Oklahoma’s best shot at reaching the Big 12 championship game is chained to being ranked ahead of Texas in the BCS rankings at the end of the regular season. The Longhorns are currently No. 4 and the Sooners No. 5.
Stoops started laying out his rationale for why the Sooners should be ahead of Texas, which beat OU 45-35 this season, if it is able to beat No. 2 Texas Tech Saturday and No. 11 Oklahoma State Nov. 29.
The Red Raiders can clinch the South division with a victory over the Sooners. An OU win creates a three-way tie with it, Texas and Texas Tech all at 7-1. In that case, the highest ranked BCS team would get the nod.
“If we’re able to win then you know what the discussions are. If Tech is able to win, then there’s no argument there either. So, in the end, there’s a lot to discuss after that game on Saturday, then we have another one with Oklahoma State,” Stoops said. “The arguments would seem logical, if we can beat Tech then we should be ranked above Texas and Tech should be above Texas, too.”
Manny mending
Wide receiver Manny Johnson has played sparingly since the Kansas game due to a dislocated left elbow. The senior only has one catch in the last two games. Tuesday he said his elbow is about 75 percent, but his biggest issue has been the brace he has to wear on his left arm.
“It makes things difficult and it’s hard getting used to,” he said. “But I’m getting better.”
Try it again
OU’s kickoff coverage team, which has allowed three returns for touchdowns this season, went under the microscope during the Sooners’ off-week. Stoops said he saw improvement
“Well, we’ve worked on it every day for the last two weeks. They look good in practice,” he said.
OU is currently 108th in the nation in kick coverage, giving up 25.63 yards per return.
Take the ride
With two of the best offenses in the Big 12 and college football getting ready to meet Saturday, most figure a ton of points will be scored. You can count OU running back DeMarco Murray in that group.
“We are going to have to put up points and they’re going to have to put up points,” he said. “Both teams are going to have success and it’ll be like a roller coaster, and we’re going to have to stay focused.”
Excitement building
Saturday’s game will mark the first at Owen Field featuring two top 5 teams since the 2000 Nebraska game. OU quarterback Sam Bradford said you can tell it hasn’t been the typical week. There’s a buzz building around campus.
“In class talking to my friends, just talking to people, everyone here is excited for this game,” Bradford said.
— John Shinn
OU Sports
A lot to discuss … after
OU football notepad
- OU Sports
-
-
It’s a recipe for success
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become ...
-
Tigers deny Sooners’ Big 12 title hopes
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark....
-
Sooners make winning look easy
As Oklahoma’s players locked arms around the pitching circle, coming together for what passed as a celebration following Saturday’s 7-1 NCAA Super Regional-clinching victory over Arizona, three gloves remained near second base....
-
There are no easy outs in the lineup
Looking for a gameplan to stop Oklahoma? Well, one may or may not be available, but walking two of the first three Sooners you face certainly isn’t part of it. Just ask Arizona’s Kenzie Fowler....
-
Sooners will play for Big 12 championship
OKLAHOMA CITY, — It’s been 16 years since Oklahoma won the Big 12 tournament. It’s closer now than its ever been to ending the streak. The Sooners rolled through Baylor, 7-2, on Saturday at Bricktown Ballpark to advance to the tournament’s ...
-
Sooners send five more to nationals
AUSTIN, Texas — Oklahoma track and field teams had five more individuals qualify for the NCAA Championship on Saturday evening at the NCAA West Preliminary. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team also advanced to the national semifinals....
-
OU sophomore Jao-Javanil wins NCAA golf title
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javanil made Oklahoma golf history Friday, becoming the first Sooner, man or woman, to win an individual NCAA national championship....
-
Pitching staff is exactly where Golloway wants it to be
When the Big 12 tournament began, Oklahoma felt like it had the pitching staff to make a deep run. Dillon Overton, Jordan John, Jonathan Gray and Damien Magnifico gave them four quality starters and a closer — Steven Okert — capable of ...
-
Sooners shut out Wildcats, need one more win for WCWS entry
Oklahoma might have scored more runs, not committed an error and starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts could have been just a little more efficient along the way....
-
Sooners send 4 more to NCAAs
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma’s track and field teams added four individuals to the list of Sooners advancing to the NCAA championship Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary. In addition to the four new qualifiers, Brittany Borman advanced to the ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
It’s a recipe for success
