Letter to Santa, in football terms: 3 things on wish list for Tarleton State Football

BY GAVIN PATRICK

Sports Editor

There’s no better time of year when the holiday season collides with the most pivotal juncture of football season. It’s like dipping cookies in milk: one can live without the other, but when put together, they become unstoppable.

Only, your emotional well-being is firmly tied to the wins and losses of your favorite team. That’s why we, as fans, have a “wish list.”

This is how we set our expectations for teams. Some wishes are more delusional than others, but fans know their team, and most wishes are realistic things to achieve. Because if we don’t get them, it’s a letdown.

It’s exhausting, but it’s exhilarating.

As Tarleton State Texan fans, we can get a little greedy this year. The football team is having its best season in program history and has the firepower to compete with anyone in the FCS playoffs. That’s why my wish list for the Texans only contains things that have never been done before. That’s been the team’s mindset since spring ball, and it’s how fans should be thinking, too.

Hopefully, Todd Whitten and company can make this the best holiday season yet in Stephenville. So as you go grocery shopping and gift shopping and turkey hunting, mark these three items on your list, too, as must-haves for Tarleton State Football fans.

1) A conference championship

The Texans came painstakingly close to their first Division I conference championship last year before Abilene Christian, of all teams, reached the end zone with 0:23 remaining on Nov. 23 to beat Tarleton in their house and snatch the title for themselves.

This year, it’ll be a similar story – if a couple things don’t go the Texans’ way.

After upsetting Tarleton State for the second-straight year, the Wildcats control their destiny to the UAC title. Even with a 8-4 record, should they win their final two games against Eastern Kentucky and Central Arkansas, the Wildcats would own a 7-1 record in conference play and the tiebreaker over Tarleton, should the Texans also win out and hold an identical conference record.

This means Tarleton has to hope their rival drops at least one of their final game and win out for the best chance at the UAC title.

One thing that could work in the Texans’ favor is that they play their final two games at home, in front of one of the best home crowds in the FCS, while Abilene Christian has to go on the road for their final game.

Also, despite having four wins over ranked opponents, ACU has been up-and-down playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. They haven’t won more than three games in a row and lost to a middling Southern Utah team the week before their win over Tarleton.

Still, it’s disheartening to know that the Texans could’ve salted away the UAC title if they had just won in Abilene two weeks ago. As 13.5-point favorites, with last year’s loss still fresh on their minds and having blown through opponents all season, fans expected nothing less. Instead, the team came down to earth – which, hey, gave them something to learn from for the first time all year.

Losing the UAC to Abilene Christian won’t ruin Christmas; it’s not a necessity for playoff seeding. Rather, it’s a tasty side dish to have with Thanksgiving dinner. (We’ll establish the turkey later on…) But for a team that has certainly played well enough over the last two years to be a conference champion, it’s about time the eye test does the standings justice.

2) Multiple home playoff games

Texan Nation experienced a home playoff game for the first time last season. Now, it’s time to level up and make Stephenville a hub for December football.

How realistic is that, you say? Well, since the Texans will not have an undefeated season, meaning their odds to have home-field advantage as a top-two seed are slim and none, they’d need some help to secure a second home game (should they win the first).

Tarleton currently ranks No. 5 in the FCS playoff rankings. If they impress in their final game and leap Lehigh for the No. 4 spot, they would be in line for at least two home playoff games. It’s unlikely the Texans finish any higher than four, though, given the ACU loss and weak strength of schedule.

If they stay at No. 5, which is the most likely outcome, Tarleton would need the No. 4 team to lose for an opportunity at a second home game. Remember, the Texans lost last year to the No. 4 team, South Dakota, as the No. 13 seed. But the No. 4 seed has lost its first game five times since the 24-team format was introduced in 2013.

The top eight seeds receive a bye in the playoffs, so barring a catastrophic end to the regular season, the Texans will at least have that to rest on.

But playing at home will be very important for Tarleton in particular. The Texans have a legitimate home-field advantage, boasting the seventh highest attendance rate in the FCS. And perhaps more importantly, they don’t have much experience playing in cold weather, which will certainly be a factor in North Dakota and Montana.

What a gift it would be for Texan fans to watch a postseason run from the comfort of Memorial Stadium. It would be another milestone to mark in the team’s meteoric rise from the shadows to the spotlight.

We can call this the gravy on the mashed potatoes: It enhances the playoff experience and brings some consistency to what kind of game (or potato) you’re going to get.

3) A national championship

This is the thing everyone wants for Christmas. It’s like a Labubu doll or “KPop Demon Hunters” merch. Only, in this case, only one fanbase will receive it.

I really don’t need to spend much time explaining why this would be significant. Tarleton State has never won a national championship in any major sport, let alone football, in its 126-year history. And this year in particular would be the perfect time to do it.

The Texans have a whopping 48 seniors on its roster, many of whom were with the team through its transition to Division I. These players weren’t even eligible for the playoffs two years ago. But they believed in what the program was building, and now, they have a shot at paying off their service.

To walk away without a championship with this group would be disappointing, especially since quarterback Victor Gabalis is one of those seniors, and there’s not a promising protégé in line to succeed him.

Todd Whitten has replenished talent throughout his 16 years in Stephenville, and the team’s recent success will only help recruiting. There’s young pieces who have already emerged this season, like Tre Page and James Paige, and history tells us there’s more to come.

Still, it may take time for Tarleton to get back to the level it reached this season with all the talent and experience about to walk out the door.

These Texans are past the “cute story” phase, so it’s about time their climb reaches the ultimate goal. You know those fans who hold up signs saying, “All I want for Christmas is a (insert team) win?” I think it’s time we see signs like that at Memorial Stadium. Just like we manifest presents for Christmas.

But even if these wishes don’t come to fruition, I’m glad we at least have something to root for this holiday season. Besides, what do they say?

It’s the thought that counts.