Texas defeats Oklahoma, 16-13: Colt McCoy was a mess. His right thumbnail was ready to fall off, a nagging cold was wearing him down and Oklahoma was confusing him with blitzes he'd never seen. Then, with a chance to put the game away for No. 3 Texas midway through the fourth quarter, he threw an interception that could've turned into a go-ahead touchdown for the Sooners. McCoy salvaged it all, though. He made a game-saving tackle on the pickoff return, then, after his defense got him the ball back, managed to grind out the final 3:31, sending No. 3 Texas to a 16-13 victory over No. 20 Oklahoma on Saturday. (ESPN.com)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

OU-Texas games seldom lack for drama or intrigue: Tulsa World

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy to meet in showdown No. 3: The Oklahoman

Previous Oklahoma-Texas matchups with the most experience quarterbacks: The Oklahoman

Point/counterpoint: Can Oklahoma salvage its season by beating Texas? The Oklahoman

Seven Keys To Beating Texas: Crimson and Cream Machine

Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners playing the feud: Dallas Morning News

Texas-OU GameDay: Dallas Morning News

Third and Longhorns: Austin American-Statesman

Horns vs. Sooners five questions: Austin American-Statesman

What you won't see in today's Red River rivalry: Austin American-Statesman

Sooners Could Be Major Spoilers: News Observer

After a year of bickering, Texas, OU to collide: Houston Chronicle

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

CBSSports.com announces preseason All-America Team: CBSSport.com announced their annual preseason first and second team All-Americans today with the glaring absence of reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. Florida's Tim Tebow was named first-team All-American quarterback and Texas' QB Colt McCoy was named second-team All-American. The only Sooner named to first-team All-American was senior tight end Jermaine Gresham. Gerald McCoy was the lone Sooner named second-team All-American by CBSSports.com.

Preseason All-America Team - First Team

Offense
Pos Player, School
QB Tim Tebow, Florida
RB Jahvid Best, California
RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech
WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois
TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
OT Ciron Black, LSU
OG Mike Johnson, Alabama
OG Jeff Byers, Southern California
C Kris O'Dowd, Southern California

Defense
DE Jerry Hughes, TCU
DE George Selvie, South Florida
DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
LB Brandon Spikes, Florida
LB Sergio Kindle, Texas
LB Rolando McClain, Alabama
CB Syd'Quan, California
CB Joe Haden, Florida
S Eric Berry, Tennessee
S Taylor Mays, Southern California

Special Teams
P Derek Epperson, Baylor
K Kai Forbath, UCLA
KR Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State
PR Brandon James, Florida

Full List

Labels: Colt McCoy, Florida, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Texas

Sooners ranked No. 3 in USA Today Coaches' poll: It's as easy as one, two, three. Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, the top three teams in the preseason USA TODAY Coaches' Poll, are led by three history-making quarterbacks: Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford. With Bradford claiming the 2008 Heisman Trophy and Tebow winning the 2007 trophy, could 2009 be McCoy's year? Never before in the Heisman's 74-year history have the top three vote-getters returned the following year to New York as finalists. This fall could be exceptional for several reasons -- three, in fact. "It's a wonderful thing for those three to be the face of college football," Texas coach Mack Brown says. "They're all three high-character guys," Florida coach Urban Meyer says. "College football needs that." (USA Today)

USA Today Coaches Poll - Rank Team (first-place votes)
1. Florida (53)
2. Texas (4)
3. Oklahoma (1)
4. Southern California (1)
5. Alabama
6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Penn State
9. LSU
10. Mississippi
11. Oklahoma State
22. Nebraska

Full Poll @ USA Today

Follow Oklahoma Sooners Blog on Twitter at twitter.com/oklafootball

Labels: Nebraska, Oklahoma Sooners, Polls, Texas

One of the latest college football rankings is out this preseason. College Football News has released their rankings for the 120 bowl eligible teams. The Sooners are ranked at No. 3, the highest ranked Big 12 team, behind USC Trojans at No. 2 and defending BCS champions Florida Gators are No. 1 overall ranked team. Full Rankings

1. Florida
2. USC
3. Oklahoma
4. Texas
5. Georgia
6. Ohio State
7. LSU
8. Oklahoma State
9. Penn State
10. California

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OSU, Rankings, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

UT to honor former Sooner Darrell Royal: Texas will wear throwback uniforms saluting former coach Darrell Royal when the Longhorns face Texas A&M on Thanksgiving, the school announced. The white road uniform, designed by Nike, was unveiled at Royal's 85th birthday celebration Saturday in Austin. It features a patch with Royal's initials (DKR). The helmets include each player's number above the Longhorn logo, similar to the style of Royal's first national championship team in 1963. "I think it's very fitting that we honor Coach Royal and our four national championship teams in a game like Texas A&M that has been a special rivalry for so many years," coach Mack Brown said in a statement. (Dallas Morning News) Darrell Royal played QB and DB (1946-'49) at Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson.

Heisman Watch – Tebow vs. Bradford: BetUS

September matchups we all love: Sporting News

Football schedule supplies some Saturday surprises: The Oklahoman

Thoughts from Big 12 Media Days: The Oklahoman

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Big 12 media preseason poll has Oklahoma, Texas tied for 1st place: Nebraska was predicted to win the North division while Oklahoma and Texas tied for the top spot in the South in the 2009 Big 12 Football Preseason Poll, voted on by media representatives who cover the Conference. Texas compiled 17 first-place votes in the South compared to 15 for Oklahoma, however both finished with 174 cumulative points. Oklahoma State was picked third ahead of Texas Tech, Baylor and Texas A&M. OU, UT and TTU finished tied for the top spot in the South last season. The Sooners won the tiebreaker to compete in the Championship game and captured their third-consecutive and sixth overall Big 12 title. (Big 12 Sports PR)

2009 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll North Division
1. Nebraska (17) 172
2. Kansas (12) 164
3. Missouri (3) 124
4. Colorado 100
5. Kansas State 81
6. Iowa State 33

South Division
1. Texas (17) 174
1. Oklahoma (15) 174
3. Oklahoma State 130
4. Texas Tech 89
5. Baylor 75
6. Texas A&M 33
first-place votes in parentheses

Labels: Baylor, Big XII, Colorado Buffalo, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri Tigers, Nebraska, Oklahoma Sooners, OSU, Texas, Texas A M, Texas Tech

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Big 12 Coaches vote to keep tiebreaker: Big 12 coaches have rejected a proposal to change the controversial tiebreaker that gave Oklahoma the nod over Texas in the three-way tie in the Big 12 South last season. The coaches had considered adopting a three-team tiebreaker that would eliminate the lowest-ranked team in the BCS standings, then go to the head-to-head result of the remaining two teams. If that had been in place last year, Texas Tech would have been eliminated, and Texas would have emerged as the division champion because it had defeated Oklahoma. "The tiebreaker system we had was felt, by the majority of coaches, to be appropriate to what we want to accomplish," commissioner Dan Beebe said. "There's risks in either one. We had one risk last year." The coaches' recommendation will go to Big 12 athletic directors, who may still change the tiebreaker. (Associated Press/ESPN.com)

Labels: BCS, Big XII, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

UT assistants receive Big 12 Championship bonus: The University of Texas didn't win the Big 12 football championship last fall, but that hasn't stopped a dozen assistant coaches and support staffers from receiving bonuses as if the Longhorns did. Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds received permission from UT President William Powers Jr. and the university's men's athletic council to pay $44,000 in bonuses that are called for when the football team wins a conference title. "I think this was the right decision," Powers said Monday. Dodds called the circumstances of the bonuses unusual. (Austin American-Statesman)

Texas removes reference to '2008*': The Oklahoman

Texas*: Who cares?: The Oklahoman

Catching up with K Jimmy Stevens: The Oklahoman

C'mon Mack, you've got to be kidding: Tulsa World

UT football coaches get bonuses for Big 12 title: Tulsa World

No more asterisk for Longhorns: Norman Transcript

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Heisman scores big locally: ESPN's one-hour Heisman Trophy presentation show, which included the announcement that OU quarterback Sam Bradford had won the award, drew a huge 19.6 rating in the Oklahoma City television market. Nationally, it set an ESPN record with 3,058,000 households and tied the 3.1 rating of 2007.
Sports events Dec. 9-16
1. Heisman Trophy Presentation, Saturday, ESPN, 19.6.
2. N.Y. Giants at Dallas, NFL, Sunday, KFOR-4, 15.5.
(Ratings rundown at NewsOK.com)

Mack Brown considers giving up coaches vote: The Texas coach indicated Thursday that his opinion isn't just talk. He acknowledged that he might give up his vote in the USA Today coaches' poll next season. "I don't think coaches should vote," Brown said. "I'm going to have to do a lot of soul-searching to see if I continue to vote." (Dallas Morning News)

Venables visited Pelini to discuss Florida: Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables visited Saturday with Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, apparently to discuss strategy to stop Florida's offense. Pelini previously was defensive coordinator at LSU, and the Tigers were 2-1 against Florida in those three seasons. Florida never scored more than 24 points against Pelini's defenses. Pelini was defensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2004. (Rivals.com)

Oklahoma vs. Florida is worth the wait: NY Newsday

BCS game in 3-D coming to Stillwater: The Oklahoman

Jenks' cornerback Gabe Lynn commits to OU: The Oklahoman

Jenks' Lynn commits to Oklahoma: Tulsa World

Stoops -- "I still have some Gator in me": Tulsa World

OU fans wringing hands: Star-Telegram

Streaking to a BCS colision: Gainseville Sun

Cherokee pride gets new triumph: Ashville Citizen-Times

Tebow excited to have Mullen back for title game: Florida Times-Union

Labels: Brent Venables, Heisman, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Mack Brown banner flown over Austin: Turnabout is fair play. A plane with this banner flew over the University of Texas' Royal-Memorial Stadium on Thursday: "Hey Mack Quit Whining U Knew The Rules." The message was in response to the events of the past few days. (The Oklahoman)

Daniel's redemption: Norman Transcript

Big 12 Championship -- It's a dynasty: Norman Transcript

Nothing certain at title game: Norman Transcript

Sooners' success speaks for itself: Tulsa World

Airborne banner flies over UT: Tulsa World

OU begins Heisman blitz for Bradford: Tulsa World

Source -- Venables, UW meet: Tulsa World

OU's awards pilingup: Tulsa World

Broyles made the right Bedlam choice: Tulsa World

ABC, announcer Brent Musburger back for more: The Oklahoman

Stoops on brink of sixth Big 12 title: The Oklahoman

Game against Missouri has several parallels to loss to K-State five years ago: The Oklahoman

Washington "may have talked" to OU's Venables about vacant job: The Oklahoman

Is McCoy sympathy candidate?: The Oklahoman

Oklahoma end returns to title game with confidence: Dallas Morning News

Dallas Morning News' All-Big 12 Team: Dallas Morning News

Maclin's return game in spotlight: Kansas City Star

Oklahoma provides a head game for Missouri: Kansas City Star

What to watch for in Saturday's Big 12 game: Kansas City Star

Sooners tight end can haul, during and after the game: Star-Telegram

Tigers know upsets happen: Star-Telegram

Oklahoma is a scoring machine Missouri will have to solve: USA Today

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops after BCS Announcement:


Texas head coach Mack Brown's reaction to BCS standings:

"Going into the last couple of weeks, we knew that a good team was going to be left out of the Big 12 Championship. Unfortunately, in this situation, it was us. It is what it is. We don't like it, we don't agree with it or think it's fair, but, like anything else, we'll handle it and move forward."

More Texas reaction: mackbrown-texasfootball.com

Related: Oklahoma jumps Texas in BCS standings

Labels: BCS, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma No. 2 in BCS Standings; Big 12 Championship bound:
1. Alabama .971
2. Oklahoma .935
3. Texas .922
4. Florida .885
5. USC .808
6. Utah .784
7. Texas Tech .781
8. Penn State .737
9. Boise State .703
10. Ohio State .634

Full BCS Standings at FOXSports.com

Labels: BCS, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Tech fans buy flyover banner to remind Texas about loss: Earlier this week, Texas fans bought a flyover that will carry a banner with the inscription "45-35" -- the score of Texas; victory over Oklahoma on Oct. 11 -- during ESPN College GameDay's live telecast before the Bedlam game. In reaction, Texas Tech fans have decided to buy their own flyover. According to Tech alum Shane Walker, a group of about 20 Red Raider fans have arranged for a pilot to fly over GameDay carrying the banner "www.39-33.com," which signifies the score of Tech's Nov. 1 victory over Texas. "It's a day Longhorn fans have forgotten," said Walker, who said he contributed $500 to the cause. "We realize we got thumped by OU, and if OU wins tomorrow, we're done in the national championship race. "But we want to go to a BCS bowl. Based on Texas' head-to-head argument, we should get the BCS bowl over them." (The Oklahoman)

Sooner linebackers on the rise: Norman Transcript

Sooner (and Cowboy) born: Tulsa World

Not your usual Bedlam game: Tulsa World

Sooners could be on run in Bedlam: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Tulsa World

Murray has returned to old self: The Oklahoman

By the numbers: The Oklahoman

Sooners' keys to the game: The Oklahoman

Bedlam Blitz: The Oklahoman

OU needs Bedlam to reach its goals: The Oklahoman

Five things to watch at Bedlam: The Oklahoman

Heisman race hot at Bedlam: The Oklahoman

Bedlam attire ready for fan’s to buy: The Oklahoman

Defense is Oklahoma's key to winning: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma DT McCoy an inspiration: Dallas Morning News

‘Orange Power’ meets ‘Sooner Spirit’ in Saturday’s high-stakes Bedlam game: Daily 'Collegian

Not much lobbying needed after dominant Texas victory: ESPN.com

Labels: Bedlam, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas, Texas Tech

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Cooper, McCoy expected to play: From Oklahoman's OU Blog... Jake Trotter writes, Center Jon Cooper and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy are locks to play Saturday against Texas. Not only that, both will be close to 100 percent, they've said this week. We'll have more as the week goes along about the status of DeMarcus Granger and Frank Alexander.

Oklahoma-Texas Governors Red River Rivalry wager; to benefit Ike victims: The Red River Rivalry is being waged in more places than the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and Texas Governor Rick Perry are also getting in on the competition. They have made a friendly wager on Saturday's much-anticipated football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns. The governor whose team comes up short will donate cases of steaks to an organization that has helped people impacted by Hurricane Ike. (AP/KTEN)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

UT's Rick Barnes stayed in the Stoops Suite: From Tulsa World Sports blog.. The Longhorns spent Tuesday night at Sooner Legends Inn & Suites in Norman, where Barnes bunked in the Bob Stoops Suite. The pictures and memorabilia were everywhere, prompting this quip from the Texas hoops coach: "We were pretty intimate." (Tulsa World)

Q&A with Jameel Owens: The Oklahoman

Labels: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma defeats Texas 28-21 in Red River Rivalry: After growing up in the Texas family, Malcolm Kelly switched sides for a better chance at winning the Red River Rivalry. Without him, No. 10 Oklahoma might never have come away with their latest victory in the century-old series. Kelly caught the game-winning 35-yard pass in the fourth quarter, then stuck around to savor it. Even as an announcement over the public address system warned everyone to leave the Cotton Bowl because of an impending thunderstorm, Kelly was posing near midfield for another photo and soaking in his first win over the 19th-ranked Longhorns. "A lot of great players have played in this game, and I wanted to be one that walked off victorious," said Kelly, who caught five passes for 105 yards and one score in Oklahoma's 28-21 win Saturday. "I had a good game, so I feel like I accomplished that." (AP/SportingNews - Stats)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooner fans remain on tunnel side: UT fans will still be sitting in the end zone opposite the Cotton Bowl's tunnel for today's game. The school had the right to sit over the tunnel as the designated home team but chose to remain in its traditional spot. Seating over the tunnel was once considered a big edge, but improved security measures now limit contact between fans and players. And by staying put, UT fans have a clear view of the replay screen over the tunnel. (Dallas Morning News)

Last week's losses have taken some of the edge off of OU-Texas: The Oklahoman

Fued loses some luster, but fans still have a beef with 'Horns: The Oklahoman

OU has chance for big plays in Dallas: The Oklahoman

Keys to the game: The Oklahoman

What they're saying: The Oklahoman

Who's hot and who's not: The Oklahoman

High Stakes: Norman Transcript

Legends made in this game: Norman Transcript

Must-win situation: Tulsa World

OU -- 5 Storylines: Tulsa World

OU Notebook -- Speed chills: Tulsa World

Key Matchup -- Texas offensive line vs. Oklahoma defensive line: Dallas Morning News

Switzer's thoughts on OU-Texas showdown right on: Dallas Morning News

McCoy, 'Horns in need of a Red River revival: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Boyhood dream takes center stage for Bradford: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Neither team can afford 0-2 Big 12 start: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

A place where Okies and Texans can live in harmony:Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Texas trying to find an identity for Oklahoma: Austin American-Statesman

Colt must be upright for Horns to win: Austin American-Statesman

Peterson's gone, but Sooners are still a force on the ground: Austin American-Statesman

Dallas scene of a rivalry revelry: Austin American-Statesman

Sooners more hit than myth: Austin American-Statesman

Season's hopes ride on OU-UT outcome: Houston Chronicle

Friday Four Questions: Oklahoma: Burnt Orange Nation

Morning Coffee: Burnt Orange Nation

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Wright's past Texas connection: OU defensive backs coach Bobby Jack Wright knows what the OU-Texas rivalry is like wearing burnt orange. Wright spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at Texas before joining Bob Stoops' staff in 1999. "When I was south of the Red (River), I got cussed by people north of the Red,” Wright said. "Being born and raised in Texas, I have a lot of friends in Texas. "I get cussed by them now." (NewsOK.com)

Switzer on the Red River Rivalry: (Barry) Switzer, who turns 70 today, works as a college football analyst for XM Satellite Radio, but still remembers the pressure surrounding an OU-Texas game. "I know how that game goes. I know the pressure," he said. "It's tremendous." The former OU coach said the weight to win the game is always heaviest for those on the OU sideline. "I don't think I've met anybody that's graduated from the University of Texas and come north of the Red River to make a living," he said. "But we've got a lot of our graduates who left and have gone south of the Red River, to Dallas and Houston, that make a living and live in those communities, the social clubs, the golf clubs ... It's very important to us. There's tremendous pressure on Oklahoma to win this game every year. I’ve always felt that."(Norman Transcript)

Only so far back: Stoops said he only goes back two years to look at past Texas-OU games. "We'll look a little bit at what they were doing," Stoops said. "If you go back too far, things look too different." (Dallas Morning News)

OU-Texas a Saturday of memories: SoonerSports.com

Former OU coach is having the time of his life as grandfather, businessman: The Oklahoman

Switzer's most memorable games: The Oklahoman

Influencing Switzer: The Oklahoman

Beating rival on field can help win recruits' hearts: The Oklahoman

Key matchups: The Oklahoman

When the Sooners have the ball: The Oklahoman

When Texas has the ball: The Oklahoman

Sooners winning recruiting battle with Texas on Dallas turf: Dallas Morning News

UT players given sobering lesson: Dallas Morning News

Players' legal woes wear on Longhorns: Dallas Morning News

OU, Texas teams won't abandon run: Dallas Morning News

Red River Rivalry hasn't been too kind to first-time quarterbacks: Tulsa World

Implications are large in rivalry game: Tulsa World

Stopping Charles is key for Sooners: Tulsa World

Texas battling its demons: Tulsa World

OU-Texas matchups: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Think, then run: Tulsa World

McCoy, bruised and down on his luck, staying positive: Tulsa World

Vintage Switz: Tulsa World

Oklahoma-Texas rivalry transcends rankings, records, bowl hopes and spying: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Turning over a new leaf?: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Notebook -- Brown on the defensive: Austin American-Statesman

Homecoming for fan Okie: Austin American-Statesman

OU-Texas trophy no steal: Austin American-Statesman

Stoops, Brown polar opposites: Austin American-Statesman

Stoops no longer walking on water: San Antonio Express-News

Oklahoma's defense is under the gun: San Antonio Express-News

Horns, Sooners hope to avoid 0-2 start to Big 12 play: ESPN.com

Labels: Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Hate involved in Red River Rivalry? Asked about his OU-Texas experience this week, Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy was quoted as saying: "I was just amazed at how much these teams hated each other." Asked to respond Tuesday, Stoops said: "We don't talk about hating anybody, and I don't think it does a whole lot for you. In the end, people talk about hating or being angry, that doesn't get you two minutes into the game. After that, you've got to play and you've got to know what you're doing, and you've got to have the focus and the ability to get it done." (Tulsa World)

More Franks, less Smith on returns? Smith will continue to return punts, but Stoops might choose to rest him on occasion, replacing him with Dominique Franks. Stoops hinted that Smith's muffed punt could have been a result of his starting cornerback being tired late in a game where OU's defense had been on the field more than usual. "I've got to be smarter (about) how fatigued he is at times, how many snaps he's had," Stoops said of Smith. "Dominique Franks has done a great job with it. We need to probably spell (Smith) some for that reason."(NewsOK.com)

Stoops: It's not just about Texas: Stoops said beating Texas is just a part of the whole picture. "In the end, we've beaten Texas before and not won the Big 12 championship, and I don't hear anybody congratulating us at the end of the year," Stoops said. "If you beat them and do nothing the rest of the year, that doesn't go around here. "That might go at some schools where everybody said, 'At least you did that and you're showing improvement,' or whatever, but that doesn't happen here. Winning a championship is what matters." (Dallas Morning News)

Malcolm Kelly has point to make: SoonerSports.com

Sooners focused on Longhorns: SoonerSports.com

Sooners trying to find pass rush that vanished: The Oklahoman

QBs try to conquer presures of OU-Texas: The Oklahoman

The best of OU-Texas: The Oklahoman

Stoops' staggering setbacks: The Oklahoman

A crisis of confidence: Norman Transcript

Sooners have a question to answer: Norman Transcript

Baker remembers his first time: Norman Transcript

OU defense aims to end ups and downs Saturday versus UT: Tulsa World

Wilson says black eye is his, not team's: Tulsa World

UT's Foster familiar with game's spotlight: Dallas Morning News

Big 12 South not just a two-team race: Dallas Morning News

UT defense plays follow the leader: Dallas Morning News

Red River Rivalry -- Where Are They Now?: Dallas Morning News

Kelly ready to make good on decision to go to OU: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Sophomore has weird links to Texas: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Texas Notes: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Sweed, Kelly need to play tall, not small like last week: Austin American-Statesman

OU quarterback Bradford is coming along nicely: Austin American-Statesman

Desperation in air for OU, UT at Red River Rivalry: Houston Chronicle

Sooners QB shows leadership skills: San Antonio Express-News

Stoops not surprised by tale of UT-OU fight: San Antonio Express-News

Labels: Bob Stoops, Dominique Franks, Oklahoma Sooners, OU-Texas, Reggie Smith, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

UT opts to stay put; Oklahoma fans keep tunnel entrance: Even though Texas won the right to sit over the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl for its annual showdown with Oklahoma, Longhorns athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Monday UT will continue to sit in the end zone opposite the tunnel. "The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was," said Dodds, referring to the game's unique seating in which fans from each team are split down the 50-yard-line. Texas is the home team for this year's Red River Rivalry and figured to take advantage of its newly acquired right to sit over the tunnel, where Oklahoma fans have sat for years. Dodds said Monday there are three reasons why Texas is staying put: 1) improved "security" around the tunnel; 2) the ability to see a giant replay screen that sits over the tunnel; and 3) band seating. (Dallas Morning News)

Muskogee pair lead 2008 football prospects: The Oklahoman
*

Labels: Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Dallas Official: Dallas isn't obligated to spend bond money: The city of Dallas isn't obligated to spend $30 million in bond funds on the Cotton Bowl, said David Cook, the city's chief financial officer. His statement came in response to the Dallas Business Journal query: "What legal options does the city of Dallas have to make the (Cotton Bowl) renovations, if its leaders no longer see the need to spend that money on the project?" Dallas City Councilman Mitchell Rasansky has been skeptical about spending money renovating the Cotton Bowl, in light of the construction of the Cowboys' new stadium, which is estimated at costing more than $1 billion. "The voters have authorized the city to issue bonds for particular purposes, but the voters haven't mandated that that be done," Cook said, in response to a query from the Business Journal. "From a legal view, the city council doesn't have to issue those bonds and do those improvements. They are authorized to do so. It technically wouldn't take a special vote of the citizens to deauthorize," he said. (Dallas Business Journal)

Live Chat Transcript via Dallas Morning News with Cotton Bowl President Rick Baker:

Q: From e-mail: Isn't it true that the city of Dallas failed by not giving a $325 million investment for a $1 billion complex that would have replaced the Cotton Bowl?

A: Rick Baker: We are not in the blame game. We just had to make a decision based on the facts laid out before us. The city of Dallas has been a great partner for 71 years and we will continue to need their world-class hotels and infrastructure to be able to produce a premier bowl experience.

Sooners' prospect instead playing Pro Baseball: The bigger question with [Mike] Wilson is why he is a [Seattle] Mariner at all. He grew up in the heart of football country, Tulsa, Okla., and had accepted a full ride to the University of Oklahoma as a linebacker when Seattle came calling. The running joke around camp is the Sooners might have offered more than Seattle did to secure Wilson's services. To be sure, Wilson will always be a fan of Oklahoma football. What Oklahoma couldn't match was the hold baseball had on Wilson's heart. "I played football, and I liked it," he said. "But I always was a baseball player. That was the sport I loved. So when I got drafted in the second round, it wasn't that hard of a decision. "I sat down with my mother and we talked it over. It didn't take long. The average career in football is four or five years. The average career in baseball is longer. And I was hurting; my knees were tired from all the hitting I was doing playing football." (Seattle Post)

Cotton Bowl Offers Texas Tech a free venue to play? A&M? OU?: We speak extensively [News Radio 1420] with the man who is trying to convince Texas Tech and Texas A&M to play their rivalry game in Dallas rather than Lubbock and College Station. His name is Errol McCoy. He is the state fair president. One of his responsibilities is to fill the cotton bowl with high impact football games. Now that the Cotton Bowl game will no longer played in the Cotton Bowl stadium McCoy will renew his efforts to sweet talk Texas Tech. McCoy says the City of Dallas will pay Texas Tech's travel expenses, and he says the state fair will waive the stadium rental. "So, basically the Universities have zero cost in coming to Dallas to play in a neutral site, with the tremendous upside. And in the case of Texas Tech I think they could improve their overall financial situation for the athletic department by $2 million per year; each year!" Of course the average fan says 'Yeah but that's our big rivalry game.' It doesn't get any bigger than Red Raider verses Aggies. We can't give that up! Right? So News Radio 1420 asked Errol McCoy: does it have to be THAT game? What about Tech verses Oklahoma? What about Tech verses ANY other Big 12 team? How about trying to build a brand new rivalry from scratch; say, Texas Tech verses LSU? Here's McCoy's answer. "So it can be any combination; I think any combination of those you just mentioned probably would work and work well." (Newsradio1420)

Cotton Bowl marriage may soon be tested: Dallas Morning News

Change aids chances: Star Telegram

Peterson dynamite player, but few tailbacks carry teams to titles: MSNBC.com

Cotton Bowl finds new home to build legends: Yahoo! Sports

Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting, Texas, Texas Tech

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Future of OU-Texas at Cotton Bowl Stadium unknown: Tuesday's announcement also could open the door for a move for the Texas-Oklahoma game, played on the grounds of the Texas State Fair yearly since 1929. The possibility of making the game a home-and-home affair, alternating annually between the campuses in Austin and Norman, Okla., has been broached in the past. But last May, the Longhorns and Sooners extended their contract with the Cotton Bowl stadium through the 2010 season. In November, Dallas voters approved a $30 million improvement package to the stadium in addition to $20 million earmarked for the project by the State Fair and the city. The $20 million currently is being spent on new scoreboards and seating. Officials say it's too early to tell if the Texas-OU game will follow the Cotton Bowl Classic to Arlington or break with the neutral-site tradition to go to the home-and-home format. "This move of the Cotton Bowl Classic to Arlington does nothing to change our agreement for the Texas-Oklahoma game," Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds said in a statement. "We have no plans beyond that." Joe Castiglione, OU's athletic director, said the Cotton Bowl Classic's decision to move was not a surprise. "But I really can't say whether it will have any effect on future (Texas-OU) decisions because that's so far down the road," he said. Castiglione added the majority of Sooner fans want to keep the game in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. "I think our fans really embrace the tradition and uniqueness of the game," he said. "They want to preserve the tradition for as long as they can. It's established itself as one of the unique phenomenons in the pageantry of college football, and people want to see that tradition upheld. "The dynamics for that (bowl) game are totally different than for OU-Texas," Castiglione added. "What they're trying to do is keep the Classic viable to put them in position for a BCS game." (More at Austin American Statesman)

Spring practice schedule change: The University of Oklahoma is making some changes in the dates for spring football practice.The first practice had been scheduled for Monday but is now set for next Wednesday. Scrimmages are planned for March 14th and 31st and the annual spring game is to be April seventh. (KTUL)

With postseason bowl moved, Red River Rivalry can't be far behind in Arlington shift: Daily Texan

Fair question: Founder would have made Classic move: Dallas Morning News

Arlington hails Cotton move as important first step: Dallas Morning News

Bowl vote unanimous, but emotions were mixed: Dallas Morning News

Now Classic can make BCS push: Dallas Morning News

Bittersweet: Cotton Bowl moving: Dallas Morning News

Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Spring Practice, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

The future of the Cotton Bowl in hands of other teams if OU/UT don't reach long term commitment: North Texas' baddest football battle is over two stadiums, not in them: an aging Dallas landmark vs. Arlington's sparkling, billion-dollar sports palace now under construction. And for the Cotton Bowl, it may be a fight for survival. Most Dallas City Council members back overhauling Fair Park's 76-year-old Cotton Bowl. The facility, they say, can remain a viable venue for major college football games. And they aren't interested in terminating $50 million in mostly taxpayer-funded renovations to the stadium – even if its namesake contest, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, soon bolts to the Dallas Cowboys' retractable-dome stadium two cities westward. On one hand, council members could wait to fund renovations until securing long-term contracts with current college football teams plus prospective tenants, such as Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, the University of Notre Dame and Louisiana State University. But if they wait too long, they risk renovation delays. On the other, officials could forge ahead, funding renovations as soon as May even without long-term commitments. Not all council members, however, share their philosophy. "The Cotton Bowl is a dinosaur. Yes, it's an institution, but even though it is an institution, I want to see if we're throwing money out the window," said Mitchell Rasansky, chairman of the council's Finance, Audit and Accountability Committee. "Unless we have some long-term commitments soon, I think it is money thrown away. That's only good business to expect that. We, as elected officials, have to be taxpayers' guardians." Meanwhile, negotiations to lure new college football games to the Cotton Bowl have, at best, been slow, although talks with several major college programs and the Big 12 continue, Mr. McKoy said, adding that he's aiming to score commitments for at least one game, to be played during the State Fair of Texas, within the next 45 days. [Dallas Mayor] Ms. Miller says she's optimistic it'll happen. "It's absolutely worth significant upgrades to the facility to get four weeks of college football," the mayor said. "But they've been talking to the same teams for a year now. It's baffling to me why we can't get it done." (In parts and much more at Dallas Morning News) In the past, much of the slow commitments have been on Texas' part. On May 5, 2006 both Texas and Oklahoma agreed to an additional two years running through 2010.

Peterson's speed could turn heads at combine: The Oklahoman

Labels: Cotton Bowl, Dallas Bond, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas, University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops visits Paris for potential prospects: University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops made a visit to Paris on Monday to visit with Paris coaches on any potential players who might be interested in going to Oklahoma, and Stoopes was especially interested in watching Good go through offseason drills, along with receiver/defensive back Keon Furtch."Good was at the top of (Oklahoma's) list. He also showed interest in Keon. They're going to make spring football interesting," said new Paris head football coach Travis Smith. Already Good has 19 scholarship offers from all the Big 12 schools, along with Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Alabama, and the University of Texas El Paso. Good, a 6-6, 295-pound lineman who is only 16 years old, will no doubt get more offers.Good is going to Norman on Saturday for the Junior Day visit. He was invited along with Furtch, who has already received offers from Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. (The Paris News)

Labels: Recruiting, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma's Patrick runs past O-State: After a costly controversy and a Red River loss, Oklahoma seemed to be down and out. But look at the Sooners now, back on top and playing for a berth in the BCS. Allen Patrick ran for 163 yards and a touchdown to help No. 13 Oklahoma survive another Bedlam scare and win the Big 12 South title with a 27-21 win against Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Sooners' run to the title started immediately after a loss to Texas in October, and six of the team's seven straight wins have come without star tailback Adrian Peterson. "We've overcome a lot, but we knew we could get here," quarterback Paul Thompson said. "We knew we had the guys, the personnel to get here, especially after the changes we made and we saw what we had in our replacements. ... We never gave up hope of getting here, and now we're here." (ESPN.com - Stats)

Peterson unlikely for Big XII title game: The 23rd-ranked Huskers (9-3) clinched the Big 12 North title two weeks ago. The 13th-ranked Sooners (10-2) needed some help. But after Texas A&M upset Texas on Friday, all OU had to do was beat Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Sooners won, 27-21. OU coach Bob Stoops said it's unlikely running back Adrian Peterson (broken collarbone) will play. "They'll have to do the bone scan again and assess what they feel, whether it's OK for him or not," Stoops said. "I would say it's doubtful. That would be my feeling today. Now, that may change." (Dallas Morning News)

Sooners atop NCAA in 10- win seasons: With its 27-21 victory over Oklahoma State Saturday, Oklahoma became the nation's leader in 10-win seasons with 29. Prior to Saturday, the Sooners were tied with Alabama. The Sooners have six 10-win seasons in eight years under coach Bob Stoops. Barry Switzer won 10 games 10 times in 16 years. (NewsOK.com)

Hartley rare miss: Hartley's missed extra point in the second quarter marked his first miss in 41 attempts this season (ended game with 43 season attempts) and only his second in 94 career attempts. (Sooner Sports Statistics)

Sooners watching Texas: Bob Stoops says he didn't watch a lot of Texas A&M's 12-7 victory over Texas on Friday. Quite the contrary, in fact. "I was out in the yard shooting baskets with my children," Stoops said. That's certainly a better post-Thanksgiving activity than biting nails, sweating bullets and crying, "Gig em!" But when your team's future rides on whether the Aggies can beat the Longhorns for the first time in a long time. . . . "Yeah, we watched it," said OU defensive end Alonzo Dotson. "It was exciting." (Tulsa World)

Patrick's rushes for longest run of '06: Patrick's 65-yard TD run, a career high, on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter marked the longest run by any Sooner this season. It is the longest rush since Adrian Peterson’s 84-yard TD run against Oklahoma State in 2005. (Sooner Sports Statistics)

Big XII Championship tickets: The University of Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office has tickets available for the 2006 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Game scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Sooners will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a 7 p.m., kickoff. Tickets are $70 each. The ticket office will be open to take calls from season ticket holders from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26th and from 8-10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. If tickets still remain, they will be available to the general public beginning at 10 a.m., Monday. Tickets may be purchased by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office at 405-325-2424 or 800-456-GoOU. All orders will be shipped overnight via UPS. (SoonerSports PR)

Sooners beat Pokes for Big 12 South: SoonerSports.com

OU-OSU Notes: SoonerSports.com

Big 12 Championship Ticket Info: SoonerSports.com

K.C. bound: Norman Transcript

Sooners win in fitting fashion: Norman Transcript

Ground control: Norman Transcript

Defense holds strong: Norman Transcript

OU to play for Big 12 title: Tulsa World

Sooners have a fighter in Stoops: Tulsa World

Two minute drill: Tulsa World

Bedlam in pictures: Tulsa World

Bowman, Woods wonder what if: Tulsa World

OSU's Reid out in crunch time: Tulsa World

Last drive a Cowboys cliffhanger: Tulsa World

Patrick trades in pain for gains: Tulsa World

Goal-line stand stood out: Tulsa World

Peterson's status for Big 12 championship unclear: Tulsa World

Defense deflects Cowboys' final charge: Tulsa World

Sooners outlast Cowboys in Bedlam thriller: The Oklahoman

Gritty Sooners next foe is a familiar one: The Oklahoman

An estimated 7,500 Sooner boosters leave happy: The Oklahoman

Iglesias overcomes earlier problems, comes up with nifty catch: The Oklahoman

OU controls own destiny: The Oklahoman

Cowboys' QB shuffle leaves some questions: The Oklahoman

Great drama ends in OU's favor: The Oklahoman

OU plan wasn't to ignore passing game: The Oklahoman

Stock Report: The Oklahoman

OU Game Balls: The Oklahoman

Bedlam tidbits: The Oklahoman

OU survives Bedlam, takes South: Dallas Morning News

Ankle doesn't slow OU's Patrick: Dallas Morning News

OU rises in South: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

'Huskers could muddy picture: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Labels: Adrian Peterson, Allen Patrick, Big XII, Bob Stoops, Garrett Hartley, I, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas, Tickets

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Texas loss helps the Sooners in Big XII South race: Entering Friday's game against No. 11 Texas, Franchione was 2-10 in November, including a combined 0-5 this season and last. As if that record were not bad enough, he never had beaten the Longhorns in the rivalry known as the Lone Star Showdown.That changed Friday when Stephen McGee, Texas A&M's sophomore quarterback, crashed into the end zone with less than three minutes left on an 8-yard run to shock Texas, 12-7, before 89,102 fans.The victory in the 113th game between the two universities snapped Texas A&M's six-game losing streak to the Longhorns. It was also the Aggies' first victory here since 1994. Texas (9-3, 6-2 Big 12) has now lost consecutive games for the first time since 1999."It's good to get everybody to shut up about Coach Fran and start realizing that he's doing a great job," said McGee, who rushed for 95 yards and passed for 58 yards.Had Texas won Friday, it would have clinched the Big 12 South Division title. The Longhorns now need Oklahoma (9-2, 6-1) to lose Saturday to Oklahoma State (6-5, 3-4) to meet Nebraska on Dec. 2 for the Big 12 championship. Otherwise, the Sooners will win the division and play the Cornhuskers. (New York Times)

Labels: Big XII, Texas

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Pendleton Story: Checkout a great story on Oklahoma's defensive tackle Carl Pendleton, his cousin Kierston in Today's Dallas Morning News.

No eyes on Texas, OU says: "We have a lot of pride in finishing the year strong," Stoops said. "That's all that should matter to us. "All we can control is getting ourselves ready to play the best game we can." Sophomore linebacker Curtis Lofton said he'll likely just wait to find out who won rather than watch the game on TV. "I won't be an A&M cheerleader," Lofton said. "Of course, I want them to win and if they do, that's great, but I won't be sitting there cheering or anything." (NewsOK.com)

PAC-10 official Riese speaks: Two months after the Oregon instant replay fiasco, he is answering the phone again. Irate Sooner fans ring him up just two or three times a week now. The death threats have stopped. The healing has begun. "It will never leave me," Gordon Riese says. "Until I die." On a day we set aside to count our blessings, some fans will no doubt continue cursing Riese, who was in charge of the botched review that cost Oklahoma victory on that September afternoon at Autzen Stadium. The Sooners have rebounded nicely from the stunning setback. But a 9-2 record should have been 10-1. Many fans see the current BCS picture and wonder, despite a loss to Texas, if OU wouldn't be at least on the fringe of the national title conversation. Who knows? But fans know why the Sooners are not. Riese does, too. "Everybody knows," he says. You remember how it went. OU ahead by six points, 72 seconds left, an onside kick, a collision. You saw Allen Patrick emerge with the football. You saw officials huddle. You watched countless replays. Stunned, you saw Oregon given the ball. You saw the Ducks score, and win. "This was the easiest call to make, if I'd have gotten the (correct) replay," Riese says. "It would have been the right call. It would have been the correct call. The Oregon kid touched the ball at the 44-yard line." But wait. It gets worse. From that end-zone shot, Riese couldn't answer the question he was asked. But he could tell Oregon didn't have the football. "I saw the ball laying on the ground, the Oklahoma kid picks the ball up with his knee on the ground," Riese says. "I knew it was Oklahoma ball." But here's the thing: By rule, Riese wasn't allowed to determine possession. Not after the officials had already given the ball to Oregon. (In Part, more at NewsOK.com)

Thompson OU's calming influence: Norman Transcript

Dinner, as well as a rivalry, is served: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

A Sooner Thanksgiving: The Oklahoman

Replay official says he knew Sooners recovered kick: The Oklahoman

OU-Nebraska forever?: The Oklahoman

OU football notebook: The Oklahoman

Pondering the possibilities of a Stoops bowl: The Oklahoman

Thompson looks to keep OU rolling: Tulsa World

'Mess' grows up: Tulsa World

No hard feelings between Gundy brothers: Tulsa World

Bowl destinations make Bedlam more intriguing: Tulsa World

Fans gone wild -- Bedlam messages: Tulsa World

Bedlam memories -- Questions with Pat Jones: Tulsa World

Bedlam memories -- Questions with Barry Switzer: Tulsa World

Reid trying to join short list of Cowboy QBs to beat OU: Tulsa World

Labels: Carl Pendleton, Gordon Riese, Texas