If so, what was it before, and what is it now? And why?

He appears a little bit less enthused for OSU, but its a business and I don’t fault him for talking to big name programs. On the other hand, I see Holder as a major culprit. Both Holder and Gundy love OSU, but Holder wants to play big time non-conference games (for both prestige and money), and Gundy wants to win championships. Gundy knows a one-loss OSU won’t get the benefit of the doubt from voters like OU in 2003 or Nebraska in 2001 or Alabama last year, and probably needs to go undefeated to play for a national title. Scheduling potential losses in non-coference games makes an undefeated season that much harder. OSU has to run a gauntlet every season in the Big 12 anyways, with at least one road game in Norman or Austin always standing in the path of perfection. OU never has to go to Austin to play and can schedule harder non-conf. matchups, but I still disagree with Tramel and believe its a mistake. You go undefeated in the Big 12 and you have a 90-95% chance of playing for a NC.

Other topics: The Bedlam heartbreak leading to an eventual fall to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Honestly, the Bedlam loss doesn’t bother me much. Sure, it was a big game, but losing earlier in the year made the Bedlam matchup less important. IF, IF the game was for a spot in the National Title game, then that’s another story… however, this was a rebuilding year for OSU. For OU, this was their year to play for it all. A four-year starter at QB, a #1 preseason ranking, and they play in the Cotton Bowl. Good bowl, but not the NC game. Next year for OSU – not so much – they should be playing for the conference title (or a share) in the Bedlam game – and I will be there. Of note, I have been fortunate to only miss about 5 Bedlam games since 1985 (I was at the Ice Bowl). Takeaway from Bedlam – neither team has a defense ready to play for championships. No Sooner fan I spoke to disagreed on this point.

Todd Monken leaving to become the head coach at Southern Miss: Happy for him. A sign that OSU’s success is more respected outside the state than inside the state, IMO.

Overall, what are your emotions?
If Gundy, doesn’t get a real defense , he won’t win a NC. (not an Alabama defense, but at least a Top 20 defense) Eventually, he’ll play in another BCS game, maybe even a title game, and OSU will be up by 4 points with 5 minutes left and will have to get a big stop defensively to win. You can’t rely on missed FG’s to win games (ala OSU Stanford). Could this defense do it? Not likely, but Gundy will HAVE to get a defense that can or OSU won’t win it all. Take the best OSU defenders over the past 5 seasons playing on one team, and they’d be there.

It’s a sport. OSU fans understand Mike Gundy is a good coach and other schools will come after him. He turned it down for now. Everyone has disagreements with people they work with especially two leaders working together.

Neither Gundy, Holder, or Boone have publicly made a mockery of OSU like some media/journalists have.

Todd Monken left because he is a good head coach.
OSU is still a good university, has a good football program, and has the best basketball program in Oklahoma right now.

I think OSU, Holder, Gundy, Boone, and Ford are just doing fine and dandy.

Go Pokes!

Fact is he apparently was offered a chunk of change and then turned it down.

End of story.

Enough for me.

Second let me say. It is time to put this story to rest.

How about a story on Coach Travis Ford and his effort, on and off the court, to help bring the rowdy back to the GIA for example.

Jerry,

–Gina

As for the Heart Of Dallas Bowl, bowls are firstly about getting people to come and fill up hotels and eat out in bowl host cities. That’s just as much what they’re about as anything. So, there were reasons based on what school’s gone where the most recently that had something to do with the bowl OSU got. We’ll make this one work. And Purdue is not the pushover for OSU that some want to say. If the Boilermakers played Ohio State and Notre Dame close they can play and THEY will be motivated. Oklahoma State won’t win that game just by showing up.

Del Poke,

–Gina