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Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

Posted on: October 23, 2011 2:16 am
Edited on: October 23, 2011 1:29 pm
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And you thought Adam James was merely a character in a Mike Leach novel.

Turns out the son of Craig James is one son of a guns up in the clutch. When last seen on the college football landscape almost two years ago the privileged, mouthy Texas Tech receiver was getting “locked” in a “shed”, helping get his coach, Mike Leach, fired.

Turns out, Adam can wreck more than careers. His five catches helped bring down No. 1 Oklahoma (coaches’ poll) in the season’s biggest upset, 41-38. Who saw that coming? Not those of us who thought the defenseless Red Raiders could cover the four-touchdown spread. Not Oklahoma which watched its 39-game home winning streak end. Not Bob Stoops who had last lost at home in the 2005 opener. That loss to TCU was fallout from the Big Red Motors scandal.

This one just left the Sooners red-faced. It possibly wrecked Oklahoma’s national title hopes. The polls and BCS are not likely to view favorably a home loss to a team Oklahoma hadn’t lost to 15 years.

In the immediate aftermath, we have some drama at the top for the first time this season. BCS No. 3 (Oklahoma) and No. 6 (Wisconsin) BCS lost. The biggest beneficiaries seem to be Oklahoma State and Boise State. The Cowboys will likely move up to No. 3 in the latest BCS standings on Sunday. Okie State is Oklahoma Light no more. It remains in control of its own destiny after a convincing win over Missouri.

Meanwhile, Boise State – remember the Broncos? – could move up to No. 4 in the BCS. While Boise’s win over Air Force wasn’t convincing, there are only eight undefeated teams remaining with six weeks left in the season. Two of them are additional BCS hopefuls Clemson and Stanford, other big winners from Saturday.

It was quite a night – to reminisce – for Leach. Two of his former players helped knock off the Sooners, something he did three times in 10 tries. Adam James justified his scholarship catching five passes for 75 yards. James came into the game with seven catches all season and 41 total in his checkered career. If you have to be reminded Leach has three lawsuits active in the aftermath of his firing at Tech, all of them stemming from his alleged mistreatment of Adam James.

Swing  Your Sword? James would like to take a swing at Craig James.

Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown had Leach as his position coach at Kentucky. The 31-year-old was hired away from Troy by Tommy Tuberville. Speaking of the  ol’ Riverboat Gambler, Tuberville got his biggest win since leaving Auburn. He was 5-2 against top five teams with the Tigers.

Perhaps Oklahoma could have used Keith Nichol. You know the former Oklahoma quarterback? That was sooo 2007 when Nichol spent a forgettable season in Norman before transferring to Michigan State where he once again became a forgettable quarterback.

Nichol, now a receiver, did what he never could at Oklahoma, score a winning touchdown. The fifth-year senior will go down as a Spartan for the ages after catching the winning touchdown against Wisconsin as time ran out.

“My heart,” said Spartan coach Mark Dantonio who recovered from a heart attack a year ago, “is racing.”

Michigan State’s win effectively took the Big Ten out of the national championship race but who cares? We’re all for a replay of this game which could come in the first Big Ten title game.

We also now have a more interesting national championship race. Someone is going to have to play the winner of LSU-Alabama. It is absolutely wonderful that we have less of an idea who that will be after Saturday.

 

 Early best guess on the BCS top five on Sunday

 

  1. LSU
  2. Alabama
  3. Oklahoma State
  4. Boise State
  5. Stanford
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Category: NCAAF
Tags: Adam James, BCS, Oklahoma, Texas Tech
 
Comments

Since: Jun 5, 2011
Posted on: October 25, 2011 11:32 am
 

Adam James has one good game: film at 6 and 11

So, this kid has five catches, which almost doubles his season output, and he is suddenly an All-American?  My guess is that James was forced to grow up and not "blow it" this time, and has taken full advantage of his second chance with a new coaching staff that was probably hand-picked by his father.  
 
Craig James should still be fired.  He used his position at ESPN to assassinate the character of a very good football coach, just because that coach treated his son like a football player instead of a diva.  Both father and son lied about Leach's treatment of James because Craig James wanted his son to get playing time that he hadn't earned.

The "justification of Adam James' scholly was never an issue; his sense of entitlement and his refusal to abide by the same rules as the rest of the team were.  If Adam James is redeeming himself, great.  If he can overcome his family's obvious dysfunction and become a humble, respectful human being, he will become the special person he already thought he was by doing nothing.  
 
Adam James only has one big obstacle: his primary role model is a giant bag of vinegar and water. 

Since: Sep 10, 2006
Posted on: October 23, 2011 7:36 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

kid has put up with dumbasses like you , give  him credit. also he is on a college football team, i bet you only played pwee ball, such a stupid smartass jerk, get off this board ass face,and i don't even care for tech

Since: Oct 9, 2007
Posted on: October 23, 2011 5:01 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

So look at LSU's ooc schedule and tell me we didn't play real competition. Our ooc schedule was better than Boise St's and our in conference shcedule is miles above Boise's. So like I said, want to EARN a title shot instead of cry to the bcs that they should GIVE you one? Then join a real conference. In case you haven't noticed, they are pretty much all taking applications now. If Boise continues to hide in their weak conference it will be very telling imo.

Since: Nov 19, 2006
Posted on: October 23, 2011 4:51 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

It is time to call it like it is.  Oklahoma lost.  Plain and simple.   The facts are that OU has NOT had an undefeated regualr season since 2004, and then they got crushed by USC in the N.C. game.  Every year we hear about OU being a legitimate contender for the N.C and every year they fail.  So let's stop all of the nonsensical talk about OU regrouping and ending up in the N.C. game.  It is not going to happen.  There is NO Big 12-3+1-? Championship game, and that kills any chance of OU getting to the big game.  Right now, they still have to get past K-State and Oklahoma State, both on the road.  Good Luck with that. 

Since: Nov 13, 2010
Posted on: October 23, 2011 4:42 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

Lol @ all the butthurt Oklahoma fans. Quit making excuses. You got beat. Period. Truly great teams don't get beat by teams like Texas Tech at home for God's sake. I was so tired of hearing people like Skip Bayless talk about how unbelievably great OU was this year. I've seen it since the Missouri game. OU has a WEAK secondary. They got picked apart all over the field all night. And don't tell me it was because you were missing your best defenders. It won't fly. Now enough about this conference BS. Anyone who watches college football as religiously as I do knows that there is Alabama, LSU and then everyone else. I've been saying this for weeks and finally Oklahoma helped me make that obvious. The winner of that game might as well be crowned national champions on the field come November 5th. And I'm not saying this because I'm an "SEC homer." I'm saying this because I watch college football. Not just my teams. I watch every game. Tune in November 5th to watch the real national championship.



Since: Aug 21, 2006
Posted on: October 23, 2011 3:33 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

Just so you know what's coming next from OU; scorefests.   OU will rack up every single point as quickly as possibly to as quickly help us all forget this loss to Tech.    Expect every weak competitor to now see 60 minutes and 60 points out of the OU offense if not more.  Gaudy numbers coming so help them claw back into the National picture.

It's the Stoops way to "right the ship".   And it works - the voters see the big score and chaulk it up a  "bad night".    I've seen other schools deep in talent do the same and it does get the swagger back.   As OU closed in on Tech with more than enough time left, the swagger came back - but amazingly enough - it was that same swagger that got them into trouble in the first place; not taking care of their assignments.

Since: Aug 21, 2006
Posted on: October 23, 2011 3:33 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

Just so you know what's coming next from OU; scorefests.   OU will rack up every single point as quickly as possibly to as quickly help us all forget this loss to Tech.    Expect every weak competitor to now see 60 minutes and 60 points out of the OU offense if not more.  Gaudy numbers coming so help them claw back into the National picture.

It's the Stoops way to "right the ship".   And it works - the voters see the big score and chaulk it up a  "bad night".    I've seen other schools deep in talent do the same and it does get the swagger back.   As OU closed in on Tech with more than enough time left, the swagger came back - but amazingly enough - it was that same swagger that got them into trouble in the first place; not taking care of their assignments.

Since: Aug 21, 2006
Posted on: October 23, 2011 3:17 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

Bottom line - I would love to actually have Boise St in the championship.   Won't happen - too much money on the line and you think the network and ad guys wouldn't negotiate this away?    The same issue existed with Cincinatti a few years ago and Florida blew that away - the networks want a close game worthy of watching every commercial beginning to end and even post game, and a Boise which doesn't show that it can play against the top tier (and I'm talking about an actual BCS NC contender) flow through.  

Boise has lived off that very narrow OU upset a few years ago that it's old.   I'd like for them to get the opportunity and then we can finally put it away.   Name a truly significant victory of a true NC contender, not a flawed one.   Let's start with the list commonly thrown up-

2010-Va Tech 3 point win.   VA Tech does go 11-3 but loses to D2/FCS James Madison and CRUSHED by Stanford in the Orange

2009-Oregon 19-8 and TCU 17-14 Victories; Oregon lost to an 8-5 Stanford and solid loss to Ohio St in Rose.   TCU undefeated had beaten a Clemson that finished 9-5 and crushed everyone else they played.   TCU probably a better candidate if Texas was not so strong that year.

2008-beat Oregon who finished 10-3 (Oregon blown out by USC 44-10).   Oregon finished by 4th Qtr comback victory in Holiday vs Ok State.  Boise finished by losing to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl 16-17.   TCU destroyed their competition except for Utah (who won the Sugar Bowl opening the door for other Non-AQ teams in the conversation) in Utah and missed 3 fieldgoals from inside the 30 which 2 of the 3 would have given them the game.

2007-Lost to Hawaii (who finished undefeated until thumped by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl) Washington (who finished 5-7), and E Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl.   BSU finished 10-3 but not any signature wins.

2006-Crushed most of their competition and beat OU 43-42 after building a huge 1st half lead only to lose the lead in the last few minutes of the game then win on the now famous 2-pt Statue of Liberty play.   This game is the whole basis for Boise St being considered for the NC Game but as I look at the competition, I don't justification.   I'm good with a BCS Game if all the other AQ's have 2 losses - but again, would like to see the opportunity so it could be put to rest.

Boise may get a shot; LSU and Alabama will eliminate one from the SEC if not before; Ok State has a good shot but a less than stellar defense and hasn't shown they can beat OU when the marbles are on the line, add to the fact that they still face Tech and K-State; their final position seems in doubt.   Wisky went down to Sparty.   Stanford still has Oregon.   Clemson - well, quite honestly, we're awaiting the annual meltdown.    Boise sits with a lame-duck schedule and should remain in the cycle - and should at #3 or #4 before LSU or Bama take the field and maybe #2 or #3 the following day.

Since: Feb 21, 2011
Posted on: October 23, 2011 2:41 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA... was never the best team in the nation this year!
The so called experts couldn't see past their STUCK-UP SEC noses
to see that Okalahoma State was BETTER!
Go USC...  

Since: Nov 7, 2010
Posted on: October 23, 2011 2:38 pm
 

Finally, a meaningful upset; Tech over Oklahoma

I watched a lot of this game and the bottom line is that Oklahoma was not playing like Oklahoma. They were flat, the quarterback was off target and, when he was on target, there were several missed catches in key situations. Combine that with essentially an inefficient defense (don't know the players that were missing well enough to comment on whether this would have made a difference) and you had a perfect storm for an upset. And for you SEC homers that think this could never happen in the SEC, give me a break. This could happen to ANY team on any given Saturday (or day of the week for that matter considering all the non-Sat games these days).
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