Crimson And Cream Machine

Crimson And Cream Machine http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com An Unofficial Oklahoma Sooners Blog Copyright 2000 - My Site Sat, 10 May 2008 14:00:27 -0400 Sat, 10 May 2008 14:00:27 -0400 Crimson And Cream Machine<info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Crimson And Cream Machine<info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Smell That? Football is in the Air! http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/9/1859/27183 Yes, I know that it is only May 9th and it seems that football couldn't be more distant on the horizon but then you run across an article <a href=" http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=804649 ">like this</a> and suddenly the excitement hits you like a cold splash of water on the face early in the morning. <p> Tom Dienhart, formerly of The Sporting News, is the new college football writer for rivals.com. He debuts with his early preseason top 10 and while I won't spoil the entire list for you I'll let you know that there are two Big 12 schools on the list and the Sooners are #4. <p> Here's what he had to say about Oklahoma in 2008. <br> <div class="blockquote"><i><b> 4. Oklahoma</b><br> With QB Sam Bradford and TB DeMarco Murray, the Sooners have the talent - and motivation after losing their past four BCS bowls - to get to their third BCS title game in six seasons.</i></div><p> Three months to wait isn't that long!<br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Fri, 09 May 2008 06:08:59 GMT Spring Football Roundtable Round Up http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/8/0325/00178 First, I'd like to say thanks everyone who participated in the spring football roundtable. We had a total of 12 blogs participate and the answers were both informative and entertaining. Here are some of the most interesting and educational quotes from the roundtable discussion. <i>To read the bloggers complete answers click the link following their quote.</i><p> <b>1. Who are some of the new faces that emerged in the spring who could be serious playmakers for your team this fall?</b><p> <div class="blockquote"><b>Offense:</b> For Texas fans, the question is especially relevant in light of the departure of its three top offensive playmakers to the NFL - Jamaal Charles, Jermichael Finley, and Limas Sweed. For the Sooners in the audience, that means Texas lost its top tailback, tight end, and wide receiver from a season ago.<p> As far as replacements go, I'm not one who believes there's much (if anything) to be learned from spring practice. With the depth chart supposedly wide open, we won't have a good grasp on who might best become a playmaker for Texas in '08 until late August at the earliest. More realistically, we won't know if Texas has a playmaker problem until conference play begins the first week of October. Players I'll frantically be watching for game-changing ability: John Chiles, DeSean Hales, Malcolm Williams, Vondrell McGee, and Foswhitt Whittaker.<p> <b>Defense:</b> I'm already in love with this Texas defense, both for how it sets up in 2008 and its potential for dominance in '09. The Longhorns will lose Brian Orakpo (DE), Roy Miller (DT), Aaron Lewis (DT), Rashaad Bobino ('MLB'), and Ryan Palmer (CB) after this year. Orakpo and Miller are potential All-Americans this season, but the rest are either already passed on the depth chart or about to be by younger, better players. By 2009, the optimist in me sees Deon Beasley ready to be a Thorpe candidate, the young Wells-Scott-Thomas trio at safety ready to shine, a terrifying (for opposing offenses) Kindle-Norton-Muck linebacking trio, plenty of talent at defensive end, and only one question mark - at DT. - <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/2008/4/29/467247/story-title">B.O.N.</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">Surprisingly, the biggest newcomer was a walk-on.  Keithen Valentine rushed for more than 100 yards in the epic, heart-stopping, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat spring game that ended in a 3-0 White victory.  In all seriousness, Valentine looks like a solid addition at running back, which is welcome after the departure of James Johnson. - <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com/storyonly/2008/4/29/2029/52842">Bring on the Cats</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">The biggest "new" face has to be wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen. It looks like it's easier to spell his name than catch him, as he's got speed to burn. If he can consistently catch the ball, he'll provide a deep threat that's been a rather rare commodity. An old face in a new place would be Cody Glenn, who moved from I-back to linebacker and basically won a starting job. (Of course, that's in part due to the lack of depth at linebacker!) Also making an impression at linebacker is senior walk-on Tyler Wortman, who might have been the star of the spring game on defense. And while he's not a "new" face, since we saw a glimpse of him last fall, Roy Helu is going to challenge Marlon Lucky for serious playing time. That might free up Lucky to line him up elsewhere on the field to take full advantage of his speed. - <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2008/05/big-12-roundtable-spring-roundtable.html">Husker Mike's Blasphmy</a></div><p> <b>2. What is your biggest concern following the spring?</b><p> <div class="blockquote">Left tackle. Rylan Reed, the starting left tackle for all of last year was injured in Texas Tech's bowl game victory against Virginia. The line struggled in the spring and I think the biggest part is that Reed wasn't in his normal spot. If Reed isn't able to come back then offensive line coach Matt Moore will shuffle the offensive line (at the very least moving Luis Vasquez from left guard to left tackle) to make it work, but it would work so much better with Reed in place at left tackle. <br> I'm also still concerned about the linebacking corp. I have confidence in certain players, but I'm still not sure the group as a whole has the necessary team speed to compete in the wide-open Big 12. This year is going to be a very big year for this relatively young unit. There's lots of options and I believe there will be plenty of opportunity for guys to step up if anyone struggles. - <a href="http://doubletnation.com/story/2008/4/29/73448/6536">Double T Nation</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">The defensive front seven.  Injuries and departures not to mention flat out inexperience plagues this bunch.  Not to say they will be an entire liability, but they do need to step up.  If Ndamukong Suh can come back and regain his former glory, that will help immensely along with the addition of incoming linebacker Will Compton who looks to vie for immediate playing time at MIKE. - <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/storyonly/2008/4/29/203827/273">Corn Nation</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">My concern ending last season was the lack of experience we have at offensive line. Four months later I'm still highly concerned about that unit. We have one player returning with more than 4 career starts. - <a href="http://tamu-and-baseball.com/archives/arch20080427.html#big12rt">T.A.M.B.I.N.P.O.<br> </a></div><p> <b>3.    Any major changes (philosophy, coaching or personnel) that you are concerned about?</b><p> <div class="blockquote">No major changes that I have any concern about, just how this team responds to being the hunted rather than the hunter. Mizzou fed off of the "No Respect" card in 2007, and had their most costly loss of the season last year once their opponent could do the same. Last year's team was driven, focused and hungry, thanks primarily to the senior leadership of guys like Martin Rucker, Lorenzo Williams, and Pig Brown. Can guys like Daniel and Weatherspoon keep the intensity, drive and focus in the program? Whether or not they can will go a long way in determining if Mizzou stays nationally relevant into the future. - <a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/story/2008/4/29/10349/0239">Rock M Nation</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">After going 5-7, most NU fans welcome anything new. On offense, things will be pretty consistent with Watson remaining in charge. Though, his brand of ball will be more physical, include some QB run game and more screen passes to wide receivers.<br> On defense, NU will look a heck of a lot like they did in 2003. This means a 4-3 base, cover 2 zone, and more creative or aggressive blitzes. Not only is Pelini in charge like 2003, but Marvin Sanders is also running the secondary again. You can expect NU defensive backs to be much more willing to play the ball in flight.<br> The thing that gives us some pause about this staff is recruiting. That was the one thing fans could hang their hat on under Callahan. So, we don't want to see it go away. NU has some good recruiters on staff. We are anxious to see them perform. - <a href="http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/2008/04/big_12_spring_football_roundta_1.html">Big Red Network</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">The biggest change over the offseason was the loss of defensive coordinator Bill Young to Miami. However, his replacement, Clint Bowen, was the co-defensive coordinator last season, and rumor has it he actually called the majority of plays throughout the season. So, while there is a new face, the schemes figure to be very similar and there shouldn't be any major change in defensive philosophy.<p> That would make the change I am most worried about is how we will adjust to the loss of LT Anthony Collins. While we seem to have the athletes and players to compensate for the loss of Aqib Talib, almost every player figured to possibly replace Collins could have really used another year of development. The leader, right now, is freshman Jeff Spikes, with sophomore Ian Wolfe, senior Matt Darton and JUCO transfer Nathan D'Cunha all possible replacements. - <a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com/story/2008/4/30/11912/1447">Rock Chalk Talk</a></div><p> <b>4.    Looking over the 2008 schedule which home and away game are you most concerned about?</b><p> <div class="blockquote">As far as home games go, the one that concerns me the most is Kent State, if for no other reason than it will set the early tone for the season. We really should handle SDSU, but a close game or loss to Kent State would likely spell bad news, while a big win could build momentum.<br> On the road, the UNLV game has the same effect. We could legitimately be 3-0 or 1-2 heading into Las Vegas. Gene Chizik may not even have a road win yet. The Rebs are still pissed about something, I think. The nonconference slate is very important this year if we're legitimately thinking postseason. - <a href="http://www.clonechronicles.com/story/2008/4/29/13481/6997">Clone Chronicles</a></div><p> <div class="blockquote">Toughest question on the board. I am going to skip the first 8 because lets face it, 5 of the games concern me and they could lose all 5 play at Missouri, Florida State and Kansas and at home versus Texas and West Virginia. So let's say the Buffs are 3 - 5 or maybe 4 - 4 after 8 games. They will have 4 games remaining to get bowl eligible. I think they beat Texas A&M but it is in College Station so it could go either way. For arguments sake let's say they win. Iowa State should be a W. I am concerned about the last two games of the year as I seem them not only as games which get them into a bowl, but games they must win to keep momentum in Boulder and on the recruiting trail. Losing to the Pokes at home and Nebraska on the road would leave them on the outside looking in. This is truly a question that needs to be revisited after the West Virginia game. - <a href="http://theralphiereport.blogspot.com/2008/05/cu-round-table-take-1.html">The Ralphie Report</a></div><p> <b>5.    Time for your way too early predictions (Yes, you can change them in August). Rank how you see your division finishing up this coming season.</b> <p> <div class="blockquote">1) Oklahoma<br> <ol> <li value="2">Texas<br> <li value="3">Texas Tech<br> <li value="4">Texas A&M<br> <li value="5">Oklahoma State<br> <li value="6">Baylor<p> </ol> The Red Raiders own a three-game win streak over A&M; if they win this year's tussle in College Station, I see them as the next-in-line behind the South Division's top two teams. <p> Texas' schedule increases in difficulty from a season ago, and though there exist too many quesion marks to pick the 'Horns for the South, I do like Texas to have a solid season, finishing the year a team no one is eager to play in '09. - <b>B.O.N.</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> o    Oklahoma <br> o    Texas Tech <br> o    Texas <br> o    Texas A&M <br> o    Oklahoma State <br> o    Baylor  <br> <b> - Double T Nation</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> 1.    Mizzou<br> 2.    Kansas<br> 3.    Colorado<br> 4.    Nebraska<br> 5.    Kansas State<br> 6.    Iowa State<br> <b> - Rock M Nation</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> 1.    Missouri<br> 2.    Kansas<br> 3.    Colorado<br> 4.    Nebraska<br> 5.    Iowa State<br> 6.    Kansas State<br> Mizzou is clearly the class of the North. Colorado could as easily finish in second or fifth. They were a weird team last year. Kansas State certainly didn't look impressive last year... - <b>Clone Chronicles</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> Missouri<br> Who knows?<br> Who knows?<br> Who knows?<br> Who knows?<br> Who cares?<br> - <b>Bring on the Cats</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> Missouri<br> Nebraska<br> Colorado<br> Kansas<br> Kansas State<br> Iowa State<br> - <b>Corn Nation</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> Wow...way too early, indeed. Right now, we seem to think NU will be in the top part of the division. We have Missouri pegged at the top for good reason, with NU in the second spot. We have Kansas finishing third right now, followed by Colorado. Kansas State and Iowa State round out the North. - <b>Big Red Network</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> Kansas :: Kind of a homer pick, but there is no way now, in the hopefulness of April, that I'm not picking us to win the division.<p> Missouri :: They are probably the most talented team in the North, and the game in Arrowhead will almost certainly decide this division.<p> Colorado :: I think the Buffs will be really good next year, actually. Not really sure why, just a gut-feeling I guess. And the really good recruiting classes.<p> Nebraska :: Bo Pelini won't ever be able to recapture the old glory days of Dr. Tom Osborne, but he should improve upon the historic lows of the Bill Callahan era.<p> Iowa State :: This has more to do with the fact that Ron Prince is the coach down in Manhattan than anything about the Clones.<p> Kansas State :: Their spring game ended with a score of 3-0. No joke. Seriously, how is this team not going to be in last place come November? Unless all of their JUCOS (I think there are about 398) mesh together quickly, they figure to struggle early. And late, I guess. - <b>Rock Chalk Talk</b></div><p> <div class="blockquote"><br> <ol> <li value="1">Missouri - Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin...enough said.<br> <li value="2">Kansas - Its tough for me to think that they can do it again but the way Reesing played last year, its hard to vote against them. They did lose two playmakers at CB and WR. Once again, Kansas plays a cupcake non conference schedule with the exception of South Florida of who tailed off towards the end of the year in 2007.<br> <li value="3">Colorado - Yes, I think 7 - 5 or 8 - 4 will be good enough to be 3rd in the conference. The Buffs are still 1 - 2 years away from being on the top. Too hard of a schedule this year coupled with a lot of youth at key positions.<br> <li value="4">Nebraska - The Bo Pelini era will get off to a rough start. Not enough playmakers on either side of the ball to be very competitive.<br> <li value="5">Kansas State - Are going to need A LOT of JUCO's to pan out.<br> <li value="6">Iowa State - Did Todd Blythe finally graduate? - <b>The Ralphie Report</b></div><p> </ol> <div class="blockquote"><br> <ol> <li value="1">Missouri (No duh... with all those players returning from a Top Five squad?)<br> <li value="2">Nebraska (Call me crazy, but I think Billy C is going to look even more inept this fall...)<br> <li value="3">Kansas<br> <li value="4">Colorado (Hawk Love has the Buffs on the move upwards)<br> <li value="5">Iowa State<br> <li value="6">Kansas State<br> </ol> - <b>Husker Mike's Blasphemy</b></div> <br> <div class="blockquote"><p> Big 12 South will be 1) OU, 2) texas, 3) TAMU, 4) tech, 5) OkSt, 6) Baylor - <b> T.A.M.B.I.N.P.O.</b></div><br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Thu, 08 May 2008 05:32:05 GMT ESPN Game Should Help OU In The 2008 Early Season Rankings http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/6/235129/5049 <i>(Sorry for the tardiness of the posting today. It was a crazy day from start to finish!)</i><p> Television and the kick-off time has been set for Oklahoma's trip to Seattle to play the Washington Huskies on September 13th. The game will air on ESPN and will kick-off, in primetime, at 6:45 PM. It will be the Sooners third game of the season and barring tragedy they should go into that game with a 2-0 record and ranked in the Top 10. An impressive performance on national television against the Pac 10 and the ESPN Hype Machine will be rolling in the Sooners' favor. <p> <b> Yes, I Do Know That Texas A&M Isn't Coming to Norman This Season</b><p> It has been said that it takes a big man to admit his mistakes and here I am to say that I made one. Last week I was invited to be a part of <a href=" http://cfbweekly.com/">CFB Weekly's Spring Review/Season Preview</a> in which I inadvertently mentioned that Texas A&M would be coming to Norman. Well, I could try to come up with some excuses as to why I did but I won't. It's on tape and I said it even though I was at the A&M game in Norman this last season. You can check out the entire interview at the link above. I start at the 27:20 mark of the show. <br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Wed, 07 May 2008 22:28:29 GMT Reader Emails - What Do You Want to Talk About? http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/5/12471/32102 <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6oiGj2ZiDxQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6oiGj2ZiDxQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><p>Well, since <a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com/story/2008/5/4/183347/3118">baseball sucks again</a> and football is still three months away from getting really exciting it is becoming extremely difficult to come up with topics to post about here on the Machine. That is where you, the reader, come in! Send us your comments, questions and suggestions and we'll respond through a post about it. I can't promise that it'll be as entertaining as my man Strong Bad (above) but I'll do my best. <p> <a href="mailto:crimsonandcreammachine@yahoo.com"> E-Mail the Machine </a><br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Mon, 05 May 2008 17:47:01 GMT Weekend Baseball Thread: Oklahoma @ Kansas http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/3/12026/03027 <img src="http://images.crimsonandcreammachine.com/images/admin/rct.bmp"><p> The Sooners drop the first game of their series to the Jayhawks 17-15 on Friday night. Now they are in the position where they must win Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Check out <a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com/story/2008/5/2/131458/3747#commenttop ">Rock Chalk Talk</a> for a complete series breakdown and leave your thoughts both there and here. <br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Sat, 03 May 2008 06:20:26 GMT How Will Reggie Smith Fit In With the 49ers? http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/2/9143/16244 One of the crazy stories coming out of last weekend's NFL draft is that Reggie Smith was still in bed when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him in the third round. For a quick look at how Smith might fit into the 49ers game plans we defer to fellow SBN writer David of <a href=" http://www.ninersnation.com/">Niners Nation</a> for a quick scouting reort.<p> <div class="blockquote"> As far as the 49ers go, they've got 2 very solid corners in Nate Clements and Walt Harris.  However, Harris is 35 and not long for this world.  The general belief seems to be that Smith's biggest downfall is that while he can play safety and corner he hasn't become excellent at either of them.   With Clements getting a lot of one-on-one assignments against the other team's best WR, the other corner gets a little more help from the safeties and nickel backs depending on the defense.  So he doesn't need to be super fast, but more of a physical guy.  Also, the 49ers signed Allen Rossum but he's getting a little old, so I'm hoping Smith gets some work as a kickoff and or punt returner.  I've read he did that at Oklahoma, but how good was he?<p> I think in general, the 49ers have a very solid secondary so Smith will not likely be an impact defender right away.  Rather he's going to get the chance to learn from Pro Bowlers while the 49ers try to figure out where he fits best.</div><br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Fri, 02 May 2008 14:01:43 GMT Baker, Goss Lead Sooners Past #8 Wichita State http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/story/2008/5/1/12536/03988 <img src="http://images.crimsonandcreammachine.com/images/admin/oswsubb.jpg"><p> When you've had the type of baseball season Oklahoma has a win over a Top 10 team comes with much celebration. Oklahoma gave the game away to the Shockers in the 6th when they gave up 5 runs to Wichita State after taking a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the 5th. OU would then steal the game back in extra innings when Mike Goss doubled in the bottom of the 10th to score Jamie Johnson and Aljay Davis and provide the Sooners with a 12-11 win. <p> It was, however, Aaron Baker's heroics in the bottom of the 9th that would even give Oklahoma the chance to win it in extra innings. Trailing 10-7 Baker hit a three-run homer to tie the game allowing Goss to be the eventual hero in the 10th. <p> Who knows what the future holds in store for this Oklahoma baseball team. They've won three of their last four games and at least appear to be coming along just in time for the season to wrap up and make a run for the post season. <p> OU plays at Kansas this weekend before hosting Kansas State next weekend and then on to the Bedlam series before the conference tournament.  <br> ccmachine <info@crimsonandcreammachine.com> Thu, 01 May 2008 17:53:06 GMT Search Crimson And Cream Machine Use the text box to search Crimson And Cream Machine string http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/search/