Bradford staying at OU

[jblonghorn]

No, your not making a bit of sense. And you missed my point. I don't care if you get to the title game or not. If your not battle tested your not going to win it. It turns out that the four game span Texas went through last season wasn't as spectacular as we all thought. Mizzou turned out to be a dud. OSU lost their bowl game and got killed by TT. Texas Tech got spanked by both OU and Ole Miss. Texas would have run into the same problems with Florida as OU did. You can deny this all you want. But Texas played the same teams OU did, but without the tough OOC schedule. And I'm not sure what you mean by saying your not seeing Georgia or Florida schedule tough OOC games. I just told you who Florida played. FSU and Miami both went to bowl games. Georgia had ASU on their shecdule. ASU turned out to be a dud. But Georgia still had no idea how good they good would be when they schduled them. And Georgia still had to travel to the desert. Georgia wasn't a BCS player anyway. As for the Big 12, I wouldn't hold my breath on them being loaded next year. Texas Tech is rebuilding. Texas A&M isn't there yet. Neither is Baylor. Mizzou loses a ton of talent. KSU and ISU never had any. Colorado still hasn't proved anything under Hawkins. That only leaves Nebraska, who is about a year or two away from being a real player in the Big 12. and Kansas, who has a good chance to win the North, but are nowhere near the same kind of team as a OU or Texas. In order for Texas to get into the BCS title game and win it, two things have to happen. The Big 12 will have to be a huge surprise of a conference and have a winning record in their bowls. And whoever the Horns BCS title opponent is, they have to hope they don't come out of the SEC. But like I said, I've never seen a team outside of the SEC come in and win the BCS title with a weak OOC schedule. Argue with me all you want. But I'm not making it up. Those are just the facts. The day the SEC loses a title game will be when one of their teams gets into the title game with a weak OOC schdule and faces a team from another conference who is up that year. And that team played a brutal schdule and survived. USC would probably qualify based on their OOC schedule. I believe they play Ohio State and Notre Dame on the road next season. Those will be good tests for the Trojans. OU plays Miami and BYU on the road. And have a tough road schdule within the Big 12. Will it be enough? i don't know. It depends who their opponent is. The only thing Texas will have to hang their hat on is a couple games within the conference. That's it. Is it enough? I seriosly doubt it unless they can somehow draw Ohio State out of the Big 10, or possibly the ACC champ. I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening..

You and I are saying 2 different things and we'll have to agree to disagree. When you start basing any team winning the Nat'l Championship solely based on other teams in the conference winning their bowl games I have to question the formula. And I can't believe you don't think that Colt McCoy's scrambling ability would not have made for more of a challenge to Florida's defensive gameplan than Bradford's statuesque inability to scramble.

Answer this for me GS; would you rather see Oklahoma play their 2 OOC games next season to the supposed good teams they're due to face, and either lose 1 or both of those games, or would you rather see them play some teams where they can get on the field and gel, grow up and learn to play as a team before conference play begins? I know you'd obviously like to see them win both their tough games, but tell me if you'd rather see them have to lose 1 or both of those in order to say you played a tough OOC schedule, or if you'd rather play some teams that OU would be favored by 36 points?

 

[jblonghorn]

Russ...There will be question marks on both Texas and OU next year. But OU has just a little more work to do. The offensive line can be a very tricky thing to replace. But this much you can count on; no matter how much talent is coming in to replace Loadholt, Duke, Coop and Walker, they won't have the chemistry that these players had in working together for 3 years. You never realize how good these guys are until they leave. Even if the players from an offensive line don't go high in the NFL draft, it's their work as a single unit that made them special in college football. You just can't replace that overnight. I have a lot of hope for our offensive line. But I also know that we're not going to see results overnight. First, you'll have all of these players fighting it out in the spring for starting positions. Then when the games start, we'll more than likely see one or two players that don't perform up to expectations. And so the OC Wilson will be going through a lot of trial and error with these players to get the right chemsitry together. And all the while hoping that we don't incur any injuries or more setbacks along the way that further blocks our progress. Offensive lines simply don't come together as a cohesive unit right out of the chute. And we can't let our OU homerism get in the way of making money when the season starts. Unlike this past season where OU went 11-2 ATS, I think the Sooners are going to have problems covering the spread next season against teams with a pulse. Especially in the first half of the year. Right off the bat in OU's first game, they'll be facing a BYU team who returns 9 starters on defense. And Mendenhall is a defensive type of coach. So the OU offensive line will be tested severely in their first game. And after that game I think everybody will find out that we still have a ways to go to get up to speed. As for Texas, their probelms won't be apparent because they play 4 cupcakes to open the season. We really won't know if they'll miss those players off of their defensive line until the meat of their schedule starts. But Texas is a pretty deep team. I don't expect a big dropoff on defense. The linebackers may have a little more pressure put on them until their defensive line gels. But Muschamp is such a good defensive coach and motivator that I'm really not expecting much of a dropoff. Plus a lot of these replacement players got a lot of playing time this past season because of all of their blowout games. But where Texas could possibly be a bit weaker on defense, they'll be stronger on offense. So it's kind of a wash. My only beef with Texas and a certain fan is their schedule. It may get them in the BCS title game if their lucky. But it's not condusive to helping them win it once they get there.

11-2 ATS? Are you sure? I know I made money on them not covering against Texas, Kansas and Florida. Again, and you're proving my point in your post above, is that I would rather see my team win games than lose games. And Mack feels this same way. Why schedule a tough game when you're gonna have plenty of tough games in conference? If Texas gets through the season undefeated, there's no way on god's green earth they'll be left out of the Mythical Nat'l Championship. And at that point, anything can happen. Can you not agree w/ me on that point? I can agree with you that playing tough OOC games is great for the fans and teams and fans, players and coaches can learn a lot from those games. But fans and coaches and teams and players can also learn a lot from an ugly loss against a team that they were suppose to beat by 36 points also. This scenario also doesn't keep that team out of the nat'l championship like a loss does. I can also agree with you that it's a gamble the way Mack does it because if they lose (with a shitty OOC schedule), they're screwed, compared to OU losing a game since their OOC schedule is tougher, they'll be forgiven a bit.

 

[jblonghorn]

GoSooners: I am not taking anything for granted, especially the OL. Continuity is important but every time you have a changing of the guard like this you can take on a different identity, and sometimes different is good, sometimes bad. When you can rebuild around an NFL type at "the key" OL position you are not starting from scratch. We may have to dump the ball off a little more and when we do it goes to three proven veterans.
The Texas DL is what sets up the blitzes that the Texas DC uses. And they are replacing a LB and we know what havoc that can cause. At this point I am only concerned with getting by Texas. The way our lines match up I think it is in our favor. In the games Texas will play prior to OU they will not have seen anything like OU. OU runs plays in a frenzy, bam bam bam. Our OL will be in shape from doing that in earlier games. The Texas DL could be sucking air before the whole thing is over. Another hangover from playing panzies early on. They could be like deer in a headlight. DL are a different breed and it is all straight ahead stuff, more brawn than brains. But the pace of the OU offense may pay it's biggest dividends ever in this years Texas game based on the way everything sets up.
I could be wrong. I am not saying I am going to bet on OU everytime out. I either bet on them or I do not bet that game. It will be interesting to see who wil be favored (probably Texas) and if so I will go with OU.
I would like to repeat that I have never started studying this stuff this early before. I am discovering all kinds of things. I love to do research but this whole thing is a rough draft in progress until sometime in July. My opinions and my attitude may change by then.

Well sir, if Texas is your only worry, you're in for one heck of an awakening. BYU and Miami are going to be N-A-S-T-Y next season. And your points of OU's hurry-up offense having Texas sucking air? You've gotta be joking? If memory serves correctly, you ran the same "hurry up offense" this past year, when Texas thereby whipped the Sooners in the 2nd half by a tune of 25-14, and thoroughly dominated the 4th quarter, AGAINST AN OFFENSIVE LINE THAT WAS PLAYING TOGETHER FOR 3 YEARS! And that hurry up offense, with brand spanking new O-lineman, in an atmosphere of that of the Cotton Bowl on October 17th? I don't think OU's newbies will be ready for that everybit as much as Texas' D-lineman. I hate to break it to you, but it's much easier for a d-lineman to step in and play at a high level than an o-lineman. Everything you mentioned up top I think shows that you're just beginning your capping career. It's fun and enjoyable. But I wouldn't be betting a lot of money seeing how you're capping this game so far. Seriously. BOL however.

 

[Conan]

11-2 ATS? Are you sure? I know I made money on them not covering against Texas, Kansas and Florida. Again, and you're proving my point in your post above, is that I would rather see my team win games than lose games. And Mack feels this same way. Why schedule a tough game when you're gonna have plenty of tough games in conference? If Texas gets through the season undefeated, there's no way on god's green earth they'll be left out of the Mythical Nat'l Championship. And at that point, anything can happen. Can you not agree w/ me on that point? I can agree with you that playing tough OOC games is great for the fans and teams and fans, players and coaches can learn a lot from those games. But fans and coaches and teams and players can also learn a lot from an ugly loss against a team that they were suppose to beat by 36 points also. This scenario also doesn't keep that team out of the nat'l championship like a loss does. I can also agree with you that it's a gamble the way Mack does it because if they lose (with a shitty OOC schedule), they're screwed, compared to OU losing a game since their OOC schedule is tougher, they'll be forgiven a bit.

There will be a point system for non-conf games that will award teams that have stiffer schedules (more BCS opponents) higher rank and those that play cupcakes less credit or none at all. Games vs cupcakes may not even count. These are some of the things I've been reading in the blogs lately, especially the Bleacher Report. They've even been talking about meeting certain schedule requirements to be given any kind of BCS consideration at all.

If you think that only a conference schedule counts, then what does it mean to have a national rank based on only that? There isn't much to go on to rate teams in the national picture without more to go on. That makes perfect sense.

This is why it will become more important to schedule non-conf games that are worth something. It makes sense to give OOC games more weight when looking at the national picture.

I've seen some of the proposals tossed around, such as zero credit for scheduling 1-AA opponents. A required non-conf game vs another BCS school, travel points... etc. There needs to be minimum standards set for teams to qualify in the BCS ranking system. Sooner or later we will get a playoff system where all the conference champs qualify and about 4 at-large teams make it in, all of whom have met minimum scheduling criteria.

Sure there are advantages to making one's non-conf schedule as easy as possible. But in a competitive sport such as CFB, those that are more willing to compete should get credit for it. Teams that don't get penalized. The only way to level the playing field is to set standards and I'm glad to see that these questions are on the table.

 

[jblonghorn]

There will be a point system for non-conf games that will award teams that have stiffer schedules (more BCS opponents) higher rank and those that play cupcakes less credit or none at all. Games vs cupcakes may not even count. These are some of the things I've been reading in the blogs lately, especially the Bleacher Report. They've even been talking about meeting certain schedule requirements to be given any kind of BCS consideration at all.

If you think that only a conference schedule counts, then what does it mean to have a national rank based on only that? There isn't much to go on to rate teams in the national picture without more to go on. That makes perfect sense.

This is why it will become more important to schedule non-conf games that are worth something. It makes sense to give OOC games more weight when looking at the national picture.

I've seen some of the proposals tossed around, such as zero credit for scheduling 1-AA opponents. A required non-conf game vs another BCS school, travel points... etc. There needs to be minimum standards set for teams to qualify in the BCS ranking system. Sooner or later we will get a playoff system where all the conference champs qualify and about 4 at-large teams make it in, all of whom have met minimum scheduling criteria.

Sure there are advantages to making one's non-conf schedule as easy as possible. But in a competitive sport such as CFB, those that are more willing to compete should get credit for it. Teams that don't get penalized. The only way to level the playing field is to set standards and I'm glad to see that these questions are on the table.

Makes all the sense in the world. If any of these scenarios end up happening, then yes, by all means, schedule tougher OOC games. Believe me, this would make the 1st part of the season wonderful and full of drama. In this world of the current college football system where each week is a playoff game in essence, you don't want to schedule a game that can possibly cost you the season. Until then however, if you're not penalized for the not-so-tough OOC games.......

 

[russ1945]

jblonghorn: I am not and never will try to find excuses for a loss. For me it is a given team on a given day. In Oct 2009 OU and Texas will be playing again. I will be betting on OU and you will be betting on Texas. I have been betting for about 40 years and winning. I will win next season even if I lose that game. When they play about all I can say is the best team won on a given day and it was just another bet. That one game will not be about handicapping for either side, not that one. You do realize that will be OU's second trip to Dallas. As far as BYU and Miami go I like our chances. The mighty longhorns only have the guts to step out of the state of Texas once going into that game and oh yea, that one is in Texas too. I say you lose in Dallas and in Stillwater. I would say that puts you at 10-2, no conference championship and just what you deserve a bowl in the state of Texas. I know personally last year I enjoyed being a fan of a team that actually played in and one the conference championship and played for a national championship. You gotta love it. All I heard out of Texas is how you were going to blow out Ohio State and prove a point. I was impressed with that 3 point ass whippin. It's like they say, it is windy in Oklahoma because Kansas blows and Texas sucks.

 

[jblonghorn]

jblonghorn: I am not and never will try to find excuses for a loss. For me it is a given team on a given day. In Oct 2009 OU and Texas will be playing again. I will be betting on OU and you will be betting on Texas. I have been betting for about 40 years and winning. I will win next season even if I lose that game. When they play about all I can say is the best team won on a given day and it was just another bet. That one game will not be about handicapping for either side, not that one. You do realize that will be OU's second trip to Dallas. As far as BYU and Miami go I like our chances. The mighty longhorns only have the guts to step out of the state of Texas once going into that game and oh yea, that one is in Texas too. I say you lose in Dallas and in Stillwater. I would say that puts you at 10-2, no conference championship and just what you deserve a bowl in the state of Texas. I know personally last year I enjoyed being a fan of a team that actually played in and one the conference championship and played for a national championship. You gotta love it. All I heard out of Texas is how you were going to blow out Ohio State and prove a point. I was impressed with that 3 point ass whippin. It's like they say, it is windy in Oklahoma because Kansas blows and Texas sucks.

No, you're wrong, I won't be betting on Texas. Seeing that we're 9 months away from that game, a lot can happen. Best of luck betting on a team, regardless of who it is, 9 months ahead of time, having no idea what the line will be. You've been talking yourself from off the ledge to OU winning the Nat'l Championship in a matter of weeks in this thread. You're a headcase. And Texas winning by 3 points we'll take anyday over a ANOTHER loss in a BCS bowl. For you to be sitting in front of a computer and all the sudden base next season's rebuilding of an offensive line to be a good thing because of a "change of mindset", you haven't been watching football that long. If you've been betting for 40 years this way, I guess there's a reason why you're living in Oklahoma; because you can't afford the real estate in Texas. BOL.

 

[jblonghorn]

jblonghorn: I am not and never will try to find excuses for a loss. For me it is a given team on a given day. In Oct 2009 OU and Texas will be playing again. I will be betting on OU and you will be betting on Texas. I have been betting for about 40 years and winning. I will win next season even if I lose that game. When they play about all I can say is the best team won on a given day and it was just another bet. That one game will not be about handicapping for either side, not that one. You do realize that will be OU's second trip to Dallas. As far as BYU and Miami go I like our chances. The mighty longhorns only have the guts to step out of the state of Texas once going into that game and oh yea, that one is in Texas too. I say you lose in Dallas and in Stillwater. I would say that puts you at 10-2, no conference championship and just what you deserve a bowl in the state of Texas. I know personally last year I enjoyed being a fan of a team that actually played in and one the conference championship and played for a national championship. You gotta love it. All I heard out of Texas is how you were going to blow out Ohio State and prove a point. I was impressed with that 3 point ass whippin. It's like they say, it is windy in Oklahoma because Kansas blows and Texas sucks.

And for your information, OU will still be making their 1st trip to Dallas next season for the game against Texas. Their 1st trip into Texas will be to Arlington. And now that I think about it, you're actually the 1st Sooner that I've heard that's whined about how the Cotton Bowl is not fair and that is somehow benefits Texas. Really? Wow. We never heard that in the early 2000's.

 

[russ1945]

jblonghorn: Take a pill. Arllington, Dallas, Ft Worth, one bomb get them all. I am not complaining about where the annual OU/Texas game is played but under no stretch of the imagination is it a truly neutral field. I will be betting on OU against Texas because I always bet on OU against Texas. The amount of the bet varies according to my confidence factor but under no circumstances would I ever bet on Texas and root for OU. You don't seem to be over not going to KC last year and your homeboy not winning the Heisman. All I can tell you is to get ready for it. OU will beat Texas next year and I don't care where they play. I have already looked at both teams in depth and I see OU running for 200+ in that one. They will be leaving tread marks on your DL. OU returns 9 starters on Def and that does not include Reynolds who will be back and had a great first half against Texas LY. I know how badly all you Texas fans want that one but it ain't gonna happen. Big Mac will be just another burger on the menu when that one is over. Supersized win for OU.

 

[russ1945]

After I made my last post I realized that you probably needed some kind of quantative substantiation for why I already know OU is going to beat Texas.

1. LY Bradford and McCoy both completed 28 passes but Bradford threw for 110 more yards but threw 2 interceptions. This year he will not have to throw for that many. He should not have to throw as much this year and that will reduce the chance for interceptions.
2. LY OU was still working on their ground game even though we had the irreplaceable OL that just graduated, the same line that blocked their way to 48 net yards (another reason I think they are replaceable)
3. Oh yes the Texas defense is losing the 4 DL's who stopped the run LY and a LB as well. My my (that is why is see 200+RY and less need throw)
ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
4. Texas leading rusher that day was Ogbonnaya with 62 and this year he will make, oh that's right this yr he won't make any because he graduated.
5. Cosby burned OU for 122 yds. This year he, oh that's right he won't play this year because he graduated.
6. McCoy three for 277 yds (7.9 yds/throw). I will concede him that total and I will throw in three sacks to boot.
7. OU returns 9 starters on D to Texas (5).
8. OU allowed 1TD on a kickoff which was a problem all year but one they solved against Florida. No kickoff return no easy points.

By now I have made my point to anyone who reads this post except you because you just don't get it. Get ready for it.

 

[jblonghorn]

After I made my last post I realized that you probably needed some kind of quantative substantiation for why I already know OU is going to beat Texas.

1. LY Bradford and McCoy both completed 28 passes but Bradford threw for 110 more yards but threw 2 interceptions. This year he will not have to throw for that many. He should not have to throw as much this year and that will reduce the chance for interceptions.
2. LY OU was still working on their ground game even though we had the irreplaceable OL that just graduated, the same line that blocked their way to 48 net yards (another reason I think they are replaceable)
3. Oh yes the Texas defense is losing the 4 DL's who stopped the run LY and a LB as well. My my (that is why is see 200+RY and less need throw)
ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
4. Texas leading rusher that day was Ogbonnaya with 62 and this year he will make, oh that's right this yr he won't make any because he graduated.
5. Cosby burned OU for 122 yds. This year he, oh that's right he won't play this year because he graduated.
6. McCoy three for 277 yds (7.9 yds/throw). I will concede him that total and I will throw in three sacks to boot.
7. OU returns 9 starters on D to Texas (5).
8. OU allowed 1TD on a kickoff which was a problem all year but one they solved against Florida. No kickoff return no easy points.

By now I have made my point to anyone who reads this post except you because you just don't get it. Get ready for it.

I think I'm going to have eggs for breakfast....wait, no, maybe oatmeal....

 

[jblonghorn]

After I made my last post I realized that you probably needed some kind of quantative substantiation for why I already know OU is going to beat Texas.

1. LY Bradford and McCoy both completed 28 passes but Bradford threw for 110 more yards but threw 2 interceptions. This year he will not have to throw for that many. He should not have to throw as much this year and that will reduce the chance for interceptions.
2. LY OU was still working on their ground game even though we had the irreplaceable OL that just graduated, the same line that blocked their way to 48 net yards (another reason I think they are replaceable)
3. Oh yes the Texas defense is losing the 4 DL's who stopped the run LY and a LB as well. My my (that is why is see 200+RY and less need throw)
ARE YOU KEEPING UP?
4. Texas leading rusher that day was Ogbonnaya with 62 and this year he will make, oh that's right this yr he won't make any because he graduated.
5. Cosby burned OU for 122 yds. This year he, oh that's right he won't play this year because he graduated.
6. McCoy three for 277 yds (7.9 yds/throw). I will concede him that total and I will throw in three sacks to boot.
7. OU returns 9 starters on D to Texas (5).
8. OU allowed 1TD on a kickoff which was a problem all year but one they solved against Florida. No kickoff return no easy points.

By now I have made my point to anyone who reads this post except you because you just don't get it. Get ready for it.

Tell me the 6 starters Texas is losing on defense? I'll wait for your answer over my oatmeal. And while you're at it, throw in the 4 D-lineman you say Texas is losing? That alone exposes your capping as being homer-like and, quite frankly, incorrect. You're giving good Sooner cappers like GS a bad name. Go back to your 1st few threads and see where you were making more sense. It was never my intention to get under your skin. BOL.

 

[russ1945]

It may not have been your intention to get under my skin but you are the one who does not back up your Texas smoke and mirror talk. As an OU fan, any OU fan, you seem to throw stuff out there just to stir things up.
As far as Texas goes my source has the following not returning next year:
DL - Orakpo, Melton, Miller, Lewis, LB - Bobino, CB - Palmer (another source shows Houston returning as DL).
One reason I am putting info out this early is for feedback so that I can make corrections to benefit everyone in here. You and I both know who we are going to bet when our teams "hook em" up. But I have reasons (which may be right or wrong) to substantiate my bet. I am rather unconventional when it comes to betting and I am new to this internet sports forum thing. I am an ex athlete and people don't talk down to me in person and I have found that online anyone can wear an "S" on their shirt. Sorry if I got offensive, I know I was defensive. You are welcome to join in this study process I am undertaking and whatever I post on any team is based on my research and is subject to correction. We are both taking everything on a personal level, both are homers, and probably we should just agree to disagree concerning our two teams. Enjoy your oatmeal.

 

[GoSooners]

There will be a point system for non-conf games that will award teams that have stiffer schedules (more BCS opponents) higher rank and those that play cupcakes less credit or none at all. Games vs cupcakes may not even count. These are some of the things I've been reading in the blogs lately, especially the Bleacher Report. They've even been talking about meeting certain schedule requirements to be given any kind of BCS consideration at all.

If you think that only a conference schedule counts, then what does it mean to have a national rank based on only that? There isn't much to go on to rate teams in the national picture without more to go on. That makes perfect sense.

This is why it will become more important to schedule non-conf games that are worth something. It makes sense to give OOC games more weight when looking at the national picture.

I've seen some of the proposals tossed around, such as zero credit for scheduling 1-AA opponents. A required non-conf game vs another BCS school, travel points... etc. There needs to be minimum standards set for teams to qualify in the BCS ranking system. Sooner or later we will get a playoff system where all the conference champs qualify and about 4 at-large teams make it in, all of whom have met minimum scheduling criteria.

Sure there are advantages to making one's non-conf schedule as easy as possible. But in a competitive sport such as CFB, those that are more willing to compete should get credit for it. Teams that don't get penalized. The only way to level the playing field is to set standards and I'm glad to see that these questions are on the table.

Conan...I think the point system is an excellent idea. And I look for the BCS to start enforcing it sooner rather than later. Personally, if I was doing the grading in this system, I would be subtracting points for teams scheduling 1-AA opponents. I realize that sometimes in very rare cases this can't be helped when another team for some reason or other drops off or backs out of your schedule. But there shouldn't ever be more than one of these opponents on any schedule. No excuses.. FSU and Clemson both played two 1-AA opponents this season. That shit needs to stop. At least one BCS conference opponent should be a mandatory requirement for every BCS team. And perferably every non BCS conference team if they want to be a player in the big picture.. This BCS system they have in place now bugs me to no end. Every team who is worth their weight in the college football big picture needs to start growing some balls with their schedules. And stop thinking about one elusive national title when scheduling these games. There are about 120 college teams, and it's guaranteed that 119 are going to be disappointed at the end of the season if all they were seeking was the national championship. This is a damn spectator sport. It's about time they started treating it as such. I'm not at all interested in watching Texas play the Gotebo School For The Blind. Their first four games will be with complete jokes. And it's guaranteed I won't be watching any of them. This is NOT what college football is about. I prefer to not know the outcome of a game before it's played. I guarantee you if they come up with a playoff system involving 8 teams with this kind of point requirement, the old cupcakes will be thrown out of the window in a hurry. A one loss BCS team with no scheduled BCS non-conference games will be sitting at home watching the playoff.

 

[jblonghorn]

Conan...I think the point system is an excellent idea. And I look for the BCS to start enforcing it sooner rather than later. Personally, if I was doing the grading in this system, I would be subtracting points for teams scheduling 1-AA opponents. I realize that sometimes in very rare cases this can't be helped when another team for some reason or other drops off or backs out of your schedule. But there shouldn't ever be more than one of these opponents on any schedule. No excuses.. FSU and Clemson both played two 1-AA opponents this season. That shit needs to stop. At least one BCS conference opponent should be a mandatory requirement for every BCS team. And perferably every non BCS conference team if they want to be a player in the big picture.. This BCS system they have in place now bugs me to no end. Every team who is worth their weight in the college football big picture needs to start growing some balls with their schedules. And stop thinking about one elusive national title when scheduling these games. There are about 120 college teams, and it's guaranteed that 119 are going to be disappointed at the end of the season if all they were seeking was the national championship. This is a damn spectator sport. It's about time they started treating it as such. I'm not at all interested in watching Texas play the Gotebo School For The Blind. Their first four games will be with complete jokes. And it's guaranteed I won't be watching any of them. This is NOT what college football is about. I prefer to not know the outcome of a game before it's played. I guarantee you if they come up with a playoff system involving 8 teams with this kind of point requirement, the old cupcakes will be thrown out of the window in a hurry. A one loss BCS team with no scheduled BCS non-conference games will be sitting at home watching the playoff.

Totally agree. And you're right, this is a spectator sport. But again GS, if your job rides on wins and losses, who wants to schedule losses? If this new system came to being, of course Texas and Mack wouldn't schedule who they do. They do so now because they can get away with it. But again, who the hell wants to schedule teams that can possibly wreck a season in the 1st few weeks, before conference play even starts. I take it by you not answering my question up top (which is what you do when you don't want to admit a wrong I'm learning), is that you'd rather see OU play cupcakes next season instead of playing some tough, albeit interesting, OOC teams, and losing 1 or both of those games, thus having an extremely uphill climb the rest of the season.

I've also seen that OU has 2 weeks of non-scheduled games still. Have you heard through the grapevine who those teams might be?

 

[russ1945]

GoSooners/Conan:
Even if we don't go to a playoff they still need to set certain standards the way it is, like playing a minumum number of Div 1 teams to even be in consideration. I know as it stands you are arbitralily penalized and that is why OU passed Texas in the end. On the other hand, OU seems to be going to the other extreme by going against TCU and Cincinnatti LY. They were probably not projected out to be as good as they were last year when they were originally scheduled (god knows how far back that goes).
This year they take on Miami and BYU early on but that should give them an edge when they play texas. I see the new Texas DL sucking some big time air in that one.
If they change the BCS they need to do it once and for all. Oh I forgot that is on Obamas agenda too.

 

[jblonghorn]

But you know what Conan, I'm here to say this stuff will NEVER, EVER happen, and you want to know why? Because this current system allows the cupcakes to get paid HANDSOMELY! I believe Texas is paying these teams to be fed to the lions somewhere in the 1-3 million dollar per game bracket. If they install this new system, these college programs will eventually go under, with no backing from the big schools to be their prey. Just my thought. Think how much money a playoff system would bring.....ENORMOUS AMOUNTS, 100 times more than the current system. But it will never happen. Why? Because to the presidents and bowl affiliates....this system ain't broke. It sucks for the fans, and these OOC schedule sucks for the Texas fans, but until something is done about by us, the purchasers and money spenders, nothing will ever happen. Ever.

 

[jblonghorn]

GS, would you rather see OU play tough OOC games and lose one or both, or schedule cupcakes and win them? It's an honest question. I'm curious what you'd rather see?

 

[GoSooners]

GS, would you rather see OU play tough OOC games and lose one or both, or schedule cupcakes and win them? It's an honest question. I'm curious what you'd rather see?

I'll take the tough out of conference game any day of the week. Bring em on. If you're a good enough team your going to win these games. If your not, then so be it. Stoops and Castiglione have made this same kind of schedule for 10 years now. They've played the Bama's, UCLA's and the Oregon's in home and home games. And it's made for some great football. Whenever OU has lost any of these games, they weren't good enough anyway to win the national championship. And in most cases the Big 12 title. So those games were good measuring sticks for how good of a team the Sooners were going to have those particular years.. Most of the years the Sooners have lost OOC games they were in the rebuilding stage. The only game they lost that they should have won in all of these 10 years where they weren't rebuilding was against Oregon. But we all know how OU got shafted by the refs in that game. And the Sooners weren't good enough anyway to win it that year either. Teams should never schedule out of conference games with BCS titles or coach's jobs in mind. That's just stupid. I've had a lot of respect for Brown in the past. Especially since he has Oklahoma ties and coached under Switzer. But I lost a lot of respect for him and the program when he went to scheduling the kinds of games they play next season. If there was a year they should have had a good BCS OOC opponent it's next year. Texas will have a very good team. And they'll probably be capable of beating 98% of teams out there. A good out of conference game with say an opponent like Miami or a Georgia would have been perfect for the Horns to show off their goods. I can tell you that with an experienced McCoy at the helm, that it would be highly unlikely that they would lose to either of these teams. And it would have made Texas look good in the national picture. If you want to know why OU is a highly respected program despite their numerous recent BCS losses, look no further than their OOC schedule where they are willing to take on all comers. The pollsters, BCS, media and especially the fans respect that kind of team. Not someone who schdules 4 creampuffs to begin the season.

 

[GoSooners]

GoSooners/Conan:
Even if we don't go to a playoff they still need to set certain standards the way it is, like playing a minumum number of Div 1 teams to even be in consideration. I know as it stands you are arbitralily penalized and that is why OU passed Texas in the end. On the other hand, OU seems to be going to the other extreme by going against TCU and Cincinnatti LY. They were probably not projected out to be as good as they were last year when they were originally scheduled (god knows how far back that goes).
This year they take on Miami and BYU early on but that should give them an edge when they play texas. I see the new Texas DL sucking some big time air in that one.
If they change the BCS they need to do it once and for all. Oh I forgot that is on Obamas agenda too.

Russ...The way I look at it, if OU is a good enough team to win the Big 12, then they should beat both BYU and Miami. Simple as that. Same with OSU. If they beat Georgia in that early first game, then we'll know that they'll be a team to be reckoned with in the Big 12. At any rate, all of these games are good measuring sticks for both teams. My personal feeling right now is with a rebuilding offensive line, that OU isn't going to win the Big 12 next year. I know people have different feelings and opinions about this. But over the years I've found that 95% of the teams who are going through this kind of rebuilding or reloading, whichever way you want to put it, aren't going to be there in the end. Right now just looking at the Red River Shootout, if you want my honest opinion, I think it's going to be a very defensive type game. I'm actually one of those that think Texas won't lose much if any on defense. The only player that I really feel like they are going to miss on the defensive line is tackle Miller. They've got some guys coming in to take Orakpo's place that are just as good if not better. Both of the Horns defensive ends will be very tough to handle next year. OU will be much better on defense next season. That's why I don't think it's going to be a gimme for Texas to win it. But Texas does have a slight edge because of the sheer amount of depth they have to fill the holes. But as it's been the last three years, the game will probably be close. And come down to turnovers, special teams and coaching matchups.