A cold dose of reality shakes up this week’s rankings.
I don’t know what’s more inexplicable, Tech toying with OU’s defensive backs like they were your little cousins after Thanksgiving dinner or OU getting back into a game it had no business being in. Just about every weakness OU owns played an integral role in thwarting what could have been the biggest save in OU history. Our lack of a dominant running game failed to carry the night when the passing game was a horrible collection of missed catches and errant throws. Our lack of a consistent kicking game snuffed out any magic for an inexplicable comeback when Michael Hunnicut missed a chip shot 28-yard try to pull OU to seven with plenty of time, 2:52, left. He also missed a 39-yard attempt earlier in the game. The only thing that was missing was a kickoff return for a touchdown to ice the game for Tech.
We’ll probably win the rest of our games and win the conference title and play in another BCS game that we really wish we weren’t in. Total. Complete. Fail.
Here are the rankings not based on that damned media. (Screw you Daily Oklahoman for talking about a Bedlam game that is MORE THAN A FREAKING MONTH AWAY!!)
1. Louisiana St. (Last week: 1) – LSU handled a team with two losses at home in convincing fashion. OU didn’t.
2. Alabama (2) – Alabama destroyed an unranked team at home, unlike OU.
3. Clemson (4) – Quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions to lead his team to a victory. Landry Jones didn’t.
4. Oklahoma St. (5) – The Cowboys are undefeated and are in first place in the Big 12. OU, not so much.
5. Boise St. (7) – Boise St. shook off a pesky team at home to go 7-0 and a keep alive a shot at the BCS title. OU wishes the same.
6. Kansas St. (8) – The Wildcats went to Kansas and defeated the Jayhawks by more than 30 points. OU failed to do that last week.
7. Stanford (9) – Stanford covered a point spread of more than 20. Andrew Luck is on the short list for the Heisman. Their fans must be excited.
8. Oregon (10) – Oregon has one loss and will not play for the BCS title, just like OU.
9. Michigan St. (-) – Michigan St. enters the rankings for the first time this year. OU leaves the rankings for the first time this year.
10. Wisconsin (6) – Wisconsin lost to a team with a good defense. OU lost to a team with a horrible defense.
Dropped from rankings: Oklahoma (3)