Week One Musings
OKLAHOMA vs. TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA
There isn’t much to take from Oklahoma’s 57-2 win over Tennessee Chattanooga, except to say there are a lot of loyal Oklahoma fans who stayed around after a 90-minute storm delay to watch some fairly lackluster football in the second half.
The first half was pretty much a perfect game for the Sooners. No turnovers. One penalty. 50 points. No points allowed. A+ all the way around. The second half didn’t matter. Even the new Boomer and Sooner ponies went back to the farm at half.
Each time I watched Demarco Murray (15-124 yds, 2 TDs) the more the name Billy Sims kept coming to mind. And when that name did not, the name Reggie Bush did. Sam Bradford f (17 of 22, 183 yds, 2 TDs) looked sharp. Juaquin Iglesias (4-73, 1 TD) looked top notch. The Mocs provided no test for the defense, so there was really no way of judging the performance of the defense, except to say they did everything asked of them.
I’m not about to rail on about how OU should be castigated for scheduling this Division I-AA weakling like some sports writers did (after the fact, mind you), but this game was little more than the scrimmage which fans were barred from attending during two-a-days. Just against a much weaker opponent (than our second string).
INTRO VIDEO – The special video effects on OU’s intro video looked cool. But the fellas running the sound board for the video system need to tweak that up. The crowd noise drowned out the audio.
HYPE FOR ‘SC – Virginia is the same weak team today as it was on Friday night, before their shellacking by Southern Cal. So, why are so many TV and radio pundits anointing the Trojans with any greater status today than they did last week because of their win over the Cavaliers? They were supposed to win – and win big. They did, 52-7.
The Trojans are one of the top 5 teams in the country, no doubt. But their stock did not go up by defeating Virginia. Could it be because ESPN/ABC has already begun hyping the September 13 showdown USC has against Ohio State? Nah, they wouldn’t be THAT callous, would they? If so, it’s doubly ridiculous, because that game needs no hyping.
MISSOURI FRAUD — Chase Daniels is a heck of a QB, but the Missouri team does not deserve Top 10 status. Allowing 42 points — even to No. 20 Illinois – disqualifies you for that.
A&M EMBARRASSMENT – How do the Aggies lose their first game of the season at home against Arkansas State? Four turnovers certainly cost them a lot, but the talent difference between these two schools should be enough to assure some cushion. Instead, A&M lost to Arkansas State 18-14. The Aggies gave up 415 total yards to Arkansas State.
Before Aggie fans fire bomb Mike Sherman’s house, they should remember Dennis Franchione left this program in shambles. Sherman just inherited it. Relax and expect a rough season – but the coaching staff Sherman has put together (ex-‘Bama assistant Joe Kines and Nolan Cromwell as coordinators) will bring this program around. It will take some time, because A&M’s skilled players may not be suited for Sherman’s pro-style offense.
NEXT SATURDAY – Few good matchups in college football next week. Average point spread is probably more than 20 among all games. ESPN might as well show some Division II games, except all of them are playing Division I schools. — Mike