Painful losses in the Fiesta Bowl have me constantly mumbling this to myself. If we lose (again), it's only an exhibition. Will this Fiesta Bowl be the same tired tune? Will I find myself pissed off, drunk, sitting by myself in the dark watching the clock wind down?
The Sooners might just lose for the same reasons they always do in these games. They've already attained their primary goal, the Big 12 Championship. This game represents a reward for that accomplishment. It means little else save an opportunity for the young guys to get some extra practice snaps. Conversely, it's the biggest game in the history of Connecticut's football program. A victory against the vaunted Oklahoma Sooners would legitimize the program in the eyes of the college football. This scenario is the same as both Boise State and West Virginia.
Signs do point to the Sooners being uninterested in history repeating itself. Namely, Stoops and the Sooners have changed virtually every facet of the preparation for this game. They are staying at a different hotel and practicing at a different location. I believe in superstition so I'm fine, nee thrilled, by this news. It also says to me that there is an active interest in winning this football game. In years past Coach Stoops would have defiantly said that none of the preparations for this game were different than the first game of the season.
It also says to me that maybe ol' Stoops is lightening up a bit. If this is the case and he is relaxing a tad and maybe having some fun, it will rub off on the troops. Playing relaxed (different than indifferent) is a good thing.
The eyes of Sooner Nation will also be fixed on Josh Heupel. One, I think he'll be overly prepared. Two, I think he'll be eager to show off his offensive "philosophy". Three, this all results in unleashing a full arsenal of offensive weapons on the Huskies. I like the idea of this very much.
Another factor is that this is the final game for some key members of the Sooner Defense. Quinton MF Carter and Jeremy Beal are playing their final games as Sooners. I had instinctively included Travis "Old Steady" Lewis as being in his final game but he's a Junior. I'm not sure he'll be back next year but I digress. In any event these guys are Captains and they'll want to go out with a "bang".
Finally, in another nod to changing the past, nobody on the Sooners has been busted for stealing coats, being academically ineligible or opted for some inexplicable surgery which would keep him out of the game. I would have lost money on this if betting on such things were an option.
Needless to say I'm feeling good about this one.
The Picks
Offense
I hate to sound like a broken record but it's DeMarco. It's his final game and that guy's been huge in the big games all season. I think he puts on a show and helps his draft status.
Defense
A tough call here. I've done zero homework on the UConn offense. I've heard they are not built to play from behind. This leads me to believe they have an aversion to the forward pass. So I'm leaning towards a linebacker. Now, it also seems like someone comes out of the woodwork for the Sooners in bowl games. Ronnell "The Hammer" Lewis was this man last year. And you know what? I'm picking him again. He's had a very up and down year and nothing would be more fitting than to leave the old whitey's of Sooner Nation dreaming of the beheadings the Hammer will administer in 2011.
The Score
OU 35, UConn 24
Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner
