Texas

Pillen visits Texas again, pledges more border help at Nebraska’s expense | Nebraska Examiner

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

Pillen visits Texas again, pledges more border help at Nebraska’s expense | Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen joined more than a dozen other Republican governors in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Sunday, pledging continued state taxpayer support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s months-long dispute with President Joe Biden over border security.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen listens to a briefing near Eagle Pass, Texas, from Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday. (Courtesy of Nebraska Governor’s Office)

Presidents of both parties have struggled to curb illegal border crossings between the United States and Mexico. Republicans in recent years have made a tradition of raising the political temperature along the nation’s Southern border during election years. The latest wrinkle under Abbott has been seeking unreimbursed help from other red-state governors.

Pillen has already spent $1 million in state funds on deploying drone pilots from the Nebraska State Patrol and 61 members of the Nebraska National Guard to South Texas. He has said he would dip into federal pandemic relief funds to offset the costs to state taxpayers but acknowledged that Nebraskans are footing part of the bill.

On Sunday, he pledged more state help for Texas but didn’t say what type. He said he still needs to meet with National Guard leaders, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and State Patrol leadership to see what’s needed and what’s feasible.

He and other GOP governors who have participated in Abbott’s “Operation Lone Star” say they are trying to help stem the tide of illegal crossings, which ramped up to record numbers after dipping unusually low during the COVID-19 pandemic, with its tighter restrictions. In all, 25 GOP governors have committed to help Texas, Abbott said.

Why Nebraska says it is sending people

Pillen and leaders with the State Patrol have said their efforts help reduce the number of people and illegal substances being trafficked across the border. They say both end up in Nebraska and other states with disastrous consequences for people and public safety. They often point to illegal fentanyl imports and the drug’s role as a top killer of young people.

President Joe Biden, joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, delivers remarks on the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in the State Dining Room of the White House on Oct. 10, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“We’re a border state even though we’re in the middle of the United States,” Pillen said Sunday. “We want to help secure the border.”

Pillen, in an interview after a 90-minute briefing with Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety, said what the governors are doing isn’t political. One of the speakers Abbott featured was Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Pillen attended but did not speak during Abbott’s press conference.

Costs of immigration rhetoric

Local Latino critics of Pillen’s approach, including the League of United Latin American Citizens of Nebraska, have said he and other elected leaders in the state unnecessarily increase negative feelings toward all Nebraska Latinos, not just immigrants without documentation.

They say he hurts some residents’ faith in law enforcement by pandering to conservative audiences with his immigration rhetoric for political gain.

Elsa Aranda of Omaha, the group’s local president, said she is disappointed by the constant emphasis on the immigration issue by elected leaders in Nebraska without pressure for solutions.

“This is hurting people like me, people at my church, people who work,” she said.

Joe Henry, a regional director of LULAC s in neighboring Iowa, said the GOP governors are doing “political grandstanding.”

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News Town Hall on Jan. 10, 2024, in Des Moines. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Henry said if the governors are really serious about addressing border security, they ought to be telling the congressional delegation to support the immigration plan the Senate is working out. It reportedly would speed up the asylum-seeking process, streamline the process for securing work permits and give the president the authority to shut down the border if enough people cross.

House GOP leaders have expressed skepticism about the prospects for a deal.

“This is spending state tax dollars to play politics at the border while at the same time Congress has worked out a bipartisan deal at the border,” Henry said.

Possible Senate deal, or not

Immigration rhetoric has ramped up again in recent weeks, after former President Donald Trump, campaigning for the presidency, has publicly opposed a potential deal with Senate negotiators to improve presidential authority to tamp down on border crossings and deport people rather than capturing them and releasing them until their court date.

Abbott’s disagreement with the Biden administration has escalated into a court fight over whether a state can defy federal authority over the border. Abbott has drawn criticism from migrant advocates for adding buoys and razor wire to the Rio Grande River and restoring barriers the feds have removed for environmental and safety reasons, among others.

Abbott defended the razor wire near Eagle Pass, saying it contributed to a sharp decline in crossings, from 3,000 or 4,000 a day to about three a day recently. (The port of entry at Eagle Pass has seen crossings drop into the hundreds, according to the Associated Press.) Others argued that the cartels have simply shifted their crossing points.

Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford speaks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol about border policy negotiations on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

The Supreme Court ruled the Border Patrol could cut the razor wire, but Texas reinstalled it. Texas also has restricted the Border Patrol’s use of a riverfront park in Eagle Pass. The razor wire drew national attention last month after a mother and her two children drowned in the river. Abbott has said the Biden administration is responsible and pledged to expand the use of the wire.

He and other GOP governors say the feds need to work harder to dissuade more people from coming. Abbott and Pillen said Sunday the administration has made things worse than they were under Trump.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the State of Texas and border agents had stopped 169 people from entering the country who were on the terror watch list in 2023.

Abbott’s legal fight has, in some instances, pushed border patrol agents off certain Texas land, citing a provision in the Constitution allowing states to protect themselves. Most legal scholars argue the federal government has primacy over immigration enforcement. Abbott and other red-state governors have drawn criticism for busing migrants to blue-led states.

“We’re here to send a loud and clear message that we are banding together to fight to ensure … that states will be able to defend against any type of imminent danger or invasion,” Abbott said Sunday, adding later. “Joe Biden, it’s your turn now.”

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Texas

2025 College Football Rankings: Georgia Climbs to No. 3, Texas A&M Drops Out of Top 5

Published

12 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

2025 College Football Rankings: Georgia Climbs to No. 3, Texas A&M Drops Out of Top 5

The balance of power shifts once again to the Big Ten and away from the SEC.

The nation’s top two teams — consensus No. 1 and No. 2 — will enter the Big Ten Championship Game undefeated.

Meanwhile, after Texas defeated Texas A&M for the second consecutive year, no SEC team will enter its conference title game unbeaten. The SEC’s former top-ranked team, Texas A&M, didn’t even qualify for the championship, and the Texas squad that beat the Aggies also lost to Ohio State earlier this season.

For the last two seasons, the national champion has emerged from “The Game,” where it just means more. In that same span, the SEC hasn’t even sent a team to the title game.

It wouldn’t shock anyone if Ohio State and Indiana face off not once but twice in the postseason. What remains to be seen is whether the SEC can even find a path back to the national championship game.

Here’s a look at my top 25 rankings following Week 14 of the college football season:

25. Missouri (8-4), Previously Ranked: NR

Week 14 result: Defeated Arkansas, 31-17

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy simply can’t be stopped. The sophomore rushed for a game-high 157 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ regular-season finale, marking his eighth 100-yard game in 12 contests.

24. Houston (9-3), Previously Ranked: NR

Week 14 result: Defeated Baylor, 31-24

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman accounted for 322 total yards — including 121 on the ground — and three touchdowns to cap the program’s first nine-win regular season since 2021 and only its second since 2016.

23. James Madison (11-1), Previously Ranked: 21

Week 14 result: Defeated Coastal Carolina, 59-10

James Madison put together an 11-win season in just Year 2 under head coach Bob Chesney and has as many losses to Power 4 teams as programs like Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas Tech, and BYU. Yet even with a 12-1 record and a conference title, the Dukes could still be left out of the CFP.

In a 24-team playoff, JMU has a shot as one of the two highest-ranked Group of 6 teams, or even as an at-large pick. Still, the harsh reality is that the Dukes could finish 13-1 and never get a chance to test themselves against the sport’s elite.

22. Arizona (9-3), Previously Ranked: NR

Week 14 result: Defeated Arizona State, 23-7

The Wildcats trailed the Sun Devils at halftime before reeling off 20 points in the second half, and their defense created more turnovers (five) than it allowed first downs (three).

21. Tulane (10-2), Previously Ranked: NR

Week 14 result: Defeated Charlotte, 27-0

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall will be in his fourth conference championship game in as many years as a head coach. Tulane — along with UNT and James Madison — have a better shot at the CFP than programs like Vanderbilt, Texas, Miami, and Utah.

If that’s not reason enough to expand the CFP to 24 teams, then you might just not like college football.

20. Navy (9-2), Previously Ranked: 19

Week 14 result: Defeated Memphis, 28-17

The Midshipmen are the first team to hold Memphis to under 20 points in the Tigers’ last 52 games. A win against Army would give Navy back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history.

19. North Texas (11-1), Previously Ranked: 18

Week 14 result: Defeated Temple, 52-25

North Texas capped its best regular season ever with 11 wins, punching its ticket to the American Conference Championship Game. With a win next weekend, North Texas could earn its first trip to the College Football Playoff.

18. Michigan (9-3), Previously Ranked: 15

Week 14 result: Lost to Ohio State, 27-9

The Wolverine offense ran fewer than 50 plays against the Buckeyes. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood passed for just 63 yards, and star wide receiver Andrew Marsh didn’t record a single catch.

17. Virginia (10-2), Previously Ranked: 17

Week 14 result: Defeated Virginia Tech, 27-7

With its first win over Virginia Tech this decade, the Cavaliers secured just the second 10-win season in program history and a berth in the ACC Championship Game. A victory there would also earn UVA its first trip to the CFP.

Neither accomplishment seemed within reach for a team that had won just 11 games combined over the previous three seasons. It’s a remarkable turnaround under coach Tony Elliott, who should be a lock for ACC Coach of the Year.

16. USC (9-3), Previously Ranked: 22

Week 14 result: Defeated UCLA, 29-10

The Trojans would be the last automatic qualifier to the proposed 24-team CFP as the fourth-best Big Ten team, thanks to a 7-2 conference record and a head-to-head win over Michigan.

But once again, this blue blood will have to watch another season go by without earning a shot at the national championship.

15. Utah (10-2), Previously Ranked: 16

Week 14 result: Defeated Kansas, 31-21

The Utes finished 10-2 after going 5-7 last year, narrowly missing a chance at the Big 12 title game. In a 24-team College Football Playoff, Utah is likely one of the top teams and would be a worthy contender for a national championship.

14. Vanderbilt (10-2), Previously Ranked: 14

Week 14 result: Defeated Tennessee, 45-24

Quarterback Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt to its first 10-win regular season with another stellar performance: 383 total yards — including 165 rushing — and three total touchdowns. He is one of the best players in the country and should be considered a Heisman finalist, representing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in major college football history.

13. Alabama (10-2), Previously Ranked: 12

Week 14 result: Defeated Auburn, 27-20

Alabama notched a win over its rival and punched its ticket to the SEC Championship Game.

Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson threw three touchdown passes, all to junior wideout Isaiah Horton, who had just five total touchdowns in the previous 11 games combined.

12. Notre Dame (10-2), Previously Ranked: 13

Week 14 result: Defeated Stanford, 49-20

Have the Fighting Irish done enough to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff? That’s the million-dollar question.

Marcus Freeman’s team certainly looked the part Saturday night, rolling up 49 points and 514 yards of offense in a dominant win over Stanford.

11. Miami (Fla.) (10-2), Previously Ranked: 11

Week 14 result: Defeated Pitt, 38-7

The Hurricanes are still ranked behind Notre Dame in the CFP selection committee’s rankings, but after beating No. 22 Pitt to cement a 10-win season, you’d expect that to change. Then again, with that bunch of suits, nothing should be assumed.

10. BYU (11-1), Previously Ranked: 9

Week 14 result: Defeated UCF, 41-21

BYU’s season now comes down to one game.

The Cougars could use style points, but their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff hinge entirely on Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game. To secure a spot, they must beat the only team that has defeated them this season: Texas Tech.

9. Texas (9-3), Previously Ranked: 10

Week 14 result: Defeated Texas A&M, 27-17

The Longhorns have beaten Texas A&M two years in a row, and no one enjoys it more than Texas RB Quintrevion Wisner, who recorded Texas’ first 100-yard rushing performance of the season with 155 yards.

Texas might still have a chance to make the College Football Playoff, but its 3-2 record against top-10 teams — and a loss to a 3-9 Florida team that fired its head coach in October — does little to help its case.

8. Texas Tech (11-1), Previously Ranked: 8

Week 14 result: Defeated West Virginia, 49-0

The Red Raiders left no doubt they are the best team in the Big 12 with a showcase win for the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Texas Tech racked up 572 total yards, including 300 passing from quarterback Behren Morton, 33 first downs, and 188 rushing yards — all without a single 100-yard rusher.

7. Oklahoma (10-2), Previously Ranked: 7

Week 14 result: Defeated LSU, 17-13

Take a sigh of relief, Sooner fans. It wasn’t pretty — far from it —but at 10-2, Oklahoma is now in position to host a first-round CFP game after winning four straight.

Oklahoma’s defense continues to shine, holding the Tigers to just 198 total yards in the victory.

6. Texas A&M (11-1), Previously Ranked: 3

Week 14 result: Lost to Texas, 27-17

Texas A&M came oh, so close. But after falling to their in-state rival for the second straight year, the Aggies not only drop in the rankings, they won’t even get a shot at the SEC title.

5. Ole Miss (11-1), Previously Ranked: 6

Week 14 result: Defeated Mississippi State, 38-19

Lane Kiffin’s future as head coach at Ole Miss had no bearing on how his team played with yet another 350-yard passing performance and 100-yard rushing performance from Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, respectively.

4. Oregon (11-1), Previously Ranked: 5

Week 14 result: Defeated Washington, 26-14

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, while the Ducks’ defense smothered Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. from start to finish.

Dan Lanning’s squad is now 11-1 and hitting its stride at exactly the right moment.

3. Georgia (11-1), Previously Ranked: 4

Week 14 result: Defeated Georgia Tech, 16-9

Death, taxes and the Georgia Bulldogs.

That’s now eight straight wins for the Dawgs in this rivalry called “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.” This is a Bulldogs team lying in wait for a postseason they expect to punish opponents in.

2. Indiana ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(12-0), Previously Ranked: 2

Week 14 result: Defeated Purdue, 56-3

The Hoosiers punctuated their first-ever undefeated regular season with 355 yards on the ground in a dominant win over in-state rival Purdue.

It was a statement for the six weeks ahead. Indiana looks like a team capable of not just contending — but winning — a national title.

1. Ohio State (12-0), Previously Ranked: 1

Week 14 result: Defeated Michigan, 27-9

Ohio State is the best team in the country.

The Buckeyes broke a nearly six-year losing streak to Michigan, secured their first undefeated regular season since 2019, earned a trip to the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2020, and notched their 16th consecutive victory.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him @RJ_Young.

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Look: Texas A&M coach Mike Elko snips in press conference after Texas trolls

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Look: Texas A&M coach Mike Elko snips in press conference after Texas trolls

Texas football welcomed Mike Elko to his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day on Black Friday.

As the Longhorns took the final kneels to secure a 27-17 win over Texas A&M to knock the Aggies out of the land of unbeaten college football teams, the video board at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas trolled Elko.

Texas played a short clip of Elko calling Texas A&M “the flagship program of the state” last year, with a voiceover saying “Sike” about his comments. That was met by loud cheers from the fans as Texas earned the win.

It only got worse for Elko from there. Following the loss, he lost his cool during his press conference over the noise of the Longhorns celebrating their win over the Aggies.

The loss for Texas A&M knocked to rival Texas knocked it out of the SEC Championship game.

“Can we close the door and run a professional press conference?” Elko asked mid-answer.

The good news for Elko and the Aggies: They closed out the season with an 11-1 record, including a 7-1 record in SEC play. Texas A&M has secured a spot in the College Football Playoff and, barring a major upset, should at least have a home first-round game, if not a bye in the opening round.

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How to Watch Temple vs North Texas: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

The North Texas Mean Green (10-1) looks for a program-record 11th win and a spot in the American championship game on Friday afternoon when they host a Temple Owls (5-6) squad still trying to become bowl eligible after three straight losses.

How to Watch Temple vs North Texas

When: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)

North Texas won its fifth straight game on Saturday night, rolling to a 56-24 road victory at Rice after erasing an early 14-0 deficit. Drew Mestemaker threw for 469 yards, finishing 19-of-23 with three touchdowns, and also ran for a score. Caleb Hawkins ran for 97 yards and three TDs on 20 carries, and Ashton Gray also had a rushing touchdown. Wyatt Young had a huge night with eight catches for 295 yards and two scores, and Tre Williams III caught a TD pass.

Temple’s slide continued on Saturday with a 37-13 loss to visiting Tulane. Evan Simon threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, but the running game was limited to just 20 yards. Colin Chase and Peter Clarke made scoring catches in the loss. Simon absorbed four sacks before he was pulled from the game.

Eric Morris was announced on Tuesday as the new head coach at Oklahoma State and will leave North Texas at the end of the season. The Mean Green haven’t won a conference title since the 2004 Sun Belt championship and have a simple win-and-in scenario to reach the American championship game. They are 2-0 all-time against Temple, including a 24-17 road win on Nov. 30.

This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

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