Published: June 11, 2007 09:14 am         

Countdown to college football under way

Remember when the top-rated high school football recruits across the nation jumped at the chance to sit on the Oklahoma Sooners’ bench? Those were the good old days.

Certainly, back in the old days Division I universities had many more scholarships to offer than they do today.

No doubt, there was disparity because the OUs, Notre Dames and Miamis of the college football world were able to attract great players. While there wasn’t room for all of them on the field, at least OU’s opponents weren’t getting them, right? Unfortunately, that has changed dramatically in the limited-scholarship era we’re currently trying to survive.

Although we’re still a couple of weeks of away from the first day of summer, it’s never too early to look toward the 2007 Division 1 football season. The Ada Cougars begin Camp Paradise Monday so football season can’t be too far off, can it?

Certainly, there’s more preseason college football publications than fleas on Uncle Jonas’ favorite coondog. But they do make a point, especially when they agree on recruiting.

That said, I picked out Athlon Sports’ College Football National Edition. No reason other than I liked its cover and they’ve not been bad in recent years with their predictions and analysis.

First, OU is ranked No. 7 in the preseason forecast (a little high but I’ll buy it) — behind USC, Texas, LSU, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Florida. Michigan, Virginia Tech and Rutgers round out the Top 10 (Note: Jeff Cali will eat your hat if the Sooners can beat Michigan.)

And OSU fans should be encouraged. After a horrendous 2006 season, Athlon pollsters have the Cowboys at No. 30.

Other teams from the overrated Big 12 in the preseason rankings are No. 18 Nebraska, No. 23 Texas A&M and No. 28 Missouri.

A couple of Sooners are on the Big 12 Conference preseason first team. On offense, talented OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, a 6-4, 217-pound junior, and offensive lineman Duke Robinson (6-5, 330), also a junior, are expected to make a lot of noise. On the defensive side of the pigskin, the only Sooner on the first team is cornerback Reggie Smith.

The Cowboys also have a couple of senior studs on the first team. Running back Dantrell Savage (5-9, 180) and wide receiver Adarius Bowman (6-4, 220) offer a package of speed and power. OSU had no member of the Big 12 Conference first-team defensive squad.

But OSU and OU had all four first-team “specialists.” Junior punter Matt Fodge and sophomore kick returner Perrish Cox have folks at Stillwater smiling. And kicker Garrett Hartley and Smith should provide a highlight reel or two in Norman.

And the Sooners and Cowboys are well represented on Athlon’s Big 12 Conference preseason second team. OU running back Allen Patrick, center Jon Cooper and offensive linemen Branndon Braxton and OSU offensive lineman David Washington should be household names before the year is up. And on defense, OSU defensive lineman Nathan Peterson and safety Andre Sexton, and OU cornerback Marcus Walker are expected to make it tough for opponents to move the football.

According to the publication, OU and OSU have the top two defensive backfields in the Big 12.

Nationally, Bowman was selected as a third-team All-American.

What’s ahead for Sooners?

The Sooners return 14 starters — seven on offense, seven on defense. OU finished 11-3 in 2006, losing the farce at Oregon 34-33, taking a beating by the Longhorns, 28-10, and the heartbreaker in the Fiesta Bowl — a 43-42 tearjerker to Boise State.

Certainly, the Sooners’ 2007 schedule isn’t going to scare anyone. They open up with one of the worst teams in the nation — North Texas, ranked No. 114 of 119 Division I squads. Then comes Miami, only a shell of the powerhouses of the past, but ranked No. 24. Week 3 brings Utah State to Norman for a beating (They are ranked No. 117 of 119 teams). Then Tulsa (at No. 52 more like a light breeze than a hurricane); the Sooners go to Boulder next to trounce the No. 61 Colorado Buffaloes to begin the Big 12 season, then to the Cotton Bowl to take our annual licking by the No. 2 Longhorns. The rest of the schedule includes No. 28 Missouri, at No. 20 Iowa State, No. 30 OSU, No. 23 Texas A&M, No. 85 Baylor and No. 49 Texas Tech.

Not exactly a strength-of-schedule to write home about. The Sooners, if Athlon forecasters are anywhere in the ballpark, should finish 11-1 without breaking a sweat. But with a powder-puff schedule, don’t expect a BCS Bowl if they lay down somewhere along the way.

Another Cowboy disappointment or a move up the food chain?

The Cowboys finished a disappointing 7-6 (3-5 in the weak Big 12 Conference) in 2006. That included lopsided wins over three of the worst teams in the nation — Missouri State and Arkansas State (two Division II squads) and Florida Atlantic. OSU lost to its only non-conference opponent with a heartbeat — Houston. Other losses were to lowly Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech and OU.

The Cowboys open the season at No. 16 Georgia, then will roll over two absolute stiffs — No. 109 Florida Atlantic and No. 82 Troy. Week 4 brings No. 49 Texas Tech to Stillwater, followed by Division 2 Sam Houston State. OSU is at College Station in Week 6 to take on No. 23 Texas A&M, and at Lincoln the following week for the No. 18 Cornhuskers. The Kansas State Mildcats travel to Stillwater in Week 8, while the Cowboys head to Norman the following week. OSU hosts the Longhorns in Week 10 and finished the regular season against a couple of slugs — Kansas and Baylor.

The Cowboys face a tougher schedule in 2007, even after the ridiculous matchup with Sam Houston State is thrown out. But if OSU wants to become a force, games with Division II schools have to go. Wins over D2 clubs mean nothing.

If Athlon forecasters know what they’re talking about (that’s a big if), OSU should finish 7-5 and “earn” a bowl. A win over Georgia, Texas A&M, Nebraska, OU or Texas would up their stock. A loss to any of the others would mean OSU fans could be watching at home when bowl season rolls around.

Recruiting is mystery to most mortals

If Athlon’s experts know what they’re talking about (again I say that’s a big if), Oklahoma State recruiters brought in the 23rd-best recruiting class in the nation this year. Surprisingly, Stoops and Co. reeled in only the No. 30 class.

The Top 10 recruiting classes were Florida, USC, Texas, Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Oregon and Michigan.

In the Big 12, the rankings, top to bottom, were Texas, Nebraska, OSU, Texas A&M, OU, Colorado, Missouri, Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State and Kansas.

The Longhorns landed four of the Big 12’s top five recruits (Colorado grabbed No. 3 Ryan Miller, a 6-8, 310-pound lineman from Littleton, Colo.)

OSU got the sixth-rated Big 12 recruit in defensive end Richetti Jones (6-4, 240) from Dallas. OU’s only Top 20 recruit was Austin Box, a 6-3, 220-pound safety/all-everything from Enid.

The Cowboys also inked wide receivers Dez Bryant (6-1, 220) from Lufkin, Texas, the 11th-rated Big 12 newcomer, and No. 20 Damian Davis (6-5, 190) from Mart, Texas. On defense, OSU landed No. 16 William Cole, a 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback from Cedar Hill, Texas, and No. 18 Adrian Moore (6-0, 200), a safety from Pine Bluff, Ark.

But there’s good news from last week for Sooner fanatics. OU snagged three high schools junior prospects Thursday for the 2008 season.

The biggest name headed for Norman is DeJuan Miller, a wideout from Metuchen, N.J.

Miller (6-5, 200) chose the Sooners over Boston College, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and others. If Miller fulfills his commitment, he will join underclassmen receivers Tyler Stradford, Ryan Broyles, Londell Taylor and Cory Wilson in 2008.

Also, James Hanna — a three-sport star tight end from Flower Mound, Texas — committed to OU after attending Bob Stoops’ football camp in Norman last week. Hanna also holds offers from Oklahoma State, Arizona, Louisville and Nebraska.

And Garland, Texas, defensive tackle Casey Walker (6-1, 290) chose OU after last week’s camp. Wonder what Stoops is putting in the water?

Oklahoma State picked up a commitment from running back Travis Miller (5-11, 185) from Marlin Texas.

What does it all mean?

It means that football is not played on paper or in the twisted little minds of sports writers. It means that so-called experts — especially when it comes to recruiting — are predicting what’s going to happen based on the most elusive term in sports — POTENTIAL.

If OSU head coach Mike Gundy doesn’t get the job done this year, there’s talk that Boone Pickens will take over the program.

Hey, you gotta respect a billionaire oil baron who campaigns for $5-a-gallon gasoline for poor working stiffs like me and has the nerve to show up for a game. Instead of sitting in his luxury box surrounded by bodyguards, Pickens should sit among the redneck folk where he could explain why they should pay for the government’s mismanagement. That would be more interesting than a 105-yard kickoff return.

Hopefully, both OU and OSU will be 8-0 when the Cowboys land in Norman on Oct. 27. However, records — as always — won’t matter much when it comes to Bedlam. They seldom do when those squads put their shoulder pads on.

Yes, I know the 90s are forecast today, but it’s less than three months until the Sept. 1 opener. The Cowboys will be in a war at Athens, Ga., while the Sooners will be in Norman beatin’ North Texas like a red-headed stepson.

———o———

Kelley is poor excuse for journalist — what else is new?

An apology is in order for former Latta baseball star Drew Miller.

I was bragging on our locals in professional baseball last week and misidentified the big right-hander. It has been pointed out that I’m a poor excuse for a journalist. I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, I’m told that too often.

According to the Class A Fort Wayne Wizards Web site, Miller is 1-2 on the mound with an outstanding 3.66 ERA. The fireballer has 21 strikeouts in 19.2 innings and has only given up 15 hits. If you play Fantasy Baseball, then you know his 1.17 WHIP (walks and hits in innings pitched) is very, very good.

I’m rooting for you, Drew, and I won’t be surprised — from all I’ve heard — when you land in the Big Leagues with the San Diego Padres.

Once again, Mr. Miller, I’m sorry I goofed it up. I’m a real bonehead.

     

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