Real nice analysis there, Jay. Could have at least made it funny. Do you get paid for this?

All things being equal in your evaluation (which I think is about right) one would have to consider the "Mack Brown Factor" which means doing something really stupid to hurt your team and that puts another point in the equation. No one would give 8 on this game. Some are at 6.

REASON for taking OU (-6 1/2) is like Tom said, "The Mac Brown Factor", he will do something stupid and by the way, STOOPS just owns BROWN. BOOMER SOONER!!!!

Picker...stop it. You're making me nervous. Can't you just allow us OU junkies to wallow in our positive, possibly delusional thought patterns for another 48 hours? All kidding aside, your projection of the game seems to make more sense than the seven-spot Vegas has issued. Through the years, this game has been a close one, more often than not, regardless of talent, injuries, or betting line. Texas would appear to be more motivated this year for a couple of reasons and considering Oklahoma's porous special teams on kickoffs, their philanthropic defensive secondary, and pedestrian running game, OU fans have every right to start drinking early on Saturday (i.e. about 15 minutes before kickoff). If anything, Sam Bradford's footwork appears to have improved this season; he moves into, around in, and out of the pocket more fluidly to elude defenders. Bottom line? It's time for "big game Bob" to either earn that epithet or lose it.

Ill give you some other reasons OU covers that spread

1) Stoops owns Brown
2) Texas is 96th in pass defense
3) Texas is 96th in pass defense and who have they played?
4) OU averages 50 pts and Texas is 96th in pass defense
5) OU has only allowed 3 pts in the first quarter all year
6) OU has shut the engines down after the first quarter in every game
7) We have a better run game
8) McCoy is leading rusher for Longhorns and is going to get pounded
9) Because I have the deed to my house on it and if we dont cover the loan shark wont said he wont use a rubber glove or lube when inserting the horn of a longhorn up my rear.

Chris...

Blame Reggie Smith for the loss at CU, along with an apathetic defense in the 4th quarter. Blame Kevin Wilson for the play calling and WRs and RBs for dropping passes and fumbling balls against ISU. ISU doesn't even know what a blitz is. AND ONCE AND FOR ALL, BRADFORD WAS INJURED AGAINST TECH WHILE TRYING TO TACKLE A DL AFTER AN ALLEN PATRICK FUMBLE. HE WAS NOT HIT DURING ANY PASS ATTEMPTS!!!

You can blame Sam Bradford for WVU all you want, but he didn't allow 48 points, and he wasn't on the field when no one could tackle the FB.

As far as THIS YEAR is concerned (because it's THIS YEAR'S teams playing the games) Bradford has shown improvement in all areas, including pocket presence and throwing on the run. He was hit by Washington and still threw TDs (first two TDs he was hit on - once from a blitz, second on a roll out - and no one questioned his toughness in that game). He was faced with pressure all day by Cincinnati and TCU. NOW you all dismiss them as no good, but the only team each has lost to is OU, and before each game people were asking how Bradford would hold up to such good defenses. After he torches them both, people say those D's weren't very good after all. How about giving Bradford some of the credit for that?

And let's get something else straight...Colt McCoy had an abysmal Sophmore year, and now that they've played nobodies (just like OU) people think he's somehow better than Bradford in holding up to pressure. Texas has a whole TWO (2) more sack this year than does OU. Why isn't anyone esle questioning if McCoy can hold up to OU's pressure?

Bradford being soft is way, waaaa-aaaay overblown by the Picker, and it is the only thing he can grasp at as to how to beat a good QB. Bottom line, you can say in ANY game that it hinges on how the QB handles the pressure from the D. Based on what I've seen in person the last two years, I have no doubts OU's QB will have to face it no more than Texas' will. If the argument is special teams, fine. That's definitely an area OU is weak and vulnerable. For my money, that will have an even greater affect on the game than will the play of either offense, including the QBs. If OU is solid there, they win. If they are scitzophrenic, UT has a real shot to win.

Everyone should remember no game in the last 10 years has been decided by less than 7 points. In fact, last year's score was the closest of the Stoops-Brown games. Seems to me like 7 is low.

With the stock market having fallen, everybody certain that OU minus 7 is a sure thing can look forward to a happy windfall in Vegas.

Here's something to keep an eye on, number 2 for Texas, a combination linebacker corner hitting machine. Some hits seem a little on the late side, but this guy looks dangerous.

User,

So many things to discuss after your post.

First off, I never said that 1) Bradford wasn't a good QB or weaker than McCoy 2) I think Bradford is a great QB 3) I am basing my opinions on his performances last season. While my opinions may be different than yours, please do not just assume things when I have never said them on here.

Now, moving on. Every QB gets hit in college football games. So, your argument that he got hit a few times when OU played Washington is comical at best. Of course he still played OK, they didn't apply pressure enough. Bradford gets hit every game. It is the games in which constant pressure forced Bradford out of the pocket that has caused him problems in the past.

Now, will he improve on this? Yes. Probably this year, I am basing my opinions on watching him last season (Since they haven't played anyone worth mentioning so far this season). At this time last season, most would never have argued that Bradford couldn't handle a consistent pass rush, because he hadn't been tested. He still has not been tested this year so far either. So, that argument is also invalid.

The main question I have for you (and problem as well) is this: When will you and others stop putting all the blame on coaches? It isn't always Kevin Wilson's fault that the O-Line and offense are not playing like you think they should. The coaches scheme and have a game plan, the players are there to execute the plan. Most of the time, Bradford did great with that. A couple of times last season, he didn't.

Good day and good luck to OU this weekend, should be an easy 20-24 point victory IMO.

If your an OU fan you need to go to youtube and put in "OU Football 2000" Sure fire way to give you chills!!

Agree with all but 8/2/ and 1.

8) OU has clearly demonstrated the ability to sit on the ball and play ball control to run the game out. See Wash, Cin and TCU. Completely dumb comment.

2)Can't really recall our Secondary being taken at all this year. If anything, I believe they have played better than any secondary I can remember since Maybe 01 or 02.

1) We have played way better competition that UT. TCU could very well be the best total defense we see all year - book it. Also, I believe Cincy has better skill postion players than UT. So, I believe they tested are secondary far greater than UT will. Cincy had a great scheme and crazy speed. Texas has a phenominal O-line, but Colt is the leading rusher and they don't have a game changer at RB or Receiver.

10/9/2008 2:21:30 PM WORLD PICKER wrote:
"With the stock market having fallen, everybody certain that OU minus 7 is a sure thing can look forward to a happy windfall in Vegas."

Same goes for UT +7. You only made that pick because it isn't costing you any money. If you were so confident in Texas covering, you would make a better profit than anyone laying OU -7, and you'd be in Vegas yesterday.

You're just full of gas. After your display last week, and if I were bored enough with life to care about your contest, I'd just make sure I reversed you enough times for an easy win. I'll be back here Monday when I get home from Dallas to either feed you some humble pie, or eat that crow cake myself. I'll own up if I'm wrong. Will you? Your reputation says, "NO!"

User Name: As listed in the ten reasons, this all sets up for a monumental Texas effort. The new Texas defensive coach isn't going to let Bradford sit back there and whistle and look around. OU's chances are pretty much on the qb and defensive genius Venables. Both can rise to the elite level with a win here. Just remember, this isn't the Chatanooga Choochoo.

Robert, thank you.

The Smithsonian will probably request this primer in handicapping.