Emails in on Stoops/Notre Dame, Mangino and OU uniforms
The new emails are in, and fans are talking about Mark Mangino, OU uniforms and Bob Stoops going to Notre Dame. Let’s get to it.
Dan: “Although I basically agreed with your column, I think you left out one important fact. Stoops, with his competitive nature, would certainly entertain resurrecting the Notre Dame program. The Oklahomas, Alabamas, Ohio States, etc. all have great traditions, but Notre Dame will always be the Mecca of college football. What other program began its tradition in the early 1900’s? What other program has movies made about it?”
I agree that Notre Dame could appeal to Stoops’ competitive streak. I no longer agree that Notre Dame is the Mecca of college football. It’s still a hallowed place. But Notre Dame has slipped; it’s slipped for more than a decade. Yale slipped. Army slipped. Minnesota slipped. No reason why Notre Dame can’t slip.
Nick: “Berry, you are wrong on two counts: First, calling Boston College a ‘fellow blueblood’ is really a reach. They have never been in the class of the big boys. Except for Doug Flutie, no one outside the state of Massachusetts even thinks of BC. Secondly, it is incorrect to think of Notre Dame as a ‘big-time program.’ Since the departure of Ara Parseghian, there has been five or six years that Notre Dame looked big time, but mostly they resemble a second or third tier team in the Big 12 or the Big Ten. I agree with the writer who recently said Notre Dame needs to quit thinking they are a big time program and start modeling themselves after Northwestern, Stanford and the like.”
Notre Dame hired Frank Leahy in 1941, In the 1920s and ’30s (and 1940), Boston College was as strong as any program in college football. Do I really have to explain stuff this elementary? Do I have to lay it out that when I talk about a 1941 hiring, I will use 1941 standards? Doesn’t everyone understand that Miami once was a sleepy college football program, about where Tulane has been? That Florida State wasn’t even playing football in 1941? Do I really have to explain that? As for Notre Dame being a big-time program, we can debate what that means. But to suggest that Notre Dame pattern itself after Stanford or Northwestern is just silly. Since Parseghian left 36 years ago, Notre Dame has been to 15 BCS (or equivalent) bowl games. In that time frame, Oklahoma has been to 16. OU clearly has the superior program, and Notre Dame has some issues that could prevent it from getting back to the top. As I just said, Notre Dame has slipped. But the idea that Notre Dame is relegated to inferior status is wrong.
Keesee: “I would take the rumor seriously. Brian Kelly of Cincinnati just might not be what the Irish are looking for. Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and now Charlie Weis. Notre Dame could possibly be looking for a proven winner. That isn’t Kelly on the national level. Notre Dame has that exclusive NBC contract. Lot to protect. Urban Meyer probably won’t leave Florida (fertile recruiting ground where he can get the first choice of players). But in Stoops’ case, a different situation. He isn’t even in dominant position in his own division of the Big 12. That is Texas’. And as long as the recruiting grounds are in the state of Texas, Mack Brown will always have the inside track with the Texas high school coaches. Stoops needs to recruit harder and coach at a higher level to beat Brown. Plus, he has to feed the monster. OU just isn’t a pleasant place to coach if you don’t finish first in the Big 12 South. And with Texas on the rise, it doesn’t look like that is going to consistently occur. Plus, unlike Notre Dame, Oklahoma is a regional Division I school. Notre Dame recruits nationwide. Also, Stoops is a Catholic parochial high school player. Father coached for Mooney. Stoops at Notre Dame has the inside track for any, and every, high school Catholic parochial player, anywhere in the country. Even with Weis, Notre Dame has recently recruited in the top 15 on most high school football evaluation blogs. I wouldn’t discount the rumor. It could happen.”
Well, yes. It could happen. But it cracks me up how one season tilts the world on its axis, in some minds. Texas is on the rose, OU has slipped, so Stoops might want to get the heck out of Norman, since it’s not a pleasant place to coach if you’re not on top. All this 10 months after Stoops played Florida for the national title. And two others things. Brian Kelly is exactly what Notre Dame is looking for. And that Catholic parochial stuff might be the most overrated stuff in sports. This isn’t 1954.
Bob: “Your thoughts on how these things might affect Stoops decision to go to Notre Dame. 1. He is Catholic. 2. It’s closer to Youngstown. 3. Falling further behind in the recruiting war, not only to Texas but losing once guaranteed recruits to other schools, and TCU is making a stronger statement with recruits in the DFW metroplex. 4. He can recruit successfully anywhere in the country from Notre Dame. 5. Tired of reading/hearing about all the negativity on the call-in shows, papers, blogs (although no guarantee it would not happen elsewhere, but he would be king for at least one season). 6. He did not say ‘hell no’ but made reference to the fact that there is not even a job open at Notre Dame.”
OK. I’ll bite. 1. Bob doesn’t strike me as a devout Catholic. He certainly didn’t grow up a big Notre Dame fan. Married a Methodist. 2. Closer to Youngstown is a detriment to the chances. He wants no part of living in the North. He can fly a private jet to Youngstown any time he wants. 3. OU is losing no recruits to TCU. This Johnny Appleseed mentality is really puzzling. 4. Notre Dame’s recruiting prowess is vastly overstated. 5. Stoops does not worry himself — or even bother with — the radio or the internet. And Notre Dame would be 100 times worse. 6. You just asked him if he still beats his wife.
Jim: “I agree, no way Stoops goes to Notre Dame. Two quick thoughts. First, send Joe Castiglione to Notre Dame. Run, Forrest (er, Joe), run! I’ll help load the truck! Second, OU is not Memphis, San Diego State or Oregon (or even Arkansas). Leave the damn uniforms alone. Alabama, USC and even Texas don’t screw with tradition (the main reason to send Forrest/Joe to Notre Dame). We shouldn’t either. The new uniform reeks of the enormously stupid interlocking OU of the ‘80s. It deserves the same fate: the waste heap of (non) history.”
I don’t like the uniforms, either. But Joe C. is an excellent athletic director, and the surest way to make Stoops want to leave is to get rid of Castiglione.
Will: “I have no idea if Notre Dame is going to hire Stoops, Kelly, Johnson, Patterson or perhaps even Gruden or Meyer (who knows). What is clear is that Weis is clearly not Notre Dame’s man to achieve what we strive to achieve at Notre Dame. And that the Notre Dame administration needs to put in the work to find whoever they can to get the job done right. If Stoops is deemed to be that guy, they need to move heaven and earth to get him. Your article is weak, your reasoning is specious. Notre Dame has as much if not more tradition than OU. Furthermore, Stoops’ comments on Notre Dame strike me as diversionary, not a denial. Did he say that should the job become available he would not accept it? Did he say he would be happy to stay in Norman? He’s a smart man, he knows what’s going on. I wouldn’t be shocked if maybe Stoops believes that A) it’s time to move on, B) he might want to try to be named among the greats like Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian and Holtz. It’s true that Stoops attained his own level of excellence, but there is nothing quite like becoming a legend at Notre Dame.”
Can we just be blunt about Notre Dame? It’s a fabulous tradition. It’s got a chance to win and win big. But when you rank college football’s 15 best programs, based not on 2009 teams but best chances for success in the next 15 years, the Irish probably don’t make the cut. Heck, let’s do it. Alabama, Florida, LSU in the SEC. I would put Georgia there, too. OU and Texas. That’s six. USC and Oregon. Eight. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan (yes, Michigan. A far better job than Notre Dame). That’s 11. Florida State. Twelve. So then you toss the Irish in with schools like Nebraska, Tennessee, Miami, West Virginia, Virginia Tech. Toss them all in a hat and pull out a name. Yes, Notre Dame packs a bigger recruiting punch than most. It also has other issues that drag it down. Like its location. South Bend is not a good college town. It’s not a good town at all. Notre Dame is about the 14th or 15th best job in college football. Like I said, It’s a .583 job.
Gary: “Another thing that I don’t know that a lot of people have thought about is why would a coach take a job where he is only going to be able to win so many games at that school before they get rid of ya? Look at how many wins Holtz had there (100) and they got rid of him before he broke Rockne’s record number of wins (105). Holtz was bought out before he outdid Rockne in number of wins and they’d do the same to Bob.”
I’ve never heard that story, but it’s a wonderful theory. I love crazy conspiracy theories. I never believe them, but I love to hear them.
Greg: “Never a more concise summary of reasons why Big Game Bob will not leave OU until, as I see it, he is at least 62 (can draw social security), the last of his children is 22 (and hopefully, a bright, new college grad), he has won at least one more national championship which he will wave in all detractors’ faces just to show 2000 was not a fluke (and I never thought it was) and as you point out, NEVER on a down note. I perceive the same thing you do. Stoops is a very prideful, confident person about his methodology, and I do not see him leaving on even a 9-4 season like this one.”
Social security? Bob Stoops will make a decision based on when he can draw social security?
Jim: “What makes you think Notre Dame would want Bob Stoops?
Because the Irish is tired of winning 58.3 percent of their games.
Bill: “You left out one important reason, maybe the most important, that Stoops is unlikely to leave OU. Castiglione. He is by far the best AD in the cosmos. When the coaches mesh with the administration, you see a lot of loyalty from the coaches. Plus, Castiglione’s coaches are well compensated.”
I don’t disagree. But I’ve got a question for all the people who claim Joe C. is the best AD in America. How do you know? It’s not a smart-aleck question. I’m curious. How do you know? What’s the criteria? I hear that all time, that Castiglione is a world-class athletic director, and I don’t necessarily disagree. I just wonder how people are judging.
All right, on to uniforms. Mickey: “Who cares about the new uniforms? The OU players’ reaction to their new uniforms explains their less than stellar win-loss record this year. They apparently are more excited about how they look in their new uniforms than how they play. They remind me of a bunch of junior league girls at a style show. Perhaps they could add some ruffles to the sleeves! I would rather see some dirt, blood, sweat, slobber and tears on the uniforms!”
Uh, Mickey. Settle down there big boy. All kinds of fans care about the new uniforms. The players did not stage a rally for the uniforms. They were asked by the media.”
Craig: “Sooner Magic on the uniforms? I would probably let that go. Not much magic in losing four games by 12 points. Besides, Sooner Magic was Switzer’s legacy.”
I agree. Scrap the Sooner Magic.
OK. Now on to Mangino. Brad: “Despite Mangino’s success at KU, he has one win over a Big 12 opponent that finished the season with a winning conference record. Last year over Mizzou.”
Maybe so, but that’s what you have to do at Kansas. Beat the mediocre teams.
John: “This whole Mangino thing has me thinking in several dimensions. If true, how could these player allegations remain under wraps for years? Does it take a losing season to flush them out? If so, is that the way it ought to be? I heard Mark Mayes (I assume he means May) say on the radio that if Mark Mangino had made such comments to him, Mayes would have ‘kicked his fat a**.’ That reminds me of the story of the two guys who were stopped by the highway patrolman for speeding. Driver gets a ticket and a chewing out from the officer, who then goes around the car and slaps the passenger. ‘Why did you do that?’ the passenger asks. Highway patrolman replies ‘because two miles down the road, you would have said to your buddy, “Man, if he had tried that crap with me, I would have kicked his a**!”’”
When Mangino was at OU, we knew he was a hard-core coach who could ride his players hard. But I never heard stories of abuse like those stories coming out of KU. On the other hand, it’s a little fishy that they’re all coming out at once. Like the stuff about the KU parking enforcement. I generally don’t believe in conspiracy theories. But sometimes, they just might have some teeth.
OK, some general football stuff. Bob: “I keep thinking of your articles about the O-line not being important anymore, and am really curious what you think now?”
I never said they weren’t important. I said they weren’t as important as they used to be. And my argument continues to stay solid, for this reason. Everyone admits that OU’s line is blocking OK. They just can’t keep from committing penalties. No one ever said you can win by committing penalties all the time.
Bill: “OU will lose in Lubbock. Why? Don’t know. Here is why I contacted you. I have written to you already probably half a dozen times over the years but under a different name. A few years ago I had a religious experience — yes, I know what you’re thinking — but that changed me. I have always lived and breathed OU football since the days Switzer took over. But back around ‘83, ‘84, sometime around in there I started realizing I would have dreams about sports during the week of the game. If I dreamed anything about sports of any kind during the week, it seemed OU would win their game. If I didn’t dream sports then OU lost. All this year I’ve been able to call it exactly. I had hopes of having a dream this week but it didn’t come. Therefore, my prediction is that OU will lose to Texas Tech. I sound like a crazy nut case, right? But if I am right I will continue to update you before each game hereafter and next year just to prove my accuracy to you.”
Well, yes, I have to admit. Nut case. Reminds me of almost 30 years ago, when I was a young reporter at the Norman Transcript. I was working the Saturday night shift when some guy called and told our night editor he was high up in the government, and we were selling missiles or some such thing to the Soviet Union or some equally heinous group, and he was tired of sitting on the news and was ready to tell someone. Well, we all thought the guy was nuts, but the night editor had to inform his superiors. So he was told to call in a certain reporter in case the guy showed up, the way he said he would. Trouble was, the regular Saturday night reporter was angry that he was being bypassed for the story. The night editor, thinking quickly on his feet, said the other guy had been in the Green Berets and was better qualified. Of course, the kook never showed up. But Bill, if you really know, let’s start keeping score.
Jeff: “Is it just me or is the reason OU is so good at home is their aggressiveness? OU seems to play a lot less aggressive on the road. Why is that? Shouldn’t your game plan be the same on the road as it is at home? What do you think? Hopefully we will be aggressive for the Tech game.”
You should adjust your game plan to fit the situation. Some of OU’s problem has been too much aggression. OU was way too aggressive at Nebraska.
Joe: “I was reading your blog, and I really like your matchups for the bowl games. So you think ‘Bama will beat Florida for the SEC championship?”
Oh heck, I don’t know. Some weeks I plug Bama in there, other weeks Florida. It’s going to be a fabulous game.
Jason: “I was doing some research and thought I would put together a map of wins and losses in each state that OU has played in under each coach. Keep in mind this is the state the game was played in and not the team. Example: Stoops is 1-2 in the state of Nebraska. Not 1-2 against Nebraska. I did not double check my work, so a few may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure I got it. Bud played in 17 states. Never won in one state: Illinois. Never lost in eight states: Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Louisiana. Not a losing record in any state besides Illinois. Neutral Field: 14-10. Losses in Oklahoma: 10, one tie. Barry played in 17 states. Never won: 0. Never lost in nine states: Hawaii, Colorado, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Iowa. Doesn’t have a losing record in any states. Neutral Field: 18-10-2. Losses in Oklahoma: 10, one tie. Bob played in 16 states. Never won in four states: Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, Indiana. Never lost in five states: Washington, Kansas, Iowa, Alabama, Kentucky. Neutral field: 17-11. Never played a Big Ten school. Losses in Oklahoma: 3.
I have no idea what this means, but I love football and I love geography. Here’s a good question. Name the states that OU has no chance of ever playing. I would say Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. That’s about it. I think OU-Boise State would be a good home-and-home series. I think Delaware would make a tremendous addition to the Big East Conference; the Blue Hens should go Division I-A. But those New England states? The Dakotas? I just don’t see it.
OSU-Colorado: Gundy learns his lesson
Part of the fun of football is second-guessing coaches. Punt or go for it? Run or pass? Blitz or play back?
Coaches have a huge impact on their games. But sometimes we forget the most fundamental — and most important — part of a coach’s job.
Deciding who to play.
OSU's Alex Cate (3) passes during the college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Colorado (CU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Mike Gundy failed that part of his job Thursday night, and everyone in Boone Pickens Stadium knew it. Including Gundy. With Zac Robinson sidelined by a sore shoulder, Gundy chose Alex Cate to start at quarterback against Colorado. Afterwards, Gundy would basically call it some kind of lifetime service award, that Cate, in his fourth season on campus, deserved the chance to lead the Cowboys.
Nice gesture. But you know the rest. Cate was awful and the Cowboys were awful around him. Cate completed none of his nine passes, Colorado had one interception and could have had two more, and the Buffs led 14-10 at halftime.
OSU eventually won 31-28, but only because 26-year-old sophomore Brandon Weeden came to the rescue. Listed as the third-team quarterback and used as the third-team QB, Weeden of course was no such thing. He moved the OSU offense the entire second half, completing 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Weeden quarterbacked eight possessions in the second half. Three touchdowns, a lost fumble by Kendall Hunter, one punt, one run-out-the-clock and two fourth-and-short failures in Colorado territory.
The difference in the quality of the two quarterbacks was clear. A friend of mine said, correctly, that even a first-time football watcher, someone who didn’t know how the game is played, could be given a 10-second primer and figure out immediately that Weeden was the superior quarterback.
In the first half, OSU either reached or started in Colorado territory five possessions, yet came away with just a solitary field goal. Gundy flirted with disaster in a game that could have ruined OSU’s season
So why did he do it? Oh, probably some humanity. Some belief that Cate did indeed deserve a chance. But all kinds of guys work hard. That’s no reason to hand them the reins of the wagon train. Maybe Gundy thought Cate was a safer pick, that OSU could just run it down CU’s throat. But that theory doesn’t really hold, because there was nothing safe about Cate’s passes, while Weeden never was rattled and never threw a bad ball or made an obvious poor decision.
Probably, Gundy was just arrogant, thinking the Cowboys could beat Colorado no matter what. He certainly called the game that way.
Gundy fell on his sword for OSU’s fourth-down failures — 0-for-3 on fourth-and-short. But those plays weren’t the kooky calls. Gundy’s repeated asking of Cate to do something he obviously couldn’t do, that was the problem.
OSU's Brandon Weeden (4) celebrates with his teammates including Tolu Moala (59), right, after the college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Colorado (CU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. OSU won, 31-28. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Greatest example, and how the game turned. OSU led 10-7 (thanks to Perrish Cox’s punt return for a TD) late in the second quarter and faced 2nd-and-5 from the Buffalo 36-yard line, probably 1:20 left before halftime. At that point, Cate was 0-for-7 with one interception and a couple of close calls the Buffs easily could have picked.
The choice was clear. Keep running the ball. Run Keith Toston and Spud Hunter, get another first down, maybe two, into field goal range. Get to the 20-yard line, let Dan Bailey do his thing and go to halftime up 13-7. Give Brandon Weeden a little cushion, because by then Gundy had to know a QB change was necessary.
Instead, Gundy orders a pass. Incomplete. And another pass. Incomplete. Fourth-and-5, Bailey is asked to kick a 53-yard field goal, which is just out of his range. Colorado blocks the kick, then finds lightning in a bottle for the only time of the night. Cody Hawkins takes CU on a 64-yard TD drive, scoring with 22 seconds left for a 14-10 halftime lead.
That’s a 10-point swing, all on Gundy.
At the end of the day, this was a glorious night for the Cowboys (Alex Cate excluded). They won, and they learned a valuable lesson.
This game showed that any team that loses its starting quarterback is in trouble. We’ve seen it all over college football, and the Cowboys now know it well, too. They escaped with a victory, and next time, their coach knows the very first step toward victory.
Play the best player.
Video: Mark Mangino twists in the wind
College Football Week 11: An ode to Boone Pickens Stadium
I introduced you a couple of weeks ago to Carl Pagnia, who is traveling America in an RV, going to college football games. Here’s the latest dispatch from Carl.
“An update from the State College (Penn State) game vs. Ohio State. Tailgating was the best yet in the RV. Both Ohio State and PSU fans invited me pre- and post-game.
I mentioned that PSU did not have the same enthusiasm as the Iowa game. Well, was I right. It just was not there. Coaches, players, students and fans. Pep rally was great again with JoePa — he kept asking “What is a Buckeye? What is a Buckeye?”
At the game, only the student section stood. The rest of the sections sat. I had great seats on the 50-yard-line for $236 eBay tickets (that’s when both were undefeated). Well, the game was really no contest. Ohio State was clearly the better team. Terrelle Pryor lea his team to victory. He kept within the game plan and did what he can do well — run.
All week, Joe and the captains said no mistakes, no turnovers, win this game. Well, they were too conservative and never opened it up. Fans booed Galen Hall’s very conservative play-calling. Overall, very disappointing. Students called a whiteout, and no one else wore white in the crowd.
Many generations attend Penn State; you see many parents and some grandparents attending together. A real family affair. It was especially touching to see just fathers attend with their daughters. Don’t remember seeing that at any other game. Also, there was no booing between schools like OU vs. UT.
Boone Pickens Stadium glows in the night before the college football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Texas Tech University (TT) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Now, on to Stillwater by way of Dayton, Ohio, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Wright Brothers history. Awesome. Then the Truman Library in Independence, Mo. It was great, but I spent too much time there and got to Lawrence, Kan., and KU after 5 p.m. and had to stay overnight to catch their Hall of Fame. Well, it was worth it. Awesome! Best yet for all sports, especially obviously basketball but also track and field and seeing KU football players of my era. Gale Sayers, David Jaynes, John Riggins, Nolan Cromwell. The basketball with Wilt, those teams I remember from the 60’s and 70’s (no championships but many All-Americans). Then those forgotten track stars, Jim Ryun and Billy Mills, etc. This was before Oregon became big track school. The best part was it was free!
Another observation that hit me was the facilities. All the schools I visited had GREAT training, practice, offices facilities, etc! That is why they were and are all top football schools. Now I cannot really say which were the best or greatest. What differentiates these school are the recruiting. That’s it. Penn State and OU and KU and Texas Tech and Ohio State and Michigan really stick out, but it is the recruiting by these coaches that makes the difference since training facilities and venues are all so great.
I got to Stillwater last Thursday. And Oklahoma State is no different. Tailgating is free with RV. I was able to get in on Thursday and leave Sunday and will return Wednesday night and depart Friday night. Awesome. Again, Tech and OSU fans were great, especially Tech was loud because I was sitting right by them.
Now I must say I must have saved the best venue for last, because, Boone Pickens Stadium is the absolute best stadium attended. It was by no means the largest. But the box seats go all around the upper deck, plus the athletic offices overlook the east end like no other. Penn State and OU have breaks in upper stadium seats and Michigan will have nowhere the box and suite seats like the others. Oklahoma State had tradition and a whole day of festivities planned. The students were probably the nicest, most laidback and polite I have come across, but all have been great.
Stillwater itself is better than expected — great people, many restaurants, most only so-so, etc. I don’t think the student population and city itself will be enough to have many sellouts.
The game was everything as expected except less scoring. Zac Robinson was very good in second half and let’s hope he is well enough to play vs. Colorado. It was undecided until the very end. OSU’s defense has come a long way over the years. Many credit Bill Young.
So far have checked out the Wrestling Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe House in Yale and Pawnee. Very tired. I am a BIG college wrestling fan since the ‘60s and Dan Gable. The Hall of Fame was indescribable. Lee Roy Smith has done an incredible job! The memorabilia they have! I’m over-staying my plans because OSU has a match Friday night vs. Arizona. To attend a match at Iba-Gallagher, next to Iowa the temple of college wrestling, I’m awestruck. Can’t wait to go thru the Cowboys Hall of Fame (Heritage Hall).
So, best overall venue and excitement – surprise, the OSU Cowboys. The mascots were the best. Pistol Pete and Bullet with the Spirit Rider and the girls Spirit Squad were the best!”
TEN BIGGEST LOSERS OF THE WEEK
10. Texas A&M: Six years ago, the Aggies lost 77-0 at OU and didn’t even put up a fight. But Saturday, A&M lost almost as badly (65-10) to a Sooner team with four losses. The rebuilding is going slowly in College Station.
9. South Dakota State: In 2007, North Dakota State went to Minnesota and stunned the Gophers 27-21. Another I-AA Dakota team had the same chance Saturday. But South Dakota State’s Peter Reifenrath missed a 25-yard field goal that would have broken a third-quarter tie, then Minnesota’s Eric Ellestad kicked one from the same distance to give the Gophers a 16-13 victory.
8. Zac Robinson: The Oklahoma State quarterback played a whale of a game against Texas Tech, then led with his head on what could have been a game-sealing scramble in the final two minutes. OSU won 24-17, but Robinson suffered what surely is a concussion and might be out for Senior Night against Colorado on Thursday.
7. Dick Tomey: The San Jose State coach has had a great career; with 182 wins at Hawaii, Arizona and San Jose State. But the Spartans lost 24-9 at Utah State to fall to 1-8, and Tomey announced this would be his final season.
6. Tulsa: On Oct. 14, the Golden Hurricane was 4-1, with only a loss to Oklahoma, and was playing the pants off Boise State. TU lost that night 28-21 and hasn’t won since. Three straight home defeats, the last a 44-17 setback to East Carolina, has TU 4-6 and virtually out of the bowl picture.
5. Saturday football: The Mid-American Conference staged six league games last week. Only one was on Saturday. Ohio-Buffalo was on Tuesday, Toledo-Central Michigan on Wednesday, Bowling Green-Miami and Ball State-Northern Illinois on Thursday and Temple-Akron on Friday. Only the Western Michigan-Eastern Michigan game was played on Saturday. I love off-Saturday football as much as the next guy, but this seems a little ridiculous. Oh well. At least students can go home for the weekend without missing the ballgame.
Kansas head coach Mark Mangino and Bob Stoops meet at midfield after the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Kansas Jayhawks (KU) on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma won the game 35-13. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
4. Mark Mangino: The Kansas coach is on the hot seat not for results but for a variety of crimes that generally come down to his athletic director, Lew Perkins, preferring someone else. Now even the results are going south. KU lost 31-17 to Nebraska, despite a 17-16 fourth-quarter lead, and has lost five in a row to fall to 5-5. With games at Texas and against Missouri in Arrowhead Stadium, the Jayhawks might not become bowl eligible, and soon Mangino might not have a job.
3. Nick Foles: The Arizona quarterback drove his team into position to beat California, after the Bears took an 18-16 lead. Arizona faced 3rd-and-3 on the Cal 25-yard line when Foles’ pass was batted by Cal lineman Tyson Alualu. Foles caught his own pass, instead of letting to fall to the ground, and then tried to throw again. A penalty was called for illegal forward pass, putting ‘Zona back at the Cal 39, out of field goal range. A fourth-down fell incomplete, and Cal took over with less than two minutes left. The Bears won 24-16.
2. Mike Sanford: UNLV lost 45-17 at Air Force, then the school fired its coach. Sanford is 15-43 in five years at UNLV, a school where a guy ought to be able to win on occasion. But the Rebels have only three winning seasons in the last 23 years.
1. Big East replay: Cincinnati’s Isaih Pead fumbled while trying to dive over the pile for a second-quarter touchdown against West Virginia. Officials ruled it West Virginia’s ball. Replays overturned the call and gave Cincinnati the touchdown, shocking ESPN announcers, who correctly pointed out Pead seemed to be losing the ball before he crossed the goal line. Replay is not suppose to take guesses. It’s suppose to reverse obviously incorrect calls. That didn’t happen here. Cincinnati won 24-21.
STOOPS: BOWLS NOT IMPORTANT?
An Oklahoma-Arizona bowl game, matching the Brothers Stoops, is not out of the question. If both teams finish strong, they could meet in the Holiday Bowl. If both stumble, they could meet in the Sun Bowl.
Bob Stoops was saying the other day that he preferred not to play Mike’s Wildcats but it wouldn’t be a big deal.
“Wouldn’t matter,” Stoops said. “We’d go play Arizona. What’s to hate about it?”
University of Oklahoma football against the University of Missouri, Sat., Oct. 5, 2002, at Columbia, Mo. Bob and Mike Stoops watch the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. Staff photo by Bryan Terry
Well, in the past, Stoops has said he doesn’t want to play friends. Has no interest, for example, in a non-conference game with Iowa (Kirk Ferentz) or South Carolina (Steve Spurrier) or anyone coached by a good friend.
But Stoops said, “Once the season’s over, in a bowl game, someone’s got to win.”
Stoops said he always used to win in their Youngstown backyard — “older brother always wins” — but once Mike “matured and got to Iowa, he was too big for me. I quit messin’ with him.”
To make the Holiday Bowl, OU probably has to win out, which could happen, then not get selected for the Cotton Bowl, which probably would happen. If Arizona wins out, the Wildcats are going to the Rose Bowl. But they finish with Oregon, Arizona State and Southern Cal. Frankly, the Pac-10 is too muddled to adequately describe.
Safe to say this. A 6-6 OU could play a 7-5 Arizona (the ‘Cats are 6-3 right now) in El Paso’s Sun Bowl.
“In the end, both of us would prefer not to,” Bob Stoops said. “That’s fair to say. But it would make it easy on my mom to see both of us.”
But let’s look a little closer at what Stoops really said. In the regular season, he wants no part of a game against someone he really cares about. But a bowl game, no big deal.
Doesn’t that indicate that a bowl game is less important? Doesn’t that indicate that a bowl game — which you would think should carry at least the weight of a regular-season, if not more — is almost exhibition-like?
I don’t believe that about bowls. I think they’re important. I think in a sport where many teams run from real competition, bowls are one of the few elements we have to find out the real power of teams.
But Bob Stoops apparently thinks otherwise.
BOWL PROJECTIONS
New Mexico Bowl, Dec. 19, Albuquerque, N.M.
Air Force vs. Nevada
St. Pete Bowl, Dec. 19, St. Petersburg, Fla.
South Florida vs. Central Florida
New Orleans Bowl, Dec. 20, New Orleans
UAB vs. Troy
Las Vegas Bowl, Dec. 22, Las Vegas
Utah vs. California
Poinsettia Bowl, Dec. 23, San Diego
BYU vs. Arizona
Hawaii Bowl, Dec. 24, Honolulu
SMU vs. Fresno State
Emerald Bowl, Dec. 26, San Francisco
Florida State vs. Oregon State
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Dec. 26, Detroit
Middle Tennessee vs. Ohio
Meineke Bowl, Dec. 26, Charlotte, N.C.
Boston College vs. Pittsburgh
Music City Bowl, Dec. 27, Nashville, Tenn.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky
Independence Bowl, Dec. 28, Shreveport, La.
Iowa State vs. Auburn
Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 29, Orlando, Fla.
Clemson vs. Minnesota
EagleBank Bowl, Dec. 30, Washington, D.C.
Duke vs. East Carolina
Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30, San Diego
Nebraska vs. Southern Cal
Humanitarian Bowl, Dec. 30, Boise, Idaho
Bowling Green vs. Idaho
Texas Bowl, Dec. 30, Houston
Texas A&M vs. Navy
Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30, Fort Worth, Texas
Wyoming vs. Southern Miss
Sun Bowl, Dec. 31, El Paso, Texas
Texas Tech vs. Oregon
Insight Bowl, Dec. 31, Tempe, Ariz.
Northwestern vs. Missouri
Chick-fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31, Atlanta
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina
Outback Bowl, Jan. 1, Tampa, Fla.
Wisconsin vs. Georgia
Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1, Orlando, Fla.
Iowa vs. Ole Miss
Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, Jacksonville, Fla.
Miami vs. Notre Dame
Rose Bowl, Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif.
Stanford vs. Ohio State
Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1, New Orleans
Florida vs. Boise State
Cotton Bowl, Jan. 2, Arlington, Texas
LSU vs. Oklahoma State
Liberty Bowl, Jan. 2, Memphis, Tenn.
Houston vs. Arkansas
International Bowl, Jan. 2, Toronto
West Virginia vs. Temple
PapaJohns.com Bowl, Jan. 2, Birmingham, Ala.
Rutgers vs. Tennessee
Alamo Bowl, Jan. 2, San Antonio
Michigan State vs. Oklahoma
Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 4, Glendale, Ariz.
TCU vs. Cincinnati
Orange Bowl, Jan. 5, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Georgia Tech vs. Penn State
GMAC Bowl, Jan. 6, Mobile, Ala.
Louisiana-Monroe vs. Central Michigan
Big Bowl, Jan. 7, Pasadena, Calif.
Texas vs. Alabama
TEN BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE WEEK
10. Missouri: Two-time defending Big 12 North champs, the Tigers looked in the toilet after a 40-32 home loss to Baylor on Nov. 7. But Mizzou routed Kansas State 38-12 in Manhattan, and with games against Iowa State and Kansas remaining, Missouri can finish 8-4 and claim one of the Big 12’s decent bowl slots.
9. Butch Davis: After blowing a big lead against Florida State on Oct. 22, the Tar Heels were 0-3 in the ACC. But after a 33-24 victory over Miami, UNC has won three straight and stands 7-3 overall, and Davis’ rebuilding job in Chapel Hill seems on course.
8. Paul Rhoads: Iowa State’s first-year coach has proven to be a big improvement over Gene Chizik, who bolted for the Auburn job. The Cyclones beat Colorado 17-10 to become bowl eligible at 6-5, and here’s the kicker. Iowa State came perilously close to two more wins, losing tight games to Kansas State and Kansas.
7. Dave Wannstedt: The Pitt coach never had been warmly received by his hometown team, but that has to be changing after a 27-22 victory over Notre Dame. Wannstedt was 25-23 in his first four years at Pitt, but the Panthers now are 9-1 for the first time since 1982, Dan Marino’s senior season. Pitt plays Cincinnati on Dec. 5 for the Big East title.
6. Rice: Coming off their second bowl trip in three years, the Owls have gone splat this season, losing their first nine games. But Rice will avoid its first winless season since 1988, after a 28-20 victory over Tulane.
5. Colt McCoy: The Texas quarterback isn’t having the season he had in 2008, when he was the Heisman runnerup, but McCoy remains in Heisman contention, for good reason. Texas beat Baylor 47-14 to give McCoy his 42nd victory as a starting quarterback, tying the NCAA record held by Georgia’s David Greene. McCoy is 42-7 and can break the record Saturday against Kansas.
Mississippi running back Dexter McCluster (22) runs for a touchdown as Tennessee defensive end Chris Walker (84) chases during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/The Clarion-Ledger, Ryan Moore)
4. Dexter McCluster: The Ole Miss tailback won’t win the Heisman and might not make all-American. But McCluster removed all doubt that he’s the funnest player in college football. Flying and diving and twisting and turning all over the field, the 170-pound dervish set Ole Miss records of 282 rushing yards and 324 all-purpose yards in a 42-17 rout of Tennessee.
3. Jim Harbaugh: The Stanford coach is 16-18 overall, but two of those victories have come in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Stanford shocked USC there two years ago and did the same Saturday, 55-21, handing the Trojans the most points ever scored against them. Harbaugh, who came into the Pac-10 three years ago talking big, backed up the talk. Leading 48-21 in the fourth quarter, he went for a 2-point conversion to reach 50. Stanford was stopped but scored another touchdown anyway and remains in the hunt for the Rose Bowl. Barring a miracle, USC does not.
2. Big Ten bowls: Ohio State is going to the Rose Bowl, and that’s a big deal for the Buckeyes and for Pasadena. Believe it or not, Ohio State hasn’t played in the Rose Bowl since the 1996 season. The Buckeyes have been in three of the last seven national-title games but none of them in the Rose Bowl. And the Big Ten’s lesser bowls are looking better. The Capital One and Outback are assured of quality teams, almost surely Iowa and Wisconsin, since Penn State is likely to get an Orange Bowl berth. But Saturday, Northwestern beat Illinois to at least get to seven wins and Michigan State rallied to beat Purdue and get to six, giving bowls like the Alamo and the Insight a little more options.
1. SMU: The Mustangs haven’t been to a bowl since the 1984 Aloha, three years before the death penalty sent the SMU campus void of football for the 1987-88 seasons. The Mustangs have had just one winning season in their 20 years back in business, a 6-5 record under Mike Cavan in 1997. But Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium, Emmanuel Sanders caught a 37-yard TD pass from Kyle Padron with 4:34 left to give the Mustangs 35-31 victory over UTEP. Coupled with Central Florida’s 37-32 upset of Houston, SMU now leads Conference USA’s Western Division. If SMU, 6-4, can beat Marshall and Tulane, the Mustangs are headed for the Liberty Bowl in June Jones’ second season as coach.
REALITY RANKINGS
Ranking based not on what we think teams will do, but what they have done:
1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. Georgia Tech
4. Cincinnati
5. Texas
6. TCU
7. Boise State
8. Iowa
9. Stanford
10. Pittsburgh
Chat with Berry at 11 a.m.
Notre Dame: Irish don’t always shop at high-end stores
The idea that Notre Dame would want Bob Stoops, or that Stoops would be interested in the Fighting Irish, is not ridiculous. I don’t think it’s true. But I don’t think it’s ridiculous.
But a Stoops-to-Notre Dame move would fly in the face of history. For two reasons. 1. Notre Dame historically has not hired away coaches from big-time programs. 2. Coaches ALMOST NEVER jump from one big-time program to another.
A quick list. Here is where Notre Dame has gotten its coaches from since Knute Rockne:
New England Patriots assistant (Charlie Weis), Stanford head coach (Tyrone Willingham), Bob Davie (Notre Dame assistant), Minnesota U. head coach (Lou Holtz), Cincinnati Moeller High School (Gerry Faust);
Green Bay Packers head coach (Dan Devine), Northwestern head coach (Ara Parseghian), Notre Dame assistant (Hugh Devore), Washington Redskins head coach (Joe Kuharic);
Notre Dame assistant (Terry Brennan), Notre Dame assistant (Ed McKeever), Boston College head coach (Frank Leahy) and Duquesne head coach (Elmer Layden).
That’s 13 coaching hires, and only one from a fellow blueblood — Leahy 69 years ago. When the Irish swiped a pro coach, it was Kuharic in 1959, when NFL jobs weren’t near the caliber of Notre Dame, and Devine in 1974, when Packer fans were trying to run him out of Green Bay. Even killed his dog.
So the idea that Notre Dame can go out and get whoever it wants is just silly. The Irish never have done that, even when they ruled college football. No reason to think they can do it now.
But there’s no great reason to think anyone can have whoever they want. The jumping around of coaches from big-time program to big-time program is virtually non-existent.
OU hasn’t lost a coach to another school since Jim Tatum went to Maryland in 1947, and the Sooners were not a power yet. Nebraska hasn’t lost a coach to another school since Pete Eliot went to Cal in 1957, and the Huskers weren’t yet a national power. Texas never has lot a coach to another school, at least not in the modern era.
Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, USC? Same thing. The few times it has happened were long ago.
Paul Dietzel left LSU for Army in 1961; I assume he thought the Cadets were going to stay a power. By 1965, he figured out he was wrong and jumped to South Carolina. Johnny Majors left Pitt after his 1976 national championship for Tennessee, his alma mater.
Doug Dickey left Tennessee for Florida in 1970, but two extenuating circumstances: Florida is his alma mater, and neither the Vols nor the Gators were the level they reached in the next generation.
Jump-arounds from the schools just below the national power level is more common. Tommy Tuberville from Ole Miss to Auburn in 1999. Houston Nutt from Arkansas to Ole Miss in 2008. Ken Hatfield from Arkansas to Clemson in 1989.
Maybe the closest thing we’ve seen in recent years is Rich Rodriguez leaving West Virginia in 2007 for Michigan. WVU is not in the Florida-USC-Oklahoma-Texas-Alabama class, but it’s just below.
Only one top-shelf school seems prone to losing its coach to another school. Alabama lost Bill Curry to Kentucky in 1989, though Bama was trying to kick him out the door, and then lost Dennis Franchione to Texas A&M in 2003, when it most certainly didn’t want to lose Fran.
A&M can be sneaky. The Aggies got Franchione from Alabama, Jackie Sherrill from Pitt in 1982 and Bear Bryant from Kentucky in 1953.
A&M, that’s who schools like Oklahoma ought to worry about. Not Notre Dame.
Notre Dame: Why not hire Switzer?
If Notre Dame wants an Oklahoma football coach they can get, why not Barry Switzer? The Fighting Irish, should they fire Charlie Weis, is not likely to entice Bob Stoops (or Urban Meyer) to South Bend.
The Chicago Sun-Times report that Stoops has told confidants he would like to talk to Notre Dame is “people making stuff up,” Stoops said.
Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer follows the game against Nebraska in the first half of their NCAA college football game, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Not the first time someone has made up stuff about a Sooner coach and Notre Dame. In fact, it was fiction-writing at the very core.
In July 1998, the HBO comedy series “Arli$$,” about a sports agent, had a plotline that included the announcement that Notre Dame had hired Switzer. “Nuns and priests fainted,” Switzer laughed this week.
Switzer is an old hand at acting. “Coach,” “Saving Grace,” “Possums,” “Varsity Blues,” “Any Given Sunday.” Switzer has been all over both the small and large screens.
In real life, Switzer had little chance of drawing Notre Dame’s interest. The Irish are not in the habit of hiring rogues. But he would always listen.
“Tell them to call me,” said Switzer, 72 years old and 12 years out of football. “Tell them I can beat Navy.”
Bowls: OSU & OU destinations
The Big 12 bowl lineup is taking better shape. Barring big upsets — Colorado over OSU or Nebraska, Texas losing in the Big 12 title game, etc. — the options are much more clear. And they basically come down to this.
OSU: The Cowboys won’t fall far. Cotton or Holiday or even Fiesta, if OSU can knock off the Sooners in Norman.
OU: Holiday or one of three Texas bowls — Cotton, Alamo or Sun.
Here’s a look at each bowl.
Fiesta: If the Cowboys win out and finish 10-2, there’s an excellent chance they would be selected here. Four at-large BCS berths are available, with the Alabama-Florida loser, TCU and Penn State the likely choices. That’s assuming, of course, that Cincinnati wins the Big East and Georgia Tech wins the ACC. Then it would all come down to OSU or Boise State for the final slot. Boise State would have a shot, but the mid-majors’ sniping at the bowl system might not do them any favors when it comes to selection.
Cotton: The Cotton would take a 10-2 OSU, of course, and might take a 9-3 OSU, if the Cowboys lose to OU. If the Sooners win out and go 8-4, they could be selected, but don’t forget Nebraska, which is 7-3 and hosts Kansas State and goes to Colorado. If NU wins out, then loses to Texas in the title game, the Huskers still would be attractive at 9-4. But Nebraska would have just played in Dallas (Arlington, for the title game), so they might end up in the Holiday instead.
Holiday: This is the lowest OSU could fall, providing the Cowboys beat Colorado. Lose to OU, and the Cowboys might be San Diego-bound for the second straight year.
Alamo: Nebraska could end up here, but two South teams are much more attractive. Texas Tech, 6-4 with OU and Baylor remaining, hasn’t played in the Alamo since 2002. And OU, 6-4 with Tech and OSU remaining, has never played in the Alamo Bowl, though the Sooners were in the Alamodome for the 2007 Big 12 title game.
Sun: The Sun would love to have Tech or OU, but it might have to settle for a Big 12 North team, like Missouri, which is 6-4 and with Kansas and Iowa State remaining could rally for a good record.
Insight: It’s possible, but unlikely, that OU could go West with a 6-6 record. Wouldn’t that be a reversal; an OU-OSU doubleheader in Phoenix, only switched, with the Cowboys in the Fiesta and the Sooners in the Insight. In 2007, OU played West Virginia in the Fiesta and OSU played Indiana in the Insight, two days apart.
Texas: No way are OU or OSU involved here. Texas A&M and Iowa State could be jostling between this and…
Independence: the Independence Bowl, now that Kansas and Kansas State have put themselves in bowl jeopardy. KU has to beat Texas or Missouri get bowl eligible, while K-State has to beat Nebraska in Lincoln, since the Wildcats have two wins over Division I-AA foes.
So, here are projections, based on both sides of a Bedlam result:
IF OSU WINS BELDAM
Fiesta: OSU
Cotton: Nebraska
Holiday: Missouri
Alamo: Texas Tech
Sun: Oklahoma
Insight: Texas A&M
Texas: Iowa State
Independence: Out of luck
IF OU WINS BEDLAM
Cotton: OSU
Holiday: Nebraska
Alamo: OU-Tech winner
Sun: OU-Tech loser
Insight: Missouri
Texas: Texas A&M
Independence: Iowa State
Emails in on anthem & OU-Nebraska
The new emails are in, and lots of stuff here. The national anthem. OU’s disastrous football season. My proclamation that every place ought to be like Lincoln, Neb.
Let’s start with The Star-Spangled Banner. Tom: “As a native of Oklahoma and a veteran, I find the shouting at the end of the national anthem rude, disrespectful of the anthem and brings disrespect to the state as well as the university. Maybe those that want to change it should write a new anthem, if Boomer Sooner is not enough for them. But please leave my national anthem alone. Too many people have already paid for it.”
You know, it really doesn’t bother me when they yell ‘Sooners,’ I guess because I’m used to it and I’m sort of settled on the notion that all kinds of numbskulls walk among us. But it really does paint the state in a bad light.
Cindy: “Good for you for taking a reasoned position without using a sledge hammer. Not sure if one of the hundreds of emails you must have gotten have referred to this, but Atlanta Braves fans o this with the anthem, but for obvious reasons have avoided the controversy. They loudly sing home of the BRAVES to finish the song. No one’s ever thought it was disrespectful, even though they’re clearly not referring to the valor of our soldiers.”
I sort of remember home of the Braves. But that was back when I remembered we still played baseball in this country.
David: “It has been a long time since I have taken exception to one of your articles, but this one, I do. No one would sing ‘Sooners’ at an important event like an inauguration (doesn’t matter who; president or company picnic). But at a sports event? Like a college football event? Back in the ”70s a lot of people wouldn’t stand or sing when the anthem was played. Anyone, including you, that is upset over this issue is just too puckery. I am not sure I can define, puckery, but the sound probably conveys the meaning.”
First of all, the goobers yelling “Sooners” would yell it out at their own murder trial. But you’re right, David. It’s a sporting event. I would vote to quit singing the anthem at sporting events. We don’t sing it at movie theaters or school plays. But we sing it at ballgames. And if you’re going to sing it, sing it right.
Keith: “I respectfully disagree with you. The American soldiers are not the only ‘brave’ who live in this great country. A lot of people who love this country have never put on a uniform, but they nonetheless love America and have done acts of bravery. The truth is that America is home of the Sooners. There is nothing wrong with American/Sooners celebrating their country and their team at the same time on a Saturday before a game of football. My suggestion is that everyone lighten up and have some fun.”
You know, that’s not a bad point to make, that this isn’t necessarily a military issue. But just because it’s not doesn’t mean people should do whatever they want with the anthem. Again, let’s be clear. Everyone has the right to redo the words to the anthem or sit on their butt during the song or line dance with their girlfriend. Just accept the consequences, which are these: you look like a gooberhead and make our state look bad.
Jason: “I think it is disrespectful too. I don’t think it’s spit in your face disrespect, but more thoughtless disrespect. Am I surprised that some college-aged people would be thoughtless? No, but it is still wrong and needs to end. On changing the anthem to America the Beautiful, I have to disagree. Not because it is not a magnificent song, but because of how people sing the anthem - only the first verse. How many people know four words from the second verse from The Star-Spangled Banner? How many people even know there are other verses? If we would sing verses two and three of America the Beautiful instead, I could agree. I love that each verse pays homage to God, and each stanza is good or even great. But this country is not great because of the natural beauty mentioned in the first verse. This country is great because of those who have decided the price of freedom was worth putting their lives in harm’s way to defend it, and the Divine Hand of Providence that has guided us despite our imperfections. Whatever part of whatever song we sing to honor our country at events around the nation must remind us of the price that was paid for our freedom on the battlefields of our country and others around the world, and the reliance on God as the only source of that freedom.”
Wait a minute. I didn’t advocate changing anthems. I just suggested singing America the Beautiful instead. There’s no law that says The Star-Spangled Banner has to precede every ballgame. And I would vote to sing verses 1-2-3 of America the Beautiful. It’s a far better song. The only reason we sing only the first verse of the anthem is because it’s two minutes by itself. You can sing all three verses of America the Beautiful in less time than it takes to sing the anthem.
Josh: “This is what I’ll call educated speculation. Kansas City Chiefs fans have a long tradition of replacing ‘brave’ with ‘Chiefs’ at the end of the anthem. I have no idea why and always found it rather juvenile, but that’s neither here nor there. If you go to Arrowhead, pay close attention to the crowd at the end of the anthem. A friend of mine went to the 2000 Big 12 title game there and came back complaining that people had ‘ripped off’ the anthem ending from the Chiefs. Considering I never heard it when I was a student there in ‘97-98, I’m going to randomly guess that some overlapping Chiefs/OU fans thought it funny in Arrowhead that year, and it stuck around with enough Owen Field residents to become a quasi-tradition. Do they do the same thing when the band plays the anthem too?”
This is what is known as grassroots history. Peeling back the onion of how things got to be the way they are. I can buy the Chiefs story. And my man, maybe you’ve stumbled upon another solution for Owen Field. Don’t sing the anthem. Just let the band play the music.
Gene: “Just wanted to mention my two bits. As a long-time attendee to all OU football and basketball games, at first I was also a little annoyed at substituting Sooners for brave. However, it seems to me that before King Boren starts getting after a some fans for doing that, he might suggest to his student athletes that they could at least stand at attention with their hand over their heart rather than chewing gum, picking their noses and checking out the cheerleaders. That jerks my chain more than saying Sooners!”
You know, that reminds me of an old debate. Remember when NBA player Chris Jackson, who changed his name to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, got in trouble for sitting around during the anthem and declining to even stand? He’s a knucklehead, but my point was this. Why is it wrong for Abdul-Rauf to ignore the anthem, but it’s OK for the TV cameraman who focused in on Abdul-Rauf to not stand at attention?
Brian: “After reading your blog about the issue of Oklahoma fans yelling ‘home of the Sooners,’ I was shocked to say the least. How you can talk about how disrespectful it is for fans to yell ‘home of the Sooners)’ (I agree that it is disrespectful) then suggest using a wounded soldier to make a plea against the practice? Then you continue on to say that the veteran should be in a wheelchair or using a cane for effect. Oh the irony. As someone who has seen Iraq firsthand, spent over 16 years in the Army and National Guard and is a lifelong Sooner fan, I am not having a tough time determining which is more offensive. Perhaps it is you who needs to review your priorities. To suggest that this issue is so grave you would support exploiting a wounded soldier to make your point speaks very poorly of your values. I hope that the Sooner fans who bastardize the anthem change their ways, but I also hope the university is smart enough to not follow your lead. If you think that I am overreacting please feel free to contact me and I will gladly arrange for you to stop by Walter Reed Army Medical Center if you ever come out to Washington D.C.”
I’m surrendering on this one. I certainly did not mean to endorse exploiting soldiers and I certainly realize that’s what could be construed from what I wrote.. I was just thinking of the best way to make people realize what they were doing. I’m not trying to be a wisenheimer here, but maybe it’s like the suggestion that I tour Walter Reed. I have no doubts that such a tour would affect me and change me. Which is sort of the effect I had in mind for the stadium. But Brian is right. The idea was in poor taste.
Corky: “Hooray for you, Berry! Is OU listening? Could these same disrespectful fans also learn to salute the flag?”
Oh, I suppose they could. But that leads me to a pet peeve. What I call the patriotic police. People who want to tell you how to show respect. When I was a kid, we put our hand over our heart to say the pledge of allegiance. We stood at attention when the national anthem was played. But some people believe you should place your hand over your heart during The Star-Spangled Banner, too. I got a phone call once from a guy who saw me at a basketball game, without my hand over my heart during the anthem. I think that’s different from rewriting The Star-Spangled Banner for rowdy-schoolboy reasons, but it’s a fine line.
Pam: “It is disrespectful to change the words to the national anthem and I never do it when I attend every home and away game. However, I am just one person in this free country and we don’t have to abide by my personal conduct rules, just as we don’t have to abide by yours. Was it just a slow sports day or were you trying to create controversy? Hard to tell. Now you’ve taken that ‘timeout’ and it’s going to be louder than ever before. I enjoy your sports coverage more than your personal behavior ideas.”
I wonder if she’s right? I wonder if The Oklahoman’s coverage of the issue will make “Sooners” more prevalent or less. We’ll know tonight, I suppose.
OK. Let’s move on to the plight of the Sooners. Shlomo: “Got Blocks? As the O-line gets thinner with each new injury (and it’s not like the original cast was all that good), I think back to the pre-glory days of Jack Mildren. That is, the days when OU expected him to pass and he couldn’t. That was the beginning of the Wishbone, and I will capitalize that because it was and is the greatest darned offense ever run, if you have the people to run it. But I digress. We can’t block anybody, not pass block, not run block. Can’t block, period. Well, given the need to hold the block on both running and passing plays, it might not be a bad idea to tear a page out of that old 1970 playbook and run some option. No, I’m not saying bring back the ‘bone. We don’t really have the personnel. But a modified option that moves the pocket and allows the play to develop without the linemen having to hold their blocks might do wonders for the offense, make the D even more effective and result in some wins. Now, that might seem like a panic move, and perhaps it is. But, unless the coaching staff really thinks that the O-line is going to get better during the final games of the season, there is really nothing to lose. The only question is whether Jones can run and whether he can take hits. If he can, good. Murray would be good in the option and Madu, too. Brown could spell Clapp at FB. The running yards would start to pile up and the passing game would benefit with play action passes; the receivers would be open more and more likely to hold on to what was thrown to them. Is it too late to make such changes? Are we going to beat Texas Tech or Oklahoma State without some drastic changes? The question is whether or not the coaches would buy into something new at this late stage, or whether they are going to dance with the girl that brung ‘em, even when she steps all over their toes.”
I love you, Shlomo, but you’ve got be kidding. Landry Jones running the option? Even if he could run it, who’s his backup for the 25 hits a game he’ll take. Switching offenses in mid-November, to something no one has run and which fits not much of anybody? You said it right. Panic move. The kind of move that would exist only in the movies and on video games.
Bob: “I would agree whole heartedly that recruiting in college football is 85% of the key to sustained success. Coaching then becomes an important 15% mainly to keep focused in a positive direction (the egos and high energy of these mostly) pampered young fellows. It is really satisfying to watch a player in September evolve into a much better player as the season progresses. Many do not. College football is the single most difficult of all team sports because you need about 44 or 45 quality people each year to perform, knowing injuries and competition and grades and social issues will interact with 100 young men over a six month period. Oklahoma finally played a tough pre-league; Miami and BYU are programs with solid mature athletes who will go toe to toe with most opponents. Texas seems to outcoach Oklahoma every year because I always look for the adjustments made in the second half and Texas has been dominant in the last two years in the second half. I look forward to a 16-team playoff, and each league providing a champion plus five at-large. In 2008 the two best football teams were Texas and USC. Now it is a Madison Avenue PR drill. In a bizarre way, I have more respect this year for Oklahoma as losers than the last five years where they are 0-5 in post season play and were portrayed as whiners throughout the national collegiate football scene.”
When was OU ever perceived as whiners? Everyone else seems to whine about OU. And I don’t know what you mean by Oklahoma ‘finally’ playing a tough non-conference schedule. OU played Cincinnati and TCU in 2008. Miami in 2007. Oregon and Washington in 2006. TCU and UCLA in 2005. Oregon and Houston in 2004. Alabama, Fresno State and UCLA in 2003. Alabama and South Florida in 2002. I probably shouldn’t waste my time on somebody this clueless, but as far as outcoaching? I’ll give you 2008. But in 2009, OU lost its Heisman Trophy quarterback on the second series and, still playing with a patchwork offensive line, lost 16-13 to a team everyone is saying is one of the nation’s three best teams. Who outcoached who on that day?
David: “This year has been a combination of many unfortunate events for the Sooner football team. I wouldn’t know how to assign blame between injuries, inexperience, recruiting, coaching or any other factors. Certainly, injuries and inexperience have been major issues. But think about how John Blake would have thought about being the coach of a 5-4 team. Think about how Gary Gibbs would have thought about all the Big 12 championships and just playing for the number of national championships OU has over the past decade. We were a hair away from a national champion last year with the current coaches. Coaching can’t be the major problem. I do wish we had Blake as an line coach. Think about the recruiting and coaching expertise he has. Just don’t let him talk to the media.”
Talking to the media never was Blake’s problem. Talking to his players was where the communication broke down. Not that either side knew it.
Tom: “Good analogy about false starts. Some folks in this part of the pigskin world refer to Flozell Adams as Falsestart Flozell!”
Adams must be one hellacious blocker, to keep playing for as much as he jumps offsides.
Terry: “Do you think Bob Stoops is on the verge of losing the team for the season? I guess we will find out as I expect A&M will come to town ready to play even after their own loss last week. I hate to admit it, but I’m losing my enthusiasm. I can take losing when you play hard and are improving, but last week looked exactly like the team that came out in the second half at Jerry’s World on Sept. 5.”
Well, I see no evidence that Stoops is losing the team. But I see plenty of evidence that Stoops is losing the fan base. Not forever, just for this year. And that’s a sad commentary on the Sooner faithful. Anybody can be a fan when things are great. But jumping ship on a 5-4 team is not indicative of a great fan base.
Sixto: “Disgusting loss against Nebraska. Completely pathetic effort from an offense out of sync from the first snap. I cannot believe that OU’s once potent offense could not even muster one lousy touchdown. Unbelievable. Does OU have any hope for next season, or are we seeing a true step change where OU takes a definite fall downward for the next few years? I thought Landry Jones was going to be all right, but five interception eggs makes all kinds of doubts suddenly creep up.”
Does OU have any hope? You know, this season is just what Sooner fans needed. I’m serious. I think OU fans have forgotten that winning is not a divine right. That winning doesn’t come easy. That championships have to be earned, just like Stoops has been saying for years. So in some ways, this season could be really therapeutic.
Roger: “Your column on Bob Stoops makes perfect sense to me. I agree – football is not a board game or guessing contest. Teams win because of better players who are properly trained and motivated. Not by the coach with better play-calling. Coaches have their share of the blame but not for play-calling. They did a poor job of recruiting receivers this year. I remember that some highly-rated recruits bailed out a few years ago – I suspect because Coach (Kevin) Wilson had intimidated them or ‘worked them too hard.’ Duke Robinson stayed and prospered. I congratulate him. OU no doubt recruited some new top athletes for the 2009 offensive line, but they haven’t shown us much yet. Is it due to poor development or were they just recruiting errors? Are they just lazy? I hope the O-line improves next year, just as the O-line improved from 2007 to 2008. I believe the O-line is second only to the QB in importance to the offense. But if OU had no injuries this year, Wilson would now be viewed as an offensive coaching genius.”
You’re exactly right. If Bradford and especially Gresham were healthy, there would be no criticisms. But the coaches have not done a solid job in developing players on this roster.
Jerry: “Your column about Stoops was right on. You had the guts to say it. He would not admit it, but I’m sure you have Stoops thinking. It appears Weis is going to be fired at Notre Dame. Stoops is definitely on their short list. Doubt that he would leave.”
I can’t see Stoops leaving for a college job. I actually think he’s here for a long time more, but anything that would entice him would not be another college job.
Brian: “I don’t see this season as incredibly unusual. We were due for one of these. What I do see in the past is a flaw in the overall results. We are really, really good, but for whatever reason we never completely finish. How can we lose so many bowl games? What I notice about UT, Bama, Florida is they have no flaws. They are complete football teams. No special team problems, linebacker or kicking problems. Over the last 5-6 years, we have a glaring flaw somewhere, we just aren’t complete. That has basically been our problem. One so called expert thinks it is due to players from all over the country playing on the team. Maybe they are more concerned about themselves and their NFL future than winning each game without breakdowns somewhere. Is this coaching or just a glitch in the system?”
I don’t buy it. I don’t think OU in 2003 or 2004 had a flaw. I would say OU in 2008 is no more flawed than Texas in 2009. I don’t think geography has anything to do with it. All kinds of teams, good and bad, have players from all over the country. All kinds of teams, good and bad, have mostly locals.
Scott: “It’s doubtless true that the Oklahoma media plays softer than, say, Dallas, but I’m not sure fans want a media that is that hyper-critical. Jenni Carlson got lambasted for a tough article on Bobby Reid. That kind of article is common (at least in terms of pros) in larger metro areas. Talk radio in Dallas is brutal, and the papers can be just as bad. And people say they’re easier than the Philly or NY media, but I’ve never paid it that much attention. So, do Oklahomans want a vicious media? The reaction to the Reid article, whether you think it was fair or not, seems to be, no they do not. They may accept it when the player has done wrong off the field, ala Bomar or Chris Collins, but if a player has just performed inadequately, they don’t want that. Interestingly, they do seem to want that for coaches. At least OU fans seem to want you guys to be more aggressive with the OU staff right now. Message boards are full of posts accusing the Oklahoma media of being soft on coaches for any number of reasons. I think it’s very fair to say the play-calling is less of an issue than the recruiting and talent evaluation. It just doesn’t satisfy the mentality out there because, well, you can’t fix anything right now. You can’t go back and recruit better; it is what it is. OU is short on receiving and offensive line talent, the actual problem is that OU isn’t a program that should ever be this short on depth at those positions. They aren’t OSU or Missouri, where that’s more expected. OSU lost pretty much all its receiving talent from a year ago. Dez Bryant, gone. Damian Davis, gone. Bo Bowling, gone. Brandon Pettigrew (and his projected successor), gone. Yet the Cowboys seemed to have capable depth at the position where OU doesn’t (imagine if OSU had gotten Broyles). Talent evaluation just didn’t go right for the Sooners and went pretty well for OSU, although in actuality OSU’s offense is not nearly as good as 2008. It’s just not in the toilet. Anyway, thanks for the good column on what fans should really criticize. They won’t do that for the same reason people hated the Reid article. In Oklahoma, people just don’t like the media taking swipes at the players.”
Never really thought of it that way. And I’m not sure I agree. I don’t think it’s protectionism of the players. I think it’s more of that mentality Scott mentioned, that it’s far easier to blame play-calling. It’s an easier fix.
Mike: “Good column about Coach Stoops. Especially the line about this not being ‘rock, paper, scissors.’ And fair criticism about evaluating recruits. But one point that seems to always get overlooked in recruiting is that it is not some science, either. The NFL certainly tries to make it so, with all their objective criteria in evaluating draft picks. But when it comes to evaluating high schoolers, some of these guys are only 16 and 17 years old when the college coaches are looking at them. There is a lot of growing up (both physically and emotionally) which occurs during this time. So, holding coaches to their recruiting evaluation is kind of like predicting how your kid’s first t-ball team is going to perform (with the exception of the rare Adrian Petersons of the world). By the way, I don’t agree with your statement that you thought he came across looking bad. In fact, I thought it was about as real as I’ve seen Stoops in a long time. Very frank, which is I think one of the points you made in the column. My question is this: Is there a disconnect between Wilson and Stoops? Are they playing good cop/bad cop with the players? Seems like Stoops is really on them sometimes, and Wilson is coming to their defense and taking the blame. I’m wondering how you think that plays with the players themselves, and is this a certain psychological tactic the coaches are doing to get a response from the players? Or am I over-analyzing?”
I think you’re probably overanalyzing. But where’s the fun if we don’t? I don’t think the players get too much involved in coaching politics. But the good-bad cop deal is probably right on.
Jason: “I think Oklahoma would be fine at wide receiver if Josh Jarboe and Julio Jones would have worked out. Maybe ‘knuckleheadedness’ and losing out on a fantastic player like Jones was the bigger issue. How many catches would Jones have had last year and this year combined? Probably more catches than he’s even had thrown his way at Bama. Those two could have changed fortunes of the receiving corps in a very positive way. I know Jarboe has done little at Troy, but I think that whole fiasco he caused has thrown things for a loop for him.”
Jarboe is something like the No. 5 receiver at Troy. But yes, Julio Jones would have made quite the difference. Of course, OU came just as close to not getting Ryan Broyles as it did to getting Jones, so that’s a wash.
Jeff: “I agree that our in-game coaching decisions have not determined the fate of this season. And it amazes me how much we question the offensive coaching after such a run the past few years. And I am generally very critical of our team. I like to think that standards should be high if we want high results. I do feel that is unusual for this staff that our line and some of the receivers have failed to develop this late in the season, with the exception of Dejaun Miller. Almost every year early struggles in any one area are usually corrected by this coaching staff this late in the season. I do feel the coaches are highly disappointed in these offensive players. And the coaches have proven the ability to ‘coach up.’ I would argue these players have much more to prove than the coaches. The Sooner fan base, despite rightful super high expectations, needs to have a bit more perspective. Back to Dejaun Miller. I believe he is playing at a high level and has been since his insertion after Cameron Kenney’s tipped pass at Kansas. Miller is at a much higher level than the rest of the receiving corps and new starters along the line (with the exception of Broyles). Miller should have played earlier and has been solid. “
I agree. I have no idea why Miller hasn’t been playing all year. Very puzzling.
Brad: “Did Stoops address not audibling to a quarterback sneak on that fourth down? I was screaming at my television. You could have gained two yards. How Landry doesn’t see that is beyond me. Isn’t that basic 101? I’ve never played organized football, but my friends say you learn that in peewee football.”
Maybe so, but peewee football doesn’t have defensive tackles like Nebraska’s. The coaches could have audibled but chose not to. Kevin Wilson said NU was baiting OU to run a sneak, that the DTs were slanting in ready to pop Jones. OU is 2-of-7 on QB sneaks this year. Wilson said something like he didn’t think it was wise for his weakness to take on NU’s strength. Made a certain amount of sense, because I wondered how the Huskers could leave the middle so open. The answer probably is, they didn’t.
Greg: “Your comments were very appropriate on whiffing on wide receiver talent EXCEPT with Miller. I know Landry does not intentionally do this, but I have never seen a receiver get so many balls thrown behind him, off the back shoulder, etc. In all of that he has made some very good, acrobatic catches, maintained stride and performed well. I consider Tennell, Caleb (effort, limited talent), Kenney almost totally lost causes. Your assessment of Broyles and being taken at the last minute was so good. Can you imagine how good OSU would be with Ryan Broyles? I think all this flailing away is going to do is to ensure if Broyles has a good season is to possibly entice him to come out THIS YEAR. If you take the injury lesson in watching Bradford’s odyssey, how is Broyles going to improve on his performance or draft standing from this year? Arguably, his performance given the QB play, O-line performance has to be determined to be outstanding. He is playing a position which given its usual priority in the draft, should find him being drafted to a place like New England, Dallas, Vikings, etc. He is a ‘completion’ draft; special teams capable, specialty player a great team can add as an afterthought, like Wes Welker.”
I don’t think Broyles will make it in the NFL. He easily could prove me wrong, but Broyles looks a little spindly for the pros. I don’t think he’s anywhere nearly as stout as Welker always has been. And yes, I thought Welker would make it in the NFL.
Terry: “If someone would have told me this would be what we were looking at nine games in, I would have bet my child into slave labor. I cannot remember a team more snakebit than us this year. Do you? Especially OU? I am even getting ’sorry mans’ from Longhorn fans. That is how bad it is. I so long for the one fingered salute I normally get. It has nothing to do with play calling, the only question I have for the coaches, is how did you not have an O-line ready? This isn’t on the coaches. I wish it were. SNAKEBIT I tell you.”
Child slave labor? Please don’t bet your child into slave labor. But while no one could see this script, no individual loss should be shocking. I said before the year started that OU had seven losable games. Some looked at me like I was crazy. But BYU, Miami, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas Tech and OSU all seemed losable. Not that the Sooners would lose them all, but they could lose any of them. And in those games so far, OU is 1-4.
Brent: “I’ve never seen anything quite like what is currently going on surrounding OU football. We know that Oklahomans are angry. Just angry, generally. They’re not happy with their President. They’re not happy with their economic situation. And now OU football has gone south. It appears to me that if anything major happens with this program, it will be stimulated from the bottom up. In the old days, the pressure came from the top down. But that was before message boards and bloggers. Yesterday was the deadline for applications for bowl tickets. One telling statistic to check out is what the demand for bowl tickets is this year compared to historical demand. I will venture a guess: 50 percent.”
I’ll tell you something to watch for. Empty seats. If someone wants Stoops gone, staying home is the surest way to achieving the goal. Empty seats are what got Gary Gibbs fired. But let me add, if someone wants Stoops gone, they’re certifiable.
Danny: “The fire is gone, get out the pooper scooper. Anyone could see who wanted that OU-Husker game more. I wonder if Sooner fans are ready for a 6-6 season or maybe 5-7 and no bowl? Remember when the Stoops brothers and Brent Venables were always being warned about being on the field. When was the last time we had a sideline penalty? Sorry, but I think we ought to give Coach Stupid or Big Lame Bob another million and that will fix everything.”
Who wanted it more? That’s interesting. That speaks to emotion. And the two places where OU most lost the game - quarterbacking and place-kicking - are the most emotionless positions on the field. Even offensive line is a largely emotionless position.
Ron: “Even though I have lived in the Fort Worth area for about 30 years, I grew up in the Altus area. I lived in Oklahoma for my first 30 years. Have always and will always be an OU fan, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yes, this year has been UGLY. And as frustrating as the fans get, I don’t imagine anyone is more frustrated than Stoops. He is still a great football coach. I do think, however, that he needs to take a hard look at the offense after the season. Something is terribly wrong. Too many injuries, too many mistakes, no self-discipline. That has to come back on Kevin Wilson and the offensive staff. Maybe some coaching staff needs to be replaced after the season. The season is not over. There is still some hope. Hey, I can remember when I lived in Oklahoma, driving down the road and looking at the Bury Barry bumperstickers one year.”
Actually, there weren’t any Bury Barry bumperstickers. After seeing what Chuck Fairbanks went through - “Chuck Chuck” - Switzer took out the rights to Bury Barry. But let me get this straight. After a season in which Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham, Brian Simmons, Brody Eldridge and Jarvis Jones have been lost for the season, you want Stoops to fire the offensive coaches who last year led a unit that set an NCAA record for points scored?
Tim: “I just read where Coach Stoops was asked if the no-huddle or hurryup offense was causing the penalties. He replied, ‘that’s making excuses for the players,’ and he doesn’t buy into that. Why hasn’t anyone asked him why they had to call four timeouts right after the offense had taken the field and kept looking to the sideline for the play? Seems to me they should already know what they need to do. It’s the offensive coordinator’s responsibility to be ready after the defense has stopped the other team. Does Stoops not buy into that either? A lot of confusion on what the plays are and what to do. I can see why they jump off side or get frustrated. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Sad to say, but Coach Wilson spent his wad last year.”
Well, yes, I would say coordinating an offense that scored 700 points is spending a wad. Firing Wilson is goofy. But there does seem to be communication problems getting in the plays from the sideline. Stoops has admitted as much. That needs to be fixed.
Brad: “I hope I’m wrong, but I am not sold on Landry Jones. We’ve had five great QBs under Stoops (including Paul Thompson), thus we are spoiled. I just don’t think he brings any versatility to the table. Again, I hope I’m wrong. Maybe Allen or Bell will shine.”
Paul Thompson a great quarterback? Hey, I love Tall Paul. Did some radio with him. But he once was 3-of-12 throwing in a game. OU had some wild things back in those days - like a field-goal kicker and a decent offensive line - and somehow still won the game 17-16, but let’s not write off Landry Jones this early. Versatility was not the trademark of Jason White or Sam Bradford.
Patrick: “Having just watched another offensive OU offensive performance, there are a few things that should be considered about this Sooner season. 1. Landry Jones in not a top tier Division I quarterback. 2. Mark Wilson could not fool a 12-year-old trick or treater with his play calling. 3. Christmas comes early to Bo Pelini. Landry Jones cannot move to his left, period. He has started, is it three or four games, and played in two others and has completed more passes to Texas, Miami and Nebraska receivers than those in crimson. His foot work is as atrocious as my writing ability and the lack of faith shown him by the offensive play calling staff is obviously warranted. Mark Wilson is so predictable that my friends refuse to watch games with me because there is no suspense when I tell them every play before it is called. Makes me wonder if it is his fear showing through in Landry’s play or vice versa. Finally, I know that this is a season mired by injuries and was likely a championship caliber team when healthy, but there is never a reason to stoop to throwing a game to help an old friend.”
The name is Kevin. Kevin Wilson. You know what I’d like to do. I’d like to organize all these guys who say they can predict what play is coming, and I’d like to do a wager: $10,000 or so. If they can guess with 50 percent accuracy the play that is coming - which is 30-40 percent below their claims - they win. Otherwise, I win. By the second quarter, they will have predicted two plays out of 25 and I won’t be able to watch the game because my mind will be racing, trying to figure out how to spend $10,000.
Brad: “If OU had Alabama’s kicker, would they be 9-0?”
Great question. I’m going to say no. Bama’s Tiffin is pretty good, but I don’t know that he makes the 54-yarder vs. BYU. And a good kicker would have gotten OU only as far as overtime against Texas.
Elisabeth: “Been wanting to ask this for a while now. Why, pray tell, will Stoops not play the studly kicker they recruited from Norman North? Isn’t he supposed to be really, really good? And is it just me, or is Tress Way’s field goal kicking far worse than Stevens’? Way looked totally lost and uncomfortable.”
Yes, it’s just you. Way’s kicks at least rise. Stevens’ kicks are wounded ducks. Bryce Easley got sick early in the year and lost a bunch of weight and power. Hasn’t really in the mix. And they all are supposed to be really, really good.
Derek: “I was looking through OU’s list of 148 all-Americans. One thing jumps out. OU, since the start of the modern two-platoon era (1965, I believe), has never had an all-America kicker. That’s 148 all-Americans, but no modern kickers. On the Mack Brown-Texas site, they list Jeff Ward (1986), Kris Stockton (2000), Happy Feller (1970), Russell Erxleben (1976-78) and Phil Dawson (1996). As we both know, OU has had some stellar kickers (Uwe and Tim Lashar come immediately to mind), but could Stoops’ record in close games have something to do with the fact that the kicking game is not exactly emphasized in Norman?”
I vote no. Like you said, OU has had some stellar kickers. Heck, Stoops has had some stellar kickers. All-American is a little too subjective to use. Stoops has had one all-American wide receiver (Mark Clayton), but that certainly hasn’t been a problem until this year. Tim Duncan, Garrett Hartley, they were fine. I think OU just blew it on Jimmy Stevens. Gave him a scholarship for reasons I don’t understand. Doesn’t have a booming leg. Didn’t have a great high school field-goal percentage. Recruiting mistake.
Richard: “If someone had told you before the season that OU and USC would be mixing it up in SoCal at the end of the year, you probably would’ve booked your press passes for the Rose Bowl, not the Holiday Bowl, months in advance.”
It’s fun to think about, but I say USC is headed for the Fiesta Bowl.
Mike: “A team and coaching staff in disarray? Kevin Wilson admits that under pressure, i.e. behind on the scoreboard, they fold. Character?”
Is lack of discipline a character issue? If so, then yes. If not, then no.
Tad, a Nebraska fan: “What’s up? I am hoping you can pass on a little tidbit for all the OU fans down there: YOU HAVE THE BEST DAMNED COACH IN THE LEAGUE. Stop bitching about him. He is a proven winner that has dominated for a decade. Be careful what you wish for. Think about our trade of Solich for Callahan. Stoops is a future Hall-of-Fame coach. So what if he is having a down year? You have not been embarrassed once this year. BYU, Miami, Texas, and Nebraska are not exactly lightweights. Nebraska may just have the best defense in the country right now.”
This kind of message won’t appease the mob crowd, but sure works on me.
Enough is enough. Let’s move on to the gratitude of the Huskers. Ott: “Just a note of thanks regarding the great writings about the sportsmanship of Nebraska football fans. I am a native Okie, but several years ago I was transferred to Lincoln, a complete stranger to Nebraska. My job required I work with people living throughout the state. You not only described the football fans there but very close to the state’s total population. With the possible exception of a few soreheads, if you can find them, the Nebraska people are just fine folks. They work hard, play hard and most are well educated. My 16 years in Lincoln were extremely enjoyable as well as a great place to rear our children. I would have retired in Nebraska but for one negative. COLD.”
You were running for governor there for awhile, but now, you’re off the ticket. You said the magic world. Personally, I think Nebraska’s cold is overrated.
Mike: “Long-time friends who live in Oklahoma City sent the original copy of the Nebraska article, the most positive and most complimentary newspaper story I have ever read. Subsequently, local friends found it on the Internet, so it is being shared with many football fans on both sides of the line of scrimmage. I was also thrilled Saturday with the crowd’s response to the halftime introduction of the many Oklahoma stars and Barry Switzer. It all made for the ultimate athletic experience. I am very grateful that you shared our fans’ respect for Oklahoma.”
You know, maybe it’s me that should be running for governor of Nebraska.
William: “I’ve been to several NU-OU games, and through all of those contests, I have learned the two reasons that make this game the greatest rivalry in college football are great football and great fans. I have attended Husker-Sooner games that were the most important games of the week (or even the most important game in November) and some that, like Saturday night, meant little more than bragging rights this time around. Through all my NU-OU experiences, whether the game itself caused me elation or heartache, I have always been treated with courtesy and respect by the Sooner faithful. It doesn’t matter if the game is in Lincoln or Norman, nor whether the game is THE game in college football or if it just means a lot to us. Every time I have been to Norman, I too have felt like a guest as opposed to the enemy; the fans have always been great. Rest assured that there is at least one place like Lincoln to watch a game, and that’s Norman, Oklahoma.”
Well, that’s some mighty high praise. I don’t buy it, of course. I don’t see Sooner fans applauding the Huskers. I don’t see the commitment to sportsmanship that you see in Lincoln. But if some Nebraskans think it so, good for the Sooners, I say. But did you read what William called OU-NU? The best rivalry in college football. Think any Sooner fans say that? I’m telling you, Nebraskans hold this series in high regard.
Tom: “As a die-hard Husker fan, I’ve been to games in Norman several times over the years. I was always treated just as nice as OU fans are in Lincoln. Last time there in a crowded bar, I was offered a chair at a table of OU fans and we had a good laugh and chat. I’ve always considered Norman the friendliest opposing stadium to visit in the Big 12; Colorado and Missouri tie for worst. OU/NU fans are a lot alike and I feel there’s a common sense of respect not found in a lot of other rivalries.”
Personally, I would Texas Tech the worst. Maybe it’s a North-South thing.
Don: “I don’t like the booing other teams, either. I will say there were some rude, obnoxious Nebraska fans as visitors at OU when Callahan was coaching. They were the younger crowd and I was surprised by them. I had never seen that mentality of Nebraska fans before in 30 years attending games. I hope this is not a glimpse of the future when the younger crowd takes over.”
Maybe it’s just a bunch of yahoos without the coverage to try those stunts in Lincoln. Have to do it on the road, away from adult supervision.
David: “You wrote, ‘I’ve always thought Nebraska fans loved the series more than Oklahoma fans, though I don’t really know why. Maybe because the Huskers don’t have a natural rival…’ Suddenly it reminded me of a long-ago column of yours where you said something to the effect that Oklahoma was the mirror through which Nebraskans judged themselves and how they stood, ‘and as any woman will tell you, it’s never good to be without a mirror.’ I believe you wrote that when OU was down in the mid-’90s, explaining how the Huskers actually missed the days when OU was a saber-toothed rival. It was a cool twist on why Nebraska fans love the series maybe even more than we Sooners do.”
I wrote that? Hey, that’s pretty good.
Robb: “I enjoyed your article on Lincoln. I spent seven years there as an undergraduate and law student from 1983 to 1990. I witnessed the self-policing where NU fans would tell one of their own to stop negative things. However, I also witnessed the same great fans when I went to Norman. I went in the ’80s and again last year. Both times, we were treated so well by OU fans. Last year, it was unbelievable how nice every one was. Granted, they did not have much to fear and the outcome of the game was determined early. However, all of the OU fans were encouraging us Husker fans after the game, telling us to be patient, that Bo Pelini was the right guy, and to remember OU’s own dark days in the ’90s. I have never enjoyed a Husker loss as much as last year in Norman.”
Mighty nice of those Sooner fans to preach patience. Let’s see how man of them can still practice it.
Dick: “As a Nebraska alum living in Oklahoma, I was somewhat surprised and at the same time delighted to read your column regarding the behavior of Nebraska fans at Lincoln.”
I’m going to take that as a backhanded compliment.
Dewayne, an OU fan: “What a great story! There is so much negative in today’s sports that it really is nice to see someone recognize another for good sportsmanship. Even moreso when it is not just the players or the team, but an entire culture of upbringing and responsibility among the fans of Nebraska. I think we, as OU fans, should follow suit. I don’t see where we need to trash another team or their fans with insults and trash talk. Just play the game and be satisfied that we were there to compete, win or lose. Over all, our record on the field will say all that needs to be said. We don’t need to make ourselves look like the hillbillies that some have labeled us. Maybe there was some truth to that statement.”
We can’t get the hillbillies to quit yelling “Sooners!” during the anthem. Now you want them to act civilized to the opposing team?
Solutions to OU’s national anthem problem
The Star-Spangled Banner debate rages at OU. Some fans, in the minority but very vocal, end the song by shouting “…and the home of, the SOONERS!” Some claim it’s disrespectful to America and veterans. Others say it’s just school spirit.
Of course it’s disrespectful. Fans absolutely have the right to do it, but it’s disrespectful. Let’s look at similar scenario. You’re in church. The padre is leading the Lord’s Prayer. He nears the conclusion. “…for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the…” when suddenly 30 percent of the congregation yells out “SOONERS.”
Out of place? Not appropriate? Ridiculous? Yes to all three. The antics at Owen Field is not much removed from such irreverence.
We know David Boren doesn’t like it. I haven’t thought to ask Joe Castiglione if he likes it, but I can’t imagine that he does. Bob Stoops probably doesn’t mind, because here in a week when his football program’s is on red alert, we’ve suddenly started talking about the dawn’s early light.
But what exactly should OU do to squelch the tradition, which extends to basketball and is yelled so exuberantly that even in venues like the NCAA basketball tournament, where maybe only 1,000 Sooner fans are in an 18,000-seat arena, the “SOONERS!” cry is well-heard?
Ignoring the problem, which is what OU has been doing, won’t work. The Sooners have been dancing around the issue with pregame announcements about sportsmanship and respect. Against Baylor, the video board even displayed an announcement talking about the word “brave” in the context of the national anthem. Talk about avoiding confrontation.
Anyway, here are a few ideas to end the grating tradition:
1. Sing a different song. Sing “America the Beautiful,” which frankly is a better song anyway and should have been declared the anthem back when Congress decided it was qualified to serve as music critics. I’ve gone through the lyrics of “America the Beautiful,” and Sooner fans would have to really stretch to bastardize the words to their cause.
2. Trot out a wounded soldier for a live request to stop the practice. Somebody recently back from Iraq or Afghanistan. Maybe in a wheelchair or walking with a cane. Put he or she on the big screen but have them standing at midfield, explaining that when Francis Scott Key wrote about bombs bursting in air and the rockets’ red glare, he’s not talking about fireworks. He’s talking about weapons designed to tear off your kneecap and make a widow out of your wife.
3. Up the ante and ask Sam Bradford to address the crowd. Frankly, the video messages of Boren and Castiglione only incite the fans to do the opposite. But put Bradford out at midfield, give him a microphone, put him on the big screen and let him talk. He could say, “listen, I know we’re all just trying to have fun, but this deal is disrespectful to a whole lot of people and makes us look like a bunch of goobers. This yelling ‘SOONERS!’ instead of ‘brave’ at the end of the national anthem is about the only thing that makes me ashamed to be an Oklahoman. Let’s find a different way to have fun.
I don’t know if the latter two would work. But they can’t hurt. What’s the point of having heroes if we don’t put them to good use?
