Cowboys, Sooners still have goals

I will admit, I am an adamant reader of College Football message boards and an occasional listener to local sports talk radio.  Heck, I’m part of the local sports talk radio.

Since Oklahoma and Oklahoma State each lost their first game of the season in the first two weeks, the number of suicidal fans has reached a statewide high.  As a die-hard Cowboy fan, sure, I’m as disappointed as the  next guy.  But before everyone jumps off the bandwagon, or drives their car into a ditch, just let the season play out.

Both OU and OSU can still challenge for all the goals they set in August.  And yes, that includes a National Championship!

For Sooner fans, the road to recovery seems to be more immediate.  OU’s vaunted defense has played exactly how it should and has pitched consecutive shutouts.  Landry Jones looks more than capable of leading the OU offense sans Sam Bradford, and with a week off, the Heisman hero might be back in time for the Miami game.

Things aren’t as rosy in Stillwater right now, where more than a handful of so-called Cowboy fans have mailed in the 2009 campaign.  A disappointing loss to Houston was followed by an unimpressive victory over Rice.  That has led some to call for the head of Head Coach Mike Gundy, who just two weeks ago was being praised as the greatest thing since Bear Bryant.  The Cowboys will have the next three weeks to heal up, getter better on the offensive line, and better learn Bill Young’s defensive scheme.

Football fans: just let the season unfold.  Conference play hasn’t even begun.  Both teams control their own destiny.  If you play in the Big 12 South, you’ll always be in the hunt for a National Championship.  Beat Texas, beat Tech, beat your in-state rival.  That resume is a heck of a lot better than anyone in the ACC, Pac-10, Big-10, or Big East will have.  And I can promise you this.  Only one, and maybe even zero teams will go undefeated in the SEC.

Both the Cowboys and the Sooners have the talent to bring home the hardware.  One game does not make a season.  Impressive, or unimpressive, wins are still wins.  Ask USC.  Or Ohio State.

So just relax.  Keep the car between the white lines.  And enjoy what could wind up being the best season of college football our state has ever seen.