WHITLOCK - Stoops and the Sooners sound scared

Hammock Parties · 11-30-2007, 10:46 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/384740.html

Stoops and the Sooners sound scared

Make sure you send Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners a thank-you note when this is over.

The arrogant, two-loss underachievers think they’re doing the Missouri Tigers a favor tonight by granting Chase Daniel and Co. a rematch.

When Stoops is right, I’m with him. Last year, incompetent, unethical officiating cost him a game at Oregon. He was right to complain, and I showed my support by disregarding the loss every time I filled out my AP top-25 vote.

But this week, Stoops and his coaching staff have gone overboard, sarcastically dismissing the notion that the Tigers took themselves out of the first Missouri-Oklahoma showdown with four turnovers.

Brent Venables, OU’s defensive coordinator, said he hopes the Sooners “luck” into another victory in tonight’s Big 12 Championship. Friday, at the pregame news conference, Stoops once again seemed perturbed when questioned about Missouri giving the game away.

“It’s just whatever perspective you want to take,” he said. “I mean, you can look at it different ways. The first interception we got the blitz on, pressure them. The ball goes right down the middle. Our guy makes a great cut right in front of the guy, intercepts the ball. Is that good defense or did they just give it to us? I don’t know.

“Their running back (Jeremy) Maclin, receiver, fabulous player, they run a quick sweep and they’re going to throw the ball. Most people suck up. Makes for a great highlight if we’re out of position and get fooled. But we stay in position, we’re over the top of them, underneath the receiver and intercept the ball. Is that good defense, good reaction or is that them giving it to us? Depends on how you want to write your article.

“So in the end, it doesn’t really matter. We had two turnovers, too. They take the lead in the fourth quarter when we drop a kickoff return. We fumble the ball and give them the ball in the short field. So we made our share of mistakes, as well. It’s just how you want to tell your story. That’s up to you to do.”

Well, here’s how I want to tell the story: Stoops and the Sooners are scared.

He’s the best coach in this league, and really had little competition for that honor. Mack Brown is a great recruiter and motivator. Stoops can outcoach Brown with his clipboard and headset tied behind his back. Texas is annoying, but Stoops can handle the Longhorns when there’s no Vince Young to contend with.

Nebraska’s program is in disarray. Bill Snyder retired, and the Wildcats are backing up. Texas A&M never seems to reach its full potential, and there’s no reason to believe Mike Sherman is going to change that. Kansas can win 11 games for the next 10 years and Stoops will never view the Jayhawks and Mark Mangino as threats. Stoops trained Mangino. Teachers rarely fear their pupils, and football teachers damn sure don’t fear a pupil stuck at a basketball school.

Mike Leach is a nut. He and Texas Tech are pesky, but they’ll never overthrow the king.

My point is Gary Pinkel and the Missouri Tigers are very, very dangerous. Pinkel went into Texas and stole Daniel, the Big 12’s best player. Daniel’s success, in my opinion, is more a slap at Stoops than Mack Brown.

Brown isn’t clever enough to see the potential in a Chase Daniel. Brown is a star-struck recruiter. He has Jeremy Crabtree and Rivals on speed dial. Stoops and his staff should’ve been all over Daniel.

And don’t think Stoops isn’t hot watching tape of Maclin. He was supposed to be a Sooner until Pinkel sweet-talked him into wearing black and gold.

Pinkel and Stoops, Oklahoma and Missouri are budding rivals. Stoops and Pinkel have similar aggressive coaching philosophies. They like trick plays. They’ll go for it on fourth down. They’re stubborn and cocky. They’re from Ohio.

Is Pinkel the equal of Stoops? No. Not yet anyway. If the Tigers win tonight and win the BCS title game, Pinkel will own just as many national titles as Stoops.

Stoops wants to put Pinkel and Missouri back in their place tonight, back where everyone else in the Big 12 is — looking up at Stoops and the Sooners. Stoops feels as if he’s already done it once this season, when the Sooners slapped Missouri by 10.

But sportswriters and the Missouri players believe the Tigers took themselves out of the first game with turnovers. No one believes, as far as I know, that Missouri should’ve won the first game. The belief is the teams are equal and Missouri didn’t give itself a chance to win.

I’ll admit that I’m wrong if the Sooners whip the Tigers tonight. I hope Stoops will acknowledge his error if the Tigers beat the Sooners.

Hammock Parties · 11-30-2007, 10:50 PM

IT'S AFRAID!

kchero · 11-30-2007, 10:52 PM

Nice read, I have to admit the past couple of weeks Whitlock has done some fine work at the Star.

**KcMizzou** · 11-30-2007, 10:59 PM

Preach it, Jason.

OU earned that first win... no doubt about it. I don't think they "lucked" into it... and I don't think the Mizzou players or coaches do either.

Stoops is trying to play up that angle to fire up his team.

They've got that... and Mizzou has this...

Nobody in the national media thinks Mizzou is a legit #1. We're a reason for a playoff. If a team like Mizzou can be #1, then the system is clearly broken.

Only big name schools deserve #1 rankings.

siberian khatru · 11-30-2007, 11:02 PM

**Bob Dole** · 11-30-2007, 11:09 PM

Mizzou should be able to handle 0U without their Norman security blanket. Bob Dole just hopes they got the nervous completely out of their system with those first 2 drives last weekend.

**KcMizzou** · 11-30-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Mizzou should be able to handle 0U without their Norman security blanket. Bob Dole just hopes they got the nervous completely out of their system with those first 2 drives last weekend.

They've basically been playing "playoff games" for 6 straight weeks... chasing, and ultimately beating KU.

I'm... cautiously optimistic.

I think we can take 'em.

Eleazar · 11-30-2007, 11:36 PM

People expect them to beat us, and it seems like that brings out the best that Mizzou has.

It's when we play as favorites that things get a little lax. You could even see it in the KU game. We come out of the gate and bull rush them. In the third, we go up 21-0, and start to relax a little. Then when the game's close, we can still hold it together.

The pressure is on, it couldn't be more on, with a berth in the 'ship on the line.

Missouri has to feel confident in their abilities right now. After being bitten by Texas Tech, OU might feel like they are walking on eggshells a bit. Heck, if their luck were a little worse they'd have 3 losses.

That's why I would give us a slight edge.

Frazod · 11-30-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Preach it, Jason.

OU earned that first win... no doubt about it. I don't think they "lucked" into it... and I don't think the Mizzou players or coaches do either.

Stoops is trying to play up that angle to fire up his team.

They've got that... and Mizzou has this...

Nobody in the national media thinks Mizzou is a legit #1. We're a reason for a playoff. If a team like Mizzou can be #1, then the system is clearly broken.

Only big name schools deserve #1 rankings.

I was reading an article like that today by douche supreme Jay Mariotti in the Chicago Sun Times. His No. 1 team in the country is USC, dammit, regardless of who they lose to or how often! Perhaps he and Mecca should start dating.

The only true story about the Tigers in the Sun Times (they were on the cover of the sports section, though) was written by a guy who praised them throughout, then at the end picked them to lose by 10 to Oklahoma. I've read different variations of that same article all week, which can be summarized as "Missouri's neat, Daniel is a stud, they're going to lose." I would like to think that would piss our guys off to no end - we're basically being patted on the head and told we're cute.

Hammock Parties · 11-30-2007, 11:46 PM

Mizzou fans are so cute!

**Bowser** · 11-30-2007, 11:47 PM

Mizzou is a much improved team than the one that went into OU's house nearly two months ago. Oklahoma is good, no doubt, but I think Mizzou might just have the edge needed to beat them. You can see it when Chase Daniel talks.

**KcMizzou** · 11-30-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I was reading an article like that today by douche supreme Jay Mariotti in the Chicago Sun Times. His No. 1 team in the country is USC, dammit, regardless of who they lose to or how often! Perhaps he and Mecca should start dating.

The only true story about the Tigers in the Sun Times (they were on the cover of the sports section, though) was written by a guy who praised them throughout, then at the end picked them to lose by 10 to Oklahoma. I've read different variations of that same article all week, which can be summarized as "Missouri's neat, Daniel is a stud, they're going to lose." I would like to think that would piss our guys off to no end - we're basically being patted on the head and told we're cute.

Exactly.

I figure Mizzou will come out breathing fire for that very reason.

'Least I hope so.

I have a TON of faith in our leadership. Chase, Pinkel, and the seniors on this team. They can do this... and they know it.

Demonpenz · 11-30-2007, 11:51 PM

I have been watching the games closely and I bet pinkle comes out and tries to spread the field out. You can expect to see 4 or 5 wide sets with even some fake reverses and screens. That is my gut feeling

**KcMizzou** · 11-30-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Mizzou is a much improved team than the one that went into OU's house nearly two months ago. Oklahoma is good, no doubt, but I think Mizzou might just have the edge needed to beat them. You can see it when Chase Daniel talks.

That kid's just nails.

Fantastic QB, and a great leader.

**Bowser** · 12-01-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I have been watching the games closely and I bet pinkle comes out and tries to spread the field out. You can expect to see 4 or 5 wide sets with even some fake reverses and screens. That is my gut feeling

Better come in off that limb before you fall and hurt yourself.

11-30-2007, 10:46 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4530478	WHITLOCK - Stoops and the Sooners sound scared http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...ry/384740.html Stoops and the Sooners sound scared Make sure you send Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners a thank-you note when this is over. The arrogant, two-loss underachievers think they’re doing the Missouri Tigers a favor tonight by granting Chase Daniel and Co. a rematch. When Stoops is right, I’m with him. Last year, incompetent, unethical officiating cost him a game at Oregon. He was right to complain, and I showed my support by disregarding the loss every time I filled out my AP top-25 vote. But this week, Stoops and his coaching staff have gone overboard, sarcastically dismissing the notion that the Tigers took themselves out of the first Missouri-Oklahoma showdown with four turnovers. Brent Venables, OU’s defensive coordinator, said he hopes the Sooners “luck” into another victory in tonight’s Big 12 Championship. Friday, at the pregame news conference, Stoops once again seemed perturbed when questioned about Missouri giving the game away. “It’s just whatever perspective you want to take,” he said. “I mean, you can look at it different ways. The first interception we got the blitz on, pressure them. The ball goes right down the middle. Our guy makes a great cut right in front of the guy, intercepts the ball. Is that good defense or did they just give it to us? I don’t know. “Their running back (Jeremy) Maclin, receiver, fabulous player, they run a quick sweep and they’re going to throw the ball. Most people suck up. Makes for a great highlight if we’re out of position and get fooled. But we stay in position, we’re over the top of them, underneath the receiver and intercept the ball. Is that good defense, good reaction or is that them giving it to us? Depends on how you want to write your article. “So in the end, it doesn’t really matter. We had two turnovers, too. They take the lead in the fourth quarter when we drop a kickoff return. We fumble the ball and give them the ball in the short field. So we made our share of mistakes, as well. It’s just how you want to tell your story. That’s up to you to do.” Well, here’s how I want to tell the story: Stoops and the Sooners are scared. He’s the best coach in this league, and really had little competition for that honor. Mack Brown is a great recruiter and motivator. Stoops can outcoach Brown with his clipboard and headset tied behind his back. Texas is annoying, but Stoops can handle the Longhorns when there’s no Vince Young to contend with. Nebraska’s program is in disarray. Bill Snyder retired, and the Wildcats are backing up. Texas A&M never seems to reach its full potential, and there’s no reason to believe Mike Sherman is going to change that. Kansas can win 11 games for the next 10 years and Stoops will never view the Jayhawks and Mark Mangino as threats. Stoops trained Mangino. Teachers rarely fear their pupils, and football teachers damn sure don’t fear a pupil stuck at a basketball school. Mike Leach is a nut. He and Texas Tech are pesky, but they’ll never overthrow the king. My point is Gary Pinkel and the Missouri Tigers are very, very dangerous. Pinkel went into Texas and stole Daniel, the Big 12’s best player. Daniel’s success, in my opinion, is more a slap at Stoops than Mack Brown. Brown isn’t clever enough to see the potential in a Chase Daniel. Brown is a star-struck recruiter. He has Jeremy Crabtree and Rivals on speed dial. Stoops and his staff should’ve been all over Daniel. And don’t think Stoops isn’t hot watching tape of Maclin. He was supposed to be a Sooner until Pinkel sweet-talked him into wearing black and gold. Pinkel and Stoops, Oklahoma and Missouri are budding rivals. Stoops and Pinkel have similar aggressive coaching philosophies. They like trick plays. They’ll go for it on fourth down. They’re stubborn and cocky. They’re from Ohio. Is Pinkel the equal of Stoops? No. Not yet anyway. If the Tigers win tonight and win the BCS title game, Pinkel will own just as many national titles as Stoops. Stoops wants to put Pinkel and Missouri back in their place tonight, back where everyone else in the Big 12 is — looking up at Stoops and the Sooners. Stoops feels as if he’s already done it once this season, when the Sooners slapped Missouri by 10. But sportswriters and the Missouri players believe the Tigers took themselves out of the first game with turnovers. No one believes, as far as I know, that Missouri should’ve won the first game. The belief is the teams are equal and Missouri didn’t give itself a chance to win. I’ll admit that I’m wrong if the Sooners whip the Tigers tonight. I hope Stoops will acknowledge his error if the Tigers beat the Sooners.
Posts: 278,465

11-30-2007, 10:50 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4530478	IT'S AFRAID! __________________ Chiefs game films
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11-30-2007, 10:52 PM	#3
kchero Veteran Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $9978240	Nice read, I have to admit the past couple of weeks Whitlock has done some fine work at the Star.
Posts: 1,731

11-30-2007, 10:59 PM	#4
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	Preach it, Jason. OU earned that first win... no doubt about it. I don't think they "lucked" into it... and I don't think the Mizzou players or coaches do either. Stoops is trying to play up that angle to fire up his team. They've got that... and Mizzou has this... Nobody in the national media thinks Mizzou is a legit #1. We're a reason for a playoff. If a team like Mizzou can be #1, then the system is clearly broken. Only big name schools deserve #1 rankings.
Posts: 54,695

11-30-2007, 11:02 PM	#5
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2364950
Posts: 69,255

11-30-2007, 11:09 PM	#6
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2404497	Mizzou should be able to handle 0U without their Norman security blanket. Bob Dole just hopes they got the nervous completely out of their system with those first 2 drives last weekend.
Posts: 48,633

11-30-2007, 11:36 PM	#8
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	People expect them to beat us, and it seems like that brings out the best that Mizzou has. It's when we play as favorites that things get a little lax. You could even see it in the KU game. We come out of the gate and bull rush them. In the third, we go up 21-0, and start to relax a little. Then when the game's close, we can still hold it together. The pressure is on, it couldn't be more on, with a berth in the 'ship on the line. Missouri has to feel confident in their abilities right now. After being bitten by Texas Tech, OU might feel like they are walking on eggshells a bit. Heck, if their luck were a little worse they'd have 3 losses. That's why I would give us a slight edge.
Posts: 80,659

11-30-2007, 11:46 PM	#10
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4530478	Mizzou fans are so cute! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,465

11-30-2007, 11:47 PM	#11
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3281616	Mizzou is a much improved team than the one that went into OU's house nearly two months ago. Oklahoma is good, no doubt, but I think Mizzou might just have the edge needed to beat them. You can see it when Chase Daniel talks.
Posts: 100,892

11-30-2007, 11:51 PM	#13
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3032136	I have been watching the games closely and I bet pinkle comes out and tries to spread the field out. You can expect to see 4 or 5 wide sets with even some fake reverses and screens. That is my gut feeling __________________
Posts: 54,288