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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.
Congratulations to the city of Enid!
Only three days have passed in the Division II NJCAA World Series, but the 2009 edition is a smashing success. In my two years of covering amateur baseball in Enid, I’ve seen the largest crowds at David Allen Memorial Ballpark over the last three days.
Community involvement has been fantastic, and kudos go to the Enid baseball committee for getting the word out months ahead of the Series.
Past JUCO Tournaments have included eight teams, but this year, the higher-ups made a change to a 10-team format. Not only do more teams make the World Series, but more great baseball states are represented. In the past, Arizona and Oklahoma have been forced to play each other in the district round, but with new redistricting, we have a champion from both of those states. Not coincidentally, heading into day four, both are still alive.
So great work Enid and JUCO baseball pundits, your work is definitely not unnoticed. Ten teams means more participants, more influx of fans, and the best of all, more baseball!
Here’s hoping the next five days are as good as the first three.
The Oklahoma City Thunder fired P.J. Carlesimo this morning after Friday night’s extremely disappointing loss to the New Orleans Hornets at the Ford Center.
Sitting in on his final press conference after last night’s 105-80 loss, I could see that the end was near. P.J. had lost this team at some point in the last couple of weeks, and Wednesday’s poor exhibition in the home loss to the Clippers (15 points up in the second quarter….25 down in the second half) and last night’s pathetic effort against a team that OKC fans fell in love with BECAUSE they hustled and played the game the right way, were the final two nails in the coffin.
I felt that some of the younger players had quit playing for P.J. and that some of the veterans were frusterated because they couldn’t do anything about it. I might be wrong, but I know this team needs a change.
Scott Brooks has been named the interim coach and hopefully he will bring some attitude to the sidelines. As I was watching last night’s game, I couldn’t help but wonder how ugly tonight’s rematch in New Orleans could possibly be. Now, it will be interesting to see if the change will light a fire under someone’s behind.
There is still time to turn this thing around and work their way back to respectability. After last night’s nationally televised debacle, it won’t happen overnight.
Let’s get it out there… I’m a huge pro basketball fan and can’t wait until our new NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder tip off the season in a couple of weeks.
When the Hornets were here, I bought in completely. I’ve still got some teal in the closet and followed the Buzz from afar last season. But now, we’ve got the Thunder and the season officially got underway at Thunder Media Day on Monday at the Skirvin Hotel in downtown OKC.
The event started with a grand unveiling of the new uniforms. Pretty snazzy….understated….a classic look….and I love the team colors. So much so that I have already picked up a hat and a Kevin Durant t-shirt to wear around the house!
The rest of media day was pretty routine….the food (bowtie pasta with chicken, a nice selection of meats and cheeses, and some great chocolate chip cookies) was solid, the coach and player interviews were a variation of “how do you like Oklahoma City?” “How do you like the uniforms?” and “Are you ready for training camp?”
My initial impressions….Coach P.J. Carlesimo would be a great guy to get a beer with. He has some great stories and is the kind of coach this very young team needs. Kevin Durant seems pretty laid back, but looks forward to being back in Big 12 country. Nick Collison, after having some pretty pointed comments about leaving Seattle earlier this summer, seems to like the Oklahoma vibe…The Iowa native got a laugh when I compared this experience to dropping an NBA team in DesMoines. Russell Westbrook has a pretty sunny disposition and I could see him being OKC’s next Chris Paul. He heard that question plenty this afternoon. Desmond Mason is the classy vet that this team needs. A defensive stopper who has been down this road before (not only Oklahoma State, but also the Hornets) and can lead the way for this young team.
Another thing that excites me is the announcement that Fox Sports Southwest will become Fox Sports Oklahoma and that they will be the home of Thunder basketball on television. They will have a lot of Thunder programming and will broadcast 65 of 82 home games. There was also an announcement that the other 17 games will be televised as well on an “over-the-air” station to be named later.
Had a chance to meet many of the media people who work for the team and look forward to working with them in the future. I’m looking forward to the Thunder because, as a transplanted Kansan, I’m not a OSU or OU fan. Now, I’ve got an Oklahoma team that I can hang my hat on. Opening Night and the Milwaukee Bucks is less than a month away. Bring on the Thunder!
When do eight and eleven equal six? When you’re name is Daniel Barwick and you’re the newest star at Enid High.
This former eight-man stud at Pond Creek-Hunter has been nothing short of electrifying in two games at the 6A level.
In his Plainsmen debut, Barwick rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching a touchdown.
Hard to duplicate in week two? Hardly for Barwick, who had just four carries (that’s right I said FOUR carries) for 185 yards, two touchdowns. Oh by the way, he also returned a punt 70 yards for a score.
Barwick told me last week he made the switch from PC-H to Enid to gain college exposure. If exposure is what he wanted, exposure is what he’s gonna get. Especially when he’s spinning off of defenders and hurdling over would-be tacklers (twice in two weeks).
Enid has a good history of tough, durable running backs. Daniel Barwick is a new breed, with moves that look somebody’s playing Playstation. He is the biggest reason the Plainsmen are 2-0 and are beginning to open eyes across the state. With Barwick’s big-play ability, defenses will soon have to key on #32, and that will allow an already talented Clint Chelf to have a field day.
One Division-One broadcaster told me last week there was enough talent on the field to put an Enid team at 9-0 when they travel to Tulsa Union in week 10. Wouldn’t that be something? It’s only week three, and that’s way too far away to seem like a reality.But with Daniel Barwick in the backfield, or in the slot, or in motion, or in return formation… it’s not too early for Enid fans to dream big.
is it just me, or have these last 28 just drug on?
I really do believe that once the calendar turns to August, Father Time loves to toy with football fans’ minds. We’ve waited over the summer months. We’ve endured the fall camps, hoping to hear just a snippet of news from our favorite team. Coaches have said the right things, and talk of improvement is all around. Now we can put all the speculation aside, just sit back, and watch.
Football is HERE!
High school fans (and broadcasters) will have to wait one more week, but for those of us who love the college game, Saturday, August 30th, is a National Holiday! I know Mike Gundy is now 41, but can his Cowboy defense finally stop anybody?Bobbby Stoops and the Sooners can name their score against the Tennessee School for the Blind, but can they come out healthy? And will the weight of one of the mascot heads finally knock Lee Corso off the stage?
We’ve waited for the longest 28 days of the year, we only have to wait one more.
