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David Stanley Ford

For OU football players, it’s a business trip
Sooners say they’re avoiding distractions in Miami

BY BERRY TRAMEL    Comments Comment on this article77
Published: January 7, 2009

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — As usual on bowl trips to this south Florida paradise, the University of Oklahoma Sooners are staying at the Fontainebleau Hotel. South Beach and its many temptations are just a mile or so down Collins Avenue.


Oklahoma players take pictures of the BCS Championship trophy during media day at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on Monday Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

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Free shirts to honor Bradford
Cherokee Nation officials will give away T-shirts with the University of Oklahoma logo and quarterback Sam Bradford’s name and jersey number written in Cherokee at the BCS National Championship game in Miami, Fla. The Tahlequah-based tribe says it wants to acknowledge the accomplishments of Bradford, OU’s latest Heisman Trophy winner, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith will wear the T-shirt while attending Thursday night’s game between OU and Florida at Dolphin Stadium.

But the Sooners say they haven’t succumbed. They’ve got work to do.

OU plays Florida on Thursday night for the college football national championship.

"Nobody has even mentioned partying,” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "Everybody talks about having fun after the game. It’s all business.”

Well, it’s not all business. The Sooners are spending time on the beach, in the malls and in their hotel banquet room, where pool tables, foosball and arcade games are set up.

But the Orange Bowl Committee has cut back on required team functions, at the request of the coaches.

And OU safety Nic Harris said the Sooners understand why they’re in Miami, "Not to party, but to play a great game.”

And the Gators say they are no different.

"This game is so big, we’re all in bed by 9,” Florida offensive tackle Phil Trautwein said.

The Sooners say their bowl attitude is different from years past. OU has lost two straight Fiesta Bowls and its two BCS bowls before that. Of course, they never acknowledged a lack of focus before any of those defeats.

"Different team, different year, different outcome,” Harris said.

He has a motto. WTLG. Win The Last Game.

"That’s why we’re going to go out and play, excuse my French, a hell of a game.”

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Football, College Athletics, College Football, Bowl Championship Series


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Davis its not an upset. Oklahoma is ranked higher than Florida. Florida lost to an unranked team this year.I would say is a good time to make a bet.

BOOMER SOONER
Michael, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I'm not sure the problem (in losing all those BCS games) was always about attitude or the way the Sooners prepared. Southern Cal just had superior talent not forty points better but that night they were forty points better. Maybe the Sooners took Boise State lightly or perhaps even West Virginia but my concern is that Florida may just have more talent like USC. Talent usually tops desire, not always of course. I think our desire and superior coaching helped us beat Florida State eight years ago when they had more "five-star" players. I hope I'm wrong and we are more talented than Florida. I hope our O-line can stop the Florida rush giving Bradford time to pass and create some running room for Brown. I think we'll have to score at least 35 points to beat Florida. I mean lets face it, Texas scored 45 on this defense and OSU 41 and the Gators are at least as good on offense as those two. Maybe the OU defense will play the game of their lives and hold Florida to three touchdowns or less.....naw! Lets go Sooners. Pull the upset!
David, Norman - Jan 7, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Michael, the media doesn't set the point spread. Just reports it.
Jim, Stillwater - Jan 7, 2009 at 7:24 pm
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May the BEST Team win... And that team is the Oklahoma Sooners!!!!
Candace, Lakeland - Jan 7, 2009 at 6:50 pm
LOL ever year is a different team(different players).This year Oklahoma is the best team in college football.And will prove it on Thurs
Michael, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Matt, Thanks, you're right. Wow! 6 BCS games in 10 years. It certainly is understandable & justifiable why the OU bandwagon fans are upset? NOT! Does that bring over $100 million dollars into the Big XII during that 10 year span, for the BCS total alone, or for all the bowl games combined?
alan, oklahoma city - Jan 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm
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This cowboy will root for the sooners to win since they represent the Big 12 and TT & OSU didn't hold up the Big 12 flag. Hope the Big 12 ends up with a 5-2 record instead of a 4-3. Gee, this is sure strange territory.
Travis, Sun City - Jan 7, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Alan, we have been to 6 and we are 2-4 in BCS bowls and 1-2 in NC games.
matt, Moore - Jan 7, 2009 at 2:51 pm
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Oklahoma beat Texas Tech by 44 points. Ole Miss beat Texas Tech by 13. OLE MISS BEAT FLORIDA. Why is Florida favored by 3(media bias)???LOL On Thurs Florida will learn that OU is the Best College Football Team in the Nation.
Michael, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Gary, Haven't we been to 5 BCS games? I'm sure jo would know. Jo, we understand it's that time of month and there's plenty of hype and pressure on all of us fans. The bloating, I mean gloating doesn't help anything either from the SEC fans. Hopefully, we'll make it through all the periods and come out ahead. Relax and forget all about the cramps, I mean crap and put more thought into your next post.
alan, oklahoma city - Jan 7, 2009 at 2:42 pm
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Isn't that the place where OU player stayed before the Arkansas game? I am sure OU will be ready to party AFTER game day.
David, Grant - Jan 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Man I dont even wanna work today...Geez.


SOONERS!!!!!!
MICHAEL, Dallas - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Harold,
I live in Dallas so you can imagine what I have to put up with day-in day-out...last summer some drunk LSU fan was the only one talking smack to me about how he hates Oklahoma and how LSU is a real team...yea he'll be rooting for the Gators tommorrow night Im sure because The Tigreeeer didnt make it.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!
MICHAEL, Dallas - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Also, jo - what is Stoops supposed to do after a bowl loss, hang around and mope about it? No, he answers questions at the post-game conference and moves on into recruiting and preparing for the next season.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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LETS GO SOONERS!! lets get this National Title for OKLAHOMA & BIG 12 FOOTBALL...No One Likes Us and Everyone Hates US...I wouldnt want it any other way.

OoooooooooooooU!! Al-ight..
MICHAEL, Dallas - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I'm stuck working in Dallas this week...of all places....and at Dallas Morning News no less. Bring it Nic!!!!! Let's get it on!
Harold, Englewood - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:11 pm
jo-I'm sure a lot of us Sooner fans would welcome you to jump ship and find a more "accountable" coaching staff and team to cheer for. If Stoops 109 wins the last ten years including a 6-4 record against Texas along with six conference championships, one national championship, and four BCS championship game appearances aren't being "accountable" to the OU fans, then maybe you need to remember the Gibbs, Schnellenberger, and Blake years.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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GO Sooners!
Sam show the swamp lizzards what an acurate pass looks like.
D Line show Tebow what the turf tastes like.

OU 42 - FL 28

After the sooners win, I bet none of the "cooters" log in to post that they were WRONG!
Ken, McAlester - Jan 7, 2009 at 11:40 am
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Jo is the most unrealistic person I have ever seen. 12-1 and in the title game is not enough. Averaging 10-11 wins a year is not enough. The bowl losses are dissappointing but they dont make or break the season every year. Given a choice, I would still take a Big XII trophy over a Fiesta Bowl trophy. All of our rivals are in the Big XII, so I find more satisfaction in beating them. Likewise, a loss to Texas or OSU hurts me more than a loss to WVU or Boise St. We did lose to UT this year, but it is our only loss, we have a great team and we are in the TITLE GAME!
matt, Moore - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:59 am
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I love football and my husband could not possibly care less. Regardless, his face and eyes will be watching the game. If he can't stand my hollering for the Sooners, he can go out into the garage in build something. Go SOONERS.
Sallie, Del City - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:55 am
GO S O O N E R S !!!!!!!!!!!!! great year for the sooners again! I hope you all have fun and a great game.
Brian, Owasso - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:44 am
jo / edmond, When you say alot of Sooner fans and supporters have had their fill of poor performance, I have to ask myself, "what games have you been watching?" Demand better results? What in the world are you expecting, girl? Have you not researched the history or tradition of OU football? Real fans want to win all of the big ones, too. But it doesn't work that way for ANY college team. Win or Lose, Thursday evening, I have enjoyed the OU season immensely. And when you say the words "alot" and "we," I'm glad I'm not in your fictitious majority category. You need to keep your bandwagon attitude away from the real fans!
alan, oklahoma city - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:42 am
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In thinking back to the 2000 championship game, it seems I remember all of the talking heads saying how Florida State's players were so much faster than OU's. During the run-up to the Heisman, everyone talked about how McCoy and Tebow had achieved their accomplishments with lesser talent than Bradford. True to my prediction, they reversed course afterwards.
MartzMimic, Oklahoma City - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:41 am
Go Sooners!!!
rick, OKC - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:33 am
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I love Mike's comment below, "We're like warring brothers, but when someone else comes picking on one of us - we take up for one another.."

I have to totally agree...in fact, I get offended if anyone messes with any of the Big 12 states! Especially Texas though...the majority of our players come from Texas..so gotta have some love their guys....Go Sooners!
Vicki, Oklahoma City, - Jan 7, 2009 at 10:22 am

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