Oklahoma has become boring. You know, in that whole greatness-being-monotonous kind of way.

The Sooners simply seem to do the same thing every week. Basically, score a whole bunch of points real fast, put the game away, then spend the second half trying to look like they’re trying when what they’re really trying to do is run out the clock.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson may have added a twist Saturday when he had Sam Bradford throw eight passes during OU’s final scoring drive, a 13-play job that went 92 yards, yet it was so conspicuous because it was so different.

And it was only one drive.

With that as a backdrop, allow me to introduce 10 ways to maintain your interest during such runaways. Some may require a television, while others live viewing. Really, there should be something for everybody.

The way the schedule’s looking, Texas followed by Kansas, these interest-grabbers may not be required for a few weeks. On the other hand, the way the Sooners are playing, they might be required every Saturday.

1. Watch Jimmy Stevens’ point-afters: He’s missed two, but it’s been a long time and he’s only attempted one field goal, so to gauge his progress, you’re stuck with point-afters. The reason they’re so interesting is so many of them are poorly-contacted knuckleballs, like the first one he kicked against the Bears. Bob Stoops has said it’s a small technique issue and, anyway, he’s only missed the two. But if you’re watching from the right angle, you can get the real story.

2. Isolate on Trent Williams: Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson are the two big prospects, at least momentarily, on the offensive line, but Wilson, a line-coach from way back, claims the junior, Williams, is his best lineman. For the game within the game, turning the binoculars on the Sooner right tackle is a pretty good place to start.

3. Where’s Venables?: Nobody goes as crazy as Mike Stoops once went on the Sooner sideline, though Venables can still match his mentor in the intensity department, in the fourth quarter as well as the first quarter, even in an out-of-hand game. We should all be that passionate about our job.

4. Watch Sam Bradford’s throws: Though he’s not completing 80 percent of his passes any longer, it’s still hard to imagine a more accurate thrower in the college game. He makes it look awfully easy, to the point that it’s hard to appreciate how so many of his completions hit receivers in motion, while other quarterbacks throw balls their receivers must stop and catch. Remind yourself to watch, and you will appreciate it.

5. Choose a corner: Secondary busts in previous seasons were issues for OU, but haven’t been this season. Saturday, when Brian Jackson was challenged, he was right there. Perhaps OU’s yet to get lit up deep as a result of lack of competition, because it’s hard to never get hit with a big play. Or maybe, it’s like it was Saturday. The Sooners continue to be in the right place.

6. Design a pool, for entertainment purposes only, around when OU will hit a return for a touchdown: That’s pretty self-explanatory. What’s clear is it hasn’t happened yet. OU’s longest return to date is a 69-yard kick runback from Juaquin Iglesias.

7. Watch Bob Stoops: For this you must be in the stadium and might have to arrive an hour early … to see him shake the hand of every Sooner as his team goes through its stretching routine. It’s a small thing, but it matters. Clearly, the players respect him, but this is one of the reasons they like him, too. Both are important.

8. Watch Bradford, not between the lines: The quarterback plainly says he’s more confident and at ease in his second year as a starter. In moments, it’s evident on the field. More often, it’s evident off of it, when he’s communicating with his offensive mates along the bench.

9. Design another pool, this time around who will score OU’s next touchdown: Choices must be made as soon as the previous touchdown is scored. That way, you’re not just guessing play calls, but personnel, too. This is especially challenging in the fourth quarter. Thus far, 11 Sooners have scored touchdowns.

10. If the previous nine fail, turn the television off or leave early and beat traffic. Folks will understand. This team hasn’t played a meaningful fourth quarter yet.

Clay Horning

366-3526

cfhorning@normantranscript.com