Time for some changes

By Clay Horning

Transcript Sports Editor

GLENDALE, Ariz. — It’s not like Oklahoma, Bob Stoops and the Sooner Nation haven’t been here before. Indeed, the most frustrating thing for all involved has to be the Groundhog Day feel to it all.

Another BCS game, another slow start and another loss. It’s been that way ever since LSU’s Justin Vincent went 64 yards on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage at the 2004 Sugar Bowl.

Prior to Wednesday night’s 48-28 Fiesta Bowl loss to West Virginia, Stoops once again declared his team confident and prepared. He downplayed the loss of DeMarcus Granger, giving the second-team All Big 12 defensive tackle credit for being half a starter.

He was his classic ungiving-in self. That is, not only did he refuse to admit distraction in the face of Granger, Reggie Smith and Lendy Holmes’ absence, he just about refused to accept the possibility the Sooners would even miss the trio.

West Virginia finished the Fiesta Bowl with 525 yards of total offense (despite going back a yard the final 9:21). The Mountaineers’ scoring plays included pickups of 57, 79 and 65 yards.

Was Stoops living in another world?

Even he may think so.

Just think of the inventory he had to be taking after the game.

The Big 12’s best pass protecting offensive line gave up three sacks. The same line had struggled to open running lanes throughout the season and did so again.

The team he had once praised as “robotic” for its business-like approach allowed an old problem to rear its head (or lack of one), because the Sooners played without discipline, committing a multitude of penalties, every one of the seeming to bring back a big play.

“I am obviously not doing a good enough job of getting our players to understand how to play smart,” Stoops said.

The defense was busted for several big plays, many the result of plain old poor tackling, which goes right to intensity, toughness, mindset and preparation: a lot of football words that add up one thing, being ready.

That any of it happened might be bothersome, but what’s the thinking when it all happens on the same night?

“Obviously, I need to do things differently as a head coach,” Stoops said.

Not too differently. Maybe not even during the regular season, although, when you stop and think about it, some of the same issues popped up in OU’s losses to Colorado and Texas Tech.

It’s only an observation, but the view here has always been one of Stoops’ great strengths is his ability to, sort of, be all things; not to everybody, but to the players.

It’s always appeared they feared him enough to be disciplined, liked him enough to play hard for him and respected him enough to believe in him. That’s no easy trick. Some of the greatest never achieved the triad.

Was Bill Parcells loved?

Was Barry Switzer feared?

Stoops has some tinkering to do. Overhaul is not required, yet there must be some formula to get the Sooners believing bowls count rather than being a useless exhibition.

One measure of success is championships. But another is how the faithful are left feeling. And once again they’re feeling sick over what happened in another January meltdown.

A fine season?

There’s no sneezing at winning the Big 12. It really matters and defines success. Just like Wednesday night defined failure.

A good year?

Well, 2007 was a peach.

It just seems like so long ago.