Big Twelve and National recap; Rankings; Final Four; This week’s predictions…. Irish, ‘Orange Upset? .……

Sooners Win as Mike Gundy goes for two…..Pokes fall short

Mike Gundy had his Oklahoma State Cowboys in a position where he wanted them to be. One play from taking a lead with a little more than one minute to play in Bedlam on the road in Norman, OK.  Taylor Cornelius, who had a fantastic game of 500 yards of passing against the Oklahoma Sooners on the day, rolled to his right and tried to connect with his primary wide receiver Tylan Wallace as he raced to get open in the end zone.  Cornelius’s throw, a little low and behind Wallace, fell incomplete as he Sooners had the play covered even on a great throw.  Sure, Wallace might have come up with it on a perfect pass but it was not to be and OU held on to win the thriller 48-47.  Give Coach Gundy credit for taking the opportunity to win in regulation, and anyone that wants to jump on this coach is just plum crazy.  As bad as Oklahoma played on defense Saturday, the Big Red came up strong on that play and held the day.

What we learned about Oklahoma Saturday was actually nothing we had not already known.  The Sooner defense is pure crap.  But they did make that final play did they not?  Weak against the run (as demonstrated by a below average Poke offensive line that pushed them over play after running play) OU has personnel and alignment issues that have not improved with the firing of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops.  Even worse on pass defense, letting Cornelius have a career day, OU has a couple of young defenders that could be good in time, but for now, do not seem to have a clue on what to do play after play.  As you know, “Corndog” is not a great quarterback,  but on this Saturday he made the throws needed, except that final two-point conversion toss.  The case is closed on this Sooner defense for 2018, unless hell freezes over.  As it goes, it is what it is and it is not good.

For OU to win their final games (after Kansas), they will just have to outscore their opponents in probable “shootout” contests. With the firepower of “General Patton’s” armored division, that is something that could be accomplished.  OU has the best offense in the country, and you can argue with me if you wish.  But with the best player in the country with Kyler Murray (another argument) under center, the Sooner offense is a bitch to stop.

Is OU a better team than Alabama or Clemson, or even Notre Dame or Michigan?  To win a game with the Sooners, a team has to match them point for point.  Sure the best teams might just roll up 50 or more points on OU. But OU can also get their 50.  The factor that cannot be figured in the equation  is unforced errors, including turnovers and penalties.  Throw in drops by the pass catchers, and missed opportunities in the kicking game and nothing is for sure  Better teams (opinion) and favorite teams get beat all the time.  That is why, as the saying goes, “we play the game”. 

Alabama against Michigan or Notre Dame or Alabama against Oklahoma?  You tell me what Nick Saban’s choice of an opponent in a National semi-final would he rather have?  What game would be more exciting and more interesting?

As for Oklahoma State, they must beat either West Virginia at home or TCU in Fort Worth to make a bowl this season. If they play like they did Saturday, that can happen.  West Virginia will be ready this Saturday and will not overlook the Pokes.  But a win by Oklahoma State in Stillwater is a possibility.  West Virginia is beatable as they found out in Ames.

Big Twelve rankings

1. Oklahoma

2. West Virginia

3. Iowa State

4. Texas

5. Texas Tech

6. Oklahoma State

7. TCU

8. Kansas State

9. Baylor

10. Kansas

This weeks Big Twelve Predictions  (last week 3-2,  season 42-22)

Oklahoma 71 and Kansas 21

West Virginia 48 at Oklahoma State 38

Baylor 27 and TCU 26

Texas Tech 31 at Kansas State 27

Iowa State 34 at Texas 24

Fred’s Top Twenty-five

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. Notre Dame

4. Oklahoma

5. West Virginia

6. Georgia

7. Ohio State

8. Michigan

9. Washington State

10. Univ. of Central Florida

11. Iowa State

12. LSU

13. Texas

14. Utah State

15. Army

16. Cincinnati

17. Penn State

18. Washington

19. Florida

20. Northwestern

21. Kentucky

22. Boise State

23. Syracuse

24. Texas Tech

25. Univ. Alabama Birmingham

Final Four Predictions

Alabama vs Oklahoma

Clemson vs Notre Dame

Championship game:  Alabama vs Notre Dame

Weekly predictions

Thursday, Nov. 15

Houston 32 and Tulane 29

Friday, Nov 16

Boise State 48 at New Mexico 14

Saturday, Nov. 17

Alabama 50 and The Citadel 0

Mississippi State 35 and Arkansas 14

Northwestern 37 at Minnesota 28

Ohio State 34 at Maryland 16

Michigan State 23 at Nebraska 21

Kentucky 39 and Middle Tennessee 13

Penn State 28 at Rutgers 14

Temple 27 and South Florida 20

North Carolina State 43 at Louisville 21

Utah 24 at Colorado17

Utah State 57 at Colorado State 10

Syracuse 31 at Notre Dame 23

Iowa 32 at Illinois 29

Boston College 29 at Florida State 14

USC 31 at UCLA 19

Georgia Tech 31 and Virginia 21

Purdue 28 and Wisconsin 14

Miami Fla 20 and Virginia Tech 19

Georgia 50 and UMass 0

Michigan 40 and Indiana 7

Auburn 30 and Liberty 12

Washington 26 and Oregon State 7

UAB 24 and Texas Aggies 23

South Carolina 27 and Chattanooga 9

LSU 30 and Rice 0

California 28 and Stanford 25

UCF 48 and Cincinnati 30

BYU 42 and New Mexico State 21

Washington State 38 and Arizona 27

Fresno State 35 and San Diego State 31

Feature Photo:  Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon (4) scramble to escape a tackle by Oklahoma State linebacker Calvin Bundage (1) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)