With Colorado and Nebraska leaving the conference, reports began swirling that the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders were close to joining the Pac 10, all but putting the nail in the coffin of the Big 12 Conference.  In a shocking upset (to say the least) Big 12 Commissioner Don Beebe was able to work out a more lucrative television contract with the remaining ten Big 12 teams (specifically, Texas Longhorns) and the conference would remain intact.   With Texas signing on and staying in the conference, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech followed their rival Texas school and remained in the Big 12.

Making a long story much shorter than it really is, that’s how the Big 12 got to where it’s at today.

This is the final Big 12 season before the Nebraska and Colorado leave and the remaining 10 schools stay.  Nebraska is favored to win the North Division with ease, while the South Division is, as always, a toss up between Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma State has been projected to finish anywhere from 4th to last place in the South Division, although many predict a winning record for the school.  This justifies the strength of the South Division and the Big 12 Conference overall.

jgirl4858 / flickr

A Closer Look: Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners are rebounding from an injury-plagued 8-5 season. They have to replace three All-Americans (including Heisman winner Sam Bradford) that were in the Top 5 in last April’s NFL Draft. Quarterback Landry Jones, however, gained valuable experience in replacing Bradford and should be ready for a productive season.

“I really believe, going through all of that a year ago, losing the number of seniors that we did, that we gained experience that you didn’t want at the time,” Sooners Head Coach Bob Stoops said. “That will definitely make us a better and stronger team coming into this year. More experienced team maybe than we would have been.”

Sooners also have playmaking, All-Big 12 players returning in running back DeMarco Murray, wide receiver Ryan Broyles, defensive end Jeremy Beal and lineback Travis Lewis. Barring another injury-riddled season, the Sooners should bounce back and compete for the Big 12 Championship. Their schedule isn’t going to be easy, with visits from Florida State and traveling to Cincinnati to go along with the rugged Conference games against Texas at Missouri, at Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech.

Dann Wunderlich / flick

A Closer Look: Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off one of their finest seasons in their program’s history with a 9-4 record.  But they too, will also have the task of replacing some key players.  The Cowboys will have five starters returning on both sides of the ball, but they will have to replace their three best players from a year ago:  quarterback Zac Robinson, wide receiver Dez Bryant, and offensive tackle Russell Okung. All three were drafted in April’s NFL draft.

The Cowboys do have an all-Big 12 running back Kendall Hunter, as well as a budding star in wide receiver Hubert Anyiam.  The new quarterback will be 26-year old and former Major League Baseball prospect Brandon Weeden, who started in one game for the Cowboys last season against Colorado.

The Pokes’ defense has improved each year under their solid defensive coordinator Bill Young. Linebacker Orie Lemon returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury, and will look to provide quality leadership for the unit. Safety Markelle Martin and defensive end Ugo Chinasa have the potential to be all-conference players. Defensive end Jamie Blatnick and safety Victor Johnson were both expected to contribute for the defense, but due to legal problems off the field, their eligibility may be in jeopardy.

Cowboys Head Coach Mike Gundy, however, remains optimistic.

“Were gonna make the decisions we need to make, then we’re going to get onto football,” he said. “Football is what we’re here to do.”

(Images via Flicker, 1/2)

“Everyone’s different in how they heal, the soreness, how they handle it and how quickly it dissipates where he can move and be comfortable again throwing the ball,” Stoops said after the Sooners’ practice Monday. “Anywhere from two to four weeks is what we’re anticipating.”

Bradford sprained his AC joint on his right shoulder in the 14-13 loss to Brigham Young on Saturday.  The injury came after Bradford was hit by BYU Linebacker Coleby Clawson and landed on his throwing shoulder awkwardly.

Bradford’s injury is also getting nationwide attention, even from competitors.  Texas Longhorns QB Colt McCoy, who became close friends with Bradford after spending time at the Heisman festivities (McCoy was the runner-up to Bradford in the Heisman race), sent his condolences via text message.

“I told him I’d be praying for him and hope that he gets better soon. … I wish him the speediest recovery possible,” McCoy said. “I hope that he gets back and plays as soon as he can, whether that’s for us or next week. I want him to be able to play because he’s a great football player.”

Bradford was widely considered to have been #1 pick in last April’s NFL Draft, before he decided instead to return for his junior season at OU.   One game into the young season, Bradford’s dream of winning a national championship took a blow and his campaign for a second Heisman Trophy may now be up smokes.  Now, Bradford’s temporary new job will be to serve as a “mentor” for his replacement, redshirt Landry Jones, OU ‘12.

“I don’t know if I can really put that into words, how big of a disappointment it is,” Bradford said. “But that’s in the past now. There’s nothing I can do about that. There’s nothing we as a team can do about that game.”

Bob Stoops said he expected to make an announcement Tuesday on the status of second-team All-America tight end Jermaine Gresham, who missed the BYU game with cartilage damage in his right knee.

[Image via Flickr]

dave@currentlyok.com

However, one interest has let me down most over the years.  I remember one of my first University of Oklahoma football games.  I was six and had just moved from back to Oklahoma City from New Orleans.  I watched from the stands as OU lost to Colorado.  I vividly remember praying to God that the Sooners would come through with a win.  Of course Oklahoma lost (thank you God!) and I was a broken hearted first grader; however, my love for college football stuck with me.

We continued to go to Oklahoma football games every fall.  My head started to perk up in sixth grade when Oklahoma trounced Rice in an early regular season game.  My short experienced with college football led me to believe it could only range anywhere from wretched to mediocre on the enjoyment scale.

Football became fun.

Sure enough, Oklahoma continued to win and I watched on with slightly more interest each game.  I traveled with my mom and one of her best friends to watch the Big XII championship game in Kansas City, Mo.  It was here that Bob Stoops and his crimson warriors really got their hooks into me.  In case you don’t remember, we won that game.

A month later I watched on as Josh Heupel helped Oklahoma defeat Florida State in the Orange Bowl.  I saw adults cry tears of joy.  I was damn happy.  Maybe my life would be less trying if they had lost though.  Oklahoma has competed every year for the national championship since 2001, and every year they have let me down.  I remember crying in ninth grade, tenth grade, and even last year (don’t tell anyone).  A despondent defeatist sentiment seems to have permeated the greater Norman area.  Most everyone watches the games or goes to the games, but they almost all seem to agree: “They suck”.

I’ve also heard this one a lot: “I hope we lose early and go to a bowl we can win this year” (I would love to go to the Holiday Bowl, personally).

So why is everyone so sad about the loss to BYU?  Did we not get what we asked for?  I guess no one was serious.  I saw how sad and shocked you all were.  Yeah, I checked everyone’s Facebook status.  Maybe we haven’t won the big game in almost ten years.  I will keep watching, because one day we will.  If we don’t it’s fine though, because at least we were sad together.  Isn’t that what community is all about?

[Image via Flickr]

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Saturday’s season opening game against #13 Georgia Bulldogs was hyped up as the most anticipated non-conference game in OSU history, and will go a long way determining whether the Oklahoma State Cowboys are contenders or pretenders.

Cowboys defeated the #13 Bulldogs 24-10 in front of a record crowd at the newly renovated Boone Pickens Stadium. The game was far from usual high scoring games Oklahoma State has seen in recent memory, partly because Georgia’s defense is one of the stronger teams OSU has faced in awhile.

Georgia got a quick start – on the opening drive the Bulldogs drove 80 yards and scored a touchdown on a 4 yard pass by WR Michael Moore from QB Joe Cox. Expectations were high on the Cowboy defense under the new leadership of Bill Young.

The Bulldogs replaced two All-Americans from a year ago on the offense, one being the #1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, QB Matthew Stafford.

Pokes’ offense was a slow start with virtually no rushing game and drawing plenty of penalty flags.

After the opening drive by Georgia, the Bulldogs offense went stagnant for the rest of the game while the Cowboys took advantage. Prior to halftime, Oklahoma State got a quick 10 points to take the lead heading into the half.  The first score came when Cowboy QB Zac Robinson hit WR Dez Bryant with an amazing diving touchdown catch. On the assuming kickoff the Cowboys’ special teams forced to Georgia fumble and capitalized on it with a field goal with :04 left in the 2^nd quarter.

Georgia kept the score close the entire game, yet the Cowboys made plays when it mattered.  The Cowboys forced a fourth quarter fumble by Cox and finished the game with yet another Robinson to Bryant touchdown pass, this time from 12 yards.

Bryant closed with three catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.  Robinson closed the game by completing 11-21 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns.  Robinson rushed for 41 yards and scored a touchdown on a 1 yard quarterback sneak. Cox finished with 15-30 for 162 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

Looking Forward

Oklahoma State has eyes set for another home game, this time against Conference USA contender Houston Cougars.  The Cougars are coached by Kevin Sumlin – a former Oklahoma Sooner assistant – and like OSU they also have a high scoring offense.

The Cowboys could be 8-0 heading into an epic showdown with the pre-season #2 Texas Longhorns, even though the Cowboys face potential trap games, such as against Missouri and road games to Texas A&M and Baylor.

[Image via Flickr]

dave@currentlyok.com

Below are the top five for the week ending in Sept. 6, 2009:

1. Unsealed protective order shows Mosley accused of rape
Megan Mccann / The Daily O’Collegian
“The student reported being “very intoxicated” and passing out with few recollections of the night. She woke up in her own apartment the next morning and suspected she had been raped.”

2. OU assigned new Diplomat in Residence
Troy Weatherford / The Oklahoma Daily
“[State Department Official Ed Wehrli] said he has three goals as the Diplomat in Residence: Identify students interested in foreign service, inform them of opportunities in the State Department and encourage them to apply for those positions.”

3. Sam Bradford out for rest of game
Eric Dama / The Oklahoma Daily
Jermaine Gresham’s injury confirmed
Jono Greco / The Oklahoma Daily

4. Former Israeli Ambassador Visits UCO
Chris Albers / The Vista

5. ‘Cowboys 4Ever’ didn’t seem to ask a Cowboy
Editorial Board / The Daily O’Collegian
“‘Cowboys4Ever’ touches a nerve with OSU students, namely because no one bothered to ask them what they might want to hear or what might fire them up before a big game.”

Enjoy student-generated content and would like to see it here? Submit the article link to hunter@currentlyok.com and we’ll take a look.

The injury is due to cartilage damage in his right knee, and Gresham along with team doctors and athletic training staff are weighing all treatment options, Stoops said.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson indicated that Trent Ratterree and James Hanna will be listed on the depth chart at the tight end position.

dave@currentlyok.com