subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos



Kevin Ellis / The Norman Transcript


Published August 29, 2005 11:48 pm -

Starting fresh


The Norman Transcript

By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

Oklahoma has had tougher rows to hoe than the one it will face this season. But that’s the thing about schedules: the games are hard to gauge until they’ve been played.

On paper, the Sooners’ slate looks like one where momentum can be built as they go along. They won’t face a ranked team until October. By then, OU should know if they have the talent to compete for another Big 12 and national championship.

Most say OU has lost too much talent from last year’s 12-1 squad to remain at college football’s apex.

OU coach Bob Stoops doesn’t put much stock in the opinions.

“It doesn’t really matter to me whether we are picked favorites or not,” he said. “You know, we have been in both situations and we found our way in other years to championships and other years where we have been picked favorites and not been. You have to earn your way.”

OU can start earning its way at 11 a.m. Saturday when TCU comes to Owen Field. It’s the first of three non-conference games the Sooners can use to gain their stride.

Tulsa comes to Owen Field Sept. 10 to cap the home portion of the non-conference schedule. The Sooners travel to the Rose Bowl Sept. 17 to take on UCLA.

None of those teams are ranked and only the Bruins, who finished 6-6 last season, are coming off a bowl game appearance. OU will be heavy favorites against the Horned Frogs and Golden Hurricane. Even the trip to UCLA is expected to yield a victory.

And September victories have become routine under Stoops. Since 1999, OU is 19-0 in September.

However, it’s October and November when the cream rises to the top. OU will have to win then if it wants to ascend in the polls.

The Sooners open conference play Oct. 1 when Kansas State visits Owen Field. That game will be the final prelude to OU’s biggest date on the calendar.

There’s a very bold circle drawn around Oct. 8 when OU and Texas meet in Dallas’ Cotton Bowl. The winner jumps into the driver’s seat for the Big 12 title and becomes a national title contender. The loser will be left on the outside looking in.

Even if the Sooners can claim a sixth straight victory over their Red River Rival, more land mines await.



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Director Of Music Ministries
Progressive United Methodist Church seeks
Director Of Music Ministries
15 Hrs per Wk.
Please E-mail Res
...>MORE

Store Manager
Store Manager
Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, Inc.

Non-profit seeks FT Store
Manager. At least 2 yrs
...>MORE

Traditions Spirits has
immediate job openings for
Beverage Servers, Bartenders and Barbacks at
Riverwind Casino; and Front Desk, Hous
...>MORE

Donation Attendant
Donation Attendant
Oklahoma Goodwill Industries, Inc.
Location: Norman

Accepts and processes dona
...>MORE

FT • MA / LPN
Needed for Family Practice,
Salary Plus Benefits.
Please Fax Resume to:
405 360-0238
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Positions Available
Now Hiring A Fulltime LPN
Experienced Cook
Weekends (double shift)
To Join a Gre
...>MORE

Would you like to join
professionals in a small full
service salon.
Call us today. 360-5201
...>MORE

Prairie Kitchen • Norman
Now Taking Applications
PT Experienced Server & PT/FT Experienced Cook
Must Be Available Weekends
Apply 6
...>MORE

5 Temporary Workers
Flying V Ranch, PO BOX523
Iraan, Texas 79744, Duties: Farm workers Farm & Ranch Animals
3/15/2010 -12/15/2010<
...>MORE

Customer Service Rep
New Starting Pay!
Now Hiring for
February/March classes

We offer Benefits, Set Schedules, Bonus Op
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

34 Clear Creek
• Lot 22 Hollow Oaks
Mobile Homes Allowed

• 1 acre(m/l) restricted to houses
only Ceda
...>MORE

NEW 2005 w/ Furniture!
16 x 80 3 Bed, 2 Bath
$1,800 DN, $352 a Mo. WAC
We Buy Used Homes!
www.midstatehousing.com
(405)527-
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index