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Will Somebody Please Man up
Published: 11/16/2009 2:36 PM
Last Modified: 11/16/2009 3:13 PM

It's time for some important weekday updates.

OU.

A hot rumor is Stoops to Notre Dame. With all due respect, why would ND want Stoops? Since the linebacker made the great interception some ten lengthening years ago at the Aggies, not much actual greatness has transpired.

What about the future at OU? Having average players back is not necessarily a good sign. The quarterback spot should be open to competition. You open the juco gate too wide, keep the Crime Scene tape handy. Despite what Al and Deal and other male cheerleaders think, it is doubtful OU competes for the big title anytime soon.

OSU.

Is Gundy serious?

In the bowl game, trailing, oh, by around 50, he leaves Robinson in and runs him, and he is injured.

Versus Tech, late, when a field goal is heaven, and with two of the best runners in the Big 12 in the backfield, Gundy calls for a naked roll-out by the quarterback. For no reason whatsoever. The quarterback is almost hospitalized. Anybody interested in having your quarterback run on a regular basis needs to view this terrifying collision.

We had fogotten how excellent runner Hunter is. Defender Cox is the best player in the state. How on earth did OSU lose to the Houston jokers?

TU.

Anybody thinking about playing Sunday night should rush to have his or her head checked.

The TV cash collected probably isn't worth the ticket bread lost, or future benefits risked.

The Hooterville Cam was in full use. That's where so few people are in the stands, backgrounds are blurred on punts and passes.

It's hard for mid-majors to retain depth. If you don't specialize on offense, you're at risk.

THE SECRET GAME

TU went to OU last week for a practice hoop game/scrimmage. Somebody sent us a whispered rumor that OU won by a few points, around five or so.

OU-OSU

On a neutral field, OSU would be favored three.

In Norman, it will probably be OU by four to seven.

THE NEW ENGLAND COACH WAS RIGHT

Going for it on fourth and two on the 28 was the right thing to do. Because it either worked (bad spot), or missed an inch or two.

You punt 40 yards from the 30, somebody runs it back five, Indy is almost on its own 40 anyhow.

Dumb as pass interference is, the punt distance can be made up with a foul call, or a simple pass, in ten seconds.

Sixty yards to go, 30 yards, who cares, you stop them or you don't.

NE went for the win.

That attitude will pay off in the long run.

WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE MAN UP

We're so sick of this rinky-dinky-doinky-diddly spread offense.

Can't anybody line up and run the stinking football like Knute and Bud and Lombardi intended?

Stanford did versus the USC pansies. No spread. Line up, block, hand off, crush them like bugs.

The best call of the season was Stanford going for a two-point conversion leading late something like 48-20. Hey Petey, your practices aren't the only things open. So is your rotten D.

One bowl bowl projection has the Overpaid Coaches Bowl, OU versus USC in the Sun.

Early prediction: USC 6, OU 5.



Reader Comments 24 Total

hootie (3 years ago)
Oklahma State still lines up the runs the ball down peoples throat!
The Masked Assassin (3 years ago)
You're right Pick, Bob has been just AWFUL during his time here.  VERY average.  No class.  I don't know how he's stayed around so long.  We should get someone in here who can get the job done.  Just look at his record.  Pitiful.  Can't win the big one either.  I wish we could go back to the "good old days", before he got here.
hawkdaddy (3 years ago)
Bet the Sooners would like to have Stanford's starting center back on it's roster.
justanotherokie (3 years ago)
Yes, next year is going to make this year look pretty good.  Even our completed passes were jump balls or the receiver was looking behind him.  The RCorps did a commendable job.

Next year we are going to play freshmen on the O-Line.  The only problem with that is when they are seniors they are either on crutches or in wheelchairs. 

Captain Bob said some troubling things in the past when we had quarterback controversies.  He always harped on mistakes like it was the only criteria that mattered.

That means next season we play a new young QB who makes mistakes or use Mr. Slick.  Hopefully Slick with wipe his mouth after drinking the chocolate milk. 

Either way we are screwed because depth wasn't a priority over the flash that never materialized.

Oh yes, and the kicking game....
Ignatz (3 years ago)
I'd like to watch OU-USC.
The Masked Assassin (3 years ago)
Ever the optimist, huh okie?  Oh ye of little faith.
BobSmith007 (3 years ago)
Pick:Off subject, but earlier this decade you preached against the folly of scheduling creampuffs in pursuit of a title. Yet that route seems to be working out quite nicely for the Horns. Any comment?
MexiMike (3 years ago)
Picker, your OSU stats are so wrong it's comical.

Down by 50 in the bowl game when Zac got injured? Nope. Try OSU leading by 7 when Zac took the late hit that was never called that separated his shoulder.

The naked roll out was a great call. It worked to perfection. Zac just needs to learn to slide. That's not Gundy's fault.

You are right about Hunter. I think when everyone fell in love with Toston's punishing runs they forgot how elusive and shifty Hunter really is and what that brings to the table. Together, they are the perfect backfield combo.

Cox has become a freak on defense. If he continues to play the way he has, he'll have All-American honors and his name called during the 1st round of the NFL draft.
The Picker (3 years ago)
Bob, I'd LOVE to comment.

Matter of fact, I was just preparing to announce the all-time lock of the universe: Florida over Texas.

Scheduling losers is for losers. It's what mid-minors do. Nobody has ever scheduled itself into a national title. The Big 12 is usually so competitive, playing it safe is understandable. Put it doesn't prepare you for the best.

So there you have it. I love people who are afraid of competition. Where such a thing is lega, it's a good investment. No matter what else it is, it is also chicken. Third and three vs. Florida, see if it's like Wyoming. 

Texas - Alabama won't be quite the cinch.

Doubt Alabama happens.

The Picker (3 years ago)
Masked Assassin: So you're thrilled with an 0-5 BCS record? You're tickled losing 4 of 5 to Texas?
You enjoy losing 4 or more this year, and are delighted with prospects for next year?

Nobody said anything about running anybody off or dragging anybody in. But a freshening of the thought process would be welcome. What's wrong with a new assistant every, oh, decade?
And when things aren't going $4 million per year's worth, then change is absolutely necessary -- a change toward some new ideas. Because guess what, the old ones aren't working.
hootie (3 years ago)
Pick - I hate ou just as much as the next person but come on now.  How many coaches/staffs can say that they have 109+ games and played in 4 BCS games in 10 years?  Can you name 1???  Your starting to sound as ignorant as some of the ou fans!!
hootie (3 years ago)
Opps!  I meant BCS championships
norsemustang (3 years ago)
Picker, don't let your hatred of OU and Stoops affect your judgement.
Dr. Strangelove (3 years ago)
Picker what bowl hame are you talking about with OSU? I do agree with your general statement about running Zac, btw
The Masked Assassin (3 years ago)
What's Bob's record against Texas again?  How many Big 12 titles does Bob have, I forget?  Apparently you have too, conveniently.  Have you ever heard of a thing called continuity?  You sound like the typical bandwagon OU fan who does not understand the game.  Last year it was fire Venables, Wilson for President.  Now it's fire Wilson, Venables for President.  And if I remember correctly, Bob's had at least 4 assistants leave for head coaching positions.  You probably forgot about that too.  Early stages of that disease where you forget things?  What's it called?  Dang it.  Maybe I need to call the Doc.
OU_Glenn (3 years ago)
I don't find anything wrong with firing assistants who don't pass muster. Mack Brown has done that twice with his defensive coordinators at Texas, and things have worked out just fine for Texas.
     I believe the Picker is referring to the Holiday Bowl Game last year vs. Oregon. Running your QB on a consistent basis will get your QB hurt. Texas and Houston were the two best offenses that OSU has faced this year. Their defense has improved but still can't stop good offenses.
     I'd like to see OU-USC in the Sun Bowl.
My prediction: OU wins 12-9 in overtime. USC forces a safety on a sack. OU forces a safety on a holding penalty in the end zone. OU gets a fumble return off Matt Barkley for a TD. USC gets an INT return for a TD off Landry Jones. OU intercepts USC QB Matt Barkley in OT. OU kicks a 30 yard field goal that hits off the upright and goes in for the game winner.
BobSmith007 (3 years ago)
Thanks, Pick. I agree. It wasn't a criticism. Scheduling chumps is for chumps. Though Mack seems to think this squad is equal to 2005. Good luck with that.On another subject…..are there only three or four great kickers in the country? If so, shouldn’t a program like OU be able to recruit one of those three or four? What’s up with that? Why does Stoops and Co. treat it as an afterthought? I watch a lot of football and most games involve field goals. Heck, some teams can even kick them from beyond the 25-yard line.
BobSmith007 (3 years ago)
Glenn: Agree with the prognostication. Except the ball will hit the upright and bounce out.
The Picker (3 years ago)
Masked: Continuity? Continuity in losing to Texas and blowing bowl games?

You're right, I've had enough of that.

The last really great OU moment was Stoops' first, ten long, long, long, long years ago.

What's apt to change next year?

We here at the Picks are all about living in the present.

Beware of OSU. It is the better team on a neutral field. In Norman, who knows.

Bob: Texas would be the first to schedule itself to a national title. It lucked out, the Big 12 being in the depths of dispair.

Have to see it to believe it.
MexiMike (3 years ago)
Glenn, both the OSU/Houston and OSU/Texas games were determined by turnovers by OSU. It just so happened that Zac had really awful nights in both those games. Don't believe me? Look at the final stats (yards, time of possession, etc). Unfortunately, the only stat that really matters is the final score.

And again, Zac was injured in the Holiday Bowl while passing--not running. Apparently, there is no such thing as a late hit on the west coast. Gotta love those PAC-10 refs, right OU fans?

Pick, it's always scary playing in Norman.  If OSU can keep the point total low, we may have a shot. But like you said, I'd much rather have this game on a neutral field.
Ignatz (3 years ago)
Glenn,lol. Just how many more years will this kind of season (or the last several) be ok for OU fans? Apparently Switzer didn't set the bar as high as I thought or perhaps a "new" bar was established by Gibbs/Blake/Schwarzenbergerheimerwhatever.
WillyJ (3 years ago)
Florida had a more pathetic OOC schedule then Texas and Alabama's wasn't any better aside from an obviously overrated Va Tech.

No fan of Texas but they would roll
Florida and have a legit chance against 'Bama.

Stoops would be an upgrade over Weiss, but that's like saying Moe was the smartest Stooge.

Gundy being out-coached by Dan Hawkings as we speak. .  worst year for the state in football in some time.
Glenn616 (3 years ago)
OSU is lucky that they played Colorado in Stillwater. However, a win is a win, especially at this point in the season. MexiMike, I stand corrected on the Texas game. However, OSU did give up too many yards to Houston. Yes, turnovers kill you in ball games. Those are what led to OU's losses to Texas and Nebraska as well.

The PAC-10 Refs are second-rate. Even though OU whipped Washington last year, the refs were still second-rate in that game.

Perhaps, the Bedlam game could be played at the Cotton Bowl in late-September when the Texas State Fair is going on or at Jerry World on Thanksgiving Weekend in the future?
The Masked Assassin (3 years ago)
Ebb and flow, Pick, ebb and flow.  And patience is a virtue.  So is knowing a good thing when you see it, and being grateful for it.
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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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