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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Obama congratulations Florida; still pushing for a playoff: Obama, asked what he thought about Florida's 24-14 victory Thursday night over Oklahoma in the BCS championship game, congratulated the Gators and said he'd sent a message to a friend whose son plays for the team.At the same time, he said, "If I'm Utah, or if I'm USC or if I'm Texas, I might still have some quibbles."Obama said, "That's why we need a playoff." (Associated Press)

OU bites the dust again: The Oklahoma

OU's offense for the ages goes flat: The Oklahoman

Dunlap says Gators' scout team offense faster than OU: The Oklahoman

C-average tells the tale of OU loss to Florida: The Oklahoman

BCS Championship By the Numbers: The Oklahoman

Could Championship loss send Bob Stoops packing?: The Oklahoman

Big pass plays go Florida's way: The Oklahoman

Tebow's jump pass seals the deal: The Oklahoman

Brown shines -- except in red zone: The Oklahoman

BCS Bummer: Tulsa World

You should be glad Stoops is coach: Tulsa World

Another crash landing: Norman Transcript

Bad plays, bad decisions cost Sooners title: Norman Transcript

Stoops' nickname β€” 'Big Game Bob' β€” won't survive this one: Dallas Morning News

Stoops' lost gambles hurt Sooners: Kansas City Star

Florida takes title as Tebow, defense trip Oklahoma: USA Today

Sooners sputter early, then Gators cash in later: USA Today

Sooners losing a load of talent after trek to title game: USA Today

Stoops, Meyer become big-game contrasts: The Sporting News

Heisman jinx strikes Bradford in loss: ESPN

Missed opportunities gives Sooners sinking feeling: ESPN

OU's defense answers doubters with strong performance: ESPN

Red-zone troubles doom Oklahoma's record-breaking offense: ESPN

Sooners fail to show up for national title game: Sportsline

Gators stifle OU's explosive offense: SI

For Stoops, Another Frustrating Loss: New York Times

Sooners Get Defensive About Their Team's Perceived Shortcomings: Washington Post

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Gators take BCS Crown: On college football's grandest stage Thursday night, Tebow put an exclamation on his original subtle point by outdueling Bradford in the Gators' 24-14 victory, their second national championship of his three-year career. He was named the game's most outstanding player."This is an unbelievable night," Tebow said. (New York Times)

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

An update from an earlier post...

Stoops not a candidate in Denver: Bob Stoops can coach the Bowl Championship Series title game tonight in peace. The Oklahoma coach was telling the truth this week when he said he's not a candidate for the Broncos' head coaching position. An NFL source with knowledge of the Broncos' search confirmed Wednesday night Stoops is not under consideration. (Denver Post) via ProFootballTalk.com

Davis at 100 percent: Sooner defensive end Alan Davis said he feels 100 percent and is ready to go Thursday. Davis suffered a knee sprain at Texas A&M and missed OU's last three games. "I feel good," Davis said. "Knee's not sore or anything. Just a matter of getting back my conditioning, getting back to game speed." (The Oklahoman)

Oklahoma tackle guarded by memories of his mother: New York Times

Sun shines on a Sooner from Detroit: New York Times

B.C.S. Title Game -- Five Keys for Florida: New York Times

B.C.S. Title Game -- Five Keys for Oklahoma: New York Times

It's Bradford's polish against Tebow's grit for championship: USA Today

Oklahoma's defense vows to silence critics: USA Today

See how Oklahoma and Florida matchup: USA Today

Stoops' philosophy stems from stories mentors: ESPN.com

Strength coaches have valued role at Oklahoma and Florida: New York Times

Dodd: Gators will chomp middle of Sooners D: Sportsline

SEC defensive supremacy? More like hubris, and it's offensive: Sportsline

Oklahoma o-line is made up of five fast, immovable men: SI.com

Florida will stymie Oklahoma's no-huddle: NBC Sports

Oklahoma defense might rough up Tebow: NBC Sports

Sooners' Duke Robinson: The Quickest 335-Pounder You'll Ever See: FanHouse

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Comparing Florida, Oklahoma statistics:



Notable stat; turnover margin: Oklahoma plus-23 (ranked No. 1), while Florida is plus-22 (No. 2).

Related: Oklahoma vs Florida Game Preview

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU-Florida predictions: From around the web

Adam Abramson, Campus Confidential:

Charlie Strong's (Florida) unit has been stellar at times this year and I expect a big game from their go-to guys up front... Florida 28, Oklahoma 20

Mike Rose, Campus Confidential:

The Sooners haven't played a defense like they'll see come Thursday night. Tim Tebow is great player, and he's the most valuable player on the field. Florida's defense will step up and Tebow will again lead the Gators to a big win... Florida 31, Oklahoma 23

From Campus Confidential

Martin Manley, Upon Further Review

OU's six opponents are ranked #3, #7, #11, #12, #13, #21. FL's three opponents are ranked #4, #15 and #25. Not only has OU been tested more often against stronger competition, but they have fared better... Oklahoma 38, Florida 35

From KC Star's UFR

Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post

Ask the Tennessee fans how Tim Tebow responds in a big game. Ask the Georgia fans, LSU, Florida State and Miami fans, too. Tebow's Gators beat those opponents, 201-55. Don't forget about the 31-20 comeback against Alabama. Forget the stats for this game, because Tebow will use the Heisman snub to lead the Gators to victory... Florida 41, Oklahoma 27

Greg Stoda, Palm Beach Post

It really comes down to a belief that the best teams Oklahoma has beaten are better than the best teams Florida has beaten. Neither defense will consistently stop the opponent's offense. Oklahoma 37, Florida 31

From Palm Beach Post

Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe

We liked the Sooners as our No. 1 team at the start of the year and we like them now... Oklahoma 45, Florida 35

From Boston Globe

Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel

Nothing stops me from telling you who will win. And it won't be "Wow" as much as "Whoa" when Oklahoma ignores regular-season stats to find those key stops and critical takeaways.... Oklahoma 42, Florida 21.

From Orlando Sentinel

Pete Fiutak, FOX Sports/College Football News

Expect a repeat of what Ohio State did against Colt McCoy in the Fiesta, up until the game-deciding play, by letting Bradford make his throws before blasting the receivers to force several third-down chances. Florida will find a decent enough balance offensively, and will dominate on special teams, to make it three in a row for the SEC... Florida 38, Oklahoma 27

From FOXSports.com

Barack Obama, President-elect

Obama on BCS teams, CFB playoff: "I think Utah has a pretty good claim. They're undefeated," he said. "I think USC, which had a great Rose Bowl, beat Penn State pretty badly. They've got a pretty good claim to being number one. Florida and Oklahoma, I think, both have a claim. Texas, at this point, has got to feel like, 'Well, we did OK, too.' I think--I think a football playoff system makes sense. I've spoken about this quite a bit, and I think if you look at knowledgeable sports fans, they agree with me." Obama's Prediction: Florida over Oklahoma

From New York Times

Ted Green, Los Angeles Times

Florida 38, Oklahoma 35

From LA Times

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops calls for extra help: Florida figures to have a crowd edge tonight, but Stoops is ready to recruit any neutral ticket-holders to his side. "There's a whole lot of 'Cane fans (Miami U.), and I'm calling on all the Hurricane and Seminole (Florida State) fans that are down here to root for us," Stoops said. "That won't be hard, I don't think." Said Lewis, "Whatever people we've got screaming for OU, they're a fan of mine." (The Oklahoman)

Governors' wager: University of Oklahoma football fans should be hoping Gov. Brad Henry will be getting a shipment of Florida oranges. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist made a friendly, handshake wager on Wednesday to send Henry some Florida oranges if the Sooners defeat the University of Florida in tonight's college football national title game, said Henry's spokesman, Paul Sund. Henry agreed to send Crist some Oklahoma beef if the Gators win, Sund said. (The Oklahoman)

Game time: Norman Transcript

Stoops, Sooners really need this one: Norman Transcript

Clash of the titans: Tulsa World

Sure Gators speedy, but Sooners no slowpokes: Tulsa World

Florida not fazed by Sam's hardware: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Tulsa World

BCS Championship Matchups: Tulsa World

Gators to watch: Tulsa World

Stoops won't coach into his 70s: The Oklahoman

Four ways OU can counter Florida's speed: The Oklahoman

OU's Alexander won't let stabbing define season: The Oklahoman

Are Sooners prepared for the unfamiliar role of the slow team?: The Oklahoman

For OU, it's show time: The Oklahoman

This game about Sooners, not Big 12: The Oklahoman

Time to stop talking: The Oklahoman

Sorry lobbyists, but OU-Florida winner will be national champ: Star-Telegram

SEC-Big 12 arguments a big part of Oklahoma-Florida discussion: Austin American-Statesman

Much more than a title riding on Florida-OU: Austin American-Statesman

Will OU's video-game offensive numbers add up to 1?: Dallas Morning News

OU's defense, Big 12 on Sooners' shoulders: Dallas Morning News

How they match up: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma safety takes dig at Florida receiver Percy Harvin: Miami Herald

Gators vs. Sooners -- What happens when...: Tampa Tribune

Sooners offense flows through Sam Bradford, aka 'Big Easy': Tampa Tribune

Lobbying does not upset Gators coach Meyer: Tampa Tribune

Title game is Marriott-platinum huge: Orlando Sentinel

Throw everything out the window: Gainesville Sun

Sooner DE back from early-season stabbing: Gainesville Sun

10 reasons Oklahoma/Florida will win: ESPN

Tale of the Tape: ESPN

Return This Stat for a Refund: Wall Street Journal

Oklahoma Tackle Guided by Memories of His Mother: New York Times

BCS title game preview: -- Oklahoma vs. Florida: ESPN.com

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Balogun to start at linebacker: Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables said after Tuesday's practice that Mike Balogun will start at middle linebacker over Austin Box, who's returning from a knee sprain. Venables said Box would play, but he said how much would depend a lot on how Balogun performs. Box said Tuesday that he feels 100 percent and is ready to go. (The Oklahoman)

OU looking for familiar faces to shine: Norman Transcript

A little smack talk never hurt: Norman Transcript

Title game will test OU offense, UF defense: Tulsa World

Potential for a split AP crown, voters say: Tulsa World

Tebow's heir apparent was almost Bradford's: Tulsa World

Harvin's sheer force could shock Sooners: Tulsa World

Murray says he's undecided on NFL: Tulsa World

OU Daily Log: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Tulsa World

Rock Star QBs -- Bradford vs. Tebow: The Oklahoman

Oklahomans play a big part in Sooners' run to BCS title game: The Oklahoman

Will Texas' coach Mack Brown break ranks?: The Oklahoman

For OU football players, it's a business trip: The Oklahoman

OU's Lewis goes from sideline to spotlight: The Oklahoman

Florida seems swamped with Gators buzz before BCS title game: Dallas Morning News

Sooners try to anticipate Florida's speed: Dallas Morning News

Preseason attitude check proved motivational for Oklahoma: Star-Telegram

After dual tragedies, Oklahoma player turns to his mother, not football, first: Washington Post

Big game Percy Harvin ready for BCS title game: Tampa Tribune

Sooners try to bounce back from four straight BCS losses: Tampa Tribune

This time, Florida Gators play the respect card: Tampa Tribune

Oklahoma defense takes slights personally: Tampa Tribune

What makes the Gators go?: Gainesville Sun

Loss also propelled Sooners: Gainesville Sun

Beautiful weather forecast for game time: Gainesville Sun

Know your enemy -- Oklahoma facts: Gainesville Sun

Meyer gets slight edge over Stoops: Miami Herald

Oklahoma coach Stoops steeped in tradition: Miami Herald

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Dallas Cowboys, ESPN announce five-year agreement; BYU, Oklahoma to meet Sept. 5th: ESPN officially announced the anticipated BYU-Oklahoma game at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas. From the ESPN press release:

ESPN will televise the first college football game at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 5 when Oklahoma and BYU take the field in what will be the 2009 season opener for both teams. The Labor Day weekend contest will kickoff in prime time and be televised on ABC or ESPN as part of the second annual ESPN Kickoff Week Presented by Gillette, which will feature extensive college football content across multiple ESPN outlets during the first week of the season.

The game will mark the beginning of a new five-year agreement between the Dallas Cowboys and ESPN to bring a top college football game to the club's new stadium each year during the Labor Day holiday weekend that kicks off the college football season. The starting time and ticket information for the game will be announced at a later date.

The OU-BYU game this fall will be just the second meeting between these two well-known college football programs. The Cougars won the only previous meeting 31-6 in the 1994 Copper Bowl.

"We are excited to host such strong traditional college football programs as those at the University of Oklahoma and Brigham Young University in our first-ever college football game at our new stadium," said Dallas Cowboys Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones. "I don’t think there is a better place than Texas to celebrate the kickoff of the 2009 college football season, and I don't think you will find a better stadium for watching that football action than our new home in Arlington."

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma Offense:


Oklahoma Defense:


Florida Offense:


Florida Defense:


Related:
Coach Wilson & Members of OU Offense Meet With Media
Coach Venables & Members of OU Defense Meet With Media
Coach Addazio & Members Of UF Offense Meet With Media
Coach Strong & Members Of UF Defense Meet With Media

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Nothing to Lewis absence: Brent Venables said All-Big 12 linebacker Travis Lewis "missed a little bit" of practice Sunday, but said there was nothing physically wrong. "Aw, he had an issue," Venables said. "No big deal." (Tulsa World)

Williams recovering from flu-like symptoms: Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said right tackle Trent Williams missed Monday's media day trip to Dolphin Stadium because of flu-like symptoms. Williams rested at the team hotel and Wilson said he'd play Thursday. (Tulsa World)

Is there a Heisman jinx?: Norman Transcript

Tebow shakes off comments: Norman Transcript

Sooners, Gators trade barbs: Tulsa World

Stoops keeping his players on task before big game: Tulsa World

Coaches share similarities: Tulsa World

Daily log: Tulsa World

Iglesias is tough, talented: The Oklahoman

McCarney, Stoops meet in Miami again: The Oklahoman

OU kickoff return unit lauded: The Oklahoman

Iglesias has a touch of greatness: Dallas Morning News

Here's hoping for some drama with OU-Florida: Star-Telegram

OU's Brown gives Sooners solid backup plan at running back: Austin American-Statesman

Brandon James looks to bust out vs. Oklahoma: Gainesville Sun

Bradford has remained Humble, focused: Gainesville Sun

Harvin's ankle at 90 percent: Gainesville Sun

Home cookin' for Gators, but Oklahoma has S. Florida ties, too: Miami Herald

For Oklahoma, taking is better than giving: Miami Herald

Gators star Harvin ready to go against Oklahoma: Miami Herald

How will Tebow respond to OU's verbal challenge?: Orlando Sentinel

When talking about Tebow, we should be talking about God: Orlando Sentinel

Harvin warns that Sooner's comments about Tebow may awaken 'sleeping giant': Orlando Sentinel

Sooners' offense is like something Gators' Meyer has seen before: New York Times

Gators defense faces biggest challenge in Sooners: Tampa Tribune

Sooners defensive back says Big 12 quarterbacks better than Gators' Tebow: Tampa Tribune

Gators hoping to hold the Sooners to 16 or less: Tampa Bay Tribune

So, what's a "Sooner" and why are they called "Gators"?: Tampa Tribune

From humble start, Iglesias blossoms into top OU receiver: ESPN.com

Big Game Bob could reappear with Sooners' upset: ESPN.com

Gators defense sees double in prep for up-tempo Sooners: Sportsline

If Harvin's running on all cylinders, watch out: Sportsline

Gators' twins are more than just an unusal story: SportingNews

For Sooners, dubious starts with "D": USA Today

Oklahoma freshman Travis Lewis and his Sooners are fueled by critics: Press-Register

Oklahoma Sooners claim defensive numbers don't add up to weakness: New York Daily News

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Linebacker Brandon Spikes says OU will face toughest defense yet: Brandon Spikes fired back at the Sooners on Monday as the bulletin-board material for both teams continued to pile up heading into Thursday's BCS National Championship. "If they can stop our offense, hey, my hat goes off to them," Spikes told reporters during media day. "But I really don't think they can. As long as we play well on defense, give the ball back to Tim and the rest of those guys, we should roll. "You keep hearing they've done this and scored all these points in the last five games. But I really feel like they haven't faced a defense like ours, and Big 12 defenses are a joke. It's always like a bunch of basketball scores when I watch SportsCenter. So we'll see." (The Oklahoman)

Related:
Tebow Laughs Off Comment
Stoops Praises Tebow

Oklahoma Football Articles and Notes

Tim Tebow responds to Dominique Franks' comment: Dominique Franks raised eyebrows Sunday when he said Tebow ranks behind Oklahoma teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, Texas' Colt McCoy and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell. Tim Tebow first heard about the comments during a quarterbacks meeting. He chuckled at the time, then spent the better part of an hour doing the same Monday when asked repeatedly about the critique."Who knows? Maybe," Tebow said. "That might have been a compliment. We'll see." When the subject came up again, Tebow responded, "I'm thankful for being fourth. There's a lot of good quarterbacks in the Big 12." (FOXSports.com)

Related: Stoops Praises Tebow

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Box, Balogun expected to play: Oklahoma middle linebacker Austin Box, who sustained a knee sprain against Oklahoma State on Nov. 29, is also back at practice. Brent Venables said that Box and the backup Mike Balogun would play against Florida. After practice Sunday, Coach Bob Stoops said Box's knee was "loosening up for him and he's moving around pretty well, really." (NY Times)

Former Sooner Clayton visits team: Ex-Sooner and current Baltimore Ravens wideout Mark Clayton made an impromptu appearance at OU's press conference Sunday morning at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Clayton wished defensive coordinator Brent Venables and several Sooner players luck in the BCS National Championship before heading to Dolphin Stadium for Baltimore's NFL playoff game against Miami. The Ravens stayed at the Harbor Beach Marriott over the weekend, the same hotel where all the BCS National Championship press conferences were held. (The Oklahoman)

Bulletin board material?: Norman Transcript

OU's defense under fire: Norman Transcript

Where will the 2008 Sooner offense rank?: The Oklahoman

War of words -- It's not Big 12 vs. SEC: The Oklahoman

Better OU offense? 2008 or 1971?: The Oklahoman

Daily log: Tulsa World

Notebook: Tulsa World

Sooner defense must stand firm: Tulsa World

Florida rallies around Spikes: Tulsa World

Bulletin board material: Tulsa World

Sooners out to end bowl losing streak: Dallas Morning News

Gators, Sooners can settle debate -- SEC or Big 12?: Dallas Morning News

How will Tebow respond to OU's verbal challenge?: Orlando Sentinel

Florida, Oklahoma steering clear of South Beach pitfalls: Orlando Sentinel

American Indians across the nation inspired by Bradford's emergence: Orlando Sentinel

Sooners say they can handle Tebow and Gators: Miami Herald

BCS Championship notebook: Miami Herald

UT, OU clubs to party at same eatery on game day: Gainesville Sun

Notebook -- Tebow flaws: Gainesville Sun

Offense by committe: Gainesville Sun

OU gives UF bulletin-board fodder: Gainesville Sun

Gators defense faces biggest challenge in Sooners: Tampa Tribune

Sooners defensive back says Big 12 quarterbacks better than Gators' Tebow: Tampa Tribune

Gators hoping to hold the Sooners to 16 or less: Tampa Bay Tribune

Meyer, Stoops go for the jugular: ESPN.com

No Murray, no worries for Oklahoma rushing attack: ESPN.com

Heisman hasn't consumed Bradford's life: ESPN.com

Multiple middle linebackers challenging for OU: ESPN.com

Oklahoma's passing game has been culprit in BCS struggles: ESPN.com

Harris discounts Heisman Trophy matchup: ESPN.com

Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow are Heismans apart: LA Times

Stardom sudden for Sam: Boston Globe

Franks says Tebow doesn't intimidate OU: Sportsline.com

Sooners' speedy no-huddle offense will test Florida's young defense: SI.com

BCS-Championship game story filled with subplots: USA Today

Oklahoma looks to right bowl wrongs: Kansas City Star

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Coach Stoops offers praise for Tim Tebow: Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops attempted Sunday to play down inflammatory comments made by Oklahoma cornerback Dominque Franks about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. "We know he's a great player," Stoops said. "We have great respect for him. There's not a lot of Heisman Trophy players running around. That speaks for himself. He's an exceptional guy and we know that." (ESPN.com)

Stoops Looks to Prove He Can Win on His Own: New York Times

Stoops' industrial-grade filter weeds out irrelevant matter: ESPN.com

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Franks offers bulletin board material: Dominique Franks said Florida's Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman winner and 2008 finalist, would "probably be about the fourth best quarterback" in the Big 12. That's behind OU's Sam Bradford - the 2008 Heisman winner - Texas' Colt McCoy and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell. "I really think with those three guys, it's a lot harder to prepare for those guys," Franks said. " We're coming in and facing Tebow, and he wants to run the ball a lot more. "He's predominantly a running quarterback. So to me [playing in the secondary] it's going to be a lot easier for us to prepare to stop the run than having to face a quarterback that might throw the ball 40 or 50 times a game." (Dallas Morning News)

Parcells visits Sooners practice: Bill Parcells, the Dolphins' vice president of football operations, visited OU's practice Saturday, and took a moment to address the team. "It's always important when you get a legendary figure and a guy that's a hall of fame coach, you get a chance to be around him and say hello," Stoops said. "I like our guys to get a chance to see and hear from those kinds of guys." Before leaving practice, Parcells made a point to encourage DeMarcus Granger, the defensive tackle recovering from back surgery, who was standing by himself on crutches on the sideline. "He's just evaluating our players," Stoops said. "I've always been a big fan of the way he coaches. And the way he handles you media guys, too." (Tulsa World)

Game will have profound impact on OU football legacy: The Oklahoman

OU offense, Gator defense bracing itself for OU's hurry-up routine: The Oklahoman

Stoops refutes Broncos rumor: The Oklahoman

Passing woes: Tulsa World

Q&A with Barry Switzer: Tulsa World

Stoops says he's staying put: Norman Transcript

Big 12 offense vs. SEC defense debate to play out on big stage: Dallas Morning News

OU eager to show defense isn't a weakness: Star-Telegram

Oklahoma's Brown has BCS championship dreams: Miami Herald

UF's secondary has made tremendous strides since last season: Miami Herald

BCS Championship game notebook: Miami Herald

Oklahoma -- Fast and furious: Gainesville Sun

OU gets big lift from top assistant: Gainesville Sun

Stoops made big impression at UF: Gainesville Sun

Stoops has nice stay: Daytona Beach-News

Florida secondary faces exam: Ft. Myers News-Press

UF defense ready for onslaught: Tampa Tribune

Reaching BCS finale is nice for Gators, but...: Tampa Tribune

Gators' Meyer has friendship with Oklahoma's Stoops: Tampa Tribune

Parcells to OU, Stoops not to the Broncos: Sportsline

Spikes -- The best athletes in Big 12 don't play defense: Palm Beach Post

UF defense set on limiting Sooners: Orlando Sentinel

No Murray, no worries for Oklahoma rushing attack: ESPN.com

Heisman hasn't consumed Bradford's life: ESPN.com

Gators, Sooners have '1' thing on their minds: Boston Globe