Bob Stoops gets a pass because of John Blake

[Eielson]

We have been mediocre since 2008 (and even then our D was awful).

The next step down from elite is not mediocre.

[Therealsouthsider]

The next step down from elite is not mediocre.

....entering the era of college football playoffs that schism is dictating 'elite' and 'mediocre'...if you're not in the playoffs, everything else will be considered an also-ran...for right or wrong

....I'm hoping the system now in place moves to an 8-team playoff as soon as possible

ss

[Sooner91ATL]

For Oklahoma, not winning championships and shoddy defense is mediocre. But statistically, we are about 15th in the country over the past 5 years according to final rankings (giving a generous rank of 30 for 2009). Statistics don't really mean much, as witnessed by the crazy stats for 2009 when we had top 25 offense and top 10 defense but managed to end up unranked. So for a football powerhouse, we are right in the middle of ranked teams over the past 5 years. No national championship in 15 years. No Big 12 championship in 4 years. Mediocre for OU but great for most other programs. And the Big 12 is a middling conference itself.

2014: currently total offense is #26, total defense is #70. Reasonable final record looks like 9-4, depending on bowl team we get. Maybe 10-3. Middle of the big 12 pack.

In 2013 we beat final #7 alabama, #17 osu, and #20 notre dame. We lost to unranked Texas and #13 baylor. Final ranking: #6. 4 players drafted, none higher than 4th round. final stats #52 total offense, #20 total defense.

In 2012 we beat final #19 texas. We lost to #4 notre dame, #6 aTm, and #12 kansas state. Final ranking #15. 6 players drafted, one in first round (OL) the rest no higher than 4th. Total offense #12, total defense #64. co-Big 12 champs but ksu went to the BCS bowl for winning head to head.

In 2011 we beat final #23 florida state and $15 kansas state. We lost to #3 osu, #13 baylor, and unranked texas tech. Final ranking: #16. 7 players drafted, highest one in 3rd round. Total offense #5, total defense #55.

In 2010 we beat final #13 osu, #17 florida state and #20 nebraska. We lost to #18 missouri and #19 aTm. Final ranking: #6. 4 players drafted, highest in 3rd round. Total offense #10, total defense #53. Big 12 champs.

In 2009 we beat no team ranked in the final top 25. We lost to #12 byu, #19 miami, #2 texas, #14 nebraska and #21 texas tech. Final ranking: unranked. 7 players drafted, 4 in the first round. Total offense #23, total defense #8.

[SoonerorLater]

For Oklahoma, not winning championships and shoddy defense is mediocre. But statistically, we are about 15th in the country over the past 5 years according to final rankings (giving a generous rank of 30 for 2009). Statistics don't really mean much, as witnessed by the crazy stats for 2009 when we had top 25 offense and top 10 defense but managed to end up unranked. So for a football powerhouse, we are right in the middle of ranked teams over the past 5 years. No national championship in 15 years. No Big 12 championship in 4 years. Mediocre for OU but great for most other programs. And the Big 12 is a middling conference itself.

2014: currently total offense is #26, total defense is #70. Reasonable final record looks like 9-4, depending on bowl team we get. Maybe 10-3. Middle of the big 12 pack.

In 2013 we beat final #7 alabama, #17 osu, and #20 notre dame. We lost to unranked Texas and #13 baylor. Final ranking: #6. 4 players drafted, none higher than 4th round. final stats #52 total offense, #20 total defense.

In 2012 we beat final #19 texas. We lost to #4 notre dame, #6 aTm, and #12 kansas state. Final ranking #15. 6 players drafted, one in first round (OL) the rest no higher than 4th. Total offense #12, total defense #64. co-Big 12 champs but ksu went to the BCS bowl for winning head to head.

In 2011 we beat final #23 florida state and $15 kansas state. We lost to #3 osu, #13 baylor, and unranked texas tech. Final ranking: #16. 7 players drafted, highest one in 3rd round. Total offense #5, total defense #55.

In 2010 we beat final #13 osu, #17 florida state and #20 nebraska. We lost to #18 missouri and #19 aTm. Final ranking: #6. 4 players drafted, highest in 3rd round. Total offense #10, total defense #53. Big 12 champs.

In 2009 we beat no team ranked in the final top 25. We lost to #12 byu, #19 miami, #2 texas, #14 nebraska and #21 texas tech. Final ranking: unranked. 7 players drafted, 4 in the first round. Total offense #23, total defense #8.

What you have to determine is this just a low ebb in a long term coaches career or a decline that is likely to continue. Unfortunately it usually isn't clear other than in hindsight.

[SoonerStormchaser]

So what is the lesson learned from the John Blake years? Anybody?

Twister is an effective play-calling technique.
Playing (c)rap music during warm-ups is an appropriate team motivator.