Good e-mails: Quarterback issues and Mangino woes
11/20/2009 2:48:25 PM
I got a couple of good e-mails today on different topics – quarterbacks and Mark Mangino:
The first e-mail comes from someone who wrote about the difficulty OSU had in beating Colorado without Zac Robinson. This didn’t seem like an OU fan taking glee in the Cowboys’ struggles.
Instead, it was someone who believed that maybe the OU coaching staff had been dealt a tougher hand than most realized. OU and OSU have both shown this season that it’s not easy to replace a talented QB.
“… Maybe OU coaches did a better job of coaching than many of us, including me, have given them credit for,” the e-mailer wrote.
Another e-mailer has been following the Mark Mangino story at Kansas with interest. An excerpt:
“It is hard to believe that there is an investigation being conducted because a player got poked in the chest, chewed out, had something harsh said to him, or some other inane complaint,” the e-mailer wrote. “How many among us has played football? And how many among us has had our rear end chewed out for something we did wrong on the field? It's a tough game coached by (usually) tough guys.”
(Side note: I took my share of butt chewings when I played high school athletics.)
I’ve followed the Mangino story but not especially closely. Maybe Mangino should be out. Maybe he shouldn’t.
When I read player complaints, I read them with this bit of skepticism: Would they be complaining about a coach’s rough language if they were on a winning streak instead of a losing streak?
Maybe so. But I don’t think anyone would be listening. Seems like winning cures nearly everything in athletics.
Quick thoughts after OSU's win over Colorado
11/19/2009 10:20:14 PM
Quick thoughts in the moments immediately after OSU's 31-28 win over Colorado:
1) Flashing back: Edmond Santa Fe went 2-8 in the 2000 football season. The next year, the Wolves went 6-4 in the regular season and came to life in the playoffs behind a live-armed quarterback. They charged to the semifinals. The quarterback leading that unexpected playoff run: Brandon Weeden.
2) Weeden and Keith Toston made big plays in the second half for OSU, and they'll get a lot of credit for Thursday's win. But what shouldn't go overlooked is the play of the Cowboys' defense, and a big moment early in the fourth quarter.
Colorado had a chance to build a seven-point lead after yet another OSU turnover. The Buffs took over at the OSU 36, and the possession started right after OSU's defense had held the Buffs on a drive that ended with a missed field goal. OSU's defense held a second time.
Colorado ran four plays and failed to convert on fourth-and-2. OSU's offense took over and marched to a 28-24 lead.
3) ESPN gave lots of talk to OSU's chance at a BCS bowl at-large bid. The Cowboys have a shot heading into Bedlam.
Poll question: What did you think of OSU's black uniform vs. CU?
11/19/2009 6:55:00 PM
What do you think of the Cowboys' black uniforms vs. Colorado? STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World |
The game has just kicked off against Colorado, and the first intra-office argument already has begun: What do you think of the Cowboys’ uniform – black jerseys and black pants? That’s our poll question, and you can vote on it.
I didn’t think I would like the black on black, but I think it looks good. The white numbers and orange “Cowboys” across the front look sharp. The white strips down the sides looks good, too.
But we’re in an office divided. Said editor Matt Doyle: “I’m not a fan.”
I think the traditional look of the orange jerseys is the way to go in the long run, but I think breaking out the black uniforms looked good.
 CLICK HERE TO VOTE ON THE POLL QUESTION: What did you think of OSU’s uniform – black jersey and black pants?
Bill Hancock: A good man with one of the toughest jobs in sports
11/19/2009 9:47:08 AM
I heard the news and cringed: One of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet is now the face of one of the most scorned systems in sports. Bill Hancock has been named executive director for the Bowl Championship Series.
Hancock was on Dan Patrick’s national radio show yesterday, and he defended the BCS. There might not be a tougher duty in sports, and Hancock is getting ripped by fans and media.
Today, Patrick said Hancock seemed like a good guy (he’s right) and also criticized the BCS and Hancock’s defense of a flawed system. (Patrick is right about that, too).
I don’t know Hancock well, but I got a glimpse into the man’s personality last summer. He volunteered at the Summer Olympics, something he’s done many times, and wrote correspondence that we published in the Tulsa World. We titled it “An Oklahoman in Beijing” and it was one person’s look at cultures from across the planet.
Here’s how Hancock views the world: There seem to be no strangers. Everyone is his friend. He witnessed the fastest man on earth (Usain Bolt) and saw Michael Phelps make history in the pool. But Hancock seemed just as thrilled when he could generate a smile from someone who spoke a different language.
Here’s an excerpt:
“The morning run around the neighborhood is terrific; I love it. Yes, for the exercise, but more so for connecting with regular people. I like to play the smile game — smile, say hello and see if they respond. . . . An elderly woman gave me the finest smile-back so far. She removed her glasses, rocked back on her heels, scanned me from head to toe and then beamed. . . .”
Here’s another excerpt as he rode a media bus to one of the Olympic venues: “We passed a public bus. It was jammed, people are standing and the windows are open. It did look like a comfortable ride to work, but I see no frowns. A young girl waved at me, bus-to-bus. I waved back, then nodded at a furrow-faced man sitting in front of her. He nodded back.”
For days, I read different Hancock stories from Beijing and grew to like the person I had never met. He seemed genuine. He seemed just like the kind of person I’ve met many times from small-town, Oklahoma – he grew up in Hobart. I corresponded with him several times and later met him.
Hancock accepted the BCS job knowing well the criticism he would take. He’s worked for the organization for four years but now has stepped to the forefront. He will become its public defender.
That’s going to come with major criticism from all angles, because no system short of a playoff – the BCS or otherwise – is going to be a good one in college football.
I will be among those criticizing the BCS. But when I do, I will know the difference between the BCS and Hancock. The BCS is a flawed system. Bill Hancock is a good man defending it.
Poll question: Who's having tougher year: Stoops or Carroll?
11/17/2009 12:38:04 PM
Two of the best coaches in college football – OU’s Bob Stoops and USC’s Pete Carroll – are having tough seasons. Who’s having a tougher time? That’s our poll question.
Oklahoma is unranked for the first time since the 2005 season. Southern Cal is ranked No. 22 – its lowest spot since 2002, when the Trojans started their current rankings run of 128 consecutive weeks.
When is the last time both were outside the Associated Press top 25? You have to go back to the final poll of the 1999 season. Since AP issued its preseason rankings in 2000, either OU or USC has been ranked – most of the time both.
A quick look at two agonizing seasons:
Bob Stoops
A Heisman winning quarterback stands on the sideline with a surgically repaired shoulder. OU’s four losses are by a combined 12 points. The defense has been dominant but failed to make key plays down the stretch of a pair of close losses. Facts like those produce teeth gnashing. Now, Stoops has people talking about him and Notre Dame.
Pete Carroll
A freshman starting quarterback takes snaps because the expected starter, Mark Sanchez, bolted surprisingly early for the NFL. Trojans just gave up 55 points at home to Stanford. Carroll was irked because Stanford – STANFORD! – was running it up on USC. Now, people wonder if USC’s Pac-10 stranglehold is over for good or if this is just a bump in the road.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE ON THE POLL QUESTION: Who’s having a tougher season: Bob Stoops at Oklahoma or Pete Carroll at Southern Cal?
Thoughts: Stoops to Notre Dame?... Sunday night football... Belichick's call
11/16/2009 2:13:02 PM
Quick thoughts from the weekend:
* A source told the Chicago Tribune that Bob Stoops has indicated he would listen if Notre Dame came calling. That’s basically what Stoops has said for years. The OU coach has repeatedly stated he’s happy at OU but has never said he would coach there forever. His name being linked with an opening (or a potential opening) is nothing new in his 11 years at OU.
* I hope Zac Robinson plays Thursday. Sounds like he will. Here’s what I like about him: He’s more than just a heck of a ball player. Robinson represents his school well, too.
* I’m not a big fan of college football games on Sunday night. I know TV dictates those things, and it's good for TU to get on the tube. But I'm not sure how many people watched the TU game when Colts-Patriots were on another channel. (That might be a good thing for TU last night.)
* I’ve heard a bunch of criticism today of New England coach Bill Belichick for his fourth-down gamble that went bad against Indy on Sunday night. Here’s my question: Does anyone really think the Patriots’ defense was going to stop Peyton Manning if Belichick had punted? I think the Colts were going to score from 30 yards or 70 yards on that last possession. Belichick tried to clinch the win on fourth down. The Patriots didn’t get it. He gets bashed. That’s life in coaching.
Top 25 Q&A: Why did OSU move up so much? A vote for OU?
11/15/2009 2:35:12 PM
Questions and answers on my Associated Press top 25 ballot this week:
Why did you move OSU up so far?
The Cowboys moved from No. 18 to No. 12 on my ballot for two primary reasons:
1) The defense. It's improved substantially during the course of the season. Anyone who doesn't believe that can look at the difference between the Houston and Texas Tech performances. And the defense is far superior to recent Cowboys' seasons.
2) Several teams lost in front of Oklahoma State this week. Rankings positions opened up, and the question became – how high does OSU climb up those available spots? To me, the Cowboys deserved the big move because of the defense's obvious improvement. Teams that can run the ball and stop the run are going to be tough to beat. OSU can do both.
Did you rank Oklahoma this week?
No. The Sooners received a few votes this week, but when I looked at the teams in the 20-35 range, Oklahoma didn't come close to my ballot.
OU looked good at home Saturday night, but the Sooners always look good at home.
You didn't rank Southern Cal. How come?
For the last three weeks, I've had the Trojans lower than the rest of the country.
* I dropped them to No. 8 after a narrow home win over Oregon State three weeks ago.
* I dropped them to No. 15 after a 47-20 road loss to Oregon two weeks ago.
* Last week, I had USC No. 13 after a 14-9 road win over Arizona State.
* Then Southern Cal got blown out 55-21 at home against Stanford. The Trojans were still in the game in the fourth quarter but were outscored 27-0 in that final 15 minutes. Stanford simply whipped USC on its own field.
The Trojans have lost two of their last three and have given up 47 and 55 points in those losses. Southern Cal has played fierce defense in the Pete Carroll era, but it's not happening this season. I don't think they're playing like a top 25 team right now, so I didn't rank them.
Your top nine poll positions didn't change. How come?
Every time I watch Florida I think the same thing: This team doesn't look great, but I don't know who will beat the Gators. They make plays when they have to. They're still my No. 1.
Texas did nothing to lose its No. 2 ranking. Alabama and TCU were also impressive but not enough to move past the team in front of them.
I considered moving Boise State past Cincinnati at No. 5. Cincinnati had a close call against West Virginia, but I think Cincinnati has played a tougher schedule than Boise State this year, so I left the Bearcats ahead of Boise.
Georgia Tech, Pitt and LSU all won, although LSU wasn't impressive and I considered dropping the Tigers but didn't think Oregon merited a move past them.
What are some of the interesting national matchups this week?
LSU at Ole Miss: I had Mississippi back in the top 25 this week. Ole Miss might be favored in this game.
Ohio State at Michigan: Michigan has lost four in a row and six of its last seven this season. Could the Wolverines salvage a little something from the year and beat the Rose Bowl-bound Buckeyes?
Oregon at Arizona: Wouldn't be surprised if Mike Stoops' team bounces back from a tough loss against Cal with a win against Oregon.
MY TOP 25 VOTE
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. TCU
5. Cincinnati
6. Boise State
7. Georgia Tech
8. Pittsburgh
9. LSU
10. Oregon
11. Ohio State
12. Oklahoma State
13. Clemson
14. Stanford
15. Iowa
16. Penn State
17. Oregon State
18. Miami, Fla.
19. Wisconsin
20. Houston
21. BYU
22. Utah
23. North Carolina
24. Virginia Tech
25. Mississippi
AP TOP 25
Ranking, record, voting points
First-place votes in parenthesis
1. Florida (36) 10-0 1463
2. Alabama (14) 10-0 1429
3. Texas (10) 10-0 1424
4. TCU 10-0 1307
5. Cincinnati 10-0 1247
6. Boise State 10-0 1213
7. Georgia Tech 10-1 1139
8. Pittsburgh 9-1 1030
9. Ohio State 9-2 990
10. LSU 8-2 968
11. Oregon 8-2 918
12. Okla. State 8-2 754
13. Penn State 9-2 689
14. Stanford 7-3 652
15. Iowa 9-2 633
16. Va. Tech 7-3 559
17. Wisconsin 8-2 547
18. Clemson 7-3 442
19. BYU 8-2 344
20. Oregon St. 7-3 338
21. Miami, Fla. 7-3 255
22. USC 7-3 223
23. Utah 8-2 183
24. Houston 8-2 149
25. Rutgers 7-2 145
Others receiving votes: North Carolina 144, Nebraska 64, California 53, Arizona 50, Mississippi 45, Navy 41, Temple 23, Auburn 9, Georgia 9, West Virginia 8, Oklahoma 5, Texas Tech 4, Boston College 3, Nevada 1.
Poll question: Is OU's offense in gear, is A&M that bad or is it a combo of both?
11/14/2009 10:24:29 PM
A week ago, Oklahoma lost 10-3 to Nebraska in the worst offensive performance of the Bob Stoops coaching era.
This week, the Sooners lit up Texas A&M 65-10 in a home game. Landry Jones threw five touchdown passes and the offense produced its most yards (640) this season.
The question: Is the offense back in gear? Is Texas A&M just that bad? Or is it a combination of both? You can vote on our poll question by clicking the link below.
I think OU’s offensive production in the last two weeks is a combination of several factors:
* The Sooners are far superior at home than on the road. The home field advantage helps any team, but it seems to be much bigger for OU. The Sooners average 16.8 points per game away from home this year. But at Memorial Stadium, the Sooners average 49.8 points per game.
Some of that scoring difference can be attributed to the fact that OU has played its toughest foes away from home. But the Sooners home-field edge has been undeniable.
* OU’s offense isn’t as awful as it looked against Nebraska. The Huskers’ defensive line is tough. It can make an opponent’s offensive line look bad. And it can make a struggling offensive line like Oklahoma’s look awful.
* OU’s offense isn’t as good as it looked against Texas A&M. The Aggies ranked 95th in the country in scoring defense. And that was before the 65-point OU blitz.
OU poll question: CLICK HERE TO VOTE ON THE POLL QUESTION
Mike Stoops on OU... Switzer's swoon... TU's important game
11/13/2009 11:39:09 AM
Mike Stoops on the Sooners
Arizona coach Mike Stoops has his team in the Rose Bowl chase and did an interview on Jim Rome’s radio show this week on The Buzz (1430 am). At the end, Rome asked Stoops if he would have believed in the preseason that his team’s record (6-2) would be better than his brother Bob’s team’s record at OU (5-4).
Mike Stoops laughed and said in a good-natured way of the Sooners: “They need to win some games. Maybe we could play ’em in a bowl game.”
Reader mail
As mentioned in a previous blog, I don’t think a bunch of people want Bob Stoops out as OU football coach. But some think Stoops should be gone.
An excerpt from an e-mail I received on my last blog on the subject: “you're right about not knowing what may happen when a new coach is hired. translated i guess that you mean ou should never hire a new coach because of the unknown. and when the team has a bad year or years, we can always justify keeping him because of what he did 10, 15 or 20 years ago.”
My reply: Look at OU history. In the early 1980s, Barry Switzer had teams that went 7-4-1 (1981), 8-4 (1982) and 8-4 (1983). Some called for Switzer's dismissal. In the next four seasons, Switzer’s Sooners produced a 42-5-1 record and won a national championship.
Will Stoops’ teams be that dominant? No one knows, but I don’t agree with the faction who thinks Stoops should be gone right now.
Slowing down the Red Raiders
Quick question: Will the Cowboys’ defense slow down Texas Tech’s high-powered offense?
I think it will. I know what happened against Houston and its wide-open attack. But I think OSU’s defense has improved since the Houston game and is far superior to Cowboys defenses of recent seasons.
TU-East Carolina: Big game for Hurricane
Tulsa plays East Carolina on Sunday, and the Hurricane is trying to end a four-game losing streak. The game is important for simply getting a win.
But to me, there’s an even bigger reason. TU needs two wins in its final three games to become bowl eligible. The Hurricane probably will be an underdog at Southern Miss, so Sunday's game against East Carolina takes on added meaning.
Playing in a bowl – even after a disappointing season – is important because the extra practice time can help prepare for next season.
Big 12 salaries: Expensive wins at OU; OSU coaches a bargain
11/12/2009 1:44:00 PM
Which Big 12 school is getting the most for its money this football season? Which is getting the least?
USA Today reported coaches salaries from across the country this week. A quick rundown of some teams in the Big 12. (To check out USA Today’s database, click the link at the bottom of this blog.)
Oklahoma: Have victories ever cost more money? If OU doesn’t win two more games, it will have paid more than a million per victory this season. The Sooners have the highest paid staff in the country, according to USA Today.
Oklahoma State: Cowboys look like they have a bargain. They have the sixth-highest payroll in the league, but they’re one of only two Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25 this week. (Texas is the other.)
Texas: Longhorns pay big bucks for coaches, and they’re on track for a national-title game appearance.
Missouri: Third-highest payroll in the conference, but the Tigers are tied for last in one of the weakest divisions in college football.
Nebraska: The Cornhuskers are eighth on the total salary scale.
Iowa State: Paul Rhoads cost the school less than a million, and he has a .500 record. Not bad when you consider the Cyclones had a 5-19 record the last two seasons.
| School | Head coach, salary | Asst. coaches | Total | '09 record
| | Oklahoma | Bob Stoops, $4.3M | $2.5M | $6.8M | 5-4 | | Texas | Mack Brown, $3.1M | $2.9M | $6.0M | 9-0 | | Missouri | Gary Pinkel, $2.5M | $2.2M | $4.7M | 5-4 | | Texas Tech | Mike Leach, $2.7M | $1.9M | $4.6M | 6-3 | | Kansas | Mark Mangino, $2.3M | $1.8M | $4.1M | 5-4 | | Okla. State | Mike Gundy, $1.8M | $2.1M | $3.9M | 7-2 | | Texas A&M | Mike Sherman, $1.8M | $2.1M | $3.9M | 5-4 | | Nebraska | Bo Pelini, $1.9M | $1.9M | $3.8M | 6-3 | | Kansas St. | Bill Snyder, $1.9M | $1.7M | $3.6M | 6-4 | | Colorado | Dan Hawkins, $1.0M | $1.5M | $2.5M | 3-6 | | Iowa State | Paul Rhoads, $950,000 | $1.4M | $2.35M | 5-5 | | Baylor | Art Briles, $944,000 | NA | NA | 4-5 |
CHECK OUT USA TODAY’S COACHING SALARY DATABASE.
OU fans who want Bob Stoops gone have short memories
11/11/2009 9:46:15 AM
Some Oklahoma football fans seem to have short memories.
Today, I got an e-mail from someone who thinks Bob Stoops should go as OU coach. Boise State coach Chris Petersen should be targeted and hired immediately as the next man on the Sooner sidelines, the e-mailer believes.
I’ve seen and heard the Stoops-must-go sentiment around some lately. Heck, our paper might have even fueled some of it. We’ve pointed out Stoops’ average record in close games and in games outside the Sooner state (including losses to Texas) in recent years. We’ve also reported on some of the issues – beyond the staggering number of injuries – that have left the offense in bad shape this year.
But the notion that Stoops should be out as OU football coach doesn’t make sense to me.
Do fans who want Stoops out remember how many Big 12 titles OU won in a row before this season? Do those fans remember how many Big 12 titles OU has won under Stoops? Does anyone remember how many games the Sooners were winning before Stoops arrived in the 1990s?
Some people have a hard time remembering those answers when they’re enduring a 5-4 season and the sky seems to be falling.
Look, I agree with accountability. The coaching staff should be taking heat for OU’s season and for the inability to win BCS bowl games in recent years.
According to a USA Today study, the OU coaching staff makes about $6.8 million per year. Stoops alone will receive $4.3 million. That trails only USC’s Pete Carroll in USA Today’s calculations of the highest paid college football coaches in the country.
When you make $4 million a year, people expect better than a 5-4 record – regardless of whether the team has been wracked by injuries.
Coaches are taking heat for that, and some fans think Stoops should be gone. I don’t think the majority of OU fans feel that way, though. I think most are frustrated but see what Stoops has done for the program.
Maybe Chris Petersen would make a fine football coach. I'm sure when Colorado hired Dan Hawkins from Boise State, campus leaders in Boulder thought the same thing. My point is that you never know with certainty how a coaching hire might turn out.
Some OU fans believe the next national title is a coaching hire away and forget that OU went through three coaches between Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops.
People who want Stoops gone probably don't remember that. They seem to have short memories.
21 seconds of unforgettable football at Chapman
11/9/2009 11:51:45 AM
I’ve watched football about as long as I can remember (almost 40 years now), and two of the craziest games I’ve ever seen happened at TU.
The first was a Jenks-Union football game in 2000. Jenks’ Kejuan Jones scored on an 80-yard touchdown reception on a play that started with 21 seconds left. Jenks won 41-37, claiming a victory that Union seemed to have sealed with a TD on the possession before Jones scored.
Saturday night was the other crazy one at Chapman. Houston stole a win from TU. Like Jenks-Union, the final 21 seconds were hard to believe. Houston scored a touchdown with 21 seconds left and got the ensuing onside kick to set up the final score.
Nothing too notable about 21 seconds, really. Just an odd coincidence in two games I probably won’t ever forget.
Top 25 Q&A: OU is out... Is OSU rated high enough?
11/8/2009 5:26:00 PM
Questions and answers on my Associated Press Top 25 football vote this week:
Should OU be ranked?
No. And there's really not even a debate. Nebraska has home losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State; but the Cornhuskers handed the Sooners their fourth loss. That pretty much says it all.
Is OSU overrated, underrated or about right?
The argument for OSU: The Cowboys have a rugged running game and a tough run defense. Teams with a combination like that are worthy of being ranked.
The argument against OSU: In its only games against opponents that are ranked in this week's top 25, OSU is 0-2. Both of those losses were at home.
I think OSU is rated about right. I have the Cowboys ranked about the same as everyone else. OSU will probably be ranked in the top 15 when Bedlam arrives.
Who's No. 1?
To me, it's Florida. I know the Gators don't always look great. But as I've noted in this space on several occasions: Who is going to beat Florida? The Gators might not always look great, but I think they will make plays when they have to in big games.
Why do you have TCU ahead of Boise State in the BCS Buster race?
A week ago, I moved TCU up to No. 4, and I've had the Frogs ahead of Boise State for three weeks now. I think TCU's defense is tough and the offense does enough. One of the best games of this week's schedule is Utah at TCU. If the Frogs win that one, they're going to finish undefeated and will have earned a BCS spot.
I'm not knocking Boise State. I think the Broncos have a good team. But they play a schedule that's awful. I know that's not all Boise State's fault, but that's the case. It's impossible to know who would win a TCU-Boise State BCS Buster matchup. But if both finish undefeated, I think TCU will have earned a higher ranking.
Should Oregon be ranked ahead of Southern Cal?
The national rankings have Southern Cal ahead of Oregon. But a week ago, Oregon beat Southern Cal and beat the Trojans pretty badly. I left Oregon ahead on this week's ballot, even though the Ducks looked bad in a loss to Stanford.
You have Houston ranked No. 10. Do you really think the Cougars are a top 10 team?
I ranked the Cougars No. 10 based on some good wins – the best of which was against OSU in Stillwater.
That said, I still have a hard time getting over the fact that Houston gave up 58 points in a loss to a UTEP squad that's 3-6. And in the last two weeks, Houston has won twice but given up more than 40 points in both games.
On the other hand, Case Keenum is a super quarterback; and Houston continues to stay on track for an 11-1 record that would include a road win against OSU, a home win over a Texas Tech team that's now getting top 25 votes and a road win over a Mississippi State team that's been a handful for some good squads.
Virginia Tech is No. 20 in the national poll but is unranked on your ballot. How come?
That's not an oversight. I dropped Virginia Tech off my ballot after a home loss to North Carolina. I think the Hokies are good and considered them again this week.
What are some good matchups this week?
* Utah at TCU is my favorite. Will the Frogs set themselves up for a BCS bid?
* Florida at South Carolina. It's Florida's last road game.
* Alabama at Mississippi State. State has come close to upsets at home this year but fallen just short. Could Bama stumble?
* Stanford at Southern Cal. Can Stanford win another big game this week?
* Notre Dame at Pittsburgh. Can the Irish bounce back and snap Pitt's five-game win streak?
MY TOP 25 VOTE
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. TCU
5. Cincinnati
6. Boise State
7. Georgia Tech
8. Pittsburgh
9. LSU
10. Houston
11. Miami, Fla.
12. Oregon
13. Southern Cal
14. Ohio State
15. Iowa
16. Utah
17. Arizona
18. Oklahoma State
19. Clemson
20. BYU
21. Penn State
22. Oregon State
23. Stanford
24. South Florida
25. Wisconsin
AP TOP 25
Team, record, total points
First-place votes in parenthesis
1. Florida (39) 9-0 1467
2. Texas (10) 9-0 1430
3. Alabama (11) 9-0 1422
4. TCU 9-0 1271
5. Cincinnati 9-0 1263
6. Boise State 9-0 1228
7. Georgia Tech 9-1 1127
8. Pittsburgh 8-1 945
9. LSU 7-2 904
10. Ohio State 8-2 898
11. USC 7-2 834
12. Miami, Fla. 7-2 805
13. Houston 8-1 783
14. Oregon 7-2 752
15. Iowa 9-1 741
16. Utah 8-1 706
17. Okla. St. 7-2 492
18. Arizona 6-2 476
19. Penn State 8-2 467
20. Va. Tech 6-3 275
21. Wisconsin 7-2 274
22. BYU 7-2 219
23. S. Florida 6-2 167
24. Clemson 6-3 149
25. Stanford 6-3 107
Others receiving votes: Oregon State 95, West Virginia 54, Auburn 54, Texas Tech 24, Navy 19, Tennessee 12, Rutgers 11, Nebraska 9, Temple 7, Kansas State 5, Notre Dame 3, Mississippi 2, Fresno State 2, Troy 1.
Poll question: Was the Iowa State win OSU's most impressive this year?
11/7/2009 5:58:00 PM
Was a 34-8 win over Iowa State the best Oklahoma State performance of the season? That’s the poll question, and I think the answer is yes.
The Cowboys were on the road after a tough loss to Texas last week. It’s hard to know how a team might respond in a situation like that, but OSU responded with a dominant performance.
Keith Toston fueled a powerful run game, and the OSU defense stuffed Iowa State almost the whole day. A rugged running game and a strong defense is a tough combo, and OSU had it.
You could argue that the season-opening win over Georgia might be better, because of all the hype surrounding the game. Lose that one and the season could have come apart. You could also argue that a road win over Texas A&M is the best of this year. That was OSU’s first road game after opening the season with four straight home contests.
But to me, the Iowa State performance tops them. Not only did OSU look good on Saturday, the Cowboys showed character in rebounding from a tough loss a week ago.
OSU poll question: Was the Iowa State win the best of the Cowboys’ season?
Questions and answers on the high school football scandals
11/6/2009 2:20:00 PM
I've received questions and seen comments on the high school football scandals. A few thoughts:
The athletes at Booker T. Washington should be held accountable for failing to keep their grades at a level that keeps them eligible.
I totally agree with that sentiment. Students have responsibilities and must live up to them in the classroom. If a student’s grades fall below the passing level, they should be withheld from competition. That’s a consequence.
But it’s not the student’s responsibility to determine eligibility. That’s the school’s job. It’s also the school’s job to enforce the consequences – withholding that student from activities.
Booker T. Washington administrators failed to meet the obligation of grade checks. That’s not the students’ fault.
There were 37 athletes ruled ineligible at Booker T. Washington. Were they falsifying academic records?
Tulsa Public Schools has never stated that happened. According to the district, Booker T. Washington wasn’t checking grades of student-athletes to make sure they were eligible. Checking grades is standard procedure at schools and is part of OSSAA rules.
The difference between falsifying records and the failure to check grades is a big one, and the distinction should be clear. Booker T. Washington failed to check grades to determine if students were staying eligible, according to a TPS report.
Why did Booker T. Washington and Sand Springs get removed from the playoffs, but Jenks was allowed to compete in the playoffs?
Actually, Booker T. Washington and Sand Springs weren’t removed from the playoffs. They forfeited games and those losses left them with district records that weren’t good enough to reach the postseason.
The key difference between Booker T. Washington, Sand Springs and Jenks are when the violations came to light.
Booker T. Washington and Sand Springs forfeited games while the 2009 season was ongoing. Jenks officials were notified of a potential eligibility issue after the season was over. Forfeits in the 2008 Jenks football season weren't issued until the summer of 2009.
The OSSAA has a philosophy that it will issue penalties that address the time an ineligible player was used. That means Booker T. Washington and Sand Springs forfeited games in 2009. Jenks forfeited games from 2008.
The timing of when the forfeits occurred is the key difference in the three schools' cases.
Will more schools announce forfeits or violations?
I don’t know, but I would guess yes. OSSAA officials receive tips on potential violations. Have those tips increased?
“It sure seems that way,” said the OSSAA’s David Jackson.
Jackson didn’t have specific numbers of tips per month compared to recent years, but he knows they’re up: “More than normal than in past years. More than what we’ve been receiving in past years.”
If tips are increasing, it increases the chance that more schools could be caught in violations.
To a large degree, the OSSAA’s system is built on self-policing. Parents, fans, school administrators and others can provide a tip about a student’s eligibility or a possible rule violation.
The Jenks case started with an anonymous e-mail. The Booker T. Washington case started with one phone call. Claremore coach Rob Gilbreath says he received an anonymous letter about a Sand Springs player’s eligibility and forwarded that information to the OSSAA.
A reader asked me today: Is the OSSAA is targeting Tulsa-area schools?
No. OSSAA officials say they investigate tips.
This week, Jones – a suburban school in the Oklahoma City area – forfeited games that knocked the school out of the Class 2A playoffs.
To say the OSSAA targeted Booker T. Washington would be incorrect. Tulsa Public Schools notified the OSSAA of potential problems at the school. TPS self-imposed sanctions against the school’s athletic department.
The OSSAA has yet to issue its ruling on Booker T. Washington. The OSSAA board will review the case at its next monthly meeting, which is Wednesday. The board could accept the TPS sanctions or could issue more penalties.
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