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Football 101
Published: 11/24/2008 5:32 PM
Last Modified: 11/24/2008 5:32 PM

Here's why OSU has an excellent chance to defeat OU Saturday in front of what is hoped to be a majority in Stillwater.

Here's why most of you don't realize it: You're pinheads.

Now, as to why OSU has a real chance.

Football is not about comparative scores, which is the rotten foundation for the Bowl Cheating Series (BCS). As every gambler knows, the one thing comparative scores will get you is broke. Comparative scores mean nothing because of sites and injuries and luck.

The concept of a "hot team" is also nonsense.

Most teams don't get "hot." They simply play worse teams, or they start playing at home. The heat is generated by homer fans.

Here is what matters most in football: match-ups.

Here is the match-up that has always favored the current OU coaching regime: defending stationary quarterbacks, even great throwers.

Dating back to the Florida State quarterback who washed out of the NFL in about ten minutes, nobody stands tall against the Sooner defense. None of the Texas Tech "system" throwers, not Daniel of Missouri, nobody passes OU into submission.

Now, quarterbacks who can run and pass, that's another matter. Look at West Virginia, look at Oregon, look at Texas, look at Boise, look at most if not all OU losses --mobile quarterbacks!

Given that trend, OSU absolutely has a chance. And it's all on the quarterback.

Getting around to the possible empty seats in Stillwater. How can the athletic director not release single tickets to Cowboy season ticket holders, and still keep his job?!

It's simple, give the singles to the loyal people.

Guess what, pal, look around, that's Game Day, the future won't get much bigger, the future is now!




Reader Comments 62 Total
TBone Sooner (4 years ago)
I expect a great game. Two good programs with a lot on the line. But I'll let you in on something. A good game to me is OU winnin' by 21. A great game? 35. BOOMER SOONER!
JJ (4 years ago)
Way to point out the obvious picker, isnt that about the 100th time you have made that statement?
huh? (4 years ago)
It seems to me that the teams you mentioned gave more people than just OU problems! Are they not all winning programs? OSU has won the majority of their games this year too, right? Of COURSE they have a chance.
canester (4 years ago)
I agree about OSU letting their loyal season ticket holders buy up the remaining tickets. Saves face for Holder, fills the stadium, and generates more revenue for OSU.

....But smart isn't exactly the Aggie way.

NORSEMUSTANG (4 years ago)
Picker, I don't know how a mobile QB doesn't give ANYONE (not just OU) problems as opposed to a stationary QB. By the way, I was hoping you would give everyone your thoughts on Saturdays game.
NORSEMUSTANG (4 years ago)
I meant LAST Saturday's game.
PICK ME (4 years ago)
He won't discuss the OU/TECH game because it would mean he would have to acknowledge he was wrong. It goes against his whole "OU can't stop anyone and can't beat a good quarterback" scheme.
Arthur (4 years ago)
How does going against your word save face? I'm not sure that failing to back up your mouth is exactly the best way to look good. If he does this again next year or even in two years for Bedlam again, why would anyone buy season tickets? Why not just wait until Holder caves? More season tickets will be bought this week. If that number tops 40,000, it would be an increase of roughly 7,000. Here is a breakdown of the difference in dollars that it makes for Holder to not sell single game tickets (these are all approximating the minimum a person would have to pay to see the game).

7,000x$300=$2.1 million gained by extra season tickets purchased this season
80x15,000=$1.2 million would have been gained

I'm no math expert, but almost doubling your money sounds pretty good to me. I'm not sure how this makes it so that "smart isn't exactly the Aggie way." This looks like a pretty smart way to capitalize off of a mediocre at best football program (I am referring to history not the current season). These numbers aren't even estimates of Holder's plan working well over the next week. If lots of people(around 5,000) people buy season tickets that is an increase of about 11,000 season tickets (I added only 1,000 to the last publicized figures). That total would be 3.3 million dollars. That is what I think Holder is hoping for, but even if he doesn't get it he still about doubled his money.
Mike (4 years ago)
I don't care if only 5000 show up as long as Holder keeps the the mouthy, PUNK, goons out of our stadium.
Mike (4 years ago)
I believe Oklahoma beat Brad Smith when he was at Missouri, and Seneca Wallace at Iowa State, and Vince Young at Texas, and Eric Crouch at Nebraska, and Dennis Dixon at Oregon, Colt McCoy last year, and finally - Zac Robinson, yes - Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State. OU beat Zac Robinson, Dez Bryant, and Kendall Hunter 49 - 17 last year. Zac "The Mobile Quarterback" Robinson accounted for 1 touchdown.
Mike (4 years ago)
Hey other Mike, this is not last year gooner.
stogdiddy (4 years ago)
And, other Mike, Dez was the second receiving option and Kendall was the back-up running back LAST YEAR, as opposed to Big 12 receiving leader and Big 12 rushing leader THIS YEAR. Just a little factual reminder for you.
Bilbo Baggins (4 years ago)
Is Hunter even playing THIS year?

And don't worry, Mike, we don't want to go to Sillywater anyway. I'll watch it in the comfort of my own home. It will be much like watching it there, except I won't have tobacco spit on me at home. But the noise level, and attendance, will be about the same.
WCO (4 years ago)
Jay:

OSU has a real chance to win, as they always do, and your points are well made.

However, how will OSU stop OU? Being a 7 point fav in Stillwater is the equavilent of 11 points in Norman, a solid advantage.

I can't wait for Saturday!
Dash Riprock (4 years ago)
It's lovely how The Picker chooses to ignore the fact that Brent Venables defense held the unbeaten Red Raiders and the two Heisman candidates, Harrell and Crabtree, to 14 points, UNTIL the last seconds of the game. Why no comments on that? You rip him and the defense EVERY week, why not some praise for a job well done? Texas Tech's defense has improved for a team that just hasn't quite stepped up with the Big Dogs. It's average, just like the Pokes D....AVERAGE. That will be the difference in Stillwater Saturday night, OU is just plain better.
Jack Kiper (4 years ago)
Did the Oregon quarterback run OU into submission? Not to say that OSU's OB isn't good as advertised, running and passing, but he hasn't run much since he was knocked out of the OU game last year. (possible exception Colorado, weak team and home guys). This is probably a good idea. OSU has good runner and no proven back-up OB. Other QBs you mentioned did well except Boise QB.
Eric (4 years ago)
Now that OU's defense has gotten better we are truely witnessing greatness. This is the best offense I have EVER seen in college football. 9 of these offensive players will be in the league. Instead of looking for a reason to knock this team why not just sit back and enjoy greatness!!?? OU 58 OSU 24
Mike (4 years ago)
Hey other "other Mike" - the Picker wants to talk about Oklahoma's historical problems with QB's who can run and pass - he opened the door, I just walked through it. His point was that Oklahoma can't defend a mobile QB - I believe OU defenses have beaten, and even stifled those QB's in some of their past contests - gomer.
Arthur (4 years ago)
Dez Bryant, Damian Davis, and Jeremy Broadway were all held out of the first quarter for a violation of team rules. Zac Robinson did not play in the fourth. Last year's game was only played for one half against Dez, Zac, and Spud. I make no excuses for the loss, but you can't say you already beat those three. Also, 70 yards rushing and two TDs on 15 attempts for an average of 4.7 yards a carry is a significant amount of running for anyone let alone a quarterback. These are Robinson's number for the bowl game last year. Also, Robinson has rushed for more than 60 yards three times this year. The claim that Robinson isn't running as much is not valid.

OU may very well win, but why is it that everyone is so offended that people think OSU has a chance? Much worse OSU teams have won Bedlam against similar quality OU teams. This would not be the first time OSU knocked OU out of NC contention. OSU has a good squad this year, and most national media outlets are basically giving the game to OU. This is also after OU played possibly its best game of the year, and it's on the road, a place where OU has struggled in recent years. I'm not predicting any outcome, but OSU definitely has a chance.
Mike (4 years ago)
I'm not taking anything away from OSU - I'm just responding to the Picker's claim that OU can't defend against mobile QB's - they have beaten numerous mobile QB's - several who were alot more mobile than Robinson (and Robinson had only 1 TD against the Sooners last year, a pass to Savage). The Cowboys could very well beat Oklahoma, but the claim that Oklahoma can't play against QB's who can pass and throw is silly.
cyco myko (4 years ago)
Mike, I think you mean 'pass and run'. But I'm not here to rag on you, I'm here to rag on the...
Licker, I hate to break it to you (who am I kidding? I love it), but teams can get hot. You might not think so, but a team that is coming together and playing better as a unit and getting better every game is 'hot'. Teams strive all year to continually get better, and when every person is on the same page and clicking, this is a 'hot' team. And NOT just because they're home or playing a weaker opponent. For instance, take the NY Giants of last year. On paper they certainly weren't better than New England, but they were 'hot'. Ask any coach that saw how they were playing: their best of the year. They call this getting 'hot' at the right time.
And 'match-ups' being the most important thing in football? You've said a lot, and I mean A LOT, of dumb things over the years, but this tops them all. 'Match-ups' are the most important thing in EVERY SPORT! From tennis to volleyball, how one group of players matches up against the other group is what sports ARE. Can you name me a sport where the 'match-up' ISN'T the most important thing?
And get ready to pay ME for that bet, chump.
World Picker (4 years ago)
OU has either:

Gotten better.

Started playing dogs or home games.

We'll see Saturday kids.

As to the ticket fiasco, isn't scalping on state property illegal?

Somebody gets the cuffs on the OSU athletic department.
Nit Picker (4 years ago)
World Picker is correct when he says OSU has an excellent chance of winning Saturday.
But why does he not say that it could be because they are the home team just as much as because of their mobile quarterback?
Because World Picker is a pinhead, and a bigot.
Your ignorance, WP, is getting tiresome.
Nit Picker (4 years ago)
World Picker:
Margin of victory (comparative scores) is not a foundation of the BCS, you idiot. It was reduced to nearly zero factor several years ago.
Wake up, stupid.
Bilbo Baggins (4 years ago)
Margin of victory (comparative scores) is not a foundation of the BCS, you idiot. It was reduced to nearly zero factor several years ago.
Wake up, stupid.
_______________________________

And done so at the behest of people of WP's ilk - the always intrusive sports writers.
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The Picker began entertaining – and infuriating – sports fans in 1993. Each week during football season, he writes about his picks of college and NFL games in his Thursday Sports column. He's never afraid of sharing his opinions about the game and the personalities who play it. Readers have a chance to go against him each season in the Outpick the Picker contest. He welcomes the competition.

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