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Losses leave OU, TU with uncertain futures

 
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 11/9/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2009  4:09 AM
Go to John Klein's Blog


Anytime you see a team score nine points in 21 seconds, it is something to remember.

When that team scores nine points in the game's final 21 seconds to win by one, you've seen something special.

Tulsa isn't likely to forget Houston's miracle victory on Saturday night at Chapman Stadium any time soon.

Case Keenum, once again making a strong case for the Heisman Trophy, rallied the Cougars from a 45-37 deficit in the final seconds of a remarkable 46-45 victory over the Golden Hurricane.

It was the most memorable game of a weekend that seemed to define the season for Oklahoma's three major college football teams.

Tulsa now faces serious concerns about reaching a bowl game. The Hurricane, with Conference USA contenders East Carolina and Southern Miss still ahead, will almost assuredly have to win out to have a shot at a bowl invitation.

Oklahoma continued to slump from the top of the Big 12 Conference, bottoming out with five interceptions in a 10-3 loss at Nebraska. The Sooners still have challenges ahead to reach a bowl. Texas A&M's league-leading offense comes to Norman this week before the Sooners' trip to Texas Tech. OU closes the season at home, where it has been virtually unbeatable, against Oklahoma State.

OSU did what it has been doing all year. The Cowboys showed a lot of grit and determination and won a road game they were supposed to win. They've won eight of their last 11 road games.

Oklahoma State rebounded from the lopsided loss at home to Texas in good form to knock out Iowa State, 34-8, in Ames. The Cowboys may be out of the chase for a BCS bowl and the Big 12 South, but there's still plenty to play for the down the stretch.

It is now a three-week sprint to the finish, and there are interesting games ahead.

The Cowboys face a huge test when Texas Tech comes to Stillwater for a prime time ABC television game on Saturday night.

"We'll have a great challenge this week," said OSU coach Mike Gundy on a Sunday teleconference.

Yes, it will be. Tech may be the most unpredictable team in the Big 12.

The Cowboys, despite a series of personnel setbacks, have been, if nothing else, consistent this season. They are winning games they should win.

Tulsa coach Todd Graham was calm after one of the wildest finishes you'll ever see. Keenum had to drive his team the length of the field for a touchdown in the final two minutes. The Cougars scored, but Keenum was sacked on the two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game. It appeared TU had survived for a 45-43 upset.

Houston recovered an onside kick, but the Coogs still needed a couple of big plays with just 20 seconds left to even attempt a long field goal.

So, Keenum hit passes of 13 and 14 yards.

Matt Hogan's 51-yard field goal as time expired was a painful finish to what had been a character-building rebound game for the Golden Hurricane.

Instead of getting back in the Conference USA West race, Tulsa has now lost four straight, and the road to a bowl game will be difficult.

"A bowl game and a winning season" are what Graham calmly told his team to focus on over the next three weeks.

It would be hard to say Nebraska is back. After all, the Huskers lost home games earlier this year to Iowa State and Texas Tech. Still, beating Oklahoma was no small task for the Huskers, who were searching for any kind of signature victory.

"Oklahoma is a hell of a football team," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said.

There are probably a lot of adjectives some OU fans would use to describe the Sooners. But excellent would be a way to describe Oklahoma's defense.

The Sooners just haven't generated enough offense in their four losses. The final three games are against three of the better offenses in the league.

"Win out and get to a bowl," said OU linebacker Ryan Reynolds of the weeks ahead.

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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COMMENTS 
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22 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
But What Do I Know?, (11/9/2009 7:29:16 AM)
Bob Stoops @ $3M a year, or Todd Graham @ $1M a year. Your choice?
Report Comment
Marathonman, (11/9/2009 7:59:38 AM)
You're not paying their salaries - why do you care?
Report Comment
jasheldon, (11/9/2009 8:25:19 AM)
Do You Know if 34,000-86,000 people come to watch you do your job? After you spend over 100 hrs a week in preparation?
Report Comment
But What Do I Know?, (11/9/2009 8:30:20 AM)
Marathonman, who said I care? Just asking a question. Why do you care why I care?
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/9/2009 9:09:12 AM)
One good thing here for the Sooners is that a possible Bowl Game in San Antonio looms as a strong possibility now.
Report Comment
Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/9/2009 9:16:00 AM)
I think OU has a better chance of "losing out" than TU.
Report Comment
shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (11/9/2009 9:33:16 AM)
A3......hopefully it is not Shreveport
Report Comment
Daven, Tulsa (11/9/2009 11:03:37 AM)
Better get all them freshmen on the field! They are going to have a lot of making up to do next year!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (11/9/2009 11:45:35 AM)
Got that right shaw411!!!
Report Comment
Mac C., (11/9/2009 11:54:23 AM)
I am sorry to say, the Sooners have deterioated to "God awful". The only question is why. Without Bradford are they really that mediocre? I guess we expect too much of an organization that is supposed to be 'top flight' and willing to pay the head coach $3M plus. This year, he should give some of the money back. I don't think he and his staff have done their job. Sad day, sad team!
Report Comment
TMS, (11/9/2009 11:55:16 AM)
Bob Stoops may still be the best coach in the area, but there's no excuse to not have more depth given the number and quality of players they get.
Report Comment
huricandeoro, (11/9/2009 12:31:12 PM)
"The Hurricane.....will almost assuredly have to win out to have a shot at a bowl invitation"

Um...No John, if they win out they will definitely earn a bowl berth because that will put them at 7-5. If they win 2 out of 3 then they will still have a shot, but there will be a lot of CUSA teams around 6-6.
Report Comment
GeneTulsa, Aubrey (11/9/2009 12:32:57 PM)
Oh wait everybody, Bob Stoops can do no wrong......Even if he is 4-6 in bowl games.
1-3 in national championship games.... We should all keep quit and not say one negative word about Stoops, even when stating facts..Another fact he has lost three bowl games in a row...Just stating facts that are a reality in "Switzerland"
Report Comment
senor notas, Tulsa (11/9/2009 12:54:38 PM)
Sorry folks, even at 7-5 Tulsa doesn't deserve a bowl bid and should decline one if offered.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/9/2009 2:33:01 PM)
Good old Gene.
Report Comment
huricandeoro, (11/9/2009 2:57:17 PM)
And why is that senor notas?
Report Comment
But What Do I Know?, (11/9/2009 3:21:52 PM)
In spite of the points and yards I think the defense played good. They played hard and with passion. Check the stats, Houston has put up lotsa points and yards against everyone.
Report Comment
rockymarlow, Tulsa (11/9/2009 11:02:18 PM)
How about them Cowboys? I can't speak for all of the other alums, but when the day comes that we're king of the hill, I hope the rift-raft remembers which wagon they picked to ride.
Report Comment
gba, (11/10/2009 5:10:17 AM)
man ya gotta start asking your self...is stoops worth 3 mill. per year
not only his record this year,but past bowl games also
i'm starting to think we need to clean house
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/10/2009 9:08:51 AM)
"We", gba? I thought you were a TCWho guy? You're just a very confused individual, aren't you? Like thinking "yourself" is two words. And rocky, don't hold your breath on that "king of the hill" thing. Also, the word you're looking for is "riffraff". You sure you're a college graduate? Oh yeah, you went to that Ag school. My bad.
Report Comment
RyanC, (11/10/2009 9:29:12 PM)
Steff M
Are you male or female? because you talk a big game, but you have a chicks name.
"Just Sayin"
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/11/2009 11:52:40 AM)
Is that all you've got, Ryan? Do you want me to come back with something like, "Ryan sounds like a fairy name, huh, huh, huh"? Obviously you've got NO game, or it's so bad you're afraid to show it in public. Come on back when you can think of something better than that.
 

 
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