Oklahoma Sooners

Midlands recruiting writer Damon Sayles, who's covering the U.S. Army All-American Bowl for ESPN, caught up with mammoth offensive tackle Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) on Wednesday.

Banner, a four-star prospect and No. 123 in the ESPNU 150, has Oklahoma in his top three along with Washington and USC. He took an official visit to OU in September.

Here is a snippet of what Banner told Sayles about the Sooners:

"Oklahoma's a winning program. It's obvious that Coach Stoops knows what he's doing. I think he has seven Big 12 titles and a national title under his belt -- and he's been to three of them [national championship games]."

Read the rest of the story about Banner here.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops admitted he has some concerns about OU’s 2012 non-conference schedule, as well as the conference schedule, should West Virginia not be added to the league before the season.

If West Virginia can’t leave, “then we have to deal with that,” Stoops said. “But I think the first issue that (athletic director Joe Castiglione) is trying to work out is just the early games, and who will play us. That's the other thing. It's hard to get anyone to come play us.”

If West Virginia is forced to stay in the Big East another year, the Big 12 will have to reconfigure its schedule for nine teams.

Because of realignment, the Sooners now have two open dates in the non-conference. The previously scheduled meeting with TCU became a conference game with the Horned Frogs’ admission to the Big 12.

OU’s lone remaining scheduled non-conference game is with Notre Dame. Stoops said the Sooners are trying to line up a pair of non-conference games for the early part of the season, since the Notre Dame game is scheduled for Oct. 27. So far, that’s been a challenge.

“I think (Castiglione) has done a masterful job of working the BCS and how we've scheduled to help us,” Stoops said. “Joe works hard at it. I've got a lot of confidence he's working it the best he can to help us and protect us that way. But believe me, in visiting with him, it's challenging.”

Stoops said that if West Virginia is added, the Mountaineers could slot into Missouri’s spot on the schedule, with TCU assuming Texas A&M’s.

Stoops said he believes the league can thrive with just 10 teams and no conference championship game because of what West Virginia and TCU bring to the table.

“Let's face it, this year, if you add TCU and West Virginia, two more ranked teams, we're not missing a whole lot,” Stoops said. “Look at the way the guys have been playing in the bowls. We're not taking a backseat to much here. But if everyone wants the conference (championship) game, and if we get two good football teams, that would be great. But I still think we've more than proven we're a lot to deal with, this league, without it.”

Herm Edwards, coach of the White team in the Under Armour All-America Game, analyzes practice film with defensive backs and gives them some life lessons as well.

“Hand down, man down.”

Those words made famous by former broadcaster and current Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson perfectly describe Oklahoma’s 87-49 loss to No. 6 Missouri in the Sooners' first Big 12 Conference game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo., on Tuesday.

The Tigers (14-0) finished the game 32 of 54 from the field (59.3 percent) including 12 of 21 from the 3-point line (57.1 percent) as they ran the Sooners off the floor to remain unbeaten. Mizzou’s guards proved to be too much to handle as Michael Dixon, Marcus Denmon and Kim English combined for 56 points.

Offensively, OU never found a rhythm, or easy shots, against the Tigers. Andrew Fitzgerald was the lone bright spot with a team high 18 points and six rebounds.

Player of the Game: Fitzgerald. The junior forward provided a early spark and inside scoring with 10 points early in the game. He appeared to be the only OU player attacking the Tiger defense with confidence he could score.

Unsung Hero: Sam Grooms. The junior point guard finished with seven assists and just two turnovers but he probably should have attacked the basket off the dribble more in an effort to help his teammates get easier shots.

Key Stat: 19. The Sooners had just 19 rebounds after entering the game averaging 42.2 rebounds per contest. Missouri out rebounded OU 37-19 as they dominated the Sooners in every possible way.

Key Stat, Part II: 0. OU’s bench combined for ZERO field goals in the game. Carl Blair was the only bench player who scored with two points on free throws. It is critical the Sooners find some bench scoring as Big 12 play progresses.

Up Next: The Sooners host No. 15 Kansas on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.

For more thoughts and observations, talk about the game on our forum.

SoonerNation writer Jake Trotter chatted with readers Monday. Here's the full transcript. If you didn't get your question answered, send it to Jake's mailbag to be published on Friday.

Here are a few highlights from his chat:

Jack (Dallas): How do you see the secondary shaping up next year? The secondary seemed to be much more consistent with Tony Jefferson at safety above Javon Harris and Sam Proctor.

Jake Trotter: OU would love to put Jefferson back at nickelback, but I'm not so sure they can afford to. If I had to predict, the start DBs next year would be Everett/Hurst at CB, Jefferson/Colvin at safety, Ibiloye at NB. But don't write off Harris yet. I see him getting another chance down the line.

Ben (Iowa): Do you think Mike Stoops will be back? How soon if so?

Jake Trotter: Nothing new on the Mike Stoops front, and I don't think we'll hear much until if/when an OU assistant leaves. That will be the sign that something is about to happen. I will say Mike was pretty chummy with the OU coaches/players/admins during the Insight Bowl. Nothing I saw in Phoenix made me believe Mike to OU wouldn't happen.

OUFlyer (Denver): Can you give us your take on Mario Edwards' comments from his visit?

Jake Trotter: I think it reflected poorly on OU. It's a very bad sign when players on your own team are doing the negative recruiting. Better believe, coaches from other schools are going to be using Edwards' comments against the Sooners with other players.

Scott (Austin): Do you think if Landry Jones goes pro that Blake Bell will beat out Drew Allen for the starter?

Jake Trotter: Not necessarily. I got the impression this week there are many people on this team who believe Drew Allen would win the competition if it were held now. Bell is a special runner, but Allen has a firmer grasp of the offense and is the better passer right now. The upside to starting Allen is that you could still play Bell with the Belldozer, too. Bell is capable of winning the job. But right now, Allen might have the edge.

Drake Plotter (Oklahoma): What person transferring away impacts the team most next season?

Jake Trotter: Assuming no one else transfers, Brandon Williams. There was a reason why OU tried to talk him out of transferring. Austin Haywood is a big loss, too, because OU has no one else returning at tight end.