I wouldn't go that far. OU got some good rushes on the edges and in some other spots, but even in this game, OU couldn't get one yard if they needed it in a rushing situation. They were stuffed a number of times when it was a clear rushing situation. See the two second half field goals. The key to this game was that Riley got the ball out quick.

Yeah, true, but by the same token the game was decided and neither side was doing a great deal more than milking the clock - especially after OU started the 2nd half with the pick-six. Any notion of some crazy comeback was done, the crowd was out, and it was purely a matter of playing out the stretch. So I'm willing to give them a pass. I watched some of the replay last night and focused on Darlington, of whom I've been pretty critical this year, and he had one of his best games all year. Someone lit a fire underneath that kid, even though he's still undersized for his position. He was firing off the ball, getting downfield push, all the things he hasn't done very consistently this season.

That said, KSU missed two *wide open* long TD passes wherein Sanchez was either beaten badly or expected safety help deep that didn't come. Either way, it was only because KSU's QB's were so grossly inaccurate that the score in the 1st quarter didn't close to 14-7 at one point. The other was, as I recall, a lot later when the game was essentially decided.



It was definitely an encouraging game, but at the same time totally disheartening coming off the Texas game. I really won't believe in this team unless they can hang with Baylor, which I don't think they can do.

One move that could be big going forward is that Will Johnson replaced Hatari Byrd this week and looked really good. Unfortunately, Byrd just doesn't seem to have it. If Johnson can be decent that would be a boost to the secondary.

Disheartening is a great word for it. What coulda been!

Baylor is just a special case, and I try to manufacture encouragement for myself by noting WVa only lost by 24. But ya still gotta play the game.

TTu will be a big home benchmark game. The OU team that just lit up KSU should win, although Mahomes (sp) is obviously a much better QB than anything KSU tossed out there.

I, too, wonder how much longer Snyder will or can keep the effort into coaching. He looked awfully beat up Saturday afternoon. I think the two painfully close losses to OSU and TCU finally just caught up with him and the team, and they just kinda checked it all in once things started going downhill Saturday. I've joked that guy will be coaching KSU two years after he's dead, but in all seriousness, he looked really worn out Sat.


No question that the Byrd for Johnson trade was a winner, and I just hope Jordan Evans' MRI comes back with nothing serious showing up.

The big thing is this: This team has to figure out a way to keep the engines running.

That said, KSU missed two *wide open* long TD passes wherein Sanchez was either beaten badly or expected safety help deep that didn't come. Either way, it was only because KSU's QB's were so grossly inaccurate that the score in the 1st quarter didn't close to 14-7 at one point. The other was, as I recall, a lot later when the game was essentially decided.


great game but this was my biggest concern for tougher games later this season... -M

TTu will be a big home benchmark game. The OU team that just lit up KSU should win, although Mahomes (sp) is obviously a much better QB than anything KSU tossed out there.

Unfortunately for OU players and coaches, you have to feed the monster. A lot of programs could go into this game against a decent Tech team and hope for a win to propel them forward. Not so for OU. Another loss as a double digit favorite and I think the hinges come off and Stoops' job is in jeopardy for the first time in 16 years. OU fans are inpatient right now. Are we spoiled? Of course. But those high (and maybe unreasonable) expectations are Oklahoma football. OU has to win this game. Feed the monster.

Unfortunately for OU players and coaches, you have to feed the monster. A lot of programs could go into this game against a decent Tech team and hope for a win to propel them forward. Not so for OU. Another loss as a double digit favorite and I think the hinges come off and Stoops' job is in jeopardy for the first time in 16 years. OU fans are inpatient right now. Are we spoiled? Of course. But those high (and maybe unreasonable) expectations are Oklahoma football. OU has to win this game. Feed the monster.

If Stoops wins out other than Baylor, goes 10-2 regular season, wins a decent bowl game, I don't think the job is on the line.

If Stoops loses to Baylor AND TCU, going 9-3, wins a mid-level bowl game, his job is very likely not on the line.

If Stoops loses to Baylor, TCU, and, say, OSU, goes 8-4, and wins a bad bowl game, he probably feels some heat.

If the team folds its tents and loses to all but ISU and KU, going 7-5, and loses a bowl game like he did Clemson last year, anything is possible.

Then again, I thought Mike Stoops' tenure as DC was over after the Baylor debacle last year (which continues to ring out as one of the ugliest memories ever at an OU home game), and he's still around, so what do I know. :)

Off topic, but Saturday was pretty wild.

Chalk - The crazy scene in Las Vegas after the Michigan State-Michigan ending (http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/13923592/chalk-crazy-scene-las-vegas-michigan-state-michigan-ending)

Unfortunately for OU players and coaches, you have to feed the monster. A lot of programs could go into this game against a decent Tech team and hope for a win to propel them forward. Not so for OU. Another loss as a double digit favorite and I think the hinges come off and Stoops' job is in jeopardy for the first time in 16 years. OU fans are inpatient right now. Are we spoiled? Of course. But those high (and maybe unreasonable) expectations are Oklahoma football. OU has to win this game. Feed the monster.

Stoops is being paid 6 million a year, he should have a top 10 team and competing for championships. In his 1st 8 years he played for 4 NCs, in the last 8 years zero. If he doesn't want the heat maybe he should just retire or take a year off and go coach somewhere else where it is ok to be "better than most"

If the team folds its tents and loses to all but ISU and KU, going 7-5, and loses a bowl game like he did Clemson last year, anything is possible.


Right, and Tech is the most winable game aside from Iowa State/Kansas. Losing to Tech would put 7-5 in play. I don't think it will happen. I'd love to see this team rebound. If they want to make a splash everything is right in front of them.

The Kansas State game showed signs that the Sooners are capable of making quick adjustments. The weak offense line did just enough to allow Mayfield to do a quick pass without Baker spending all day in the pocket; this somewhat opened up the running game.

Sooners should be able to handle Tech this Saturday.

Prediction: Oklahoma 48 - Texas Tech 31

The Kansas State game showed signs that the Sooners are capable of making quick adjustments. The weak offense line did just enough to allow Mayfield to do a quick pass without Baker spending all day in the pocket; this somewhat opened up the running game.

Sooners should be able to handle Tech this Saturday.

Prediction: Oklahoma 48 - Texas Tech 31

Hope you are right and think OU should win the home game but personally think the line is inflated due to the KSU game. I'd be on Tech plus the 14.5 to 15 and probably the under.

The Kansas State game showed signs that the Sooners are capable of making quick adjustments. The weak offense line did just enough to allow Mayfield to do a quick pass without Baker spending all day in the pocket; this somewhat opened up the running game.

Sooners should be able to handle Tech this Saturday.

Prediction: Oklahoma 48 - Texas Tech 31

Good call. Easy cover by OU with Perrine and Mixon going crazy. Those two are a very talented tandem.

The OU Club of Greater Oklahoma City will be hosting a watch party this Saturday for the OU - Baylor game. It will be at The Garage in Midtown starting at 6:30PM. All OU fans are welcome.

Stoops is being paid 6 million a year, he should have a top 10 team and competing for championships. In his 1st 8 years he played for 4 NCs, in the last 8 years zero. If he doesn't want the heat maybe he should just retire or take a year off and go coach somewhere else where it is ok to be "better than most"

Understand how you feel about Stoops pay ($6 million a year); if it were as simple as all that, we could pay our way into a national championship.

Until you find someone ready to replace Bob Stoops; let's savor the moment.

There will always be 8 teams ready to compete for a national championship from a field of 132 NCAA Division I schools. Those eight teams could be reduced from 8 to 4 then have the national championship decided between the final 2; that's an extra month if you allow 2 weeks prep for the championship game.

I think at least one championship a decade is a good goal for a program at OU's level. I'd say the same for Texas and a few other teams. Missing that, it's time for changes....

Understand how you feel about Stoops pay ($6 million a year); if it were as simple as all that, we could pay our way into a national championship.

Until you find someone ready to replace Bob Stoops; let's savor the moment.

There will always be 8 teams ready to compete for a national championship from a field of 132 NCAA Division I schools. Those eight teams could be reduced from 8 to 4 then have the national championship decided between the final 2; that's an extra month if you allow 2 weeks prep for the championship game.

I personally have always *disliked* the dead time between the post-season and the bowl/playoff season. And I think that gap *particularly* hurts teams that depend so heavily on tempo, timing, and the precision of their offense.

I don't think there's a better instance of this than 2008 OU; the high-speed offense was off a month, and I don't think the "rhythm" you seek can be summoned on a whim. After going on its 5-game, 60-point roll, it got rolling some against Florida albeit without Demarco Murray, but never got full speed. And I"ll always think if we'd had Murray we'd have won. Alas.

Heck, even the old Wishbone days exhibited the same issue; the precision of hitting the corners and making the pitches was muted just a bit in that off month from the end of season to the bowl game.

I realize that will never change, but having your offense shut down a month before a title game is, well, peculiar.

Marching onward to an 8-team playoff :)

I think at least one championship a decade is a good goal for a program at OU's level. I'd say the same for Texas and a few other teams. Missing that, it's time for changes....

One every ten years? Hmmm...I'd like to be at least in the conversation more often than that. I think a program the caliber of OU should at least *be in the discussion* about every five years - an experienced, senior-laden OU recruiting class should be able to at least have a shot to compete for all the marbles - and that rolls around every four or five years.

Mind you, I am *NOT* saying OU should *WIN* the title every five years, I'm just saying they should be getting the kind of talent necessary to have a legit *shot* at it every four or five years. Going seven years or so now without being relevant toward the end just isn't a good trend.

One every ten years? Hmmm...I'd like to be at least in the conversation more often than that. I think a program the caliber of OU should at least *be in the discussion* about every five years - an experienced, senior-laden OU recruiting class should be able to at least have a shot to compete for all the marbles - and that rolls around every four or five years.

Mind you, I am *NOT* saying OU should *WIN* the title every five years, I'm just saying they should be getting the kind of talent necessary to have a legit *shot* at it every four or five years. Going seven years or so now without being relevant toward the end just isn't a good trend.

I could agree with that. Be a serious contender at least a couple of times a decade, every few years or so. But a win once a decade should be expected at this point. 15 years is a long time. I think what's helped Stoops is the conference championship every year or two during this gap (although now the gap is getting long on that as well), while the previous dearth of national championships from Gibbs to Blake also had no conference championships.

Quote Originally Posted by ljbab728 View Post

As unlikely as it seems now, OU still controls their own destiny to win the Big 12. If they win the rest of their games they can do no worse than tie for the championship and would have a win over anyone they were tied with.

That might be the largest "If" in OU football history.


Care to rethink that comment you made in response to my post right after the Texas loss now, Kerry? :wink:

.

Oklahoma 44 - Baylor 34
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/muskogeephoenix.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/94/2943f232-fcb3-5de4-872e-341f93d77abe/56482a8299207.image.jpg


Baylor's apparent scheme backfires...

4th Quarter - 9:44


Baylor player urges his teammate to go down; play hurt. Kirk Herbstreit called it 'bush league.'

Tick on clock...


Mayfield's TD pass to Flowers on 3rd & goal gave the Sooners a 44-34 lead with 4:47 left of the clock. DEAL SEALED!


...up next TCU then Bedlam

11810 ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mvCs-EFOoiE

Boykin won't start and unlikely to play per Jake Trotter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed66WxQpSmI
Come and Get These Memories... Trevor Knight; 'Oh, What a Knight, early January back in 2014."
Big game Bob backed up his assault on the SEC...

Oklahoma leapfrogs Notre Dame & Iowa.


Here are the latest college football playoff rankings:


1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Oklahoma

4. Iowa

5. Michigan State

6. Notre Dame

College Football Playoff rankings: Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma - College Football - SI.com (http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/11/24/ncaa-playoff-rankings-clemson-oklahoma-alabama-iowa)

Oklahoma leapfrogs Notre Dame & Iowa.


Here are the latest college football playoff rankings:


1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Oklahoma

4. Iowa

5. Michigan State

6. Notre Dame

College Football Playoff rankings: Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma - College Football - SI.com (http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/11/24/ncaa-playoff-rankings-clemson-oklahoma-alabama-iowa)

Did the Playoff Committee actually watch the same game I did this past Saturday? Had TCU kicked a PAT rather than go for 2, they probably would have won the game in overtime.

I understand the desire for a playoff, but I question why they didn't simply go with a playoff based on the BCS rankings. At least they seemed objective about things.

Did the Playoff Committee actually watch the same game I did this past Saturday? Had TCU kicked a PAT rather than go for 2, they probably would have won the game in overtime.

I understand the desire for a playoff, but I question why they didn't simply go with a playoff based on the BCS rankings. At least they seemed objective about things.

There are a lot of ifs, ands, and buts that you can pick out in every team's wins and losses. Alabama could have easily lost at home to Tennessee (who OU defeated in Knoxville) if one or two things had been different. That doesn't seem to be hurting their playoff position.

The OU Club of Greater OKC will be sponsoring a Bedlam watch party at The Garage in Midtown starting at 6:00PM on Saturday. All fans are welcome.

Sorry...double post.

.


Baylor's apparent scheme backfires...


4th Quarter - 9:44

Baylor player urges his teammate to go down; play hurt. Kirk Herbstreit called it 'bush league.'

Tick on clock...

Mayfield's TD pass to Flowers on 3rd & goal gave the Sooners a 44-34 lead with 4:47 left of the clock. DEAL SEALED!





I just realized you posted this on the 15th, so I'm sure you know by now, but the Baylor guy really was hurt. He was not covering his receivers the way he should and the other Baylor DB knew he was playing hurt and told him to get down "you are hurt!" He came out of the game and right away apologized to the trainers for staying in. The other guy just wanted the guy out of the game. Anyway, Herbie ended up sending an apology to Baylor - and tweeted an apology.

Just goes to show things aren't always as the video evidence would lead you to believe. Weird deal.
ESPN's Herbstreit Apologizes to Baylor for Fake Injury Claim - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/espns-herbstreit-apologizes-baylor-fake-injury-claim-35220989)

Did the Playoff Committee actually watch the same game I did this past Saturday? Had TCU kicked a PAT rather than go for 2, they probably would have won the game in overtime.

I understand the desire for a playoff, but I question why they didn't simply go with a playoff based on the BCS rankings. At least they seemed objective about things.

It is possibly the second half of the game may not be given as much weight due to our backup quarterback being in and both our primary running backs playing through injuries, as long as it looks like they are not season ending injuries.

I just realized you posted this on the 15th, so I'm sure you know by now, but the Baylor guy really was hurt. He was not covering his receivers the way he should and the other Baylor DB knew he was playing hurt and told him to get down "you are hurt!" He came out of the game and right away apologized to the trainers for staying in. The other guy just wanted the guy out of the game. Anyway, Herbie ended up sending an apology to Baylor - and tweeted an apology.

Just goes to show things aren't always as the video evidence would lead you to believe. Weird deal.
ESPN's Herbstreit Apologizes to Baylor for Fake Injury Claim - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/espns-herbstreit-apologizes-baylor-fake-injury-claim-35220989)

Even if he was hurt, the way it was done still looked pretty dishonest. Maybe there is not a good way to easily signal the refs they need to take a guy out for medical reasons but the dive he took seemed to have no reason other than he was told to do so.

Did the Playoff Committee actually watch the same game I did this past Saturday? Had TCU kicked a PAT rather than go for 2, they probably would have won the game in overtime.

I understand the desire for a playoff, but I question why they didn't simply go with a playoff based on the BCS rankings. At least they seemed objective about things.

Good observation:

They had the momentum as Trevor Knight lost confidence throughout play.

Had TCU kicked that extra point to tie the game; they could have methodically dismantled OU in overtime to claim a win.

Parker broke up that 2-point conversion attempt causing the Horned Frogs to swallow their own hook. Patterson's hips got greedy; he swallowed that bait--line, hook & sinker.

Sooners caught his butt on a trout line--end of story.

For those who might be interested.

Oklahoma 2016 National Championship Game (http://www.allabouttravelspecials.com/SoonerBowl2015/National_Championship.htm)

Playoffs Started Now (Vegas spread projections)

#1 Clemson favored by 8 points over #4 Iowa

#2 Alabama favored by 3 points over #3 Oklahoma

i think msu has a pretty good shot at taking iowa's #4 seed this weekend. -M

^ In that vein, more meaningless Vegas chatter - Iowa would be underdog to 14 other teams. Contrast that to Ohio State which would be pick em v #1 Clemson.

Think UNC might give Clemson some trouble too (line is Clemson -5)

I"m not surprised about this but It would be nice to keep him for another year or two first before he moves on.

South Carolina Gamecocks plan to talk to Oklahoma Sooners OC Lincoln Riley about head-coaching job (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14271200/south-carolina-gamecocks-plan-talk-oklahoma-sooners-oc-lincoln-riley-head-coaching-job)

^ In that vein, more meaningless Vegas chatter - Iowa would be underdog to 14 other teams. Contrast that to Ohio State which would be pick em v #1 Clemson.

Think UNC might give Clemson some trouble too (line is Clemson -5)


Agree,

The wheels have come close to falling off Clemson's wagon before. It's amazing what Brent Venerable has done with Clemson's defense. It's the offense that is suspect. As they say, defense beats offense. We'll see if North Carolina can score on Clemson.

If Bob Stoops were to retire after 20 years at OU in 2019, I think Lincoln Riley might be a good fit for OU's next head coach. That is only four years from now. Something to think about.

If Bob Stoops were to retire after 20 years at OU in 2019, I think Lincoln Riley might be a good fit for OU's next head coach. That is only four years from now. Something to think about.

No way Riley sticks around that long. Only way that scenario plays out is if he's at a fairly visible job at that time Stoops hangs it up, and has had success there.

I, personally, don't think the SC job is ideal. The only reason the job was of any note over the last decade (?) was because of Spurrier, and with him gone, SC is at best a semi-anonymous mid-level job in that conference with a great opportunity to fail.

Beyond that, moving to a HC position after *one* year as a coordinator is moving a bit fast. I think, in hindsight, we now look at the way Heupel was handled suggests strongly the notion that he was promoted through the ranks a bit too soon and struggled with the OC position.

Next year is a different story. The same or similar success next year would make Riley an even bigger HC prospect next year, with possibly better jobs available.

Lincoln Riley might stay another season to see his QBs off, but he's pretty much gone. He's a resume builder and you can't blame him for that given his age.

We're not out of the woods yet though on the playoffs. I know all projections are basically saying OU is safe at 3 or even pushing back to 4 at the worst, but keep in mind what happened last year with TCU (who deserved to be in over Ohio State in my opinion).

Assuming OU does stay in, boy, I can't tell you how bad I want the team to have another national championship. It's been 15 years.

I think the thing that could keep him around is the promise of next year, and the possibility that success this year AND next year could vault him into an elite job rather than a middle-of-the-pack school. This year is a surprise success, and anything that happens now is a bonus. NEXT year OU is positioned to be a world-beater. That's not to say, of course, that they can't win it all this year. I think they can.

If Riley is offered the South Carolina job he should absolutely take it. South Carolina is not a top 10 job, but in a weak SEC East, it is a place with resources where a coach can succeed. There is no guarantee that Riley will continue to be a hot candidate. Say Mayfield is injured next season then the offense could struggle and he's no longer a hot candidate. You really have to strike while the iron is hot and South Carolina is a very good job. I'd say South Carolina is on the lower end of the top 25 jobs in the country - that's pretty good. If you can get one of the top 25 jobs in the country in your profession then you take it, right? It doesn't make sense for him to stay around if it is offered. Unfortunately, that probably would mean that he's gone for the bowl game. Although, staying around for the bowl game(s) could offer a lot of visibilty for South Carolina too. Hopefully, South Carolina goes a different direction. Besides Mizzou, there aren't any other jobs that would be worth leaving for...

No way Riley sticks around that long. Only way that scenario plays out is if he's at a fairly visible job at that time Stoops hangs it up, and has had success there.

I, personally, don't think the SC job is ideal. The only reason the job was of any note over the last decade (?) was because of Spurrier, and with him gone, SC is at best a semi-anonymous mid-level job in that conference with a great opportunity to fail.

Beyond that, moving to a HC position after *one* year as a coordinator is moving a bit fast. I think, in hindsight, we now look at the way Heupel was handled suggests strongly the notion that he was promoted through the ranks a bit too soon and struggled with the OC position.

Next year is a different story. The same or similar success next year would make Riley an even bigger HC prospect next year, with possibly better jobs available.

I thought he was the OC at East Carolina ?

I thought he was the OC at East Carolina ?

Major dummy on me. You are absolutely right. I just dismiss any directional school like that, particularly an "East" directional school, out of hand LOL :)

I think the thing that could keep him around is the promise of next year, and the possibility that success this year AND next year could vault him into an elite job rather than a middle-of-the-pack school. This year is a surprise success, and anything that happens now is a bonus. NEXT year OU is positioned to be a world-beater. That's not to say, of course, that they can't win it all this year. I think they can.

SC is one of those jobs that thinks its a better job than it really is. There is a modest amount of tradition, but in honesty, that tradition was buttressed over the last decade (?) by the presence of Spurrier. Reality for them is 3-8, and decidedly second-rung status relative to Clemson.

Totally removing my crimson colored glasses that thinks OU losing Riley would, in this very specific circumstance, be devastating, I honestly don't think SC will actually offer him the job. They're interested in his energy level, his success as a coordinator, and it's impossible to overlook him as a candidate, but if I'm a school that thinks I have enough tradition to warrant a better resume than 3-8, I don't get a kid who is 32, with *no* idea how he can recruit nationally, *no* idea what kind of staff he'd assemble, and, in all honesty, whether his success here at OU is because of his mad offensive air raid coaching fu or because of Baker Mayfield and a tandem of NFL-caliber running backs to go with him. That's why Muschamp makes so much more sense - okay, he had a bad run at Florida, he has some baggage, but if you want intensity, that's your guy, and you can tell him when you sign him up they expect a better offensive philosophy going forward.

Who knows. I *reeeeeeeeely* don't want OU to lose RIley right now. Ordinarily, it wouldn't be quite this issue, but I think he has developed such a tremendous rapport with this team, this staff, this version of his offense, combined with his ability to assess and attack a defense, makes the OU-2015-Riley combination a really special one, and losing him would really hurt OU's playoff chances.

We'll see.

3 million versus 500K? Just how many of you folks would really turn that down? A few injuries could easily turn him from a hot commodity to a meh. I have seen athletes in the same position turn down a pro offer to come back, and see their stock fall. He would be certifiably crazy to reject a sure thing for a "maybe later ". Bottom line, it is business.

SC is one of those jobs that thinks its a better job than it really is. There is a modest amount of tradition, but in honesty, that tradition was buttressed over the last decade (?) by the presence of Spurrier. Reality for them is 3-8, and decidedly second-rung status relative to Clemson.

Totally removing my crimson colored glasses that thinks OU losing Riley would, in this very specific circumstance, be devastating, I honestly don't think SC will actually offer him the job. They're interested in his energy level, his success as a coordinator, and it's impossible to overlook him as a candidate, but if I'm a school that thinks I have enough tradition to warrant a better resume than 3-8, I don't get a kid who is 32, with *no* idea how he can recruit nationally, *no* idea what kind of staff he'd assemble, and, in all honesty, whether his success here at OU is because of his mad offensive air raid coaching fu or because of Baker Mayfield and a tandem of NFL-caliber running backs to go with him. That's why Muschamp makes so much more sense - okay, he had a bad run at Florida, he has some baggage, but if you want intensity, that's your guy, and you can tell him when you sign him up they expect a better offensive philosophy going forward.

Who knows. I *reeeeeeeeely* don't want OU to lose RIley right now. Ordinarily, it wouldn't be quite this issue, but I think he has developed such a tremendous rapport with this team, this staff, this version of his offense, combined with his ability to assess and attack a defense, makes the OU-2015-Riley combination a really special one, and losing him would really hurt OU's playoff chances.

We'll see.

RE: Mike Leach.

Meh. SC is NOT a top 25 program. Honestly I think him staying another year is equivalent to a junior player sticking it out to play his way into the first round as opposed to perhaps entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Sure, there have been a few undrafted free agents who have played their way into the HOF, but it's almost always the smarter decision to hold out for first-round money if it's a real possibility.

Meh. SC is NOT a top 25 program. Honestly I think him staying another year is equivalent to a junior player sticking it out to play his way into the first round as opposed to perhaps entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Sure, there have been a few undrafted free agents who have played their way into the HOF, but it's almost always the smarter decision to hold out for first-round money if it's a real possibility.

South Carolina is certainly on the edge of that top 25, but I think when you factor in facilities and fan support, I think they're right in that range. They are in the top 25 in wins over the last decade while playing in the best conference in the country. Again, if you can secure one of the top 25 jobs and increase you salary six fold, how can you pass that up? I'd also argue that the chances of a 33 yeard old next year getting a better job are actually slim. Do you think a traditional top 10 power would hire Riley with no head coaching experience and two years as a coordinator at a power 5 school? I'm skeptical. I think any upgrade in jobs would be marginal and that's why it doesn't make sense to wait. Tramel said basically the same thing if you're interested: Should Lincoln Riley take the South Carolina job? | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5464167)

...Do you think a traditional top 10 power would hire Riley with no head coaching experience and two years as a coordinator at a power 5 school? I'm skeptical...

You just made a case for taking a LESSER job and building HC experience. SC is doomed to being an also-ran in the SEC.

You just made a case for taking a LESSER job and building HC experience. SC is doomed to being an also-ran in the SEC.

Here's the thing about the South Carolina job - it's in the SEC East. Everyone in the SEC East is an also-ran right now. Here's the last two (home) games of their division champion:

Florida Atlantic 14 - Florida 20 (OT)
Florida State 27 - Florida 2

Riley could walk in to South Carolina, make a couple good decisions, and end up in the SEC title game next year! ;)

He could also fall flat on his face with recruits leftover from Steve Spurrier.

Will Muschamp left Texas (DC) to take the head job at Florida succeeding Urban Meyer. He's also the top candidate for the South Carolina job.

Rumors: Status of Will Muschamp:

Reports muddle Auburn DC Muschamp's future - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports (http://www.ksla.com/story/30664440/reports-auburn-dc-muschamp-resigns-as-dc-likely-headed-to-south-carolina)

Has the competitiveness among the major conferences led to a graveyard for Division I coaches & assistants?

Word on the street is that USC will hire Muschamp aka Coach Boom. Riley looks safe at OU for now.

An update on packages to both the Orange Bowl and national championship game. At this time air is not included to Miami but I will update this if that becomes available.

Oklahoma 2016 Bowl Games (http://www.allabouttravelspecials.com/SoonerBowl2015/BowlGames-2016.htm)

OU's Nike playoff uniforms:

11895

Primesport.com has a package thru marriott with air. About 2K per person with 3 night hotel.

Well, due to other circumstances I would probably consider going to this year's game, but alas, I won't be in any type of position to do so.

Of course, I'm going to highly encourage any other Sooner fans to go and represent our team proudly.

Man I was all poised for a Dallas semifinal. Had a room booked and had my finger strategically poised on the ol' mouse, hovering over the "BUY" button on a couple of decent Cotton Bowl seats in JerryWorld....just when they pulled the rug and moved us to South Beach.

Alas. No CFP for me. Man, that would have been such a blast. Thought about driving to Glendale, but that's a 14-hour drive for a game on a Monday. That's not going to work, either, sadly.

BOOMER anyway! Bring it home, Sooners!

I've talked to a lot of Sooner diehards who aren't going. It'll be interesting to see the OU attendance.

I've talked to a lot of Sooner diehards who aren't going. It'll be interesting to see the OU attendance.

Well, I suspect for at least some folks it's an either-or situation; you plan for a trip to Miami *or* you plan for a trip to Glendale. While I'm sure there are a few fortunate folks with the resources to plan for both, most aren't. The Orange Bowl is such an historically familiar place for OU, even if its not the actual stadium, some will head for Miami and make a longer, extended Christmas vacation out of it - although I suspect Clemson fans will outnumber Sooners fairly readily.

Glendale is anyone's guess. With it in the middle of January after most or all Christmas breaks are over, and the game on a Monday, it's hard to plan an "event vacation" around it. May be a lot of folks who will make the 14-hour drive that day. Ironically enough, should OU make it to Glendale, they'll be the closest drive of any of the four CFP participants.

There are a boat load of OU alum in Florida. I wouldn't worry about fan support.