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Losers Winners
Published: 1/25/2012 3:38 PM
Last Modified: 1/25/2012 4:02 PM

Here's some interesting news.

It is no secret that OU's defense has been pretty lousy in big games in recent years. So defensive coordinator Venables is thrown under the volcano (Mike Stoops), then signs on at Clemson for a huge pay raise.

It is also public record that Mack Brown at Texas shows strong signs of having lost it. After a horrific season, he fired key staff members and brought in all new people and had another terrible year. Clearly Mack wouldn't recognize a good quarterback unless it was on the other side of the field. The massive Texas slump proves among other things that hot recruiting classes mean nothing. It's all about the quarterback.
And this week Mack got a monster contract extension and a raise to $5.2 million per year.

What all this means is the worse you do in college football, the more you make.

While on the subject of football, it has become obvious that some OSU fans have lost track of reality. They speak like maintaining a lofty place in the top 20 is a near certainty. They attribute their success to great coaching. Attention dreamers: It's all about the quarterback. Weeden was miraculous. Staying in the top 20 next year is 50-50.

At OU, Bob Stoops clearly wants to become the next Arizona, which was one of the worst defensive teams in college football in recent years. It appears that the Sooners will have to average some 55 to 60 points on offense this season to be a contender.


Reader Comments 8 Total
Blue Max (last year)
So, Pick, if the quarterback is everything, what is the fate of OU in '12?
The Picker (last year)
BM, about where it was this year.
MexiMike (last year)
Pick, weren't people saying that after OSU lost Zac and Dez after the 2009 season as well?

OSU will be in the top 20. All they need is "decent" QB play. Not great. Just decent. I have a feeling they will get better than that no matter who is taking snaps in September.

Will they be as good as Brandon Weeden? Definitely not. But I don't think they will have to be in order for OSU to be in the top 20.
colhi64 (last year)
OSU has the running backs to contend again. Aren't you the one keeps saying the 'spread is dead'? Should be a very interesting season.
Well_Buh! (last year)
See Auburn. Next year, Baylor and OSU. OU with Jones will not improve.
MexiMike (last year)
Again, Well Buh, isn't that what everyone said about OSU after the 2009 season? How did that work out?
wgspost (last year)
Before this season I considered writing a book on the history of Oklahoma State football entitled: 'Wait 'till Next Year!', a slogan they've used since Jesus was a puppy. The Picker is absolutely correct when he points out that the quarterback is the linchpin of any team; Mack Brown has literally done nothing notable in Austin except recruit Vince Young, and Weeden was the difference between the Cowboys-cum-Aggies having their normal disappointing season and their number three ranking of '11. Don't believe me? Just wait until Gundy turns back into a pumpkin in '12. I promise you, 'Wait 'till Next Year' will be back.
fastfloyd (last year)
Comments are so right on it is scary Picker. This is coming to pass. As far as OU, I recall Sittler wrting " Stoops has awakened a sleeping giant" following the 2000 national championship. Dave, can now go out knowing that Bob has put the giant back to sleep. Trend line for all Oklahoma D-1 programs is progressing downward in the near future. For OU the recruiting crash is in progress.
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Out Pick The Picker

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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