Did Saturday’s loss to Texas snuff out thoughts and hopes that this might be the year for national championship No. 8?
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Didn’t even dent them. Another week like the one we just had and the Sooners could be wearing No. 1 again in six days.
With three of the top four teams all going down, OU slipped just three slots to No. 4. With seven weeks to play in what has become a volatile college football landscape, it’s a good bet the Sooners still control their own destiny.
Are the Oklahoma coaches officially concerned about their running game?
There’s no panic, but yes, there’s concern.
The Sooners netted just 48 rushing yards against Texas. And feature back DeMarco Murray, continuing recent struggles, ran for six yards on seven attempts.
Opponents are committed to stopping the run first against OU, and the Sooners are succeeding through the air, but their coaches stress balance. And will continue to seek it.
Will Ryan Reynolds give it another go and endure rehab yet again in an effort to return from a third major knee surgery, or have we seen the last of the gutsy linebacker?
Reynolds didn’t speak with the media after Saturday’s game to offer any insight.
"We expect him to, though,” said defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "If anybody can do it, he can — mentally and physically.”
This is a decision that may take some time, allowing Reynolds to sort through the raw emotions before considering his future.
"It’s incredibly disappointing and heart wrenching for him,” said OU coach Bob Stoops.
Will Saturday’s shootout go down as one of the best in 103-year history of Red River rivals?
Depends on if you like your horns up, or down.
"It’s probably the best one I’ve ever coached in,” said Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis. "I thought the 2005 one (a 45-12 Texas win) was pretty nice, too, because I could have a Diet Coke in the fourth quarter.”
This one offered a lot: high stakes, huge plays, back-and-forth momentum swings and star quarterbacks playing like stars.
What it lacked, however, was last-minute drama.
That factor, according to our man Berry Tramel (see his blog), keeps it outside the Top 10 all-time.
By John Helsley
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Anyone that believes OU is a #4 team is blind aned stupid. First the polls are really the crap in a crap shoot. This team has serious problems on offense,special teams, the heart of the team. The defense was damaged by the loss of a very good player. That should not have happened if Venables had prepared correctly but we have seen his style for awhile. The major problem is we are becoming a one dimensional team ala the WAC. I like the pass game we have developed but Wilson has some kind of power over Stoops to convince him that a pass only offense can win the B12CG or the NC. We have no running game because we have no blockers. My biggest complaints about this are to Loadholt, Robinson and Gresham. Big large guys who are afraid to hit anyone. They haven't manned-up at all. As long as OU has lineboys such as these they will never have a running game and therefore no balanced attack. Helsley is blind as well, UT did not stack the box ever and they totally stuffed the running game. Lastly how many pass happy teams have ever won an NC. NONE. OU #4 my butt!
Hey B.T., Looks like you win one this time, heh heh. And for Brian in Lawton...put the bong down dude and get yer writer straight. By the way Brian...Tramel is still one of the best out there. You should have to read the local Tulsa rag...and it just went up to $.75!
We'll take B.T. in Tulsa anytime...just my opinion...
All I Want for Christmas is MIKE STOOPS BACK!(in Norman) I want Mike & Brent back together. They were GREAT as co-D cordinators. I am sending my letter to Santa.
I still dont understand ripping Kevin Wilson? I have thought the offense has been explosive and imaginative all year. They have never been held under 35 points this year. The only other Big XII teams that can claim that are Texas & Texas Tech (and Tech needed OT to get it saturday). Could the run game be better? Sure, but Wilson cant go block, run through the hole or fix Murray's knee. I only wish we would have stuck with some of the pass plays that were working, NOT throwing crazy junk like you guys expect. The drag routes with Broyles were working, the slip screens were working, but for all I know Texas adjusted and they were never open again. Leave the offense out of it. The other two phases are obviously the problem.
Tramel didn't write the article, John Helsey did. You (Bryan, Lawton) need to pay attention. I doubt you even read the entire article. Are you saying that OU at number 4 in the country doesn't have a chance at becoming number 1 again? Have you been watching college football this season? Texas has to lose to a south team and OU has to win out in order for OU to play for the Big XII title. I think that Texas Tech or OSU have a shot at beating Texas considering how well they have been playing. So it would appear that Helsey is making a good point. If you can say the Big XII is a tough league to go undefeated in for OU, you have to say it is for Texas also. Hopefully OU can make some serious corrections to its running game and how it defends the pass 10 to 15 yards out.
Thanks Nic, I guess you are the only one who knows anything about football. ITS A BLOG FOR GOD"S SAKE, did you think you were channeling Knute Rockne (oops OU site, I mean Bud Wilkenson)?
one thing clowns like tramel need to understand before they start spouting off "didn't even dent them" talking about title hopes. does he realize the fact that even if texas falls, the ONLY chance the sooners have at a title would hinge on texas falling TWICE. BCS proved last year they are NOT going to let a team play for a title that did not win, let alone not play for their conference title. I guess im just getting tired of writers like tramel spouting off about how GREAT teams are. Tramel do us all a favor, do some REAL writing and do some articles on crap that matters about the sooners.
I agree with Grant, OU does not show much emotion. Not the trash talking crap, but the attitude that comes with being the biggest baddest muthah in the valley. O line is the worst when it comes to that...they look like a bunch of cattle. Where has the, "We are going to run right through here and I am taking you out of the play" attitude? I understand the necessity of playing with your emotions in check and not getting all pscyho and out of control, but when has OU last gone out and let it all hang out. I am sure they played hard Saturday, but they got to find the emotional side of the game, almost like what took place in Washington and last years Big 12 championship. Now, hopefully Kansas gets the brunt of this "awakening" and OU kicks their arse that OU gets its mojo back.
Let's face some realities. DeMarco Murray is not as advertised, and no OU back has game-breaking potential. Murray is great and running directly into tacklers and looks awkward. OU's offensive line, a senior group can only pass block. Sam Bradford is great, as long as he doesn't have to move. And never has a team missed one player (Curtis Lofton) like the Sooners do this year. On special teams, OU is laughable on kickoffs. As far as star quality, the Sooners are far from having national championship talent. The Sooner wide receivers are average at best. There is no player in the receiving corps with big-play potential.
A national championship-caliber team also can make stops when needed. When OU needed a defensive stop, it couldn't deliver.
OU indeed may be a top 10 team, but with no running game or special teams -- which is two-thirds of football -- they have little chance of beating someone better or their equal.
I agree with Chris. These are some of the best coaches around. However, I stand by my statements that they have certain flaws that show up again and again. My hope is that someone with some clout (not me) will eventually get some of these flaws into their heads, so they can fix them. OU has a track record of having streaks of zero imagination on offense. They have a track record of coming out flat for all, or part, of big games. They haven't played a marquee opponent very well in some time... unless they get ahead early (except for the 2nd Mizzou game last year). They just haven't shown a lot of heart under these coaches. Nothing like what they showed earlier in Bob's tenure here. These coaches have never been much for making mid-game adjustments. It's pride. And pride is good. But, it hurts your forsight. Like the guys on the Animal have been saying... how, other than being over-confident, do you not have your defensive back ups ready to step in when a guy gets hurt? How do you have a kick off team that's so complacent? How do you leave so many offensive weapons on the bench? They've got to start getting more creative. Maybe, they just need to have more fun or something. I'm sick of seeing so little emotion when the going gets rough. It starts with coaching.
I agree with Brennon from Granbury...two great teams played, only one could win. All of you jacka.s.s.es who are blaming the coaches need to shut up. If you really want to go back to the days of Blake and Schnelly, keep running your mouths and you'll get your wish. Bob Stoops and the OU coaches are some of the best of whats around and I think we are fortunate to have them. I mean we only dropped to no. 4 in the Polls...it could have been alot worse. Now, lets all root for Mizzou and OSU to beat the hell out of Texas so we have a chance to change the season. Boomer.
All that needs to be said is OU got beat. Blame it on whatever, it doesn't matter. Texas has a good team and played well. Oklahoma has a good team and played well. Everyone should keep in mind that these two teams were ranked in the top five. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. OU could run against Texas. A sign of a good defense. Give credit where credit is due. Stop blaming the coaches or the players. The season is just getting started. Alot can happen between now and December. The #1 ranking is not all what it's cracked to be. Everyone wants to beat #1, regardless of who it is. I'm no more happy about the loss than any other fan but this very well could be what was needed to see what needs to be fixed. Teams will rise and fall no matter what is going on. Maybe we shouldn't over analyze things andf go on with the season. Boomer Sooner. Oh and by the way... The officiating SUCKED!!!!!
OU will never get another NC or even get a sniff as long as that head coach retains all of the present
staff. Everybody who has followed OU closely since '03 knows where the weakness lies. Maybe
there's an underlying reason why all these player with pro potential leave early, who know's.
It's almost always the defensive players leaving.
The officiating for the OU-Texas game was border-line criminal. Two roughing the passer penalties that should have never been called and one interception that was called a incompletion were obvious, but OU receivers were held several times (no penalties)too. The officiating changed the outcome of the game (aka OU-Oregon). At least the PAC-10 publicly apologized to OU. Don't count on the Big 12 to do the same. I don't know who the officials were or where they were from, but I did notice that Randy Cristal (from Austin) has officiated in at least one Texas game already. Stoops needs to take heed from the New Mexico coach who publicly criticized bad officiating. That will never happen because Stoops might lose some pocket change via a fine out of the millions he is paid to be a second rate coach. Will Stoops ever win a National Championship with his own players? I doubt it. Perhaps, John Blake should come back for a couple of years and restock the roster.
-DON’T lose heart during close games. I don’t care if there are turnovers, injuries, bad officiating, or any other excuse. When the game is still close and there is still reasonable time on the clock, giving up is inexcusable. This team began showing signs of losing heart in the 3rd quarter.
-DON’T give up 45 points to anyone. The defense and special teams of a #1 team don’t do that… ever. Even if you factor in an excuse of a bad official’s call or an unlucky bounce, there should still be no way 45 points get scored on you.
-DON’T have offensive coaches who fold under pressure. Great offenses are unpredictable and explosive. They don’t constantly run the same thing over and over “because that was the game plan.” If the offense is like a Swiss Army knife, great coaches don’t put in 30 different tools, only to use just 3 of them.
EX. The offensive set with Matt Clapp? One appearance. Use of new weapon Ryan Broyles? Three catches in a row, then hardly a look for the rest of the game. Chris Brown (the only back that was moving the pile forward all game), hardly an appearance in favor of Murray, who has lost more than “a step” since last year. And, I’m officially putting out an APB for Brodie Eldridge… the so-called best player (and best blocker) on the team. And, as far as “new wrinkles” go… yeah, that fake reverse-pass in the flat was great. Can you name a single other new look of any kind? (no, using that play a second time doesn’t count).
- DON’T have NFL caliber offensive linemen who suddenly couldn’t blow a Pop Warner team off the ball. 48 yards rushing. Enough said.
-DON’T have a Tight End who is incapable of blocking. Gresham couldn’t block a traffic cone. He’s as much of a liability as a blocker as he is a talent when he’s a receiver.
-DON’T have a punter that can’t kick the ball out of his shadow.
-DON’T have a place kicker that can’t kick the ball out of his shadow.
-DON’T have a kick-off team that ranks in the bottom tier of all of college football… especially after having 5 weeks to fix the problem.
So, OU was a poser. Clearly not worthy of #1. Notice. I never said #1 teams don’t lose. #1 teams lose close hard fought games. Sometimes the breaks just don’t go your way. But, #1 teams don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over. They don’t lose heart, and their offensive coordinator actually turns the pages of the playbook – especially when the team falls behind.
Guys that should be embarrassed: Kevin Wilson, the whole O-line (emphasis on Loadholt and McCoy. Cooper gets a pass), the whole D-Line, the entire kickoff team, Grainger (his poor blocking alone could have been the difference in the game), the Officials (multiple bad calls. OU didn’t deserve to win, so it isn’t a big deal. But, once again, the officiating was crap), Bob Stoops – by my count, Big Game Bob hasn’t shown up in 4-5 years (last year’s Big 12 title game not withstanding).
Bob, I couldn't have said it better myself. There is nothing great about any game that we lose to Texas. The best thing we can do is evaluate all phases of the game from the head coaching all the way down to the readiness to play on the part of the last man on the squad. There is plenty of reason for concern. I thought this team was different from all the ones since the national championship in 2000, but I guess I've been reading too many press clippings that suggest that they're the greatest OU team to come along in many a year. After seeing them smiling and palling around with the Texas players after the game, I wonder if it hurts them to lose as much as it does fans like myself. Sportsmanship is great, but I'd prefer to see some signs of distress and soul-searching. Guys, you just don't allow Texas to beat you. Have some pride!
Finally, all Reynolds needs to do is seek out Jason White. Jason didn't go through three of them, but he did go through two and end up the Heisman winner the next season. Reynolds is lucky to have someone like White to be able to go to with this. I think Reynolds has the passion and heart for the game to come back for OU. And due to missed three seasons with the injury, the NCAA could give him a medical redshirt giving him two seasons left after this year.
Its peculiar that OSU jumped to No. 8 and Mizzou dropped to No. 11 and OU only dropped to No. 4. I can see he voters reasoning. One or two plays different and OU wins. One play difference and it goes either way. I thought the teams were even on the playing field. I think the difference was heart. Texas played with more heart the entire game, but once Reynolds went out, it deflated and heart OU had. But then the question arises, if Texas was to win out and lose to say,A&M again, and OU were to win out, then OU would be ranked ahead of Texas, but Texas would go to the Big 12 Title because of the head-to-head. Would OU then be the Georgia of this season? Being obviously better than however they pick to play in the national title opposite the SEC champ? If OU wins out, I'm not sure Penn State could stay ahead of them due to SOS and there's no way USC jumps them if OU beats a 1-loss OSU team in Stillwater the final game of the season. (Remember, we're pretending both OU and Texas win out, but Texas losses to a lower team. Beating OSU would, A) Put OU, Tex, and OSU in a 3-way tie, and B) have OSU ranked higher than OU, thus meaning OU might hold the advantage if they beat OSU in Stillwater and actually end up going to the Big 12 Title which we aren't discussing at this moment). If Alabama goes unbeaten it could be them and Penn State, and I wouldn't complain if both were unbeaten, but if one, or both of them loss, OU could be No. 1 at season's end and NOT go to the Big 12 Title. Although they could share the National Title like USC in 2003 in the AP. This could shape up to be a WEIRD finish to the season, but there are A LOT of ifs.
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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.
We'll take B.T. in Tulsa anytime...just my opinion...
A national championship-caliber team also can make stops when needed. When OU needed a defensive stop, it couldn't deliver.
OU indeed may be a top 10 team, but with no running game or special teams -- which is two-thirds of football -- they have little chance of beating someone better or their equal.
staff. Everybody who has followed OU closely since '03 knows where the weakness lies. Maybe
there's an underlying reason why all these player with pro potential leave early, who know's.
It's almost always the defensive players leaving.
-DON’T lose heart during close games. I don’t care if there are turnovers, injuries, bad officiating, or any other excuse. When the game is still close and there is still reasonable time on the clock, giving up is inexcusable. This team began showing signs of losing heart in the 3rd quarter.
-DON’T give up 45 points to anyone. The defense and special teams of a #1 team don’t do that… ever. Even if you factor in an excuse of a bad official’s call or an unlucky bounce, there should still be no way 45 points get scored on you.
-DON’T have offensive coaches who fold under pressure. Great offenses are unpredictable and explosive. They don’t constantly run the same thing over and over “because that was the game plan.” If the offense is like a Swiss Army knife, great coaches don’t put in 30 different tools, only to use just 3 of them.
EX. The offensive set with Matt Clapp? One appearance. Use of new weapon Ryan Broyles? Three catches in a row, then hardly a look for the rest of the game. Chris Brown (the only back that was moving the pile forward all game), hardly an appearance in favor of Murray, who has lost more than “a step” since last year. And, I’m officially putting out an APB for Brodie Eldridge… the so-called best player (and best blocker) on the team. And, as far as “new wrinkles” go… yeah, that fake reverse-pass in the flat was great. Can you name a single other new look of any kind? (no, using that play a second time doesn’t count).
- DON’T have NFL caliber offensive linemen who suddenly couldn’t blow a Pop Warner team off the ball. 48 yards rushing. Enough said.
-DON’T have a Tight End who is incapable of blocking. Gresham couldn’t block a traffic cone. He’s as much of a liability as a blocker as he is a talent when he’s a receiver.
-DON’T have a punter that can’t kick the ball out of his shadow.
-DON’T have a place kicker that can’t kick the ball out of his shadow.
-DON’T have a kick-off team that ranks in the bottom tier of all of college football… especially after having 5 weeks to fix the problem.
So, OU was a poser. Clearly not worthy of #1. Notice. I never said #1 teams don’t lose. #1 teams lose close hard fought games. Sometimes the breaks just don’t go your way. But, #1 teams don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over. They don’t lose heart, and their offensive coordinator actually turns the pages of the playbook – especially when the team falls behind.
Guys that should be embarrassed: Kevin Wilson, the whole O-line (emphasis on Loadholt and McCoy. Cooper gets a pass), the whole D-Line, the entire kickoff team, Grainger (his poor blocking alone could have been the difference in the game), the Officials (multiple bad calls. OU didn’t deserve to win, so it isn’t a big deal. But, once again, the officiating was crap), Bob Stoops – by my count, Big Game Bob hasn’t shown up in 4-5 years (last year’s Big 12 title game not withstanding).