Oklahoma Sooners sports blog from NewsOK.com

Archive for

OU Review: Examining K-State video with Stoops

 

CAMPUS CORNER — Hello, all. Yours truly forgot to DVR the game, somehow, so we’re going to go with similar format to last week, using Bob Stoops‘ TV show as our film study. With limited replays, I’ll lean heavily on Bob’s comments and thoughts and chime in with a few of my own.

Let’s gooooo …

**

Program starts with tribute to Bob Barry Sr. I’m sorry now that I never got a chance to meet him, though I had very little time. I’ve enjoyed today hearing from lots of folks about who he was and what sort of person he was. I love hearing about his passion and enthusiasm for his job. Those things mean something. Those things stand out, over time. I admire him for that, even if I never did meet him. We’re all richly blessed — and especially those of us in this business. Yeah, we might receive hateful emails or whatever, but I consider this a dream job, being here and covering this team. Sports — and football — mean as much to folks here as they mean to me, and that’s not something I take for granted. I would think that is something Mr. Barry could appreciate. Rest peacefully, sir. I know paradise is yours, so I should be the envious one.

Stoops: “… a wonderful man,  a true professional … full of character and class. I had a chance to work with him for 12 years. Couldn’t have been easier. … He’s just a likable guy and a true professional.”

**

Stoops: “I said to the team that it may be one of the most complete team victories we’ve had in a long time. So many different players contributed with consistent play, big plays.”

**

Stoops: “We all just hurt for Dom (Whaley). He’s such a good guy and a hard worker. … Our guys, rather than letting that deflate them, we just kept on with a lot of fight.”

**

Showing Whaley injury play now. Stoops walks over, grabs Whaley’s hand. An emotional sort of scene. Will Whaley be back for the spring? Stoops: “Yes, I would think so. … But it’s not fair for me to say. He was operated on here Sunday morning and we’ll see where it goes.”

**

Sooners marching down the field on their first possession. Finch just ripped off a long catch and run, making a terrific cut to pick up extra yardage. He’s adept at those sorts of things. Stoops: “I don’t know that we’ll have ‘a guy.’ We’ll use all of those guys. (Finch, Brennan Clay, Brandon Williams and Trey Millard) But Roy definitely is one of those guys.” This possession ends with rope from Landry Jones to Dejuan Miller.

**

Ryan Broyles is marked out at the 1, and then Blake Bell finishes off the drive with a 1-yard rushing TD. We’re calling it the BellBone or the Belldozer. Either way, I like it. Stoops: “Here, we ‘ve got a new wrinkle in, with some of our … Blake Bell’s about a 255-pound quarterback for us. He’s a redshirt freshman who can run some of these quarterback plays. We’re going to have a package where he can throw it, run it, do some things, as we move forward in short-yardage and goal-line situations.”

** END Q1: OU 14, KSU 3.

I literally blinked and missed the highlights to make it 17-14, KSU. I never saw the TDs to make that official. Collin Klein, responsible for them, is a really impressive runner. Can’t throw worth much, but he’ll keep the chains moving with his legs. Thought Corey Nelson‘s postgame quote about him was telling about the fact that he’s a deceptively talented guy.

**

Broyles just turned a nothing bubble screen into about 15 yards. No mention of it on coach’s show, but that’s play that gave Broyles the Big 12 receiving yards record.

**

Stoops on Jones, after Jaz Reynolds makes two sensational catches to get into the end zone to give OU the lead for good: “Excellent. Sensational. You know, 35 for 47 for 505 yards, that’s pretty special.”

**

I didn’t see Jones’ first INT shown, though Stoops said that one was on Trey Franks for not coming back to help. The second is shown, and Stoops says it’s a combo of Jones underthrowing the pass and Kenny Stills falling down trying to come back. As it is, it’s an easy pick for Nigel Malone, his second of the day.

**

Inexplicable that John Hubert fumbles in the last minute of the half. How does that even happen? Stoops points out that Ronnell Lewis had a chance to return it if he fielded it cleanly, but he bobbles the ball and has to pounce on it.

**

Stoops complimentary of Michael Hunnicutt‘s 53-yard field goal, “which just barely got over.” Stoops acknowledges the wind behind him, as well. He obviously didn’t hit that one well, but it got through.

** END Q2: OU 23, KSU 17

Center Gabe Ikard looks like a giant nerd with his glasses. I can say this, as a giant nerd. Ikard (says OL has given up 2 sacks, but it’s 3): “As a unit, we’ve kept people off Landry. That’s why he puts up those big numbers that he does.”

**

Stoops: “We said at halftime, ‘Look, we’re really close here. We’ve been moving the ball, offensively. Defensively, we got out of position a few times, missed some tackles, but we we’re in good shape, here.’”

**

Stoops said in beginning of show K-State had 16 total yards in the second half. I wasn’t sure where that came from. Dean Blevins says, correctly, that it was 32 for the Wildcats. Either way, strong showing — much like, as Joe Castiglione mentioned to me after the game — the second half against Kansas. Except Purple Kansas is obviously a much tougher foe. Lots of good vibes postgame. (Except for a bunch of noise and difficulty for us getting our interviews done.)

**

No comment from Stoops on Frank Alexander stepping on Klein. Replay sort of cut off, but Stoops is talking about tackles for loss and sacks (like Texas game). Not saying Stoops should have, but I know Alexander felt as if he had to defend himself on Twitter in light of people accusing him of doing it on purpose. My feeling is it was not intentional, considering Alexander almost fell down after stepping on Klein. Still, I think post-tackle celebrations have gotten way out of hand. At the least, Alexander wasn’t aware enough of what he was doing — much the same as lot of other defenders who are imitating what they see after NFL sack dances.

**

Nothing, also, for Kellen Jones shoving down the K-State player. That, to me, looked intentional. Sooners were fortunate not to be penalized on that one, of the three that had Wildcats fans upset. (Soon after, Corey Nelson holds up Klein after they ran out of bounds together. Good overturn by the officials.)

**

Stoops on Clay, who didn’t play much: “Yeah, Brennan’s really about over the hump now. He’s had a little banged-up, but he’s starting to get back to full strength and we need him to.”

**

Tight end James Hanna picks up big yardage on a nice route to on third-and-5 to get inside the 10-yard line. Stoops: “Yeah, they’re good players. We need to keep working them in and people have to defend them, as well.”

**

There’s Reynolds’ second TD, the one-handed catch from 8 yards out. Stoops: “There’s a great catch from Jaz Reynolds. And it shows what a good ball it is, too, when you can stick one hand out, a tight spiral you can snatch with one hand. It’s just good hands.”

**

Finch just took off on his 31-yard TD. Man, is he ever hard to tackle. He must have had some pretty terrible practice habits earlier in the year to not even get on the field at Florida State. Or get a touch, anyway. Appeared to be good blocking up front, but Finch does a lot on his own — which is why, despite what Stoops said, he’ll at least be the feature back the rest of the way (presuming he can be durable).

**

Stoops on Adam Shead at LG: “Yeah, he’s playing really well. Every week he plays, he’s recognized as having a winning level. He’s been grading out in a winning way, so he’s doing well.” An interesting note as Ben Habern at least nears a return. Sounds like Baylor when he could be back at guard. Why rush it, if Ikard and Shead are playing well?

**

Tony Jefferson with a sack — one of two for who I consider OU’s defensive MVP (not best, mind you, but most valuable). Never got anyone to acknowledge on the record his knee tweak, but he was limping after the tackle and then Alexander picked him up and slammed him down.

** EQ3: OU 44, KSU 17

I really like watching Tom Wort play ball. Kid flies all around the field, shows genuine emotion. It’s not look-at-me emotion. It’s just a product of a guy who appears to be having a good time doing what he does. Take a sack early in the fourth quarter, with OU leading 51-17. He nudges Klein out of bounds and then gives Klein a big slap on the rear. It was something subtle, but it was a sign of respect, to me. Wort’s growing up before our very eyes. Like I wrote in the Morning-After Blog, we learned, from Texas Tech to K-State, just how valuable Wort’s physical presence is.

Three plays, three sacks on this particular K-State possession.

**

Does anyone have a more boring unbelievable game than Broyles? I don’t mean that in a bad way, either. I’ve never seen a guy with more career games that seem to lull you to sleep. Stoops even said something like that after the opener. Broyles has flirted with his 15-catch single-game record — twice gotten to 14 this season. There’s still time. He’s also about 500 yards from the NCAA career yards mark now, too. That looks likely, given the remaining opponents.

**

Millard just embarked on his 61-yard TD. Stoops: “He can run, catch … he can do it all. He’s a good football player.” You know, this is a really good-looking run. He starts left and then cuts back, making a high-step move as he goes. Millard deserves more carries as a TB, see what he can do with them. Some would argue you’re taking out one of your better blockers. Yeah, maybe. But not if you create mismatches with how you align your personnel. It’s all about outsmarting the other guy.

I love that Trent Ratterree comes along and picks up the ball in the end zone after Millard scored. JUST in case. Seriously, though, that’s a great hustle play. You never know when something like that could turn into something big in a game down the line. Good for Ratterree, too, scoring earlier in the quarter.

** Final: OU 58, KSU 17

Stoops: “It’s pleasing to play that well in a game where you have to play that well.”

**

Stoops: “It’s one week, and the players really did play with the good effort and a lot of discipline. … That’s what needs to happen. … To come in and play that well was pleasing, but we’ve got to do it again.”

**

Stoops on A&M: “You know what everyone doesn’t factor into that, is they’ve (lost games) late in the fourth quarter. They’ve had a great opportunity. … They’re always a very good football team. It’s a team that everyone realizes just beat us a year ago.”

**

Stoops on practice, given the Texas Tech loss (still): “Well, I would sure think so. It ought to be obvious that you have to play well to win at home.”

= Trav

---

Sunday afternoon notes: A&M game time, polls

 

CAMPUS CORNER — Back in the saddle to let everyone know that ESPN/ABC/Big 12 has told us the Texas A&M game will be a 2:30 p.m. CT start on ABC/ESPN. That means Oklahoma State’s home game against Kansas State will be a 7 p.m. CT kick.

It will be Oklahoma’s first — and last — home day game of the year, in the penultimate home game of the year. After this week, only Iowa State on Nov. 26 (7 p.m.) remains at Owen Field. It’s OU’s second consecutive 2:30 p.m. kickoff after all night games and an 11 a.m. start in the Red River game.

OU up two in polls: The 58-17 win at Kansas State, along with Georgia Tech’s upset of Clemson, was enough to get the Sooners back up to seventh in both the Associated Press and coaches’ polls. Oklahoma is not too far behind No. 6 Oregon, which plays No. 4/3 Stanford on Nov. 12.

The bottom line: We’ve learned that if OU keeps winning, the Sooners aren’t out of this entirely. Stanford, which needed three overtimes to defeat Southern Cal last night, presents a problem if it keeps winning. The Cardinal, however, has tests against the Ducks, Notre Dame and (likely, in the conference title game) Arizona State remaining. And then there’s the Bama-LSU loser. What becomes of that team after this week’s game?

Would not at all be a surprise if OU were sixth tonight when the BCS standings are announced. And the Sooners are perhaps a hair from being fifth a week after losing at home. This thing’s not over just yet.

Condolences: Folks from around the country are weighing in to express their sympathy for the Barry family after the death of OU broadcasting legend Bob Barry Sr. My thoughts, also, with his friends and family. I never had a chance to meet Senior, but I know all the things I’ve heard about him as a person and professional. I’ve met and spoken with Junior a handful of times, so my thoughts with him, certainly.

OU president David Boren statement on Barry: “Bob Barry represented the best of the Sooner spirit. With his enthusiasm, he was one of the best sports broadcast journalists in the entire nation. He was loved by Oklahomans all across our entire state and will be missed by all of us.”

OU coach Bob Stoops on Barry: “We send condolences to Bob’s family and thank them for sharing him with us for so many years. I know this is a difficult time for them, but hope they can find comfort in a life well-lived and the love of countless fans all over the country.”

= Trav

---

Morning-after blog: Sooners rebound on road, win by 41

 

CAMPUS CORNER — Just back from the Little Apple. Some thoughts before I hit the sack. Better now than whenever I wake up tomorrow, er, today … or whatever.

Travis Lewis called this a must-win earlier in the week. And it was, if OU had any designs on getting back in the national title discussion. The Sooners inched closer to again being in it, thanks to Clemson’s toe-stump at Georgia Tech (one of the few things I correctly picked this weekend). Stanford nearly got the Sooners back up to fifth in the BCS. A week after being blasted at home by Texas Tech, OU is definitely up to seventh and possibly even sixth.

Speaking of Texas Tech … what the heck? How do you go from scoring 41 in Norman in a win to having 41 scored on you at home by Iowa State? That has to be one of the more confusing game outcomes this season, given what happened the previous week. I mean, I’ve heard of letdowns and all that … but losing 41-7 to a below-average team on your home field? I don’t even get how that happens. Embarrassing. And it did no wonders for OU, either — in perception and likely in the polls/computers, as well.

A lot of folks, myself included, kind of figured Kansas State was in over its head, undefeated and ranked eighth in the BCS entering Saturday’s game. It sure didn’t appear to be a good matchup on paper — and it wasn’t. OU’s speed vs. K-State’s slow, plodding ways … it wasn’t a good fit, no matter where the game was played. Unfortunately for Bill Snyder and his guys, this could get worse. OSU figures to do something similar to KSU next week. And it still has Texas A&M and Texas on the schedule. Uh oh. Hope the Manhatters enjoyed 7-0 while it lasted. Just from what I gathered in our day or so in the area, I think everyone recognized what this team was and what it wasn’t. If it wasn’t sure … Saturday served up a pretty harsh dose of reality.

Beautiful breezy fall day and I enjoyed the tailgate and pregame scenes at K-State. Then the game started, OU racing to the 14-0 lead, losing it to trail by three — and then scoring the final 44 points of the ballgame. Weird first half that turned into a Sooners showcase in the second half.

Offensive star: Josh Heupel. Yes, this is rather unconventional, but hear me out. We’ve dogged the dude some for being stubborn and unimaginative in the red zone. Let’s give him credit now. The Sooners are doing new and different things, and especially near the goal line. Breaking out third-team QB Blake Bell to go with the jumbo look of Trey Millard and Aaron Ripkowski was a wrinkle I really liked. Showed some ingenuity and uniqueness. Is the single wing unique for college football? Heck, no. But for a team that has Landry Jones? Absolutely.

That one set — an easy TD run for Bell, by the way — showed me OU isn’t afraid to adapt when things aren’t working. Now, should this have happened before a loss? Sure. But better late thabonn never. At least Heupel and OU have stopped banging their heads against the wall trying to run I-formation with great predictability once inside the 10. Even last week, the jumbo was broken out — even if the play wasn’t executed. I seriously hope the Sooners don’t abandon the “BellBone” just because he bobbled on the read fake handoff. It happens. Try it again, whenever you need a yard or 2. (Yes, I came up with “BellBone” on our ride home. Like it?)

One more credit-Heupel moment: Think how much of the gameplan had likely been built, in some capacity, for Dom Whaley, who was hurt on the first play of the game. And, yet, adjustments were made and Roy Finch became the feature back, with some success. And then Millard goes rumbling for a 61-yard score. Even without Whaley, the offense didn’t crumble.

Fine, one more credit for Heupel: Even after Jones had tossed two interceptions (one was Trey Franks‘ fault, Bob Stoops said afterward), Jones came back to have a great game and set a bunch of records. Jones’ attitude is a product, to some extent, of how Heupel has coached him for the past three years. This was a great example of Jones staying the course, even in the face of adversity. Kind of like Bedlam last year — which was his previous passing high, by no coincidence.

(Honorable mention: Ryan Broyles. The quietest 14-catch, 171-yard game you’re ever, ever going to see. He’s a special one, this guy. He’s about 500 yards behind the NCAA career record. It’s a matter of when, not if, at this point. Five games remain — A&M, Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and the bowl game. He can get there.)

Defensive star: Tom Wort. I think we understand by now what this guy means to the defense. Two different offenses in Texas Tech and K-State, I know, but he’s a presence. I think he’s OU’s best linebacker, and others – including many in that locker room – share the opinion. Wort had a tackle and a sack on KSU’s first possession, and it was like, ‘OK, this guy’s back.’ He immediately impacted the game. And he’s emotional. I like that in a defense. It’s not like a celebrating big plays kind of emotional; it’s more of this raw, reckless energy. It seems positive from where I sit. I think it’s probably infectious for his teammates. (Lo and behold, I go to SoonerSports.com, and there’s a pic of Wort going nuts on the main page.)

Wort had two of the team’s seven sacks. Felt like OU had 17 – in the second half.

(Honorable mention: Aaron Colvin. No kidding that K-State is no passing wonder. But credit Colvin, who has slid over to boundary corner now for a game and a half. He’s made it possible to get the best lineup out there when Jamell Fleming isn’t healthy. Good to know that card’s in your hip pocket if you need it.)

Special teams star: Millard. I swear, without this dude, OU would have given up a half-dozen kickoffs this year. Whatever he’s doing, he should teach his teammates. This is a tight end/fullback who knows how to tackle very well in the open field. Sooooo …

*****

OK, now for a few things we learned …

We learned … K-State is not in fact the eighth-best team in the country. It was a nice story — “was” being the key word at play there. The Wildcats aren’t fast enough on either side of the ball and leaning on a running QB for just about all your offense isn’t going to pan out so well. (Although Nebraska’s making a decent run of it.) Still, let’s not completely diminish what the Sooners did. They went on the road, which has sometimes been treacherous, and destroyed a team that had managed to stay undefeated until Oct. 29. That’s not all bad. It fits into the quality-win category, I’d say.

We learned … some weeks, for some reason, Kenny Stills just won’t play as much. I asked receivers coach Jay Norvell about this after the game, and he said there was nothing wrong with Stills, whose snaps in the first half seemed limited. He said Trey Franks and Dejuan Miller had been practicing well and OU wanted to rotate more receivers in, to stay fresh. Still, Stills wasn’t on the field for several third downs in the first half. He just about beat Texas by himself in one-on-ones. It’s hard to figure. Watch that in the coming weeks, see if it’s an aberration or a trend.

We learned … bad things happen to good people. The Whaley injury, when we saw the replay, was horrifying. Such a fluke, too. Whaley was out wide blocking for Finch when Arthur Brown (whose name was hardly called today, by the way) fell into Whaley’s leg. Just like that, the fairy tale has ended for the year. I really hope Bob announces this week that Whaley will go on scholarship in December/January. Why wouldn’t you? Freaking reward the kid. He even seemed to have a great attitude after it happened. He calmly shook his head after being loaded on the back of a cart. He got back to the sideline, on crutches, as soon as he could. He stayed until the end of a 41-point win. Everything you see and hear, he sure seems like a quality dude. Hate to see his season end like that. Hope he bounces back.

We learned … if there are gale-force winds blowing behind Michael Hunnicutt, he can hit a 50-plus-yard field goal. His 53-yarder to end the first half went through by a few inches, seemed like. After the crushing late miss last week, it was a good bounce back for Hunnicutt. He did have a PAT blocked, but that appeared to partly be a line issue (though the kick seemed low). I’ll have to watch that on video tomorrow.

We learned … there are literally crazy K-State fans that harass visiting media after games. Some guy we’ve since dubbed “Wildcat Willie” decided he would introduce himself to us as we tried to shoot postgame video. Berry suggested that perhaps the psychedelic era was very good to this fella. I made a joke that he should get in the video shot in my place — and he did. We had to eventually inform him we were joking. Oh, those pranksters up in the purple portion of Kansas.

Enough for now … Night, all …

= Trav

---

Game notes from OU’s 58-17 win at K-State

 

---

Halftime thoughts: Sooners 23, K-State 17

 

LITTLE APPLE, Kan. — I’m entitling this halftime compilation “Things That Boggle the Mind.”

This game, so far, has been an exercise of the bizarre. The Sooners lead 23-17, and I’m unsure whether they’re fortunate or unfortunate to have that six-point lead. Because of …

** Dom Whaley breaks his ankle on the first play of the game, blocking for Roy Finch. Fluke play. Just had someone, Wildcats LB Arthur Brown I think, roll into it. Whaley’s body language, shaking his head as he was carted off, told the story. That’s clearly a big loss. Brennan Clay (pinched nerve in neck) doesn’t appear to be playing today, leaving the load to Finch.

Freshman Brandon Williams was in for a play, but lost 5 yards and hasn’t been seen since. He tried to get to the outside and failed. Williams probably needs another shot in the second half.

** Blake Bell scored the first TD for OU on a new goal-line and short-yardage package.  It’s a jumbo kinda deal, with FBs Aaron Ripkowski and Trey Millard both in on the same play. It worked to get the Sooners into the end zone, but it hasn’t gone as well on third-and-shorts. A Bell fumble (he recovered) signaled the end of that experiment — for now, anyway. I like the creativity involved, though. OU’s coaches, most notably OC Josh Heupel, is working to provide solutions in short-yardage situations. Again, a lot of this has to do with poor execution.

** Landry Jones is again off. Unsure why, though a stiff wind – blowing about 20 mph from the south to north – probably isn’t helping. He’s made poor decisions and throws in the first half. Jones had two first half interceptions. The Sooners had slipped to minus-7 in turnovers since the Texas game until an improbable fumble by John Hubert in the final minute of the half.

** Hubert’s fumble set up a 53-yard field goal by Michael Hunnicutt. That’s right, a 53-yarder. It was the longest OU kick since Garrett Hartley hit a 53-yarder against Utah State in 2007. That stiff wind was a big aid to the kick, which barely cleared the crossbar. KSU’s kicker, Anthony Cantele, hit a 54-yarder in the same direction earlier in the half. But Cantele later missed a 25-yarder in the opposite direction. Go figure.

OK, time for the second half …

= Trav

---

Powre Lunch: Chat with Travis Haney

---

Big 12 wish list: How would I get to …? How much would it cost?

 

CAMPUS CORNER — While the Big 12 seems to have no idea 1) what to do or 2) what it’s doing, it doesn’t stop us from a little geographical research about the prospects.

Alphabetically …

Brigham Young

Location: Provo, Utah

Distance from Norman: 1,115 miles (18h56m by car)

Getting there:

Fly

Frontier

Departs OKC – 2:35 p.m. CT

Arrives SLC – 4:06 p.m. MT

NONSTOP!

$294

Drive

45 miles (55m)

Thoughts: Wow, this makes me want BYU to come into the league. I’ve heard good things about Salt Lake City. You can also fly into Provo, if you stop in Denver. That rate was less than $400. So lots of flight options, reasonably priced. And you gain an hour going, too.

***

Louisville

Location: Louisville, Ky.

Distance from Norman: 777 miles (12h23m by car)

Getting there:

Fly

American

Departs OKC – 6 a.m. CT

Arrives SDF – 10:50 a.m. ET

Stops in Dallas

$355

Thoughts: Good price, relative to other spots, but very few flights out. The later ones were a bit more expensive, but not crazy.

***

South Florida

Location: Tampa, Fla.:

Distance from Norman: 1,270 miles (21h06m by car)

Getting there:

Fly

Continental

Departs OKC – 1:33 p.m. CT

Arrives TPA – 6:44 p.m. ET

Stops in Houston

$503

Thoughts: Again, costly. And few flights to take, so these would fill up in the event of a football weekend. Southwest had plenty of options, considering both are SWA cities – but the cheapest was more than $600. That could be a better option with advance purchasing.

***

West Virginia

Location: Morgantown, W.Va.

Distance from Norman: 1,140 miles (18h49m by car)

Getting there:

Fly

Delta

Departs OKC – 10:21 a.m. CT

Arrives PIT – 4:45 p.m. ET

Stops in Atlanta

$508

Drive

80 miles (1h34m)

Thoughts: Pricey, but the flight schedule is pretty convenient. Plenty of options throughout the day, all for about the same price.

 

* For airfare, used Nov. 18-20 as dates.

 

I love Tampa, so that would be my No. 1 choice, personally. But this did make me think a bit more fondly about BYU. And we know the Big 12 is considering both Louisville and West Virginia, naturally.

What a wild ride, this realignment stuff.

= Trav

---

Big 12 will be just fine

For all the hand-wringing about what’s going to happen to the poor old Big 12, the conference might be as strong as any league in the country when the merry-go-round finally stops.

No longer on life support, the Big 12 will make a complete recovery.

Adding West Virginia and TCU isn’t hitting a home run like adding Notre Dame or Arkansas. But those weren’t options. If you have to “settle for” the Mountaineers and Horned Frogs, that’s two pretty solid football programs to “settle for.”

Yes, the Horned Frogs don’t play in a mammoth stadium. No, TCU doesn’t have a gigantic fan following. Nor do the Horned Frogs bring a ton of TV sets. But they did win the Rose Bowl last year.

West Virginia was scrambling just to find a home. But it’s a quality program. The primary issue with West Virginia is the Mountaineers are a million miles from Oklahoma and Texas.

Losing Nebraska was a big blow. No argument. The Cornhuskers are an elite football program. Big loss.

Losing Texas A&M wasn’t good. But if the Aggies want to get away from Texas that badly, and think a few extra million dollars a year is worth severing natural rivalries their fans can drive to, good luck with that.

Missouri is similar to A&M. Even worse. Since 1928, the Tigers have played in the Big Six, Big Seven, Big Eight, Big 12. Leaving an 83-year tradition is just crazy.

Colorado was no big loss. The Buffaloes are a perfect example how hard it is to survive playing football in the Big 12. During the Big Eight days, Colorado was a major player. In the Big 12, they were a low budget afterthought that occasionally won the weak North.

Despite being read its last rites a couple of times, the Big 12 might end up being the best conference in the nation if you combine football and men’s basketball. If you need a tiebreaker baseball and women’s basketball are pretty stout.

The Big 12, or any other league for that matter, probably won’t end the SEC’s recent football dominance. Alabama and LSU appear to be the best two teams.

But the Big 12 can play some football, too. The reason the conference is No. 1 in the computer ratings is the league went 27-3 in non-conference play.

Being a Big 12 football coach is a challenge. Each Saturday you’re usually preparing to play Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas Tech and Missouri. Texas is down. But if the Longhorns are the No. 8 team it speaks volumes about the league. Iowa State even pulls off an occasional upset.

Adding West Virginia and TCU, Big 12 football shouldn’t drop off from this year’s revised 10-team version. Basketball might suffer slightly but should be good most years.

I haven’t blogged much on conference realignment the past 18 months because it’s a subject that detracts from players, coaches and games, which is why we turn on televisions every Saturday each fall.

The Big 12 isn’t the same. It’s not as good as the Nebraska days. But that ship sailed long ago.

After months of consternation on what might happen to the Big 12 when the merry-go-round finally stops it will be a conference that might stack up with any league in the country.

---

OU review: Tech shocks Sooners

 

CAMPUS CORNER — I’m still feeling rough, so, in lieu of the full video review, I’m going to track my thoughts as I watch Bob Stoops‘ TV show. I’ll also file some of Bob’s thoughts, too, as he offers them.

Stoops: “They handily beat us in every part of the game. … We’re down 31-7; that’s too much. Give Tech the credit. They came in here and totally, you know, beat us in all facets of the game.”

**

Dean Blevins just asked Bob, simply … Why?

Stoops: “They beat our coverage, consistently. Their quarterback put the ball in spots they could catch it and they caught it. They didn’t drop it. Their front blocked us better than we defended it, when they ran it.

“Offensively, same thing. They covered us better than we were able to get open. Or we misfired, don’t get the ball there. We didn’t run the ball nearly consistently enough. It all leads to losing. That’s what it does. Again, they did the job and we didn’t.

“There’s no excuses about rain. They played in it as well. At the end of the day, they made the plays when they had opportunities through the night and we didn’t make enough of them.”

**

Stoops doesn’t mention it, but the opening kickoff went back to nearly midfield. Wrong foot on which to start for OU.

**

Dean brings up the injuries, the D being without DT Casey Walker, LB Tom Wort and CB Jamell Fleming. Stoops: “Yeah, that was the case.” And then he describes the first Tech touchdown, on the inside screen — “a play they consistently run,” Stoops said. “They executed a heck of a lot better than we were able to defend it.”

**

Stoops on Dom Whaley missing the game: “Dominique had a bad bug on Friday, kind of knocked him out, just sick the day and night. We tried to IV him Saturday, but we just couldn’t. He was too weak to play.”

**

Roy Finch‘s first-down run, for 55 yards, was really, really impressive. He had a couple of OK blocks, but he took what should have been a 5-yard gain and turned it into 55, with his moves and speed and elusiveness. Interesting that he was never even tackled, just sort of slung out of bounds.

**

Stoops, even after a three-and-out: “We didn’t cover very well. I thought our coverage was really, really poor.”

**

Stoops notes the early missed tackles, especially in run defense — or on screens.

**

Stoops: “Corey (Nelson) did OK. He needs to play better. I’m not going to say he had a very good game.”

**

Stoops notes the run or screen plays where the Sooners had second-and-short and wound up losing yardage that made it third-and-long. Why? “Just poor blocking. Our offensive line and tight ends really did a poor job. They beat us. And at times we blocked the wrong guy and at times we just get beat and a guy overwhelms us and we just get beat. Either way, they’re beating us up front.” (Missing Ben Habern (arm) and Austin Haywood (hip) worth noting there, in the run game. Habern could be back this week or next, Haywood is unknown.)

**

Stoops on drops: “(Landry Jones) had some drops, but he also had some misfires, where he wasn’t nearly as accurate as he usually is, a lot of low balls, after the catch … out in front of people, out behind, just wasn’t as accurate as he usually is. Together, with some of the drops, regardless of what the numbers say, it was a poor night and they lead you to be behind at one point 31-7.”

**

Start of the second quarter, highlight of the missed 39-yard field goal to the left by Michael Hunnicutt. No real commentary from Stoops, who is sounding more and more downtrodden as this continues.

**

On TD to put Tech ahead 14-7, Frank Alexander and Kellen Jones (yes, he played quite a bit) overpursued the handoff on the zone read and Seth Doege, despite bobbling the ball, has the speed to run it in.

**

On Ryan Broyles fumble, just a nice play by the Tech safety, D.J. Johnson, to take the ball from him. So surprising to see.

**

Dean asks Stoops about switch later in the game, moving Aaron Colvin to corner for Gabe Lynn, who struggled in place of Fleming. Stoops: “Uh, yeah, we switched it up a little bit, got Sam Proctor in there.” Nothing else.

**

Stoops still can’t believe the WR screen beat them again, just like the first. “This is where the whole game really got away from us.”

**

Down 24-7 at the half, what did Stoops say to team: “Just about having some character. There’s a lot of football left to be played, an entire half. Look what they did in a half. We can mount a comeback and win. Let’s show the character to do that.”

Then a three-and-out and a Tech TD …

**

Then it’s the Lynn nightmare. He’s beaten on a deep ball down the left side, beaten by two steps … he makes a big hit and gets called for a personal foul … and then he’s beaten on the fade to the right rear pylon. Talk about picking on a player. Feel for him in this spot. In frustration, he pokes the ball away from the Tech player. Fortunate, maybe, to not get another personal foul and give OU poor field position, already down 31-7.

Stoops: “We didn’t locate the football. We’re down on the 10-yard line; we’re not supposed to be up bumping the line. We’re supposed to sit back and play the fade, locate the ball. But we’re up bumping.” (OU on offense; Stoops still talking about pass D) “You really have no chance on that play if you can’t see the football. You’re either going to interfere or give up a touchdown.”

**

Jones to Stills on what Stoops calls a post wheel route. Stills bobbles but hangs on for the 58-yard score to “give us some life.”

**

Lynn beaten again on another deep ball. Same play. Same coverage, two steps off his man. This was the end of his night, when Colvin moved over.

**

JaMarkus McFarland and Ronnell Lewis were key in the fourth-and-1 stop that gave OU even more life. McFarland got straight through and disrupted the play and Lewis, wearing No. 12, made the tackle. Big play. Tommy Tuberville probably should have kicked there, to make it 34-14.

**

Here’s the Sooners’ red zone hiccup. Second-and-goal at the 1. Trey Millard, even if he didn’t fumble, would have lost 2 yards because he was met immediately. He compounds it with the fumble. Complete whiff by Lane Johnson on the right side, even with the overloaded line. Stoops: “This is just horrible execution. … Now we’re third-and-5. That’s just really poor execution, blocking.” (At that point, in 23 goal-to-go trips, 14 touchdowns) Still, it’s only 31-17 Tech. Plenty of time, momentum in OU’s favor.

**

Fake punt was another silly call that cost TT momentum. Just punt and play D with a two-touchdown lead. Even if it works, you’ve still only got the ball at your own 40. Reward too low for the risk involved. Flip the field.

**

Back in the red zone, Sooners start the fourth quarter with first-and-goal at the 3. Good throw by Jones, under pressure, to find Millard. That’s then solution when teams load up against the run in the box — like they have been all year. A first-down touchdown. No sweating on third or fourth downs as to what to do.

Sooners cut the lead to seven.

**

Stoops talking about his disappointment about the inability to get a stops on FG and, later, TD drives. Tech’s first touchdown drive since its first possession of the second half.

**

Great catch in the back of the end zone by Tech, but Demontre Hurst was beaten twice on this drive. Stoops: “Again, we didn’t know where the ball was in the air.”

**

Landry’s ability to move and throw on the run a few times impressed me in this game. He had a couple of nice throws on the run, on scramble plays, on the FG and TD drives to cut into the lead. He played with more urgency. A pretty tough-nosed run on fourth-and-3 to keep OU alive at all in the game.

**

I know Hunnicutt winds up missing the kick soon after, but it’s a good thing for Stoops that the Sooners converted fourth-and-3 on the OU 23. If you don’t, and you don’t pick it up and give yourself a chance to kick/tie the game, you open yourself up to a lot of criticism. Ron Zook did the same thing last week at Illinois. That, to me, says he has no faith in Hunnicutt. Don’t you think it says the same thing to Hunnicutt, too, as he then trots on to the field for a shorter kick?

**

Replay skips Reynolds having a chance to catch the third down pass for a touchdown. Jones threw it hard, but you’ve got to catch it.

**

Hunnicutt then misses off the upright. “Michael Hunnicutt’s been very good for us for the last three or four games. In the moment right there, (he) just pushed it a little bit, hit the upright. Still a two-possession game.”

Then Stoops throws Jones under the bus a little bit?

“But you know what, before that, we had Ryan Broyles breaking open in the post for a touchdown and we overthrow him. And that’s to a fifth-year senior and an experienced quarterback, who have been in that position. When we have other opportunities in that drive — on second down, third down  — to get the ball in, and we didn’t get it in.”

**

What’s up with the Tech lineman running over to where Stoops and Tuberville were shaking hands to do “guns up?” Lonnie Edwards, a senior from Brownsboro, Texas, comes out of nowhere to enter the shot and do the gesture. Was he trying to get on camera? Do it near Stoops? Either way, strange.

**

Rough night for Sooners, obviously. Stoops: “We’ll see how they respond. … When I say outplayed, I mean outcoached and outperformed. We’re all in it together. We were just badly outplayed for a good part of that game.

“I did respect the fact that no one quit, we kept fighting and got within three. … We’ve got a lot to work on. Hopefully we’ll have some character, some maturity in how we move forward — in being a better football team, being more prepared. It’s up to us as coaches to have them more prepared and them be willing to accept it and get it done on the field. There’s a lot more we need to do before we go play a great team, go to Manhattan.”

= Trav

---

OU-Texas Tech Live Chat Recap

---

Powered by Wordpress | WP Premium theme by WP Remix
Copyright 2007. OU Sports. All rights reserved

• Home
• RSS Feed
• NewsOK | OU Sports
• NewsOK | 2011 Season Recap
• NewsOK | Signing Day 2012
• NewsOK | Sports