SOONERGUYS Blog

An early interception and a drive-stopping holding penalty had us wondering during the opening minutes of the game whether the Sooners season was truly snake bit.

Then, as if to tell the crowd, “don’t worry about a thing”, backup QB Landry Jones went on a 25 of 37, 336-yard, record setting six touchdown pass performance, the Sooner defense shut down a decent Golden Hurricane offense, and Oklahoma came away with a 45-0 win over Tulsa on Saturday.

Jones is definitely the quarterback of the future. And, Ryan Broyles is definitely one of the top 5 receivers in the country this year. On Saturday he grabbed 11 catches for 128 yards – the second 100-plus game in a row (he had 155 yards last week). He competed with RB Demarco Murray for the best Sportscenter highlight. Murray’s TD reception was a spin, a tight-rope and a one and full gainer gymnastics-style into the end zone. One of Broyles’ Tds was a Superman-like leap for a score.

Now, if only Adron Tennell would catch one pass. (Which I think he will – don’t give up on him just yet).

But despite the 529 total yards by Oklahoma’s offense, perhaps it was the defense that shined against Tulsa. TU managed some decent yards, but were blanked for the first time since 2004. That says a lot. This isn’t the TU team of a couple of years ago, but this is a team that may compete for the Conference USA championship. TU got in the Red Zone a few times, but OU forced stops and turnovers. The Sooner secondary played very well.

Oklahoma has now only given up 14 points (all against BYU) in three games.

— MD

Our Soonerguys prognosticators are optimistic that Oklahoma’s offense will be in full gear this Saturday against Tulsa, with point production ranging from 31 to 63.   See the Soonerguys picks.

Well, except for Sherry, who is pessimistically seeing the Sooners putting up a mere 27 – and only a 13 point favorite. She’s more in line with Vegas this week (Sooners are just 15 point favorites), so maybe its the rest of us who have already forgotten the debacle of Arlington and are fully emersed in crimson Kool-Aid.

Still, I feel confident that young Jones will feel the “force” and pass his way to a Sooner victory over the Golden Hurricane.

If Oklahoma wins by just two touchdowns or less, then the glass half empty folks will continue to whine about how the season is over, how the coaches must be lying about Sam Bradford’s two to four-week recovery prognosis, and how the offensive line could not block a kindergarten class.

Let’s hope the Sooners light ‘em up.

====

When South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier brought his team to play at Georgia last week he did not expect that the guys entrusted to protect his safety would subject him to cheers for the other team.

Ever seen cops turn into cheerleaders? These Goobers from the Georgia Highway Patrol did just that, celebrating Georgia’s 41-37 win over the Gamecocks in Athens. See video:

On the other hand, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (sound the trumpet fanfare here) know how to act appropriately when the side they’re protecting is losing:

====

If Colorado Coach Dan Hawkins isn’t on the hot seat, then there is no hot seat.

He did the unthinkable, first losing to the in-state rival, Colorado State. Then he lost to the Toledo Mud Hens (yeah, we know that’s not their real mascot, but M*A*S*H* fans will like the reference), who had lost to lowly Purdue the week before.

Hawkins must be re-thinking his past comment about this not being high school, no no no – this is “Big 12 football.”

In the words of Coach Switzer, “There is no losing in the Big 12 to Colorado State and Toledo, gentlemen.” (OK, he didn’t say that, but he would have, especially if Dunkin’ Donuts was paying him).

Hawkins has now lost his first two games, and considering he also said his team was capable of 10 wins this year, we’re wondering whether he’s now scheduled a few high school games on Friday night to get his 10 wins.

No such luck. The Buff’s next four games: Wyoming, at West Virginia, at Texas and Kansas.

So, is Hawkins out at CU? Maybe not.

The university would have to come up with $3 million to buy him out of his contract. The CU Athletic Department is strapped for money. They haven’t paid back most of an $8 million loan obtained to help pay off former coach Gary Barnett. Meanwhile, try to get a loan now when the main campus is laying off employees due to declining state revenues.

Just when you start pulling for the Cowboys (for the purpose of boosting our own Sooners’ rankings late in the season), and what does Mike Gundy and his team do? 

Lose.

Once an Aggie, always?

To “honor” the team in Stillwater for managing to gain Top 10 status and lose it all in the same week, we pass along this little ditty which is floating around the Okie-net (don’t know the author, but they did a fabulous job):

For one week, the streets of Oklahoma were lined with orange and black
With Cowboys and Cowgirls all leading the pack
For one week, it was so glorious to be a Poke
It was finally the Sooners as the butt of the joke
 
For one week, pistols were firing from Guymon to Meeker
While the outlook in Norman could not have been bleaker
For one week, Crimson and Cream faithful were shedding a tear
As OSU fans proclaimed, “it is finally our year!”
 
For one week, Stillwater seemed brighter and bolder
While in Norman they worried about Sammy’s sore shoulder
For one week, Zach and Dez were the toast of the town
As poor Kevin Wilson played the role of the clown
 
For one week, Cowboy Nation had reason to brag
Sports Illustrated even put em’ on the front of their mag
For one week, those fans were boastful and bold
While the air down in Norman got incredibly cold
 
The problem with one week is that lasts just seven days
Saturday rolls around and you need to call new plays
The Cowboys went out and they did what they do
They stumbled and bumbled, and fumbled some tooThey got behind early as their fans thought “It can’t be!”
“I thought this was our year, where the hell is the D!?”
They had one last chance, but Zach threw a pick
As Coach Gundy had flashbacks to “this makes me sick.”
 
The game had ended and Houston had won
Hope quickly faded from so much to none
Some fans yelled, “This always happens to us Pokes”
“Now we’ll just wait for the heckles and jokes.”
 
“I don’t ask much, one year of glory I seek.”
“Why can’t we get there for more than one week?”
 
For one week it was attention, praise, and some glory
For one week, the Cowboys were a very hot story
Somewhere Boone Pickens gazed up at the sky
And asked the football Gods, “why, oh why?”
“We’ve tried so hard and we’ve done so much”
“A championship trophy I so long to touch”
 
Boone begged and pleaded, he demanded to know
He wanted more wins for all of his dough
 
The Gods thought it over and came up with a reply
Boone was so excited he started to cry
“We’ve decided to let you touch football heaven.”
“You’ll get one more week….in 2027.”

By halftime the Sooner fans sitting in rain puddles were celebrating not just Oklahoma’s impending win (the one that ended 64-0), but also the results of some other games.

As one explained, it’s a good day when both Notre Dame and Oklahoma State lose.

The Cowboys 45-35 loss to Houston won’t help the Sooners’ chances of moving up the polls, but it will shut up any OSU office mates who were basking in Top 10 sunshine all last week after the ‘boys clobbered Georgia and Oklahoma was beaten by BYU.

Had Ohio State pulled out a win over USC then that would have been the winning trifecta. It would also signal an impending Armageddon. The Trojans instead came from behind to win, 18 to 15.

In Norman backup QB Landry Jones looked solid, throwing three touchdowns to Ryan Broyles, completing 18 of 32, for 286 yards.

“That kids going to be a good quarterback,” Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson said of Jones.

Jones found a favorite receiver in Ryan Broyles, who netted 155 yards in seven catches.

Demarco Murray looked flashy, gaining 101 yards.

In all, this was the “feel good” game that Oklahoma needed to play last week. And while the OSU loss was not what the Sooners need (see my earlier blog post), there weren’t many in Norman Saturday night not celebrating it too.

No, I haven’t lost my mind. But, we better start hoping Oklahoma State wins, and wins, and wins….until November 28.

The ‘boys in Stillwater are ranked No. 5 in the AP poll and No. 6 in the USA Today poll.  Texas is No. 2 in both.

And, I couldn’t be happier.

Now, before you think I have a Skoal ring showing from my hip pocket, or that I’ve now taken up pig farming, consider this:   The Sooners play two of the Top 10 teams in the country before the season is out.  The only way for Oklahoma, which stands at No. 13 in AP, to move up and have any chance at a BCS bowl (we won’t address a shot at BCS Championship just yet) is to knock off those two teams, Oklahoma State and Texas.

The Sooners need to win all their remaining games. 

But the Cowboys need to keep winning in order for Oklahoma to significantly gain by defeating them late in the season.

Oklahoma State needs to defeat Texas, which should elevate the Cowboys to No. 3 or 4.

Alabama must lose to Mississippi, but beat LSU.  Mississippi must lose to LSU.  Florida must defeat LSU.

USC must whip up on Ohio State, who will then have to beat Penn State.  USC then has to lose to Oregon State or California.  But UCLA has to defeat California.  Since Boise State and BYU play no top 15 teams for the rest of the season, it doesn’t matter what happens to them.

While the boost to Oklahoma would be slight, it would be good if Nebraska and Kansas can be in the top 15 by the time November rolls around. 

But it all depends on OSU running the table — until they come to Norman on November 28. 

Got it?  Ride ’em Cowboys. 

Coach Stoops’ press conference could have been conducted at Norman Regional today, given that much focus was on the injury situation for QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham.

He said Bradford’s AC sprain can heal enough to put him back on the field in two to four weeks.  Good news, under the circumstances.

Stoops also announced that TE Jermaine Gresham’s career at OU hinges on the results of this afternoon’s arthroscopic surgery, to determine whether the cause of his knee locking up is a chipped meniscus, or cartilage damage that will require stitching.  If the former, he will be back on the field in a couple of weeks.  If it is the latter, then surgery will lead to a five-month recovery and Gresham’s next play will be in an NFL uniform (hopefully, for him).

“It’s pure speculation now because none of that shows through three different MRIs. Until they (orthopedic surgeons) get in there you won’t be able to tell.”

Stoops’ report indicates that KOCO’s report this morning that Gresham is definitely out for the season was premature.  Imagine that — a sports reporter jumping the gun (in true Sooner land run fashion).

Meanwhile, all those penalties against offensive linemen during the BYU game will apparently lead to some personnel changes.  Stoops would not identify who might that be, but every Sooner fan knows that Senior OL Brian Simmons and Junior OL Cory Brandon got flagged for more procedure and holding penalties than most teams get in a season.

“It’s still college ball, I’m not going to call anyone out. But there will be changes,” Stoops said.

Also, full back turned tight end turned center Brody Eldridge will get moved back to tight end, in light of Gresham’s standing.  He’s valuable at the edge of the line because of his blocking ability to create creases for Oklahoma’s running backs, whose play becomes increasingly more important during Bradford’s absence. 

Still, juggling around players at different positions won’t solve some of the problems suffered by Oklahoma last Saturday in Arlington.  The Sooners must re-assess their focus and understand that just wearing the jersey doesn’t make for a championship team.

“Our team can’t overlook anybody if we can’t play correctly and play smart,” Stoops said. 

“We have to play more responsible and disciplined if we are to beat anyone.”

Thirty minutes after leaving Cowboys Stadium and the sting of this game is a long way from fading.

I’m not one to blame coaches for most losses.  Certainly they aren’t out there holding BYU defenders, or jumping before the snap. 

And, replacing Heisman winner Sam Bradford after he went out with injury in the second quarter tonight is a problem few coaches can solve.

But, with your offense poised to score from the one-foot line, and your red shirt freshman quarterback (Landry Jones) seeing his first college football action ever, you (the coaches) let the play clock wind down without calling a time out?

To his credit, Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson took complete responsibility for that error.

“I didn’t watch the clock,” Wilson said in the post-game locker room.  He said he was concentrating on getting the right play into Jones on the fourth and goal from the one.

“That cost us four points (the Sooners settled for a FG) and that one is on me,” Wilson said.  “That’s totally my fault. It is my fault.”

The Sooners beat themselves tonight, 14-13, in an offensive debacle that overshadowed a reasonably good defensive effort against a potent Cougar offense.

Let’s face it, holding BYU to two touchdowns should mean Oklahoma wins this game 31-14.  Instead, more holding and procedure penalties in this game than the Sooner committed last year in a half dozen games (forgive me for some hyperbole as I throw the hotel TV remote control across the room as ESPN shows Tim Tebow highlights), meant the high octane Oklahoma offense of last year ran out of gas in Arlington, Texas.

I will avoid reminding all who heard me this summer saying I didn’t want OU to play this game in Jerry’s monster stadium against BYU.  OK, I will shut up now.

Dear Soonerguy:

Do BYU players wear those sacred Mormom undergarments under their pads during games?

— Fashion conscious in OKC

Dear Fashion:

No, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) allows athletes to forego wearing the traditional Mormon undergarments during games because they are impractical.   Church members won’t talk about these duds,  but they serve as reminders of the person’s covenant with God.  These garments (even women wear them under their bras) are only worn by members who have gone through the temple ritual called endowment, and that’s not everyone on the team.

Not sure if this means the Cougars go commando when on the gridiron.   OK, I know. TMI. 

Dear Soonerguy:

Is it true that the Coca-Cola sold on BYU’s campus has all the caffeine removed from it?

— Soda Pop Paul in Pauls Valley

Dear Pop:

Yes.  Which means we have no idea how students stay up late to study.

Dear Soonerguy:

Will the Cowboys Stadium dome be open or closed. And, if closed, is there air conditioning? 

— Ms. Chick in Chickasha

It will be closed. There is a 48 percent chance of rain on Saturday.  Also, Jerry Jones is afraid punters will knock balls out of the stadium if the dome is left open.

The National Football Coach’s Association has most teams shaking the hands of their opponents before the opening kickoff in college games this weekend, including the Oklahoma vs. BYU game in Arlington.

They don’t even require this in Little League.

The coaches group is well intentioned. Some ugly incidents involving Florida teams last year made sportsmanship an area of emphasis among college programs this year.  Association Executive Director Grant Teaff (former Baylor coach) came up with the idea of the pre-game handshake.

But, football is a game of violence.  Players jack up their emotions leading up to the kickoff.  A little trash talking in warm ups isn’t good or bad — it’s just a reality.  Making all the players — not just captains for the coin toss — shake hands is like mixing acid and water (for those who don’t remember their high school chemistry, it’s not a good thing to do, but it will clean out clogged up plumbing).

The pregame handshake, in my opinion, is a mistake. It’s inviting some ugliness. But, Coach Stoops’ comments tonight on a local sports talk radio station, showed what kind of team player he is, and his respect for the coaching profession.

“I have great faith in Grant Teaff and people at the NCAA and who head our National Coaches Association. Our leadership is excellent. If they feel that’s what is needed, I’m all for it…. I’m a trooper when it comes to following directions from the powers that be.”

Stoops reminds us that while football is a game of aggression and violence, it is also a game of rules and discipline, and as importantly, a game of faith in the team.

But, it’s still not a good idea.  Shake the hands when the game is over.  Congratulate the opponent for fighting hard — win or lose. 

Coach Stoops has gotten some first hand scouting of BYU from brothers Mike and Mark Stoops, whose Arizona Wildcats were the last team to play the Cougars in the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl. 

“When you are playing a team you don’t have a lot of familiarity with, where you don’t play the year in and year out, you talk to other people who do,” Stoops said.

Well, it’s not just “other” people here.  We’re sure UA defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has given big bro’ some particular ideas on how to handle BYU offense.  Arizona won their game 31-21.

—-

Key to the OU-BYU game, at least from the Cougar’s perspective, is how well the BYU offensive line does against the strength of Oklahoma’s defense — the front four. 

BYU returns only one starter in their offensive line, and that’s Matt Reynolds, who broke his hand the first week of fall practice. He will play, with a plate and screws in his hand.  The BYU coaches are optimistic they will give QB Max Hall (nephew of former Dallas Cowboy great Danny White) enough time to “methodically” move the chains.

—-

Oklahoma is expecting a significant “homefield” advantage Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

“That’s what I would hope for with the proximity and those kinds of things,” Coach Stoops said Tuesday at his press conference. 

“It’s kind of like last year in the National Championship game, Florida had quite a few more than we did, even though it was a neutral site, so you kind of hope that that would be the case, and we hope that’s the way it works out.”

—-

The Cowboys Stadium is the largest domed stadium in the world.  The top of the dome stands 320 feet above the field (which is 50 feet below grade). That means the Statue of Liberty could stand inside the stadium.  Does anyone doubt Jerry Jones will try to buy it and move it to Dallas?

—-

Former OU backup QB Keith Nichol, who transferred a year ago to Michigan State, will play backup to Spartan starter Kirk Cousins.  Coaches says Nichol will get playing time this year, but Cousins narrowly edged him out of the top spot.