Stay Classy Norman

Oklahoma wins it's 3rd straight Big XII title in what was called "The JV Bowl" or the "Beat By Texas" bowl. The Sooners also set an NCAA record by registering the fifth straight game in which they scored 60+ points. That is a very impressive record to the naked eye, but having your starting QB in with 4 minutes to go in the game throwing into the end zone with a 35 point lead is not a classy way to win games. But don't tell that to "Big Game" Bob, he's just running his offense. By the way, it seems like such a long time ago that Bob Stoops earned his nickname, but now in Longhorn circles he's referred to as "Choke Job" Bob. Is that Longhorn sour grapes or reality? Let's be honest the Sooners last few BCS Bowls have not been great performances. Let's look at the evidence.

2004 - Sugar Bowl - LSU 21 - Oklahoma 14

The Sooners rolled into New Orleans led by Jason White, Mark Clayton and a high powered Sooner offense. The Saban led tigers had a smothering defense led by Will Muschamp and grounded the OU air attack. Some thought USC should be in this game and the AP awarded a split national championship between Oklahoma and USC. This sparked a discussion of who was the better team and how it wouldn't be decided...or would it?

2005 - Orange Bowl - USC 55 - Oklahoma 19

This was to be a matchup for the ages and the previous year's argument was to be settled. On one side Oklahoma boasted the nation's youngest and best player in Adrian Peterson to go along with Jason White fresh off a Heisman trophy win. On the other USC had the big 3 of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, and LenDale White to go along with a fast and furious defense. Both teams traded punches for a while and then USC broke the game wide open after an Oklahoma special teams mistake. USC never looked back and embarrassd the Sooners on the national stage. After two straight national title losses criticism begin to fall on Bob Stoops.

2007 - Fiesta Bowl - Boise State 43 - Oklahoma 42

The Sooners started off with a rough year by having starting QB Rhett Bomar kicked off the team for receiving pay. Paul Thompson stepped in and did a pretty good job all things considered even with an injured Adrian Peterson. Due to Texas stumbling down the stretch to Kansas State and Texas A&M, OU backed in to the Big XII title game which they won. On the other side BCS buster Boise State went undefeated and was given a Fiesta Bowl berth. Oklahoma was picked as a sure winner and an example to show why the small schools shouldn't be allowed in the BCS. Instead Oklahoma fell behind Boise but came back to take the lead until Boise State sent it to overtime on the Hook and Lateral play known as "Circus". Adrian Peterson started off OT with a 25 yard TD run and looked like they would put it away. Boise State then executed a direct snap to their running back on 4th and 2 from the 5 who hit Derek Schouman in the end zone to tie. In a gutsy move The Broncos went for two to win the game and ran the famous Statue of Liberty to win the whole thing as "Choke Job" Bob was officially born after a loss to the WAC. Enjoy this

2008 Fiesta Bowl - West Virginia 48 - Oklahoma 28

The Sooners were quarterbacked by the nations leader in passing efficiency in Sam Bradford and an exciting running back in DeMarco Murray. West Virginia missed a shot at the National Title Game by laying an egg against Pitt in the last game of the season. Oklahoma was thought to still be the better team with a hard nosed smash mouth offense. Oklahoma's potent offense was shut down, while Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine exploited a slow Oklahoma defense with their speed. West Virginia got out to a quick start and never looked back and once again "Big Game" Bob was relegated to "Choke Job" Bob.

With this in mind, how many points will Florida put on them?

In Conclusion...

We continue with the Big Cat's picks for the major College Football Awards.

Nagurski Award - Brian Orakpo - Defensive End - Texas

(Nation's top defensive player)

This was a tough decision with so many outstanding defensive players in that nation. USC's Ray Maualuga, Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, and Florida's Brandon Spike's are all tremendous players who have had tremendous seasons, but Orakpo has given a little attitude and nastiness to a Texas defense that has struggled in previous years. Call it a homer pick, but Orakpo has been downright unstoppable this year. He's rolled up 10.5 sacks and who knows how many he could have had if Big XII officials called holding. Orakpo has been a great leader of the team and has made so many impact plays this season. He will be the strongest pleyr in this class too as he is amazing in the weight room. He's on record as holding a 515 lbs bench press and runs in the 4.6 in the 40. Orakpo is a tremendous athlete and has played his way into this award. As cited in the picture below, Orakpo certainly passes the eyeball test and has the production to go along.