subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Resources

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

Published November 23, 2006 11:21 pm -

Rooting for Aggies, working on Pokes


By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

Oklahoma has said all the right things this week. The Sooners are facing their in-state rival in a game that could very well decide who represents the Big 12 South in next week’s conference championship game.

To the 13th-ranked Sooners (9-2, 6-1 Big 12), the one against Oklahoma State (6-5, 3-4) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium is the only game that matters.

“The game is real big,” quarterback Paul Thompson said. “Not just as far as the rivalry, but where we want to end up in the Big 12, bowl game and our overall national ranking. There is definitely a sense of urgency and a sense of focus by the coaching staff and players on the importance of this game and what we need to do to come out with a win.”

A 10-win regular season and bowl implications will be swirling around Stillwater like hot dog wrappers. But the ante could be raised considerably, depending on what happens today in Austin, where No. 11 Texas (9-2, 6-1) hosts Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3) at 11 a.m.

Should the Longhorns win, they’ll face Nebraska next week at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., for the conference title. The winner secures a BCS bowl berth to the Fiesta Bowl.

However, if the Aggies, who are two touchdown underdogs, pull the upset, the Sooners will be playing the Cowboys for the South crown and the Fiesta Bowl bid.

OU knows the scenario.

“We are smart guys, we know what’s going on,” center Jon Cooper said.

Some players will even admit to becoming pretty big Texas A&M fans today.

“There’s no doubt about,” tight end Joe Jon Finley said. “We want them to win.”

But wishing and hoping aren’t things OU likes doing. It perfers to plow its own path. That’s why Sooner coach Bob Stoops and just about everyone under his command is hardly willing to acknowledge the impact the Lone Star State showdown will have on Bedlam.

“Everybody’s going to want to ask about all the different scenarios that are out there, and we really are going to have nothing to do with that,” Stoops said. “You guys can talk about them, everybody will. But in the end, all that matters to us is that we do our best this week in our preparation … and that we can be as good as we can be.

“There’s a lot of pride to be taken in finishing the year off in a positive and good way, and that’s what we’re going to work towards the entire week.”

There’s a reason for the blinders. Investing time or effort in something beyond the Sooners’ control seems like a waste of time.

No watch parties are planned and don’t expect OU to flinch if the Longhorns claim their seventh straight victories of the Aggies.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
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

Full-time Position in...
non traditional Mental Health Program.
Energy, flexibility, professionalism & experience required. No Phone Inqui
...>MORE

Clinical research coordinator
for cardio practice at SW Med Ctr. Highly developed org skills, detail-oriented, exc comm skills and computer skills. ...>MORE

MAKE-READY/GROUNDS
Full-time Temporary Work
Pay based on Exp / Must have valid D.L. • Apply in person at
2900 Chautauqua
or
...>MORE

Part-time Desktop Technician
Looking for a Technician to provide Level I / II IT support in a
fast-pace environment.

Skill set nee
...>MORE

Seeking Direct Care Staff
Norman Juvenile Detention Facility. Must be 21. Call for Details • EOE
Communityworks • 447-4499
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Has Full Time &
Part Time
Positions Available For
CMA's • CNA
To Join a Great Team
Offering Com
...>MORE

CMA/CNA with MAT
7 - 3 & 3 -11 • F/T & P/T
For Memory care community
Please apply in person 310-2499
Arbor House Reminisc
...>MORE

GET A REAL JOB!
TCIM Services has incredible
opportunities contacting individual and business customers. No cold calls. If you have
...>MORE

Noble Healthcare Center
LPNs
Now Hiring LPNs
3p - 11p • 11p - 7a
Excellent Starting Pay
$500 Sign On BONUS after 6 Mos
...>MORE

Republic Bank & Trust
Detailed-Oriented
Individuals Able to
Work in Fast-Paced
Environment Should Apply.

As a l
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes


near Lake TBird on 10.5 fncd Ac ’s. 2100sq’ • 1100sq’ Wrap Around Porch & Patio. 3 or 4Bd/2Bth • 2/Liv Rms. Master BR 16...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Enchantment
Enchantment
25 Yrs Exp • Lawncare
Mowing, Edging,
Weeding • Tree Service
Topping, Pruning, Removal
...>MORE

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