OU-FSU rivalry brewing? Hope not

Posted by
on August 21, 2009M at 11:58 am

Oklahoma has a simmering rivalry with Florida.
 
Is Florida State next?
 
With news that an FSU administrator questioned the eligibility of OU linebacker Mike Balogun and prompted the current hubbub about his collegiate future, it might be tempting for the Sooner Nation to direct some frustration at the Seminoles.
 
Are they still sore about that 2000 national championship game? Are they jealous that the Sooners have been back to the national title game several times since but they haven’t sniffed it?
 
Yes, it’d be easy to be angry at the Seminoles, Sooner fans.
 
Don’t be.
 
Florida State did OU a favor.
 
As our man Jake Trotter reported earlier this week, an FSU administrator was watching the national title game last year when the TV commentators started talking about Balogun. 25 years old. Had played semi-pro ball out of high school. Went to junior college. Then landed at OU.
 
The story sounded familiar because Florida State had just had a receiver declared ineligible because he’d played semi-pro ball after he turned 21 years old.
 
What did FSU officials do then? They didn’t run right to the NCAA. They didn’t go and tattle. They contacted OU and the Big 12 and raised concern about the issue. Only after they felt that the problem still hadn’t been addressed did they go to the NCAA.
 
And frankly, the fact that they ended up doing so isn’t a bad thing. What if this issue had been discovered during the season or after the season? What if the NCAA decided to punish OU for playing Balogun?
 
Remember, the Sooners are on a short leash with the NCAA. With several programs on probation and under the microscope, even a small misstep could be a big pitfall.
 
Sure, the issue with Balogun might never have been discovered, but Sooner fans, do you really want to take that chance on a back-up linebacker?
 
Florida State might not be on your list of favorites, Sooner Nation, but you should go back to directing your ire at that other program in the Sunshine State.
 

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Comments
Comment by Danny on August 22, 2009 @ 11:29 pm

I’m an OU Fan that lives in Tallahassee, and trust me Sooner Nation….you need to be ticked off at FSU. (Yes I’m being polite.) FSU is still reeling from the sanctions they have recieved as of late. They would love nothing more than to see another school get into trouble so that they can can feel better about themselves as well as justify their position on their violations. The fan base in this town is even worse than the administration. They don’t think FSU ever does anything wrong. I’ve spent significant time in 9 college towns and no town is hollier than though than Tallahassee. The love to accuse Florida for things then defend the very same things that are done here. Kind of like some of the stuff I read from Texas fans. In 2000 Bobby Bowden whined all over again about the 18-17 loss to the Sooner in the Orange Bowl in 81. He made all kinds of excuses and tried to say they lost it instead of admitting OU won it. The fans here cried back then “but you’re a running team, you can’t beat us with the pass.” It’s pitiful in this town. BE MAD AT FSU!! FFSUFFFSU!!

Comment by Tommy on August 26, 2009 @ 10:53 am

Jenni your the worst sports reporter ever. Your opinions are totally rediculous. Just thought you should know. GO Ultimate JT….

Comment by jennicarlson on August 26, 2009 @ 10:57 am

Tommy, I might take your comments more seriously if your post wasn’t filled with grammar and spelling errors. If you’re going to call me the worst sports reporter ever, you might want to know the proper usage of your/you’re, and if you’re going to call out my opinions, you might use the proper spelling of ridiculous. Have a great day! Jenni

Comment by James on August 28, 2009 @ 3:36 pm

Jenni, what’s up with your reveiw of the preparations for the OU BYU game? You and your sidekick didn’t talk about the game at all, instead you discussed the odds of Bradford repeating the Heisman. What’s up? Am I missing something?

Comment by J. on August 28, 2009 @ 9:15 pm

Reading the argument between Tommy and Jenni is like watching the Special Olympics version of a UFC match.

Comment by steve on September 8, 2010 @ 3:54 pm

The Seminoles are going to win the game this time and you can all stop your (editor deleted expletive). And Danny can just move out of Tallahassee because we would prefer you not their anyway with your bad attitude. FSU by 5. PS, Bobby never whines unless it was worth saying something about. You should take lessons from him.

***

Steve: Thanks for your comment, but this is a blog entry from a year ago. I encourage you to join the conversation on our more current blogs about OU and Florida State.
Jenni

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