Sooners still standing
Sorry, but I don’t buy the theory that Saturday was a bad BCS day for the idle Sooners. So Oregon beat USC. Someone had to win; it’s in the rules. And if it had been USC that won, the Trojans would have jumped the Sooners in the BCS, and OU would be in the business of cheering against the Trojans instead of cheering against the Ducks.Same with Boston College-Virginia Tech on Thursday night. If V-Tech had beaten BC, the Hokies would have jumped the Sooners, I assume, and Boston College would have fallen like a bag of rocks.
Truth is, the weekend went well for OU, and here’s why. This crazy Big Bowl mess is all about staying in the race. This is a battle of attrition; who can stay standing. In years past, it’s been about staying undefeated. This year, it’s about having less than two losses. We entered the weekend with 14 teams, discounting Hawaii and Boise State, having fewer than two losses. We only have 10 coming out.
Think about that. In the BCS leagues, only 10 schools go into November with fewer than two losses. In the SEC East, the best division/conference in football, every team has at least two conference losses. The weekend dropped USC, Virginia Tech, South Florida and Virginia from the club.That leaves 9-0
Ohio State, 8-0 Kansas, 8-0 Arizona State, 8-0 Boston College and six 7-1 teams: OU, LSU, Oregon, Missouri, West Virginia and Connecticut.
The Sooners don’t have to scoreboard-watch against Kansas and Missouri. If OU stays in BCS contention, it will get its crack against the KU-Mizzou winner in the Big 12 title game. So that means the Sooners have to worry only about seven teams.
Oregon and Arizona State play each other in what figures to be an elimination game, and they have other losable games. West Virginia-UConn, same way, although the Mountaineers very well could go 11-1. LSU plays Alabama and the SEC title game. Boston College plays what amounts to five tossup games, counting the ACC championship, so no one really worries about the Eagles.
The point is, OU’s competitors are down to a manageable number, and now it’s a crapshoot, and a team that loses at Colorado in September can ask for little more.
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Comments
Geez Danny, lighten up man. Berry was talking about the contenders for the BCS title game. With 3 losses OSU has no chance at that. Notice he said “if” they stay in BCS contention, which means they can’t lose again and make it to that game, but they could still play in a BCS bowl game with another loss, as OSU can if they win the big 12. There are still four games left to play. A lot can happen, especially this wild and crazy season.
Danny, don’t read an article about BCS games and football conference championships if you want to read about OSU.
Yeah, and you Sooners keep on dreamin’.
You’re not that good, but as long as Tramel pumps you with feel good, sunshine Sooner stories, you’ll keep right on thinking you’re the best.
No one else does, except Lee Corso maybe and we all know how good he is a picking winners.
But, don’t wake up, Sooner fans. Uncle Berry’s going to sing you a lullabye.
Rock a bye, Sooners
In your Top Ten
Where High Plains winds blow
You’ll tumble again
When the polls close
We’ll all say, “Oh, Oops!”
And growl will the Sooners
Blaming Bob Stoops
Go back to sleep now, Sooners.
The bottom line is that you have to win the games that you’re supposed to win. Lose to an unranked team, such as Colorado, and the BCS is unforgiving. This is no different, really, than the old mythical championship days when running the table was your only ticket to a top ranking, and even then, there was no certainty that you would be number one. Think about the trials and tribulations of Joe Pa and the lack of love his Penn State squads used to receive. The Sooners might not have got to the BCS Championship game even had they gone undefeated. Now, they definitely need some help and Berry’s argument is correct.
Nice article Barry. I really enjoy your column. Given OU’s schedule strength and performance to date, I do not believe they can seriously argue for a top 5 ranking. Winning the Big 12 and hopefully performing well against a quality BCS opponent is the best I think we can wish for. This season is screaming for a playoff given there is no clear cut #1 thru #5.
Richard, there is nothing to be ashamed of if you win the Big 12 and go to a BCS bowl. Some folks will probably say having the world’s greatest offense and heading to Shreveport are better but not me.
Richard, I meant to say that I agree with you at the first of my last statement, having read it after I posted it sounded like I was arguing with you.
Gosh, Give Berry a break, it’s just an article to tell the possible ending. I hope OSU beats OU, but I only give em a 20% shot at it. I think the BCS title game will be UCON and LSU and no one will watch past the first quarter. Hey, I also, predict Red Sox in a sweep!
That’s it, Berry. Completely ignore OSU’s challenge to the Big 12 South.
Keep pumping that Swooner Sunshine crap like you’re paid to do.
Keep the Swooners focused on taking on Mizzou or Kansas for the Big 12 Championship.
Keep running your Sooner-loving mouth, you OU toady.
It’ll just make our Bedlam win that much sweeter.
You couldn’t be more biased if you wanted to, you hack.
OU is going to get shot down in Lubbock and I’m going to be sending you a nice, little, reminder note.