Sorting out the mess in Norman, not a moment too Soon

It has happened before, you know.

Oklahoma suddenly losing its starting quarterback.

Oklahoma having to win with an unproven replacement.

Not only unproven, Jamelle Holieway was a true freshman in 1985.

Holieway was forced into starting at the break of a leg -- Troy Aikman's. Miami broke Troy Boy's stick in a Norman conquest that year, setting in motion a series of events:

• Miami won the game but Holieway came in, fitting in comfortably to direct a true option offense the rest of the year.
• Oklahoma won the remainder of its games and a national championship.
• Aikman eventually transferred to UCLA, then became the No. 1 overall draft choice in 1989.

If only Oklahoma -- and Rhett Bomar -- could be so lucky this time.

It can be argued that OU was in a worse situation back then. At least fifth-year senior Paul Thompson has taken some snaps. Back then, the season already had started.

Rhett Bomar is in search of a new team. (Getty Images)

When Bomar was kicked off the team Wednesday for accepting excessive cash amounts from a booster, Thompson became the starter with a month to prepare.

Yeah, things look absolutely rosy in Norman.

Thompson actually started last season but was switched to receiver after Bomar took over. The one-time golden boy's career is all but shot. Someone will likely take a chance on Bomar, but if it is a BCS AQ (automatic qualifier) school, you have my permission to pelt the AD with nasty e-mails.

That's only one piece of fallout that shook the game to its foundations Wednesday. Bomar's exit has implications way beyond Norman.

The breakdown:

Texas: Let's get this out of the way early -- the 'Horns are loving it, dancing in the streets, throwing Rhett Bomar masquerade parties. (The best-dressed cheesy used-car salesman slinging around Monopoly money wins).