Welcome back.
Here are the stories we're working on at post time, goal post time.
Has Weeden passed Bradford?
Will Westbrook ever be the same?
Will Durant head northeast to be more socially pertinent?
Can you believe we're talking pro basketball instead of OU football in August?
Why hasn't Bell transferred already?
Have Rickie Fowler's goofy hats thrown his game off?
Will writers who don't pay for tickets continue to complain about bad crowds?
Will somebody in Oklahoma please win this contest?
Will somebody hurry up and shoot Dexter?
Will a running quarterback ever win a national title?
Is TU's Blankenship the best coach in the state?
Can Mike Stoops coach a lick?
Will Landry Jones fumble the clipboard in Pittsburgh?
After the Johnny Highball saga plays out, will Texas A&M ever be heard from again?
PICKS
Thursday
TU (-4) at Bowling Green: TU has great coaches, a great campus, great spirit, a great violation-free environment, great academics, a great new doggie mascot.
All that's missing is a great performance versus OU or OSU.
We gave contest players a gift making TU the favorite over B-Green. Or is it a trap?
Great opener.
TU by 3.
North Carolina at South Carolina (-11 1/2): Send in the Clowneys.
Is the SC defender a one-hit wonder?
NC by 10.
Vandy at Mississippi (-3): OU's Stoops says SEC lower tier stinks.
But you don't see him messing with these two.
Maybe at bowl time.
Home team by 2.
Friday
Texas Tech (-6) at SMU: Gimmick offenses equal lousy defenses.
Tech by 4.
Saturday
OSU (-12 1/2) versus Mississippi State in Houston: Why Houston?
Somebody said there are more recruits around Houston than there are cars stuck in traffic.
With all the whining about mean scheduling, Gundy doesn't seem to realize he's coaching a top 20 team.
Mississippi State is basically pretty lousy.
OSU by 17.
UL Monroe at OU (-24): Stoops hires his bro to coach D, snaps routinely at the press, wants the unknown quarterback to run more, constantly reminds the media about how many medium conference games he has won.
Who says there's panic in Norman?
Stoops is a generation removed from his national title.
OU's defense is joined in progress.
This little Louisiana team can move the ball.
Over-under on Mike's sideline eruptions: 12.
Goes on pay-per-view; have 40 people over, charge a dollar per, make a few bucks.
OU by 21.
UL Lafayette at Arkansas (-11): New ultra-conservative Hog coach to return to basics, rooting around.
Ark by 14.
Rice at Texas A&M (-27): The Johnny Money Ball adventure continues.
At least the classroom shouldn't be a distraction.
Aggies by 32.
Syracuse versus Penn State (-7): For eastern supremacy.
More than enough said.
State by 9.
Virginia Tech versus Alabama (-19 1/2) in Atlanta: Beamer ball hasn't quite caught up with that new-fangled forward pass.
The SEC is the contemporary league of its own.
Bama by 21.
Washington State at Auburn (-15): Suddenly Leach's jokes are about as funny as his defense.
Should last about six and a half hours.
Auburn by 16.
Georgia (-1 1/2) at Clemson: Attention Gundy. This is the way real men schedule openers.
Clemson by 2.
LSU (-4 1/2) versus TCU in Dallas: Attention Gundy. Does Miss State suddenly look like a reasonable opening foe?
Loopy Les wrote the book on calling the wrong play at the right time.
TCU is getting a lot of love for being a six-time loser.
LSU by 7.
Boise State at Washington (-4): Rematch of a leaky bowl.
Boise is an OU creation.
Wash by 3.
Sunday
Colorado versus Colorado State (-1 1/2) in Denver: The Big 12 really misses Colorado.
Little brother is even favored here.
State by 4.
Monday
Florida State (-10 1/2) at Pitt: The whole state of Florida seems to be in a holding pattern.
Pitt has been the pits.
Florida State by 10.
Original Print Headline: Questions all around to open season
