OU Fan Down on Stoops?

Why would any die-hard OU fan think that Bob Stoops is undeserving of “coach of the year” honors? Yes, the Sooners are 10-2 despite all the year’s “adversity.” But consider this possibility: were it not for OU’s incredibly defensive mentality on offense, this team might have been far better. By shackling OU’s passing offense in the second half of every game against any “quality” opponent, Sooner coaches have ensured that OU can’t put any game away and, as a result, have barely escaped two losses to inferior teams. The OSU game is only the latest example. At the same time they praise Thompson, the coaches refuse to let him pass to quality receivers, despite Thompson’s 65% completion ratio. If the defense is so good, why is Stoops so fearful of an interception, especially when that risk can be minimized by throwing downfield instead of short out routes than can be picked off and returned? OU’s foes can see that the best way to beat OU is to let them run 75% of the time yet fail to score points. When games get tight, OU will always play to avoid losing instead of playing to win going away. Wilson calls the plays, but Stoops is the strategist. If it’s any consolation to Thompson, OU’s obvious pattern is nothing new. Just review what happened in the second half of last year’s Holiday Bowl. I'm surprised none of our local pundits can see this.

David Bryant

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