College football never ceases to amaze me!
From a brand new stadium to an unexpected loss, what a crazy football weekend in the state of Oklahoma.

Let’s start in Stillwater:
Having played both football and baseball at OSU too many years ago to mention, I had to pinch myself as I watched the festivities on Saturday… I mean ten years ago it was called “Rustolium Stadium! As I said before the game, no matter how great the stadium or the atmosphere the Cowboys had to win the game.  AND THEY DID!
But who’d have thunk that it would be due to their defense?  They still have a bunch of really good offenses to try to stop, but hey, they beat an SEC power and remain in the top 10.  Let’s see if they can slow down Houston (who by the way will throw the ball).

Oklahoma:
I guess Andre’ Ware isn’t the idiot we all thought.  Granted he just picked BYU to be original, but he was about the only one.  What a shocking Saturday night in Arlington!  Sam Bradford getting hurt was huge, but let’s remember, when he left the game the score was 10-7, not 24-3… in other words they stunk it up with their Heisman trophy winner.

I have so much respect for Bob Stoops and his staff, but I do think it’s time they stopped talking so much during the pre-season.  Instead of telling us all how great their new players are why not just say “they look really good in practice and we’ll see how they perform when the game rolls around”… Kevin Wilson has to understand that if you tell the OU Nation that so-and-so is better than the guy he replaced they will take it to heart.  It truly was a pitiful performance by the offense.  They definitely have some problems, not just because of Bradford’s injury, or Gresham possibly out for the season, but the offensive line and the wide receivers have a long way to go.

This staff has been there before and you know they’ll improve.  However, now there is the possibility that it could be a long year.  Did you see Miami Monday night?  Enough said.  No Bradford + No Gresham = No chance.

One last thought, I wonder if anyone will give me any credit now when I say that it is not always the right move for these kids to come back to play college ball rather than becoming eligible for the draft.  I understand that they want that one final year to experience the “college life” but there are no guarantees.   Here are the facts: whether Sam Bradford was ready for the NFL or not he would have gone no lower than #5 to the New York Jets.  Gresham would have been the 1st tight end drafted.  Because they are both such great kids I hope for their sake that they will at least get that this year.

On to the NFL:
There is nothing better than the start of the NFL season, especially when the defending champions are my beloved Pittsburg Steelers!  And boy are they good again!

AFC:

My long time listeners know that I only pick the Steelers when I believe they are the best team.  I take my heart out of it.  If it wasn’t for the repeat situation I would be picking them now, but Tom Brady scares me.  So, in looking at the AFC there are 5 teams that have a chance to go to the Super Bowl.  The Steelers and the Patriots are at the top of the list.  The Steelers schedule looks so easy on paper that I can only find 3 losses.  Home field advantage could mean a whole bunch.  Brady returns and New England is great again, but defensively I think they have some flaws.  It may not matter because they can out score teams with the best of them, but can they come into Pittsburg in late January and score 35?

The Ravens with a 2nd year Joe Flacco will be formidable but I think they’ll miss Rex Ryan on the defensive side.  Plus, being a Steelers fan how could I pick my hated rival?  Then there’s San Diego… ah, the Chargers.  Every year I hear how great they are, every year they win a weak division, and every year they go home early.   No different this year; I guess they can enjoy the beautiful weather and have some great Italian food in the Gas lamp district.  Finally, Tennessee and Indianapolis – I look at them as one in the same; but if you could move Peyton Manning to quarterback of the Titans that team would have a better chance.  Alright, so here it is my AFC pick…
The Terrible towels rule again!!! Get ready because I will be playing the Steelers Polka in January…