Eric Morris is set to become the next head coach at Oklahoma State, sources confirm to DCTF. He'll finish the season with the Mean Green on doorstep of AC championship, CFP berth.

ESPN first.

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Breaking: Eric Morris to become next head coach at Oklahoma State
North Texas Mean Green head coach Eric Morris will become the next head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys program, replacing Mike Gundy after 21 seasons in charge.
www.texasfootball.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Baylor kept Aranda, not because the results demand it, but because the circumstances boxed them in. New AD search, big buyout, and a costly roster era.

Fans are furious and it’s hard to blame them.

On the cost of keeping Aranda.

#SicEm

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Stuck in Neutral: The Real Cost of Baylor Keeping Dave Aranda
Baylor football’s decision to keep Dave Aranda for 2026 raises major Big 12 and Texas football concerns as the program battles buyout costs, NIL pressure, transfer-portal losses, and fan frustration.
www.texasfootball.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Ten Thoughts from Week 13

- Is UNT the best G5 team in America?
- Arch Manning impresses
- What to make of Baylor retaining Dave Aranda?
- UTSA's black magic in the Alamodome

Over 2,000 words on the State of Texas: www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Lone Star Supremacy: SMU Surges, UNT Dominates, and A&M Eyes History
From SMU’s ACC surge to North Texas’ G5 push and A&M’s historic SEC chase, Week 13 proved once again that the road to the 2025 postseason runs straight through the state of Texas.
www.texasfootball.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Lone Star Supremacy: SMU surges, UNT dominates, and Texas A&M eyes history.

Ten thoughts from Week 13 and over 2,000 words on FBS football in Texas.

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Lone Star Supremacy: SMU Surges, UNT Dominates, and A&M Eyes History
From SMU’s ACC surge to North Texas’ G5 push and A&M’s historic SEC chase, Week 13 proved once again that the road to the 2025 postseason runs straight through the state of Texas.
www.texasfootball.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
FBS Power Poll post Week 13

Not a ton of changes as teams are who they are at this point in the season.

www.texasfootball.com/college-powe...
Power Rankings for the 13 FBS Texas College Football Teams
The Dave Campbell’s Texas Football staff gives their power rankings of the 13 FBS college football teams in Texas presented by TicketCity.
www.texasfootball.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:50 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Not a bad year for CFB in Texas

* Texas A&M 11-0 and locked into the CFP
* Texas Tech favorite to win Big 12
* North Texas favorite to be G5 rep
* SMU controls ACC destiny
* Possible that 11 of the 13 FBS teams go bowling
* Four possible CFP teams, five if Horns are alive
November 23, 2025 at 3:56 AM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Week 13 CFB Preview

- Has Houston passed TCU, Baylor in state’s pecking order?

- Will the Horns avoid the upset?

- Does SMU stay in ACC race?

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Inside Week 13: Playoff Dreams, Bowl Scrambles, and Power Shifts Across Texas
Playoff paths, bowl hopes, and conference races define Week 13 for Texas, SMU, Houston, UTSA, and more as Texas football enters its most important weekend of 2025.
www.texasfootball.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Baylor decides to keep Dave Aranda for the 2026 season, university president Linda Livingstone announces.

Combination of high buy out, crowded carousel, and need to hire new AD keeps Aranda in Waco. It can't be because of anything on the field.

#SicEm

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Baylor makes controversial decision to retain Dave Aranda for 2026
Dave Aranda will lead the Baylor Bears football team in 2026, university president Linda Livingstone announced in a letter. The football team is 22-26 since the start of 2022.
www.texasfootball.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Four Texas teams in the CFP Top 25

3. Texas A&M
5. Texas Tech
17. Texas
23. Houston
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 AM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Texas is home to 20% of the AP Top 25 with five teams ranked.

The Lone Star State could occupy 25% of the CFP because there’s a greater than 0 chance that we get four teams in.

Here’s how: www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Don’t Laugh: Up to Four Texas Teams Could Make College Football Playoff
Texas A&M is in, Texas Tech is nearly locked, and SMU and North Texas control their destiny. Here’s how Texas could dominate the CFP picture in the final weeks of the season.
www.texasfootball.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Texas teams ranked:

FBS: 3. Texas A&M, 6. Texas Tech, 17. Texas, 22. North Texas, 25. Houston

FCS: 5. Tarleton State, 13. SFA, 18. ACU, 19. Lamar

DII: 10. UTPB

DIII: 12. Hardin-Simmons, 21. Trinity

NAIA: 25. Texas Wesleyan

JUCO: 3. Tyler JC, 13. Trinity Valley
November 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Non-FBS playoff picture in Texas

One team in DII, NAIA brackets, a pair of squads reach DIII tournament. TylerJC still alive in JUCO ranks.

www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Playoff Frenzy in Texas: UTPB, Trinity, HSU, and Texas Wesleyan Punch Tickets
Texas football made its mark as four programs advanced to the postseason, including UTPB in DII, Trinity and Hardin-Simmons in DIII, Texas Wesleyan in NAIA, and Tyler JC in the JUCO finals.
www.texasfootball.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Ten Thoughts on CFB in the state of Texas

- Texas' CFP hopes (should) be dashed
- What is wrong at TCU?
- North Texas' path clears
- UTSA gets a road win
- Sam Houston on a roll

2,500 words to make you a better a Texan: www.texasfootball.com/article/2025...
Week 12 Texas FBS Recap: Aggies Rally, Mean Green Rise, Longhorns Collapse
Week 12 reshaped Texas college football as Texas A&M surged toward the CFP, Texas suffered a season-defining loss, and Texas Tech and North Texas stayed alive in the playoff hunt.
www.texasfootball.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
cravenmike.bsky.social
Five of the AP Top 25 are Texas programs

3. Texas A&M
6. Texas Tech
17. Texas
22. North Texas
25. Houston

No more than three teams from the same state have finished the season ranked in the AP Top 25 from what I've found.
November 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM