SOONERGUYS Blog

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.

Versatility may be Brody Eldridge’s middle name.  Coaches moved him to center this week, where he promptly beat out expected starter Ben Habern. 

The Senior Eldridge has received considerable playing time as a tight end and blocking fullback.  Now he takes his 6-5, 265 pound frame into the heart of an inexperienced Oklahoma line.  Rumor is he’s practicing tight spirals so he can backup Sam Bradford at QB.  OK, maybe not.

This gives offensive coordinator an opportunity not seen at OU since Mike Leach launched the Ninja formation.

Call it the Sooner Shell Game.  Eldridge comes out of the huddle to stand in the fullback position.  No, then he shifts to tight end.  No, then he shifts over to center and hikes the ball before the defense knows what’s happening.  “I’m here!  No, here!  No, here!”

Don’t be surprised to see the “Where’s Brody?” game to light up the videotron during time outs.  Sponsored by Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

This week’s OU depth chart does have some more surprises to chew on.  No Demarcus Granger on the two-deep list at defensive tackle.  Gerald McCoy and Adrian Taylor are the starters inside, with Cordero Moore and Casey Walker to back them up. Highly recruited freshman Jamarkus McFarland isn’t on the two-deep list either.

Mossis Madu is listed as a backup slot receiver to Norman High teammate Ryan Broyles.  And, DeMarco Murray is no where to be found on the special teams list.  No way the Sooners are going to risk their prize running back on kick returns, considering both his previous injuries have been sustained in such duty.

There is a good write up on collegefootballnews.com that puts into perspective Florida’s attempt to reach “dynasty” level.  Namely, they have to climb over at least three of the top 10 college football dynasties that wore Oklahoma jerseys.  You can see the article here.

At number 1 is, of course, Coach Bud Wilkinson’s 1953-58 teams that went a phenomenal 60-3-1 and achieved the college football record 47-game win streak.

This is a good list.  And, this doesn’t even take into account the Stoops era, which is well on its way to achieving what Switzer’s teams did during the 70s and 80s.

I’m sure we will hear from the ESPN simpletons that whatever team is staying at No. 1 during the season is the “greatest college football team of all-time” (we hear that every year about some team, including in the fairly recent past the Sooners).  Maybe some day these pundits can do their homework like this writer did.

My old employer, Gannett, has joined other news organizations, including the Associated Press, in refusing to agree to game coverage restrictions being imposed by the SEC for their college football games this fall.  The restrictions prevent news organizations from using audio and video on websites, and limits post-game interview video and game photograph publication.

It’s the SEC’s way of trying to control their “product” and drive everyone to athletic department websites.

Imagine what would happen if other government agencies (yeah, except for Vanderbilt, the SEC schools are government operations) did this?

FOX News would have a fit — and rightfully so.

These SEC rules also prohibit fans from posting photos or videos from the stadium on their fan-based websites.  If the Big 12 did this, we’d have to shut down our website. Would that be good for college football?  Or, in our case, Oklahoma football?  (Well, Ok, shutting us down might be a good thing.)

This is a disturbing trend in college sports to chase after the almighty dollar.  Don’t give me that “it’s been big business all along, get real” line — I know all about that, especially when it comes time to pay for season tickets. But when college athletic directors see more money as the measure of success (ala Mike Holder), then fans are bound to suffer for it.  This is especially true when the powers that be start wielding such control over the public’s experience that it no longer is worth it to be a sports fan.

Gannett and AP are meeting with SEC officials to work out the differences between them.  As far as I’m concerned, the SEC gets hyped enough (thanks to the Tebow-worshiping ESPN), so just don’t cover their games.  That will be lesson enough. 

Most observers have already named the OU-Texas game on October 17 the pivotal contest of the year (including Alex in his video report here), so it is little wonder the talk of last year’s Sooner defeat in Dallas is already quite loud.

Much of the discussion centers on the play of walk-on linebacker Brandon Crow, who was pressed into service when starter Ryan Reynolds sustained a season-ending knee injury. With the previous LB star Curtis Lofton having left early for the NFL the Sooners were without a strong backup.

Crow had his lunch eaten against Texas. The Texas coaches focused on the inexperienced LB, running tight end drag pass routes and mis-direction plays against him the rest of the game. He wasn’t the only reason OU lost 35-45 to Texas last year, but the position became a huge Achilles heel in that game. With some shifting of personnel Oklahoma coaches adjusted and Crow played little more the rest of the year.

With backup Tom Wort out for the season and Mike Balogun’s eligibility still in doubt, will we see the walk-on from Comanche back on the field against the Longhorns?

Considering all the grief Crow received after last year’s performance no one would have faulted him had he chosen to shelve the remainder of his football career.

But he didn’t. Crow is suited up and giving it his all in pre-season practices, fighting for his linebacker position. Whether he gets on the Cotton Bowl field in October remains to be seen. We hope that doesn’t have to happen. But, in the meantime, our hats go off to him for showing the mental toughness to work through that bad experience and fight for the right to wear the crimson and cream.

UPDATE:  Crow is being tried out as backup fullback.  Good job by the coaching staff to get him involved in a way for which he may be best suited.