Regardless of what happens in Stillwater...
Published: 11/26/2010 10:51 AM
Last Modified: 11/26/2010 10:51 AM
... Oklahoma rabids might remember one thing: At least they haven't been subjected to Texas football the past three months.
Bob Stoops has been roasted after each of OU's two road losses this season. Last night, Mack Brown lost his fifth home game of the year. Let that settle in with yesterday's turkey and mashed potatoes... Five home defeats.
Landry Jones has been criticized for some of the same shortcomings away from Norman. Last night, Garrett Gilbert couldn't complete the most basic of passes.
OU's defensive middle has been questioned. But did you see how easy it was for Cyrus Gray to glide right through the heart of Texas' defense for his third-quarter score?
How many of you stuck around for last night's last play? Down 7 in the final seconds, Texas' punt returner needed a fair catch to give his team a last shot, long as it was. Instead, he inexplicably watched the ball bounce, then roll, then roll a little more... until the clock had expired on his team's season.
His team's losing, bowl-less season.
If the Oklahoma State Cowboys play as they have all year, I expect they'll win Bedlam tomorrow night. If so, it will be one of the most glorious nights in OSU history, making it very, very difficult for Sooner rabids to handle.
Under that circumstance, those die-hards might recall something Ivan Maisel wrote on ESPN.com earlier this week: "Texas needs to upset No. 17 Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night to avoid its first last-place finish in the Big 12 South and keep alive Mack Brown’s streak of 12 seasons, 12 bowls. All of which should serve as a reminder to Oklahoma fans that when the Sooners have a down year, they still win eight games."
Those fans will no doubt consider 9-3 a "down year." Particularly if OSU goes 11-1 and heads to Arlington to play for a Big 12 championship.
But it beats 5-7, just as the Alamo Bowl beats no bowl at all.
Just sayin'... just in case.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
