Anything is possible. But it just looks like to me that Stoops is searching and a little bit desperate at this point. It reminds me a little of what Mack Brown was going through at Texas in trying to find the right combination with his coaching staffs, and not being able to get his players to show the fire of their championship seasons. Don't get me wrong, I think OU has as good or better personnel than anybody in the Big 12, but they don't have their act together like TCU and Baylor. As for Okie State, i think they'll be better than last year. But lets not forget that for all practical purposes they should have finished 5-7. If they hadn't had that miracle punt return against OU they would have been gone and forgotten. They'll turn it around some this year. But I saw the OSU/TCU game last year, and TCU pretty much manhandled them. I think the Pokes have a ways to go to catch up with TCU and Baylor. The positive thing for them is they have a good schedule and they get all of these teams at home this year. But they won't sweep all of those games. In fact they could lose to all of them if things don't go right. I also think Texas will upset OSU in Austin in their first conference game.
GS did you go to the spring game in Norman. I detected a completely rejuvenated attitude on both sides of the ball. With only 28 returning starts on the OL I can can why some would be hesitant to be too optimistic but the coaching changes are what are changing the attitudes for the Sooners. I am not really a homer but I do track OU very closely. I don't keep up with OSU as closely I admit. But I think when they play Tenn and if they win impressively people will be jumping on the "Sooner Schooner" for a ride. OU's running game is more about the backs than the OL when all is said and done. They do not need gigantic holes. The running game opens up the passing game and Shepherd is going to have a tremendous year barring injury. The defense will improve and I think they will feed off of the offense, maybe visa versa. You think Stoops is desperate but I see him as focused for the first time in a while. Getting Mike Stoops off of the playing field and into the box is a positive sign of how determined he is. He has a history of loyalty to asst coaches and for him to take on 4 new ones all at one time shows the urgency in his desire to get his program back in the game. I see no comparison to Mack's situation because Mack had to kiss way too many asses in Austin. I simply cannot let things like the stupid punt call against OSU impair my vision. It pissed me off but I think it was the wake up call from hell for Bob thus all the changes. We will know following the Tenn game.
GS, are you somewhat shocked that TCU & Baylor seem to be the dominant forces in the Big-12 this season? You are hinting that Stoops may have lost the troops just a bit? To be honest, I would not shed a tear if that happens, would probably celebrate, just can't believe it will happen at the hands of Baylor!
I have to agree here. Last season Clemson lost three games to legitimate teams, all of which were on the road. Before that you had 5 straight losses to South Carolina. Clemson is very vulnerable on the road, where they have lost games to an 8-5 Ga. Tech team in 2011, an 8-5 N.C. State team in 2011, an 8-5 UNC team in 2010, a 7-6 Boston College team in 2010, tqwo games to GA. Tech in 2009, and a game at Maryland, who went 2-10 for the entire season in 2009. Dabo normally loses at least one game he should win.
