CONTINUING COVERAGE

2012 College Football Preview



STILLWATER - The family business has never been better for Mike Gundy. The eighth-year Oklahoma State coach was the recipient of national coach of the year awards after leading the Cowboys to uncharted territory (first Big 12 title, school-record 12 wins, first BCS bowl) last season. The profiles of OSU and Gundy were elevated. He said he spoke at a function in Los Angeles and “people knew who I was in LA. That part has really changed.”
  When Gundy goes to a coaches convention, all of a sudden crowds are parting as he walks from one place to another. And people watch as he walks.
  Gundy’s wife, Kristen, apparently keeps him grounded. Said the coach, “She says ‘they don’t know what a clown you are.’ She was giving me a hard time, like I can’t believe they get out of your way.”
  It’s amazing what rings - championship, of course - can do for status.

  Read the full story by Jimmie Tramel, World Sports Writer.




NORMAN - Tress Way gave a behind-the-scenes look at the relationship between siblings Bob and Mike Stoops.
 “It’s really cool because there’s a lot of trust there with Coach (Bob) Stoops and Coach Mike Stoops,” Way said. “You really see them arguing as brothers on the field. It’s cool because coach Bob Stoops is the older one and the head coach, so he gets the final say. It’s funny to watch coach Mike Stoops walking away from that and take it.”
 Well, “take it” may be a bit strong. But these two coaches are hardcore, which may not be a bad thing for Oklahoma’s future.
 Oklahoma fans began salivating when Mike Stoops returned to the coaching staff earlier this year. The 51-year-old is a bridge to championships and dominating defenses past.

  Read the full story by Eric Bailey, World Sports Writer.




TULSA - When everyone’s schedule would allow for an actual family breakfast or dinner, Angie Blankenship attempted to enforce one rule - no football talk at the table.
 “Angie would kind of shut it down,” Bill Blankenship recalls. “She wanted something else to be talked about.”
 OK, so when Angie and Bill and their three sons - Josh, Caleb and Adam - would convene for a meal, what was discussed other than football?
 “Not much,” Bill replied with a smile. “It usually got around to football.”
 Some families are football participants.The Blankenships are football lifers.

  Read the full story by Bill Haisten, World Sports Writer.




NORMAN - One night on the way to becoming part of the greatest brother act in college football history, Dewey Selmon couldn’t even reach the bathroom in his University of Oklahoma dorm.
  “I had broken out in hives,” he remembers. “It was about 12:30 and everybody was asleep. I thought, ‘I’ve got to get to the restroom and get some cold water.’ On my way down, I passed out in the hall.”
  This was about 30 yards from his room, 30 yards from where Dewey had left his roommate and brother, Lee Roy, sound asleep.
 “When I woke up, I was laying on his bed on the bottom bunk,” Dewey says. “He was sitting up looking at me. I said, ‘Lee Roy, what are you doin’?

  Read the full story by Guerin Emig, World Sports Writer.


HEADLINES
Tough starts await OSU, TU

Tough starts await OSU, TU   8/19/2012

September can help make your season, like it did for Oklahoma State last fall.

John E. Hoover: Expect the usual contenders to decide this season's national title

John E. Hoover: Expect the usual contenders to decide this season's national title   8/19/2012

At first, it looks like an impossible job, picking college football's national champion in 2012.

College football three storylines   8/19/2012

College football's most dominant conference will have its share of contenders once again. But with a solid USC thrown into the mix, keep an eye on the Trojans to try to break the SEC stranglehold.

College football five games to watch

College football five games to watch   8/19/2012

College football's most dominant conference will have its share of contenders once again. But with a solid USC thrown into the mix, keep an eye on the Trojans to try to break the SEC stranglehold.

Conference USA power rankings   8/19/2012

An excellent defensive front seven complements an offense that lost key performers but should remain prolific.

Conference USA three storylines   8/19/2012

The 2012 season is the Conference USA finale for four schools - Memphis, Central Florida, Houston and SMU. Their 2013 C-USA successors include Charlotte, Florida International, Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and Texas-San Antonio. It would be a positive for C-USA if a committed conference member wins the 2012 football title.

Conference USA players to watch

Conference USA players to watch   8/19/2012

Because he already graduated from the University of Texas, the former Longhorn QB is immediately eligible after transferring to SMU. Can he salvage his career with Mustangs?

Razorbacks' expectations still high in post-Petrino era   8/19/2012

As offseasons go, chalk Arkansas' up as one of a kind.

Alvin Bailey reports to Arkansas rededicated, trim and focused

Alvin Bailey reports to Arkansas rededicated, trim and focused   8/19/2012

Explanations have varied about Arkansas' Alvin Bailey becoming perhaps the country's only candidate on both the Outland Trophy watch list and Lombardi Award watch list who is beginning the season as a backup.

College football power rankings   8/19/2012

Defending national champions still on top until they get beat (Week 1 against Michigan?)

Heisman Trophy watch

Heisman Trophy watch   8/19/2012

He could have had NFL riches, but returned to lead Trojans. The senior threw for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2011.

Big changes for RiverHawks

Big changes for RiverHawks   8/19/2012

A new conference affiliation, a host of new recruits and three new assistant coaches are just some of the changes this year for Division II Northeastern State.

TU family ties

TU family ties   8/19/2012

Among new members of the TU football family are Darnell Walker Sr., a former OU all-conference defensive back who now coaches Hurricane cornerbacks; and his son, Darnell Walker Jr., a first-year freshman. Walker Jr. happens to be a cornerback. Within the context of a father-son relationship, Senior has been Junior's coach for years. Now, Senior is Junior's position coach in a major-college program. 'If I mess up in practice,' the younger Walker says, 'he'll give me that dad look - like, 'Hey, take care of business like you know how.''

Blankenship boys follow their dad into coaching

Blankenship boys follow their dad into coaching   8/19/2012

When everyone's schedule would allow for an actual family breakfast or dinner, Angie Blankenship attempted to enforce one rule - no football talk at the table.

TU football roster analysis

TU football roster analysis   8/19/2012

In 2008, QB David Johnson succeeded three-year starter Paul Smith and the Golden Hurricane recorded 11 victories.

OU family ties

OU family ties   8/19/2012

The redshirt freshman quarterback is the son of former Sooners quarterback Charles Thompson, who led OU to a national championship game following the 1987 football season. Charles Thompson was arrested in 1989 for campus cocaine distribution. When the Tulsa World asked him why he chose OU given his father's legacy, Kendal Thompson answered: 'I feel like it's kind of my job to finish what he started.'

OSU's first family: Woods brothers racked up impressive numbers on field

OSU's first family: Woods brothers racked up impressive numbers on field   8/19/2012

Want to overload a calculator? Just punch in the numerical contributions the Woods brothers - Rashaun, D'Juan and Donovan - made to the Oklahoma State football program from 1999-07.

TU's first family: Glenn and Bobby Dobbs succeeded on field, sideline for Hurricane

TU's first family: Glenn and Bobby Dobbs succeeded on field, sideline for Hurricane   8/19/2012

Brothers Glenn and Bobby Dobbs were Texas natives who played Oklahoma high school football in Frederick and wound up becoming two of the more significant figures - both as players and coaches - in University of Tulsa football history.

Burris quintet stars for Sooners during Wilkinson era   8/19/2012

Until the Selmons came along, the first family of Oklahoma football was the five Burris brothers.

Family reunion: Competition, trust fuel relationship for OU's Bob and Mike Stoops

Family reunion: Competition, trust fuel relationship for OU's Bob and Mike Stoops   8/19/2012

Tress Way gave a behind-the-scenes look at the relationship between siblings Bob and Mike Stoops.

OU football roster analysis

OU football roster analysis   8/19/2012

Jones is the fourth-year starter, the multiple school records-holder and fringe Heisman Trophy candidate.

Big 12 power rankings   8/19/2012

Has won Big 12 title in every even-numbered year since 2000. (2000, '02, '04, '06, '07, '08, '10).

Big 12 players to watch

Big 12 players to watch   8/19/2012

An inside speed wide receiver and return specialist, the 5-9 senior led the FBS in all-purpose yards (198 yards per game) and was eighth nationally in receptions per game (7.8) last year.

Family ties abound for those in OSU's football program

Family ties abound for those in OSU's football program   8/19/2012

Sophomore Daniel Koenig is battling for a starting spot on the Oklahoma State offensive line, where brothers Doug (1999-2003) and David (2003-07) also played.

Bedlam brothers: Mike and Cale Gundy don't allow rivalry, football business to affect their relationship

Bedlam brothers: Mike and Cale Gundy don't allow rivalry, football business to affect their relationship   8/19/2012

The family business has never been better for Mike Gundy.

OSU football roster analysis

OSU football roster analysis   8/19/2012

Lunt, a freshman, won a three-man race for the QB job and was named the starter before he attended his high school prom or graduation.

First family of OU football: Sooner legends Selmon brothers linked by unshakable bond

First family of OU football: Sooner legends Selmon brothers linked by unshakable bond   8/19/2012

One night on the way to becoming part of the greatest brother act in college football history, Dewey Selmon couldn't even reach the bathroom in his University of Oklahoma dorm.

Load More
OSU
Schedule
Sept. 1: vs. Savannah State, 6 p.m., Fox College Sports
Sept. 8: at Arizona, 9:30 p.m. Pac-12 Network
Sept. 15: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 11 a.m., FSN-27
Sept. 29: vs. Texas, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 13: at Kansas, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 20: vs. Iowa State, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 27: vs. TCU, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 3: at Kansas State, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 10: vs. West Virginia, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 17: vs. Texas Tech, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 24: at Oklahoma, Time/TV are TBD
Dec. 1: at Baylor, Time/TV are TBD

Complete analysis of the Cowboys roster from Tulsa World beat writer Jimmie Tramel.

OU
Schedule
Sept. 1: at UTEP, 9:30 p.m., FSN-27
Sept. 8: vs. Florida A&M, 6 p.m., TV is TBD
Sept. 22: vs. Kansas State, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 6: at Texas Tech, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 13: vs. Texas, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 20: vs. Kansas, Time/TV are TBD
Oct. 27: vs. Notre Dame, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 3: at Iowa State, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 10: vs. Baylor, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 17: at West Virginia, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 24: vs. Oklahoma State, Time/TV are TBD
Dec. 1: at TCU, Time/TV are TBD

Complete analysis of the Sooners roster from Tulsa World beat writer Guerin Emig.

TU
Schedule
Sept. 1: at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m., FSN-27
Sept. 8: vs. Tulane, 11 a.m., FSN-27
Sept. 15: vs. Nicholls State, 6 p.m. TV is TBD
Sept. 22: vs. Fresno State, 7 p.m., CBSSN-249
Sept. 29: at UAB, 2 p.m., TV is TBD
Oct. 6: at Marshall, 2:30 p.m., TV is TBD
Oct. 13: vs. UTEP, 7 p.m., TV is TBD
Oct. 20: vs. Rice, 2:30 p.m., TV is TBD
Nov. 3: at Arkansas, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 10: at Houston, 4 p.m., TV is TBD
Nov. 17: vs. UCF, Time/TV are TBD
Nov. 24: at SMU, Time/TV are TBD

Complete analysis of the Golden Hurriance roster from Tulsa World beat writer Bill Haisten.

ARKANSAS
Schedule
Sept. 1: Jacksonville State, 6 p.m., TV is TBD
Sept. 8: Louisiana-Monroe, 6 p.m., TV is TBD (Little Rock)
Sept. 15: Alabama, 2:30 p.m., TV is TBD
Sept. 22: Rutgers, Time/TV is TBD
Sept. 29: at Texas A&M, Time/TV is TBD
Oct. 6: at Auburn, Time/TV is TBD
Oct. 13: Kentucky, Time/TV is TBD
Oct. 27: Ole Miss, Time/TV is TBD (Little Rock)
Nov. 3: Kentucky, Time/TV is TBD
Nov. 10: at South Carolina, Time/TV is TBD
Nov. 17: at Miss. State, Time/TV is TBD
Nov. 23: LSU, Time/TV is TBD

Arkansas players with local ties.

BIG 12
Complete conference breakdown from Tulsa World staff writer Eric Bailey

Three storylines for the 2012 season

Players to watch

Power rankings
CONFERENCE USA
Complete conference breakdown from Tulsa World staff writer Bill Haisten

Three storylines for the 2012 season.

Players to watch

Power rankings
NATIONAL PREVIEW
Complete conference breakdown from Tulsa World staff writer Eric Bailey

Top 25 power rankings

Heisman watch

Five games to watch

Three storylines