2009 Big 12 South Preview and Play-On Games

[SoonerBS]

Well, it's time once again, time for me to put together all the info on FBS teams and conferences that I have accumulated since the end of the 2008 season. As with all preseason prognostications, my views are as I see things right now and could change in the time we have between now and the first game depending on injuries, suspensions, transfers and etc. Last year these predictions were pretty successful and I hope for the same this season. Feel free to comment in this thread whether you agree with the opinions or not.

Texas

The Big 12 South is one of the areas where I will agree with Phil Steele's order. I think Texas will beat Oklahoma and the rest of their schedule should be easy enough to get by without more than 1 loss. Texas has what I believe to be the best college football quarterback in the nation. I believed last season that Colt McCoy should have got the Heisman Trophy over Tebow and Bradford. I don't consider Tebow a great passer and I don't consider Bradford a great scrambler, but McCoy is both. Last year, during the Texas/Oklahoma game, I sat in awe as McCoy played an almost flawless game. I've never seen a QB's timing be so precise as it was during that game! It wasn't that Oklahoma played poor defense, it was all about McCoy throwing perfect passes and making perfect decisions.

This season Texas brings back nearly their entire offensive team from last season. I don't look for them to miss a beat at all offensively and they should continue to put up big numbers on the scoreboard this season. Defense is a bit more of a problem as they lose 4 players and most of them are off the defensive line. However, they are replaced by some highly recruited talent that should gel quick, so I don't see much of a drop off here. Texas brings back over 75% of their defensive production from last season! Once again, the big turnaround last season for this defense was the hiring of Wil Muschamp and this year will be the second season these guys play in his system.

It is my belief that this season Texas will win the Big 12 Championship and the National Championship. I hope as a Sooner fan that I am wrong, but I'm not one to play favorites and be a total homer.

Play-On Games:

September 5th versus University of Louisiana Monroe: ULM is suppose to be much improved this season, but it's not going to matter in this game. Texas almost always blasts their inferior opponent in the opener (2007 was an exception) and they cover huge spreads. I don't see this game being any different. My prediction: Texas 63 and ULM 7.

October 10th versus Colorado: This game follows West Virginia and precedes Kansas for the Buffaloes. I know this is the game that precedes the Oklahoma game for Texas, too, but last year Texas showed that they could remain focused and I think they will this season as well. My prediction: Texas 35 and Colorado 10.

November 7th versus UCF: In 2007, Texas went to UCF and nearly got beat. Of course, 2007 was not really a good year for Texas. This year, UCF will travel to Texas and they do not have the fire power to compete with them at all. I'm looking for a possible upset the week before whenever Texas travels to Oklahoma State, so this game will be the rebound game if that happens. My prediction: Texas 52 and UCF 12.

 

[SoonerBS]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma runs a close second to Texas this season because of their defense coming back (and injured players getting healthy there as well) and because of their skill players returning on offense, including Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford. So, if they have all these ingredients returning and they won the Big 12 Championship last season, then why do they fall to 2nd place? I am a big believer that for offenses and defenses to function well you have to have good lines. Oklahoma loses 4 out of their 5 offensive linemen off last season's team. This is HUGE in my handicapping. I do not believe the Sooner offense will see near the success that it did last season with them having to totally rebuild their offensive line. Stopps has even been vocal this offseason in his disapointment about the way the line is coming along. The progress of the offensive line will decide how far the Sooners go this season.

One note before I get into play-on games: The most moronic statement I have ever seen Phil Steele print was in the Texas forecast. He said, "If for any reason they end up tied with Oklahoma this year, the voters will pick Texas this year." That proves to me, that like so many others across the nation last year, Phil Steel just didn't understand the rules the Big 12 had in place for deciding ties. The people did not vote Oklahoma into the BCS NC. If Texas wants to blame anybody for that, they need to blame their own weak scheduling because a big part of Oklahoma getting in was the weight of their scheduling factor in the BCS system. "Nuff said.

Play-On Games:


September 5th versus BYU: The Cougars are picked to win the Mountain West Division this year and the MWC teams usually do quite well in their OOC games, but I think this is a game where BYU gets an old fashioned butt-whipping. BYU brings back only 4 starters on offense from last year. So, not only do they need to rebuild an offense line, but they have some skill players to replace as well. Defensively, I feel secure in believing that BYU has not seen an offense as potent as Oklahoma's in quite some time. This is a neutral site, but Oklahoma will have more fans simply because it is closer and not far for the Oklahoma fans to travel (not to mention the fact that there are thousands of misplaced Sooner fans in the Dallas area as well.) In the end, Oklahoma's defense will be too powerful for BYU to overcome and their offense should be potent enough to cover the spread and few points more. My prediction: Oklahoma 38 and BYU 14.

September 19th versus Tulsa: While I have no doubt that Tulsa will likely do well in CUSA play, they start the season with 3 road games and this is the third in the series and by far the toughest of the three. Tulsa has only 5 returning on offense (and their defense is not much to speak of). Not only do they have to replace the starting QB, but they have a different OC after Gus Malzahn left. I look for Tulsa still to be in the mode where they are trying to find some team chemistry. This is not likely going to be pretty. My prediction: Oklahoma 52 and Tulsa 21.

 

[SoonerBS]

Oklahoma State

To me, we're not looking at anymore of a difference this season with Oklahoma State than we were last season except for the fact that the lines may not be as favorable for us to get to 8-4 ATS with them. Once again, Oklahoma State's offensive weapons are some of the best in the league and should be highly potent again. But, I think there are concerns on the defense. Maybe Bill Young is the DC savior everyone thinks he is, but I think Beckman was very good and let's not forget he lost Fedora towards the end of the season as well. So both his OC and DC of last season's success have moved on to take HC positions themselves. Defensively, OSU lost 2 defensive linemen and 3 defensive backs. They are shoring these spots up with mostly JUCO transfers. Maybe it works, but maybe it doesn't. Still, Oklahoma State's defense is not known for their strength and I don't think it will be this season as well.

NOTE: I'll have more to say about this whenever I talk about Georgia later, but I think Oklahoma State loses their opener against Georgia.

Play-On Games:

September 19th versus Rice: Rice returns only 4 starters off their stellar offense from last season. While they return 9 on defense, it is safe to say their defense was never anything special anyway. Rice will really struggle this year and Oklahoma State may be looking at their first ATS win of the season right here on this game. My prediction: Oklahoma State 49 and Rice 10.

October 31st versus Texas: This could quite possibly be the biggest test the Texas defense faces all season long. Two years ago, Oklahoma State should have upset Texas here at Boone stadium, but the Oklahoma State jinx against Texas set in and Texas once again pulled their ass out of a ringer. Last season Texas was just too much for Oklahoma State to overcome in Austin. I think we see a repeat of the game in 2007, but with a different ending . . . My prediction: Oklahoma State 38 and Texas 35.

November 19 versus Colorado: I always take the home team in nationally televised Thursday Night games. There is no exception to this rule as it always wins me money at the end of the season.

 

[SoonerBS]

Texas Tech


With only 4 offensive starters returning off their 11-2 team of last season, I think it's safe for us to say that it is a definite rebuilding year this year. That is a good thing for us bettors . . . . you heard me right, I said it is a GOOD thing. Texas Tech hasn't been a good ATS team since their 2003 season whenever they went 9-4 ATS. That has been largely due to the fact that they have been competitive and everyone expects them to win and run the score up on teams. Because of this, Vegas has set the lines too high for any "play-on" value. But, because they have lost the trio of Harrell, Crabtree and Woods this season, the lines should soften. That is good for us because Leach is an offensive genius and has shown success of plugging players into his system ever since he took over the head coaching job at Tech. Taylor Potts takes over at QB and has the physical and athletic skills to be very good. He's been in the system for 3 years so he will likely have the mentality for the job as well. Just because Crabtree has left doesn't mean the cupboard is bare on the WR corps either. The Spring game proved that the WR corps has reloaded and it is sound with good receivers. Woods leaves at RB, but Batch is back and he proved to be a better RB last season anyway gaining 6.7 ypc on average. Tech has to replace 3 offensive linemen, but they are not desolate there either as all the players stepping in are athletic and recruited for Leach's system of offense. This offense is going to be fine this season, guys, and will continue to rack up the yards and points.

Defensively they bring back 7 starters, but they will lack any proven pass rushers on the team. Still, Tech has never been anything special on defense and has always relied on outscoring their opponents versus stopping them.

Play-On Games:

September 12th versus Rice: Rice is going to be down this year. Rice has never sported a good defense, so it is likely they will not be able stop Tech at all in this game. On top of that, Rice probably lost a lot more offensively last year than Tech did for the mere reason that they are unable to reload because of their recruiting like Tech does year after year. My prediction: Texas Tech 62 and Rice 21.

October 10th versus Kansas State: K-State couldn't hold Tech last season at Manhattan and I don't see things changing drastically for the Wildcats trip to Lubbock. K-State should have some false confidence coming into this game with UCLA being the only TRUE opponent they will have faced. Tech will really stretch their defense. My prediction: Texas Tech 52 and K-State 14.

November 21st versus Oklahoma: I think this is a bad spot for Oklahoma. Oklahoma will be coming off what I think is an easy game against Texas A&M the week before, but will have what should be a very important game for bowl selection against in-state rival Oklahoma State the next week. It is ALWAYS tough for Oklahoma to go to Lubbock. This should be a "look ahead" spot for Oklahoma. My prediction: Oklahoma 42 and Texas Tech 38. (I'm expecting Oklahoma to be at least -6 favorites coming into this game.)

 

[SoonerBS]

Baylor


Phil Steele has Baylor going to a bowl this season winning at least 6 games to get them there. I agree. They could very well be undefeated going into the Oklahoma game on October 10th and I don't know the last time they have ever done that. Briles proved to me last season that he belongs in the ranks of one of the great coaches coaching in the FBS. I speculated on this his entire tenure at Houston, but to take this Baylor program over and in one year make them competitive is a rare feat of coaching in my book. He deserves my kudos.

Now, let's also admit this -- he, and his star QB, Robert Griffin, will not be sneaking up on anyone this year. Still, this is the second season under Briles and the players will have caught on better to his offensive schemes and the defensive schemes of his DC, Brian Norwood. They bring back 16 starters from last season and for once boast some stars on both sides of the ball. The season should cause Baylor fans to be hopeful if the players can remain healthy.

Play-On Games:

September 5th versus Wake Forest: It's rare for me to pick an "away" game as a "play-on" game as I am mostly a home field player. But, I'm thinking that Baylor should be a dog going into this game and I think they will win SU. IF they are not a dog, this is a "NO PLAY!" However, I do think they will be a dog. This is a revenge spot after last season's loss to Wake Forest at home in the opening game. In fact, this game was never close. Freeman started this game last year before being replaced with Baylor's future QB, Robert Griffin. This year it will be different, WF will get a steady diet of Griffith and with only 4 defensive starters coming back, WF's defense is going to have a hard time keeping up with this offense. WF will have a decent defensive line, but the rest of the team is questionable. Once griffith or his receivers get by the front line, it could be nothing but endzone in front of them. Wake Forest only averaged 21 ppg on offense last season and I was never impressed with them offensively. I think Baylor's defense can hold them for a SU win here. My Prediction: Baylor 32 and Wake Forest 17.

September 19th versus UCONN: I remember watching this game last year and I got a bad line with UCONN at -12. Baylor lost the game by 11. UCONN had a hard time containing Griffin in that game and Baylor was able to move the ball on them. UCONN had a decent team last year, but they will slip backwards this year with the loss of their starting QB and star RB, Brown. In all they return 6 starters on offense and 6 on defense. Defensively they will be decent this season, but they will not be able to keep up with Baylor on the scoreboard in this game. My prediction: Baylor 35 and UCONN 14.

October 24th versus Oklahoma State: This is a bad spot for Oklahoma State. I think Oklahoma State is really going to be looking forward to giving Texas a loss the following Saturday of this game. Because of this, this is looking like a classic "look ahead" spot for OSU. With a questionable defensive front for Oklahoma State, they should struggle containing Griffin and company. Oklahoma State better look out or they could lose this game here. My prediction: Oklahoma State 36 and Baylor 35.

November 28th versus Texas Tech: Last year Tech had an "Oklahoma Layover" on this game and almost got beat by Baylor. This year, I think it is going to happen as Tech takes a step backwards and Baylor takes a step forward and this game gets played on a neutral field in Arlington, TX. My prediction: Baylor 45 and Texas Tech 38.

 

[SoonerBS]

Texas A&M


I've heard some boast that Texas A&M will be better this year because they bring back 10 on the offensive side and this is the 2nd year under HC, Sherman. Steele thinks they will be 3-0 going into the Arkansas game on a neutral field in Arlington, TX., but I'm not so sure. I think UAB could produce A&M's first loss of the season as they look ahead to the Arkansas game. A&M moved to the bottom of the pecking order last year with a 4-8 record. I don't look for them to move up from that spot this year. Let's face it, Francione really screwed this program over BAD! I'm also not convinced that Sherman was the right choice in hiring a new HC. Their offense might bring back nearly everybody, but they only averaged 25 ppg last season, which in the Big 12 was very POOR. Their defense allowed a whopping 462 ypg and 37.4 ppg. So, it may be a good thing that they lose 5 players off that squad. I see some highly recruited players filling some spots on both sides of the ball, so maybe fans can hold on to that fact as a hope, but I'm not. Guys, the bottom line here is that I am an offensive and defensive line guy and neither one of these lines are good. I can't speak very positive about them. Steele thinks they will make it to a bowl game this year, but I do not.

Play-On Games:

October 3rd versus Arkansas: This is the only play-on spot I can find with Texas A&M this time of the season. Arkansas has this OOC game sandwiched between Alabama and Auburn. This game is played on a neutral field at Arlington, TX. Arkansas should be a vastly improved team this season, but their focus may be off here. My prediction: Arkansas 28 and Texas A&M 24.

November 21st versus Baylor: Here is one of those games where Baylor should win, but I think they overlook Texas A&M and get beat. This game is sanwiched between Texas and Texas tech for Baylor. Texas is probably a loss, but texas tech could be a win. I see a serious "look ahead" spot here for Baylor, but a legitimate win spot here for Texas A&M before they go lose to Texas the next week. My prediction: Texas A&M 31 and Baylor 28.

 

[Delta00]

really enjoy your writeups, thanks

 

[jblonghorn]

Very nice writeups. I see this almost exactly as you, accept for 1 thing. I believe there's no way TX gets into the Nat'l Championship if they lose a game. If TX theoretically wins it all, they'll have to do it by going undefeated due to the soft schedule. Last year's soft schedule I can see due to the brutal 4 game gauntlet TX had to go through. Not this year. Being a Longhorn backer, that OSU game scares the pants off of me (along with Dallas, as usual). And the last game of the season, at A&M, could surprise people as TX always has a tough time there. Give me A&M and 10 points right now and I'll take that bet.

So Stoops has said in public that he's not happy with how the O-line is coming along? Thanks again for your writeups.

 

[SoonerBS]

Very nice writeups. I see this almost exactly as you, accept for 1 thing. I believe there's no way TX gets into the Nat'l Championship if they lose a game. If TX theoretically wins it all, they'll have to do it by going undefeated due to the soft schedule. Last year's soft schedule I can see due to the brutal 4 game gauntlet TX had to go through. Not this year. Being a Longhorn backer, that OSU game scares the pants off of me (along with Dallas, as usual). And the last game of the season, at A&M, could surprise people as TX always has a tough time there. Give me A&M and 10 points right now and I'll take that bet.

So Stoops has said in public that he's not happy with how the O-line is coming along? Thanks again for your writeups.

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="OneNote.File"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft OneNote 12"> Revamped offensive line remains a sore spot for Stoops

by: DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
5/27/2009 4:01:25 AM

Go to Dave Sittler's Blog

MARCH MADNESS at Oklahoma wasn't limited to the Lloyd Noble Center.

While Blake Griffin, Courtney Paris and their Sooner teammates were tearing it up in the NCAA basketball tournaments, football coach Bob Stoops was ripping into his offensive line.

The way things are going, this could turn into a summer-long, slow boil for Stoops.

An angry Stoops first zeroed in on the O-line at a March 2 news conference, an annual event to kick off spring practice. Nearly three months later, the hard line that Stoops took with the line hasn't changed.

OU is ranked No. 3 in a consensus of 13 preseason polls. But listening to Stoops, it sounds like the Sooners might be fortunate to finish third in the Big 12 Conference's South Division if things don't go right up front on offense.

"If they will come on and be what they need to be, we have a chance to have a really good team," Stoops said in a telephone interview. "If they don't, we'll just have an OK team. That's the bottom line."

Excuse me, OK? When it comes to football, OK is not OK at OU, where Stoops has spoiled Sooners supporters by winning a record six Big 12 titles, a national championship and taking the Sooners to four BCS title games in his first 10 seasons.

Stoops sent a clear message to the offensive line with his state-of-the-team speech at the March media gathering. He reinforced it last week when he kicked guard Alex Williams off the team.

With four of five starters gone from last season's record-breaking offense, Stoops hoped the candidates for those open positions would use OU's intense winter conditioning program to be locked and loaded and ready when spring ball arrived.

That didn't happen. So Stoops, criticizing their work ethic, discipline, toughness, inconsistency and overall attitude, characterized the O-line as "the weak link of the team."

Judging by his "OK" comment last Friday, those 15 spring practices did little to ease his concern.

"That (spring) is just a small segment of time," Stoops said. "They've got a chance, but they have a lot of work to do."

Williams' dismissal seems to indicate the fed-up level of Stoops' frustration. In normal circumstances, one could assume a coach dismisses a player to set an example of what's going to happen to others if they don't get with the program.

But Stoops doesn't have enough warm, wide bodies available for any example setting. Trent Williams, who will switch from right to left tackle, is the only returning starter.

The lack of starting experience is compounded by almost nonexistent depth. Alex Williams worked at both guard spots during the spring behind Stephen Good and Brian Simmons, who are now the only two returning scholarship players at the position.

In addition to Trent Williams, Good and Simmons, the projected starters include right tackle Cory Brandon and center Ben Habern. After that, Stoops' choices include walk-on Brian Lepak, junior-college transfer Tavaris Jeffries, little-used redshirt sophomores Donald Stephenson and Jason Hannan and LSU transfer Jarvis Jones.

Stoops might experience a few sleepless summer nights if a recent Wall Street Journal story proves accurate. The article contends that a team's offensive-line experience can predict its success for the upcoming season.

According to the newspaper's calculations, OU is No. 11 in the Big 12 with the number of career starts returning on the O-Line with 29. Kansas, with 26, is No. 12, while Texas (91) and Oklahoma State (86) have at least 20 more than their nearest competitors.

Stoops has to hope quality and potential make up for the lack of numbers. Trent Williams is projected to be a first-round selection in the 2010 NFL draft, while the other Sooners starters have solid credentials.

"There's some talent there," Stoops said. "But there's a lot more to it than talent. There's a work ethic and a lot more that goes into doing what you need to do to be successful."

If the Red-White Spring Game was an indicator, quarterback Sam Bradford can forget about becoming only the second player to win two Heisman trophies. Bradford was sacked twice on the first series of the game before wisely watching most of the contest from the sideline.

With Good and Jones out with injuries, the offensive line also struggled to establish a running game. After that April contest, Stoops said the positive of the injuries was that younger lineman like Alex Williams took the majority of the snaps.

By late May, Stoops had decided not to renew Alex Williams' scholarship because the redshirt sophomore was not "doing what he needs to do."

Who knows what June and July hold. At this rate, it could be a long, hot summer for the Sooners, with the opening of fall camp certain to be filled with August angst.

 

[GoSooners]

Last year's soft schedule I can see due to the brutal 4 game gauntlet TX had to go through. Not this year.

Uh...You better look at Texas schedule again. They have to go through the very same gauntlet again this season. Colorado, OU, Missouri and then OSU. Look familiar? If anything maybe worse because OSU is the third leg of 3 games in a row on the road. Two of those games Texas played last season were at home before they had to travel to Tech..

 

[SoonerBS]

Uh...You better look at Texas schedule again. They have to go through the very same gauntlet again this season. Colorado, OU, Missouri and then OSU. Look familiar? If anything maybe worse because OSU is the third leg of 3 games in a row on the road. Two of those games Texas played last season were at home.

If they are going to be conference champs, then they are going to have to go through it without a loss. If not, then they will not be. I think they have the best chance to make it through than when they had Young at QB. I remember Oklahoma making it through a similar gauntlet in 2000 . . . .

 

[trentmoney]

Fedora was not the OC last season
Gundy had co-oc's but was pretty much in charge of the offense

 

[GoSooners]

If they are going to be conference champs, then they are going to have to go through it without a loss. If not, then they will not be. I think they have the best chance to make it through than when they had Young at QB. I remember Oklahoma making it through a similar gauntlet in 2000 . . . .

Right now, the wildcard in the South is OSU. If Texas beats OU head to head and loses to OSU on the road, the South would belong to OSU if not for one thing. I have a sneakin' suspicion that OSU is going to lose two games in conference this season, not just one. I think they lose to OU and somebody else besides Texas. When you have a shaky or average at best defense nothing can be taken for granted. Especially in the road games.. Weak defenses almost always lose somewhere where they aren't supposed to lose. What could very well happen is the last game of the season between OU/OSU could decide the fate of Texas. If OSU wins they go. If OU wins Texas goes to the Big 12 title game. One thing I am pretty sure of, if Texas loses one game anywhere they can forget national title game.

 

[SoonerBS]

Fedora was not the OC last season
Gundy had co-oc's but was pretty much in charge of the offense

You're right, I stand corrected. He lost Taylor one of his co-OCs last year.

 

[SoonerBS]

Right now, the wildcard in the South is OSU. If Texas beats OU head to head and loses to OSU on the road, the South would belong to OSU if not for one thing. I have a sneakin' suspicion that OSU is going to lose two games in conference this season, not just one. I think they lose to OU and somebody else besides Texas. When you have a shaky or average at best defense nothing can be taken for granted. Especially in the road games.. Weak defenses almost always lose somewhere where they aren't supposed to lose. What could very well happen is the last game of the season between OU/OSU could decide the fate of Texas. If OSU wins they go. If OU wins Texas goes to the Big 12 title game. One thing I am pretty sure of, if Texas loses one game anywhere they can forget national title game.

It will be a very interesting year in the South . . . .

 

[BigdaddyQH]

Does anyone see another three ring fiascoin the South,ala last year? The Big 12 didnot changetheir rules,so are we going to have another vote? I amnot a Big 12 fan, but I do know something about Mack Brown. He will remind that team about the fiasco at T-Tech last year time and time again, especially when they go to Stillwater. If Texas defeats OU, they will not lose to Okie State and be put in the same situation that they were last year, because OU plays Okie State late in the season and can run up the score, impress enough voters and computers, and beat them out again. think that Texas will be definately get into the NC game if they win the Big 12 and run the table, no matter who else may run the table. I also think that they get into the NC game with one loss, if they win the Big 12, and either no BCS Conference Team, or one BCS Conference team has no losses.

 

[jblonghorn]

Right now, the wildcard in the South is OSU. If Texas beats OU head to head and loses to OSU on the road, the South would belong to OSU if not for one thing. I have a sneakin' suspicion that OSU is going to lose two games in conference this season, not just one. I think they lose to OU and somebody else besides Texas. When you have a shaky or average at best defense nothing can be taken for granted. Especially in the road games.. Weak defenses almost always lose somewhere where they aren't supposed to lose. What could very well happen is the last game of the season between OU/OSU could decide the fate of Texas. If OSU wins they go. If OU wins Texas goes to the Big 12 title game. One thing I am pretty sure of, if Texas loses one game anywhere they can forget national title game.

Texas ain't losing to OSU. Gundy is an idiot. I'm predicting OSU blows a tire this year and Gundy could very easily be shown the door. That bowl game last season was no fluke. You know OU's in trouble when Sooners are starting to root for an OSU upset of Texas in June.

I'm telling you guys that expectations are the LAST thing a lot of these teams need right now. Baylor, Ok State, Colorado, Nebraska; these teams can easily implode due to too high of expectations. The only teams that know how to deal with expectations year in year out are OU and Texas, because it's old hat to them. Take a team like Tech; they're not supposed to be any good this season right? Well, they're a dangerous team. Few people realize that Taylor Potts is actually better than Graham Harrell at similar stages in their career and has twice the arm.

OSU will be getting sugar blown up their ass and listening to all the hype until they get hit in the face. They will not be a factor this season, and there will be trouble in Stillwater.

 

[SoonerBS]

Texas ain't losing to OSU. Gundy is an idiot. I'm predicting OSU blows a tire this year and Gundy could very easily be shown the door. That bowl game last season was no fluke. You know OU's in trouble when Sooners are starting to root for an OSU upset of Texas in June.

I'm telling you guys that expectations are the LAST thing a lot of these teams need right now. Baylor, Ok State, Colorado, Nebraska; these teams can easily implode due to too high of expectations. The only teams that know how to deal with expectations year in year out are OU and Texas, because it's old hat to them. Take a team like Tech; they're not supposed to be any good this season right? Well, they're a dangerous team. Few people realize that Taylor Potts is actually better than Graham Harrell at similar stages in their career and has twice the arm.

OSU will be getting sugar blown up their ass and listening to all the hype until they get hit in the face. They will not be a factor this season, and there will be trouble in Stillwater.

Some people realize this. I refer you to post #4 . . . . .

 

[GoSooners]

Texas ain't losing to OSU. Gundy is an idiot. I'm predicting OSU blows a tire this year and Gundy could very easily be shown the door.

Which is it JBLonghorn, that OSU scares the pants off of you when Texas visits Stillwater (Post 8), or Gundy is an idiot and OSU will blow a tire? Your getting so worked up your disputing your own posts. Take it easy son. Your trying way too hard to read something into our posts that really isn't there. All that we're bringing up is potential roadblocks for Texas. It doesn't mean it's going to happen. The very things that could go against Texas can also go against OU. And if you had been here this spring you would have seen that I had many more negative things to say about my Sooners than Texas...I still firmly believe that Texas is the team to beat in the South. Mainly because their overall schedule is easier than OU's. And I have my doubts about OU's O-Line coming together in time to make a run. But all of these teams, whether it be Texas, OU or OSU, are going to run into problems this year. The Big 12 South is no longer a win one game and make a run conference. Just because Texas can beat OU on a neutral field doesn't mean they will beat OSU in Stillwater. If OU should beat Texas, it doesn't necessarily mean they are going to beat Miami, Nebraska, Texas Tech or Kansas on the road. One thing I'm pretty darned sure of, your smoking crack if you think OU, who could have the best defense in the country this season, is going to lose 4 games. You need to take your orange colored glasses off and lay down the pipe if you truely think this..

 

[SoonerBS]

Yeah, JB, I think you have the potential to be a decent poster and post some good info and logical thoughts, but you have to take off the horns and look at everything without bias. I'm a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, but my favorite team is the one that wins me money on any given Saturday. I've known GoSooners long enough to know that he is the same way. We've both acknowledged the fact that the Sooner offensive line is liable to give them some problems this season. Texas seems to me to have the more complete package on both sides of the ball, but in NCAA football any team can be beat on any day.