Hello once again, everybody!

Baker Mayfield received his first major national postseason award on Thursday when he was named the AP Player of the Year. Expect more of the same for Mayfield — potentially this evening.

In today’s edition of Hot Links, you’ll find out which Sooners made SI’s All-America team, which player’s grandfather attended OU during the Wilkinson era, when the Vols’ new head coach Jeremy Pruitt learned what asparagus is and more!

OU Links

• Baker Mayfield believes his best moment as the quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners has yet to come. With the ultimate prize still on the table, and only one game left standing in his way, I wouldn’t bet against him.
• You still have an opportunity to purchase the “WINNING FOOTBALL: THAT’S WHAT OKLAHOMA DOES” t-shirt inspired by Lincoln Riley’s postgame remarks following the Big 12 Championship. You can purchase the shirt right here.
• All season long, Oklahoma’s defense has been the subject of criticism by many college football analysts, and much of it has been justified. The Sooners are fully aware of what’s being said and are eager to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
• Sports Illustrated has released its All-America teams for 2017 and three Sooners made the list. As expected, Baker Mayfield was a unanimous choice at QB.

• Speaking of All-America teams, two Sooners also made Pro Football Focus’ All-America team. Further, early indications show there has been nearly three times as much traffic on SeatGeek.com from the state of Georgia than from Oklahoma. However, Oklahoma’s traffic percentage potentially doubles when including figures from the state of Texas.
• Mark Andrews’ journey to becoming the first Mackey Award winner can be traced back to the Bud Wilkinson era. Mark’s grandfather, Jack Andrews, attended the University of Oklahoma during the legendary 47-game winning streak.
• The legend himself, Bob Stoops, will be presenting the Jim Thorpe Award tonight during the College Football Awards Show on ESPN. The award goes to the nation’s top defensive back.
• Yesterday we showed you 2019 QB commit Spencer Rattler throwing down an emphatic dunk, and today we’re seeing 2019 WR commit Trejan Bridges with this high-flying finish. Incredible stuff.

National Links

• The world was watching when Jeremy Pruitt first discovered asparagus. Pruitt, the man who has been hired to resurrect the Tennessee Volunteers, is currently the Alabama defensive coordinator and will remain in that role throughout the Crimson Tide’s playoff run. After that, good luck my dude.
• Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel will become UTEP’s next head coach. Dimel coached nine seasons with the Wildcats and also graduated from K-State. With Bill Snyder potentially retiring this off-season, look for Snyder’s son, Sean, to get a good look at the potential opening.
• A Georgia fan has been riding around Atlanta with a television screen attached to the back of their Hummer. What’s playing on the screen, you might be asking? How about an endless loop of the SEC Championship game.
• Finally, Jimbo Fisher explains why his Christmas tree was set on the curb before he left for Texas A&M.
• The Kansas Jayhawks and the Florida Gators, both ranked in the top 5, both lost last night in upset fashion. College basketball continues to be one big parity toss-up, and I love it.

Stick to Sports!

• On this day, 76 years ago, one of the most devastating attacks in American history took place at the naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Today, the death and destruction is still remembered, but it is not on the foreground of the harbor’s façade. Check out these amazing photos that show Pearl Harbor today and in 1941, together. The renderings are quite incredible.
• I like reptiles. In fact, I used to own a bearded dragon. But what is this? This is not an animal, it can’t be. Maybe I don’t like reptiles as much as I once thought. Not if they’re breaking records for size, at least.

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