The Sooners are leaving for the Southeastern Conference and the Big XII Conference (as we know it) is disappearing like Marty McFly in that crinkled 4×6 picture he carried in front pocket (Back To The Future RULES).   Each week of the conference season, YAY DUDE is going to look at some of the best and most exciting Big XII games for OU and OSU.  Plus, we’ll try to take a peek into the future, too.

OKLAHOMA STATE

This week’s opponent: Kansas

THE PAST

November 16, 2002

The Les Miles led Pokes traveled to Lawrence late in the season needing two wins for bowl eligibility. Josh Fields threw a school-record six touchdown passes as Oklahoma State beat Kansas 55-20.  Fields finished the day 17 for 26 for 354 yards.  This total put him over 2,000 yards on the season making him second OSU QB to pass for more than 2,000 in a season.  The first 3 TD’s went to Cowboy great, Rashaun Woods. Woods finished the day with 171 yards and 3 TDs on just 7 receptions!  Leading rusher, Tatum Bell, finished the day with just 66 yards, but the Pokes were facing the 111thranked pass defense.

Photo: The Oklahoman

THE FUTURE

Kansas is coming off of one of their more impressive outings in years pushing the #4 ranked Sooners to the brink of disaster.  The Pokes are coming off a hard fought loss (Rodriguez should be an All-American) at Iowa State and some would say this is the perfect game to bounce back, but also – Kansas is an easy team to overlook. Just ask the Sooners.

Photo: The Oklahoman

OKLAHOMA

This week’s opponent: Texas Tech

THE PAST

November 22, 2008

Sooner faithful refer to this late season meeting between the Sooners and Texas Tech as the “Jump Around” game.  The Mike Leach led Red Raiders rolled into Norman boasting a #2 ranking.  Sooners fans had gotten some criticism of late for not being the rowdiest fans around.  With just seconds left in the second quarter, DeMarco Murray just scored his second touchdown to put the home team up 42-7.  The powers the be decided it would be cool to play House of Pain’s 90’s rap hit “Jump Around”.  It was cool. Really cool.  For about a minute, that stadium had never been crazier prompting Kirk Herbstreit to ask on TV “Are we in Madison?” referring to the Badgers tradition of using the same song.  The Sooners went on to beat Tech 65-21 and etch the game into Sooner fan’s memories. I’ve heard many a fan claim “Oh yeah! I was at the ‘Jump Around’ game!”

Photo:  The Oklahoman

 

THE FUTURE

Undefeated.  There are less than 10 FBS teams left that are undefeated.  Over 100 teams would LOVE to be able to make claim.  So, why do so many fans seem to be so unhappy?   One could argue narrowly avoiding a DISASTROUS loss should upset a fanbase.  “We’re OKLAHOMA and they’re KANSAS.”  All due respect to Kansas, I remember that Orange Bowl Victory, but these days “You’re KANSAS”.  It was a game that brought Caleb Williams back to earth a bit, but did feature one of the most heads up plays I’ve ever seen.  (Be honest, you weren’t sure it was legal either)  Texas Tech rolls into town just having fired their head coach and being led by the interim, Sonny Cumbie.  Solid on offense.  Not great on defense.  They’ll have to play way better to beat Tech.  Can they?

Photo: SI.com

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