Chokelahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners squandered an opportunity for an eighth national title last night in the national championship game. Give all the credit to Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes for leading a determined Florida effort.

The truth of the matter is that as much as the aforementioned Gator trio helped the Gator nation, the Oklahoma Sooners lost this game more than Florida won it. Oklahoma finished 5th in the country in Red Zone scoring percentage at a 93% clip. Oklahoma failed twice to score in the Red Zone against the Gators. Furthermore, crucial turnovers also limited the formerly potent Oklahoma offense to only 14 points. Previous to entering the Pro Player Stadium, the Sooners scored the most points in the history of college football in a single season.

I blame coaching. Oklahoma was not “out-athleted”, they simply played very conservative and their attack was very vanilla. So vanilla that it was the attack of Braum's, Blue Bell, and Ben and Jerry's. Charlie Strong blitzed early and often and also added a new wrinkle putting Janoris Jenkins on Ryan Broyles in the slot more similar to an NFL defensive scheme than a college one and it really stifled the Sooners all night. Another big reason that the Sooners were limited offensively was the absence of Demarco Murray, whose jitterbug style and break away speed was sorely missed as Chris brown’s straight ahead style was not as effective as Murray’s would have been if he was healthy. The Oklahoma defense was stellar holding the Gators to 24 points and really giving the Sooners ample opportunity to win the game on the offensive end.

You really have to hang this loss on Bob Stoops and the Sooner offensive game plan, which stunk even though there was still opportunity to win. A birdie has sent me a message saying that as of last night David Boren confirmed that Stoops was leaving to take the head-coaching job for the Denver Broncos. I don’t know how true this is but it may be the motivation OU needs to take their game to the next level.

Oklahoma reigns dominant over college football besides games that matter, which is basically an oxymoron. To lose half of the last 6 national championships is unacceptable. Furthermore, the only title that Stoops won was with what was on of his least talented teams at OU with John Blake's players. Superman(Tebow) and Spikes should garner praise as great leaders for Florida, but is was Oklahoma’s lack of an on field leader that was the impetus downfall for the Sooners throwing a national title in the trash once again.

Sincerely,




Big Game Clayborne