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Sooners' success speaks for itself
With titles, awards and dominance in Big 12 play, OU may be a modern dynasty.

OU players, including Nic Harris (left), celebrate the Sooners' victory in last season's Big 12 championship game in San Antonio. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World file
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 12/5/2008  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 12/5/2008  3:47 AM

NORMAN — The other day, it was suggested to Bob Stoops that he's sitting atop a Big 12 Conference dynasty. Suddenly, the Oklahoma coach bristled like he was defending an onside kick at Autzen Stadium with Gordon Riese in the replay booth.

"I don't like any of that stuff," Stoops fired back. "You won't get a comment from me about any of that. It wouldn't be right."

It wouldn't be right because it would be gloating, and Stoops would send Riese — the replay official who botched a call that cost OU in Oregon in 2006 — a Christmas card before he'd be caught gloating at the expense of conference peers, former assistants Mike Leach, Mark Mangino and Bo Pelini among them.

That, however, doesn't mean the suggestion is wrong, as it pertains to the Sooners' stranglehold on the Big 12 this decade.

OU takes aim at its sixth Big 12 championship since 2000 Saturday night against Missouri. No one else has won more than one since then.

The Sooners are making their seventh Big 12 championship appearance this decade. No one else has made more than four.

OU's 62-10 record in league games nips Texas' 60-12 for standings supremacy since '00. But look at the disparity when it comes to crunch time: The Sooners have five titles and seven championship appearances, while the Longhorns own just one ring after two appearances.

You can take the individual route to similar results.

This week, Sam Bradford won OU's seventh offensive or defensive Big 12 Player of the Year award this decade. Texas is next, with four.

The Sooners earned nine spots on the 2008 All-Big 12 first teams, giving them 62 this decade. Texas, again, is next with 43.

It is a striking disparity. Although what separates the Sooners from the conference pack most clearly is their championship success.

Other writers from the Big 12's region who were offered the same suggestion as Stoops struggled with the word "dynasty," but only because of OU's recent bowl woes. None cooled on the Sooners' conference success.

As Tim Griffin of ESPN.com put it, "Stoops is still 'Big Game Bob' in this area."

It is a degree of dominance that is starkly apparent, especially to those who will try to continue it Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

"I think everybody's aware of it. That's why they want to come here. They win championships here," said OU wide receiver Manuel Johnson. "This university has so much success. It's the reason I'm here right now," said OU linebacker Travis Lewis.

Consider that last year at this time, no team had won back-to-back Big 12 titles. Then the Sooners trounced Missouri 38-17. Now they're gunning for a trifecta.

Earlier this week, Stoops was asked how difficult it was just getting to a conference championship game.

"In this competitive conference, and particularly here in the South, it's incredibly difficult," he replied. "You keep your head down, keep fighting for it, keep working each week and give ourselves a chance for it."

Ask Stoops about a dynasty? Forget it. But you might give him a moment to recover and ask, instead, about taking pride in the degree of OU's recent Big 12 success.

"I feel fortunate always to have worked with the kids we have here, the players we've had, and the assistant coaches," he said. "Everybody contributes, our administration... Everyone has worked together well. You take pride as an overall program that you've been able to do it."




Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com




BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: NO. 2 OKLAHOMA VS. NO. 20 MISSOURI



7 p.m. Saturday At Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

TV: KTUL-8

Radio: KMOD fm 97.5, KTBZ am1430

Records: OU 11-1,7 -1 Big 12; Missouri 9-3,5 -3 Big 12




Big 12 ticket information



Big 12 championship game tickets are available at tulsaworld.com/ticketmaster or by calling 587-2322. Prices range from $55-$85.
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Sharkey Hammerhead, owasso (12/5/2008 8:13:26 AM)
Its a great comfort to have a coach like Bob Stoops, not only is he a family man with good morals,but a humble Coach as well.. He could brag and say look what I`ve done ,but he doesn`t.. He`s always positive,and looking at the next task at hand.. Its most important to win Big 12 titles in the best conferance in college football today...He`s won a National title and, 6 conf titles any body else even close to that..That what I thought ,maybe thats why there is so much whinning... Mack you and Texas if you don`t like it you need not leave thing upto chance as you did this year you just have to win all your games.. I believe that all big 12 south teams have the same set of circumstances, and when it came time for you to win on the road well you didn`t ..Like I said before we are very lucky to have Coach stoops on our sidelines...
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Arbythree, Tulsa (12/5/2008 10:05:01 AM)
Good post Shark
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mkdickerson, (12/5/2008 5:33:01 PM)
It is really easy to call a team a dynasty when you dont include the entire season. and forget post season failures. A Big 12 dynasty the last 3 years maybe but a good big 12 representative on the national stage, i think not. Oklahoma has lost the ability to win the big game on the national stage at the end of the season and that is why if they beat Mizzou they will become the ohio state of the big 12. and because of their failures the entire conference will be penalized like penn state. Oklahoma is a joke and should not be awarded the national chamionship.
 

 
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