Extra Mustard

I'm thinking 75/25 Texas at worst. Probably more

This is the way. $750 future, $300 on Washington moneyline, and $450 face ticket means you are guaranteed all-in at $1500. I can't see Texas/Michigan or Texas/Alabama being much lower than that. Washington wins and you break even on the future and are out the $300 wager.

Pigs must have sent some more tickets - just bought one through UT ticket office website. Section W500, probably last row

That is what you want - during the rainy seasons, the soils will be too wet. The wet to dry cycles is what causes long term problems. Keeping the rain away from the foundation, and adding a moderate amount of water during dry seasons, will keep the moisture levels more under control and cause less movement.

Foundation engineer here - if you live in an area with expansive soils (i.e. most of Texas) then gutters are the best bang for your buck against long term foundation problems. Also, downspouts should discharge several feet away from the foundation. It isn't just "erosion", but the fact that the moisture content of the soils is so much greater after a rainstorm. The wetting and drying cycles are going to cause movement of the perimeter of the foundation. If every house had gutters, half of foundation repair companies would be out of business.