Allow me to follow up.
First, great comments and insight left by the OU faithful. Their insight is very fair and full of knowledge.
I did know about DeMarco Murray and actually think he is your most talented back of the bunch. I understand your thought on having a stable of able backs and I think that's fine. But I think it may be just that I'm from the school of thought where three solid backs don't add up to the best back in college football because your featured back is probably going to need two series to get into a groove. So while he's gearing up, your other guys are no longer fresh.
I tried to say earlier today I wasn't knocking Patrick, I think he's a fine back and can also be "All Day." Before I posted this morning's entry, I was talking OU football with a friend who reminded me that OU won all of its games with AP out, but I think having a senior at quarterback didn't hurt, even if it's from a leadership standpoint. It's not like the Sooners will have the worst rushing attack in the country or anything, I'm sure it will be fine. What I am saying is that I expect to see some form of a dropoff because they've had a one-of-a-kind back. If AP is getting the ball 30 times a game and AP2 is getting it 30 times a game, I expect Peterson to put up 175 and I hope Patrick will get 150 (which he did last year).
To me, it all goes back to quarterback. Now, the chances of me eating crow are high if one of these guys comes in and can be a stud right away, because as someone said, get Malcolm Kelly the ball. As we saw last year with Calvin Johnson and a terrible quarterback, it can still work. But, again, you're talking about THE BEST college football player around. So, time will tell at quarterback. I think this is the determining factor. As I said last month, all but FOUR passes were thrown by a non-Paul Thompson arm in 2006.
Now, let me take a deep breath before this one...OK. YES, the Big 12 North is pretty much a joke (and I gave props to the South this morning). BUT, Nebraska is fortunate enough to call the XII North home. Here's where the breath comes in. I really believe Nebraska is better than Oklahoma when you look at the total package. Oklahoma has a better defense, but year-by-year the Black Shirts are improving. So, if the trend continues, NU's defense will be good enough.
Now, there's no way I can be a Franchione supporter, because then I'd have to be institutionalized. When A&M and OU meet, coaching is where OU will have the biggest advantage.
I thought they said don't mess with Texas, but it might need to change to "Don't mess with Texas, and brace yourself if you mess with Oklahoma."
I appreciate everyone's comments. I appreciate the nasty emails I received, they were fun. This is the beauty of college football and sports in general. But I have to say, the informed insight was a breath of fresh air. Keep it coming, I'll talk all day!
But for now, I'm going home.
Comments (1)
I understand the logic in the dropoff prediction but the stats say otherwise. Oklahoma's rushing totals increased with Peterson out of the lineup and teams weren't exactly fearing the arm of Paul Thompson. (39 and 77 passing yards against A&M and OSU)
I also think you are reaching on this getting into a groove theory. Patrick carried the ball a total of 18 times during the first 6 games and then carries 30+ times in games 7-9 for 110/150/170 yds. True frosh Chris Brown was brought out of redshirt in the 7th game and had only 4 total carries through game 9. Brown then ran 16 for 84, 24 for 169 in Patrick's absence and 19 for 74 to complement Patrick against OSU.
I know a lot of OU fans intrigued about the post-Peterson era because they believe it will result in more creative playcalling. The last couple of years the coaching staff didn't trust Peterson's young supporting cast unless he was on the sideline in sweats. It played into opposing teams selling out to stop Peterson. A lot of OU fans would be concerned the same would happen this year with a rookie QB. If Jason White is there to carve up defenses (Big 12 at least) for cheating up then Peterson is a lot more effective.
What the Sooners lose in Peterson's talent will be be made up by more creativity in the playcalling and more trust in the other skill players. Oklahoma can't compete for a championship as a one-man offense no matter how good that one guy might be.