Boomer Sooner.com

I guess Vegas knows what’s up. Anyone looking at the Oklahoma sideline before the opening kickoff would see a bevy of NFL prospects and All Big 12 players in street clothes. It didn’t mesh with the Vegas line of anywhere between 8 and 10 points favoring the Sooners. What?! OU is 10 point favorite against the best Oklahoma State team in the Stoops era and OSU playing for BCS glory? It didn’t add up. But games are played on fields of grass and in this case Vegas must have really liked Memorial Stadium turf and the Sooner defense. The Sooners not only covered the questionable spread, they blew it out of the water. The Oklahoma Sooners continued the nation’s longest home winning streak at 30 games in a row. The Miami Hurricanes hold the record for the longest home winning streak in college football at 58.

Oklahoma continued their inspired play on Owen Field with a bone crushing defense, an inspired effort from a patched up offensive line, and a performance for the ages from receiver and kick returner Ryan Broyles to dominate their Bedlam rivals on Saturday. Lets not forget coaching. The only way the Sooners pull off this kind of stunner, is with a great game plan and motivating a patched up offensive line into playing above their ability levels. They did both and after the first quarter it was all Oklahoma.

Keys to Oklahoma’s Bedlam Beatdown…

Pokes “Broyled”- Ryan Broyles showed why he is Oklahoma’s next superstar player. Broyles, having a great year despite battling injuries, was spectacular in a record setting performance. Broyles returned 8 punts for 209 yards including a 87 yarder for a TD. The 87 yard punt return was the longest in Sooner history. He also had 9 receptions for 103 yards. Throw in 4 rushing yards and his 316 yards of all-purpose offense are third most in Sooner history.

O-line gets it done- The entire Oklahoma offensive line should get game balls. This unit has been beat up on the field and in the media all year. OU lost their best offensive lineman, Trent Williams, for the game (concussion) and OU coaches once again shuffled a make shift line-up that had a walk-on, Brian Lepak starting at center and a tight-end, Eric Mensik starting at right tackle for the first time in his career. This beat-up, patched up unit played better than anyone could have imagined and was a huge key in Oklahoma’s point production. It was a workman like performance and Oklahoma coaches deserve high praise for figuring it out and then motivating them to play in a winning way.

“Way” to go!- Tress Way may have had his struggles in trying to become the Sooner place kicker, but he is on his way to becoming the best punter Oklahoma has ever had. With a struggling offense this year, Way continued giving the Oklahoma defense the field position to succeed by averaging a whopping 58.8 yards in his six punts with a gigantic 74 yarder to pin the Pokes inside the ten yard line. His hang time also allowed the Sooner punt coverage team to contain one of OSU’s biggest weapons, punt returner Perrish Cox. It should also be noted that he had two huge kicks into a strong gusting wind.

DEEEEEFENSE!!!!- There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the dominance of the Oklahoma defense in their shut-out of OSU. The numbers speak for themselves. OSU only had 6 first downs on the afternoon. Three of them were due to penalties. Outstanding Poke running backs Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston were shackled for only 62 rushing yards on the day. OSU star quarterback Zac Robinson faired worse with only 47 net yards passing. A bigger key was limiting Robinson’s running ability. Robinson torched theSooners the last two years with his running ability and the Sooners stifiled him to -6 yards rushing on the day. The Sooner defense once again was led by Jeremy Beal with 10 tackles, 2 for losses.  Austin Box was outstanding in replacing injured Mike linebacker Ryan Reynolds. Oklahoma had a little help in shutting the Cowboys out. After Jermie Calhoun’s fumble was scooped by OSU linebacker Justin Gent, it looked as if OU’s shut-out was gone as Gent had nothing but open field in front of him. Sooner tight-end Trent Ratterree caught Gent from behind and stripped the ball forcing a fumble that he recovered, allowing the Sooner offense to run out the clock.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Guts vs. Gutless- I respect Charlie Weis. He stated that there was a cause for his own firing. He took full responsibity and put the blame where it should rest, right on his own shoulders. Not so much with Les Miles. He stammered like “Stuttering John” and “Porky Pig” when asked why his quarterback spiked the ball with one second left against Ole Miss, thus ending the game. By then, every knowledgeable football fan knew the game was not blown there, but when he let 19 seconds elapse before taking the time-out, he should have taken many seconds earlier. Instead, of manning up like Weis, he grasped for straws and tried to cover the butt that is totally exposed now. Bad move, It would have been refreshing to hear the man say he blew it instead of the panic, and the weak hand gesture filled blubbering that went on at the end of the game. You gotta wear it and move on, “Mad Hatter.” The most ironic thing was he said, “We all know you don’t spike the ball there,” but video clearly shows him giving the spike sign. Oops.

Old School vs. Soft School- What is happening in the case with Mark Mangino is sad. I have a,n idea what it is. The games, in all sports have changed and coaches had better also change or be right where Mangino is now. Mangino is an “old school” guy. A tough hard nosed Pennsylvania man that was influenced by tough, hard nosed coaches. Mangino is more Bobby Knight and Woody Hayes than Mike Leach or Mack Brown. The way players were coached by coaches in those days, myself included, where it was nothing for a coach to grab a face mask, poke a player in the chest, or be grabbed by the jersey to get a point accross. That’s just the way it was, and players had no issue with it back then. In high school in 1980, our coach had a paddle and every time our punter shanked a punt, he got a swat on the ass. It didn’t hurt him because he had a pad there, but it was just how he made his point. I spoke to that coach and he said, “Oh yeah, times have changed. I would get fired now for that.” The biggest problem is that the players are running and ratting coaches out to the AD’s and administration and it seems like the admistrators, more times than not, are siding with the players and starting “investigations/witch hunts.” Its hard for this “old school” guy to believe that a poke in the chest with shoulder pads on is worth all this mess. But, I am “old school.” Guess its time to change before the rats win because God forbid a player gets tough and hardnosed, especially a football player.

Cancer Cure in KC- The Cheifs are 2-0 since ridding themselves of Larry Johnson. Even though Cedric Benson is hurt, is it worth bringing a guy with attitude issues on and off the field into a team playing good ball? Cincy lost last week right? Hmmmmm. A hard-hat friend of mine that worked on the rennovation of Arrowhead Stadium said they had all the players line up and meet them after a practice one day. The lone jerk? Larry Johnson. Cancer spreads and the Bengals should be aware. The Dodgers would be wise to “LJ Man Ram” and not make excuses for him for hittin’ the showers in the 6th inning among a million other things. Say it ain’t so Joe Torre! You should have fined him and sent him to the house and told him to get a hair cut while he is at it.

Here We Go Again- Bob Stoops being mentioned for the Notre Dame job for the 1,000th time? Urban Meyer for the 500th time? How many times does a coach have to say no?!! It is a tough job, the Notre Dame gig. Hard to win there in this day and age with the academic standards and talent base. Who has won there since the option disappeared and a speed on offense and especially defense became king? The person that will turn Notre Dame around will need extensive recruiting connections in Texas, California, Florida, or better yet all three. If Notre Dame pulls the plug on Charlie Weis, Gary Patterson at TCU would get the first phone call. As a matter of fact, if I had any job available at a program worth leaving TCU for, Patterson would be first on the speed dial. I can’t believe his name is not mentioned first for every job. He is from the Bill Snyder coaching tree and that’s good enough for me, TCU is fundamentally solid on both sides of the ball, and he has got them ranked in the top 5 in a recruiting area that OU, Texas, and Texas A&M dominate. If he can recruit there, he sure as heck can recruit Notre Dame.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Jim Morrison, the iconic singer/songwriter for ‘The Doors’ penned the lyrics, “Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.” In his hit song, “Road House Blues.” The Oklahoma defense could have switched the lyrics to, “Keep your eyes on Taylor Potts and your hands on Baron Batch.” The Sooners did neither and Texas Tech turned Jones Stadium into another House of Blues for an Oklahoma team that has struggled on the road all year.

The formula for defeat was different and the same for the crippled Sooners. The strength that Oklahoma has depended on all year failed them in this game. For Oklahoma to win, it was going to take a typical strong defensive effort to offset the lack of point production that has plagued the Sooner offense all season. From the first play of the game, the Oklahoma defense played anything but their dominating style. Missed tackles, busted secondary assignments, and no pass rush allowed Taylor Potts and his bevy of receivers to dominate a defense that up until this game has been one of the best in the nation. The Sooner defense also lost middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds for the upcoming Bedlam game with a hamstring injury. Austin Box played well in filling in for the injured Reynolds and should be an upgrade speed wise to help contain Oklahoma States, dual threat attack next week in Norman.

The same ol’ same ol’ for the Sooner offense was the inability to run the football. This was not a surprise. Oklahoma’s injury ravaged offensive line suffered yet another devastating set back when freshman center Ben Habern broke his leg and will miss the remainder of the year after having surgery on Sunday. Oklahoma’s offense is simply a group trying to learn on the job and do the best they can with what they have. It is sad for guys like Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray, who have seen the best and worst of times, as Oklahoma running backs. To go from being dual 1,000 yard weapons behind arguably the strongest line in Oklahoma history, last year’s season, to struggling to turn losses into one yard gains has been the sentence of these two backs in playing behind this injured, inexperienced, and shuffled line. It has also slowed the development of Landry Jones, who has shown flashes of being a good solid player. Jones has never been afforded the luxury of the time Sam Bradford enjoyed behind his great offensive line thus rushing his reads and progressions and taking sacks that Bradford had the time to avoid. In a nutshell, the Oklahoma offense is doing the best it can with what it’s got. They play hard and the effort is there but the offensive line woes continue to bog the offense down.

Uncharacteristically, the Oklahoma defense played with no emotion or intensity. Oklahoma has the talent on defense to play well every Saturday, which they have proven. When a defense of this magnitude plays with no fire and does not produce in the way they are capable, it has to be looked at as lack of preparation. Coaches are responsible for getting their teams physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared. The emotional card is the hardest. It seemed as if the defense was not prepared from an emotional standpoint. The showing on the field, in this game, was one of a team that is waiting for the season to end. One of the most difficult aspects of coaching is getting your team to play at an emotional peak week after week. Texas Tech the same as Texas. Tulsa the same as Oklahoma State. On the road like at home. It’s easy for the big games with a lot on the line. The Sooners, for the first time in a long time, are having to play with very little on the line and for a team like Texas Tech, at home, with revenge of the “Jump Around” thrashing in Norman last year, anything but a tremendous defensive effort would and did prove disastrous.

To beat Oklahoma State in Bedlam, to expect anything more from the Sooner offense must mean they are going to have to play over their heads at an emotional high. Being a rivalry game, with the nation’s longest home winning streak on the line, that is something to get emotional over. Oklahoma’s defense also must play at a level to off-set the Sooner offenses handicaps. They too must be on an emotional high. It’s not a magic formula. The OU defense must win the game for the offense, in this one. If not, you may have a repeat of Texas Tech, and you can kiss the nations longest home winning streak goodbye.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Fire Stoops?- I have been reading some posts around the darkest edges of the internet and the “Fire Stoops” idiots are sharpening their pitchforks and lighting their torches to start the “Blame Bob” witch hunt for Oklahoma’s struggles this season. Uh, seriously people, get a grip. I would say that any one wanting Stoops gone really should not publish it in any forum because people with brains and common sense will counter your post, and make you look like the fools that you are. For every stupid reason to fire Stoops, there are a hundred legitimate reasons to let the guy who has dominated the Big 12 and coached in more BCS Championship games than any other coach in America to hang around a little while. The 2009 Sooners, in all reality, should have been picked about 10th in the polls to start the year, and that is with a healthy Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham. I think if anyone has learned anything about football from the Sooners’ plight this year, it is the importance of the offensive line and the effect injuries can have on a program.

Wanna know why OU is struggling? The Sooners have a young, inexperienced, beat up, shuffled offensive line trying to protect a freshman quarterback, who is throwing to a walk on tight end and receivers (with the exception of Ryan Broyles) that are inexperienced and unproven, with two field goal kickers who are struggling beyond 35 yards. Oh, and they have a helluva defense that gives them a chance to win every game. Injuries and graduation… That’s what’s wrong with the OU offense and why OU has lost four games. That sure as heck isn’t any coaches fault. In 2000, when OU won the National Championship, they lost ZERO starters to injury the whole year. Take away quarterback Josh Heupel alone as the only injury that year, and OU doesn’t win the Big 12 much less a national title. Get it?

Time to grow a set. OK- I am gonna say something I know some writers and coaches wish they could write, or say in public… It’s time for one of Oklahoma’s field goal kickers to get it done. They both have the ability to be a great kicker. It is about one thing… PRESSURE. All great kickers thrive on pressure, and welcome it. Who can forget Uwe Von Schaaman’s calm cool demeanor leading the Ohio State crowd in “Block that kick!” before drilling Oklahoma’s biggest most pressure packed kick through the uprights at time expired. Ballsy, gutsy kickers want it and their game elevates when pressure is added to the equation. Like a pinch hitter, or closer in baseball, they want the at bat or ball with the game on the line. Whoever can handle the pressure will be OU’s place kicker, and if someone doesn’t step up and take the job, don’t be surprised to see a kicker added to the Oklahoma recruiting wish list with the opportunity for immediate game. Missed field goals are as big a reason as any that OU still isn’t bowl eligible, and have losses to Texas and Nebraska. When an offense is struggling in the Red Zone and you have an elite defense, a solid dependable kicker can save a season. The job is out there for the taking boys… who wants it?

Heisman anyone?- Does anyone want the Heisman Trophy this year? Right now I gotta go with Case Keenum and Jordan Shipley as the most deserving. Heck, this might be the year a defensive player should win it since no one on offense seems to want it. Ndamukong Suh, the great defensive tacke from Nebraska, may get some serious consideration should Keenum or Shipley stumble. Still don’t think the voters have the guys to vote for a defensive player even though it is for the Most Outstanding College Football Player and not the best OFFENSIVE football player.

Don’t miss it! - Wanna see one of the most well coached teams in America? Get your bathroom break and hot dogs before halftime if you are going to the Texas A&M game in Norman. The Fightin’ Aggie Band is truly one of the best halftime shows anywhere. They do the same routine, and same songs year after year and it never gets old. The precision is amazing. Key in on the Sousaphone (Tuba) players making their turns at the goal line. Great stuff.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

The Oklahoma Sooners traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska and left their offense in Norman. A rousing Sooner defensive effort was fruitless as the Oklahoma offensive weaknesses were exposed by a talented Nebraska defensive line. The Sooners have struggled on the offensive line all year with penalties, inablility to establish a running game, and not giving Oklahoma quarterbacks the time they need to execute their progressions in the spread offense. Throw in 5 Landry Jones interceptions and the lack of a consistant field goal kicker (OU kicker Tress Way missed 3 field goal attempts) and the result was a 10-3 Cornhusker victory.

The Sooner defense once again kept OU in the game and dominated the Nebraska offense. Roy Helu did rush for 138 yards but the Huskers never could put together a scoring drive. Nebraska’s lone touch down was set up by an Landry Jones interception that was returned to the one yard line and Nebraska scored on a Zach Lee to Ryan Hill pass for the games only touchdown. Oklahoma out played the Nebraska defense statistically only allowing 180 total yards on the night as opposed to Oklahoma’s 325 yards. Nebraska only had 7 first downs the entire evening. Jeremy Beal was once again the Sooner defensive star with a sack and six solo stops, one of those for a loss. Beal now has 9.5 sacks on the year and has a shot at breaking the OU single season record of 14 held by Martin Chase. Sam Proctor also recorded 6 solo stops for the Sooners.

The bright spots on the Oklahoma offense were receivers Ryan Broyles and DeJuan Miller. Broyles once again proved he in one of the nations best play makers in having 102 punt return yards and catching 8 passes for 74 yards. Miller tallied 5 receptions for 69 yards and made some great catches under pressure.

This game was a microcosm of what has plagued the Sooners in all four of their losses including………..

Poor offensive line play- The Sooners offensive line was manhandled by the Nebraska defensive line. NU defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska’s All American and Jared Crick were dominate. OU’s offensive line simple could not handle these two. They snuffed out running lanes and pressured Landry Jones all night into hurrying throws that resulted in 5 interceptions. Jones was not at his best but rushing throws had a lot to do with it. The Sooners were force to move the pocket and roll Jones out and he did not look comfortable throwing the ball on the move as he is a proto-typical pocket passer. Penalties once again doomed the offensive line. Trent Williams had three of Oklahoma six penalties that included two personal foul penalties from Williams and Jarvis Jones that hurt OU scoring chances. Oklahoma’s line troubles have haunted the Sooners in every loss this year and the poor offensive play starts with this unit that has been juggled all season. Oklahoma’s Brody Eldridge who is OU’s most consistant blocker was injured compounding problems.

The lack of a consistant field goal kicker- Tress Way took over place kicking duties from Jimmy Stevens and simply didn’t get the job done. Way missed 3-4 attempts and had one blocked on a low kick that Ndamukong Suh blocked without leaping. I am sure Oklahoma will consider reinstating Stevens who was 11-13 before being replace by Way. Way did an outstanding job punting with a 43.8 yard average with a long of 71. He also had a 60 yarder that was called back due to a Nebraska penalty. OU’s struggling offense must convert field goal opportunities. Their defense will give them a chance to win and the offense that has struggled in the red zone all season must take points any way the can get them.

Inconsistancy at quaterback- Landry Jones has shown flashes of being a very good quarterback. He has not shown the ability to be consistant yet. Most of it is a direct result of the offensive line play. It is a tough act to follow Sam Bradford who was the most accurate passer in Sooner history. Jones had several passes float on him and several tipped that resulted in his 5 interceptions which was the turning point of the game. Jones must limit turnovers and manage the game in a way similar to the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl season when the Ravens defense won games for them. Jones looked uncomfortable throwing on the move and needs time to the successful in the pocket where he is more comfortable. Oklahoma can win with Jones at quarterback provided they don’t turn the ball over, especially in enemy territory.

Learn how to win on the road- Oklahoma is a different team at home as opposed to being away from Norman. They have a tendency to play down to the other teams level on the road and a team with the longest home winning streak in college footbal needs to get over the mental hurdle and have the same confidence they have in Norman. It seems is if they play not to lose on the road as opposed to thier attacking nature at home. The need to be the same team whether it’s in Norman, Lincoln, or Lubbock.

Eliminate drops- Oklahoma had a couple of more drops from receivers that could have been turning points. Adron Tennell dropped a deep pass that was catchable that could have led to Sooner points. It was the best pass Landry Jones threw all night. The Sooner pass catchers have improved but in an offense struggling for field postion and points, every drop is costly.

Oklahoma is at a crossroads and has a challenging schedule the rest of the way. Texas A&M, Texas Tech in Lubbock, and Oklahoma State at home will certainly showcase which direction the team is heading. It will also showcase what direction Oklahoma takes in recruiting to plug the holes of a ship that is starting to leak.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Texas defense may win them the National Championship. Their offense is good enough, their defense is awesome. Especially against the run. No one is beating them in the Big 12. Period.

UCF Coach George O’Leary punting at Texas 31 yard line? C’mon George! You are playing the #2 team in the nation. Grow some sack!

Take the under in every SEC game and you will be a millionaire!

Steve Spurrier still has the worst body language of any coach in the football.

OU is the only team in the world to figure out how to stop Texas’ Jordan Shipley.

LSU vs. Bama- Both teams should run the Wildcat the whole game. Both quarterbacks will probably be in body casts by the end of the game. If the score could be 1-0 it probably would happen in this one.

Tough test for the Sooner offensive line today in Lincoln. Nebraska sports Ndamukong Suh is a defensive lineman who might win every award a D-lineman can win this year. This game features two of the best defensive players in the country with OU’s Gerald McCoy and NU’s Suh. Let’s hope Suh plays like he drives tonight. Bad.

Right now it’s Northwestern 14, Iowa 10. Iowa has been eating four leaf clovers all year and maybe today is the day their luck runs out. I know, I am biased but OU, Texas, OSU, Kansas, Tech, Nebraska and probably K-State, and A&M could beat them. Iowa is a decent team in a horrible conference. Absolutely not a top 5 team. If they lose I would vote them no better than 15th.

Does anyone else hate the rugby style punt? Only bad things can happen. I don’t get it? Why try to reinvent the wheel? One of these days a punter is gonna whiff and that will be the end of it.

Gutsy coaching call of the day. Purdue just pulled off a 3rd quarter onside kick where the kicker popped the kick in the air and the Purdue defender fielded it clean. Purdue throws a bomb the next play, scores and steals momentum in the Big House at Michigan. Best game of the day so far.

Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett might be a better NFL quarterback than anyone playing the college game today. He has all the tools. What a great gift to the Razorback program when he bolted Michigan.

An ELEPHINO is a cross between an elephant and a rhino and the answer to the question when I am asked who will win the Heisman Trophy this year. Heck, I would give it to Jordan Shipley if someone put a gun to my head and made me pick today after his monster game against UCF. Anyone, but Jimmy Clausen.

Thank you, Northwestern, for finally exposing Iowa.

Navy just drives the ball down Notre Dames throat for the first points of the game. 7-0 Anchormen cashing in on a ND fumble. Didn’t the Irish learn anything last year?

All you Sooners that miss the wishbone, check out Georgia Tech. It’s not the ’bone but they run the option and it’s a beautiful thing. Josh Nesbitt is a the best option quarterback since OU’s Jamelle Holieway.

Speaking of the option, Navy’s version looks pretty good shoving it down Notre Dames throat. 14-0 at the half for the Middies. Maybe the Clausen for Heisman and Notre Dame in the BCS disappears today.

K-State looks like the favorites in the Big 12 North after handling KU. KSU Running Back Daniel Thomas is a stud and Wildcat coach Bill Snyder obviously still has it.

No points in the first quarter in the LSU/BAMA game. The 1-0 prediction is lookin’ good. BAMA doesn’t have the quarterback to win it all. They have everything else but that position is a little bit important. Which ever QB has the best day in this one will win. So far Jordan Jefferson the LSU QB has the edge.

Nick Saban just melted down and slammed his headphones for a 12 men in the huddle penalty that just cost them a TD. If BAMA loses that will be a tough one to forget.

I gave everyone a fantasy tip a couple of days ago. Donald Buckram, the UTEP running back, is the best player no one has heard of. He is going off today to the tune of 53 fantasy points. 211 rushing yards 3 TDs and 109 receiving yards with one TD. He is saving my butt today in College Fantasy.

Bama has the game where they want it. It’s up to their defense to win it for them. They hold a six point lead with 7 minutes left. Lookin’ good for the Tide.

The SEC officials just blew another one. LSU just intercepted a pass and got screwed on the replay. Are they looking at something different than what we see on TV?

Its Sooner time!!!!

Nice three and out for the OU defense! Boomer!

This game just feels like it will be an SEC type game where field position is going to be huge. Turnovers are huge in these games.

Ryan Broyles is a serious playmaker. So much like Mark Clayton. Gotta get the ball in his hands tonight.

Tress Way 0-2 tonight with a block on a seriously low kick. Suh blocked that kick with his feet on the ground. Looks like OU better score TD’s. I bet Jimmy Stevens is out there the next field goal attempt. When you get a chance to win a job you gotta produce.

The OU defense may have to be OU’s offense and score points. Defense looks great so far. 3-3 in 3 and outs.

Sooner offensive line getting whipped every down so far. Play calling very conservative. Gonna have to loosen up the Husker defense at some point with something deep. Nebraska is jamming the line and tight with coverage.

Huge punt for Nebraska. In a game like this it could be a game changer. OU starts with horrible field position at the 2.

Are the defenses this good or the offenses this bad???

There is the turnover (interception). Nebraska’s defense gets credit for that touchdown. NU 7- OU 0.

Tennell down and out. Great throw by Jones, the old bugaboo’s are starting to haunt. Drops, offensive line penalties and busts.

Suh just beat Good like a rented mule.

Broyles is the man. Huge first down for the Sooners. Got to get the ball in his hands.

DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown run so hard. They both have earned every yard this year,

Good drive going…. now 4th and short. What do you do????? No blockers in front of Murray. Not his fault. Wow.

Helu breaks a big one for the Huskers. OU answers with huge fumble recovery! If you like defense and bad offense this is your night!

Play action seems to be working against the aggressive Husker “D”.

Gonna be interested to see who kicks if OU has to settled for a field goal???? Its Way, Kick good. Maybe that will give him confidence. He has the leg.

7-3 Huskers at the half. How does a team give up only 1 first down at halftime andis losing??? What a crazy matchup.

Bad first drive for OU. Can’t establish a running game, and it’s hard to accept Jones being a normal quarterback after watching Sam Bradford for the last two years.

Nebraska is establishing field position which is huge in a game like this. OU defense gets a big sack to help with field position. OU needs to move the ball here and change field position at the least.

LUCKY! Got away with one with DeJuan Miller making a great catch under serious pressure. Could have been picked.

Pass interference on NU. To bad its not the NFL rule! Field position established. Not! Interception Nebraska. Turnovers are and will be the key to this game.

OU defense can’t play any better. OU offense has got to help them out!!!!!!!! Defense needs to score somehow, someway.

Field Goal Nebraska. OU in serious trouble down 10-3. 7 points seems like 21 tonight. Need special teams or defense to put offense in position to score.

There is the Sooner season in a nutshell. Penalty on a Sr. offensive lineman when OU needs a first down to keep a good drive alive. Trent Williams is not half the player he was touted to be by Kevin Wilson.

Another missed Field Goal. Uh Jimmy Stevens anyone???

Big time catch by Miller!!!!

This game is like watching someone commit suicide, and you can’t stop it. Interception NU. Defense will give us another shot or two.

3 minutes left. Got to have a TD here or it’s over.

Suh is cramping up. That guy is a beast. Gonna make a lot of money playing on Sundays.

Good timeout for OU on 4th and 4. It’s now or never.

Interception NU.

OU gets one last shot after Broyles great punt return. I am sure NU fans are thinking Sooner Magic.

No Magic tonight. Great defensive performance for the Sooners. As great as the defense was, the offensive line and quarteback play were just as poor. Hard to tell if the defenses are that good or the offenses that bad. I think both.

Hats off to Nebraska’s defense. Turnovers were the difference. I guess Andre Ware (who predicted four OU losses) is pretty smart after all.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Spikes Suspension a Joke- Wasn’t it Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes who proclaimed Oklahoma the dirtiest team he ever faced? I don’t remember anyone from Oklahoma trying to claw the eyes out of any Florida player like Spikes was caught doing to a Georgia player. Now you have Urban Meyer dropping the hammer to the tune of a first half suspension against Vandy. What Spikes did was worse than LaGarrette Blount’s punch to the jaw of Boise State’s Ryan Hout. Blount was not the instigator and got a year’s suspension. If Florida were playing Alabama what would the suspension be? The first defensive series? How about suspending him for the opening kickoff? The SEC should make the ruling in something as outrageous as this. If Meyer can’t dish out a fair punishment for such a cowardly act then the SEC Conference or NCAA should. All Meyer did was make himself a laughing stock. It seems to me if Blount got a year, Spikes should get at least four games and apologize to the Sooner nation for first degree hypocrisy, and then go sit in a corner.

The Guy Can Coach- Bill Snyder is a great coach. He can do it all. He performed college football’s biggest miracle in building the apathetic K-State program into a national power. He is a trememdous game coach and is outstanding at making halftime adjustments. K-State is now gaining momentum and his Wildcats have to be considered the favorite to win the Big 12 North bringing the Wildcats up from the pre-season basement. Although most writers picked the Wildcats to finish last or fifth in the North, none of them are surprised with what he has done in such a short time. He should be considered one of the top five college coaches ever.

Damon Does It- If the Yankees win their 27th World Series, Johnny Damon’s two out, nine pitch at bat where he singled and then torched the Mark Texieria shift by stealing two bases on one play will certainly be the turning point of the series. By taking a vacated third base, without stopping immediately, after stealing second he forced Phillie closer Brad Lidge to abandon his slider for fear that he would throw the hard downward biting pitch in the dirt. The Phillies were not prepared to cover third on the play and when Phillie Skipper Charlie Manuel said post game that the pitcher or catcher should have been there it was obvious they had not prepared for that scenario. The pitcher or catcher can cover third there, but it is much easier for the pitcher to get there earlier. In a World Series, you can’t get beat with your second best pitch with the game on the line. I am sure if Lidge had to do it over again, he would have gone with his nasty slider instead of feeding Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada hittable fastballs.

College Fantasy Tip- Need a good running back no one has heard of? Jump on UTEP’s Donald Buckram. He reminds me of former OU running back Quinton Griffin. He has been money for me and has a favorable schedule coming up withthe horrible Rice defense in a couple of weeks.

Memories of Lincoln- Some of my favorite memories of the OU/Nebraska games in Lincoln….. OU Tight End Keith Jackson’s one handed grab to set up Tim Lashar’s game winning field goal in an improbable come back…….OU kick returner Kelly Phelps getting absolutely crushed by Nebraska’s Andy Means in the hardest hitting game I ever saw in 1978. Billy Sims fumbled as he was going into the end zone to kill OU’s chances. OU got redemption in the Orange Bowl in a rematch. OU won easily… Woody Shepard’s halfback pass to Steve Rhodes followed by a hook and lateral in the game where Sooner Magic was born.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)

Coming in to the Kansas State game, the Oklahoma Sooners were a team that needed to win with defense. After K-State, the offense is now the talk of the town. Why?

Coaching- Oklahoma Offensive Coodinator Kevin Wilson has taken a beating in the fan and media circles this year. None of it is his fault. You don’t go from coaching the best offense in the nation one year to being a guy who doesn’t know what he is doing the next. It is the players. Period. Offensive line play with quarterbacking is the key to winning offensive football. I will hit on the quaterbacking later. Wilson is just now finding out what the personnel he has can and can’t do on the offensive line. His play calling ability is directly related to his understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his players. It seems OU has finally found a consistent starting five on the offensive line. This offensive unit is starting to grow up before our eyes, and it is Wilson who is overseeing this growth spurt. Being a professional baseball coach, I have won championships and had terrible seasons and didn’t coach any team differently. I was the same coach; I just had better, more experienced, and most importantly healthy players during those winning years. There are huge variables in coaching. Sometimes it takes time to figure them out, and put the puzzle together correctly.

Quarterback- Nothing can tear a team apart faster than a quarterback controversy. In the Sooners case, it wasn’t controversial but the results are the same. Everyone with a brain knows that a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback doesn’t come down the pike every day. So it was obvious who was going to play if Sam Bradford was healthy. The QB controversy rears its ugly head in the college game when time limitations in practice that the NCAA imposes does not allow a quarterback to get the repetitions he needs to be successful. Landry Jones has now taken the reins to the Sooner Schooner for the rest of the season. He will get the reps he needs to be as good as he can be. The OU quarterback position is predicated on reading progressions and nothing but game experience, and tons of practice reps, can replicate that. Landry Jones is starting to get his and it is starting to carry over on gameday. Jones was 14-14 on his two game winning drives against K-State and you can feel his confidence growing with each completion.

Receiving- Like on the offensive line, the Sooner receivers are starting to gel. Why? Game experience. Confidence, concentration, and relaxation are keys to being a great receiver if that player has the talent to excel. Adron Tennell is a prime example. This guy has it all physically. Great speed, route running ability, and ability to run after the catch. He is a microcosm of the entire Sooner receiving unit with the exception of Ryan Broyles. Broyles developed his confidence over last season. The rest of OU’s receiving corp were learning on the job which made for some ugly games in the beginning of the year with drops. They did everything but the most important thing… catch the ball. OU’s receivers like Landry Jones are gaining confidence and improving every game with the all important game experience. Right now, with the way they are playing, Broyles, Tennell, Dejuan Miller, and Brandon Caleb are a good looking crew. Why? They are now catching the balls they dropped earlier. Their growth will coincide with Landry Jones’ growth and it should be fun to watch because they all have the tools to get it done. The unit won’t be complete until they have a play-making tight end but they can win with what they have if they consistently catch the ball.

Offensive Line- Like everyone else, they are maturing with game experience. Although they are not where they want to be run blocking yet, this is the most improved unit on the team. They aren’t great yet, but they were bad earlier. The Sooner running backs are proven. Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray’s success is directly related to this unit’s ability to give them space to run. Coaches have finally settled on a starting five and, like the other units, they are maturing under fire and getting consistent reps in practice as a unit. Landry Jones was protected very well in the passing game against K-State and the run blocking is getting better. Their play against Texas was commendable after watching the Longhorn’s defense destroy Oklahoma State. Texas may have the best defense in the land and this unit held their own against them. It all starts on the line and any success or failures this offense has will be directly linked to them. Pretty darn good offensive game against K-State and, as always, it starts on the offensive line.

Kash's Korner | Comments (0)