Monthly Archives: October 2012
OU Losing Its Phenomenal Advantage Playing At Home
Sooner4OU Commentary: To me this is one of the most saddening elements to the Sooner’s current struggles in the last half of 2011 and this year. A record that was intimidating to the opponents, a strong pull for recruits and a source of great pride for the University and the entire Sooner nation is eroding right before our eyes. It is just another indicator that while the coaches and administration profess that everything is “OK’, in truth there is and should be some concern. The national press, local press and long-time Sooner fans are seeing it and have been able to show numerous indicators of which this is just another. Nobody of reason, nor am I saying we should get rid of some coaches or any huge changes, but the type of recruit and the style of play should be re-considered as most of the other big programs have already made the move to the “Big Style”(we used to be that team) and are benefiting greatly from it. Will it happen? Who knows…but hopefully some reality will sink in soon and changes will be made. Time will tell…
Article Excerpt: It is college football’s most shocking turnaround this side of Auburn. The Oklahoma Sooners, who lost two home games over Bob Stoops’ first 12 1/2 years as coach, have lost three of their last seven at Owen Field.
“Where I grew up, if you fight in your own yard, you better win. That’s just a mentality I took,” OU defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland said. “When you lose out here in front of your whole fan base it’s kind of embarrassing.”
It is obviously worth pointing out that OU’s home-field losses this season have come against Kansas State and Notre Dame.
“Sitting at two and three in the country right now. Both undefeated. Both running over people,” defensive end David King said. “And we played them pretty close.”
See on www.tulsaworld.com
Bob Stoops Continues To Defend Quarterback Landry Jones
Sooner4OU Commentary: The “Landry Situation” has been a hot potato for going on two seasons now. Too be honest it is getting old. Regardless of what Bob says Landry has self-admittedly struggle at times the last two seasons. Bob is just doing what most good coaches do and that is stand by their quarterback. It is important to note that Landry has also excelled at times this season, while standing behind a patchwork offensive line that is made up of two converted tight-ends, so to blame it all on landry seeems a bit drastic. I for one appreciate that Landry owns up to it when he struggles, this is not the case in many sports or even in pro football (i.e. Tony Romo, Philip Rivers, Colt McCoy, etc…). Regardless of the drama, if Landry can help lead this Sooner squad to a BCS Bowl much of this will be forgotten, as we head in to the “Blake Bell Era” next year. Boomer!
Article Excerpt: Bob Stoops has long been one of his quarterback’s most vocal supporters.
Monday, though, responding to another question about Oklahoma fans who don’t share his fondness of Landry Jones, Stoops was especially unrelenting toward the fifth-year senior’s critics.
“People aren’t very intelligent about football,” Stoops said. “I’m not criticizing them; it’s not what they do. … People, whatever occupation they are, it’s just like me trying to do what they do. They’d probably scoff at that.”
Jones finished Saturday’s 30-13 loss to Notre Dame having completed 35 of 51 passes for 356 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass and had a fourth-quarter pass intercepted while the Sooners were on a potential game-tying drive.
See on newsok.com
After Second Loss, OU Forced To Refocus Goals
After a fourth consecutive season without seriously contending for a national title past October, it’s time to ask this question — can OU contend for national titles going forward the way the team’s currently constructed?
Bob Stoops likes to say that the Sooners play for championships. Both national and Big 12. Oklahoma will have to now refocus its goals once again.
After losing to Notre Dame, the Sooners are out of the national title picture for good. And unless aliens abduct Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, OU is not winning the Big 12, either.
The Sooners can still have a nice season. They can win 10 games and go to another BCS bowl. In fact, chances are, they will. Maybe the Sooners will go to the Rose Bowl and face old rival Nebraska, which at the moment is just what ESPN BCS guru Brad Edwards is projecting.
But as Stoops regularly points out, the goal is championships. And after a fourth consecutive season without seriously contending for a national title past October, it’s time to ask this question — can OU contend for national titles going forward the way the team’s currently constructed?
The truth is, OU didn’t play poorly in either of its two losses. Stoops attributed turnovers to the Kansas State defeat. Saturday night, he basically said the Notre Dame outcome swung on two big plays.
See on espn.go.com
OU Focuses On Avoiding Turnovers Against Notre Dame
Sooner4OU Commnetary: This game is rapidly becoming a bell-weather for both teams as they both have higher BCS aspirations. It will be interesting to see how the first quarter unfolds and to see how each coaching staff slowly reveals their gameplans in trying to take advantage of each other’s tendencies and weakenesses. It should be a masterful game of turf filled chess, with huge stakes hanging in the balance. I still believe this is an OU win if they can stay away from the turnover bug. What do you think?
Article Excerpt: Bob Stoops was asked many different ways during the week to break down Saturday’s Notre Dame-Oklahoma football game.
The Sooners coach pointed out one simple thing to watch for in the battle between college football heavyweights.
“Turnovers are always a major issue in any game, let alone when you have two teams in the top 10,” Stoops said. “They’re a factor. They were a factor earlier in the season with us.
“We’ve got to do a good job taking care of the ball. To me, it’s the biggest factor in games like this.”
Oklahoma has done a solid job in its past three games. OU has forced nine turnovers (three each against Texas Tech, Texas and Kansas) while the offense has only given up the ball once.
See on www.tulsaworld.com
Preview: No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners
Sooner4OU Commentary: This historic match-up has all the ingredients of a game that will be remembered for decades and become part of each school’s lore. While that does seem a bit much to some, just read the article and ask yourself how often do the stars align for two teams with so much tradition, history and excellence on such a grand stage. What do you think about this game and it’s potential?
Article Excerpt: The two storied programs will meet for the first time since 1999 in Saturday night’s top 10 showdown. No. 5 Notre Dame (7-0) at No. 8 Oklahoma (5-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Oklahoma by 10
Watchability: High.
The Sooners have set a standard under coach Bob Stoops that Irish coach Brian Kelly is trying to emulate in his efforts to resurrect the Notre Dame program. During Stoops’ tenure, Oklahoma is 14-1 against ranked teams in Norman and 3-0 against top 10 opponents. It’s been more than five years since Notre Dame has been involved in a top 10 matchup. Though both teams remain in contention for a spot in the BCS National Title Game, the losing team on Saturday has little chance of playing in Miami on Jan. 7. Shining stars: Notre Dame — LB Manti Te’o. The Butkus and Lombardi Award nominee has forced six turnovers (four INTs and two fumble recoveries) through seven games – only one player in FBS has created more. Earlier this week, Sooners All-American C Gabe Ikard marveled at Te’o's field presence while watching film on the Irish. With Te’o's speed and instincts, Ikard said it seems like the Irish middle linebacker never gets blocked. If Te’o can create a short field for the Notre Dame offense by forcing turnovers, the Irish’s chances of winning will substantially increase.
Oklahoma — QB Landry Jones . Notre Dame ranks eighth in FBS in pass efficiency defense, but has yet to face a quarterback the caliber of Jones. Stoops’ decision to move electrifying wide receiver Kenny Stills to the outside and Jalen Saunders to the slot has opened up the offense. Jones has been precise with his reads and hasn’t forced throws over his past three contests. During the stretch the senior quarterback has eight TDs and one INT, while averaging 293.3 passing yards per game. Irish DLs Stephon Tuitt and Kapron Lewis-Moore will look to force errant throws from Jones by creating relentless pressure.
See on www.cbssports.com
Why The Sooners’ “Play Like a Champion” Motto May Be The Original
Sooner4OU Commentary: When you read this and other articles about the history of the slogan/phrase, it becomes pretty apparent that it was used by the University of Oklahoma first. Bud Wilkinson was obviously a master motivator and used that phrase to ensure the culture and tradition of OU was that of a champion.
Article Excerpt: Kurt Burris touched the sign as he ran onto Owen Field for the 1953 Notre Dame game. Clendon Thomas did the same before the 1957 Notre Dame game.
Leon Cross touched the sign before the 1962 Notre Dame in Norman. Likewise Granville Liggins in 1966.
PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY
Bud Wilkinson put up the sign early in his OU coaching career. Maybe in 1947. No later than 1950 or 1951.
That sign today sits in the Switzer Center museum. The words are reprinted on the mural in the tunnel that leads onto Owen Field. So Casey Walker and Trey Millard and Bronson Irwin and Javon Harris will touch the same message as they take the field to play Notre Dame on Saturday night.
See on newsok.com
OU-Notre Dame About More Than Tradition
Sooner4OU Commentary: It may be more than just tradition, but tradition is why ESPN Gameday and millions of primetime viewers are so highly anticipating this match-up, on top of their respective records and rankings. But, if this was OU versus K-state, given their rankings it would be important and valued, but K-State’s lack of tradition would make the game less anticipated.
Article Excerpt: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops felt the need to talk to his team about the history of Oklahoma-Nebraska before the 2000 game. It was a showdown of No. 1 vs. No. 2 and the most significant game of the season that would eventually wind up with OU winning the national title.
There is no such plan this week as Oklahoma prepares to play Notre Dame, a legendary rival in the history of college football.
But, unlike Nebraska, which was a conference rival and included a series that dated back over dozens of games, the history of OU and Notre Dame is much shorter. And, not so sweet.
See on www.tulsaworld.com
Stripe the Stadium for OU-Notre Dame
Sooner fans, the University of Oklahoma is asking you to help “Stripe the Stadium” and coordinate the display of our colors in front of a primetime, nationally-televised audience Saturday.
The OU Athletics Department is encouraging all attending the OU-Notre Dame football game to don either crimson or white depending on their seat location inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Fans located in even-numbered sections are encouraged to wear crimson-colored gear and fans in odd-numbered sections should wear white. OU students are asked to wear crimson.
All in attendance will receive a commemorative OU/Notre Dame rally towel upon entry thanks to the support of Midfirst Bank, Coca-Cola, OG&E and the OU IT Store.
Let’s add to the tradition of this historic rivalry as we unite our Sooner pride and continue to be the greatest fans in college football. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Central.
See on www.soonersports.com
Despite The Series’ History, Notre Dame Looks At OU As Just Another Game
Sooner4OU Commentary: Honestly, The Irish can look at this game anyway they would like as the Sooners are in strong mid-season form and hitting on all cylinders, while the Irish are struglling against fair opponents. My prediction is OU 35 – ND 17. Now…we just nedd K-State to drop a game or two. Boomer!
Article Excerpt: The Irish do not want to get caught up in the past. They’re focused on the present — and that’s working toward a possible national championship berth. This week, OU is in the way.
That’s the message Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly is sending to his players this week. Almost 900 miles from South Bend, Ind., Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is sending the Sooners a different message about Saturday’s game in Norman.
“Probably the most anticipated game here since 2000,” Stoops said, “when Nebraska came in here ranked No. 1 in the country and we were No. 2. It was a pretty incredible day.”
This Week 9 matchup that interests even ESPN’s GameDay crew is between No. 5-ranked Notre Dame and No. 7 Oklahoma.
See on newsok.com
ESPN Gameday in Norman For OU Verus Notre Dame Game
ESPN Gameday will be in Norman this coming Saturday for OU versus Notre Dame. This should be a awesome game (win for OU). Oklahoma just announced the ESPN Gameday set will be located on the South Oval. Boomer!
