Tulsa World: Speaking in defense of OU defense

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Speaking in defense of OU defense

By The Picker
Published: 10/30/2008 2:16 AM
Last Modified: 10/30/2008 3:11 AM

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We predict the next press conference or two with the OU coach:

"Coach, your defense just gave up 777 yards Saturday. What's wrong?"

"That's not right. We had our sports information staff go back through the stats and found that somebody included a 15-yard penalty in there. So those total numbers were inflated in a bad way."

"Then could you please explain what if feels like to give up 762 yards?"

"We won the game, that's the first way it feels."

"You won 74-62."

"It's good to see you got something right. Thirty of those points we gave up came on various and assorted kick returns. And there in the last quarter, they only had the one drive over 90 yards in length, which to me says that when the game was on the line, we were lined up in a good way."

"Coach, some say your defense looks confused, that it thinks instead of reacts."

"Who says that?"

"TV."

"No sports anchor on our payroll said that did they?"

"No."

"Well, that's that. Did TV say we only give up 11 yards rushing?"

"Coach,

they only rushed two times."

"Our rush defense stopped them in two good ways."

"Coach, you had one punt blocked, your kickoff man whiffed on one, you missed four extra points, and two kickoffs were returned for touchdowns. Do you think your assistants are earning their lofty salaries?"

"One of their touchdown returns came on an on-side kick. And we didn't miss four extra points. One was snapped over the holder's head, back to the 30-yard line. That's not a miss."

"Coach, are you worried about having lost all those BCS bowls in a row, as well as the possibility that your two arch-rivals could beat you in the same year?"

"Not as long as the media is in my hip pocket. Now have a good day in a good way."

PICKS

Saturday

Tulsa (-8 1/2) at Arkansas: Talk about a pressure-cooker, an undefeated season and a huge bowl is on the line.

Speaking of lines, this point spread is shrinking like Arkansas's fan base, it's down to TU by about 7.

It's true, Arkansas has served itself a heaping helping of trouble with the Daily Double of mismanagement, a bad fire and a bad hire.

Another dysfunctional reunion is at hand here, another coach run out of the state comes back with a better team, TU's offensive coordinator in this case.

Fortunately it is on pay TV. Get a few dozen to go in together, you won't feel a thing. Hopefully the cameras will keep the zebras from wearing those plastic hats.

Feels like a toss-up, TU by 2.

Nebraska at OU (-21): The glory days featuring these two are in Bruce's song, the rivalry has been rendered moot by hopscotch scheduling, and by Nebraska's fall from grace.

Concerning new coach Pelini, is he a hothead, a good hire, or both?

Nebraska did have Tech basically beaten in Lubbock.

It's still closer to a puce shirt defense than a black shirt defense.

The quarterback can move and throw a little, and all OU fans know what that means: another foe is fixing to hang a third of a hundred.

OU by 24.

Iowa State at Oklahoma State (-31): When was the last time OSU was favored 31 over a legit team?

Easy answer, never.

OSU should be ranked ahead of OU in every poll.

Perfect time for a week off.

Will a wind farm replace the OSU Athletic Village?

OSU by 28.

Colorado at Texas A & M (-2 1/2): Could be Big Ten teams.

Colorado by 1.

Pittsburgh at Notre Dame (-6): Irish just where they belong, mid to back burner.

ND by 10.

Tennessee at South Carolina (-6): Could be farewell tour for both coaches: Spurrier to Augusta National, Fulmer to phone sales.

SC by 12.

Georgia at Florida (-5): Shares prime time with the other great game in Lubbock.

A one-loss SEC winner is much better than Penn State, but could get cheated big-time.

Florida by 4.

Kansas State at Kansas (-11): Dribbling back to the future. Football season has ended.

KU by 20.

Texas (-6) at Texas Tech: The students are probably already at the stadium.

Would favor Tex by 28 in Austin, 17 on neutral; but this is the funhouse.

Huge Big 12 national angle should keep zebras on the straight and narrow.

OU might score 92 on this Tech defense in Norman.

Tech, 55-52.

Sunday

Tampa Bay (-7) at Kansas City: Could anybody care less?

Sure, convicts.

Tampa by 4.

Jets at Buffalo (-5): Could anybody care more?

Sure, gamblers.

Buffalo by 10.

Green Bay at Tennessee (-5): Why don't the pros run the spread? It's simple, good down linemen and corners.

Tennessee by 4.

Miami at Denver (-3 1/2): Denver fans must enjoy bad coaching.

Denver by 6.

Dallas at the Giants (-6): Cowboy-hater's delight.

Giants by 14.

New England at Indy (-5): Poutin' Manning almost smiles.

Indy by 6.

Monday

Steelers at Washington (-3): Polamalu's hair jumps off-sides.

Portis is MVP.

Wash by 4.

World.Picker@tulsaworld.com

By The Picker

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	Report Comment Big Red1, (10/30/2008 5:38:39 AM) OSU should be picked over OU in every poll?? Yeah right, if so why aren't they? Are you saying every voter, and the coaches in their poll are wrong? Ya oklahoma's defense is struggling a little bit. But the last time i checked only wins and loses are what counted. With OSU's track record I wouldn't count on any game as a push over (they need a week off). It took them 60 years to finally reach 7-0.
	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (10/30/2008 7:18:58 AM) Apparently the Picker struck a nerve........
	Report Comment Hard Harry, broken arrow (10/30/2008 8:33:41 AM) Big Red 1 - maybe in your next post you can try "I know you are but what am I?"
	Report Comment sodypoke, (10/30/2008 8:41:43 AM) Whew, that must of felt good to get off your chest. Now, you aren't nervous about that game in Stillwater, are you?
	Report Comment wsums2, Cincinnati (10/30/2008 8:48:20 AM) Today's picks are pretty funny. OU's defense is just a little inexperienced at the moment, just one man short of being solid again. I felt terrible when Ryan Reynolds went down. I will always believe if he remained healthy, OU would have won the game. But hey, Texas is playing outstanding. If they go undefeated and win the B12, I will be cheering them on to victory in the NC game unless OU or OSU is in the game with them. In the Big 12, you better be capable of scoring lot's of points and OU does that well. Though you jest in regard to a 74 - 62 victory, we will take it every time. OSU, OU, TTech, Texas, MO, Kansas can all score lots of points in a hurry. KST can also score some points. Big12 is definitely the best conference out there - period. Here's hoping OU gets some help and get's to play Texas for the NC. By then, Box should know his job and the D will be better (and we'll need to be better).
	Report Comment Reality Check, (10/30/2008 9:40:35 AM) yawn....wash,rinse,repeat. New material please.
	Report Comment trahernsfriend, (10/30/2008 12:25:39 PM) Bigred1, It's actually pretty simple. OU lost by 10 on a neutral field (that means half of the fans there were OU fans) OSU lost by 4 on UT's home field in front of the largest crowd to EVER watch a football game in the STATE of Texas. Add to that our best win is over then #2/#3 Missouri on the road. OU's best win was at home to then #25 TCU OU is ranked higher because they have tradition. Finally, OSU has something that OU doesnt this year...a defense. A UT player was interviewed yesterday on a Texas radio station. He said "OSU was the best prepared and best coached team we have played in TWO years."
	Report Comment Maarek, (10/30/2008 12:52:35 PM) trahernsfriend, "Finally, OSU has something that OU doesnt this year...a defense." Well yeah but OU has hype and the media. All OSU has are committed alumni, pride, and a better defense... and that's not enough to move above them in the polls unfortunately (even if they have the same record with a harder schedule)
	Report Comment Pricetag, (10/30/2008 1:07:11 PM) Judges? DING DING DING! The moral victory is awarded to OSU!
	Report Comment The Picker, Tulsa (10/30/2008 2:30:06 PM) This just in: The nickname for Oklahoma City's alleged NBA team is so out-there, they can't think of an appropriate mascot! Maybe they could borrow some mascots each night, the way the Cubs rotate stretch singers. What's the over/under on wins, 15?
	Report Comment trahernsfriend, (10/30/2008 2:30:19 PM) That's ok Pricetag, we will get the real victory on November 29th. :) I agree Maarek.
	Report Comment Boog, (10/30/2008 3:12:13 PM) You all sound like a bunch of junior high kids -" my brother can beat up your brother", no he can't , blah, blah, blah. Who cares! I'm an OU fan first and an OSU fan second. Lets just hope one of these teams gets to the playoff's and can beat Texas!
	Report Comment sodypoke, (10/30/2008 4:00:55 PM) Boog, Like your attitude, just wish there was a playoff so the SEC and Big 12 could truly face off. As a football fan first and a Cowboy fan second, that would be a great month to take all my accrued time off.
	Report Comment sodypoke, (10/30/2008 4:09:25 PM) Picker, Can't we just be excited that the Ok finally has a professional sports team, even if their knickname is like the title to a lame new Lucas Films Production. Let's give them a year and then we can turn into the likes of those shotty NY fans. "Oh booh hoo, only 1 of my 8 professional teams one a championship last year, all the players should be fired and I am going to go to the opera and put down professional athletes for being horrible people." Let's just lay off and root for the young team to get better. PS what name would have been better than "Thunder", I haven't really been able to come up with anything better and it really shouldn't be that hard to do. Got any ideas out there?
	Report Comment The Picker, Tulsa (10/30/2008 4:16:05 PM) Rounders. I'm very impressed with of OKC buying that team. It simply happens to almost stink. Generally speaking, if you can't think up a mascot, it could mean your nickname leaves something to be desired. Like a visual. Tulsa had a mascot that looked like a funnel cake. It was supposed to be a bunch of clouds or something. Maybe OKC can borrow that thing.
	Report Comment soonerguy, Tulsa (10/30/2008 5:06:27 PM) Who gets paid $6 million for their opinon/ideas on the game of college football and OU? Bob Stoops? Or the TWPicker?
	Report Comment sodypoke, (10/30/2008 5:20:04 PM) Soonerguy, Stoops doesn't get paid for his opinion on college football. He gets paid to coach, hence the title in front of his name in most situations, "Oklahoma University Head Football Coach Bob Stoops". I am not sure what the Picker gets paid for exaclty, because we don't know for sure that he is a salaried employee of "The World" but he probably is better at giving opinion than coaching and the opposite is most likely true for Mr. Stoops. That is why he typically doesn't give much opinion at his press conferences.
	Report Comment Sooner Trav, Tulsa (10/30/2008 8:46:19 PM) OSU is better than OU because they lost by less to Texas? Hmmmmmmmm. That's a helluva equation. Can we throw in the fact that OU led the majority of the game against Texas and OSU never led? I mean we probably can, but it doesn't matter. You have to be an idiot to not understand how OU is ranked in front of OSU at this point.... but the bottom line is that it does not matter right now. It will work itself out. You Pokes will get your shot.
	Report Comment Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (10/31/2008 12:24:17 PM) All of you just shut up until OU - OSU plays in about a month. Then you can talk all you want because we will have an answer.
	Report Comment SS_hippy, Tulsa (10/31/2008 1:29:41 PM) Will a wind farm replace the OSU Athletic Village? That was a good one Jay
	Report Comment Sodumdum 83, Bella Vista (11/2/2008 2:50:25 PM) I have to admit the fan mail is better that the picker. I guess when you have been around as long as I have you are grateful for a bunch of coaches like we have at OU. It is nice to be able to take a shot at winning it all every year, In 2000 we had no injuries and nobody being kicked off the team. Stoops has the ability to field a potential winner every year. Maybe this year, maybe next we,ll make it. I may be Sodumdum but I do not second guess the coaches. Like the commercial for the NCAA. It is no fun to be razzed.

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