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It’s official: OU vs. Florida for BCS National Title
Championship game will feature two offensive powerhouses

From Staff and Wire Reports Comments 56
Published: December 8, 2008

OU coach Bob Stoops speaks at a press conference at the University of Oklahoma in Norman on Sunday. Photo by Sarah Phipps

The University of Florida was an up-and-coming power, and the University of Oklahoma was a declining one when Bob Stoops made his move.

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He left his post as Gators’ defensive coordinator to take his first head-coaching job with the Sooners.

Ten years later, both programs are on top.

On Sunday, they earned their invitations to play for the BCS national championship on Jan. 8 in Miami, Fla. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Fox.

OU secured its position in the title game after Saturday night’s rout of Missouri in the Big 12 Championship game.

"It’s a great opportunity. I love the way our team has played the last three or four weeks. I know they’re anxious and excited about the opportunity,” Stoops said. "So we’re just going to get ready in the month leading up to it and get prepared for it. It’s satisfying. It’s a long and hard-fought process to work through 13 games and be where we are. I appreciate the players’ efforts and the assistant coaches for that. It’s exciting and an exciting opportunity.”

Florida defeated previously unbeaten Alabama Saturday in the SEC Championship game.

"Florida is a great program,” Stoops said.

"I have very close, strong ties there with many people. I have great memories there.”

‘We all agreed’

As expected, the final BCS standings had OU at No. 1 and Florida at No. 2 — the reverse order of their rankings in the Associated Press poll — setting up the first meeting between these storied programs.

Other teams had their chances this season, and also finished with one loss: Texas, Southern California, Alabama, Texas Tech and Penn State.

Of them, Texas had the best argument for why it should’ve been playing for the title.

The Longhorns finished in a three-way tie in the nation’s toughest division — the Big 12 South — but were denied a spot in the title game because of the tiebreaker, which looks to the BCS standings.

OU won the tiebreaker. Texas protested.

"They went to a system we all agreed upon before the season,” Stoops said. "If someone didn’t like it, they should have decided to change it before the season, and I’d have played by whatever rules they wanted to play by.”

Instead, Texas finished third in the BCS and AP rankings and will play Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona.

And who outside of Texas would argue that this championship game is a dream matchup?

"Oklahoma’s a traditional power just like Florida is now,” said Steve Spurrier, the former Gators coach who brought Stoops on as his defensive coordinator in 1996.

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

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Jeff is right. I want to see our A game, no premature chest butting, no sociopath egos on display, no sideline tantrums. If Florida wins 10-7, or 17-14, on a late field goal, OU can still be proud. If they give up more than 21 again, who even cares if they played the game, even if they win 61-49. The talk will continue.

Stuart, Brooklyn - Dec 14, 2008 at 1:32 am

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Hey Texas....45-35 OU over Florida

DARYL, SALLISAW - Dec 9, 2008 at 3:43 pm

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I went to a school in the South. The school was full of SEC guys and I have to say that the Bama boys and I got along great, Vols seemingly were kinda stuck on themselves but alright, and Florida folks were nice but never had alot to say. I came to realize that Alabama people really liked OU. Florida and Tennesee fans didn't seem to get along too well. It was all in good fun though, like OU and Texas, hah! Florida fans might have changed over the years since I went to school with them.

Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 8, 2008 at 9:02 pm

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Sooner fans, get ready for some obnoxious fans. I will admit my information is hearsay, but my sources are good. Volunteer, Bulldog, and Tide fans tell me that Florida fans are incredibly bad mannered. Be ready. Leave the battle to the football players.

Joe, Dalton - Dec 8, 2008 at 6:39 pm

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But that would take class and he damn sure doesn't have any, about like SSSSTTTUUUPPPIIIDDD don't. BOOMER SOONER!!!

Brian, Okemah - Dec 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm

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You know what! Joe might be upset that OU beats his pathetic TX shorthorns with some of there own TX players that can't stand TX either, or don't like the(make me puke)burnt orange colors. Is that it SSSSTTTTUUUUPPPPIIIIDDDD??? BOOMER SOONER!!

Brian, Okemah - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:58 pm

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If Mack Brown has any decency, he will turn down the Fiesta Bowl and let Texas Tech go. After all, Tech won the head to head game.

Bill, Burlington - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:57 pm

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I think Mike is right! Joe can't read 39 to 33. So I will spell it out for him.. Here it goes, Joe, THIRTY NINE to THIRTY THREE, does that help you? Why no! Because your, SSSSTTTTUUUUUPPPPPIIIIDDDD!!! BOOMER SOONER!!!

Brian, Okemah - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:50 pm

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Hi Joe. It's nice to have an Austinite visiting us so often. As far as I'm concerned, you can hang out with us all you want. By the way Joe, when do you work?

Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:32 pm

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Choke: A Sooner Story, coming to a tv near you in January.

joe, Austin - Dec 8, 2008 at 3:08 pm

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Looks like a repeat of the 2000 National Championship. An under rated OU Defense will surprise Tebow and his Gatorbait. Just ask Cincinnati and TCU about the Sooner D. They can vouch for it. It's great to be the underdog. More reasons to win and not get over confident.

mark, oklahoma city - Dec 8, 2008 at 2:57 pm

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Poor, poor Joe....

Calvin, Midwest City - Dec 8, 2008 at 2:37 pm

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OU 2000 National Champs = TEAM; no stars, just a humble, united, and tough as nails TEAM!!! They were willing to run through a brick wall for Bob Stoops and each other! Did I mention TEAM? Go Big Red!

Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 8, 2008 at 1:32 pm

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Actually, Joe, the coaches and the computers voted OU number 1 and the media had OU number 2. The human polls all had the shorthorns lower than the Sooners.

Maybe Joe can't read. 39-33

Mike, Warsaw - Dec 8, 2008 at 1:10 pm

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Everybody just needs to ignore Joe. Don't read or respond to his comments. His Idol has fallen and he is too immature to have access to web articles, because he has and shows no respect for the "other" team. Other than that, I like you Joe! Boomer Sooner!

Jeff, Tulsa - Dec 8, 2008 at 1:08 pm

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Blow joe, way away,
dont come back and cry another day
be a man and admit ur a loser
and dont forget joe.....texas still sux

Joe Bob, Norman - Dec 8, 2008 at 12:54 pm

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Joe---For the second time in six years the rules were spelled out and agreed upon before the season!!!!!

araine, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 12:50 pm

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“For the second time in six years, the computers — and only the computers — are the reason the Sooners get to play for the national championship.”

45-35

joe, Austin - Dec 8, 2008 at 12:31 pm

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Grats Sooners! Let's hope you don't blow another BCS bowl!

TODD, oklahoma city - Dec 8, 2008 at 12:05 pm

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In case you accidentally do read this - Joe, Austin 39-33

michelle, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 11:33 am

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Joe in Austin.....is the reason you're not reading because you "can't read"? You are a joke. Texas beat OU like a drum? Think back....game went back and forth in the 2nd half. Texas led by a field goal....OU gambled and lost on a trick play. Then Texas put it away with a long run and TD. Not a sound thrashing. But of course any win to people wearing "burnt-orange colored glasses" looks like a thrashing. For all your huffing and puffing, you still lost to Texas Tech.....no matter how you look at it. Texas nearly pulled out a victory in a game where they stunk it up, but they didn't....39-33!
I actually was hoping for a Texas to be ranked #2....so that we could see some real excitement in the BCS for a change. Not OU's fault.....blame the system. You're just jealous.

Kevin, Marion, IN - Dec 8, 2008 at 11:28 am

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Greg, it's hard to take time to learn to read when there are soo many sheep to be molested down there is Asstin. I think Joe is an OSU fan that is mad that they can't man up and beat the Sooners on a regular basis.

JJ, Okc - Dec 8, 2008 at 11:26 am

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Brent Venables defense will take a brutal public spanking in the orange bowl. Tebow will run over youre small linebackers and def backs. Percy harvin will smoke ur secondary like a cheap cigar. Bradford will be lucky to complete a pass against the best defense u have ever seen. Florida will crush ou it will be over by halftime

mark, jacksonville - Dec 8, 2008 at 11:01 am

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Its not that he won't be reading, it's that he can't read..

Greg, Edmond - Dec 8, 2008 at 10:41 am

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Texas has a much better resume than FL. Its a shame that we aren't getting a OU/Texsucks rematch but deep down texass and their fans are scared to face this ou team again

Eric, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 10:29 am

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It's not hard to see that ou overates themselves. What's interesting is that they hoot and holler about Texas not playing as tough a schedule as ou, Texas getting beat by tech, that they scored more points, etc.,etc.,etc., but the one thing they can't get around is their loss to Texas. For all their huffing and puffing, they still loss to Texas. They want to talk about anything but that. Give'um a couple of years and they will convince themselves in their tiny little pea brains that they actually won that game. Forget about all the games that were played and the games that will be played...ou lost to Texas. And it wasn't just a fluke, it was a sound thrashing of a superior team over a overated inferior team. That's what really gets ou's goat, they didn't just lose the game, they were beat like a drum. Do I wish them luck in the game with Florida? I'll do that just as soon as oklahoma is given back to the Indians.

10-11-08 is a day that will live in infamy in the modern sports era. We will never forget and we will never let the small minded Sooners forget.

P.S. I'll be posting messages the rest of the year, into next year as well on this website. I won't be reading any other post, my time is too valuable and I could care less what Soonerville thinks of me or the the University of Texas. So go ahead and get personal, and be your ugly selves, I'm not reading.

45-35

joe, Austin - Dec 8, 2008 at 10:15 am

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The message boards across the country are abuzz. The same question is being asked: "Why does Oklahoma keep getting the 'benefit of the doubt' from the BCS?" It is now time to give credit where credit is due. Thank-you, Joe Castiglione. In a world of one-loss BCS teams, it is Oklahoma's strength of schedule that sways the computers. The year OU beat out Auburn, AD Joe was able to wrangle a game with Oregon. No AD does a better job in division I. And what about the hires? Coale, Caple, Stoops and even Sampson. Kudos to Joe. When OU wins number eight this year, perhaps a game ball should go out to the AD.

Don, Crescent City - Dec 8, 2008 at 9:38 am

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OH LOOK! another made up name, how hilarious "HARRY." Any other spineless wimps want to take a shot at a successful college football team. What's embarassing is what your poor parents produced.

Glen, Edmond - Dec 8, 2008 at 9:26 am

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I live in Florida but have ties to Oklahoma and have watched both teams all season. My heart is with OU even though your ranked No. 1, you know your going to be about a 10 point underdog going into this. Tebow as egotisical as he is, is a very strong leader and his team rallies around him like he is Moses. He also has more experience than Bradford and they will be playing basiclly on their "home turf" in Miami so Florida Fans will outnumber OU fans 10 to 1. If OU wants to win this thing which I am sure they do, they need to set everything aside including fun and sun in Florida and study every piece of video and move on the Gators. They are a very well oiled machine and OU will not be scoring no 60 points on this team. And yes, OU's defense is questionable against the Gators. I have seen Bradford when he has a few bad throws get a bit flustered. Tebow does not. He wills his team to win. Bradford needs to learn from that. OU can win this if they do not turn the ball over, and wear down the Gators. Just facts people. Gators are used to this, Tebow has a bit more maturity (I didn't say I like him, just reality) and Gators overall are a bit more solid on defense. I know Stoops will have OU prepared, but you can not make any mistakes against the Gators, not one. They will chew you up and spit you out. Go OU!

Rusty, Melbourne - Dec 8, 2008 at 9:23 am

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I hope the sooner boys are watching these posts and getting fired up because of it. I love seeing people downplay how great OU is. How we can't win. There's no way our D can stop Tebow. It's hilarious. Especially since OU has been to more BCS bowls since Stoops has came in than these teams that are complaining have been to in the school history. Keep the insults coming.

David, Moore - Dec 8, 2008 at 9:23 am

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WHY DON'T YOU USE YOUR REAL NAME TO TALK TRASH "cooter". Only a little "sissy boy" would talk trash behind a made up name.

Glen, Edmond - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:59 am

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Jay, you are WRONG! In a playoff system when a team loses they go home. In the FBS if you lose you can still go play for a title if you lose early. Is it fair to Bama that they lost late instead of early? Is it fair to (man I can't believe I am going to say this) Texass? No! We need a playoff system plain and simple. Otherwise, if what you said was true, the BCS championship game should be Utah v Boise St.

JJ, Okc - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:54 am

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OU will get destroyed by the Gators! Tebow is superior to Bradford! OU should just not show up! Texas should be playing for the National Championship! Mack is so much better than Stoops! OU does not have a chance in winning! NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT, Oh yes, 39-33! Boomer! Sooner!

Robert, Denver - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:52 am

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Michael, the only way the High School playoffs work is because half the teams in the state (and most other states are the same way) qualify for the playoffs. That's the same reason the NCAA Basketball works (65 teams out of what, 117 or so). Unless you include just about half the teams in football it won't work either, you'll still get the whining that Vern and Jeff were talking about.

sid, Perryton - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:49 am

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Naw it can't happen again. Law of averages are on our side. Cooter I'll bet you your trailer.

eudell, Virginia Beach - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:43 am

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OU IS GOING TO GET EMBARRASSED AGAIN IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE. WILL THE TV SHOW A SMALL CHILD BAWLING IN OU GEAR AGAIN?

I HOPE SO!

Cooter, Cooterville - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:40 am

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The regular season is the playoff system for college football. It's what makes the sport so great and what makes the regular season so riveting. Don't change a thing!

Jay, Moore - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:34 am

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High Schools have playoffs and they seem to work just fine. If they can do it then surely the college boys can figure something out.
Oh wait, there's a lot more money involved in college sports.... that changes everything.
Theres a team with 4 losses going to a BCS bowl game simply because they play in a crappy conference, yet an undefeated team was left out.

?????? Anyone else see anything wrong here with the good ol' boy system?

Michael, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:23 am

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Looks like the 5th tie breaker got it right LOL.

Robert, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 8:04 am

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Vern, you are so right. A playoff would simply shift the complaining. Instead of teams crying because they are left out at #3, teams will be crying because they were left out of the playoff at #9. The only way to have a truly fair system is to re-engineer the whole mess by doing away with Conferences and putting all FBS schools into equal divisions. Division winners advance to the playoffs. If you win, you're in. If you don't, then you go play a bowl game. Of course Heaven forbid we ever have a three-way tie. Folks south of the Red River seem to have a problem with the advanced math that a three-way tie creates.

Jeff, Spring - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:54 am

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A playoff would only be a novelty for a few years like the BCS. Before long people would find a reason to be unhappy with it, too. Whiners are whiners. That's just what they do.

Vern, Rogers - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:46 am

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The only reason OU stuck with its 1st team offense was to set a NCAA record for 5+ 60points game. In fact OU set at least 3 new offensive records. It was Mizzou's duty to stop OU, and anybody who claims their team would not have done the same as OU did in similiar circumstances is a flat out liar. I heard no outrage when USC put 55 on OU in the BCSCG a few years ago.

Robert, Oklahoma City - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:45 am

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Now all the sudden ESPN has jumped halfway from Colt McCoy's sack to Tebow's. When the clear Heisman front runner is Sam. Hands down. These folks are a joke. Bob Stoops say it best when he "said if you don't want to vote for OU you will still find a reason not to." I liked that Sam showed a little personality when he said "everyone, including Missouri, motivated us......." Colt McCoy and Chase Daniel texting each other, thats comical.

eudell, Virginia Beach - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:44 am

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And one last thing. On January 9, come back and prepare me for next season by telling me that OU can't possibly win back-to-back national championships. Can't be done - not by this weak team with no defense.

Jeff, Spring - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:42 am

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Oklahoma has to end the bowl slump eventually....hopefully this is it. Its going to be tough. All Oklahoma is going to hear about the next 5 weeks is how they havent seen a defense like this before, or how they dont have a chance. Tim Tebow already said "he is looking forward to throwing against the defenses in the Big XII."
Hopefully that will fire the defense up and they will show up and play to their full potential.
Percy Harvin is going to get his, but OU has to contain Demps, Rainey and James. Those little guys are lightning quick!
Lets go Sooners, end the bowl slump!

Ben, BFE - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:42 am

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All I want to hear for the next month is how OU's defense can't stop Florida. Please continue with things like,"They haven't seen a defense like the SEC brings", and "They can't stop Tebow and his band of great athletes." Please keep saying that. Please keep posting predictions like Florida 45 - OU 10. Please keep getting quotes from Tebow where he begs to play a weak team like Oklahoma. C'mon. Pour it on. I can't get enough of that stuff. Oh, one other thing. Please have Texas continue to point out how OU doesn't belong in that game. I like that one too. Remind me again, how OU can't possibly win that game. And then, remind me again. Boomer Sooner!

Jeff, Spring - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:39 am

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Bill, I am with you. I think OU will dominate. It's time for one, and I don't think Tebow will give OU as many problems because he's not shifty.

eudell, Virginia Beach - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:33 am

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Well since style makes games, the better game would certainly have been OU/Alabama, the SEC Championship game was very enetertaining while the Big 12 was a snoozer,and when you have so many 1 loss teams how can anyone believe this is a real chamionship ?? get a playoff system soon, this is nothing more than $$$ game for college presidents until they do...

Michael, Ponca City - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:18 am

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OU 62 Florida 24. Same score as Nebraska 1995.

Bill, Columbus - Dec 8, 2008 at 7:08 am

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C'mon dave instead of making up some retard score at least make it seem like you know something about the game and the two teams playing. Florida would never get that many points because Tebow isn't near as fast as any qb in the Big XII south. And they run the spread, which is mostly all our defense sees. We will have most of our starters back, so they won't have near a chance to put up 72. Our offense is one of the best in the nation, and Florida won't be able to stop it. If i were to guess anything i would give it to the Sooners by 10.

David, Moore - Dec 8, 2008 at 6:19 am

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Great season Sooners, Nothing Else Matters!

Bob , Mill Creek - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:44 am

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Stupid. Dave.

Al, Yigo - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:36 am

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Well the Sooners gray train is over.....OU 07 / Gators 72

Dave, Midwest City - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:20 am

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WATCH THE SOONER RUN!!!
CLICK ON
www.ioffer.com/i/84269396
www.ioffer.com/i/86593481
www.ioffer.com/i/85106046
GO SOONERS! BEAT THE GATORS!!!

DJ, NINEVEH - Dec 8, 2008 at 3:13 am

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WATCH THE SOONER RUN!!!
CLICK ON
http://www.ioffer.com/i/84269396 http://www.ioffer.com/i/86593481
http://www.ioffer.com/i/85106046
GO SOONERS! BEAT THE GATORS!!!

DJ, NINEVEH - Dec 8, 2008 at 3:09 am

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