Fire Bobby Jack Wright

What are you looking at? Week 11, 2011

2011-11-12T13:18:34Z

So here we are. Week 11 of 15 and we have a pretty good idea who the pretenders and contenders are. Last week taught us the following:

- regardless of conference, Colorado will always be a recreation league school.

- Taylor Martinez is a poor man's Landry Jones and the Huskers will never win the B1G one with him at the helm.

- Oklahoma Sooners have yet to put four quarters of football together in one game.

- That if I go to sleep in the 4th quarter in the game of the century, God will make sure and wake me up with an earthquake or some natural disaster

Here's what I looking out for on this week's games.

11:00 The Train Wreck Bowl #19 Nebraska at #12 Penn State ESPN
None of us will admit to it, but we all like to watch a good train wreck. We'll cover our eyes but always end up peeking through. Well here's your chance to see it in football. Penn State comes into this one ranked #1 in their side of the B1G with the 100th ranked scoring offense in the country going up against a pretty porous defense on the Husker side allowing almost 350 yards per game. Penn state's #3 scoring D will get tested with a steady dose of the #13 Rushing O from the huskers. Neither team plays from behind too well with the 88th(PSU) and 101st (NU) ranked passing offenses but when they do, the Nittany Lions are more efficient. Penn State front four is 12th and 28th in Tackles for Loss and Sacks in the country.

Line: Nebraska favored by 3 on the road. I think they win this one for Joe Pa with the D of Penn State making the Difference.

2:30 #20 Auburn at #15 Georgia CBS
Like they say in College Station, you can't spell Defense without SEC. The Dawgs are 7th in total defense while the Tigers think they are in the Big 12 with an option defense that's 75th in the country allowing an average of 27 points per game. Neither offense is really worth talking about other than the Dawgs are quite a bit better and more consistent with Aaron Murray at QB they average scoring about 34 per game with a fairly even run pass mix. The Tigers have only won one road game at South Carolina this year. All others have been losses with an average margin of 24 points.

Line: The Dawgs are giving 11.5 at home. I'm taking the Dawgs to cover that even after both teams had a bye week last week.

7:00 #7 Oregon at #4 Stanford ABC
This one is really strength on strength with a little Luck on the side. Oregon's #5 rushing offense vs Stanford's #3 rushing defense. Oregon's passing offense (#78) isn't much to speak of but Stanford's #58 pass efficiency D could make them look pretty two dimensional.
Stanford averages 48 points per game on offense while Oregon averages 46 (40 on the road). Both front four on the D side are really good and will make the QB's think.

Line: Stanford is giving 3.5 at home. I think the smart Tree Cardinals are too disciplined to fall for Oregon's trickeration.

Quick Kicks
- Will Texas Tech Sand Aggies end up being the State Champions of Oklahoma? (Ok St -20)
- Will the Ole Ball Coach annihilate his Alma Mater or is he playing for the AD job? (SC - 2.5)
- Will Iowa continue their attempt to sneak in the back door of a conference championship with another surprise win at home over Sparty? (Sparty -2.5)
- Will the Hilltoppers get past the 50 against LSU?

What are you lookin at? Week 10 2011

2011-11-05T13:19:18Z

It's week 10 and the pretenders have all been exposed for who they really are. Here's what I'm looking for in today's best matchups.

For a pregame snack I'm cooking up a pulled pork 3 way. Pork sliders with a pineapple chutney, pork soft tacos with asian slaw and pork sandwiches with Qdaddy BBQ sauce.

2:30 Texas A&M at #6 Oklahoma ABC
Both of these teams can put up some points with the #2 (OU) and #7 total offenses in the country this game could see 1000 yards of offense. A&M has a lot more balance on offense than OU with a run/pass ranking of 16/17 in the nation. The sooners on the other hand rely on a screen passes as long handoffs which helps explain their 51st ranked rushing O. On defense is where the big difference comes. The Aggies are 90th in total D and 84th in pass efficiency D and 120 out of 120 teams in pass defense. The only other number that matter are the Aggies 110th in turnover margin
OU is giving 13.5 at home still smarting from Tech embarrassing them at home. I'm taking the Sooners to cover.

After the Sooners game it's back to the tailgate for some taco soup and more foosball as they say in the South.

7:00#1 LSU at #2 Alabama CBS
This is your typical SEC battle. Not a ton of points put up in this one because it's all going to be Defense. Both teams ranked statistically in the top 10 in pretty much every category.
The slight differences are on offense where Bama allows 1 sack per game. LSU doesn't pass much but when they do, their 8th ranked pass efficiency could make a difference compared to Bama's 35th ranking. Bama has a better run game with Trent Richardson.
I would not bet this game but for recreational purposes only I think this is the year for the evil hatted honey badger.
Bama is favored by 5. I'm taking LSU and the 5 points.

7:00#14 Kansas State at #3 Oklahoma State ABC
In the flipback game of the week because that's what you'll be doing on the LSU game commercial timeouts, you've got the high flying Okie State fighting Weedens and scrappy K State Snyders. What Okie lite doesn't have in a run game (41st) it makes up for with in passing with #4 passing O in the country. Kansas State has relied on getting ahead and grinding it out with their 20th ranked rushing O. The Pokes will score at will against K State's 103rd ranked pass D. K-State will score some points against OSU's 62nd ranked scoring D.
While Defense wins championships, outscoring your opponent wins games.
Osu is favored by 21. I think they cover and keep winning until the heartbreaker against OU.

What are you looking at? Week 6 2011

2011-10-08T12:53:48Z

It's already week six and you know what that means. Time for some good old fashioned hate (Fresno state defense not included).

11:00 (Really?) #1 OU at #11 Texas (ABC)
Whoever thought an 11:00 AM game at the texass state fair was a good idea should be beaten. The only thing open before 10am is the car show and while they do sell beer there, it's hard to get around because of all of the carts. The whorns come to the cotton bowl with their quarterback wonderwheel with a 15th ranked pass efficiency and the 5th ranked pass efficiency defense. Horns are tied for 7th in turnover margin, which is 14 places better than the Sooners who have had some ball protection issues lately. Horns will probably try to exploit bad positioning by the Sooners D just like Mizzou a couple weeks ago. OU will lead with a healthy dose of the run game against Texsa 34th ranked rushing D.
Sooners are favored by 11. My crimson colored glasses are telling me that OU covers.

2:30 #17 Florida at #1 LSU
The Gators come in to Death Valley reeling from their home loss to Bama last week. LSU doesn't have much of a passing game(101st) but they really haven't had to still scoring an average of 27 ppg once they got into SEC play. The Florida front on D hasn't been the difference maker that they've been in the past being pretty mediocre in both tackles for loss and sacks. When the Gators have the ball, they'll lead with Demps and Rainey while trying to keep freshman Jeff Driskoll and the Gators 86th ranked passing offense ahead of the chains. LSU's defense will dominate the gators.
Vegas says LSU by 14. I haven't seen anything from the Gators that convinces me otherwise.

The 7pm slot is a toss up. Really can't stomach another SEC game with Auburn at Arkansas or a putrid B1G matchup with the Buckeyes at Nebraska. May just watch Texas A&M collapse in the 2nd half against Tech. It's like watching a train wreck, but who doesn't like that?

I'm thinking that I'm smoking a pork loin and making tacos for a mid afternoon snack.

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What are you lookin at? Week 4, 2011

2011-09-23T11:57:17Z

Welcome to "Someone has to Lose" Saturday. Another week has gone by and the Sooners have won the biggest road game since 2003. Now we will see if they have a hangover versus Mizzou or if they can keep up the intensity in this road game. Here's what I'm watching.

2:30 #14 Arkansas at #3 Alabama
Both teams are 3-0 so someone has to lose. Arkansas ranks 11th in total offense in their 3 games against Patsy, Patsy and Troy this year. It took the Tide some time to get rolling against Penn State who is basicly your typical luke warm Big10 school. Look for Bama's #2 scoring D to put the clamps down on the Hogs and their "first team to 50 wins" 8th ranked scoring offense. Both teams have had some protection issues on the O line so I won't be surprised if there is at least one defensive touchdown in this game.
Vegas is saying Alabama by 12.5. I think Arkansas keeps it interesting so I'm taking the the Hogs and the points.

2:30 #7 Oklahoma State at #8 Texas A&M
The Pokes are playing Option Defense this year, meaning defense is optional and they are not playing any. The Aggies and Cyrus Gray have managed to put some points on the board in their 2 games as well. The Aggies have no turnovers and have allowed no sacks while eating up 450+ yards per game in their games. The Pokes have put up impressive numbers on offense and are ranked #3 in scoring offense in the country. Whichever team gets the most stops on D wins.
Aggies are favored by 3 at home. I'm taking the Aggies to play some solid D, get a couple three and outs and win this one at home in their farewell Big 12 tour.

7:00 Missouri at #1 Oklahoma
Mizzou has managed to get rolling after their close one against Miami (Ohio) and the loss to Arizona state, they walloped directional illinois behind James Franklin (think poor man's EJ Manuel). Look for the Sooner passing game to exploit the Tigers 79th ranked pass efficiency D. Both teams have had some turnover issues but I expect the Sooners to come in with a bit of a hangover from last weekend and turn it on in Q2.
Oklahoma is giving 21 at home. Sooners cover this one but it's only in the 20's and as close as a Jimmy Stevens knuckleball PAT.

On the tailgate menu we're having Hatch Chili burgers, Cuban burgers and California Burgers.

What are you lookin at? Week 3, 2011

2011-09-16T11:12:49Z

Another week has passed filled with realignment talk, Kill's desperate plea for attention, zombies and Bobby Bowden's prostate (if only I hadn't named my fantasy football team). I'm ready for some football. Here's what I'm watching on Saturday

11:00 #18 West Virginia at Maryland ESPNU
In their first outing the Terps sans chubby guy defeated a depleted and demoralized Miami team. While the Mountaineers beat up on Marshall and hapless Norfolk state. This should be a good test for both teams. On offense, lots of throwing it around with Geno Smith and Danny O'Brien leading top 20 passing offenses. This will be a long game as neither offense has a running game to speak of. The key will be on defense. In this "first team to 50 wins" matchup, whoever gets the most stops out of their D will win it.
Vegas says Maryland by 2. I'm taking Maryland at home and giving 2 points.

2:30 #23 Texas at UCLA ABC
Oh how I have grown to hate the words "McCoy to Shipley" but it seems the horns have found another pair of life partners from those ill fated families. The horns had an impressive win against BYU last week and UCLA lost it's first game to a barely relevant Houston. Texas has shown some toughness with it's 15th ranked D which is what they will need on the road against UCLA and their 22nd ranked offense. In the game of field position, UCLA loses with their 100th ranked kick returns and 103rd ranked punting. Also with UCLA's lack of a pass rush, it should be a red letter day for the Texas QB's.
Horns are getting 3 1/2 on the road and while I always love to see them lose, I also love a good train wreck which is what UCLA is. I'm taking the horns and hoping the value of my OU-Texas tickets go up on ebay.

7:00 #1 Oklahoma at #5 Florida State
This one is getting a bit chippy with all the pregame talk about payback from last year and the twitter zombie. Even with all the talk of dual threat EJ Manuel, the Noles are primarily a passing first team with a 78th ranked rushing offense. Look for the Noles to exploit inexperience at the safety and linebacker positions for OU. That means running backs out on screens, slashing runs right up the gut and some pump fake wheel routes by receivers. Sooner offense will keep it as vanilla as they have to but look for a breakout game by Hanna on some TE routes that the sooners didn't really show against Tulsa. Sooners are awful against ranked teams on the road and we will see if this is an exception.
Oklahoma is favored by 3. I'm drinking my okie state "this is the year" koolaid and hesitantly picking the Sooners.

What are you lookin at? Week 3, 2011 Thursday edition

2011-09-14T11:26:45Z

As we get a little closer to conference play, we are starting to see who the contenders and pretenders are and that will continue to prove out this week. Here's what I'm watching starting thursday night.

7:00 #3 LSU at #25 Mississippi State ESPiN
At the beginning of the season when Miss St came out in the top 25 I was wondering what in the world people were thinking. But I've come to the conclusion that the 1-1 Bulldogs are not as awful as I thought they were. They have a solid running game with Ballard and are tied for 5th in total offense. LSU (2-0) has a horrible offense but they win games so far with ball control, defense and special teams getting good field position.

LSU is favored by 3 on the road. Offense sells tickets, defense wins games and special teams wins championships. I'm picking LSU to cover.

What are you lookin at? Saturday Sept 10th

2011-09-10T00:15:22Z

New season and some things don't change. I'm still concerned about OU's run game and defense in their win against Tulsa. Here's your slate of what I'm watching on Saturday.

11:20 ESPN Gameplan
#16 Mississippi State at Auburn
Miss State is favored by 5 1/2. Last week Miss St put on a clinic against Memphis and padded their stats while Auburn struggled at home against Utah State. Auburn's 94th ranked rushing O should get a shot in the arm against the Bulldogs 77th ranked rushing D from last week. I'm picking the Home dog and the points.

6:00 ESPN2
Byu at #24 Texas
Texas has played BYU and lost both times. BYU is getting 5 points on this one. BYU didn't impress last week at Ole Miss. All they did was win. Texas dominated the powerful Rice Owls. BYU won on the road against a much tougher team. I think BYU jumps on Tejas and doesn't let up and Texas is floating in after their powderpuff matchup last week. I''ve got BYU and the points.

What are you looking at? Saturday Sept 2, 2011

2011-09-02T21:55:14Z

The meat has been rubbed and the tailgate gear is loaded. Tomorrow is the big day.

Just to recap, I'm 1-0 on my picks for the season. Wisconsin blistered Nevada who gave up on the run game waaaaaaay to early in my opinion. Nevada was ripping them up the middle. And Wildcats eeked one out against the Hilltoppers and once again proved why OJ likes to hide out in Lexington. Because nobody would look for a Heisman trophy winner in Lexington.

Here's what I've got cooking on Saturday. Smoked brisket tacos with an asian slaw and pulled pork sandwiches on corn bread rolls with an apple slaw. And here's what I'll be watching.

2:30 NBC
USF at #16 Notre Dame
While I don't think that Skip Holtz has had enough time to turn the Bulls around, I think that South Florida is underrated and had a pretty decent team last year and they bring back a good number of starters from an 8-5 team with the mental toughness to win two games in OT on the road last year. The Bulls had a top third defense last year and that should stay consistent. The Irish come into the season overrated because of their name. Brian Kelly has had some time to put his system in place but he has a lot of work to do with a team who's run game (92nd) was non-existent and their special teams looked more like special ed.
The Irish are giving 8.5. While I'm cheering against the Catholics (47), I think their depth gives them the edge to cover.

Unfortunately the best two games are on while I be sweating it off at Owen Field (and not the one I'm watching).

7:00 ABC
#3 Oregon vs #4 LSU
It's the probation bowl in Jerry World. Not sure what the mad hatter has in his hat for this one. This one is really a battle between Oregon's offense (#1 in total offense and scoring offense lsat year) and LSU's defense(#11th scoring D) last year. LSU is going to struggle getting out of it's own way to score just like last year (86th in total offense last year). They should have home field advantage in Dallas. The spread is LSU minus 3. I think Oregon speed on the edges and the fact that LSU is missing JJ helps the Ducks win.

7:00 ESPN
#5 Boise State at #19 Georgia
Mark Richt is on the hot seat. Georgia was a pretty serviceable team in 2011 with their biggest flaw being their run game (#73 rushing offense). Kellen Moore is missing one of his top targets and the Broncos have two other starter who are being held out and it doesn't matter. All Chris Peterson does is come in to tough environments and win. Boise State's defense will be a difference maker against an inexperienced Dawg offense.
Georgia is getting 2.5 at home. I'm taking the Bronco's to cover.

7:00 FX
Tulsa at #1 Oklahoma
Sooner fans need to remember that there's only one ranking that counts and it's not the one at the beginning of the season. Tulsa is no slouch and comes in off of a 10-3 season last year, a salty offense that can score some points and a 7 game winning streak. Sooners start out the season missing a couple key pieces of their defense that was pretty good against the pass (#8 pass efficiency D) but not so great on the run (58th rushing D). This is a bit of a rivalry game for Tulsa and their players will come in with something to prove to the in state team that overlooked them.
The Sooners are giving 22 and barring the appearance of Dirty Landry Jones the Sooners will cover (just barely).

And since I didn't pick tonight's game against the spread. TCU is giving 10 points to Baylor. TCU's stingy defense is enough to cover.

Fear the Smurf Turf.

What are you looking at? Season kickoff special 2011

2011-08-28T13:28:54Z

By this time next week, I’ll have watched at least four full CFB games and eaten way too much at my tailgate and stayed up way to late. Not to mention missing the best (and only games featuring two ranked teams)games of the weekend because I'm sitting in the oppressive Oklahoma heat watching the Sooners spank the hapless hurricanes. Mrs FBJ says "it's the home opener honey."

While I'm really excited about the season, some people will do anything for their football including playing in a hurricane. Wonder how many fans sat through that one? However, this could be the best hurricane related football news that we've heard in a while. http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/28/div-ii-schools-scoff-in-irenes-general-direction-open-2011-season/related/

Thursday I’m watching UNLV at Wisconsin. In the Rose Bowl, the Badgers departed from their game plan and fell into the trap of “we’re just going to overpower the hapless Horned Frogs.” I would almost say that their loss can be directly attributed to their coach’s ego getting in the way, but that never happens to Bret Bielema. I’m pretty sure the #11 Badgers will handle a UNLV team that finished 98^th in rushing and 109^th in passing in 2010.

Friday it’s the winner of the 2011 Rose Bowl versus Briles Baylor Bears. The Horned Frogs are breaking in a new QB in Casey Pachal and who better to do that on than the team that was 104^th in defense last year. Baylor’s awesome home field advantage will probably be a benefit (for TCU) since Baylor’s stadium is usually filled by fans of the other team. This one should be no exception given the short drive from Fort Worth to Waco. This one really comes down to one question: Can Robert Griffin score more points against the stingy TCU defense than TCU can score. No. TCU wins by 10.

Next post, you'll get my Saturday breakdown and tailgate menu.

We got spirit. Yes we do....

Are the 2011 Sooners THAT team?

2011-08-08T11:46:30Z

Sooner fans have already circled the September 17^th when OU visits Tallahassee as the early make or break game in a schedule that is favorable to make a run at the National Championship.

The mark of a team that can win the championship is the ability to win on the road. Being able to win on the road is not enough. A championship caliber team has to be able to beat top rated teams, on the road and come from behind to quiet 80,000+ rabid fans on a fall Saturday afternoon. Neutral site games do not count.

Now that I’ve put it that way, “what say you, fellow Sooner fans?” Is this that team? Before you answer, let’s take a stroll down memory lane so you can find a team that was that team for the sake of comparison.

In 2010 the only ranked teams that the Sooners played on the road were Mizzou (lost) and Okie Lite who while ranked #10 has far from an intimidating environment with 50,000 fans just up the highway. The Sooners did put it together and did break the aggies hearts, but it was more in that “shucks. This was our chance way.” If that team shows up on September 17^th, there’s a chance these Sooners have what it takes to make a run.

In 2009, the team had the heart of the tin man where they only won in Lawrence to a #24 ranked Jayhawk team. 2008 will be known as the “year that defense forgot” where the Sooners drubbed a sad Washington team and a host of the unranked on the road while giving up an average of 27 on the road. Decent team but they lost the ultimate road game in the BCS championship game that was a home game for the Gators.

In 2007 the Sooners didn’t play a ranked team on the road and while ranked #3 themselves were robbed in Lubbock. 2006 saw the Sooners leave the game too close in Eugene so that one call made the difference and then they snuck out of College Station with a 1 point win over the #21 Aggies that was more Coach Fran’s loss the Bob’s gain. 2005 gave us an 8-4 team that won in KC against the Jayhawks and then got jobbed in Lubbock for the first time.

2004 saw the Sooners beat an outmatched #20 Okie Lite and #22 A&M on the road before the USC drubbing in the NC game. The best road team the Sooners beat in 2003 was an unranked Alabama. In ’02 the Sooners avoided a close call against unranked Mizzou (fake field goal to Chester I think) and then lost by 4 to an unranked A&M in College Station when their secondary was exposed and were humiliated three weeks later in Stillwater in what was surely this generation’s Golden Age of OSU football.

In 2001 The Sooners started the season ranked #3 and beat some unranked teams on the road until losing to #3 Nebraska in Lincoln and then to OSU 4 weeks later (See Golden Age of OSU football). 2000 saw the #8 Sooners break the hearts of Manhattan with a thriller versus #2 KSU, follow that up with a last minute interception to beat#23 A&M and a National Championship.

Are the 2011 Sooners that team? Ask me in 6 weeks.

Top 10 reasons I will miss the Huskers and Buffalo in the Big 12

2011-07-31T02:20:27Z

July 1st has come and gone and the Huskers are now part of the Big 10(II). And the Buffalo are now part of the pac 12. Lots has been written about it from how much the Big 12 (10) will miss them to what a better fit they are for their new conference. Here are the top 10 things I will miss or the memories I will have of having them both in the Big 12 (-).

10. Colorado's classy fans - From the hand gestures in the parking lot to the empty student section to frozen things being thrown at players. Stay classy Boulder.

9. Lincoln - Some place called the cave that apparently was a great place to visit the night before and the night after a game in Lincoln. And the fact that one of my best friends who went there as a Ruffnek vows NEVER to visit the city again under any circumstances. Never been there myself but the stories are enough.

8. The Dan Hawkins Legacy - From Boise to Boulder and nowhere in between, I looked forward every year to the awkwardness that comes along with starting your son on your own team in big time football when you're the only one who doesn't know he's not good enough.

7. OU-Nebraska during the Big 8 days - It was Thanksgiving, for the Big 6/8 and National championship, Barry vs Tom, N for knowledge, fumblerooski before Keith Jackson was a West coast football snob. Whoa Nelly!

6. The memory of Frank Solich - Frank Solich reminds me of mortality and everything important about cleaning up a program. Most importantly he reminds me of my personal favorite coach at OU who I have huge respect for...Gary Gibbs. Frank was Nebraska's Gary Gibbs.

5. The golden year of Colorado football - Just the fact that occasionally I had to be reminded that there was a "golden year" of Colorado Football. It was 1990. You should read up on it if you like obscure history that will never repeat itself.

4. The games - 1980 Sitting in my mom's brown, two door chevy caprice honking the horn after Buster Rhymes vaults into the endzone. My mom comes out and she's not happy with me. Billy Sims' fumblefest and our revenge in the Orange Bowl that same season ('78).

3. Tom Osborne - Very few rivalries where you just can't hate the other coach. This was one of them. Tom Osborne was a class act and he was a great example for the N is for knowledge knation.

2. "This is Division 1 Football. This ain't intramurals brother!" - Stay classy Boulder and Dan Hawkins.

1. Nebraska's classy fans - There I was, sitting in Arrowhead Stadium freezing my butt off and surrounded by Nebraska fans. Ou takes over and wins the Big 12...again. And then again, there I was at Texas stadium watching the final Big 12 championship. Nebraska fans have been great. I played touch football on Friday night with a bunch of them the night before the final Big 12 championship in the RV lot. I always thought that they were like us; hard working, same values; team loyalty but in touch with reality. Just like us except we won more of course. At the end of the day, it's just "boys playing a game."

Thanks for reading,
Qdaddy

Don"t they know that there is no water in Nebraska? Back to geography for you! - N is Knowledge

The Dog Days of Summer

2011-07-02T16:16:41Z

Happy July Sports Fans.

Can you believe we are less than 60 days from kickoff of the 2011 season? On Thursday Sept 1, you will get to see if the Badgers can overcome their Non-AQ slump against UNLV and then on Friday the 2nd, you've got Baylor versus the Horned Frogs. Can't wait!!! But while you are, here are a couple good reads for you.

Gregg Doyel does a spot on take on why College Football blows away the NFL hands down. No player is bigger than the game. http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15274851/college-football-is-better-than-nfl-and-its-not-even-close

And what is it with receivers taking off to do something else. You've got Easterling from FSU leaving to go play baseball. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/07/01/florida-state-easterling.ap/index.html?sct=cf_t2_a6 And then you have the shorthorns Marquise Goodwin going to work on his track meet skills. The hits just keep on coming for the horns and it's a sign to me that the slump down there hasn't turned the corner.

Next up on the posting agenda, "The reasons I am going to miss the Huskers."

Home of the Sooners!!!!!!!

2010-09-18T01:20:00Z

Hey Sooner fans,

Want to share this article from Rick, FSU Class of '82. Way to make us proud last weekend and he doesn't even mention us defacing the national anthem. Great job representing our great state and team. Keep it up with my brothers in arms and their fans tomorrow. “Welcome to Norman, we’re glad you’re here! Would you like something to eat, how about something to drink or maybe a beer? You Seminoles sure travel well, thanks for coming!”
www.tomahawknation.com/2010/9/15/1690716/welcome-to-norman-were-glad-your />
A little on the "Home of the Sooners" controversy from OUinsider and Berry Tramel. Btw as a Marine veteran, I couldn't care less whether you say Home of the Sooners, Brave or whatever.
http://ouinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164574
I sent it to Tramel yesterday.

His reply:

Thanks for writing. First of all, what a great word, "nontroversy." Never heard it. I will use it somewhere down the road. Great stuff.
Greed trumping patriotism? Great question. Does OU still sell this print at the bookstore? Someone told me it's still available.
The answer to your last question is no.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: SoonerPride
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 12:58 PM
To: Berry Tramel
Subject: Home of the Sooners.

Dear Mr. Tramel:

I cannot help but be bemused by the entire nontroversy surrounding the "home of the brave" v. the "home of the Sooners."

Especially in light of the fact the University of Oklahoma licenses and makes money off this print.

So does greed trump patriotism for OU? Or is this brouhaha merely a creation of local media driven by the need of a story after a ho-hum 30 point win?

Sincerely,
SoonerPride

Sooners lack discipline and killer instinct in home opener

2010-09-05T14:57:00Z

The Sooners jumped out to an early lead of 21-0 in the first 26 minutes of the game and then quit playing because they think they are “that good” and if Utah State didn’t know it they apparently had not been watching ESPN. Then in a span of the next 8 minutes or so, Utah State scored 17 points just before and after the half. The rest was a little too close for comfort. Here are my observations.

Offense – D

Offensive Line

OU’s experienced offensive line was “dominated” for three quarters of the ball game by Utah State and their scheme. The worst part about it is that they clearly lack leadership. When they cam off of the field after yet another three and out, there was no one calling anyone out or pumping them up. And for most of the game, when the O line was sitting on the bench there was no coaching, just silence. In my opinion the O line just showed a lack of interest and leadership on Saturday night.

Play calling

Our package of five or so plays exudes the arrogance that the rest of the team displayed. We thought that we could dominate Utah State just by showing up and that all we would need was some vanilla offense with Demarco left, Demarco right and a couple pass plays. Unfortunately 80,000+ people knew exactly what play was coming up and so did the Aggies. They loaded the box on first and second down and kept the Sooners behind the chains for most of the second half. This gets us to third downs.

Third Down Efficiency

The Sooners third down efficiency was horrible. We went 5-17 (29%) on third down conversions. I chalk some of this up to the factors above, but the Aggies just did a better job of keeping the Sooners behind the chains and unable to convert. On third downs they typically sent three or four and dropped the rest into coverage. Their strategy was simple. Make the quarterback beat them.

Quarterbacking

Landry Jones is the poor man’s Nate Hybl. He’s going to win the job in practice and try not to lose it in the game. He won’t win the game for you, but he won’t lose it either. Instead of looking like the battle tested 2^nd year QB, Landry Jones spent most of the day looking like he couldn’t get rid of the ball fast enough (which the O line did not help with). Most of his passes were bullets but unfortunately they were sometimes from 7 yards away and just seemed to lack any touch whatsoever. The frantic appearance of the QB and his play only bolstered the confidence of the Aggies.

Defense C+

Defensive Line

The Sooner front had fits with Aggie QB Diondre Borel and RB Michael Smith. While they sometimes got to Borel, his ability to evade tacklers allowed him enough time for receivers to get open. I’m not really sure whether it was the stunts or twists but the D line was not playing very good assignment football and there were several occasions where the ends got sucked in and lost contain while trying to make the big hit. The defensive line did manage to get some pressure on Borel, but it was not controlled and contained pressure showing a lack of discipline and understanding their assignments.

Secondary

Without a disciplined defensive front, Borel shredded the Sooner secondary for 340 yards. The Sooner secondary made him look like a blue chip recruit from Artesia, New Mexico. The secondary also did not play disciplined assignment football when it came to covering the pass. One bright spot in my opinion was their run support. This is a young group in the secondary and they have a ways to go but Coach Martinez only has 6 days to teach them assignment football or Christian Ponder will teach them the hard way.

Special Teams - B-

My vote for MVP goes to Tress Way. His big leg bailed the Sooner O out and gave the defense some breathing room on several occasions. The jury is still out on having Broyles back returning punts. And Ohara’s 32 yard knuckleball through the uprights almost made me long for the days of Jimmy Stevens. I’ve seen some kickers who can launch the kickoff into the end zone so the return team can’t run it back. We could use one of those.

Coaching - D

I’ve already mentioned the arrogant play calling so I won’t revisit that. The only offensive position coach who was actually coaching between drives was Josh Heupel. The O line, running backs and receivers just sat on the bench by themselves looking bewildered and checked out. They could have been in Political Science 113 for all of the enthusiasm they were showing and the coaches weren’t doing much to adjust or get them pumped up.

Fans – C

The fans put in their typical opening day performance with the one exception of they didn’t all leave at the end of the third quarter. More people stayed for this one than stayed for the TCU loss a few years ago. Unfortunately the layfan is still a knucklehead. They are starting their own QB controversy with all of the talk about Allen and Bell needing to get a shot. In the last couple minutes of the game and the fans booed whenever the Sooners took a knee instead of running it up. The knee formation is the best play in college football.

Summary

Out of the gate this team is just plain undisciplined. While the 7 penalties are much better than last year’s opener against BYU and barely more than the 5 penalties on Corey Brandon alone in Game 1 of 2009, the penalties aren’t the only tale of the tape. Lack of containment on the D line, blown assignments and “give ups” show you that this team has a long way to go to live up to the preseason hype.

The other thing this team seems to lack out of the gate is a killer instinct or the ability to finish. After a 21 point lead and almost to halftime, they took the foot off of the gas and coasted over on the shoulder. The O line was clearly mailing it in for most of the second half and I really question their ability to put together a sustained drive when the game is on the line.

I’ve seen this team before and I know how it ends. They will be really good at playing right below the level of their opponents. They will have some single digit losses and declare moral victory. If they get better quick, they will win 10 games, might back into the Big 12 championship and if not this is a 7 win team at the Cotton Bowl in January.

Who's playing for the crystal football next year? Rivals knows.

2010-02-06T16:59:00Z

We made it!!! 10 months until middle-aged, jort wearing bald guys are again fawning over and wringing hands about the decisions of 18 year old kids and where they are going to school. There are those who think that recruiting has "nothing" to do with what happens at the end of next year and who is playing for the BCS championship. I "used to" be in that group until a little research.

Using the Rivals.com rankings for the prior 4 years' recruiting classes for the 5 national champions, I established hte following trends:
- All but 1 (Texas), had an average recruiting class ranking of under 10 for the four prior years
- 4 of the 5 preceded their National championship season with top 10 recruiting classes
- and all 5 preceded their national championship season with a top 5 recruiting class

The 2009 Top 10 recruiting classes according to Rivals were:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ohio State
4. USC
5. Texas
6. Georgia
7. Florida State
8. Michigan
9. North Carolina
10. Tennessee

The 2010 Top 5 were:
1.USC
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Auburn
5. Alabama

So there you go. If you are going to Vegas, the numbers tell you to put your money on the Tide, Trojans or shorthorns. Just make sure that you wash yourself after pulling for those last two.

Counting Down the Bowls: #30 The Train Wreck Bowl, Michigan State vs Texas Tech

2010-01-03T00:50:00Z

The Valero Alamo Bowl
Michigan State vs Texas Tech, ESPN, 8:00

You just have to wonder what will have the bigger impact on a team, losing a head coach and all the turmoil surrounding it or having 11 teammates suspended before the game. Ruffin McNeill, The nutty professor leads the Sand Aggies into this game. Michigan State is 96th in the country in pass efficiency D and Texas Tech is #2 passing offense. Any questions? Regardless of Mike Leach being gone, first one to 50 wins and that's the Sand Aggies. There's a reason they call it a "system."

Pick: Texas Tech is favored by 8. I'm picking the home team to cover.

Counting down the bowls: 26, 27, 28 International, Papajohns.com and AT&T Cotton

2010-01-02T15:28:00Z

International Bowl, ESPN2, 11:00
South Florida Bulls vs Northern Illinois Huskies

Jim Leavitt is hoping that since he's at the who cares bowl, it will be okay to manhandle his players. Huskies have the 17th ranked rushing O in the country and the 109th passing offense. Huskie Running Back Chad Spann is the 52nd ranked rusher in the nation. South Florida is 51st in rushing D. When the bulls are on O it's the BJ Daniels show.

Pick: South Florida is favored by 7. I'm taking them to cover.

Papajohns.com Bowl, ESPN, 1:00
South Carolina vs Connecticut

The mediocrity bowl pits a pretty sad South Carolina team led by Stephen Garcia who never managed to step up and be the leader that he was expected to be. UConn's front four will spend some time putting the spaniard on his back led by Lindsey Witten and Lawrence Wilson, 7th in sacks and fourth in tackles respectively. The UConn tragedy and feel good story will be oozing at us from all directions but they won't be enough for an SEC team, even a bad one.

Pick: The Cocks are favored by 4. The best player is the kicker. So I'm taking the Cocks to cover.

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Fox, 1:00
Oklahoma State vs Ole Miss

And of course in the "can't handle the pre-season hype" bowl you have the Pokes vs the Rebels. The pokes are playing for their first 10 win season. Ole Miss is led by Jevan "I had to leave Texas to become a starter" Snead who has thrown as many interceptions as anyone in the country. When he's not throwing picks, he's handing the ball off to Dexter McCluster who is 53rd in the country for all purpose yards. Look for the running game to be tested by the Poke's 6th ranked rushing D. Lots of balls up for grabs for the Pokes to pick. Expect Patrick Lavine and Perish Cox (20th and 37th in INT's) to have banner days.

When the Pokes have the ball, Russell Okung will be anchoring the O line for the 24th ranked rushing O and Keith Toston 25th rusher in the country. The Cowboys should be able to have their way with the Rebels 57th ranked rushing D in the country. If they load the box, Robinson can burn them through the air.

Pick: Oles Miss is favored by 3. Turnovers will be the difference in this one and Ole Miss is 105th in that category. I'm picking the Pokes to cover is if Zac Robinson can avoid doing his "Zac Robinson in a bowl game" imitation from last year.

Counting down the bowls: #24 Grand Daddy of them all, The Rose Bowl

2010-01-01T21:34:00Z

Rose bowl
Ohio State vs Oregon

Ohio State is all about the rushing game on both sides of the ball ranked 19th in rushing O, 5th in rushing D and an impressive 7th in pass efficiency D. The Ducks come in with the 6th ranked rushing offense and 33rd in total D.

Pick: Ducks are favored by 5. I think the Buckeyes are more balanced than they get credit for. I'll take them and the points.

Counting Down the Bowls: #21, 22, 23 Outback, Gator and Capital One

2010-01-01T14:32:00Z

Outback Bowl
Northwestern vs Auburn, 10:00 ESPN

In another SEC vs Big 10 match up, the Wildcats will try to salvage the reputation of the conference and their post season play. They have not won a Bowl Game since 1949. Watch for Auburn's Chris Todd to steal the show picking apart Northwestern's pass defense. When that gets going they'll give the rock to Ben Tate and rely on their 13th ranked rushing O to take it to Northwestern. When Northwestern has the ball, they'll rely on the pass since their rushing O is a sad 93rd in the country. Expect Auburn's Antonio Coleman (24th in sacks and tfl's) to abuse the Northwestern O line that is 88th in sacks allowed.

Pick: The line is Auburn by 9. I'll take the tigers to cover in another cat fight.

Gator Bowl
West Virginia vs Florida State, 12:00 CBS

Love him or hate him, Bobby Bowden has left his legacy on college football dadgum. After 44 years as a head coach, it ends today. Emotions are going to be high for the FSU as they take on a Mountaineer squad that is on a four game bowl winning streak. When the Noles have the ball look for Christian ponder (3rd in total offense) to air it out to Reed and Owens. Of course the Mountaineers secondary is no slouch with Robert Sands and Keith Tandy, 20th and 90th in interceptions. The Mountaineers will look to run the ball with Noel Divine (20th in rushing) against the Noles 108th ranked rushing O.

Pick: West Virginia by 3 is what Vegas says. Sorry Bobby. Mountaineers win big and cover.

Capital One Bowl
#13 Penn State vs#12 LSU, noon ABC

LSU will rely on their 12th ranked scoring defense to try to shut down a pretty balanced Penn State attack. Darryl Clark is 35th in total offense as a QB and Evan Royster is 34th in rushing so this will be a battle of strength on strength when Penn State has the ball. When LSU has it Jordan Jefferson can air it out some but the Tigers will be in the hurt locker if Charles Scott can't go and Penn State will be be camping out in the LSU backfield.

Pick: Vegas says even so I'm going with LSU's D to be better than Penn State's O in another SEC vs Big 10 match up.

Counting Down the Bowls: #19 and #20 Insight and Eat More Chicken Bowl

2009-12-31T21:10:00Z

Insight Bowl, Tempe, Az
Minnesota vs Iowa State, 5:00 NFL Network

Last time Iowa State beat Minnesota was 1898.

When Minnesota is on offense, their awfulness (113th in total offense) is only closely matched by the Cyclones suckage on defense (99th in total defense). The only bright point in this game is Iowa State's Alexander Robinson and Jesse Smith, 27th rusher and 11th tackler in the country respectively. Cyclones have the 36th ranked rushing O and that will be the difference.

Pick: Golden Gophers are favored by 2. You heard it here first. The century old streak is broken by the Cyclones.

Chik Fil A Bowl, Atlanta, GA
#11 Virginia Tech vs Tennessee, 6:30, ESPN

Hokies have the 15th ranked rushing O behind Ryan Williams. In the air, it's Tyrod Taylor throwing to Boykin. Might be a little tough since the Vols have the 8th ranked pass efficiency D in the country Vols have Montario Hardesty, 19th ranked rusher in the country who will be pounding on the Hokies' 14th ranked defense.

Pick: Hokies are favored by 6. I'll take the Hokies to cover.

Sorry Vols.