Bob Stoops’ Family Watched The Tornado From Their Home
On Tuesday Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops discussed Monday’s devastating tornadoes. His family watched the tornado from the back of their home as it passed about a mile away.
Stoops was quoted as saying “Just thinking of all these, so, so many families that are devastated,” Stoops said. “This will be a long-term effort to get everyone back on their feet.”
Monday’s tornado has claimed more than 24 lives, including children. It has been initially rated as an EF4, with winds between 166-200 MPH. The city of Moore has been hit twice before in recent history with great damage and loss of life. Officials are still trying to come up with an accurate death toll for this tragedy.
See on newsok.com Photo: Oklahoman Archive
The Red Cross And University Of Oklahoma Quickly Reach Out To Help Tornado Victims
The Red Cross, the University of Oklahoma and several others have reached out to the Oklahoma tornado victims in effort to provide shelter for those in need. OU is opening the dorms to provide lodging to the New Castle and Moore tornado victims. The Red Cross is also providing shelter. Here is a link to an article with a more comprehensive list of support organizations and here is another link on how to help.
Please pray for those affected and in need.
Five Teams That Can Unseat The SEC For The National Title In 2013
Is 2013 the year someone unseats the SEC from the BCS National Title? After seven straight national titles for the SEC is it even feasible that an SEC team won’t take it all again in 2013? These are two questions that are on millions of college football fans minds.
Well here are five teams that have a legitimate shot at unseating the SEC from the top perch. After all, remember in 2000 when Oklahoma had no chance against a supposed un-defeatable Florida State playing in Florida? Remember how Texas A&M was going to be routed in the SEC and crushed by Alabama in Tuscaloosa? Well, we know how those turned out. So, anything is possible and these five teams have the potential at least on paper to beat an SEC champion and win a national title in 2013.
Clemson (2012 Record 11-2 (7-1)
Dabo Swinney’s Clemson team is talking about even going faster and executing more plays in their hurry up spread offense in 2013. They have returning quarterback Tajh Boyd and all everything receiver Sammy Watkins to lead the offense. So, expect offensive fireworks and lots of points put up on the board. But it is Coach Brent Venerables defense loaded with defense stars that may be the final piece to a national title run. The defense played very well the back half of the 2012 season and Coach Venerables’ schemes seem to start taking hold. With seven returning starters, a strong defensive recruiting class and star player Vic Beasley providing leadership, even better defensive results should be in store this fall. The Tigers first game is against the SEC’s Georgia Bulldogs, so we will learn a lot early about Clemson national title chances.
Oklahoma (2012 Record 10-3 (8-1)
Coach Stoops’ squad has one of the toughest schedules out there, that includes 11 bowl participants, but OU does get TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia at home. The Notre Dame battle is in South Bend this year and will be their first big test. The Sooners offense has loads of play-makers at skill positions and the coaches have three skilled and able quarterbacks to choose a starter from, with Blake Bell in the lead going into the summer. While there are still some concerns on the defensive side of the ball, with the Sooners needing to replace two of their defensive tackles and three starting defensive backs, the talent is there for an improved squad. The three new additions to their coaching ranks have added some hunger back into a staff that many said was too comfortable. Lastly, the Sooners have some scores to settle with SEC teams as they have struggled against them of late, but there is reason for optimism in Norman.
Oregon (2012 Record 12-1 (8-1)
Even with the cloud of an NCAA investigation looming over the Ducks, one thing for sure in 2013 is that Oregon will be sporting new uniforms as they look to win the PAC12. Even with former head coach Chip Kelly gone; the offense will be explosive and put lots of points on the board and quickly. It will be important with a new quarterback at the helm that speedy skill players like running back De’Anthony Thomas and wide receiver Josh Huff take flight early and often. They will called on by new head coach Mark Helfrich to be the anchors on an offense with lofty expectations. The Duck’s defense will need to replace most of its linebacker corps, but the recruits and talent is there. The 2013 schedule is manageable, but the Ducks battle with Stanford in Stanford, California and that game will tell a lot.
Ohio State (2012 Record 12-0 (8-0)
Will Coach Urban Meyer continue his undefeated streak with the Buckeyes or will the probation restrictions finally reveal themselves? Many in Columbus have high expectations and expect a national title in the next couple of seasons given Urban Meyer’s pedigree. In 2013 the Buckeyes return a bunch of talent and head into the second year of Coach Meyer’s system, so are the expectations justified? Well with a manageable schedule that does not include Nebraska or Michigan State and Wisconsin and Penn State at home there is reason for optimism. The return of quarterback Braxton Miller’s in 2013 is welcomed, especially after a strong outing during the spring game where he further exerted his leadership and ball skills. The offense should be steady, not explosive, but in the Big10 that is all that is needed. So, is another perfect season in the cards for the Coach Meyer’s Buckeyes? Who knows but it is likely to be an SEC that stands in the way during the final game in a perfect season run. Coach Meyer has proven he can do it, so expectations are extremely high in 2013.
Louisville (2012 Record 11-2 (5-2)
Coach Strong’s Cardinals are flying high heading into 2013! They were able to best the SEC’s Florida Gators in the 2012 Sugar Bowl and they have used that win as momentum heading into the 2013 season. The explosive offense will be lead by returning Heisman Trophy candidate Teddy Bridgewater. And with an offensive squad returning nearly every starter the stars are aligning for a potent Louisville offense this fall. The defense received a new injection of talent given the highly rated incoming recruiting class. Combine that with nine returning starters on a defense that had a penchant for giving up lots of yards and points, and there is hope for improvement on 2012’s efforts. The 2013 slate is very manageable and includes what should be a rather easy run through the Big East and a non-conference schedule composed of easy opponents. So expectations should be high in Louisville, as they look to nest in the highest roost.
While only five teams are listed above as capable of crashing the national championship party, there are others. Michigan, Stanford, Florida State and Notre Dame also have most of the ingredients needed to compete and give the SEC a run for their money for national title glory in 2013. Lastly, we are just over 100 days till the season kicks off and the excitement is already building for what will be another exciting year of college football.
BCS Image: bcsfootball.org
OU Takes Top Spot In Top 25 College Football Dynasties of the AP Era
Athlon Sports has named the Top 25 Greatest College Football Dynasties of the AP Era and Oklahoma places three times in the rankings. Bud Wilkinson’s Sooners are ranked number one, Barry Switzer’s Sooners are ranked number eleven and finally Bob Stoop’s Sooners come in at number eighteen.
As we enter the last year of the BCS era and move into the college football playoffs era it will be interesting to see who the next dynasty will be or if there will even be one as the playoffs should take some of the voting drama and subjectiveness out of the system. Alabama has been on top during recent years, but the SEC teams are catching on to their tendencies and weaknesses as it always happens. Texas A&M highlighted some of these weaknesses by innovating with the read option and you can expect others to do the same this year.
So, who will step up and become the next college football dynasty, who knows, but you can bet it will be a team using some innovative approach with loads of talent.
See on network.yardbarker.com Photo: AP
Blast From The Past Video: OU RB Patrick Collins; See The Speed
I think everyone will love this compilation video by thegoodmagneto, as it is a cool compilation of some of Oklahoma Running back Patrick Collins best plays from 1984-1987, including the 1985 National Championship year. You will notice some of the amazing speed plays that Collins pulls off against other top teams. Patrick Collins was a strong running back during some of OU best years and surrounded by amazing talent that help make Coach Barry Switzer a Sooner legend.
Hope you enjoy this great video! Boomer!
Your Turn To Rank The Biggest College Football Games In 2013
Alright Sooner Nation, here is a list of the Biggest 2013 College Football games I found. There are only two OU games listed, but they certainly need to be ranked higher. So, lets make it happen. Boomer!
Top 25 College Football Games For 2013
Your Turn To Rank The Best All-Time College Football Coaches
Alright Sooner Fans! This is a new ranking for All-Time coaches, not just current. So, lets move Coach Stoops, Switzer and Wikinson to the top. I truly believe that Coach Stoops, Switzer and Wilkinson are three of the best all-time coaches in college football. What do you think?
Rank em!
Best College Football Coaches of All Time!
Your Turn To Rank The Best Current College Football Coaches
Alright Sooner Fans! Lets move Coach Stoops to the top. I truly believe that Coach Stoops is one of the best coaches in college football, especially now that he made some tough recent coaching changes and is changing up the schemes in an attempt to put an even better product on the field. What do you think?
Additionally, I tried to legitimately rank the list according to performance and actual coaching skill, not just records. Records can be misleading as sometimes for example: when a not so athletic team performs above their capabilities to get in a bowl or have an outstanding record. That may be a better coaching job, than one were the coach just lines up a bunch of athletes and wins. Rank em!
The Best Current College Football Coaches
Stoops Vs. SEC: Does Stoops Have A Point? Absolutely
Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops has chosen to take the David versus Goliath approach to making a point or two about the SEC propaganda. It is interesting how much press and controversy Coach Stops comments have generated based on some fairly benign comments. After all, he didn’t say the were overrated or that they did not deserve to win the last seven National Championships. He just pointed out that there is a lot of hype and propaganda surrounding the overall dominance of the SEC.
Guess what? He is right. The SEC is by far the most sensationalized conference in college football. Yet, are they the best conference, probably. But, that is largely due to having two or three top teams that play only eight games in conference and many of those against the bottom half of the conference. Add in the patsy out of conference teams that many of the top SEC teams play and you really have a manageable schedule to get ranked in the top ten in the AP and Coach’s Poll.
The voter’s in those polls are also swayed by the SEC and their broadcast partner ESPN constant propaganda. Just think Tim Tebow, Alabama, Nick Saban, Johnny Manziel and Cam Newton to name a few of the more recent propaganda campaigns that featured the SEC or it’s members. This is important as when the voters cast their votes they tend to have an SEC bias. Sometimes, even when a SEC team has lost they still get ranked higher than a team from another conference that won a big game. It has been a subject of controversy for years, but the talking heads and the SEC go to work to make a case to legitamize the ranking. This has frustrated many outside the SEC and has contributed to their “arrogance”, as others see it.
The SEC and it’s teams have also found ways to allow players that are grade risks to play and start. Many of these players like Cam newton have been offered or given money, yet the conference finds a way to help the NCAA to look the other way or claim they don’t have enough evidence. You don’t really believe Cam Newton’s Dad was the only one that new about the money being offered…seriously? Did the NCAA really do all it could to determine if the was a major infraction at Auburn surrounding Cam Newton’s recruitment? Not a chance.
So, what can be done. In short nothing, as the SEC and ESPN have no interest in what’s fair or seeing parity in college football. They want to pull in more money, build bigger stadiums and maintain their position as the top conference, no matter the cost. It is truly about the money and don’t let anyone tell you any different.
If some level of parity is what you want to see then four or five super conferences made up of at least 14 teams is the only possibility for that to happen. Even with that structure, you would have the top teams expecting to have better treatment and more revenue than some of the others. College football is the greatest sport out there, but it is a mess.and the SEC is a big part of that. Does that make the SEC a villain? No, they are just doing what others have done before and would likely do. ESPN and the other large sports broadcasters are the ones causing the disparity and are unapologetic about it. Many think ESPN is the giant in this particular story.
So load your slingshot Bob Stoops and give the giant a pop! Someone needs too.
Photo: AP
OU Sophomore QB Kendal Thompson Arrested In Norman
SoonerScoop.com has reported that contending OU quarterback Kendal Thompson was arrested at 2:17AM today by the Norman Police for public intoxication and interfering with a police officer.
It is too early to speculate on what type of punishment will be handed down by Coach Stoops as he treats most of these type of issues as internal only. Very rarely is a public statement made other than an acknowledgement by that there was an issue.
It is bound to affect the pecking order for starting quarterback as at a minimum the coaching staff will see this as a lack of maturity. One would have to think that this only helps the chances of frontrunner Blake Bell to secure the starting position. We will have to wait for fall camp to find out, but this is disappointing news for a team looking to put the best possible product on the field.
Photo; Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports
