Defensive statistics were skewed in the Big 12 last season. When you’ve got Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Missouri in the same conference, all led by fine quarterbacks with playmaking supporting talent, it should go without saying.

But numbers still don’t lie. Even against so many great offenses, Oklahoma allowed 367.7 yards and 24.5 points per outing a year ago. It’s not like the Sooners played horrible defense, but still they gave up what they gave up.

Worst of all and all numbers aside, they gave up third and short to Tim Tebow and Florida what seemed like over and over and over again, and that more than anything may be fueling what Sooner defenders proclaim to be a fresh and new approach.

“Stingy,” “Selfish,” “Angry,” and “Mean” are the words of the day on the less glorious side of the football.

“It’s just a different type of mindset,” All-American defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “Being real stingy and selfish, this is what we have to do. We’re going to play real angry. Real angry and mean.”

So, you know, case closed.

All those questions about the Sooner defense heading into the BCS Championship Game that weren’t really answered against the Gators?

Don’t worry.

There’s a new mindset in town.

If only it were that easy.

If only a unit, unfairly maligned or not last fall, really could guarantee success a year later. Because it would seem to have all it needs, like all kinds of returning starters, including four preseason All-Big 12 first-team picks in McCoy, defensive end Jeremy Beal, linebacker Travis Lewis and cornerback Dominique Franks.

Only it can’t.

If it were that easy, why weren’t the Sooners angry and mean a year ago? As long as we’re at it, what the heck does stingy, selfish, angry and mean really mean?

It’s like calling somebody nice, fun and cool.

Could mean anything.