Venables: We Suck in BCS Games

[OK2U]

Great read



NORMAN (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Norman+%28Oklahoma%29&CATEGORY=CITY) — Like it or not, part of Oklahoma (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma+Sooners+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION)'s national reputation is of a program that folds on the BCS bowl (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bowl+Championship+Series&CATEGORY=MISC) stage.

A blight Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Brent+Venables&CATEGORY=PERSON) says is “justifiable.” And one he's not going to let the players forget as they prepare to meet Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Fiesta+Bowl&CATEGORY=MISC).
“We deserve all the criticism,” Venables said. “And I don't know about anybody else, but I'm (angry) about it. Our guys need to have some attitude.
“And whether or not they played in those games, that's the face of this program until we change it.”
OU very nearly was the team of the 2000s. Beginning with the 2000 national championship, Bob Stoops (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Bob+Stoops&CATEGORY=PERSON)' Sooners racked up nine 11-win seasons and seven Big 12 (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Big+12+Conference+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) Championships.
But the Sooners' otherwise sparkling prestige has been contaminated by their five-game losing streak in BCS games: LSU (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Louisiana+State+Tigers+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) in the Sugar, USC in the Orange, Boise State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Boise+State+Broncos+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) and West Virginia (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=West+Virginia+Mountaineers+%28Football%2 9&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) in the Fiesta and Florida (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Florida+Gators+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) in the Big Bowl. The Sooners haven't won a BCS game since Jan. 1, 2003, when they beat Washington State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Washington+State+Cougars+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) in the Rose Bowl (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Rose+Bowl&CATEGORY=MISC).
“They're not just talking about what a great job Coach Stoops has done here, winning seven Big 12 Championships in 12 years. They're not talking about great job, this is our eighth BCS appearance, what a wonderful job that is,” Venables said. “In the end, nobody cares about the circumstances. Nobody cares about the Big 12 Championship. People are done patting us on the back. They're going to mock us and make fun of us until we do something about it.”
Of course, Venables is using hyperbole. But listen in on national sports talk shows and there's some truth in what he's saying.
“We've lost five BCS games in a row now. Going into it, we ought to be mad. We ought to be embarrassed. We're getting made fun of. And we ought to get made fun of,” Venables said. “I don't think anybody is talking about Oklahoma beating anybody's head in.
“They're talking about how Oklahoma don't know how to win a BCS game.”
Truth is, most people are in fact discussing OU beating the daylights out of the Huskies.
The Sooners are 17-point favorites, the largest point spread this bowl season. Every Oklahoman writer has picked OU to win. College football analyst Phil Steele (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Phil+Steele&CATEGORY=PERSON) has OU over UConn (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=UConn+Huskies+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) as his “most confident” bowl selection.
This game, OU has a superb opportunity to restore some of its honor in the eyes of the country. The Sooners enter the Fiesta playing their best ball of the season, beating Texas Tech (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Texas+Tech+Red+Raiders+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION), Baylor (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Baylor+Bears+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION), Oklahoma State (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Oklahoma+State+Cowboys+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) and Nebraska (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Nebraska+Cornhuskers+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION) in a row to capture the Big 12 Championship. And while UConn has won five straight, the Huskies did it in the lowly regarded Big East Conference (http://newsok.com/keysearch/?er=1&CANONICAL=Big+East+Conference+%28Football%29&CATEGORY=ORGANIZATION), which doesn't have a single team ranked in the Top 20 of the BCS Standings.
Then again, the Sooners were one touchdown favorites over Boise State and West Virginia in the Fiesta, and lost both — which has only amplified the national championship losses to LSU, USC and Florida.
“We have not performed well in these games,” Venables said. “I think that will be a common theme.”
It's time, Venables says, for the Sooners to change that theme. Play with a chip on the shoulder. And restore that part of OU's reputation.
“We ought take things to heart here, representing Oklahoma the right way and again putting those ghosts to bed,” Venables said. “There are a lot of positives that can be drawn for going out and winning the game. At the same time, we need to have an edge to us. UConn feels disrespected? Well, we feel disrespected, too. Nobody is respecting us, telling us how great we are. All they're going to do is tell us is how terrible we've performed on this stage.
“And it's justified until we do something about it.”


Read more: http://newsok.com/brent-venables-sooners-deserve-criticism-for-bcs-skid/article/3525428#ixzz18llvvJkU

[My Opinion Matters]

This is refreshing. This is what the coaching staff has needed to say for years.

[Eielson]

This is refreshing. This is what the coaching staff has needed to say for years.

It's much better to hear than Kevin Wilson's non-stop smart aleck comments.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Our guys need to have some attitude.

Or maybe some...

SWAGGER!?

[jumperstop]

Good to hear that instead of the "The BCS losing streak means nothing...". They also have to motivate our players some how, can't really throw out motivation in the form of smack talk from UCONN or the nobody thinks you hace a chance.

[landrun]

I'm glad to hear Venables speaking like this.
I hope the D post another shutout. A win is just a win. A blowout and an awesome defensive performance would be a way of gaining a little respect back for the program.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

how do you know stoops hasn't been saying this to the team for a while?

Its funny that we think that the coaches tell the same thing to the media that they tell to the team

[SoonerPride]

Just.
Win.
Baby.

[jumperstop]

had you know stoops hasn't been saying this to the team for a while?

Its funny that we think that the coaches tell the same thing to the media that they tell to the team

You don't think that players listen to what the coaches say to the media? Wheather or not they've been saying this all along, they haven't made it seem like a serious problem to the public at least. The players may not take them as seriously if they are saying two different things to them and the media.

[MyT Oklahoma]

Just.
Win.
Baby.

^^ This.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

You don't think that players listen to what the coaches say to the media? Wheather or not they've been saying this all along, they haven't made it seem like a serious problem to the public at least. The players may not take them as seriously if they are saying two different things to them and the media.

I think players know ahead of time that certain subjects, the coaches just aren't going to tell the media what they think..

Its actually pretty common that coaches, especially stoops, not let the media know how he feels about things...

[Leroy Lizard]

I don't think it matters what the coaches say.

[jumperstop]

I think players know ahead of time that certain subjects, the coaches just aren't going to tell the media what they think..

Its actually pretty common that coaches, especially stoops, not let the media know how he feels about things...

I know that's how Stoops can be with the media, but maybe he realized how he's done it the past few seasons by trying to not talk about our bcs problems hasn't really helped our bcs problem. Maybe they felt the players weren't taking them seriously and that by talking to the media about it, the players wouldn't think that they are just saying stuff like that to get them ready for the game.

[C&CDean]

I know that's how Stoops can be with the media, but maybe he realized how he's done it the past few seasons by trying to not talk about our bcs problems hasn't really helped our bcs problem. Maybe they felt the players weren't taking them seriously and that by talking to the media about it, the players wouldn't think that they are just saying stuff like that to get them ready for the game.

And maybe Bob likes the butt secks.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

yeah, i guess that's possible..nobody knows really...


I just take everything coaches say to the media with a grain of salt...And I don't feel they owe us public explanations of whats going on behind the scenes

[jumperstop]

And maybe Bob likes the butt secks.

Lets hope not, but what he does with his wife in his own time is his personal business.

[Soonermagik]

I'm glad that he has acknowledged their BCS woes. That's a big deal to me. We always hear Bob talk about winning championships and it's almost like he dismisses the BCS issues. In the past, it feels like once they have won the Big 12 Championship.. it's mission accomplished.

They've lacked a hunger and fight in several of those BCS games. I think they will play with a hunger and fire that Uconn has never seen. This is the reason I'm locking this game. OU wins by double digits.. Why? Because they have to. The reputation of Venables, Stoops and OU rides on it. Book it!!!

[madillsoonerfan5353]

I'm telling anyone who will listen, this team is YOUNG, HUNGRY, and FULL OF SWAGGER! IMO

It's time, Venables says, for the Sooners to change that theme. Play with a chip on the shoulder. And restore that part of OU's reputation.

This is one of the best statements I have heard from the coaching staff in a long time.

BOOMER!!

:gary:

[stoops the eternal pimp]

And maybe Bob likes the butt secks.

http://www.thewheelfx.com/lane/GIFS/buttsecks.gif

[jumperstop]

yeah, i guess that's possible..nobody knows really...


I just take everything coaches say to the media with a grain of salt...And I don't feel they owe us public explanations of whats going on behind the scenes

I agree, I hated all that **** this season about road problems and fourth quarter struggles as much as anyone. It's just nice to know that they understand the public perception of their BCS struggles, whether or not it's exaggerated.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I'm glad that he has acknowledged their BCS woes. That's a big deal to me. We always hear Bob talk about winning championships and it's almost like he dismisses the BCS issues. In the past it feels like once they have won the Big 12 Championship.. it's mission accomplished.

They've lacked a hunger and fight in several of those BCS games. I think they will play with a hunger and fire that Uconn has never seen. This is the reason I'm locking this game. OU wins by double digits.. Why? Because they have to. The reputation of Venables, Stoops and OU rides on it. Book it!!!

Just a question: Why is it a big that he acknowledges the bcs problems to us or the media?

[Tulsa_Fireman]

On the other hand though, this is by far the easiest game Oklahoma has seen in BCS play with which to make this statement.

This is the obvious argument. Not "we're gonna kick the dognuts off of UConn", not "Our offense is the shizzle", not "UConn couldn't wipe its *** with both hands, a pressure washer, and a map". It removes UConn from the argument, somehow makes this ballgame legitimate in the eyes of the players, and gives something for the squad to cut their teeth on. Rebuild the reputation.

Doesn't anyone find it convenient that the rebuilding of said BCS reputation is against the biggest BCS powderpuff the University of Oklahoma has ever seen?

[Soonermagik]

Just a question: Why is it a big that he acknowledges the bcs problems to us or the media?

Because it's a real issue. They know there's a black eye on the program and to come out and say it gives the staff credibility with the fans, media and the players. They are holding themselves accountable to the public. I think that buys a lot of credibility with the players. It's one thing to say it in a locker room, but another to say it to the media. There's some old saying that if there's an elephant in the room then introduce it. I think most people prefer that.

It's like admitting when you've screwed up, it doesn't fix things, but it makes everyone feel better. Venables sounds hungry and we all know teams that play with fire and talent are very hard to beat. They recognize that they have damaged OU's reputation in BCS games. I love that. Just admit you have a problem and dedicate yourself to fixing it.

[StoopTroup]

My Swagger is back.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Because it's a real issue. They know there's a black eye on the program and to come out and say it gives the staff credibility with the fans, media and the players. They are holding themselves accountable to the public. I think that buys a lot of credibility with the players. It's one thing to say it in a locker room, but another to say it to the media. There's some old saying that if there's an elephant in the room then introduce it. I think most people prefer that.

It's like admitting when you've screwed up, it doesn't fix things, but it makes everyone feel better. Venables sounds hungry and we all know teams that play with fire and talent are very hard to beat. They recognize that they have damaged OU's reputation in BCS games. I love that. Just admit you have a problem and dedicate yourself to fixing it.

But if the coaches are talking about this stuff to the players, then why do they need to tell anybody else? Acknowledging this elephant to the players is enough since they are the ones that do something about it..not fans or media..we can't fix bcs bowl problems, so why tell us?

Its like you are saying they have never admitted it since they didn't tell us...

I understand you point of view as obviously its shared by a lot of people..I just don't think bob stoops needs to tell me he has had a BCS bowl game problem for me to realize he knows that it has been a problem..

[StoopTroup]

Brent is trying to make Headlines so that after this whooping it will be the last Bowl Game he Coaches at OU.

[85sooners]

:eek:

[Okie35]

Or maybe some...

SWAGGER!?

The teams that don't use the term swagger actually win consecutive games lol but that's Brent is pisssed, we'll win 1,000 - 2.

[jkjsooner]

We've heard some of this talk in previous BCS games. I'm not sure it's about attitude. We just need to execute.

In the past couple of BCS games our players supposedly went into the game with attitude. In the Florida game I think we played pretty well (defense much better than predicted) except for the red zone. In the WVU game, I think the attitude worked against us as we folded when the going got tough.

We need to make sure we have attitude but also mental toughness if/when things don't go our way. We need to go out expecting a tough game.

[Okie35]

On another note I had no idea we were only just 1 TD favorites in the last two Fiesta loses.

[Okie35]

We've heard some of this talk in previous BCS games. I'm not sure it's about attitude. We just need to execute.

In the past couple of BCS games our players supposedly went into the game with attitude. In the Florida game I think we played pretty well (defense much better than predicted) except for the red zone. In the WVU game, I think the attitude worked against us as we folded when the going got tough.

We need to make sure we have attitude but also mental toughness if/when things don't go our way.

I think the Nebraska game proved to me how mentally tough this team is (even for how young it is).

[bmjlr]

I think the Nebraska game proved to me how mentally tough this team is (even for how young it is).

This ^^^^^^^

[FirstandGoal]

Just a question: Why is it a big that he acknowledges the bcs problems to us or the media?

The first rule of BCS problems......

[SoonerNutt]

I think the Nebraska game proved to me how mentally tough this team is (even for how young it is).

Yep. Plus, the 4th QTR vs. the Pokes. We made our biggest plays when the were most needed, when the crowd was most intimidating, and when we could have shrunk under the pressure. Doing that gave our guys the experience and confidence they needed to come back vs. NU. Plus, now this team is tougher mentally for the future because they have proven it to themselves.

[TUSooner]

Who knows what gets said to the team (besides oudavid1, I mean :rolleyes:). And what gets said to the media is not as important as that. But I think that coaches are sometimes insulated, even intentionally, from all the crap that goes on in the world outside their locker room. It's nice to see a coach acknowledge what the fans have already heard and known. At least BV is letting us know that he's not been living in a bubble for the last decade.

[madillsoonerfan5353]

This ^^^^^^^

THIS^^^^^^^ +1

[madillsoonerfan5353]

Yep. Plus, the 4th QTR vs. the Pokes. We made our biggest plays when the were most needed, when the crowd was most intimidating, and when we could have shrunk under the pressure. Doing that gave our guys the experience and confidence they needed to come back vs. NU. Plus, now this team is tougher mentally for the future because they have proven it to themselves.

That and they know what it feels like to lose to team they shouldn't! mizzOU and aTm!

:gary:

[delhalew]

Whether they like it or not, part of every coaches job is PR.
How do coaches get on the hot seat or get run?
Bob and his staff are every bit as beholden to The Monster as Switzer or any other Sooner coach. No coach who is consistently winning the conference is going to fired.
Bob got us # 7. He also said we should expect #8.
Maybe he regrets that, and maybe he doesn't.
Regardless, acknowledging that we are pissed about an embarassing losing streak is a good idea. Pretending it doesn't exist is of no benefit.

[CBUS_SOONER]

I hope we win our next five BCS games... at least

[adoniijahsooner]

I don't think it matters what the coaches say.

Exactly. As dumb as it sounds....execution wins football games.

[SoonerOX]

This is refreshing. This is what the coaching staff has needed to say for years.

Agreed!

[birddog]

supa

[ouduckhunter]

I'm glad that he has acknowledged their BCS woes. That's a big deal to me. We always hear Bob talk about winning championships and it's almost like he dismisses the BCS issues. In the past, it feels like once they have won the Big 12 Championship.. it's mission accomplished.

They've lacked a hunger and fight in several of those BCS games. I think they will play with a hunger and fire that Uconn has never seen. This is the reason I'm locking this game. OU wins by double digits.. Why? Because they have to. The reputation of Venables, Stoops and OU rides on it. Book it!!!

I agree with everything that you've said, but especially the part about mission accomplished. That attitude has really bugged me big time in the past, so I hope that we've got a new 'tude and have decided that winning a BCS bowl is our mission.

[mdklatt]

On another note I had no idea we were only just 1 TD favorites in the last two Fiesta loses.

Boise St. was ranked ahead of us going into that game. All season long there was the usual "BCS buster" knob-slobbing about how they were a national powerhouse and deserved to be there. Yet as soon as they beat us it became David v. Goliath 2.0. And in the retelling it's always an epic beatdown, on par with how we got "blown out" against LSU and Florida. :rolleyes:

People are ****ing retards.

[Leroy Lizard]

I agree with everything that you've said, but especially the part about mission accomplished. That attitude has really bugged me big time in the past, so I hope that we've got a new 'tude and have decided that winning a BCS bowl is our mission.

Fans say things like this, but I don't see where it's coming from.

Have players stated that they didn't think the bowl game was important because they won the conference? Is this based on body language? Or what?

Sometimes I think we just make this **** up because it sounds right. And everybody just agrees with it, as if it's a given.

Take Landry Jones. Fans say "He had that deer-in-the-headlight" look about him. I must be the only fan in the country that couldn't see his eyes well enough to make that judgment, mostly because he had on a helmet.

[WA. Sooner]

Good for Brent to bring it up!

[THE-JROD]

Fans say things like this, but I don't see where it's coming from.

Have players stated that they didn't think the bowl game was important because they won the conference? Is this based on body language? Or what?

Sometimes I think we just make this **** up because it sounds right. And everybody just agrees with it, as if it's a given.

Take Landry Jones. Fans say "He had that deer-in-the-headlight" look about him. I must be the only fan in the country that couldn't see his eyes well enough to make that judgment, mostly because he had on a helmet.


There were many many many times throughout the year that the television crews would show landry to where you could see his face through his facemask....but! What exactly does a deers' face look like when its in the headlights?? :D

[texaspokieokie]

find a deer with a helmet & see if they look the same.

[lasooner123]

touche

[King Barry's Back]

We always hear Bob talk about winning championships and it's almost like he dismisses the BCS issues. In the past, it feels like once they have won the Big 12 Championship.. it's mission accomplished.

I know that it can't be true that Coach Stoops doesn't care about winning anything beyond the Big XII. He is an extraordinarily competitive person, and a professional coach, it just doesn't make sense.

But sometimes, it sure does sound like "mission accomplished" following the conference title.

Assuming that he does care about winning bowl games, I often wonder why he takes the more negative tone with the press.

Is he trying to keep himself off the hot seat? (I won the conference!) Is he trying to keep his players positive, and wants them to still feel proud of being conference champions? Is he trying to protect recruiting? Just trying to eliminate distractions from ruining a season? (Seems unlikely in January...)

I haven't figured his true agenda.

[King Barry's Back]

I'm telling anyone who will listen, this team is YOUNG, HUNGRY, and FULL OF SWAGGER! IMO

It's time, Venables says, for the Sooners to change that theme. Play with a chip on the shoulder. And restore that part of OU's reputation.

This is one of the best statements I have heard from the coaching staff in a long time.

BOOMER!!

:gary:

Agreed. This team won't be satisfied to "appear" in a BCS Bowl game. They want to own one.

[King Barry's Back]

On the other hand though, this is by far the easiest game Oklahoma has seen in BCS play with which to make this statement.

This is the obvious argument. Not "we're gonna kick the dognuts off of UConn", not "Our offense is the shizzle", not "UConn couldn't wipe its *** with both hands, a pressure washer, and a map". It removes UConn from the argument, somehow makes this ballgame legitimate in the eyes of the players, and gives something for the squad to cut their teeth on. Rebuild the reputation.

Doesn't anyone find it convenient that the rebuilding of said BCS reputation is against the biggest BCS powderpuff the University of Oklahoma has ever seen?

It's got to be against somebody, and UCONN is the only BCS opponent we will play this year.

[Soonermagik]

Fans say things like this, but I don't see where it's coming from.

Have players stated that they didn't think the bowl game was important because they won the conference? Is this based on body language? Or what?

Sometimes I think we just make this **** up because it sounds right. And everybody just agrees with it, as if it's a given.

Take Landry Jones. Fans say "He had that deer-in-the-headlight" look about him. I must be the only fan in the country that couldn't see his eyes well enough to make that judgment, mostly because he had on a helmet.

Leroy has been known to argue with himself... and Leroy won. ;)

[budbarrybob]

I don't think it matters what the coaches say.

Might wanna put this in context. To the Fans it sure as heck matters. I Should matter to the players what the coaches say to them...

[budbarrybob]

Leroy has been known to argue with himself... After knocking his own head off with Round-house kick, Leroy won. ;)

fify

[King Barry's Back]

But if the coaches are talking about this stuff to the players, then why do they need to tell anybody else? ... the players .. are the ones that do something about it..not fans or media...

I just don't think bob stoops needs to tell me he has had a BCS bowl game problem for me to realize he knows that it has been a problem..

I hate to post again so quickly, but I can't resist.

The need that some people have to hear Coach Stoops (or anybody else) admit to a problem is beyond me.

Think back to middle-late season, just after the TAMU loss.

It was pretty clear that our offense had some issues. The media seemed to be hounding Stoops to get him to admit it. (Mr Dave Sittler sports columnist for the Tulsa World I am talking to you.) Sittler made comments along the lines of "Stoops better tell us there are problems with the team or he will have no credibility with the people of Oklahoma." (Stoops never admitted anything and winning seems to have restored his credibility just fine, thank you Mr Sittler.)

Anyway, it seems pretty clear to me that the major issue on the offensive side of the ball was that we had a young QB who got nervous away from home. He tended to make more mistakes, and seemed to lose much of his playmaking ability.

Assuming I am right about LJ, what could possibly have been the benefit to the team, to Landry, to the fans or to Stoops himself, of openly stating that the QB got butterflies away from home? To have openly undermined his team leader would have been ridiculously inept, and would have undercut respect from the players and the fans.

Instead, Stoops and staff opted to work with Landry, and to help him grow as a player and leader. The result is that we won out, got the Big XII ring, and a ticket to Phoenix.

That seems smarter to me.

[budbarrybob]

....but! What exactly does a deers' face look like when its in the headlights?? :D

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0cc03b3127ccefbb98969e36f00000070O00CcNW7duxbsw e3nw0/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

[BoulderSooner79]

I think Stoop's agenda is pretty apparent: win every single game he possibly can. Now, after the fact he will spin the team's accomplishments the best he can. If the team wins the conference, he touts that. If the team wins his bowl game, he'll tout that too. If the team comes up short, he's not going to dwell on the negatives because it's in the books and he is looking forward.

[boomermagic]

Great read

He is correct.. We suck in bcs games so let's change it starting this game..

[OhU1]

Winning football depends on 3 things: 1. Swagger. 2. Whether a team has "Bulletin board material" to **** them off and 3. Whether fans on message boards take the opposing team seriously or not.

[FirstandGoal]

I hate to post again so quickly, but I can't resist.

The need that some people have to hear Coach Stoops (or anybody else) admit to a problem is beyond me.

Think back to middle-late season, just after the TAMU loss.

It was pretty clear that our offense had some issues. The media seemed to be hounding Stoops to get him to admit it. (Mr Dave Sittler sports columnist for the Tulsa World I am talking to you.) Sittler made comments along the lines of "Stoops better tell us there are problems with the team or he will have no credibility with the people of Oklahoma." (Stoops never admitted anything and winning seems to have restored his credibility just fine, thank you Mr Sittler.)

Anyway, it seems pretty clear to me that the major issue on the offensive side of the ball was that we had a young QB who got nervous away from home. He tended to make more mistakes, and seemed to lose much of his playmaking ability.

Assuming I am right about LJ, what could possibly have been the benefit to the team, to Landry, to the fans or to Stoops himself, of openly stating that the QB got butterflies away from home? To have openly undermined his team leader would have been ridiculously inept, and would have undercut respect from the players and the fans.

Instead, Stoops and staff opted to work with Landry, and to help him grow as a player and leader. The result is that we won out, got the Big XII ring, and a ticket to Phoenix.

That seems smarter to me.

+1

I would like to add to this if I could.
Compare and contrast how Bob Stoops and Mack Brown handled adversity this year. Above is how Stoops handled it. Brown decides to take the opposite approach and bitch publicly about his coaching staff and then players (heck, I'm surprised he didn't have a freaking banner that said "its everyone else's fault but mine") and then his team implodes in the most epic display of bevo **** orange poop ever.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Winning football depends on 3 things: 1. Swagger. 2. Whether a team has "Bulletin board material" to **** them off and 3. Whether fans on message boards take the opposing team seriously or not.

Dis rite hur...

[gernblansten]

And, if we beat UCONN, the response will largely be, "So, it was UCONN, the Sooners still can't win the big games."

[BoulderSooner79]

And, if we beat UCONN, the response will largely be, "So, it was UCONN, the Sooners still can't win the big games."

From anyone that matters?

[Bourbon St Sooner]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0cc03b3127ccefbb98969e36f00000070O00CcNW7duxbsw e3nw0/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

I have seen Landry's eyes glow like that.

[soonerchk]

yeah, i guess that's possible..nobody knows really...


I just take everything coaches say to the media with a grain of salt...And I don't feel they owe us public explanations of whats going on behind the scenes

The hell you say. We're the fans, we deserve to know everything!!!!!! Righteous indignation!11!

[ouwasp]

Here's what I'm looking for: A nice, crisp start in the Fiesta Bowl.

To heck with letting teams "hang around"...:mad:

[soonerchk]

Winning football depends on 3 things: 1. Swagger. 2. Whether a team has "Bulletin board material" to **** them off and 3. Whether fans on message boards take the opposing team seriously or not.

And whether or not Lee Corso puts a Horsepig on his head.

[Leroy Lizard]

+1

I would like to add to this if I could.
Compare and contrast how Bob Stoops and Mack Brown handled adversity this year. Above is how Stoops handled it. Brown decides to take the opposite approach and bitch publicly about his coaching staff and then players (heck, I'm surprised he didn't have a freaking banner that said "its everyone else's fault but mine") and then his team implodes in the most epic display of bevo **** orange poop ever.

I think Mack's behavior was driven by the voices around him. Coaches need to shut those voices out, especially when they are spoken by ignorant fans. Offering up sacrificial lambs is a great way to lose control of a program.

[I Am Right]

Brent is trying to make Headlines so that after this whooping it will be the last Bowl Game he Coaches at OU.

Here we go!

[cvsooner]

+1

I would like to add to this if I could.
Compare and contrast how Bob Stoops and Mack Brown handled adversity this year. Above is how Stoops handled it. Brown decides to take the opposite approach and bitch publicly about his coaching staff and then players (heck, I'm surprised he didn't have a freaking banner that said "its everyone else's fault but mine") and then his team implodes in the most epic display of bevo **** orange poop ever.

And not only that, before those last two games, both away, Stoops cut off media contact with Landry to give him some space and not have to answer those stupid questions. That's his job (Stoops), and more credit to him for doing so.

[cccasooner2]

And, if we beat UCONN, the response will largely be, "So, it was UCONN, the Sooners still can't win the big games."

Well, quit crying then and schedule a better Fiesta bowl next time. Sheeze, if Bwazay Steight could do it, we can do it!!!!

[mdklatt]

The need that some people have to hear Coach Stoops (or anybody else) admit to a problem is beyond me.


VALIDATE ME!

[Leroy Lizard]

The need that some people have to hear Coach Stoops (or anybody else) admit to a problem is beyond me.

It's not hard to figure out.

OU typically has a great team, and the expectations are that OU will win every week. Acting on that assumption, some OU fans spend the week prior to a game shooting their mouth off to anyone within earshot about how OU is going to stomp their opponent.

When OU loses, the fans of those other teams are going to let the fan have it. So facing all that ridicule, the fan gets pissed and feels the team let him down.

So what to do? Demand an apology and accountability. Extract a confession. "The coach let me down, so he owes me an explanation."

So when fans demand accountability from a coaching staff, that is what is going on. They don't realize that Coach Stoops is only accountable to Joe Castiglione and David Boren. He owes us no explanation, whatsoever. The sooner fans understand this, the better.

[King Barry's Back]

And, if we beat UCONN, the response will largely be, "So, it was UCONN, the Sooners still can't win the big games."

You may be right, and in fact I think that you are.

But we don't get a chance to beat Auburn or Oregon. We only have a chance to beat UCONN.

So why not do it?

[King Barry's Back]

I think Mack's behavior was driven by the voices around him. Coaches need to shut those voices out, especially when they are spoken by ignorant fans. Offering up sacrificial lambs is a great way to lose control of a program.

Leroy, that's what it looks like at first glance, but more and more I am wondering how much of the inner-turmoil at UT stems directly from the sex-harassment scandal wending its way through Austin?

[Leroy Lizard]

Leroy, that's what it looks like at first glance, but more and more I am wondering how much of the inner-turmoil at UT stems directly from the sex-harassment scandal wending its way through Austin?

I'm not sure I see the connection. Not to say there isn't any, but why would the sex scandal (if one truly exists) have anything to do with Mack calling out his coordinators.

To me, the simpler explanation is more likely: The hostility of the fans and media put Mack on the defensive.

[soonerborn30]

It's not hard to figure out.

OU typically has a great team, and the expectations are that OU will win every week. Acting on that assumption, some OU fans spend the week prior to a game shooting their mouth off to anyone within earshot about how OU is going to stomp their opponent.

When OU loses, the fans of those other teams are going to let the fan have it. So facing all that ridicule, the fan gets pissed and feels the team let him down.

So what to do? Demand an apology and accountability. Extract a confession. "The coach let me down, so he owes me an explanation."

So when fans demand accountability from a coaching staff, that is what is going on. They don't realize that Coach Stoops is only accountable to Joe Castiglione and David Boren. He owes us no explanation, whatsoever. The sooner fans understand this, the better.

Or it could be that he's an extremely public figure that's paid a king's ransom to do his job. When he fails at his job, because of the position he's in, he's expected to explain why. Just like you said, we're expected to win every week. To decry fans that want an explanation is just like sympathizing with idiot rock starts that "don't want to be famous". He signed on for the deal. he's a smart guy. He knew this is how it would be.

[BoulderSooner79]

Or it could be that he's an extremely public figure that's paid a king's ransom to do his job. When he fails at his job, because of the position he's in, he's expected to explain why. Just like you said, we're expected to win every week. To decry fans that want an explanation is just like sympathizing with idiot rock starts that "don't want to be famous". He signed on for the deal. he's a smart guy. He knew this is how it would be.

He does know. And he also knows he has enough leeway to answer as he pleases even if it rubs some fans the wrong way. Personally, I get a kick out of it.

[soonerborn30]

I think more than anything it's sort of interesting to hear a coach admit it the way Venables did. It's refreshing to hear an answer that isn't totally 100% pre-fabricated, coach-speak. So often coaches say the same crap, and what Venables said is definitely not the same crap.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Tramel said today that Stoops had been saying this to the players since before the 2008 Fiesta Bowl about the BCS bowl problems......said he had several players tell him bob was talking about how tired he gets of seeing his name on the bottom of the ESPN ticker about the BCS losses(at that time 3 straight)


GASP! WHAT? HE DOES REALIZE HE'S LOST 5 STRAIGHT? HE DIDNT TELL US!! SO IT DOESNT COUNT!!!

[delhalew]

Don't make me quote myself...:)

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I think he should reverse it and and tell us all the same stuff he tells his players so we will be ready as fans to end this streak

[BoulderSooner79]

I need to hear more coaching cliches.

[oudavid1]

Who knows what gets said to the team (besides oudavid1, I mean :rolleyes:). And what gets said to the media is not as important as that. But I think that coaches are sometimes insulated, even intentionally, from all the crap that goes on in the world outside their locker room. It's nice to see a coach acknowledge what the fans have already heard and known. At least BV is letting us know that he's not been living in a bubble for the last decade.

:D