Sooners football have fans abuzz: Is this the year? OU football: Caravan makes stop at National Cowboy Hall and Western Heritage Museum Sooners football have fans abuzz: Is this the year?
As Oklahoma rolls toward the 2008 season carrying reasons and high hopes for a national championship, one optimistic question keeps rising up:
Is this the year?
Advertisement
Can the Sooners claim title No. 8 in '08?
"I'm planning on it,” OU fan Sherry Nutley said Thursday night as the Sooner Caravan made its final stop at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum.
There's a buzz encircling this Sooner squad, one that amplified with Thursday night's gathering, complete with appearances by OU athletes and room-stirring speeches from Joe Castiglione, Jeff Capel, Sherri Coale and, of course, Bob Stoops.
Even Coale sounded like she could sense that special something in the air, glancing over her shoulder in response to a rollicking rendition of Boomer Sooner in the sold-out room full of Sooner fans.
"There's always a special excitement this time of year because football's about to start,” Coale said. "As you can hear in the background, it's like a good 'ol gospel revival going on.”
The good word: No. 1
"It's real possible,” said Charles Russell, a season ticket holder from Oklahoma City. "If the injuries are healed, the little nicks and bruises and whatever, I think they'll be great.”
As for concerns, Russell rolled the idea around in his head and failed to produce.
"There's really nothing not to like.”
Rhett Bolen, another season ticket holder from Oklahoma City, hesitated only slightly.
"Keep our linebackers healthy,” Bolen said. "If we can keep those guys healthy, that's my only concern right now.
"I think going into the season, you always have to say they're going to win it all. I definitely think they have the talent to. Sam Bradford has the skills. DeMarco Murray, I heard Bob Stoops comparing him to Adrian Peterson.
"They've got the talent. They have the coaches, definitely. I think they can go all the way.”
Stoops wouldn't go all the way in predicting such an ending, although he noted the target.
"We're always trying to pursue a national championship,” he said. "That's our ultimate goal.”
Even Stoops realizes things must come together. Luck always plays a part.
But with 14 starters back, led by Bradford and dominant offensive and defensive lines and talented skill players in all the right places, the ultimate goal is certainly realistic.
"We've got an exciting year ahead of us,” Stoops allowed.
Nutley, who's held season tickets for 39 years, is counting on it.
"I really think that it is the year,” she said. "I believe that we've got a really good chance, with the experience and the talent. If we can find a good kicker, which I think maybe we have. So a kicker and stay away from injuries. As far as I'm concerned, that's it.
"Our chances are good. I don't see anybody else that I think's better than we are. At least at this point. We'll have to go and do it. But I have high hopes for us. I want to be there at the end. Big 12 championship. National championship. I'll be there.”
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
Good news! It's the year of the Stoops! Bob Stoops will win the Big 12 and national championship without brother Mike. I'm a long time Arizona Wildcats fan here to tell you that finally after 4 years, Mike Stoops got the kind of players he wants on defense big, strong and fast enough to challenge for the Pac-10 title.
Do not believe the Wildcats 58th national ranking and prediction to finish 7th in the Pac-10. Mike Stoops'
offense coordinated by Sonny Dykes has 10 returning starters including QB Tuitama who led the Pac-10 in touchdown passes and "Money Mike who led the conference in touchdown receptions.
I am a long time Husker fan. I root for the Sooners though when they are not playing Nebraska. I see a lot of similarities between the two programs and I hope that we have found our Bob Stoops in Bo Pelini. Good luck this year, except for November 9th!
Does anyone but me realize that USC, good as they may be, has only won what two or three NC, even though they constantly get the cream of the 5-star crop? OU and Coach Stoops does a whole lot more with a whole lot less talent! That is what made Mizzou and Kansas so impressive last year.
Keep up the good work Sooners! You have made us all proud!
I raise a toast to Scott's comment and say proud to be!!! I will say this...I once heard that in 2000 Heupel stepped up and said aloud "I want to win a National Championship this year"...that inspired the team and to make a long story short, we one the NC that year. So it seems to me, that is what the team needs, someone to step up and say it...every day if need be...you have to believe you can do something before you can do it, and this team needs to believe that.
It is a long season, but at OU it seems like you always have a good shot. Maybe that is what brings out the haters. It is always the most entertaining time of the year for me. Go Sooners.
I won't be impressed until Stoops has shown that he can manage the psychology of this team, especially in bowl games. If Bradford steps to the plate and becomes the team leader, then maybe there's hope this year.
Not happening, folks. I am a long time OU fan and I enjoy watching them as much as the next fan but it's reality time. This team is not as good as last year. It lost a lot of talent (most of them would-be seniors). Bradford may play great but better than last year? How could he? They will probably lose 2 to 3 games. May still get to Big 12 for Missouri showdown. NC hopes are fine but not realistic.
I'm not getting my hopes up about a national championship. Sure it takes a good team, which OU has, but you also have to catch some breaks along the way. Many universities spend decades waiting for that one year when they even have a slight chance at a national championship. Coach Stoops has us in the hunt EVERY year and I don't think anybody can ask for anything more than that.
USC? they will be good, but they have no proven QB. While I told all my friends I will be a pessimist about OU football until they win a bowl game i'm still pretty excited for this year. If the secondary can play good, OU could win it all.
You just gotta LOVE this time of year, football BABY!!! I'm proud just being a Sooner fan, period. I wear my hat and fly my OU flag with pride. I just love wearing my Sooner stuff when I go up to Tennessee and visit my brother. All those Vol fans up there, they stop and ask me questions about OU. Now, those are some die hard fans as well. They don't get all hung up if they don't win the NC, they just love their team and proud to wear their gear. I truly believe OU represents Oklahoma, and has done so PROUDLY over the years, regardless of the final season results. Just to be at a level OU is at, speaks volumes about the team, coaching and fan commitment. We, as OU fans, have to stop from time to time and remember that and also remember that this is college football and all those variables is what makes this such a beloved and great sport.
I'll be very happy with a win over Texas and then the Big 12 championship. A NC would certainly be extra icing on the cake. I remember the Texas losses in the 60's and, as a child, wondered if OU had ever beaten Texas! I want the Texas kids to feel like I did! Another five wins in a row over Texas would be a dream to me.
Every year except 2005 has been "the year", that's what happens when you consistently have an elite team. We as OU fans got totally spoiled when Stoops won the NC in his 2nd year, it's just not a given every year and we should be grateful for 10-12 wins and big XII titles about every year, im only 25 but im old enough to remember what the mid 90s were like at owen field, and if anyone out there was a fan pre-Stoops then you guys will appreciate what a great program we have and stop the petty whining...*stepping off soapbox*
I'm a big OU fan but I'm telling you, watch USC. They are friggin loaded, as usual, and seem to play very well in the "big games". If they don't have injuries like they did last year, they're gonna be tough. I like OU's chances though.
No concerns??!!! How about the fact that our defensive coaches cannot scheme for bowl games? How about the loosest zone coverage in the nation. If history is any guide...which apparently it is not to some.
I would say the Sooners have one of the best chances they have had since 2000 to win a national championship. I think the biggest key is that the defense must step up to the plate this year. They have got to shut the opposing team's offense down. Don't give up alot of big plays as we have seen in the recent seasons past. As for the offense there has to be a balanced mix of running and passing to keep the opposing defenses off guard. As all these players getting in trouble, I say this: All new college players get the briefing on dos and don'ts, these big university coaches are not tolerating any outright defiance of those rules which I think is a good thing.I know the Sooners will represent the state proudly as they have always done! It is true that talking about a national championship now is really nothing but media hype, but it is great to hear positive talking going on in the Sooners camp after recent Fiesta Bowl results.
Been a Sooner fan since the early 70's, but have yet to put on crimson glasses. Hope they make the Championship game, but, like Stoops, I'll be happy with another B12 title.
Anyone who knows anything about college football has OU as one of the teams most capable of winning it all this year. So all you player haters shut up and watch the Sooners roll!!
Boomer Sooner Baby, Boomer Sooner!
Darrell, I'm sure you feel this way too, but remember, the referees gave Tech 1 of the wins. And A, seems like I remember a few of those games when Mike was here too.
Are we getting ahead just a little???? National Championship??? with first a dismissed player followed up by a player released for team rules from LSU and now on the Sooners???? Also players having off season surgery and linebackers that have had knee surgery trying to catch the likes of Missouri, Kansas, Texas Tech, Texas speed???? And your talking about a National Championship????? Not this year...
Hey "A", give it a rest will ya. Team will be fine and have another great season. Forget the "if's", do the "when's". The glass is half full, not half empty.
There are big "ifs" this year aside from the usual concerns about injuries messing things up. (1) IF OU gets by Texas it can go all the way and (2) IF the defense doesn't blow up and give up a 30-40 point game like they always do under Venables then OU can win another National Championship. They're that close in a year when there's no Super Team in the country.
Hopefully we can make it to Nov 22nd healthy and undefeated. Texas Tech has beat us the last 2 of 3 and Graham Harrell / Michael Crabtree are definitely going to force a shoot-out. I just hope we can hang with them. Get Memorial Stadium Rockin' this year Sooner fans!
OU football notebook 08/08/2008 Sooners snag ex-LSU lineman Former LSU offensive lineman Jarvis Jones has completed his transfer paperwork and has joined the OU football team, the...
Sooner Caravan notebook 08/08/2008 Coaches: making a connection OU women's basketball coach Sherri Coale and men's basketball coach Jeff Capel both said the Sooner Caravan was about...
31
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Do not believe the Wildcats 58th national ranking and prediction to finish 7th in the Pac-10. Mike Stoops'
offense coordinated by Sonny Dykes has 10 returning starters including QB Tuitama who led the Pac-10 in touchdown passes and "Money Mike who led the conference in touchdown receptions.
Thank you Sooners, for Mike Stoops.
Keep up the good work Sooners! You have made us all proud!
Boomer Sooner Baby, Boomer Sooner!
Boomer!!