Game Day - Dec 1, 2012

Dec. 1, 2012

Oklahoma at TCU

Championship in the cards?

50 cents

The Norman Transcript

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Dec. 1, 2012

GAMEDAY

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THE VIEW

Finish strong In a season of big games, today’s becomes the biggest ho’d have thought?

First, who’d have thought Oklahoma could ever have lost two games at home, turning over their shot at victory against Kansas State and going up and down the field to no avail against Notre Dame.

Second, who’d have thought the Sooners might find themselves where they find themselves today having lost those two games.

Still, with only those blemishes next to their name and still with a chance to win a Big 12 championship, even if Kansas State topples Texas tonight in Manhattan.

Of course, the Wildcats own the tiebreaker that will send them to the Fiesta Bowl. But back here in Big 12 country, the conference doesn’t play favorites. In antiquity, it will be remembered both OU and K-State

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Clay Horning Sports Editor

claimed the league crown should both win today.

Bob Stoops hasn’t always agreed with that kind of thinking, but the man’s not a nitwit. When it serves his program, he’ll take the hardware.

“It’s whatever the conference rules are,” Stoops said. “That’s what you go by.”

It’s convenient, yes, but it still counts. And if the OU gets it, that would be No. 8 since 2000, the second year of the Stoops era. And instead of pondering the rightness of the Sooners’ right to claim their share of the title should they win • See HORNING Page 14

Oklahoma at TCU Time: 11 a.m.

Place: Owen Field Series: OU leads 7-4 Records: OU 9-2 (7-1 Big 12), TCU (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) Rankings: OU No. 12 Associated Press Top 25; No. 11 USA Today coaches poll; No. 11 BCS Standings/TCU unranked but receiving votes in both polls.

Line: OU minus 6 1/2 TV: ESPN (Cox 29) Radio: KOKC-AM 1520, KRXO-FM 107.7

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All in front of Sooners Breakdown Rosters Two-deeps Poster Stats National Schedule Big 12 Glance Predictions

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AP Photo

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops watches the action on the field during the Sooners’ road victory at Iowa State. They’ll be looking for another one today.

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GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

THE BIG STORY: TURNA ROUND G AME

Sooners must refuel Will Bedlam prove draining or a source of motivation?

By John Shinn Transcript Sports Writer

Come-from-behind victories should leave a team physically and emotionally drained.

Oklahoma has been through two of those games the last two weeks.

However, OU coach Bob Stoops was almost angered when asked if his team might struggle to rebound.

“I don’t know why it would. In the end, there’s nothing to bounce back from. Everything’s in front of us,” he said. “We’ve got a big game, an opportunity with championship implica-

tions. All of that in front of you; so if anything, I would think it would give you some momentum.”

So there are two thories but only one will be validated when the 12th-ranked Sooners (9-2, 7-1 Big 12) face TCU (7-4, 4-4) at 11 a.m. today at Amon Carter Stadium.

OU really does have everything to play for. A victory would clinch at least a share of its eighth Big 12 Conference championship since 2000. It could become an outright title with a Sooner victory coupled with a • See FOCUS Page 10

“In the end, there’s nothing to bounce back from. Everything’s in front of us. We’ve got a big game, an opportunity with championship implications. All of that in front of you; so if anything, I would think it would give you some momentum.”

Bob Stoops OU football coach

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Dec. 1, 2012

Brennan Clay wins the Bedlam game for Oklahoma with this overtime run last Saturday at Owen Field.

Today in Fort Worth, the Sooners need one more victory away from home, a place they’ve yet to lose this season, to claim at least a share of the Big 12 Conference crown.

Transcript Photo by Phillip Laizure

The Norman Transcript

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Dec. 1, 2012

GAMEDAY

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OKL A HOMA at TCU: BRE A K ING DOWN TODAY’S G AME

Can’t be giving away the football

By John Shinn

Sooner fullback Trey Millard makes a move during OU’s victory over Baylor.

Getting Millard involved could go a long way today for the Sooners.

Transcript Sports Writer

On one hand, Oklahoma has to be happy it’s about to play a runorientated team. Considering the points and yards it’s given up against Five Baylor, things to West watch Virginia John Shinn and Oklahoma State, this will seem like a respite.

On the other hand, the Sooners are 9-2 with two losses against run-oriented offenses that play pretty good defense (Notre Dame and Kansas State).

So, what does OU need

AP Photo

to go its way against TCU today in order to come out with victory? Here are five keys: Win the turnover battle: The losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame came

down to turnovers. OU didn’t collect any in either game and committed four.

It’s a key in any game, but against ball-control teams • See WATCH Page 11

RUNNING GAME

A quarterback who can run has proven to be an indispensable commodity.

OU’s backup quarterback Blake Bell can do it. TCU quarterback Tevone Boykin can, too. The difference is he’ll be on the field for every one of the Horned Frogs’ offensive snaps. The Sooners will only have that ability on a handful of plays.

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PA S S I N G G A M E

OU quarterback Landry Jones makes his 48th start today. After two straight 500-yard passing games, he’s clearly playing at the highest level of his career.

That experience is aided by four proven and talented receivers to throw to. Boykin is a converted running back and it tends to show when he drops back to pass.

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PA S S D E F E N S E

The Sooners’ secondary gives them a decided advantage. The problem is it may not matter. TCU has to run the ball to be successful.

However, defensive end Devonte Fields could narrow the gap considerably. He leads the Big 12 in sacks.

The Horned Frogs will need a great deal of pressure to make this category competitive.

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RUN DEFENSE

TCU’s rise over the last decade has been linked to its run defense. It will sell out to stop the run and it’s been a winning formula. OU’s managed to win its last three games in spite of its run defense. The Sooners might improve today, but the track record points in the Horned Frogs’ direction.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

A strong argument can be made that special teams are the reason OU’s still in the Big 12 title race. Big returns have either set up or scored second-half touchdowns in the last two games.

However, the gap here isn’t large. Special teams have been critical to the Horned Frogs’ success this season.

They kick and cover as well as any team.

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I N TA N G I B L E S

OU’s removed the label of a struggling road team. It’s been the same whether the games have been at Owen Field or elsewhere. The Sooners have to show that poise one last time. With a Big 12 title and BCS bowl berth both at stake, they have so much to play for.

The stakes appear to give OU the edge.

— John Shinn

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GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

OKLAHOMA ROSTER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38 38

Tony Jefferson Julian Wilson Sterling Shepard Kenny Stills Joseph Ibiloye Demontre Hurst Corey Nelson Dominique Whaley Joe Powell Gabe Lynn Trevor Knight Rashod Favors Blake Bell R.J. Washington Kendal Thompson Landry Jones Durron Neal Aaron Colvin Drew Allen Lamar Harris Jaz Reynolds Trey Metoyer Michael Hunnicutt Jalen Saunders Justin Brown Frank Shannon Tom Wort Austin Brown Roy Finch Cortez Johnson Kass Everett Danzel Williams Brennan Clay Trey Franks Aaron Franklin David Smith Zack Sanchez Damien Williams Gary Simon Alex Ross Grant Bothun Quentin Hayes Javon Harris Daniel Franklin Marshall Musil Trey Millard Daniel Brooks Julian Winters Joel Ossom Tress Way Dylan Seibert Brandon Young Jack Steed

DB DB WR WR LB DB LB RB DB DB QB DE QB DE QB QB WR DB QB DB WR WR K WR WR LB LB WR RB DB DB RB RB DB LB RB DB RB DB RB WR DB DB LB FB FB RB RB FB P P DB K

5-11 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-7 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-8 5-11 5-9 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-5

212 191 188 190 218 183 219 204 173 199 197 250 254 256 184 218 201 181 226 186 198 190 173 160 209 230 237 202 175 191 180 189 201 184 212 193 170 208 180 204 183 181 206 224 241 256 163 169 235 215 215 173 200

Jr. Chula Vista, Calif.

So. Moore Fr. Oklahoma City Jr. Encinitas, Calif.

Sr. Garland, Tx Sr. Lancaster, Tx Jr. Dallas, Tx Sr. Lawton Jr. Dallas Jr. Tulsa Fr. San Antonio So. Fort Worth So. Wichita,Kan. Sr. Fort Worth R-Fr. Oklahoma City Sr. Artesia, N.M. Fr. St. Louis, Mo. Jr. Owasso Jr. San Antonio Sr. Gilmer, Tx Jr. Houston, Tx Fr. Whitehouse, Tx So. Richardson, Tx Jr. Elk Grove, Calif.

Sr. Wilmington, Del. R-Fr. Dallas Jr. New Braunfels, TX R-Fr. Buffalo, Wyo. Jr. Niceville, Fla. So. NewOrleans, La. Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. R-Fr. Arlington, Tx Jr. San Diego Jr. Orange, Tx So. Marshall, Tx Fr. Midlothian, Ill. Fr. Keller, Tx Jr. San Diego Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Jenks Fr. Rowlett, Tx So. Lancaster, Tx Sr. Lawton Sr. Mount Airy, Ga. Jr. La Crosse, Kan. Jr. Columbia, Mo. Fr. Port Lavaca, Tx So. Sacramento, Calif.

Sr. Denton, Tx Sr. Tulsa R-Fr. Tulsa So. Frisco, Tx Fr. Katy, Tx

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 56 59 64 67 68 69 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 81 82 84 84 85 86 87 88 89 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Nick Hodgson K P.L. Lindley LB Eric Striker LB Jesse Paulsen DB Patrick O’Hara K Jaydan Bird LB Caleb Gastelum LB Eric Doughtie DB Alex Christiensen FB Eric Hosek K Aaron Ripkowski FB David Driskill FB Austin Woods OL John-Philip Hughes OL Casey Walker DT Nila Kasitati OL Ty Darlington OL Nathan Hughes OL Gabe Ikard OL Robert Hollis OL Bronson Irwin OL Lane Johnson OL Tyrus Thompson OL Derek Farniok OL Adam Shead OL Tyler Evans OL Jake Reed OL Marquis Anderson DT Kyle Marrs OL Daryl Williams OL Jordan Phillips DT Derrick Woods WR Sam Grant TE Lacolton Bester WR Brannon Green TE Mike Onuoha DE Don Caudill WR Geneo Grissom TE Brandon Kitchens WR Derrick Bradley WR Taylor McNamara TE Connor Knight TE Chase Buck TE David King DE Charles Tapper DE Stacy McGee DT Jordan Wade DT Torrea Peterson DT Damon Williams DT Mitch Tate DE Jamarkus McFarland DT Chuka Ndulue DE Chaz Nelson DE

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Dec. 1, 2012

TCU ROSTER 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-5 6-9 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-7 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-8 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2

189 240 198 193 192 236 196 197 243 150 260 239 293 250 309 309 266 248 288 333 307 303 303 319 307 315 300 265 320 299 318 185 234 205 250 235 194 247 161 173 234 212 231 286 265 299 290 277 305 238 288 256 239

So. N. Richland Hills, Tx R-Fr. R. Rock, Tx Fr. Seffner, Fla. Sr. Albuquerque, N.M. Sr. Topeka, Kan. Sr. Wichita, Kan. So. Claremore Fr. Sugarland, Tx Fr. Edmond R-Fr. Sherman, Tx So. Dayton, Ohio So. Oklahoma City Jr. Rockwall, Tx R-Fr. Tulsa Sr. Garland, Tx R-Fr. Euless, Tx Fr. Apopka, Fla. R-Fr. Spring, Tx Jr. Oklahoma City R-Fr. Tulsa Jr. Mustang Sr. Groveton, Tx So. Pflugerville, Tx R-Fr. Sioux Falls, S.D. So. Cedar Hill, Tx Sr. Strafford, Mo. Jr. Ardmore R-Fr. Cibolo, Tx Fr. San Antonio, Tx So. Lake Dallas, Tx R-Fr. Towanda, Kan. Fr. Inglewood, Calif.

Fr. North Royalton, Ohio Jr. Scooba, Miss.

Jr. Altamont, Kan. Fr. Edmond Jr. Muldrow So. Hutchinson, Kan. Fr. Jenks Sr. Houston, Tx Fr. San Diego, Calif.

Fr. San Antonio, Jr. Edmond Sr. Houston Fr. Baltimore Sr. Muskogee Fr. Round Rock, Tx So. San Antonio So. Irving, Tx R-Fr. Bartlesville Sr. Lufkin, Tx So. Dallas Jr. Columbus, Ohio

1 1 1 2 2 3 4 6 7 9 10 10 11 12 12 14 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20 21 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 28 29 30 31 31 32 32 33 34 34 35 35 36 36 37 39 40 41

Chris Hackett Ja'Juan Story Josh Doctson Jason Verrett Trevone Boykin Brandon Carter Jordan Moore Elisha Olabode Kolby Listenbee Jamie Byrd Brian Alexis Matt Brown Skye Dawson Kolby Griffin Tyler Matthews Tanner Campbell David Porter David Bush Scott Kujak Hunter Havens Keivon Gamble Connor O'Modhrain Bo Galarza Sam Carter Carson Snyder Alex Adewunmi Antonio Graves Deante' Gray Aaron Green Zach Jackson Chase DiStasio Quincy Aldridge Trent Thomas B.J. Catalon Ryan DeNucci Dalton Jones Kevin White David Jenkins Derrick Kindred Leekus Green Travoskey Garrett Geoff Hooker Daniel Walker Matthew Tucker Aundre Dean Devin Killpatrick Cale Patterson Chris Kim Waymon James Jaden Oberkrom Preston Miller Joey Rowe Josh Carraway Phil Taylor Rahmaan Patterson Joel Hasley Ethan Perry Laderice Sanders James McFarland Jonathan Anderson

6-2 200 6-4 208 6-4 185 5-10 180 6-2 215 5-11 161 6-3 210 5-10 192 6-1 185 5-11 190 5-9 160 6-1 189 5-9 183 5-11 181 6-3 215 6-2 200 6-0 195 5-9 180 6-4 205 5-9 175 5-10 180 6-3 205 6-0 187 6-1 220 6-4 190 6-1 210 6-2 214 5-10 180 5-11 190 6-0 185 6-1 182 6-2 195 5-11 190 5-9 185 5-10 190 6-1 200 5-10 174 6-1 193 5-10 202 5-6 165 6-1 195 5-10 180 6-3 187 6-1 227 6-0 215 5-11 165 5-11 185 5-9 175 5-8 203 6-3 182 5-9 170 5-11 205 6-3 225 5-11 188 6-1 200 6-1 220 6-4 230 6-1 230 6-3 240 6-3 208

S WR WR CB QB WR S S WR S CB QB WR CB QB S WR WR QB WR CB WR WR S QB LB S CB TB S WR S S TB PK S CB CB S TB CB S WR TB TB WR P S TB PK WR LB DE WR WR LB P FB DE S

R-Fr. So. So. Jr. R-Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. So. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. So. R-Fr. So. Jr. Jr. R-Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. So. So. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. So. So. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. So.

Tyler, TX Brooksville, Fla. Mansfield, TX Fairfield, Calif.

Mesquite, TX Euless, TX Lithonia, Ga. Cedar Hill, TX Arlington, TX Dade City, Fla. Fort Worth, TX Allen, TX Mesquite, TX Houston, TX Wichita, Kan. Houston, TX Desoto, TX Tyler, TX N.P. Richey, Fla. Prosper, TX Dallas, TX M. Viejo, Calif.

El Paso, TX Alief, TX Aledo, TX Dallas, TX Texarkana, TX Houston, TX San Antonio, TX Snellville, Ga. Merrimack, N.H Whitehouse, TX Brenham, TX Houston, TX Austin, TX Shreveport, La. Round Rock, TX Jena, La. San Antonio, TX Katy, TX Lufkin, TX Sherman, TX Fort Worth, TX Tyler, TX Katy, TX Pearland, TX Kenilworth, Ill. Newton, Mass.

Sherman, TX Arlington, TX Dallas, TX Phoenix, Ariz.

Flower Mound, TX Lake Forest, Calif.

St. Paul, Minn.

Aledo, TX Spring Branch, TX Arlington, TX West Monroe, La. Corpus Christi, TX

42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 56 57 58 59 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 96 97 98 99

Luke Benuska Cliff Murphy David Stoltzman A.J. Hilliard Paul Dawson Carl Stephens Stephen Bryant Daniel Shelley Kenny Cain Ross Forrest David Johnson Marcus Mallet Femi Awe Joey Hunt Christopher Cisi Davion Pierson Bryant House Russell Williams Tayo Fabuluje Matt Johnston Rich Morgan Griffin Fauntleroy Justin Trejo James Fry Brady Foltz Blaize Foltz Michael Clifford Trevius Jones Aviante Collins Jeremy Coleman Sean Cady Michael Thompson Bobby Thompson Eric Tausch Halapoulivaati Vaitai John Wooldridge Chad Childs Jamelle Naff Nick Tutcher Adam Bateman Mason Orradre Buck Jones Bailey Desormeaux Josh Boyce Gerren Ballard Dominic Merka LaDarius Brown Corey Fuller Griffin Gilbert Cam White Walker Dille Stansly Maponga Matt Anderson Ray Burns Michael Mosharrafa Taylor Oney Chucky Hunter Jon Koontz Jon Lewis Terrell Lathan

6-6 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-3 5-9 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-5 6-3 5-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-5

255 280 210 215 230 250 242 228 225 265 270 216 248 285 195 305 267 265 315 300 309 185 305 305 300 310 285 315 310 290 200 352 310 300 305 310 280 311 290 310 192 228 195 203 250 230 220 255 220 200 242 265 245 305 210 250 305 265 290 260

TE TE LB LB LB TE TE SN LB DE DT LB DE C LB DT DT DE OT OT C DS OG C OG OG OL OG OT OG DL OG OT OG OT OG OT OG OL OL WR TE WR WR TE TE WR TE TE WR TE DE DE NT DE DE DT DE DT DT

R-Fr. San Marino, Calif.

So. Little Elm, TX Sr. southlake, TX Fr. Klein, TX So. Dallas, TX Fr. San Antonio, TX So. New Deal, TX Sr. Austin, TX Sr. Metairie, La. Sr. Odessa, TX So. Argyle, TX So. Cleveland, TX So. Mansfield, TX Fr. El Campo, TX Jr. Thousand Oaks, Calif.

R-Fr. Oklahoma City Jr. Maud, TX So. Eastland, Texa So. Euless, TX Jr. Flower Mound, TX Jr. Burlington, Ky. Jr. Temecula, Calif.

Sr. St. Paul, Minn.

Sr. Spring Branch, TX R-Fr. Rose Hill, Kan. Sr. Rose Hill, Kan. Jr. Paris, TX Sr. Tyler, TX Fr. Houston, TX Sr. Missouri City, TX Jr. Austin, Texa So. Farmersville, TX R-Fr. Midland, TX Jr. Plano, TX Fr. Haltom, TX Jr. Houston, TX Fr. La Grange, TX R-Fr. Del City Jr. Houston, TX R-Fr. Houston, TX R-Fr. S.L. Obispo, Calif.

Fr. Matthews, NC So. Sugar Land, TX Jr. Copperas Cove, TX Fr. Whitewright, TX R-Fr. Crosby, TX R-Fr. Waxahachie, TX Sr. La Vernia, TX Fr. Austin, TX So. Desoto, TX Sr. Sugar Land, TX Jr. Carrollton, TX So. Vanderbilt, TX Jr. Maud, TX Fr. Phoenix, Ariz.

So. The Woodlands, TX So. West Monroe, La. Jr. Aledo, TX So. Spring, TX Fr. West Monroe, La.

FB: When Sooners take receiver or tight end off the field 33, Trey Millard 48, Aaron Ripkowski 59,Tayo Fabuluje 74, Halapoulivaati Vaital

DT: 97, Jamarcus McFarland 53, David King

TB: 29, Matthew Tucker 23, B.J. Catalon

When Horned Frongs take tight end off field and add another receiver WR: 3, Brandon Carter 15, David Bush

WR: 11, Skye Dawson 14, David Porter

CB: 6, Demontre Hurst 15, Lamar Harris

SS:

DE: 53, David King 84, Mike Onuoha

7, Corey Nelson 25 Aaron Franklin

21, Tom Wort 20, Frank Shannon

1, Tony Jefferson 42, Jesse Paulsen

86, Corey Fuller 87, Griffin Gilbert

LB:

LB:

Dec. 1, 2012

TE:

RT: 69, Aviante Collins 74, Halapoulivaati Vaital

RG: 66, Blaize Foltz 75, John Woolridge

DT: 53, Casey Walker 80, Jordan Phillips

QB: 2, Trevone Boykin 10, Matt Brown

C: 64, James Fry 56, Joey Hunt

NB: 9, Gabe Lynn 2, Julian Wilson

WHEN OKLAHOMA HAS THE BALL

LG: 73, Eric Tausch 56, Joey Hunt

LT:

51, Kenny Cain 19, Antonio Graves

FS:

DE: 98, Chuka Ndulue 11, R.J. Washington

CB: 14, Aaron Colvin 27, Gary Simon

CB: 34, Justin Gilbert 6, Ashton Lampkin

DE: 95, Devonte Fields 97, Jon Koontz

LB:

36, Joel Hasley 47, Paul Dawson

17, Sam Carter 26, Derrick Kindred

WR: 82, Josh Boyce 88, Cam White

WR: 19, Justin Brown 13, Durron Neal

82, Brannon Green

DT: 57, Davion Pierson 53, David Johnson

TE:

LB:

WS: 1, Chris Hackett 41, Jonathan Anderson

SS:

WR: 85, LaDarius Brown 7, Kolby Listenbee

TB: 26, Damien Williams 10, Brennan Clay RT: 71, Tyrus Thompson 72, Derek Farniok

RG: 68, Bronson Irwin 50, Austin Woods

DT: 96, Chucky Hunter 98, Jon Lewis

QB: 12, Landry Jones 10, Blake Bell

C: 64, Gabe Ikard 56, Ty Darlington

LG: 74, Adam Shead 50, Austin Woods

69, Lane Johnson 71, Tyrus Thompson

6, Elisha Olabode 28, Geoff Hooker

â–

LT:

DE: 90, Standly Maponga 40, James McFarland

CB: 19, Brodrick Brown 1, Kevin Peterson

FS:

SR: 18, Jalen Saunders 3, Sterling Shepard

WR: 4, Kenny Stills 17, Trey Metoyer

The Norman Transcript GAMEDAY 7

WHEN TCU HAS THE BALL 30, Javon Harris 9, Gabe Lynn

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Photo by Jerry Laizure

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181 ■ Jr. Owasso Career: 167 tackles, 10 for loss, 1 2 ⁄2 sacks, 4 interceptions

No. 14

Aaron Colvin

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GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

Total Opp.

SCHEDULE Sept. 1 at UTEP Sept. 8 Florida A&M Sept. 22 Kansas St. Oct. 6 at Texas Tech Oct. 13 Texas Oct. 20 Kansas Oct. 27 Notre Dame Nov. 3 at Iowa St. Nov. 10 Baylor Nov. 17 at W. Virginia Nov. 24 OSU Dec. 1 at TCU

W, 24-7 W, 69-13 L, 24-19 W, 41-20 W, 63-21 W, 52-7 L, 30-13 W, 35-20 W, 42-34 W, 50-49 W, 51-48 11 a.m.

STATS Williams Clay Whaley Bell Millard Finch Stills Shepard Team Jones

Att 142 77 39 54 26 7 2 1 7 13

(11 games) Rushing Yds Y/C TD 790 5.6 10 464 6.0 6 243 6.2 1 182 3.4 11 162 6.2 0 62 8.9 1 22 11.0 0 13 13.0 0 -37 -5.3 0 -103 -7.9 0

Lg 95 41 18 55 20 17 13 13 0 5

Y/G 71.8 42.2 40.5 16.5 14.7 5.6 2.0 1.2 -6.2 -9.4

368 1798 4.9 29 423 2054 4.9 22 Passing Eff C-A-I Pct Jones 149.0 310-467-9 66.4 Bell 119.9 9-15-0 60.0 Total 148.1 319-482-9 66.2 Opp. 102.3180-354-12 50.8 Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Stills 73 876 12.0 11 Brown 62 795 12.8 4 Saunders 46 658 14.3 2 Shepard 38 549 14.4 3 Millard 27 306 11.3 4 Williams 25 262 10.5 0 Metoyer 17 148 8.7 1 Clay 14 90 6.4 1 Neal 4 62 15.5 0 Whaley 4 14 3.5 0 Green 3 45 15.0 1 Bester 3 29 9.7 0 Finch 2 6 3.0 0 Musil 1 12 12.0 0 Total 319 3852 12.1 27 Opp. 180 2141 11.9 8 Tackles (leaders) S A T Loss Jefferson 71 34 105 3.5-7 Harris 45 26 71 1.5-5 Colvin 36 13 49 2.5-15 Hurst 38 11 49 1.0-2 Wort 22 26 48 4.5-23 Nelson 20 23 43 3.5-13 Ndulue 20 19 39 5.0-10 Lynn 25 8 33 2.5-4 Shannon 19 14 33 3.0-13 Washington16 16 32 2.0-8 Wilson 21 8 29 2.0-3 McFarland 13 12 25 6.0-28 King 9 15 24 2.0-9

95 163.5 74 186.7 Yds. TD 3745 27 107 0 3852 27 2141 8 Lg 68 46 76 52 73 38 27 25 25 13 18 13 5 12 76 75

A/G 79.6 72.3 94.0 49.9 27.8 23.8 16.4 8.2 6.9 2.3 4.1 2.6 0.5 6.0 350.2 194.6

Sack 0.5-3 2.0-14 1.0-2 2.0-15 1.0-8 4.0-9 2.0-12 0.5-2 3.0-23 2.5-8

TE A M NUMBERS SCORING Points Per Game FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing

OU 459 41.7 304 97 195 12 1798 2022 224 368 4.9 163.5 29

Opp. 273 24.8 211 93 99 19 2054 2237 183 423 4.9 186.7 22

PASSING YARDAGE 3852 2141 C-A-I 319-482-9180-354-12 Average Per Pass 8.0 6.0 Average Per Catch 12.1 11.9 Average Per Game 350.2 194.6 TDs Passing 27 8 TOTAL OFFENSE 5650 4195 Total Plays 850 777 Average Per Play 6.6 5.4 Average Per Game 513.6 381.4 3RD-DOWN Conversions 81/153 76/176 3rd-Down Pct 53% 43% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 7/10 6/13 4th-Down Pct 70% 46%

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Dec. 1, 2012

Focus: Sooners must be ready • Continued from Page 4 Kansas State loss to Texas.

There could very likely be a BCS bowl appearance — the Sooners’ ninth since 2000 — hanging in the balance even should the Wildcats win.

Everything that typically rides on the final game of the regular season will be dangling for the Sooners to grab.

Is it enough?

“It would be huge. Huge for us,” quarterback Landry Jones said. “But to get to that BCS bowl game, you have to win against TCU, so that’s what we are focusing on this week.”

The ability to focus has been OU’s best characteristic this season. A win today would mark the first time it has completed a regular season without losing away from Owen Field since 2004.

“We’ve got a lot of seniors on the field and we’ve played in big stadiums,” defensive tackle Casey Walker said.

“Like when we were at Florida State, that’s one of the loudest stadiums I’ve ever been in. Knowing you have

TCU fans had much to cheer about in Austin last Saturday, where the Horned Frogs beat Texas.

Today, they’ll be out in much higher numbers hoping their team can stop the Sooners.

AP Photo

to tune out everything around you and focus on what you’re doing, I think that we’ve done that. And it’s shown.”

There seems to be an obtainable goal under every nook and cranny of today’s game. The Sooners have done what’s required for that to be the case.

“Everything is at stake in this game. It’s basically a championship game depending on what happens

with other teams. We could win it all,” linebacker Tom Wort said. “It’s definitely a huge game for us and everyone is really focused for it.”

OU has been able to ready itself for every game this season. Even after winning a thriller in Morgantown, W.V., it was able to come back just as strong and just as clutch last Saturday against Oklahoma State.

Those were tough games, but successful seasons

require difficult victories.

OU’s got everything to play for today at TCU. Players have compared the regular-season finale to a Big 12 championship game.

A fitting comparison?

The Sooners are playing for a championship and very possibly a BCS bowl berth.

It sounds very much like conference title game.

John Shinn Follow me @john_shinn jshinn@normantranscript.com

The Norman Transcript

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Dec. 1, 2012

Boyce Perry Team Total Opp.

SCHEDULE Sept. 8 Grambling Sept. 15 at Kansas Sept. 22 Virginia Sept. 29 at SMU Oct. 6 Iowa State Oct. 13 at Baylor Oct. 20 Texas Tech Oct. 27 at OSU Nov. 3 at West Virginia Nov. 10 Kansas State Nov. 22 at Texas Dec. 1 Oklahoma

W, 56-0 W, 20-6 W, 27-7 W, 24-16 L, 27-23 W, 49-21 L, 56-53 L, 36-14 W, 39-38 L, 23-10 W, 20-13 11 a.m.

STATS Catalon Tucker Boykin Dean James Dawson Pachall Brown Carter Sanders

Att 105 105 103 61 17 9 21 6 4 3

(11 games) Rushing Yds Y/C TD 511 4.9 0 467 4.4 5 344 3.3 2 269 4.4 0 168 9.9 1 44 4.9 0 23 1.1 0 13 2.2 0 10 2.5 0 4 1.3 2

Lg 46 29 42 37 46 11 17 9 14 2

Y/G 46.5 46.7 34.4 29.9 84.0 4.4 5.8 2.2 1.0 1.0

2 3 1.5 1 2 0.3 1 -18 -18.0 0 0 -1.8 14 -67 -4.8 0 0 -7.4 451 1771 3.9 11 46 161.0 348 1070 3.1 9 49 97.3 Passing Eff C-A-I Pct Yds. TD Boykin 129.9 137-232-9 59.1 1622 14 Pachall 180.0 64-97-1 66.0 948 10 Brown 91.0 4-7-1 57.1 52 0 Team 0.0 0-3-0 0.0 0 0 Carter 320.0 1-2-0 50.0 25 1 Patterson 66.4 1-1-0 100.0 -4 0 Total 143.1207-342-11 60.5 2643 25 Opp. 117.2198-367-20 54.0 2493 19 Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Lg A/G Boyce 56 756 13.5 7 94 68.7 Carter 33 499 15.1 5 68 49.9 Dawson 31 428 13.8 1 36 42.8 Brown 22 327 14.9 5 60 29.7 Catalon 21 150 7.1 1 22 13.6 White 18 229 12.7 2 27 20.8 Fuller 7 80 11.4 1 35 7.3 Tucker 7 64 9.1 1 16 6.4 Bush 4 36 9.0 1 18 4.0 James 3 38 12.7 0 30 19.0 Porter 2 18 9.0 0 14 1.6 Gilbert 2 11 5.5 0 6 1.0 Dean 1 7 7.0 1 7 0.8 Total.

207 2643 12.8 25 94 240.3 Opp. 198 2493 12.6 19 77 226.6 Tackles (leaders) S A T Loss Sack Hasley 41 27 68 8.0-23 2.0-7 Cain 41 24 65 5.5-12 1.5-5 Olabode 40 17 57 3.0-7 Carter 34 22 56 6.5-31 3.0-26 Fields 31 16 47 17.5-80 9.0-63 Verrett 37 9 46 4.0-6 Hackett 30 13 43 1.5-4

TE A M NUMBERS SCORING Points Per Game FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing

TCU 335 30.5 223 98 113 12 1771 2146 375 451 3.9 161.0 11

Opp. 253 23.0 186 62 106 18 1070 1363 293 348 3.1 97.3 9

PASSING YARDAGE 2643 2493 C-A-I 207-342-11198-367-20 Average Per Pass 7.7 6.8 Average Per Catch 12.8 12.6 Average Per Game 240.3 226.6 TDs Passing 25 19 TOTAL OFFENSE 4414 3563 Total Plays 793 715 Average Per Play 5.6 5.0 Average Per Game 401.3 323.9 3RD-DOWN Conversions57/161 43/153 3rd-Down Pct 35% 28% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 10/18 9/16 4th-Down Pct 56% 56%

GAMEDAY

11

Watch: Throw first, run later • Continued from Page 5 it is magnified. Losing a possession can easily mean 5 to 8 minutes without the ball. Suddenly a quarter is off the scoreboard and your offense has spent it twiddling its thumbs. OU has the better offense.

More possessions likely equates to a victory.

Execute on first down defensively: TCU can throw the ball, but it relies on play-action passes to do it.

In order to be most effective it needs to be in short-yardage situations on second and third down.

Keep the Horned Frogs in third-and-long situations and OU’s defense gets the upper hand. Struggle on first down and it’s going to be a long day.

Watch Lane Johnson: Oklahoma’s left tackle is going to be matched up on TCU defensive end Davonte Fields on every snap. Fields leads the Big 12 in sacks and tackles for loss. He might be the most disruptive defensive lineman OU has faced this season. If Johnson can

Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills races toward the end zone last week against Oklahoma State. The Sooners need one more win today at TCU. Transcript Photo by Kyle Phillips

handle Fields by himself, OU’s offense should be fine. Sliding a back to the left side to help him in protection means one less outlet in the passing game.

Come out throwing: TCU will do whatever is necessary to stop the run. It’s been head coach Gary Patterson’s calling card for years. It won’t change because OU’s in town.

There should be plenty of

opportunities down the field for OU receivers Kenny Stills, Justin Brown, Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard. The Sooners are going to need to run the ball, but there’s nothing wrong with using the pass to set it up.

Utilize fullback Trey Millard in multiple ways: Isn’t it strange how good things tend to happen when Millard touches the

ball? OU’s offense seems to be its most dynamic when Millard gets the ball 10-15 times in a variation of carries and receptions. The Sooners did a good job of getting it to him last week against Oklahoma State.

There should be opportunities today.

John Shinn Follow me @john_shinn jshinn@normantranscript.com

12

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

■

Dec. 1, 2012

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

It’s about defense in SEC AP Sports Writer

ATHENS, Ga. — Alabama lost a bunch of stars to the NFL, yet it’s hard to tell much difference. The Crimson Tide still has the nation’s top-ranked defense.

There was never any shortage of talent at Georgia, where all the best defensive players decided to remain in college for another year.

Even so, the Bulldogs didn’t start playing up to their potential until they were called out by one of their own.

An outburst by safety Shawn Williams, who accused his teammates of playing “soft,” sparked a dramatic turnaround at Georgia.

It’s a big reason the thirdranked Bulldogs (11-1) will face No. 2 Alabama (11-1) for the Southeastern Conference championship today, with the winner claiming a

spot in the national title game.

One thing seems certain: Both offenses will have trouble moving the ball.

“When you play with a team that has a great defense or had a great defense before you got here,” said Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, “you want to keep the standard going.”

Granted, the Crimson Tide has not been quite as dominant as a year ago, when the defense was led by four players — Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick, Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw — who were among the first 35 picks in the NFL draft. Alabama gave up more than 400 yards in two straight games, managing to pull out a win with a last-minute drive at LSU, but going down in a shocking upset to Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa.

Still, the Tide leads the country in points allowed

AP Top 25

Conference Title Games SEC Championship At Atlanta Alabama (11-1) vs. Georgia (11-1), 3 p.m.

1. Notre Dame (60) 2. Alabama 3. Georgia 4. Ohio St. 5. Florida 6. Oregon 7. Kansas St. 8. Stanford 9. LSU 10. Texas A&M 11. South Carolina 12. Oklahoma 13. Florida St. 14. Nebraska 15. Clemson 16. Oregon St. 17. UCLA 18. Kent St. 19. N. Illinois 20. Utah St. 21. Michigan 22. Northwestern 23. Texas 24. Oklahoma St. 25. Boise St.

ACC Championship At Charlotte, N.C. Florida St. (10-2) vs. Ga. Tech (6-6), 7 p.m.

Tide, Bulldogs stingy without ball

By Paul Newberry

Today’s Games

Big Ten Championship At Indianapolis Nebraska (10-2) vs. Wisconsin (7-5), 7:15 p.m.

Conference USA Championship Central Florida (9-3) at Tulsa (9-3), 11 a.m.

AP Photo

Georgia Tech running back Zach Laskey is stopped

by Georgia’s John Jenkins (6), Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson (45).

(9.25 per game) and total defense (233.7 yards).

“Those two games, we knew and the coaches knew ... we didn’t play our best,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said.

“So after that loss, we kind of got back to the basics of doing what we have to do.

Just doing the little things we do every day in practice — wrapping up, tackles, foot

work. Once you lose sight of those things, that’s when the big plays start to happen.”

Georgia’s best defenders passed on last year’s draft, linebacker Jarvis Jones and safety Baccari Rambo chief among them. Williams, cornerback Sanders Commings and nose guard John Jenkins, also returned.

• See DEFENSE Page 13

EAST San Diego (7-3) at Marist (4-6), 11 a.m.

Kansas (1-10) at West Virginia (6-5), 1:30 p.m.

Cincinnati (8-3) at UConn (5-6), 2:30 p.m.

SOUTH Louisiana-Lafayette (7-4) at FAU (3-8), 2 p.m.

Pittsburgh (5-6) at South Florida (3-8), 6 p.m.

MIDWEST Texas (8-3) at Kansas St. (10-1), 8 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Oklahoma St. (7-4) at Baylor (6-5), 11 a.m.

Oklahoma (9-2) at TCU (7-4), 11 a.m.

MTSU (8-3) at Arkansas St. (8-3), 2 p.m.

N. Mexico St. (1-10) at Texas St. (3-8), 3 p.m.

FAR WEST Nicholls St. (1-9) at Oregon St. (8-3), 1:30 p.m.

Boise St. (9-2) at Nevada (7-4), 2:30 p.m.

S. Alabama (2-10) at Hawaii (2-9), 10 p.m.

FCS Playoffs Second Round New Hampshire (8-3) at Wofford (8-3), 1 p.m.

C. Arkansas (9-2) at Ga. Southern (8-3), 1 p.m.

C.Carolina (8-4) at O. Dominion (10-1), 1 p.m.

Illinois St. (8-3) at App. St. (8-3), 1 p.m.

Cal Poly (9-2) at S. Houston St. (8-3), 3 p.m.

S. Dak. St. (9-3) at N. Dak. St. (10-1), 3 p.m.

Wagner (9-3) at E. Washington (9-2), 5 p.m.

S. Brook (10-2) at Montana St. (10-1), 6 p.m.

Record Pts 12-0 1,500 11-1 1,400 11-1 1,331 12-0 1,294 11-1 1,262 11-1 1,242 10-1 1,079 10-2 1,061 10-2 1,056 10-2 1,043 10-2 916 9-2 834 10-2 764 10-2 704 10-2 667 8-3 528 9-3 505 11-1 355 11-1 349 10-2 274 8-4 217 9-3 189 8-3 185 7-4 174 9-2 145

Pv 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 11 8 9 13 14 10 17 12 16 15 23 24 25 20 NR 18 22 NR

Coaches poll 1. Notre Dame (60) 2. Alabama 3. Georgia 4. Ohio St. 5. Florida 6. Oregon 7. Kansas St. 8. Stanford 9. LSU 10. Texas A&M 11. South Carolina 12. Oklahoma 13. Florida St. 14. Nebraska 15. Clemson 16. Oregon St. 17. UCLA 18. Kent St. 19. N. Illinois 20. Utah St. 21. Michigan 22. Northwestern 23. Texas 24. Oklahoma St. 25. Boise St.

Record Pts 12-0 1,500 11-1 1,400 11-1 1,331 12-0 1,294 11-1 1,262 11-1 1,242 10-1 1,079 10-2 1,061 10-2 1,056 10-2 1,043 10-2 916 9-2 834 10-2 764 10-2 704 10-2 667 8-3 528 9-3 505 11-1 355 11-1 349 10-2 274 8-4 217 9-3 189 8-3 185 7-4 174 9-2 145

Pv 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 11 8 9 13 14 10 17 12 16 15 23 24 25 20 NR 18 22 NR

The Norman Transcript

■

Dec. 1, 2012

GAMEDAY

Missing Championship Saturday Even though it wouldn’t benefit Wildcats this year, Snyder still wishes for Big 12 title game

By Dave Skretta AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder still believes the Big 12 should ultimately expand to at least 12 teams, creating two divisions and a conference championship game.

Snyder said Tuesday that “there are a number of programs in our conference who have and would profit from that type of system,” pointing out that teams with multiple losses would generate more interest late in the season by still having a chance to play for a championship.

“You walk out here and you walk through the lobby

and you see a trophy case here, and if we didn’t have divisions that would probably be a single trophy case,” Snyder said. “We had a chance to play for division championships, and then conference championships, and that was positive.”

The 73-year-old Snyder has seen the Big 12 go through a dramatic series of changes since he took over the oncedowntrodden Kansas State program in the late 1980s.

When the old Southwest Conference disintegrated, the Big Eight expanded by four teams to become the Big 12, and played a conference title game every year from 1996-2010.

The game has cut both

ways for the Wildcats: They were in position to play for a national championship in 1998 before losing to Texas A&M in double-overtime, but managed to win the Big 12 title and earn a Fiesta Bowl berth in 2003 by upsetting then-No. 1 Oklahoma.

After conference realignment that saw Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M leave the Big 12, the league picked up West Virginia and TCU to remain at 10 teams, and locked up broadcast rights to stabilize a league not long ago on the brink of extinction.

The conference realignment merry-go-round has been spinning again in recent

weeks. Maryland is leaving the ACC and Rutgers the Big East to establish a 14-team Big Ten, while Tulane announced Tuesday it would join the Big East, with East Carolina joining as a footballonly member.

That’s left the Big 12 in a precarious position: Stand pat with 10 teams or expand to 12 or more, thereby re-establishing its lucrative conference championship game.

“You look at the North Division,” Snyder said, referring to the old six-team division of the Big 12. “I would suggest there are probably four schools that profited by that system. It gave teams opportunities. When I first

Big 12 Standings Con. Overall Kansas State 7 1 .875 10 1 .909 Oklahoma 7 1 .857 9 2 .818 Texas 5 3 .625 8 3 .800 Oklahoma St. 5 3 .625 7 4 .636 TCU 4 4 .500 7 4 .636 Texas Tech 4 5 .444 7 5 .583 West Virginia 3 5 .375 6 5 .545 Baylor 3 5 .375 6 5 .545 Iowa State 3 6 .333 6 6 .500 Kansas 0 8 .000 110 .090 Today Oklahoma at TCU, 11 a.m.

Oklahoma State at Baylor, 11 a.m.

Kansas at West Virginia, 1:30 p.m.

Texas at Kansas State, 7 p.m.

came back, we were 6-6, not a very good team, but the last game of the season we were playing for a division championship. That has some meaning.”

13

On the air Today 11 a.m.

Conference USA Championship, Central Florida at Tulsa (ESPN2) TCU at Oklahoma (ESPN) Oklahoma State at Baylor (FX) 1:30 p.m.

Kansas at West Virginia (FSN) 2:30 p.m.

Cincinnati at UConn (KOCO-5) 3 p.m.

SEC Championship, Alabama vs. Georgia (KWTV-9) 6 p.m.

ACC Championship Florda St. vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN) Pitt at South Florida (ESPN2) 7 p.m.

Big 10 Championship, Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Texas at Kansas State (KOCO-5) Sunday 7:30 p.m.

BCS Selection Show (ESPN)

Defense: Bulldogs turned their fortunes around with 17-9 victory over Florida • Continued from Page 12 When the Bulldogs kicked off in the season opener, three key players were missing. Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree were both serving four-game suspensions. Commings missed two

games after being arrested for an altercation with his girlfriend.

Georgia gave up 23 points to Buffalo, 20 to Florida Atlantic. Even when all the suspended players returned, the defense continued to

struggle in a 51-44 shootout victory against Tennessee.

Next, South Carolina romped to a 35-7 victory over the Bulldogs. Then Georgia struggled to beat Kentucky 29-24. Williams decided it was time to vent.

He said the defense was “just not playing with the same attitude we were last year.” In particular, he appeared to single out a pair of teammates, senior linebackers Christian Robinson and Michael Gilliard. They

took issue with the comments and vowed to prove Williams wrong. That week, Georgia turned in its best defensive performance of the season, beating the Gators 17-9.

“He didn’t do that to disrespect anyone,” cornerback

Damian Swann said. “He wanted everyone to give 110 percent. He just felt like everybody wasn’t. Once he came out and said what he had to say, you’ve seen a big change in the statistics with how the defense is doing.”

14

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

Irish tough long enough not to be sent reeling too far in the polls. They still had the respect of the nation.

Also, they still had Iowa State away, Baylor, West Virginia away and Oklahoma State to play, not to mention the Horned Frogs.

How easy it would be to slip up. Only they haven’t.

By a point over the Mountaineers and in extra time over the Pokes, the Sooners have found a way.

They have taken a disappointing story and made it fun. They’ve taken a downcast season and made it exciting. They have even dug deep within themselves and come out on top.

OU is a very good story.

It’s not what everybody had in mind, but it’s been a triumphant couple of months nonetheless.

Then there’s today.

TCU is hardly an historic rivals. But the Horned Frogs are in the way, of a championship and a happy ending.

Biggest game of the season? Oh, yeah.

Clay Horning Follow me @clayhorning cfhorning@normantranscript.com

Dec. 1, 2012

THE WAY WE SEE IT

Horning: Must win • Continued from Page 3 today, it’s more fun to consider their journey.

The day after OU fell to K-State, OU slipped to No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25. Also, TCU was No. 14, Texas was No. 12 and West Virginia was No. 9.

Every one of those teams remained on OU’s schedule.

Landry Jones had suffered many difficult moments, but never had he been so instrumental in a loss. People wondered if a change behind center was warranted, and even if Jones got his game back, could he spend all season throwing to Kenny Stills and Sterling Shepard?

Meanwhile, the Sooner braintrust was still talking running back by committee with Brennan Clay a distant third in the group.

Trey Millard remained a guy Stoops loved to talk about but Josh Heupel struggled to include in the offensive gameplan.

Then, two impressive victories followed, over Texas Tech and Texas.

Then came Notre Dame.

The Sooners played the

■

Clay Horning

John Shinn

Corbin Hosler

Oklahoma (-6 1/2) at TCU Pick: Oklahoma 31-17 Oklahoma State (-4) at Baylor Pick: OSU 42-31 Texas (+11 1/2) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas State 42-17 Kansas (+19 1/2) at W. Virginia Pick: W. Virginia 52-24 Alabama (-7) vs. Georgia Pick: Georgia 24-17 Florida St. (-14) vs. Ga. Tech Pick: Florida State 28-24 Nebraska (-3) vs. Wisconsin Pick: Nebraska 28-24 Central Florida (+1 1/2) at Tulsa Pick: Tulsa 31-28 Cincinnati (-5) at Connecticut Pick: Cincinnati 31-17 Boise State (+9) at Nevada Pick: Boise State 35-31 Pitt (-6) at South Florida Pick: Pitt 23-10 MTSU (+9 1/2) at Arkansas St. Pick: Arkansas State 42-17*

Oklahoma (-6 1/2) at TCU Pick: Oklahoma 42-35 Oklahoma State (-4) at Baylor Pick: Baylor 48-41 Texas (+11 1/2) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas St. 27-17 Kansas (+19 1/2) at W. Virginia Pick: W. Virginia 49-31 Alabama (-7) vs. Georgia Pick: Georgia 21-17 Florida St. (-14) vs. Ga. Tech Pick: Florida St. 38-17 Nebraska (-3) vs. Wisconsin Pick: * Wisconsin 31-21 Central Florida (+1 1/2) at Tulsa Pick: Tulsa 34-28 Cincinnati (-5) at Connecticut Pick: Connecticut 21-20 Boise State (+9) at Nevada Pick: Boise State 34-21 Pitt (-6) at South Florida Pick: Pitt 27-17 MTSU (+9 1/2) at Arkansas St. Pick: Arkansas St. 34-24

Oklahoma (-6 1/2) at TCU Pick: Oklahoma 38-27 Oklahoma State (-4) at Baylor Pick: OSU 45-38 Texas (+11 1/2) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas St. 34-24 Kansas (+19 1/2) at W. Virginia Pick: W. Virginia 42-21* Alabama (-7) vs. Georgia Pick: Alabama 28-17 Florida St. (-14) vs. Ga. Tech Pick: Florida St. 38-21 Nebraska (-3) vs. Wisconsin Pick: Nebraska 31-24 Central Florida (+1 1/2) at Tulsa Pick: Tulsa 38-28 Cincinnati (-5) at Connecticut Pick: Cincinnati 34-24 Boise State (+9) at Nevada Pick: Boise State 38-34 Pitt (-6) at South Florida Pick: Pitt 31-17 MTSU (+9 1/2) at Arkansas St. Pick: Arkansas St. 31-21

Oklahoma (-6 1/2) at TCU Pick: Oklahoma 48-28

Last week (overall) Straight up: 7-5 (99-33) Spread: 4-8 (71-61) * Lock: 1-0 (7-4)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 7-5 (94-38) Spread: 4-8 (60-72) * Lock: 0-1 (7-4)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 8-4 (93-39) Spread: 6-6 (67-65) * Lock: 0-1 (6-5)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 7-5 (87-45) Spread: 6-6 (64-68) * Lock: 0-1 (4-7)

Michael Kinney

Oklahoma State (-4) at Baylor Pick: OSU 34-27 Texas (+11 1/2) at Kansas St. Pick: KSU 28-20 Kansas (+19 1/2) at W. Virginia Pick: W. Virginia 55-17 Alabama (-7) vs. Georgia Pick: Georgia 22-18 Florida St. (-14) vs. Ga. Tech Pick: Florida St. 35-29* Nebraska (-3) vs. Wisconsin Pick: Wisconsin 24-20 Central Florida (+1 1/2) at Tulsa Pick: CFU 47-39 Cincinnati (-5) at Connecticut Pick: Cincy 28-24 Boise State (+9) at Nevada Pick: Nevada 49-44 Pitt (-6) at South Florida Pick: Pitt 28-17 MTSU (+9 1/2) at Arkansas St. Pick: Arkansas St. 45-40

The Norman Transcript

■

Dec. 1, 2012

GAMEDAY

Missing Championship Saturday Even though it wouldn’t benefit Wildcats this year, Snyder still wishes for Big 12 title game

By Dave Skretta AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder still believes the Big 12 should ultimately expand to at least 12 teams, creating two divisions and a conference championship game.

Snyder said Tuesday that “there are a number of programs in our conference who have and would profit from that type of system,” pointing out that teams with multiple losses would generate more interest late in the season by still having a chance to play for a championship.

“You walk out here and you walk through the lobby

and you see a trophy case here, and if we didn’t have divisions that would probably be a single trophy case,” Snyder said. “We had a chance to play for division championships, and then conference championships, and that was positive.”

The 73-year-old Snyder has seen the Big 12 go through a dramatic series of changes since he took over the oncedowntrodden Kansas State program in the late 1980s.

When the old Southwest Conference disintegrated, the Big Eight expanded by four teams to become the Big 12, and played a conference title game every year from 1996-2010.

The game has cut both

ways for the Wildcats: They were in position to play for a national championship in 1998 before losing to Texas A&M in double-overtime, but managed to win the Big 12 title and earn a Fiesta Bowl berth in 2003 by upsetting then-No. 1 Oklahoma.

After conference realignment that saw Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M leave the Big 12, the league picked up West Virginia and TCU to remain at 10 teams, and locked up broadcast rights to stabilize a league not long ago on the brink of extinction.

The conference realignment merry-go-round has been spinning again in recent

weeks. Maryland is leaving the ACC and Rutgers the Big East to establish a 14-team Big Ten, while Tulane announced Tuesday it would join the Big East, with East Carolina joining as a footballonly member.

That’s left the Big 12 in a precarious position: Stand pat with 10 teams or expand to 12 or more, thereby re-establishing its lucrative conference championship game.

“You look at the North Division,” Snyder said, referring to the old six-team division of the Big 12. “I would suggest there are probably four schools that profited by that system. It gave teams opportunities. When I first

Big 12 Standings Con. Overall Kansas State 7 1 .875 10 1 .909 Oklahoma 7 1 .857 9 2 .818 Texas 5 3 .625 8 3 .800 Oklahoma St. 5 3 .625 7 4 .636 TCU 4 4 .500 7 4 .636 Texas Tech 4 5 .444 7 5 .583 West Virginia 3 5 .375 6 5 .545 Baylor 3 5 .375 6 5 .545 Iowa State 3 6 .333 6 6 .500 Kansas 0 8 .000 110 .090 Today Oklahoma at TCU, 11 a.m.

Oklahoma State at Baylor, 11 a.m.

Kansas at West Virginia, 1:30 p.m.

Texas at Kansas State, 7 p.m.

came back, we were 6-6, not a very good team, but the last game of the season we were playing for a division championship. That has some meaning.”

13

On the air Today 11 a.m.

Conference USA Championship, Central Florida at Tulsa (ESPN2) TCU at Oklahoma (ESPN) Oklahoma State at Baylor (FX) 1:30 p.m.

Kansas at West Virginia (FSN) 2:30 p.m.

Cincinnati at UConn (KOCO-5) 3 p.m.

SEC Championship, Alabama vs. Georgia (KWTV-9) 6 p.m.

ACC Championship Florda St. vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN) Pitt at South Florida (ESPN2) 7 p.m.

Big 10 Championship, Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Texas at Kansas State (KOCO-5) Sunday 7:30 p.m.

BCS Selection Show (ESPN)

Defense: Bulldogs turned their fortunes around with 17-9 victory over Florida • Continued from Page 12 When the Bulldogs kicked off in the season opener, three key players were missing. Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree were both serving four-game suspensions. Commings missed two

games after being arrested for an altercation with his girlfriend.

Georgia gave up 23 points to Buffalo, 20 to Florida Atlantic. Even when all the suspended players returned, the defense continued to

struggle in a 51-44 shootout victory against Tennessee.

Next, South Carolina romped to a 35-7 victory over the Bulldogs. Then Georgia struggled to beat Kentucky 29-24. Williams decided it was time to vent.

He said the defense was “just not playing with the same attitude we were last year.” In particular, he appeared to single out a pair of teammates, senior linebackers Christian Robinson and Michael Gilliard. They

took issue with the comments and vowed to prove Williams wrong. That week, Georgia turned in its best defensive performance of the season, beating the Gators 17-9.

“He didn’t do that to disrespect anyone,” cornerback

Damian Swann said. “He wanted everyone to give 110 percent. He just felt like everybody wasn’t. Once he came out and said what he had to say, you’ve seen a big change in the statistics with how the defense is doing.”