NORMAN — After coaching 10 seasons, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops now favors a playoff.
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“I’ve come full circle. Anymore, I can see (the argument), whether we’ll get to it or not,” Stoops said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “Just with the differences in non-conference scheduling, whether you have some difficult games or some people don't. And then the strengths of different conferences. Some conferences don’t have a championship game, others do.”
Stoops’ Sooners, which play at Texas A&M on Saturday, compete in the toughest division in college football. The Big 12 South boasts four teams in the Top 10. That’s a contrast to other teams, like undefeated Penn State, which has an easier path to the BCS national championship game because of a weaker schedule.
“I'm with you guys,” Stoops said. “Anymore, I'm for (a playoff).
"That's something, though, I still see, timing-wise, with the schedule and number of games, it's still going to be difficult to put together."
Here were some of the other talking points from Stoops’ press conference:
On if he feels that OU has to collect style points:
“I think that has been the case for quite a while now. It’s the style points of when you’re playing, who you’re playing and where you’re playing. All of that matters. Some people take that into consideration.”
On Texas A&M's Jorvorskie Lane losing carries:
“He is still a strong, physical presence and has been used in both the halfback and fullback position. You just have to be aware of him while he is in there, but regardless of that, you just have to mind your gaps and be where you need to be to defend the play.”
On the atmosphere at A&M’s Kyle Field:
“It’s always exciting. They have an excellent stadium and an excellent tradition with their cadets. It’s an interesting tradition with all of the different calls that they have. I sit around before the game and pay attention to them and try to figure out what it is that they are doing. They all seem to know, so more power to them. You have to give credit to them though, they do a good job with it.”
On the impact of losing Auston English:
“Well obviously it hurts; you don’t want to lose any of your starters. Auston is having an excellent year. It’s disappointing for us, and for him as well I’m sure. But in the end you just have to keep moving on. Frank Alexander, the only thing that gives you a great feeling, he has been recognized as one of our players of the game or a guy who really had a positive impact on the game. Last week as well, a sack, two or three batted balls, a couple of pressures and some tackles for loss. So Frank will just have to step it up, and then the other guys in there have to come one and help as well.”
On turnover margin:
“It’s critical. We always talk about and emphasize being careful with the football, and protecting it. Whether you are on the road or at home it’s a big deal, and hopefully we can continue to do it.”
On the creation of turnovers:
“You know how it is. Some games you are going to get more than others. I think we either lead the league or are within one of the league lead in turnovers forced. I would say that we have done a fair job of it through nine games. We aren’t doing anything different, other than sometimes we are playing a little bit better or they aren’t.”
On Texas A&M’s offense with coach Mike Sherman:
“It is different from what they are doing a year ago. They mix their run and pass well with a lot of intermediate and control passing.”
On if the 2000 game at Texas A&M, like the 2000 Nebraska game, is among his favorite memories:
"It's probably right with it. That's when Torrance Marshall intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown and you're away from home in that environment and they can smell blood, that's when I made the comment, I said, 'Boys, we can't lose. It's just not going to happen.' That's where that feeling, from then on, the rest of the year, it was that way, that no matter what, we're going to figure out a way to win."
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I have a suggestion: 1) implement a playoff system based on some sort of bracketing ala BBall 1a) get rid of the BCS rankings UNTIL end of the season. Even then, use it ONLY to establish the brackets 1b) for the rest of the year, use human poll(s) to RATE teams based on their performance 2) have the regular season, then traditional bowl games in December based on the poll(s) and how the regular season went. In January, do a BCS ranking putting teams in brackets based on their relative RANKING (schedule, strength, margin, performance) and let that bracket play itself out to eventually the top two surviving teams (regardless of how the bcs initially ranked them). THAT WAY - we would ALLWAYS have the two best teams playing each other, would still get the lucrative $$ bowl games, and would finally have more football - because as we former student athletes all know, it's always a balance for us between academics and athletics (they go hand in hand) - extending the season with a playoff run won't be an additional hardship. Besides, wouldn't it mean more $$ for schools that make it - and probably more attention for the players from the pros? Now under my idea, the question would still be 1) how many brackets and teams in those brackets, 2) what would the alignment be 3) where played? 4) when in January AND 5) NFL would have to do some shuffling to make it all happen for TV. With this idea, there would be NO MORE jumping of teams to satisfy human desires for Low Rated teams to be ranked higher than stronger one loss teams AND due to the playoff - we'd finally know who really deserved to be #1. thoughts?
If you could read between the lines, Bob is not crying about OU, OU is in fine shape as usual. They have a championship game and a tough schedule from year to year. He is talking about the big picture. What if OU beats TT and OSU and then loses to Missouri, or put OSU in that position. Missouri plays in a BCS bowl while Texas, TT, OU, OSU do not? Argueably all four top 10 or at least top 15 teams. While it is not probable, it is possible. A playoff would be great for the game and the fans, but take away control from the powers to decide who plays whom.
That's exactly the point. Hypocrisy is hypocrisy, no matter what arena. The Texas loss "brought him full circle", not the fairness of the argument. Just wish Big Game Bob would at least show a modicum of character now and then.
Isnt that how things work all over John? Most people dont worry about unemployment until they are unemployed. Dont people generally vote through their wallets?
Does Stoops know where David Boren's office is? Has he told him to lobby for a playoff? The NCAA is made up of the AD's and Presidents of the universities.
Had he beaten Texas he would be singing a different tune. He didn't mind going to the NC game ahead of an undefeated Auburn, either.
He also didn't mind getting to play FSU for his championship in 2000 instead of a Miami team that beat FSU during the season or a Washington team that beat Miami. BCS helps OU, again.
I just dont think he said anything that could be called "crying" They asked him a question and he answered in what seems to be an honest way. If anything, OU's poor BCS performances further validates the need for a playoff. OU has been a whisper away from the title game those years and probably would have lost just like Ohio St. did. They were big favorites in both of those Fiesta Bowls and it didnt mean anything, doesnt that make a case for a playoff? That way Boise St or WVU would have moved to the next round and OU would have gone home. I know that would have just made your year Albert, being the hater that you are.
I'm going to have to side with Barry on this one Blake, but only because like you said, what you are asking for would never happen, though it would be nice to see joe fan but big time sports in their place.
Oh cry us a river bob, for the first time those teams are in the top 10 and cry baby stoops wants the rules changed. What makes him think a playoff will serve him better when Ou can't win against real competition in the BCS Bowl games? He didn't mind the free pass to the BCS NC game when Ou lost their conference championship game. Just because the south is now becoming competitive ole stoops is now crying and looking for excuses. Unreal, grow up and play some real football for a change!
I have to disagree with Barry's earlier post about fans not having any say in playoff football. We all know the BCS comes down to money, which ultimately we all pay for. We are paying for a system we all hate, when we buy tickets, merchandise, etc.
If enough of us had the guts to boycott for any length of time, then we could take the profitability of the BCS out of the equation and make legitimate demands.
This concept works in reverse every year Notre Dame makes a good bowl on six wins (and then is embarassed). They make the bowl they're not entitled to (by dint of their record) because the officials know that there are enough Notre Dame fans that they'll sell out the stadium in no time.
Well if we could sacrifice a game or two, or a whole season & not go to games, and not buy any merchandise, then there would be nowhere else for officials to hide--they would have to cave.
The problem is that this would take the cooperation of many people. For example, if a bunch of people boycotted a game, then what would prevent others from going? Either you would have to buy a ticket and then hold it, or there would have to be some sort of agreement across thousands of people not to attend the game, or there would just be others in line to take your seat.
This is a big dream, a pipe dream, but it would be really cool if Joe Fan would throw his considerable weight around; if we could make some sacrifices for the greater good of college football.
To the idiot who thinks Bob is a whiner, get a clue, who doesn't want a playoff idiot? Anyway he doesn't have anything to whine about, the Sooners aren't out of anything yet.
If we can't have a playoff, I have a good alternative: force the BCS conferences who don't have a championship game to play one. Then the field is nice & level...
I have to disagree with Coach Stoops on something. I was in College Station for a wedding in early August and decided I HAD to see Kyle Field. After finding an open gate, my sons and I went inside. I was stunned to see how bad the stadium looked. Faded colors in the seats (in the donor section), pieces of the bottom of an upper deck hanging down as though they could fall any minute... Honestly, the place looked second class.
Bob, I do not know of any college football fan who does not want a playoff and would venture to guess if there are any, it is less than 1%. The difference is, YOU have to make this happen. Fans, despite screaming for years, can not make a difference. YOU are in position to talk to head coaches, ADs, university presidents and boosters to get rid of the obtuse system we now have. It is all about money, we understand that. But to those fans who make just $20K a year but still support your team and others, that logic rings hollow. If there are issues with "traditional" bowl games (read Rose Bowl/Pac-10/Big-10), CUT THEM OUT!!! One season of no limelight and they will perform tricks to get back in the fold. Somebody has to stand up. You, Bob Stoops, are poised better than most everyone else. You have said it, now go out and do it. Please.
Of course he's come full circle because when you're probably the first or second team on the outside of the Championship game, it's all he can say. The BCS favors a conference like the Big/PAC 10 because of no Conference Title game and soft schedule.
I remember that game as well. That INT from Torrance Marshall was awesome! Rocky Calmus got away with a clip, but lucky for us no one saw it! I will never forget that play!
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atleast he doesn't do that gundy im 40 crap. like us from stillwater. so zip it!
That's exactly the point. Hypocrisy is hypocrisy, no matter what arena. The Texas loss "brought him full circle", not the fairness of the argument. Just wish Big Game Bob would at least show a modicum of character now and then.
Had he beaten Texas he would be singing a different tune. He didn't mind going to the NC game ahead of an undefeated Auburn, either.
He also didn't mind getting to play FSU for his championship in 2000 instead of a Miami team that beat FSU during the season or a Washington team that beat Miami. BCS helps OU, again.
If enough of us had the guts to boycott for any length of time, then we could take the profitability of the BCS out of the equation and make legitimate demands.
This concept works in reverse every year Notre Dame makes a good bowl on six wins (and then is embarassed). They make the bowl they're not entitled to (by dint of their record) because the officials know that there are enough Notre Dame fans that they'll sell out the stadium in no time.
Well if we could sacrifice a game or two, or a whole season & not go to games, and not buy any merchandise, then there would be nowhere else for officials to hide--they would have to cave.
The problem is that this would take the cooperation of many people. For example, if a bunch of people boycotted a game, then what would prevent others from going? Either you would have to buy a ticket and then hold it, or there would have to be some sort of agreement across thousands of people not to attend the game, or there would just be others in line to take your seat.
This is a big dream, a pipe dream, but it would be really cool if Joe Fan would throw his considerable weight around; if we could make some sacrifices for the greater good of college football.