NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com NCAA Football FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Stoops, Snyder Resume Friendly Rivalryhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/stoops-snyder-resume-friendly-rivalry/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/stoops-snyder-resume-friendly-rivalry/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/stoops-snyder-resume-friendly-rivalry/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There is nothing new about Bob Stoops matching coaching wits with old mentor and boss Bill Snyder. They've done plenty of that over the years in Big 12 cross-divisional play.

But that doesn't mean Stoops isn't a little surprised to see Snyder, 70, back on the Wildcats sideline. The longtime Kansas State coach retired four years ago to pursue opportunities outside coaching, but was lured out of retirement last winter.

Stoops, whose 22nd-ranked Sooners host the Wildcats on Saturday, admits it's a little unexpected to be going up against his old boss again, but he was stunned when Snyder was no longer there, too.

"I always believe you have something in the tank, but I guess I was surprised because I was surprised initially that he did retire," said Stoops, who served on Snyder's staff at K-State from 1989-95 as defensive backs coach and later co-defensive coordinator. "I know how well thought out everything Coach Snyder does is that I figured that was it for him. But life changes I guess, the way people keep asking me what's going to happen with me in the next five to 10 years. Heck, I don't know. You just don't know.

"In the end, life changes and he felt that it was right for him to go back and I'm happy for him that it's working out well."

Working well may be the biggest of understatements. The Wildcats, who were up-and-down in the three seasons under Ron Prince, came into the season expected to finish near the bottom of the division race. But after the first three weeks of Big 12 play K-State (5-3, 3-1) stands alone in first place in the North division having won back-to-back league games and four of its last five.

The three-time defending Big 12 champion and last season's BCS championship game participant Sooners (4-3, 2-1), meanwhile, have fallen on difficult times this season with three defeats and the loss of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford for the season.

Still, the Wildcats will get their greatest of the season Saturday and it comes courtesy of someone who knows Snyder and his tendencies rather well.

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"It may make it more difficult because they probably have a better understanding of me than I do of them over a period of time," Snyder said. "Having been out of the game for three years I didn't study what other teams were doing or how consistent Oklahoma was in doing the things I was more attuned to at that particular point in time. What makes it most difficult is just the fact I know the quality of coaching that exists there.

"Bob and his staff there have done extremely well. You always know that you are going to play an excellent football team and a well coached football team a very aggressive football team and one that is difficult for anybody to beat."

Stoops is always aware of what to expect from a Snyder-coached football team, as well. The Wildcats will play great disciplined defense; offensively they will start by effectively running the ball both with the running back and quarterback and they won't beat themselves.

Knowing that, Stoops said he wasn't surprised when Snyder blasted his team in victory last week over Colorado for stumbling and bumbling offensively in the second half.

"He's always looking for improvement," Stoops said. "I spent a long time with Coach Snyder, seven years at Kansas State and I was around him for 10 years at Iowa so I know all about it."

Snyder, who has come back slightly kinder and gentler than before, admits he might have been a little harsh on his team after last Saturday's impressive home win.

"It wasn't good for a lot of different reasons, some I mentioned and some I didn't," Snyder said. "I was probably a little angrier than I should have been. Nevertheless, it's apparent we've got some improvement to make there."

What's Inside a Score, Really?

It was interesting to see if anyone could make sense out of three scores and three teams in the last three weeks in the Big 12.

Follow this: Texas Tech torched Kansas State, 66-14, in Week 6. The following week the Wildcats took out their frustration on Texas A&M by stomping the Aggies 62-14 in Manhattan. And then this past weekend, the Aggies went up to Lubbock, Tex. and destroyed the 21st-ranked Red Raiders 52-30.

So what, if anything, can be derived from college football scores these days?

"Don't look at them because history will repeat itself if you do," said Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who insinuated afterward that his team went into the A&M game a little full of itself having seen what the Wildcats did to the Aggies a week earlier. "I just think it doesn't matter how much you talk about it during the course of the week, because we talked about it in the course of the week because we spent most of the week talking about it doesn't matter what that Kansas State score was, you've got to be ready play. Somehow as coaches, we weren't able to reach them. We've got to find a better way to do that.

Mike Sherman"I think between a guy looking at the score themselves and then going out into the community and being told how great they are and how easy it's going to be, I think somehow you have to have the ability to overcome it. I think we have to find a better way to do that."

Second-year A&M coach Mike Sherman was also at a loss to explain his team's dramatic one-swing that ended a three-game losing streak.

"If I could, I probably could write a book and sell it to a lot of coaches across the country," he said. "Each week presents different challenges. Obviously last week our back was against the wall and there was only way you could go and that's to come out swinging which I thought they did."

Snyder used the odd turns of events in the three games as an excuse this week not to gush over his team's surprising first place standing in the North division.

"There is no real way of predicting how things will turn out," Snyder said. "Just look at the past few weeks involving us, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. That just shows you how much of a guessing game this really is."

Sherman, who of course spent some time as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers and offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, said the scores in college football can be misleading from week to week. Unlike in the NFL, college kids are dealing with a lot of extenuating circumstances like mid-terms and papers to write.

And there is the injury issue. In the NFL, it's released who is healthy and who will play from week to week. College teams release such information at their discretion and coaches like Leach don't discuss injuries or who might be out at all.

"In college football you have guys playing hurt no one else knows about, different guys playing different positions," Sherman said. "I think it's very difficult because you don't have the full extent of knowledge of what a team is presented with. So I think every team is different."

As The Quarterback Turns At Colorado

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins made it clear Monday that sophomore Tyler Hansen would remain the Buffaloes starting quarterback this week.

But what is a little uncertain is whether Hansen will carry the load or will Hawkins' son, Cody, take most of the meaningful snaps? Hansen was pulled out of his redshirt three weeks ago and given the starting job over ineffective Cody Hawkins.

After guiding the Buffaloes to a surprising win over Kansas, however, Hansen struggled early during last weekend's loss at Kansas State. Cody Hawkins then spent the majority of the second half playing as the Buffaloes tried to come from behind.

Hawkins, a junior and three-year starter, moved the ball effectively at times but he also threw two costly picks, including one into triple coverage in the end zone that iced the game on the final drive. Immediately there were questions after the game about who would start this week against Missouri.

While continuing to back Hansen as the starter, Hawkins left open the door for his son to play in the hurry-up offense and in no huddle situations.

"You just have to kind of see how it goes, you have to play it by feel," he said. "I think Cody has a little better handle on the no huddle part of it."



Quarterback Issues II

Colorado, however, is far from alone in having quarterback dilemmas.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has continued to stick with first-year starter Zac Lee much to the dismay of the Nebraska Cornhuskers faithful who've been given a little taste of freshman Cody Green and they want more.

Then at Texas Tech, the cradle of record-breaking college quarterbacks, Leach is possibly looking at starting his third quarterback of the season Saturday against Kansas.

Former walk-on Steven Sheffield, who came off the bench and led the Red Raiders to a three-game winning streak, is out with a broken football suffered two weeks ago. Taylor Potts, the season-opening starter, was practically booed off the field during Saturday's stunning home loss to Texas A&M in his first start since Oct. 3 when he suffered a concussion.

Redshirt freshman Seth Doege could make his starting debut against the Kansas Jayhawks after seeming to light a spark in the Red Raiders during the second half of the A&M game. Leach, of course, wouldn't reveal his starter Monday.

But he did discuss Potts' shaky confidence after fans at Jones AT&T Stadiu chanted "No More Potts" as he walked to the locker room at halftime after losing a fumble and throwing two interceptions in the Aggies territory.

"I think it's an issue," Leach said. "Confidence is probably the most important asset that a quarterback has. No matter who you are, there are things that you have to fight through.

" I think on an individual level [Potts] needs to ensure that he's confident because no quarterback is going to be effective unless they are."

Pelini, meanwhile, said the fans won't decide who places a spark in the Cornhuskers who are riding a two-game losing streak into Saturday's game at Baylor. Lee, a junior, has struggled in conference play completing 50-of-93 passes for 534 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in three games.

As a consequence Nebraska's offense has been lethargic, ranking 10th in the Big 12 in scoring with a 14.7 points per game average in league play.

"I do believe the offense needs a spark, where that spark comes from that's up for us to determine where that comes from," Pelini said. "I think that can come from a lot of different areas. I can say this, we need to light a fire under it. Somebody has to step up and make some plays."

Stoops, Snyder Resume Friendly Rivalry originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SnyderBillSnyderBo PeliniBob StoopsBobStoopsBoPeliniCody HawkinsCodyHawkinsDan HawkinsDanHawkinsDeion SandersDeionSandersDez BryantDezBryantKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawksMike GundyMike LeachMike ShermanMikeGundyMikeLeachMikeShermanNebraskaFootballRon PrinceRonPrinceSam BradfordSamBradfordSteven SheffieldStevenSheffieldtaylor pottsTaylorPottsTyler HansenTylerHansenZac LeeZacLeeTerrance HarrisWed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST Bradford to Have Surgery, Enter Drafthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/sam-bradford-to-have-surgery-enter-nfl-draft/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/sam-bradford-to-have-surgery-enter-nfl-draft/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/sam-bradford-to-have-surgery-enter-nfl-draft/#commentsFiled under:

Sam Bradford
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford said Sunday that he plans to have season-ending shoulder surgery and enter next year's NFL Draft, bringing the college career of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to a premature end.

Bradford, who might have been the No. 1 overall pick if he had entered this year's draft, suffered a shoulder injury in the season opener against BYU and aggravated the injury against Texas last week. He said he's ready to move on:
"I dreamed about coming to Oklahoma my whole life," Bradford said. "That's the reason I came back for this season. And I came back to play, not sit on the bench. That's the reason I tried to play after the injury. I'm very disappointed that it didn't work out differently.

"Under these circumstances, and after talking to several people, this is the right thing for me to do at this point."

Bradford added that he intends to enter the NFL Draft if the recovery goes as anticipated. The rehabilitation time for the surgery is estimated at four-six months.

"I'll be up to the challenge," said Bradford.
Bradford has another year of eligibility and could return to Oklahoma for the 2010 season, but it's past time for him to turn pro. He'll be in the NFL next year.

Bradford to Have Surgery, Enter Draft originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Sam BradfordMichael David SmithSun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST Oklahoma Grounds Overrated Kansashttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/oklahoma-grounds-overrated-kansas/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/oklahoma-grounds-overrated-kansas/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/oklahoma-grounds-overrated-kansas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So much for Todd Reesing and the whole Heisman Trophy conversation. The same can be said for the 25th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks and their once-promising season.

On an afternoon when the Jayhawks had a chance to make a major statement against a respectable Oklahoma team, they simply showed they aren't ready for the big time in a 35-13 drubbing in front of their home crowd at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Reesing, third in the country in passing yardage per game coming into the contest, threw three interceptions during the Jayhawks' first three possessions . Oklahoma defensive back Dominique Franks was the recipient of the third, which he promptly returned 85 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to help the Sooners take a 14-6 lead into halftime.

Kansas (5-2, 1-2 Big 12), which was expected to be one of the top two teams in the Big 12 North this season, has now dropped two straight and it doesn't get any easier with tough road games at Texas Tech and Kansas State coming up in the next two weeks. The only saving grace for the Jayhawks is the entire North seems to be a mess with Nebraska, the preseason favorite, losing for the second straight week Saturday, while Kansas State and Iowa State are appearing to be the top two teams in the weaker North division.
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The Sooners(4-3, 2-1), meanwhile, bounced back after a disheartening loss last week against rival Texas. Redshirt freshman quarterback Landry Jones, filling in for injured Sam Bradford again, completed 26 of 38 passes for 251 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. One of his favorite targets Saturday was Ryan Broyles, who had 11 catches for 121 yards.

But the day belonged to running back Chris Brown, who accounted for three of the Sooners touchdowns, while rushing rushing for 66 yards on 22 carries in an afternoon Oklahoma was without his cohort DeMarco Murray.

Defensively, the Sooners shut down Kansas' celebrated trio. The Jayhawks had to settle for two first-half field goals before Reesing scored on a run late in the game. Big 12 leading receiver Dezmon Briscoe was held to seven catches for 61 yards, which is well below his season average of 134.2 per game. Star receiver Kerry Meier also found it difficult against the Sooners athletic secondary with eight catches for 54 yards on the day.

The Sooners, who have lost three games to ranked opponents by a combined five points this season, are out of the BCS national championship picture. But they still have an outside chance of claiming their third South division title should they continue winning and the third-ranked Longhorns lose twice in conference play.

Oklahoma Grounds Overrated Kansas originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>dezmon briscoekerry meierLandry JonesSam BradfordTodd ReesingTerrance HarrisSat, 24 Oct 2009 19:08:00 EST Bradford Calls Off Press Conference to Address Injury, Futurehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/bradford-to-give-update-on-shoulder-future/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/bradford-to-give-update-on-shoulder-future/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/bradford-to-give-update-on-shoulder-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sam BradfordIt's the great mystery in Norman, Okla., right now.

Is quarterback Sam Bradford's career over at Oklahoma? Will the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner opt for surgery to repair the sprained AC joint in his right shoulder? Could he play again this season or next?

Those are all burning questions that Sam Bradford was supposed to address following Wednesday's Oklahoma Sooners practice, but he called off a scheduled press conference. Oklahoma associate athletic director for media relations Kenny Mossman told FanHouse that Bradford wants to gather more information. There is no rescheduled date set and that Bob Stoops will not be taking any questions on Bradford after practice.

Speculation is rampant Bradford, a junior, will elect to have season-ending surgery. His decision to call off the press conference seems to support that theory.

What this all means for his OU career is very much up in the air. Coming into the season, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Bradford would leave early for the NFL following this season after turning down a chance to be an early first-round selection in last spring's NFL draft.

The injury and the need to prove to NFL brass he's fully healed after surgery may force Bradford to come back to school for another season to re-elevate his stock.

Bradford originally injured the shoulder during the season-opening loss to BYU. He missed the next three Sooner games while rehabbing the injury and consulting with a specialist in Alabama. He returned to the playing field two weeks ago against Baylor, but last week was knocked out of the game when the shoulder was re-injured during the second offensive series of the Red River Rivalry against Texas.

Stoops said earlier this week that there was no further damage done to Bradford's shoulder but expected to make an announcement about his future at some point this week. Bradford has been ruled out of playing in Saturday's game at Kansas since Monday.

It seems to make sense Bradford will opt to have the surgery to repair the shoulder because the 3-3 Sooners are definitely out of the BCS national championship picture and are even in an uphill battle to win their fourth straight Big 12 title. One of the reasons Bradford returned to school this year after getting beat by Florida in last season's national championship game was to help OU take home the national title.
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Bradford Calls Off Press Conference to Address Injury, Future originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bob StoopsBobStoopsSam BradfordTerrance HarrisWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:01:00 EST Big 12 Notebook: North by North Messhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/big-12-notebook-north-by-north-mess/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/big-12-notebook-north-by-north-mess/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/big-12-notebook-north-by-north-mess/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bill SnyderIt's just three weeks into the full-swing of Big 12 play but the North Division is looking like any of the six teams could win the race.

That doesn't necessarily bode well at all for the weaker half of the two-division league.

Nebraska and Kansas came into the season as the presumed favorites to represent the North, but after two weeks of inconsistent play neither seems as powerful. The same can be said for two-time North champion Missouri, which started the season a surprising 4-0, but has dropped its first two games of the Big 12 season.

The standings looked a little odd to start this week when Kansas State and Colorado joined Nebraska and Kansas at the top of the North standings as one-loss teams. The Wildcats, who were expected to be in major rebuilding mode in the return of Bill Snyder, actually sit alone in first place as they've played one more game than the other top three and have a 2-1 league record.

"Certainly this far into the season, it looks like it's going to be kind of a wild race," said KU coach Mark Mangino. "For us, we understand this is a great conference and that anybody can win on any day. I don't think you can discount anybody in the conference. You've got to be ready to play and play smart football.

But the signal that this could be a wacky year in the North is much more than team records. It's what's happened in the first couple weeks.

Kansas State lost to Texas Tech 66-14 two weeks ago and then, last week, made a big statement by stomping Texas A&M 62-14. Nebraska, meanwhile, pulled off a late fourth-quarter win over Missouri only to fall apart and stay that way against Texas Tech this past Saturday.

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Snyder, who built the Wildcats into an unlikely North power in the 1990s and the early part of this decade before his retirement, can't explain the dramatic swing, from dazed in the opener to sitting atop the standings.

"It probably tell us we are a little goofy and we have no idea who we are or what we are," Snyder said. "Why does it happen? Everybody has their own opinion about it.

"I think in our situation, there was certainly a major embarrassment from the week before. The preparation in a lot of different ways improved over the course of the week."

Then there are the Jayhawks, who, thanks to steady diet of cupcakes in non-conference play, jumped out to a 4-0 record but barely squeaked by Iowa State before being upset Saturday by a one-win Colorado team Saturday. The Buffaloes also gave No. 2 Texas a scare week earlier before falling to the Longhorns in the second half.

Even the two bottom teams, Iowa State and Colorado still have a chance. The Cyclones, under first-year coach Paul Rhoads, have played both K-State and Kansas tough while they pulled out a convincing win over Baylor this past week.

And 0-2 Missouri has been the victim of a forgiving start to the Big 12 season that includes facing Nebraska and Oklahoma State and it continues this week when No. 3 Texas comes to Columbia. The Tigers fortunes should change the final five games with a slate that includes Colorado, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State and Kansas.

"It's kind of hard to figure, I don't know what's going on," said Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel. "Everybody is playing different people at this time. We are on a real tough stretch obviously. We knew going into this it was going to be tough.

"There is a lot left in the season, a lot of things are going to happen by the end of October and November will be interesting to see how that all works out."

So the theme for the North is to expect the unexpected and hold on for a rather wild ride.

"What I see is that a lot of teams in the North, probably everybody is still got an opportunity," Mangino said. "For us, we just have to take care of the business at hand. We've just got to win as they come and let that stuff kind of figure itself out at the end. But it certainly looks like it's going to be a wild race, no question."

Longhorns sitting pretty at No.3

It may have seemed like a slight to some Texas fans when the Longhorns came in No.3 during the first BCS poll released this week.

But with either No.1 Florida or No.2 Alabama sure to take a fall in the SEC championship game at the latest, the third-ranked Longhorns just have to keep winning and they will punch their ticket to the BCS national title game.

The key for the Longhorns is to keep winning, but tough back-to-back road games coming up against Missouri and Oklahoma State that could prove difficult.

It doesn't really matter to me," UT senior quarterback Colt McCoy said of being third in the BCS rankings and what that might mean. "We don't care about that. We care about beating Missouri this week. Other than that, it doesn't matter."

Mack BrownBut coach Mack Brown recognizes the challenges that are in front of his team as it attempts to make a run at the BCS national title this season. The Longhorns were just seconds away from earning a trip last season when they fell to Texas Tech on a last-second play. That was all that stood between them and an undefeated record.

"The pressure is there being No. 3, because everybody says to every one of our kids that unless you win them all you're not going to have a chance to get what you want," said Brown, whose team dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 in the polls after an unimpressive win over Colorado two weeks ago. "What we want for them is to try to enjoy the ride. What a wonderful time that these kids have given us as fans, you as media, this is fun.

"Two years in a row they have been in the mix after mid-season. Two years in a row they have beaten Oklahoma to jumpstart the writing of the first BCS polls that come out.

"There is pressure, regardless of whether you are [No.] 1 or 3 and I don't think that the kids feel there is any difference because they know that it changes. They know it changes per week so I feel like they know that if you are in the top 3 or 4 than it is okay."


Who's at QB For Tech this week?

It appears that new star quarterback Steven Sheffield may have been injured during the Nebraska game and won't play in Saturday's home game against Texas A&M.

That means, if Sheffield isn't able to go, he will be replaced by starter Taylor Potts, whom Sheffield replaced a few weeks ago when he went down with an apparent concussion against New Mexico.

But don't expect to hear anything official from head coach Mike Leach or Texas Tech. Injuries are guarded under lock and key. We'll see Saturday.

But does it really matter? Whoever is at quarterback, the Red Raiders will throw for a lot of yards and score a bunch of touchdowns against A&M. Don't they always?

Pelini mum on quarterback situation

Nebraska nearly pulled ineffective quarterback Zac Lee during the second half of the Missouri game two weeks ago, but Lee got things going just in time to pull off the rallying win.

Lee, a first-year starter, didn't have that same magic this past weekend and in came freshman Cody Green, who did guide the Cornhuskers to a score in the loss to Tech.

Now head coach Bo Pelini has a full-blown quarterback controversy on his hands. Surprise, he isn't tipping which way he's leaning, either.

"Right now nothing has changed," Pelini said. "If and when the change occurs we'll announce it."

So does that mean the competition is open?

"It's always open," the always short on words coach said. "That's kind of how we always approach it."

That's certainly not helpful information to Paul Rhoads, whose Iowa State Cyclones have the task of preparing for two quarterbacks instead of one this week.

"You have to certainly analyze all their film and study what they've done and build a basic game plan and preparation based on those plays and look long and hard when the different players are there. Did the play go any different? Is there a significance to that?," Rhoads said. "If there is then you have to devise a little bit different play calling scheme.

"You can't over prepare, there just is not enough time, not enough reps in a day or a week. That's where the problem can come up if there is significant difference and the time that goes along with it."

There is also the possibility the Cyclones could face both Lee and Green. Maybe.

"It depends on how it goes," Pelini said. "We're not real big on the rotating quarterback system. It's hard to get a guy in a rhythm. We'll see how it goes and how they practice and how they perform and we'll go from there.

"There are a lot of variables, there is a lot of things that could happen, but it's hard for me to look into a crystal ball and say this will happen for sure."

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Notre Dame receiver Robby Paris (82) is injured on a hit by Southern California's Taylor Mays (2) and Kevin Thomas (15) late in the fourth quarter during a college football game, Saturday, October 17, 2009, in South Bend, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

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    Notre Dame receiver Robby Paris (82) is injured on a hit by Southern California's Taylor Mays (2) and Kevin Thomas (15) late in the fourth quarter during a college football game, Saturday, October 17, 2009, in South Bend, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

    Iowa State quarterback Jerome Tiller dives for extra yardage during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 24-10.

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    Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon, top, dives into the end zone for a touchdown over Middle Tennessee State defenders, from left, Antwan Davis, Danny Carmichael and Cam Robinson, in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Mississippi State won 27-6.

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Camouflage design football cleats are displayed during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    South Carolina's football coach Steve Spurrier holds up a jersey with camouflage designs during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    South Carolina's football coach Steve Spurrier, center, flanked by Sgt. Jeremy Hale, left, and Master Sgt. Pete Lara, both from Fort Jackson, as he holds up a jersey with camouflage designs during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    A UConn Huskies player pats a teammate on the shoulder as the team is called to "play hard in honor of Jasper" by another team member, at the start of practice on the UConn Storrs, Conn., campus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the slaying of Jasper Howard ( 6) over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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Anyiam stepping up in place of Dez Bryant

Oklahoma State has needed someone to step in place of suspended All-American receiver Dez Bryant and so far that person has been sophomore Hubert Anyiam.

During Saturday's win over Missouri, Anyiam put forth a Bryant-like performance with 10 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown to earn Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors on Monday. Anyiam has 16 catches for 223 yards and two scores on the season.

"Hubert has played well for us, he still has a ways to go but he's made catches for us," said OSU coach Mike Gundy. "He's a great example of a young man taking advantage of an opportunity. He hadn't had as many reps when Dez was playing and available to us, but since then he's had to step up and play a considerable amount of reps and done a good job."

As for when Bryant might be reinstated for lying to the NCAA about his friendship with Deion Sanders, Gundy said he still doesn't know. Bryant has been held out of the Cowboys last three games, all wins, but last week he went to Indianapolis to ask for reinstatement. No decision has been made.

Griffin gets a medical redshirt

Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin has been granted a medical redshirt after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last month so he will have three to play upon returning in 2010.

Griffin opted to have surgery to repair his ACL last week, effectively ending his season. Now begins a lengthy rehab, which head coach Art Briles hopes will have him ready to participate some in spring ball.

"I think he is going to depend on how his rehab goes," Briles said. "I think he is going to be able to participate but certainly on a limited basis right now."

Big 12 Notebook: North by North Mess originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Art BrilesArtBrilesBig 12 FootballBig12FootballBill SnyderBillSnyderBo PeliniBoPeliniCody GreenCodyGreencolt mccoyColtMccoyDeion SandersDeionSandersDez BryantDezBryantGary PinkelGaryPinkelJerrod JohnsonJerrodJohnsonMack BrownMackBrownmark manginoMarkManginoMike GundyMike LeachMike ShermanMikeGundyMikeLeachMikeShermanpaul rhoadsPaulRhoadsRobert GriffinRobertGriffinryan tannenhillRyanTannenhillSteven SheffieldStevenSheffieldtaylor pottsTaylorPottsZac LeeZacLeeTerrance HarrisTue, 20 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EST Stoops Silent on Bradford's Futurehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/stoops-silent-on-bradfords-future/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/stoops-silent-on-bradfords-future/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/stoops-silent-on-bradfords-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Whether or not Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford returns to the Sooners this season, or if he has indeed played his last college game, seems to be anybody's guess.

The only thing that was certain Monday is no decision has been made on the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner or his injured right shoulder aside from the fact he will not play in Saturday's game at Kansas. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said during the Big 12 coaches' conference call Monday the medical team was still in the fact-finding mode after Bradford reinjured the shoulder Saturday. He suffered a third-degree sprain of the AC Joint during the season opener.

Other than that, the Oklahoma Sooners coach had little to say about his quarterback's status.

"They will have a lot for the doctors to look at and visit with here in the next day or two," Stoops said. "I'm not going to have anything to say until at least Wednesday."

Bradford was knocked out of Saturday's 16-13 loss to No.3 Texas during the second offensive series of the first quarter when got hit hard on a corner blitz. Some reports Sunday said tests have shown no additional damage to the shoulder, though that is unconfirmed. So far this season, Bradford has played in just one complete game for the 3-3 Sooners.

But Stoops, whose team has also been hit hard with injuries to All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham and star receiver Ryan Broyles, wasn't in any mood Monday to feel sorry for himself or the tough luck the Sooners have had so far this season.
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Oklahoma came into the season as a top three team with an eye toward returning to the BCS national championship season, but after suffering their third overall loss and a key defeat to Big 12 South foe Texas even a fourth straight conference title seems in doubt.

The Sooners have lost the three games by a total of just five points.

"There are challenges, of course. Injuries are still an issue," Stoops said. "But I still feel we obviously played a great football team in Texas the other night and we are there with them toe-to-toe until the end.

"It's easy to see like any other one-point losses, we can be better in a play or two on either side of the ball. In certain circumstances we could be and we have an opportunity to be in a lot better situation. So it isn't like we aren't competing, it isn't like we are out of it. So their confidence level, they see they are not far off in making a play or two to be with these other teams that are ranked really high."

Stoops also cautioned against any notion the 25th-ranked Sooners are out contention for the Big 12 title. The Sooners lost to UT during last year's Red River Rivalry, yet they still ended up representing the South division in the Big 12 championship game after finishing out the remainder of the regular-season schedule undefeated.

Pulling off another similar run might prove difficult against a slate that includes a tough road game this week against No. 24 Kansas followed by back-to-back rival games against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State to end the regular season. Also throw in the uncertainty at quarterback with Bradford's injury and the youth of redshirt freshman Landry Jones and it might be near impossible for the Sooners to duplicate last season.

But Stoops offered his own spin Monday.

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Police vehicles are parked at the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
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    Texas head football coach Mack Brown calls on a questioner during an NCAA football media opportunity Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Austin, Texas. With the Oklahoma Sooners behind them, the Texas Longhorns look ahead to a two-game road swing at Missouri and at No. 14 Oklahoma State. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

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    Texas head football coach Mack Brown speaks during an NCAA football media opportunity Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Austin, Texas. With the Oklahoma Sooners game behind them, the Texas Longhorns look ahead to a two-game road swing at Missouri and at No. 14 Oklahoma State. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

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    Texas senior quarterback Colt McCoy is shown during an NCAA football media opportunity Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Austin, Texas. With the Oklahoma Sooners game behind them, the Texas Longhorns look ahead to a two-game road swing at Missouri and at No. 14 Oklahoma State. McCoy says he'll probably lose his the nail on his bruised right thumb, but the injury won't keep him from playing this week against Missouri. McCoy hurt the thumb on his throwing hand in the second quarter of No. 3 Texas' 16-13 win Saturday over No. 25 Oklahoma. He struggled through one of the worst passing games of his career, completing 21 of 40 for 127 yards with one touchdown and one interception. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

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    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

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    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall speaks during a news conference about the stabbing death of playerJasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, speaks at a news conference about the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard as university president Michael J. Hogan, second from left, Major Ron Blichter of UConn Police, center, UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway, second from right, and player Desi Cullen, right, listen in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    A student walks by yellow tape marking the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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"We've only lost one Big 12 game," he said. "A lot was said going into our game that Texas had won three of the last four matchups of ours, but we have won three of the last four Big 12 championships. So obviously that game isn't the end all. It's what you do through the whole year and a lot can happen in this conference with other teams and other injuries. You've got to keep playing and you never know what can happen by the end of the year."

The Sooners are strong defensively, but a lot will depend on what happens at quarterback. There is a good chance Jones could finish out the remainder of the season as Bradford and his family figures what is best for his full recovery. Jones is 2-1 in starts this season, but the two wins came against the likes of Idaho State and Tulsa.

The competition will be much stiffer the rest of the way.

Stoops Silent on Bradford's Future originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>BCS National ChampionshipBcsNationalChampionshipBob StoopsBobStoopsJermaine GreshamJermaineGreshamLandry JonesLandryJonesOklahoma SoonersOklahomaSoonersRed River RivalryRedRiverRivalryRyan BroylesRyanBroylesSam BradfordSamBradfordTerrance HarrisMon, 19 Oct 2009 19:12:00 EST Gimme a 'T' for Texas and 'T' for Terriblehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/gimme-a-t-for-texas-and-t-for-terrible/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/gimme-a-t-for-texas-and-t-for-terrible/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/gimme-a-t-for-texas-and-t-for-terrible/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Colt McCoyDALLAS -- Colt McCoy did it all with a sore thumb. Colt McCoy also had lost his voice during the week because of a cold. Colt McCoy saved the game with a tackle. A tackle from a quarterback!

This is why headlines and highlights aren't enough. Texas beat Oklahoma 16-13 Saturday to go 6-0 and keep up its run toward the national championship in its System Stinks Redemption Tour.

But when you watch the recap on ESPN and hear the fairy tale of McCoy, keep this in mind:

He wasn't any good.

And Texas? Worse.
More Coverage: Sam Bradford Down, Sooners Are Out

The Longhorns are a long, long way from being a legit national championship team. Sure, the fun and pageantry of the rivalry were great, as always. You walk through the state fair, past signs that say "Welcome to the fried food capital of Texas," where you decide that the diet can handle fried dough better than fried butter. The stadium neatly packs OU fans on one half, Texas on the other, totaling 96,000.

So for history and for personal meaning, this was a big moment.

But the game? Bad.

Texas? Worse.

"We're in the same spot we were this time last year,'' Texas coach Mack Brown said. "We're not going to let the system dictate to us."

Oh god. Brown is still blubbering about last year. Listen, it's true that Texas beat Oklahoma last year. Then, Texas lost to Texas Tech. So OU got to play in the Big 12 title game and then for the national title.

Texas felt it should have gone. So Brown has made a mission of saying that Texas wouldn't allow that to happen again this year. Yes, it's easy to motivate players with shallow stuff like that.

But I'm not sure how Boise State and Utah feel about Texas whining about the system. Texas is going to get a nice, high BCS ranking when the year's first computer numbers come out Sunday, but the team isn't that good.

The system and the voters always favor the big boys, like Texas. At this point, it appears rigged to put this mediocre team without a running game into the title game against the SEC champ.

"We ran for 142 yards,'' Brown said. "The fact that we ran the ball this well is really exciting to me."

OK, fine. Brown said that his team needs to enjoy the win, that the fun of winning big games is taken away because of the system. So we focus on what's wrong and focus on upsets more than joy.

Mack BrownHonestly, that's exactly what I'm doing. Texas can't run the ball, has an average offensive line and a runner-up Heisman Trophy quarterback in McCoy who saved the game because he threw an awful interception with six minutes left, then made a tackle.

Maybe I should be focusing on the good, the win. But what I can't get out of my mind was the way McCoy kept overthrowing people. He completed 21 of 39 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception and fumbled after a long run.

And this Oklahoma team is a shell of its old self. It has a fast, good defense, but lost a bunch of players from last year's team, and has only one player on offense:

Quarterback Sam Bradford, the Heisman winner from last year. Bradford has missed time this year with a separated shoulder, and was knocked out of Saturday's game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury, too.

Best guess: He's done for the year. And if he wants to have an NFL career, he had better come back to OU next year for his senior season.

His stock has crashed this year.

But the point is, Texas barely won, looked bad doing it, and beat a shaky team without its one good offensive player. So do you take joy in beating Oklahoma, Texas fans, and going to 6-0? Or do you worry about the bigger picture?

Or both?

"The good thing,'' McCoy said, "is we know we haven't played up to our potential. It might be scary if we start playing really well.''

This is a process. Give the Longhorns that. But they struggled for a half last week against lowly Colorado, and this OU team, 3-3, is the best team they've beaten.

Receiver Marquise Goodwin, still in the development stages, made some great catches and has amazing, Olympics-like speed. Brown said he'll be good this year.

McCoy had success with the QB draw, something Brown had held back until the big game. Fozzy Whittaker did have a couple of nice runs.

But the stars on offense are supposed to be receiver Jordan Shipley and McCoy. We heard all week about how great Shipley is, how he might actually deserve Heisman consideration.

He caught four passes for 22 yards. Total. And he dropped a punt return, not recovering it until field position was lost.

And McCoy's interception late, when Texas should have been putting the game away, was ugly. Brown said it was a miscommunication with the receiver. But OU defensive back Dominique Franks said he knew the pass would be intercepted before it was thrown.

Franks said that OU had studied film, and knew right where McCoy was going to throw even before he did. Brian Jackson made the interception.

McCoy saved the day on a tackle we'll surely see on highlights as a sign of his greatness.

"It's a game you try to win,'' Brown said. "You don't try to blow out.''

The system, the thumb, progress and no desire to win by blowout.

And I thought Texas simply looked bad. But the coaches poll already has these guys No. 2 in the country. And when the computer comes out Sunday, look for this lousy system to show the Longhorns even more love.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

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Texas cornerback Aaron Williams (4) goes up high to intercept a pass intended for Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles (85) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Dallas. Texas won 16-13. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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    Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis (19) celebrates with teammates center John Fairbanks, left, and tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) after kicking the game-winning field goal to beat Arkansas 23-20 in an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Gimme a 'T' for Texas and 'T' for Terrible originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>colt mccoymack brownGreg CouchSat, 17 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST Bradford Down, Sooners Are Outhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/bradford-down-sooners-are-out/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/bradford-down-sooners-are-out/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/bradford-down-sooners-are-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,


DALLAS -- The play and the driving hit on a blitz from a Texas cornerback that left Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford squirming on the ground seemed eerily familiar Saturday afternoon at the Cotton Bowl.

Just a week after Bradford returned from a four-week rehab stint after suffering a third-degree AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder, he re-injured that same shoulder again early in the first quarter and did not return during the 20th-ranked Sooners' 16-13 loss to No.3 Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry.

Like the season-opening BYU game, Bradford got drilled on a blitz. This time, UT corner Aaron Williams came through full speed and untouched to drive the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner to the surface during the Sooners' second offensive series of the game.

Suddenly, the redshirt junior's college career is in question, as is his presumed multi-million dollar professional career. This certainly isn't what Bradford had in mind when he turned down the chance to be a first-round NFL draft pick last winter to return to school.

"It's extremely frustrating, obviously the way the season has gone for me," said Bradford, who was held out of three non-conference games before returning last week against Baylor. "You miss three games and then to come out and start this one and we're right where we started again.

"It's pretty hard to put into words the frustration that I feel right now."

"It's pretty hard to put into words the frustration that I feel right now."
- Sam Bradford
 But how Bradford and the reeling Sooners go forward from here was the million dollar question that no one seemed to have an answer for following their third loss of the season. Is Bradford's college career, or at least his junior season, over? Will he opt for surgery to repair the shoulder? What's the plan going forward?

There are many unknowns. About the only certainty is that the shoulder that was injured Saturday is the same one that shelved him in the first half of the Sept. 5 loss to the Cougars.

"It felt pretty much like it did at BYU," said Bradford, who completed 2-of-6 passes for 77 yards before spending the remainder of the game watching from the sideline. "I really don't know the outlook from here. Obviously I have to talk to the doctors and find out exactly what's wrong with it."

The major concern is whether or not Bradford returned too early from the initial injury. His prognosis for recovery was originally four-to-six weeks but he received clearance to return to the team after missing just two games and three weeks of rehab.

Bradford practiced with the team the week leading up to the Miami game but the plan to return against the Hurricanes was scrapped when his arm went dead about midweek. He received the go-ahead last week for the Big 12 opener, seven days prior to Saturday's mega showdown with the Longhorns.

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Perhaps sensing the fallout and the possible implications for his NFL prospects, OU coach Bob Stoops said he understood the question about whether or not Bradford was ready. But he ultimately said the decision came down Bradford's medical doctors, the team doctors, along with Bradford and his family.

"That's going to be there," Stoops said of questions about if Bradford may have come back too soon. "Sam had a great week of practice, he threw the ball. I saw him throw a 60-yard yard pass as pretty to finish up a warmup as I've seen him throw.

"That's fair to say, so no I'm not sitting here complaining because he is hurt again. But in the end we were going with good information from doctors. He understood the entire situation. Sam is a bright, bright young guy. He knows what he wants. Unfortunately, it just hasn't worked out very well."

When asked if he thought Bradford came back too soon, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson also indicated the coaching staff relied on Bradford and the doctors to make that decision. Wilson said he had full confidence redshirt freshman Landry Jones could go in and get the job done, even against Texas, if Bradford wasn't ready to go.

"I don't think if he didn't physically feel well that he would have done it," Wilson said. "Our deal was if he was going, he's going. If not, the other guy was going to play pretty good. So again, it didn't really change with Landry. Our deal as coaches was if he is in, great. If not, we feel really good about Landry.

"So it wasn't an issue for us of `We've got to have you, this is a big game.' Everybody made a big deal a couple weeks ago that you need to play him before this game. I don't know. If he is ready, he can play."

Just as the Sooners had done in the two previous losses without Bradford, they were positioned to win Saturday. Despite five turnovers, Oklahoma (3-3, 1-1 Big 12) wasn't completed knocked out until Jones threw an interception into double coverage on the final drive. The Longhorns were able to run out the clock.

So as bleak as the season may seem for Bradford and the Sooners, Wilson said all isn't necessarily lost at this point.

"We are five points or a play or two from sitting here at 6-0 and thinking we are pretty doggone good," Wilson said. "We played a good team today, committed five turnovers and lose by three. Let's make a play, let's make a drive, finish a drive, let's get a better play called, let's make a competitive play, let's make a play and win a game. That's what we are not doing as a team offensively."

Stoops had praise for Landry, who finished the day completing 24-of-43 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

"He did a really good job," said Stoops, whose team travels to Kansas next week "He made a couple bad choices but that's part of learning as a quarterback, part of maturing as a quarterback. He's got a great attitude."

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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) sprints into the open field for extra yardage on a quarterback keeper play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Bradford Down, Sooners Are Out originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bob StoopsBobStoopsLandry JonesLandryJonesSam BradfordSamBradfordTerrance HarrisSat, 17 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST FanHouse Week 7 College Football Chathttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/fanhouse-week-7-college-football-chat/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/fanhouse-week-7-college-football-chat/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/fanhouse-week-7-college-football-chat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Red. River. Rivalry. USC against Notre Dame. National title implications and plain old rivalry are at work in this great weekend for college football. Four of the game's biggest lightning rods headline the first two shifts. Oklahoma limps in but has a chance to regain its form in the face of recent losses to Texas and scuttle the Longhorns' championship dreams. Notre Dame's just looking for a big win, any big win, and what better trophy than rival USC which broke their heart in 2005 with the Bush Push?

There's other football to be played and to be discussed so please join us for FanHouse's college football chat. It'll commence at 3 PM Eastern while the Red River Rivalry is wrapping up. Chat application after the jump.

FanHouse Week 7 College Football Chat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brian GrummellSat, 17 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford Hurt Againhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/sam-bradford-hurt-again/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/sam-bradford-hurt-again/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/sam-bradford-hurt-again/#commentsFiled under:

DALLAS -- Sam Bradford is hurt again.

Six weeks after he injured his shoulder against BYU, Bradford is on the sideline of another big game in the Dallas area after the Heisman-winning quarterback went down early in the first quarter of Saturday's Red River Rivalry game against Texas.

Cornerback Aaron Williams came untouched at Bradford and drove his right (throwing) shoulder into the turf again, a near repeat of the way Bradford injured his shoulder against BYU at Cowboys Stadium.

Bradford completed 2-of-6 passes for 77 yards before he was injured. Backup Landry Jones, who started during Bradford's three-game absence from the previous injury, took over.

According to ABC's Lisa Salters, Bradford underwent x-rays at halftime.

While the immediate and distant future of Bradford is uncertain, Jones has at least done a decent job of steadying the ship in the first half. He has guided the Sooners on one field goal drive as OU clings to a 6-3 lead at halftime.

Jones has completed 12-of-23 passes for 130 yards. His only fault so far is not being able to punch it into the end zone during the first two quarters.

Bradford, meanwhile, remained on the sidelines throughout the first half but was ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game. Certainly the questions will center around Bradford's return, and whether or not he should return at all. Obviously, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner came back too soon from the AC joint shoulder injury that forced him to miss three games earlier in the year. The hit by Williams was the first true test of how ready the shoulder was.

Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford Hurt Again originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>sam bradfordTerrance HarrisSat, 17 Oct 2009 12:25:00 EST Texas-OU Game 2009: Red River Rivalry Live Tweethttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/texas-ou-game-2009-red-river-rivalry-live-tweet/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/texas-ou-game-2009-red-river-rivalry-live-tweet/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/texas-ou-game-2009-red-river-rivalry-live-tweet/#commentsFiled under: ,

The 2009 Texas-Oklahoma football game isn't quite the monster game it has been in recent years, thanks to Oklahoma's early struggles. But the game at the Cotton Bowl is still the big game of the day in college football, and we'll be tweeting about it all day.

We'll also have commentary on all the other college football games of the day, including USC vs. Notre Dame, Iowa vs. Wisconsin South Carolina vs. Alabama and Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech. To get live updates, follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

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Texas-OU Game 2009: Red River Rivalry Live Tweet originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Michael David SmithSat, 17 Oct 2009 12:01:00 EST Colt McCoy: Game Not About Revengehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/colt-mccoy-game-not-about-revenge/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/colt-mccoy-game-not-about-revenge/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/colt-mccoy-game-not-about-revenge/#commentsFiled under: , ,

DALLAS -- University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy says revenge will be the furthest thing from his mind Saturday when third-ranked Longhorns take on No.20 Oklahoma in the anticipated Red River Rivalry here at the Cotton Bowl.

But you'd better believe the Longhorns are still upset from last season when they beat Oklahoma by 10 points on a neutral field and finished the season in a 7-1 three-way tie with the Sooners and Texas Tech. Yet it was Oklahoma that represented the Big 12 South in the conference title game and subsequently advanced to the BCS national title.

The Big 12 tiebreaker rules sent Oklahoma to the Big 12 championship game despite the fact the Sooners lost to Texas in head-to-head competition. The Sooners advanced by virtue of having a slightly better BCS ranking than the Longhorns, who had the misfortune of suffering their only loss of the season late in the year to Tech. OU, meanwhile, didn't lose again in the regular season.

The fact that Oklahoma played in the Big 12 championship game and the BCS national title game against Florida was a bitter pill to swallow and left UT coach Mack Brown vowing to not vote in the coaches poll.

But a year later, UT (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) the higher ranked team and the squad with the most at stake. A win this afternoon would give the Longhorns a leg up in the Big 12 South race and would keep them in step for the BCS national title game bid. The Sooners (3-2, 1-0), meanwhile, come into the game likely out of national title picture but still has a chance to win their fourth straight South division championship.

OU has has been hindered by injuries this preseason, including Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford, who was sidelined for three games with a AC Joint sprain. He returned to the lineup for the first time since the season opener during last week's win over Baylor.

The Sooners are also expected to get receiver Ryan Broyles back in the lineup today after he suffered what was thought to be a serious collarbone injury a few weeks ago against Miami. Having him back on the field should be a huge boost to the Sooners.


FIRST QUARTER

It didn't take long for the fireworks to start in this one. Sam Bradford middle screen pass to running back DeMarco Murray turned into a 64-yard gain to the the UT 9. Several Longhorns missed tackles as Murray raced down field. But the Longhorns avoided complete disaster when the Sooners had to settle for a 26-yard field goal after the drive stalled at the OU 9.

****************

Sam Bradford gets sacked and appears to have injured the same shoulder that caused him to miss three games. Aaron Williams came in untouched on a corner blitz and smashed Bradford on the Sooners second drive of the game. Landry Jones enters the game.

SECOND QUARTER

Defense is definitely carrying the day so far on both sides of the football. But somehow the Longhorns have to get their running game in gear. They had just six yards on the ground in the first quarter.
*****************
How many times have we wondered what are the Longhorns thinking when a they complete three-yard passes on third-and-forever? Well now we see. Colt McCoy dropped back for what looked like a deep pass only to suddenly see three OU defenders in face on an all-out blitz. The result was was a 15-yard loss on the sack.
*************

For all the talk about what may be wrong with Texas' offense, perhaps the performance of the OU defense is being overlooked. The Sooners are owning the line of scrimmage and seem to have QB Colt McCoy on edge with some all out blitz packages coming from every direction. McCoy has thrown hard and high to receivers in critical situations and almost doesn't stand a chance on third downs. Credit a strong Sooners defense, which is pitching a 6-0 shutout near the halfway point of the second quarter.

**************

There was a lot that went into this last possession. Did Franks touch the punt going out of bounds and was that a touchdown for Texas' Malcolm Williams? Well, it turns out the rulling was Franks muffed the punt and UT got the ball on the OU 18. The end result was a 42-yard field goal by Hunter Lawrence that pulled UT within 6-3 with 3:42 remaining in the half.

*****************

In perhaps one of the most bizarre halves of the OU-UT series, neither team was able to read the end zone despite great field positioning for both. OU went into halftime leading 6-3 but with tons of questioning after it appears Bradford is done for the day and perhaps his college career.

But the Sooners haven't felt the pressure because UT quarterback Colt McCoy has been erratic and the Longhorns running game has been a non-factor.

The highlight on both sides have been opportunistic defensive play.

THIRD QUARTER

It took the Longhorns nearly 30 minutes to score their first three points in the first half, but wasn't the case to start the third quarter. UT marched down the field on a couple nice throws by McCoy and a nice run by Fozzy Whittaker to position Lawrence for a 42-yard field goal that tied the game 6-6 with 12:29 remaining in the quarter.

***************

Okay, for the Longhorns it's two possessions and two scores. This time, however, Texas scores the first touchdown of the game when McCoy hits receiver Marquise Goodwin on a slant for a 14-yard touchdown that put the Longhorns up 13-6 with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.

****************

It didn't take long for the Sooners tor respond to UT's first touchdown of the game with a touchdown of their own. Landry Jones hits Ryan Broyles for a 35-yard touchdown pass that tied the game 13-13 with 4:39 left in the third. Oklahoma's touchdown was aided by a costly roughing the passer penalty on the UT defense during the drive.


FOURTH QUARTER

You can't really call this a shootout, but both offenses are finally moving the ball. The Longhorns have particularly impressive, especially running the ball with Whittaker. UT just took a 16-13 lead on a 32-yard field goal by Lawrence with 12:08 remaining, marking the Longhorns third scoring drive of the half.

Colt McCoy: Game Not About Revenge originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Colt McCoyColtMccoyMack BrownMackBrownTerrance HarrisSat, 17 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST It Gets Late Too Early at Red Riverhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/it-gets-late-too-early-at-red-river/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/it-gets-late-too-early-at-red-river/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/it-gets-late-too-early-at-red-river/#commentsFiled under: ,

Come Saturday morning, Oklahoma and Texas fans are going to be united for the briefest moment before they commence their annual hatefest. Bleary eyed, potentially still drunk, they'll all be cursing when their alarms go off shortly after dawn. For a few hours, being clad in red or burnt orange or crimson doesn't matter, every fan is going to be thinking: How in the hell do I have to set an alarm to get up in time to watch Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford lock and load against one another for the third consecutive year?

Yep, the biggest game of the Big 12 season kicks off shortly after dawn, at 11 local time in Dallas. If you've ever questioned what the Big 12's television status is, the morning kickoff for Texas-Oklahoma, the biggest game with the greatest national title implications in the country this Saturday, proves the Big 12 has no cachet. And that should make you steaming mad no matter where you reside in Big 12 country.

Why?

Because recruits are driven to make their decision by the perception of the conference. Even if a recruit doesn't get an offer from Texas or Oklahoma, another Big 12 school's connection to these programs is valuable. A Big 12 coach may not be able to sell playing in the Red River Rivalry, but he can sell playing against those schools. And in this day and age, when perception of conference strength matters so much and the neighboring SEC is on every channel, you need to put your best cleat forward. And make no mistake about it, the Big 12's best cleat is Oklahoma-Texas.

Every year, there are idiotic scheduling decisions in college football, but Texas-Oklahoma as a consistently early kickoff makes zero sense to me (The game has swung from noon ET to 3:30 ET in recent years). In general I'm opposed to early kickoffs for college games featuring Southern teams because the weather is so good most of the season that the culture, the pageantry, the experience of college football should be paramount. My opposition to early kickoffs down South is one strong reason why I've ripped Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial/Raycom in the past for their games. But at least those games weren't the most desirable of the day in conference, typically those were the least entertaining matchups of the weekend.

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What's more, typically the only games that kickoff at noon ET are Big Ten or Big East games. I don't think it makes a ton of sense, for instance, that four Big Ten games kickoff at the exact same time this weekend, but I can appreciate that's a tradition of sorts. And, at the very least, that's typically an hour later in local time. But Texas-Oklahoma at 11? That's a crime against football humanity.

Especially for Texas, who is seeking to prove that they're a national title contender. You think very many people on the West Coast are going to be tuning in at 9AM to see how Texas matches up with a bitter rival? How about potential recruits, teenagers, all over the country? How many of those guys are even going to be awake? Even more ominous, how many big college football fans are going to flip around stations with their remote on Saturday afternoon only to find out that they've missed most of Texas Oklahoma?

All because the Big 12 has a really crappy television contract. And it ain't getting better. Their deal with ESPN/ABC runs through 2016. At a minimum, you'd think the biggest game of the season in the Big 12 would be in primetime. You'd think that, but you'd be wrong.

That's despite the fact that the top-rated games in college football this season are all night games on broadcast television. None of that matters, Texas and Oklahoma will end closer to dawn on Saturday than the witching hour on Sunday. Inexplicably, ABC doesn't have a night game this week. Even more inexplicably, rather than, at a minimum, show the entire nation Texas-Oklahoma in the afternoon, they've elected to split regional coverage and squeeze this game in early, before the regional games kick off. What games are we able to see at 3:30 in our respective wings of the country? Minnesota at Penn State, Texas Tech at Nebraska, Cal at UCLA, and, wait for it, N.C. State at Boston College.

Seriously, that's what we've got instead? Do you really think the regional television audience for Boston College-N.C. State is higher than what the network would draw if they showed a really colorful aquarium instead?

It's nonsensical that Texas and Oklahoma are letting this happen and even more nonsensical for the Big 12 to permit this game to be played outside of primetime. And if this is a restriction instituted by the Texas State Fair, don't you think it's high time that Texas and Oklahoma both gave the Heisman to the state fair officials? Who even goes to the state fair anywhere except for pregnant 13 year old's and their GED-pursuing Romeos? At a time when the SEC is selling every program to the nation, the Big 12 can't even sell its best game to the nation when most people will see it.

Again.

You don't think the Big 12's television contract as compared to the SEC's has something to do with Alabama passing Texas in the polls? Granted there's a strong argument that Alabama has played the best in the country so far, but, guess what, every pollster in the country has been watching Alabama play all season. Texas? Outside of their primetime game against Texas Tech, no one has seen this team play this year. The only possible benefit to either team is that Big Game Bob Stoops might convince his team to play loose since it's so early in the day it can't actually be an important tilt.

An unscientific poll of Texas and Oklahoma fans claims that one reason this game kicks off early is a desire to limit the excessive drinking. If so, that's an incredibly dumb rationale. It snatches away the revenue from bars and restaurants in the city of Dallas, discourages overnight stays, probably contributes to drunken driving by ending so early that everyone, regardless of inebriation, tries to get back home, and strips away the pomp and circumstance from one of America's best rivalries.

It's over so early that no one even knew it was coming. So early that, shudder, I'm always afraid the Texas pom squad will forget their chaps. Texas governor Rick Perry should take this under consideration and threaten secession.

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike
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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: ESPN commentator Erin Andrews interviews coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats after play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Brian Kelly;Erin Andrews

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats talks with injured quarterback Tony Pike #15 during play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Coach Brian Kelly of the Cincinnati Bearcats directs play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Kelly

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: A cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Safety Drew Frey #26 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates an interception against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Drew Frey

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a 70-yard touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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In the event the Big 12 accepts the early kickoff so they can get a second Big 12 game on regional coverage, shame on them. One game in primetime between two powers is more valuable than a morning kickoff followed by a regional afternoon game. Plus, it devalues the experience for the fans who are putting their money, time, and travel on the line to see the game in person. I defy you to find someone under the age of 80 who wouldn't prefer that Texas Oklahoma took place later in the day. So fans of both teams could savor their Friday night, enjoy the build-up, instead of looking down at their watches at 9PM and doing the math to figure out how many hours of sleep they can get by on?

It Gets Late Too Early at Red River originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Clay TravisFri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST McCoy, Bradford Friendship Bridges Tense Red River Rivalryhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/mccoy-bradford-find-friendship-in-rivalry/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/mccoy-bradford-find-friendship-in-rivalry/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/mccoy-bradford-find-friendship-in-rivalry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


DALLAS -- Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford's emotions were sprawled all over the place on the night of Sept. 5 as uncertainty about his injured shoulder weighed on him, when a text message of inspiration popped onto his cell phone.

"I'm praying for you and I hope you can get back as soon as possible."
More Coverage: Red River Too Early | Big 12 Notebook
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Under most circumstances this would be wholly unspectacular, a friend reaching out with support and a few words of inspiration.

But what made this message special was that it came from a friend. And a rival. It came from Texas senior quarterback Colt McCoy.

Texas and Oklahoma football players normally don't inspire each. They live to cause each other despair. But for the Heisman-winning signal-caller and the Heisman runner-up, a little rivalry -- OK, a massive rivalry -- can't come between their friendship.

"Colt's a great guy," said Bradford, a junior. "Him sending me a text message after I got hurt telling me he was praying for me and to stay with it and keep my head up just says a lot about the type of guy he is.

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"I think a lot of people seeing us going to rival schools probably wouldn't have done that. For him to do something like that and to keep encouraging me says a lot about who he is."

Bigger than that, it says something about the most unlikely friendship that has been formed these last several months between McCoy and Bradford, one that surely transcends the rivalry that will be renewed during the annual Red River Rivalry Saturday morning at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Making the postseason awards circuit last December, the two quarterbacks who had worked hard to beat each other the previous two seasons figured out they had far more in common than they had difference. They were two small town boys, who had played every sport in high school and were now the two most popular people at their respective state flagship schools.

They both have become college football legends at their respective state flagship schools as well, and both made the unpopular decision last offseason to bypass NFL riches as high draft choices to return to school.

"We've kind of grown up the same way," McCoy said. "So we do have some things in common."

The two talked frequently during the summer, and while the conversations have been limited to primarily text messaging during the season, the two still find reasons and ways to reach out to each other.

Their relationship and the oddity of it will be the subject of conversation and in-depth interviews in the days leading up to Saturday's showdown.

"Even though it might be unpopular for some fans and some players, the fact that Colt and Sam Bradford have tremendous respect for each other and like each other and are friends and can laugh and still compete on Saturday," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "They can go into the game not angry and putting down the other team and all that is a great message for sportsmanship."

McCoy stayed in contact with Bradford as the Oklahoma quarterback went through a trying rehabilitation after spraining the AC joint in his right shoulder during the Sept. 5 season opener against BYU. Bradford missed three games and four weeks away before returning to action during last Saturday's Big 12 opener against Baylor.

McCoy, who battled through some injuries early in career, empathized with what Bradford went through.

"He's such a competitor, such a leader and to know something is [preventing] you from being able to play, that's a hard pill to swallow," said McCoy, a four-year starter for the Longhorns. "I know how hard he's worked to get back out on the field. I'm definitely happy for him."

But both quarterbacks agree that their friendship is one thing. This game and the rivalry are another. Like most years, the Red River Rivalry carries great implications for both programs. The third-ranked Longhorns (5-0) are looking to unseat the three-time Big 12 South champion Sooners, while also staying on track for a bid for the BCS national championship.

No. 2 Oklahoma, which has lost two games in non-conference, might be out of the national title picture but the South division championship and a BCS bowl berth are within reach with a win Saturday.

So it's to see how friendships will have to take a backseat come Saturday's 11AM CT neutral site kickoff.

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike
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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: ESPN commentator Erin Andrews interviews coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats after play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Brian Kelly;Erin Andrews

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats talks with injured quarterback Tony Pike #15 during play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Coach Brian Kelly of the Cincinnati Bearcats directs play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Kelly

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: A cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Safety Drew Frey #26 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates an interception against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Drew Frey

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a 70-yard touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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"It is a big game, but I think from a fans' perspective and people outside of the game think that it's crazy that I can be friends with Sam or that Sam could be friends with me," said McCoy, who is 2-1 in the Red River Rivalry game. "But we are and he's a great guy and we have a lot in common, but we both understand this is a huge game. We are going to go out there and play the best we can.

"We know what we have to do to go out there and win. We understand we have to go out there and compete and play hard and be the best for our team. We have a good friendship."

McCoy, Bradford Friendship Bridges Tense Red River Rivalry originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>colt mccoyColtMccoyMack BrownMackBrownRed River RivalryRedRiverRivalrySam BradfordSamBradfordTerrance HarrisFri, 16 Oct 2009 11:53:00 EST Midweek College Football Chathttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/midweek-college-football-chat/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/midweek-college-football-chat/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/midweek-college-football-chat/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rivalry weekend doesn't usually happen until late November, but certain rivalries can clear that hurdle and give us a midseason treat. That time is now, with the annual Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma and the greatest intersectional (and lately, the only one) of them all, USC at Notre Dame just in time for the boys from California to avoid that wintery weather stuff most of the country suffers through.

Point is, we're excited. Sure, there's other football but on Saturday these games are like the disproportionately hot girls in the room drawing in the boys. They've sure got nice assets. What? How can you not look longingly at those combined 21 Heisman Trophies. Or the combined 3,233 wins. So uh, lets talk about it. The FanHouse Midweek College Football Chat commences today at 2 PM Eastern. Be there. Chat application after the jump.

Midweek College Football Chat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brian GrummellThu, 15 Oct 2009 11:24:00 EST Big 12 Notebook: As Usual, Red River Rivalry Is More Than a Gamehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/big-12-notebook-red-river-runs-through-it/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/big-12-notebook-red-river-runs-through-it/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/big-12-notebook-red-river-runs-through-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sam Bradford, Colt McCoyIt's not like Texas and Oklahoma ever needed a reason to make their annual Red River Rivalry game in Dallas any more intense.

The tradition of the two programs, the bordering states and the fight for superiority in fertile recruiting ground of Texas use to be enough. Who knew this early season game would take on so much more meaning when both teams joined the Big 12 in 1996?

This game has become about so much more than school pride and bragging rights, as one of these two teams has won the South each of the last 10 years, and it has sometimes set the stage for the national championship picture.

"It's a definite highlight, how could it not be?" OU coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. "It's a definite highlight, a definite challenge and all of that.

"But it's not unlike anyone else. If you are in a good league, you are going to play against teams where you've got your hurdles, your challenges throughout the year. You embrace them and you go play them."

Saturday's game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, like so many of the past 10 years, will have huge Big 12 South implications. Oklahoma and Texas, the only South division champs since 1999, were both picked as the co-Big 12 South champs in the preseason media.

The Longhorns, undefeated (5-0) and ranked third in the country, not only have Big 12 implications riding on this but are trying to keep pace with Florida and Alabama for a shot at the BCS national championship. The 20th-ranked Sooners (3-2), who have been injury plagued all season, are probably out of the national title picture, but they still have their sights on a fourth straight Big 12 championship.

Giving this game an even more interesting twist is the fact UT actually defeated Oklahoma by 10 points in this game last season, but it was the Sooners who advanced to the Big 12 championship game and also into the national title game following a controversial three-way tiebreaker decision that sent 7-1 Oklahoma to the conference championship game and left 7-1 UT and Texas Tech home to watch.

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"It's a conference game, and I think if you ask both teams, it's crucial," said UT senior quarterback Colt McCoy, who comes into Saturday's game 2-1 against the Sooners. "For us, we can't look at their record and the things that have gone on in the first five games of the season. We have to understand that it doesn't matter who we're playing, we're going to get their best shot. This game is the most important game for us this season."

On the surface, this will be billed as a matchup of two Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterbacks who happen to be good friends in OU's Sam Bradford and McCoy. Last season, Bradford won the prestigious award and McCoy finished second. This season, McCoy could have the edge right now just by virtue he has been healthy and Bradford just returned last week from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss two complete games.

But underneath it all, this should play out as a classic matchup of two outstanding defenses.

The Longhorns, led by defensive end Sergio Kindle and linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, rank fourth in the nation in overall defense after allowing teams an average of 233.0 yards per game. Against a much tougher slate, Oklahoma's defense is allowing 256.00 yards per game and has given up just six touchdowns to rank ninth in country in overall defense.

"We have the two best defenses in the country," said UT coach Mack Brown, whose team slipped from No.2 to No.3 this week in the AP poll. "It will be really fun to watch the two defenses play because they play well every week."

But for everyone on both sides, it will be fun just because it's Texas vs. Oklahoma.

"This game is one of the reasons why you come to Texas," said UT guard Charlie Tanner. "I grew up watching the Texas vs. OU game. Going to the Cotton Bowl is one of the most awesome games of college football. You got half the stadium crimson, half the stadium orange and coming out of that tunnel is everything you could want in a college football game."


Todd Reesing for Heisman?

Kansas coach Mark Mangino, as a practice, doesn't campaign for his players to win national awards like the Heisman Trophy.

So that might explain why his trumpeting senior quarterback Todd Reesing for the Heisman Trophy on Monday seemed a little odd and ill-timed.

"We've only played five games, but I believe, this is an opinion, he certainly merits the right to be a part of the Heisman conversation," Mangino said during Monday's Big 12 football media call. "When you look at him statistically you are impressed.

"But I think the true way you judge Todd Reesing is you have to see him play. If you watch him play, the way he just has great leadership, he's in control, how he can take what looks to be a minus-yardage play and turn it into a gain or big gain. The real appreciation is after you watch him play. It's not fair just to look at his statistics."

There is no doubt Reesing is an exciting player. The 5-foot-11 quarterback certainly makes the 17th-ranked Jayhawks fun to watch as he dodges tackles, squares his shoulders and heaves the football down field to either Dezmon Briscoe or Kerry Meier.

But is he Heisman Trophy worthy? The numbers and the competition to this point just don't seem to support such an assertion.

Reesing ranks third in the Big 12 in total offense with 1,680 yards in five games, he's second in the league in passing per game (315.8), passing efficiency (157.6) and passing yards (1,579). He has completed 133 of 192 passes while throwing for 13 touchdowns and three interceptions while guiding the Jayhawks to a 5-0 record so far.

All of this fancy work has come against a slate of Northern Colorado, UTEP, Duke, Southern Miss and Iowa State. Let's talk Heisman after these next six weeks when Reesing will have matchup against the likes of Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Texas and Missouri.

Praise for Suh

Coming into the season, there probably wasn't a more hyped defensive lineman in the country than Nebraska senior tackle Ndamukong Suh.

All indication were after the way he ended last season that he could be the best to ever come through Nebraska. Six games into his final season in Lincoln, Suh is appearing to be worth the hype and then some.

At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, he has been doing it all for the Cornhuskers: rushing the passer, stopping the run, dropping back into passing lands and yes intercepting passes.

Suh was the defensive catalyst in the Cornhuskers come-from-behind 27-12 win at Missouri last Thursday night. He not only had six tackles, a forced fumble, a sack and a pass deflection, but his fourth quarter interception changed the game. Nebraska was trailing 12-7 when he got his hands on a Blaine Gabbert pass near the line scrimmage. That pick led to the go ahead touchdown for the Cornhuskers.

"That's pretty special when a guy like that can make those kind of plays and create turnovers," said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

He will get no argument for Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, who watched his team try to do everything it could within the rules to neutralize Suh. Nothing seemed to work as Suh put up numbers worthy of him being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

In the type of production normally seen from linebackers and safeties, Suh leads Nebraska in tackles (32). The preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is the top tackling defensive lineman in the conference where is tied with Oklahoma defensive back Quinton Carter for 22nd with 6.4 tackles per game.

"I think he's a great player," Pinkel said. "You can double team a player every single (down). We played him year ago and I thought he was a good player then. We played him earlier in the season a year ago, by the end he was first team All-Big 12.

"The things he does, the numbers he puts up at that position, at that size, he's a very dominant player. As he's done with everyone else he's played, he caused us a lot of problems."

Oklahoma' Red Zone Problems

The Sooners knew they would miss All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham when he went down with a season-ending knee injury before the season began.

But they didn't know it would be this much. Gresham had been one of Bradford's primary targets in the red zone the past couple seasons, but without his presence the Sooners touchdown success has plummeted.

Last week alone, Oklahoma made seven trips into the red zone and had to settle for four field goals and just two touchdowns as receivers had major drop problems in the win over Baylor.

The success rate is even more troubling when you consider that in two one-point defeats to BYU and Miami, the Sooners made eight combined trips inside of the red zone and came away with just three touchdowns. That could be the major difference in them being 5-0 instead of 3-2.

While Stoops admits the offense misses Gresham, he says the problems in the red zone have been far more complex than just one missing player.

"Sometimes it's blocking, it's just executing the run game a little bit better, sometimes it's being able to work offensive coverage and sometimes we've had some drops, as well," he said. "It doesn't take much when you are down there for that to happen."

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In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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    ** RECROPPED VERSION ** Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno smiles during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

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    Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno addresses the media during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

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    Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno enters his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

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    In this photo taken Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, Texas senior quarterback Colt McCoy is shown before his team's 38-14 win in an NCAA college football game against Colorado in Austin, Texas. Texas, ranked No.3, is set to play No. 20 Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

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    In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

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Quick Hits

Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin elected to have surgery to repair his torn ACL, effectively ending his sophomore season. Griffin, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2008, should be back in time to begin the season in 2010...Stoops said receiver Ryan Broyles could return to the lineup as early as this week after being projected to be out four-to-six weeks with a shoulder injury ... Texas A&M receiver Jeff Fuller has began practicing with the team after suffering a cracked right fibula in the Aggies second game of the season on Sept. 19 ... Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Kendall Hunter, the Big 12 leading rusher in 2008, has began practicing with the team after missing the last couple games with ankle injury. It's not certain if Hunter will be back the lineup for Saturday's home game against Missouri...In addition to Suh, Texas Tech quarterback Steven Sheffield earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for seven touchdowns against Kansas State in his first start. Texas receiver/punt returner Jordan Shipley was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter Saturday in the win over Colorado.

Big 12 Notebook: As Usual, Red River Rivalry Is More Than a Game originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bob StoopsBobStoopscolt mccoyColtMccoydezmon briscoeDezmonBriscoeGary PinkelGaryPinkelJermaine GreshamJermaineGreshamJordan ShipleyJordanShipleyKendall HunterKendallHunterkerry meierKerryMeierMack BrownMackBrownmark manginoMarkManginoMike GundyMikeGundyndamukong suhNdamukongSuhRed River RivalryRedRiverRivalryRobert GriffinRobertGriffinRoddrick MuckelroyRoddrickMuckelroyRyan BroylesRyanBroylesSam BradfordSamBradfordSergio KindleSergioKindleSteven SheffieldStevenSheffieldTodd ReesingToddReesingTerrance HarrisTue, 13 Oct 2009 19:33:00 EST Big 12 Weekend in Review: Career Days For Kansas Triohttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/big-12-weekend-in-review-career-days-for-kansas-trio/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/big-12-weekend-in-review-career-days-for-kansas-trio/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/11/big-12-weekend-in-review-career-days-for-kansas-trio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We all knew the Kansas Jayhawks offense had a chance to be lethal this season with quarterback Todd Reesing and wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier setting the pace.

Well, the trio took it to a ridiculous level Saturday as the receivers bested each other during the Jayhawks' 41-31 win over Iowa State. First Briscoe set the school record for career receptions, then Meier jumped ahead of him. Meier, a converted quarterback, has 167 career catches while Briscoe sits at 165 after making 12 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.

Meier also established a new school record with 16 catches in a game, while gaining 142 yards and scoring two receiving touchdowns.

And not to be overlooked were Reesing's career-high 442 yards and four passing touchdowns on the day.

--Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson established a new Big 12 mark by extending his streak of consecutive passes without an interception to 228 during Saturday's 36-31 loss to Oklahoma State.

Ships-A-Hoy!

Texas' Super-Duper senior Jordan Shipley had a monster game during the No. 2 Longhorns' 38-14 victory over Colorado on Saturday.

Shipley, perhaps one of the most underrated players in the country, accounted for 273 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the day. The sixth-year senior had 11 catches for 147 yards and a 39-yard touchdown reception. And then he capped his day with a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

A Get Well Card

While 2008's Big 12 leading rusher, Kendall Hunter, nurses an ankle injury, his backup at Oklahoma State, Keith Totson, is continuing to make quite an impression. The senior produced 204 all-purpose yards, rushing for 130 yards on 26 carries and adding 74 yards on two catches against the Aggies.

Happy Return

After missing four weeks and three games, Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford made a triumphant return to the Sooners' lineup Saturday.

And probably even better, Bradford showed no ill-effects from the sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, as he completed 27-of-49 passes for 389 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's rout of Baylor.

The return was just in time as the Sooners get ready to face No. 2 Texas during next week's anticipated annual Red River Rivalry in Dallas.

One thing the Sooners will want to clear up is Bradford's career-high 22 incomplete passes, which were due in large part to a number of drops by the receivers.

Quarterback Controversies Abound

The Colorado fans and boosters may have had enough of quarterback Cody Hawkins for weeks now, but finally his father/coach Dan Hawkins had his fill during the second half of Saturday's loss to Texas, when Cody tossed interceptions on back-to-back series, with the first going for a 92-yard touchdown on the return.

Hawkins yanked his son and pulled the redshirt off sophomore Tyler Hansen, who lost out in the battle with Cody during fall camp. It's the second time in as many seasons Hansen seemed headed for a redshirt year only to have it yanked away during the middle of the season. Last year, it was seven games into the season that Hawkins put Hansen in as Cody struggled. He waited five games this season.

"I guess I'm getting kind of used to burning this redshirt," Hansen joked afterward Saturday. "They came to me last week and gave me a couple of days to decide. It pretty much came down to -- I can get an injury tomorrow and never play again. So when you have the opportunity to play, especially in college at the D-1 level in this atmosphere, you take it."

Obviously, the ball should remain in Hansen's hands the remainder of the 1-4 Buffaloes season, no matter the outcome. Hawkins says Hansen is the starter now. Of course, Hansen has been jerked around plenty of times as Hawkins tries to balance fatherhood and being the head coach of a Division I-A program.

"We're just going to have to see," Hansen said. "We'll do whatever's best for the team. I'm ready to get this thing going. I just want to win games."

Texas Tech, meanwhile, may have a quarterback controversy on its hands in a good way.

With starter Taylor Potts sidelined Saturday with what is believed to be concussion, former walk-on Steven Sheffield came in and the Red Raiders' high-powered offense didn't miss a beat. In fact it seemed fine-tuned with Sheffield throwing for 491 yards and seven touchdowns in the 66-14 slaughter of Kansas State on Saturday.

The offense scored on its first six possessions and nine of its first 10, while scoring the most points in a Big 12 game since defeating Nebraska, 70-10, in 2004.

Oh, what will Mike Leach decide when Potts is ready to return from an injury he doesn't even acknowledge?

A Costly Victory

Texas got the win over the Buffaloes, but may have lost its two top running backs in the process with the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma coming up next week.

Not good.

Tailback Vondrell McGee exited the game when he suffered a left shoulder injury Saturday, while Tre' Newton left in the first half with a mild concussion.

The injuries, along with the fact the Longhorns netted just 46 yards on the ground against the Buffaloes, left Mack Brown more than just a little concerned about what was supposed to be an improved ground attack this season.

"What we're trying to do is get better in the running game. It didn't work," said Brown, whose team was surpassed by Alabama for the No.2 spot in the latest AP poll despite defeating Colorado. "We've just got to keep looking at it and keep doing what we need to do."

Big 12 Weekend in Review: Career Days For Kansas Trio originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Cody HawkinsCodyHawkinsDan HawkinsDanHawkinsdezmon briscoeDezmonBriscoeJordan ShipleyJordanShipleykerry meierKerryMeierMack BrownMackBrownMike LeachMikeLeachSam BradfordSamBradfordTodd ReesingToddReesingTre NewtonTreNewtonTyler HansenVondrell McGeeVondrellMcgeeTerrance HarrisSun, 11 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST Bradford Returns to Lead Okie Routhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/bradford-returns-to-lead-okie-rout/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/bradford-returns-to-lead-okie-rout/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/bradford-returns-to-lead-okie-rout/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sam Bradford at times looked a little rusty, and he and his receivers seemed out of synch, but the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback returned after a nearly one-month layoff to lead the 19th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners to a 33-7 win over Baylor on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

Bradford, who had missed three games after spraining the AC joint in his (right) throwing shoulder in the first half of the season opener, passed for 389 yards and a touchdown in a relatively easy Big 12 opener. The real test comes next Saturday when the Sooners take on No. 2 Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry in Dallas.

"It's extremely gratifying just to get back out on the field," Bradford said. "Just to be out there with the guys that I have put in so much work with in the offseason and just the simple things like handoffs. Everything out there, it's just exciting to be back."

But if there were any doubts Saturday about the stamina of Bradford's shoulder after such an injury and lengthy rehab process, they were quickly erased when he attempted 49 passes -- the second-most of his career -- against the Bears. Bradford completed 27 of those passes while not throwing an interception.

"It feels good," Bradford said when asked about how his shoulder felt. "It's felt a lot better this week compared to last week."

All was not smooth as several of Bradford's passes were dropped by receivers, while on at least a few other occasions the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner was off the mark, either overthrowing or underthrowing his receivers.

"He played really well. To have been off as much as he has and to go out there for his first go at it and to play as well as he did, I thought he played great," said OU coach Bob Stoops, whose team improved to 3-2 overall, 1-0 in the Big 12. "He stays away from the negative plays, the bad plays. He had a great night with seven, eight or nine drops. You can cut that and say there were five legitimate drops that were in their hands, he had an incredible night. He is a great competitor and talking to him in the locker afterwards,

"I asked him how if felt and he said it felt great. Right now, he doesn't have any discomfort and that is encouraging. He will only get better from this. In practicing, he will trust it more and I think in another week he will get stronger with his throws and he will continue to get better."

There was a scary moment early in the first quarter when Bradford appeared to tweak his knee while throwing an incomplete pass. He was seem grimacing on the sideline immediately after and backup Landry Jones, who started the previous three games in his absence, began to warm up on the sideline.

Bradford, however, did not miss a snap until being pulled from the game in the fourth quarter with the outcome all but decided.

The Sooners' offense produced 592 yards of total offense and had 34 first downs and no turnovers in Bradford's return.

"Obviously, like Coach (Stoops) said, it was important to get back but at the same time I wanted to make sure I was ready," Bradford said. "Going through the week, I felt like I had a good week of preparation and I felt like I was ready. To get out there and make some of the throws that I made today, it really does give me confidence."
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Bradford Returns to Lead Okie Rout originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>heisman trophyHeismanTrophyLandry JonesLandryJonesOklahoma SoonersOklahomaSoonersSam BradfordSamBradfordTerrance HarrisSat, 10 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST Sam Bradford to Return This Weekhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/09/sam-bradford-to-return-this-week/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/09/sam-bradford-to-return-this-week/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/09/sam-bradford-to-return-this-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After two weeks of will he or won't he, Oklahoma announced Friday that Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford will return to the lineup for Saturday's Big 12 opener against Baylor.

Bradford, a junior, has missed the Sooners' (2-2) last three games and has been sidelined since the end of the first half of their season-opening loss to BYU (Sept. 5) with a sprained A-C Joint in his right throwing shoulder. There had been some speculation Bradford might return last week for the Miami game when he started throwing with the team for the first time, but it was determined the shoulder wasn't quite ready.

Head coach Bob Stoops began this week saying Bradford would continue to work and rehab the shoulder but he waited until Friday to declare his quarterback healthy enough to return to competition. Redshirt freshman Landry Jones has started for the 17th-ranked Sooners in Bradord's place the last three games, with the team going 2-1 after last week's loss to the Hurricanes.

"Sam has had a great week of practice and is ready to play," Stoops said after a morning meeting with Bradford on Friday. "We're obviously excited to have him back.

"We remain very pleased with the work Landry Jones did in replacing Sam and our entire program has a lot of confidence in his ability."

The timing of Bradford's return to the Sooners is huge, as they have one week before facing No. 2 Texas in the annual Red River Showdown in Dallas. The Sooners have all but fallen out of the BCS national title mix with two non-conferences losses, but a fourth straight Big 12 South title is still certainly in front of them.

Having Bradford back certainly helps in that quest after there were times when some questioned whether he would or should attempt to return. Bradford turned down a chance to go into last spring's NFL draft as a potential top pick.

The 2008 Heisman Trophy winners figures to be the top quarterback taken in next spring's draft if he is healthy. So there is a risk but Bradford has said that's something he's not concerned with at this point. Bradford and his family have been told there is no risk of further injuring the shoulder by playing.

"I really don't think there's much concern for me taking a hit," Bradford said. "From everything that I've received from the doctors, it's like taking any other hit. It can't do much more damage. The odds of me hurting it now are just like the odds of me hurting it before anything happened to it."

Sam Bradford to Return This Week originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bob StoopsBobStoopsLandry JonesLandryJonesSam BradfordSamBradfordTerrance HarrisFri, 09 Oct 2009 13:45:00 EST Sam Bradford's Return Still Up in Airhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sam-bradfords-return-still-up-in-air/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sam-bradfords-return-still-up-in-air/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/sam-bradfords-return-still-up-in-air/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sam BradfordOklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford seems like he wants to return to the field with the Sooners after being sidelined since the season opener with a Grade 3 sprain of the A-C joint in his throwing shoulder.

The burning question is when?

Bradford began throwing with the team for the first time last week, leading to speculation he might return in time for last Saturday's non-conference showdown at Miami. Soreness in his shoulder as the week progressed caused the coaching staff and Bradford to nix that plan even after doctors cleared him to play.

Now there is speculation the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will give it a shot during Saturday's Big 12 opener against Baylor if all goes well in practice this week. That would seem most ideal with the rivalry game with Texas coming up on Oct. 17 in Dallas.

Bradford, who talked with reporters in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday for the first time in a few weeks, said he feels much better but was still not sure when or if his return would be officially announced.

"I don't know as far as a day," Bradford said. "I think that's up to our coaches. I'm assuming it's probably going to be Thursday or Friday."

Coach Bob Stoops also said he isn't sure when announcement will come, though the speculation is it will be Thursday. Stoops says he wants to see how Bradford handles practice this week and how his shoulder responds before announcing Bradford will either assume his starting job or split time this week with redshirt freshman Landry Jones.

"It's making all the throws, making them comfortably, being able to execute the offense and make the throws he needs to be to throw," Stoops said. "He needs to be able to do them in a precise way and a way that he feels comfortable that he is not aggravating it."

When pressed on if there was a chance Bradford could play this week, Stoops responded, "Yeah there is a chance. There was a chance he could have played last week. That doesn't mean a lot. There are a lot of percentages you could put on it.

"Everyone wants me to give an answer that you can't give. Don't know."

One of the reasons there is so much attention being placed on his return is because of growing speculation Bradford's college playing career could be over. Thought to be an early first-round NFL draft pick when he decided last winter to return to school, Bradford's stock could drop considerably if he is injured again or if his shoulder hasn't healed properly. Bradford and his family have also consulted with a private doctor in Alabama.

Making things more complicated is that the Sooners are not as strong as they were a season ago with a rebuilding offensive line and no reliable receivers, with Ryan Broyles sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks with a broken shoulder and with All-America tight end Jermaine Gresham done for the season with a serious knee injury.

Oklahoma (2-2), which began the season ranked third in the nation, has dropped to 19th in the country and presumably out of the BCS national championship picture after suffering non-conference losses to BYU and Miami.

Stoops said Monday he expects Bradford to play for the Sooners at some point this season. But Bradford didn't commit fully either way Tuesday, while admitting surgery could still be an option.

"I don't know if I can give you a definite answer, but I do feel like yes, I will be back at some point this year to play," he said when asked a direct question about whether he would play this season or not.

All Bradford wants to do now is continue working and see where things are by the end of the week.

"It's always good to get back into the flow of things, get back out there with my teammates," he said. "I think these next two days are important just for the fact that this is when we get the most work against our defense during those periods. It's as close to a game-like situation as we get. Obviously me not playing in a game in a couple weeks, it's going to be important for me to get those reps."
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Sam Bradford's Return Still Up in Air originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Heisman TrophySam BradfordTerrance HarrisTue, 06 Oct 2009 20:50:00 EST