This might seem absolutely crazy, but despite a lackluster win over TCU

[Raysor]

OU might just be in the top four this Tuesday night.

Ohio State has been unimpressive all year and has no wins over any team in the top 25. Notre Dame has dealt with considerable injuries and their last two performances were both worse than OU's last night. And the Sooners have road wins over Baylor and Tennessee and TCU was in the top 20 and 9-1 coming in.

It is very possible, that the Sooners could jump over OSU and OSU and ND, to be 4th. Michigan State? Well they are going to win the East in the BIG, but their loss to Nebraska is easily as bad as the Sooner loss to Texas. If OU wins next week, they will have a conference title. Michigan State or Iowa is going to lose. There will be no more than one BIG team in the final four. Clemson and Bama are the likely other two.

Trevor may have looked pretty bad against the Frogs, and we likely will need Baker to get us to 11-1 next week, but if it happens, OU ought to be in. Now Stanford could pretty much wrap that up.

One thing we ought to have learned by now. You cannot assume anything about a top ten team on any given Saturday, unless they have an open date.

Baylor was impressive against the Pokes. I think their third guy last night, was better than their second. And he didn't even have himself as an option to throw to.But a sweep of November, which would include 3-0 against the other three best in the conference, two on the road, ought to be enough.

But we can't now say we're playing the best of anybody, any more.

 

[da wiz]

Only 60 Hours and we will know...

 

[ETU]

Plaino, I totally agree with your logic, but I would feel much, much better if you could take the committee's vacant spot for the remainder of the season. I would be more than happy to write a letter of recommendation for you. We need an OU ally on the committee.

 

[Raysor]

They'd probably make me step out of the room when OU was discussed. If Baker doesn't get healthy by next Saturday, I don't think it will matter anyway.

 

[ETU]

They'd probably make me step out of the room when OU was discussed. If Baker doesn't get healthy by next Saturday, I don't think it will matter anyway.

LOL... Plaino, if we could get you into that room, I'm confident no one could make you leave until OU was in the playoffs.

 

[jsmitty2.0]

No way is that going to happen this week.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

I don't consider the win being lackluster given that Mayfield was unavailable in the second half (and the ineffective Trevor Knight was available). I believe in this day and age, winning ugly sure beats losing. "Style points" may mean something to media "experts", but on the field, in a big game, it means very little.
OU may or may not have an "ally" in the bowl committee's decision process, but if OU wins its game in Stillwater and is STILL on the outside looking in, it won't be the committee's fault.....it will be from the poor performance by OU against Texas last month. That loss to Texas may turn out to be one of OU's worst losses ever in the long run.
All that being said, Stanford (vs Notre Dame) and Nebraska (vs Iowa) need to help out this coming weekend.

 

[Raysor]

Notre Dame has one win over a top 25 team, Navy. And Navy has no wins over a top 25 team. Playing Clemson close doesn't count. And that ND team has lost several players since. ND had a top 25 win over 24 USC, but the Trojans lost last night and will drop out. Pitt might move into the top 25. But Pitt has no wins over a top 25 team. And the USC team that ND beat, was coached by the guy who quit because he was doing such a lousy job. His replacement kind of righted the ship.

So let me put it this way. OU has two wins over top 20 teams and ND has one.... over a team from the American Conference. They have a chance to get one this week, but so do the Sooners. And unless both win, this doesn't matter.

OU has two power five conference wins over a top 20 team. ND has none. OU at OSU is the equivalent of ND at Stanford. Whoever plays better next week, ought to be considered the better team. And OU's win last night over TCU was a much better win than ND's over Boston College and their 'great defense."

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

Notre Dame has one win over a top 25 team, Navy. And Navy has no wins over a top 25 team. Playing Clemson close doesn't count. And that ND team has lost several players since. ND had a top 25 win over 24 USC, but the Trojans lost last night and will drop out. Pitt might move into the top 25. But Pitt has no wins over a top 25 team. And the USC team that ND beat, was coached by the guy who quit because he was doing such a lousy job. His replacement kind of righted the ship.

So let me put it this way. OU has two wins over top 20 teams and ND has one.... over a team from the American Conference. They have a chance to get one this week, but so do the Sooners. And unless both win, this doesn't matter.

OU has two power five conference wins over a top 20 team. ND has none. OU at OSU is the equivalent of ND at Stanford. Whoever plays better next week, ought to be considered the better team. And OU's win last night over TCU was a much better win than ND's over Boston College and their 'great defense."

Very true, Plaino. Let's hope this goes into the committee's logic (aside from OU's superior body of work) ....and that Notre Dame doesn't get its usual preferential treatment by the so-called experts....and that OU wins its last game.
FWIW, I do not see Notre Dame beating Stanford.....and Nebraska's game with Iowa (at home) will be the Huskers' last chance to become bowl eligible. I expect a close game.

 

[Raysor]

You're right. OU needs to take care of business. If the Huskers beat Iowa, they will have November wins over both teams in the Big Ten CCG, unless Penn State wins in East Lansing next week.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

In summary, Plaino, is there a better brand of football than that of college football ? A more exciting game, different styles of play, teams are represented, for the most part, by players from their region (which spawns many great and intense rivalries) and teams seem to have their own personalities much more so than within the generic brand of football of the NFL.....and pro football is not a better played game, even by players who are "professionals".
While college fans can debate and argue over whose football factory is better, it is this subjectivity and/or controversy that adds to my interest.
I find pro football unwatchable.

 

[da wiz]

In summary, Plaino, is there a better brand of football than that of college football ? A more exciting game, different styles of play, teams are represented, for the most part, by players from their region (which spawns many great and intense rivalries) and teams seem to have their own personalities much more so than within the generic brand of football of the NFL.....and pro football is not a better played game, even by players who are "professionals".
While college fans can debate and argue over whose football factory is better, it is this subjectivity and/or controversy that adds to my interest.
I find pro football unwatchable.

***** CT...I wish I'd written this...

 

[mojo1fan]

In summary, Plaino, is there a better brand of football than that of college football ? A more exciting game, different styles of play, teams are represented, for the most part, by players from their region (which spawns many great and intense rivalries) and teams seem to have their own personalities much more so than within the generic brand of football of the NFL.....and pro football is not a better played game, even by players who are "professionals".
While college fans can debate and argue over whose football factory is better, it is this subjectivity and/or controversy that adds to my interest.
I find pro football unwatchable.

Great post CT. This is exactly how I've always felt about CFB. It is four months of desperation combined with exhilaration. I hate it. I love it.

 

[jsmitty2.0]

It is still going to be hard for a lot of the committee members to get over the fact that we lost to Texas and ND easily beat them. Lets hope it doesn't come down to that

 

[ETU]

It's a damn shame it's going to come down to 12 people's opinion, and they weren't even voted into office.

 

[Dinkis]

Did you hear Mark May at halftime? He wouldn't give Baker any credit. On the
College ESPN show this morning he was singing a different tune. He and several other analyst had OU in the top 4 if Baker is good to go. I think the game was good for us. We needed a reminder we aren't there yet. I hope I don't have to endure another ending like last night though.
Fineabaum (spelling?) even had us in there. I was shocked

 

[hubstar55]

Heck if Fineabaum has us in then hell must be freezing over

 

[Dinkis]

I read a theory on another board that he wants OU in where Alabama can get revenge for the Sugar Bowl. He actually was critical of the SEC schedules this weekend and some of the results as well. He thinks Les Miles will be fired.

 

[hubstar55]

I read a theory on another board that he wants OU in where Alabama can get revenge for the Sugar Bowl. He actually was critical of the SEC schedules this weekend and some of the results as well. He thinks Les Miles will be fired.

I bet he does want revenge after all the crap he talked prior to the game.

 

[Raysor]

In summary, Plaino, is there a better brand of football than that of college football ? A more exciting game, different styles of play, teams are represented, for the most part, by players from their region (which spawns many great and intense rivalries) and teams seem to have their own personalities much more so than within the generic brand of football of the NFL.....and pro football is not a better played game, even by players who are "professionals".
While college fans can debate and argue over whose football factory is better, it is this subjectivity and/or controversy that adds to my interest.
I find pro football unwatchable.

I'm on a couple of dating sites and you have to usually list your favorite things. I saw pretty much all team sports, but especially college football. . I couldn't agree with you more, except I will watch the NFL some. And I enjoy it when the Cowboys win. But then I enjoy it when they lose too. Get to watch Jerrah squirm.

The difference is that I tape every OU game and watch every play during the game. And then over and over again, especially when we win. I haven't watched every snap of a Cowboy game in this decade, I don't think. Maybe most of the playoff loss to the Packers.

I suspect most of us here have that sort of passion. Now that I've been single again for three years, the difference is that I pretty much watch college football all day Saturday. And since I have virtually every station that carries a game, I switch around a lot to keep up. And I want to know everything about every game that might impact OU's chances to be in the final four. That could include some obscurity. Like if Navy gets beat, that doesn't help ND. Mostly, I will be the biggest Stanford fan in Texas this week.

 

[csregor]

I think Iowa and ND stand between us and the final four this week. Big 10 will take care of itself. We need Stanford to beat ND. Nebraska beating Iowa would be good also. Jerry Palm projects OU playing Clemson and Bama playing Mich State in the final four. If Ou beats OSU handily I think we jump ND even if they beat Stanford. Sooner Magic is in the air.

 

[BCeagles24_rivals88399]

Stopped by to see what kind of vibe OU fans had and wanted to wish you guys good luck this week. OU is clearly the best team in the Big 12 and the only one that brings a good defense to the table, and I respect that.

I can understand why you would worry about ND, but I think we are going down this weekend. We lost Prosise to a high ankle sprain, which leaves 2 scholarship running backs left, both true freshman. We also lost Russell, a starting corner, for the year with a tibia fracture. There is a substantial drop off from him to the next best corner. We've overcome injuries all year, but I think these two will be deal breakers for us. I'll be rooting for you guys in the playoff if you get in and we don't!

 

[woolytide]

No way. Iowa will jump in, as they should, and ND will be at 3/4.

I wouldn't be shocked to see MSU jump to 5 and OU 6 either...guessing OU 5 though. The last Q of that game certainly didn't help.

 

[shanehog]

Yooper, I sure miss dining at ND's North Dining Hall, just south of all those outdoor basketball courts. Some of the staff and I would dine on Ore-Ida french fries and Minute Maid orange juice. Good bunch of staff. Funny, too. We'd have the cooks fry up a bunch of fries before the students inundated us.

I once said to a cook, "You ND guys may not know much about football, but you sure know about french fries". The cook had a funny look on his face.

 

[bdshull2001]

Yooper, I sure miss dining at ND's North Dining Hall, just south of all those outdoor basketball courts. Some of the staff and I would dine on Ore-Ida french fries and Minute Maid orange juice. Good bunch of staff. Funny, too. We'd have the cooks fry up a bunch of fries before the students inundated us.

I once said to a cook, "You ND guys may not know much about football, but you sure know about french fries". The cook had a funny look on his face.

Oh, sunburnt, you must expand on this response............LOL

 

[mojo1fan]

No way. Iowa will jump in, as they should, and ND will be at 3/4. I wouldn't be shocked to see MSU jump to 5 and OU 6 either...guessing OU 5 though. The last Q of that game certainly didn't help.

Actually, that last quarter did help OU, according to Barry Tramel. It showed the world that TCU really is a tough team, and OU found a way to overcome and win. Had it been a blowout, they would have discounted TCU as being another mediocre team. That said, I have OU going to the Sugar Bowl game this year vs. an SEC team.

 

[shanehog]

K2, my company had a contract to deliver food stuffs to Notre Dame, as we had with Florida, Iowa and Ohio State. On coordinating visits to ND I was invited to dine and chat. Not so at Iowa, Florida and Ohio State. Those jerks!

And yes. The ND co-eds were as ugly as Playboy magazine told me and Ohio State as beautiful.

The ugliest co-ed in a group at Florida ask me for a light. I told her I didn't smoke. She was the least attractive but I would have taken her home to meet mama in a minute. She was thin with red hair. Something about her just grabbed me.

 

[Unconquered]

No way is that going to happen this week.

What was that you said NO WAY right? Yeah would you ever eat Crow?

 

[mojo1fan]

What was that you said NO WAY right? Yeah would you ever eat Crow?

I finished eating my crow sandwich a few minutes ago and it tasted great.

 

[Raysor]

LOL... Plaino, if we could get you into that room, I'm confident no one could make you leave until OU was in the playoffs.

They took your recommendation and you can see what happened. You must have a LOT of pull.

 

[phillinois]

What was that you said NO WAY right? Yeah would you ever eat Crow?

Chortle chortle...

 

[ETU]

They took your recommendation and you can see what happened. You must have a LOT of pull.

LOL. Well, I would give you all the credit. You would be a great CFP ambassador and representative for the Sooners. Take this as a compliment....my mother would tell you "You will argue with a sign post". She told me that 100 times as I was growing up. It's an old Alabama saying that I now understand and appreciate. Boomer!

 

[woolytide]

I'll eat some crow all day, chew it slowly and smile the whole time.

Loud and clear by the committee. If OU wins out, OU >> ND.

 

[jsmitty2.0]

Have to give it to you on this one Plaino. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to see us at #3 after we struggled against TCU.

Sooner Mike......what you don't understand is that this is not a competition among sooner fans. Nobody is mad because we are at #3. Now go back to bed and dream about me some more

 

[Raysor]

I think that the biggest factor was Baylor just pounding OSU in Stillwater with their third quarterback. It showed just how impressive OU's win in Waco was. And ND is running out of skill position players. And their win over USC looks a little less impressive.

I believe that the consensus nationally is become that OU with Mayfield at quarterback, is as good as anybody in the country. Now, business has to be taken care of this weekend in Stillwater. That is not a given.

Let's not forget that TCU was in this position last season and won their last game 59-3 against Iowa State. And dropped to sixth when it really counted. So it ain't over yet. And all of the other conference champions will have next week to impress what is becoming a fickle crowd. But unless ND pulls a rabbit out of their butts against Stanford, not sure if they can pass us if we both win.

 

[Dinkis]

I think the Baylor win was the key to get in this week. We would have to wait another week and beat OSU and then find out otherwise.

 

[woolytide]

Seems to me that the committee is setting ND up for a let down. If they had any intention of putting ND in over OU, Maybe Iowa is 3, OU and ND 4/5, and MSU 6.

If Iowa or MSU win out, they're in. If OU goes into Stillwater and wins, I think the chance they get left out if miniscule.


I expect a few more losses in teh top 6 anyway. Clemson has to play a red hot UNC. Bama has two games against opponents that will be gunning for them. Iowa goes into Nebraska, who is hot and playing for a bowl game, then has to play MSU/tOSU in the champ game. MSU has CCG. OU goes to Stillwater, ND to stanford.

We know Iowa or MSU will be out, but see another loss or two coming for the other 4 in the top 6.

What happens if ND and OU win out, Bama wins, Clemson wins. Iowa loses to Nebraska, then beats MSU for the champ game? Come down to Iowa or ND for the last spot?

 

[Raysor]

If OU wins and ND loses, then I am not sure how we could possibly be left out. Maybe if UNC beat Clemson in a disputed way, or the same thing with MSU over Iowa.

One thing for sure: If Stanford, Nebraska, South Carolina and NC State win this weekend, it doesn't hurt.

 

[Unconquered]

I do believe I posted that an OSU loss wouldn't hurt us getting into the final four, for those who wanted OSU to win.

 

[ETU]

Mike.....It turned out that you were right for this week's poll, but had OSU won, a Sooner win Saturday would be even more impressive. You can't deny that. I am very happy that we are #3 but as has been stated, TCU was in the same position last year, pounded ISU and still dropped so I'm not taking anything for granted......and I still wished the Cowboys had beaten Baylor. OU is going to need to win regardless so why not beat a high rated, undefeated team the last regular season game of the year. Especially since the other candidates except for ND have another shot at impressing the committee. The point is, we have to get into the playoffs first. After that nobody has any affect in the outcome of the games except the participants. With a healthy Baker Mayfield, OU has as good a chance of winning as any other team that makes the playoffs. That is something hardly anyone would have dreamed at the beginning of the year except JMIS. Where is he anyway??