Oklahoma Sooners

The recruiting momentum Oklahoma was building in October is starting to appear like it has gone away, but the Sooners are still in pretty good standing heading into the final two months before 2012 signing day.

The Sooners, who have hovered between No. 10 and No. 12 the last six months, are ranked No. 11 for the 2012 class in the latest list released by ESPN on Tuesday.

OU was ranked No. 10 in the previous ranking. The Sooners didn’t necessarily drop as much as Georgia vaulted from No. 15 to No. 8. Fresh off of getting five-star running back Keith Marshall (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook), the Bulldogs have put themselves in good position.

OU’s top two ranked verbal commits remain in-state products running back Alex Ross (Jenks, Okla./Jenks) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall). Ross is ranked No. 38 in the ESPNU 150, while Shepard is No. 56.

The Sooners have three Under Armour All-Americans in Ross, Shepard and cornerback De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn). OU also has three players participating in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in offensive linemen Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka) and John Michael McGee (Texarkana, Texas/Texas) and wide receiver Durron Neal (St. Louis/De Smet Jesuit).

Oklahoma remains in the hunt for some of the nation’s top uncommitted prospects, but the Sooners have been unable to land a big-time target since September. OU has 15 verbal commits, with 10 on offense and five on defense.

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:

Matt (Texas): Any word on if Landry Jones is returning next year?

Jake Trotter: No word yet. I've gotten hints the past few weeks that he's returning. But that's a decision he'll make after getting his film back from the NFL advisory committee. You have to believe, though, that at the moment his stock is as low as it's been all year.

Redneck Sooner (Tulsa): How hard of a look does the coaching staff need to take at themselves this offseason?

Jake Trotter: A long and hard look. I think the leadership and chemistry and attitude with this team stunk the second half of the season. That is reflection on the coaches, and the players they have recruited. If you have starters getting suspended late in the season, it's a major reflection of the attitude within the program. Not good.

Eric C. (Norman): Who will emerge as our clutch playmaker? Stills has yet to show clutch since FSU, Jaz Reynolds is just as inconsistent as Stills with only handful of big catches. We cannot expect championships without having a clutch receiver as Broyles is leaving. So who will take that spot?

Jake Trotter: Stills has to be the guy. After the Florida State game, I thought he had a chance to have the kind of sophomore year that Broyles had in '09. I was wrong. But keep in mind, Stills has been dealing with a hamstring injury most of the season. That might be why his progress leveled off this year.

Dion (Hollywood, California): Next year, it seems that Covin, Jefferson, Hurst will play in the secondary, who is the other corner? Also, who will play the ROY Pos if Jefferson is moved to safety? Lastly, why can't we have more blitz packages ala LSU? The DT are not getting any pressure on the QB any changes coming there?

Jake Trotter: Brandon Chatmon and I were talking about this on the way home from Stillwater Sat. night. It's a big problem. As of now, I don't how they can afford to not move Colvin to CB. But then you have a hole at safety. Right now, the Sooners have three dependable DBs, and five spots to fill in 2012. Maybe someone emerges from the class of '12 (De'Vante Harris?). Otherwise, OU will have to do some serious tinkering.

Sadieogrady (Del City): Can you give any insight into why Stoops did not pull Landry Jones when he was playing so badly?

Jake Trotter: Like it or not, Landry is OU's QB. He's not getting benched. That said, I couldn't believe OU ran Blake Bell just one time against OSU. They should have figured out a way to make Bell a bigger part of the attack. He would have made a difference.

Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (9-3)

Dec. 30, 1o p.m. ET (ESPN)

Iowa take by Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg: Iowa football hasn’t had much go its way in the past 11 months aside from a dramatic victory against Missouri in the 2010 Insight Bowl. The Hawkeyes will return to Tempe, Ariz., later this month looking for another boost after an up-and-down 2011 campaign.

Kirk Ferentz’s teams typically save their best for the postseason, as Iowa is 6-3 in bowls during his tenure as coach, including victories in each of the past three years (2010 Insight, 2010 Orange, 2009 Outback). But extending the win streak will be tough against Oklahoma, the preseason No. 1 team. Both teams struggled down the stretch, each dropping two of the final three games.

Iowa is led by its big three on offense: receiver Marvin McNutt, running back Marcus Coker and quarterback James Vandenberg. Coker burst on the scene as a freshman at the 2010 Insight Bowl, setting an Iowa bowl record with 219 rushing yards. McNutt also has been fabulous, while Vandenberg struggled away from Kinnick Stadium but can put up big numbers.

The Hawkeyes' defense was in rebuilding mode for most of the season, as the NFL losses along the defensive line and at safety stung. Oklahoma isn’t nearly as dangerous on offense without star receiver Ryan Broyles, who is out for the season with a knee injury. But Iowa can’t let Landry Jones settle into a rhythm and must pressure the Sooners junior quarterback.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops faces his alma mater in Iowa, which goes up against the Sooners for just the second time after dropping a 1979 game in Norman.

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Oklahoma State take from Big 12 blogger David Ubben: The "Chase For Eight" quickly went awry for the Sooners, who lost a 41-38 game at home to five-win Texas Tech. The Red Raiders didn't win again the rest of the season. The Sooners' defense fell to powerful offenses late in the season, too. Baylor bested the Sooners on a last-second touchdown from Robert Griffin III, and Oklahoma State receivers ran free in a Cowboys blowout.

Injuries played a huge role. That's undeniable, but this season, with the expectations that came with it, is nothing but a disappointment. The Sooners suffered two losses after losing Broyles and Dominique Whaley. Blake Bell's Tebow-esque "BellDozer" formation was pretty effective late in the season, but Oklahoma is bested only by Texas A&M as the Big 12's most disappointing team.

Junior college tight end Blake Jackson (Scottsdale, Ariz./Scottsdale CC) told SoonerNation tonight that he is going to announce his commitment Tuesday.

Jackson has been in Oklahoma the last two weekends. Last weekend he was at OU's win against Iowa State. And this weekend he was on hand for Oklahoma State's dominating performance against the Sooners. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino also visited his school earlier in the week.

Without question, Jackson was impressed by the atmosphere Saturday for Bedlam, and the fans storming the field. Jackson is also looking at Georgia as one of his other favorites.

Read more about Jackson and other Sooners targets on our forum.

After two interceptions and two fumbles, OU quarterback Landry Jones took full responsibility for the 44-10 loss to Oklahoma State.

“You can't put it on anyone but me tonight,” he said. “I singlehandedly lost this game for us. That's just the way it is. Coach put the ball in my hands to win the game. And I lost it for us.”

It became obvious early that OU’s game plan would be to put the ball in Jones’ hands, even though OSU’s run defense had been suspect. On the Sooners’ first three possessions, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel called 14 pass plays, one reverse and no running plays to the backs. Bob Stoops confessed to ripping the offensive game plan at halftime.

“I was displeased with that at halftime, and I brought that up,” Stoops said. “We ran the ball 10 times and we threw it 38 and that's why it happens to us. It's not a very good job on our part as coaches."

Jones completed 27 of 50 passes for 250 yards, but without a touchdown or a completion for more than 23 yards. It was the third straight week Jones failed to throw a touchdown.

Jones’ turnovers, however, proved to be the difference in the game. The first fumble was by forced by OSU linebacker Alex Elkins off a blitz. Jamie Blatnick scooped up the ball and rumbled 59 yards to the OU 1. OSU punched the ball in the next play.

In the third quarter, Jones simply allowed the ball to slip out of his hand while cocking back to throw. Richetti Jones recovered in the end zone for another Cowboys touchdown.

“Obviously it wasn't a very good night for Landry,” Heupel said. “But it wasn't good for anybody. Give them credit, too, but there are things out there we have to take advantage of. We just have to be better across the board.”

AS POORLY AS LANDRY JONES PLAYED, he didn’t get any help from his receivers, who dropped six passes.

“Really disappointed with the receivers,” said their postion coach Jay Norvell. “I know Landry had some throws he would like to take back. But we didn't help him much. We dropped some passes early that could have given us some momentum, some third down conversions on balls we could have clearly made. We didn't play well together. To execute in the passing game you have to have some wide receivers make plays for you. We didn't make nearly enough tonight for Landry.”

Like in the first quarter, when Jones threw up a jump ball to Jaz Reynolds, who allowed OSU cornerback Brodrick Brown to come down with the interception.

“I can't put a finger on a single guy that played well,” Norvell said. “And obviously we got outcoached. It's very, very humiliating, disappointing, a hard loss to swallow for all of us.”

IT’S BEEN A TOUGH couple of weeks for Jaz Reynolds. Returning from a one-game suspension, Reynolds got so sick during Saturday’s game he was vomiting on the sidelines, and didn’t return after halftime.

After the game, Reynolds had to be helped by a teammate to get from the locker room to the team bus.

He finished with only two catches and 23 yards.

THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON, the “Belldozer” package with backup quarterback Blake Bell had been a major factor. Going into Bedlam, Bell had rushed for nine touchdowns on 33 carries. Fullback Trey Millard had added two touchdowns out of the set.

Against the Cowboys, who had struggled stopping Kansas State running quarterback Collin Klein, the Belldozer was a non-factor. In fact, OU didn’t line up in the Belldozer until its final snap from scrimmage.

“That means we put ourselves in a lot of third-and-longs and weren't efficient on first and second down,” Josh Heupel said.

On his lone carry, Bell turned a fourth-and-short into a 28-yard scamper to give the Sooners their only touchdown on the night. But OSU had only 10 players on the field.

“I don't consider that a touchdown,” Stoops said. “They probably have their 2's and 3's in. We get lucky on a fourth-and-1 with two minutes to go in the game. We didn't get any touchdowns today.”

THE SOONERS STRUGGLED to get any semblance of pressure on OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden without Ronnell Lewis and a healthy Frank Alexander, who played through a pinched nerve in his shoulder. Alexander, a contender for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors, had his worst game of the season, and didn’t finish with a single tackle.

“I had to do what I had to do to try and help my team win,” Alexander said. “I got nicked up early in the second quarter so it kind of changed with my shoulder being sore the rest of the game. But that's no excuse for losing.”

Lewis, who suffered an MCL knee sprain at Baylor, could have played, too. He was cleared by team doctors late in the week, but was suspended.

“He was cleared to play,” Bob Stoops said. “He was serving a class suspension.”

It will be interesting to see if Lewis returns for OU’s bowl game. Otherwise, he will have likely played his final game in an OU uniform. Lewis is expected to skip his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, where he projects to be a first round pick.

DESPITE HAVING ONLY three points until late in the fourth quarter, the Sooners drove the ball into OSU territory on straight possessions in the first half.

Each possession, however, ended in disaster.

After getting to the OSU 39, Landry Jones was picked off by Brodrick Brown on a toss-up pass to Jaz Reynolds.

On the next possession, the Sooners got all the way to the OSU 32. But a Donald Stephenson holding penalty derailed the drive and OU was eventually forced to punt.

The third drive, OU had the ball at the Cowboys’ 35 and a first down. But Jones’ attempt to Reynolds at the OSU 10, was knocked away by Justin Gilbert. A busted bubble screen and a drop by Dejuan Miller led to another OU punt. Miller was eventually benched, in favor of true freshman Kameel Jackson.

The final possession, OU had the ball at the OSU 19 and only trailed 10-0. But Jones fumbled, and Jamie Blatnick returned the ball to the OU 1.

“"It was 10-0, you're still hanging in there and we were moving the ball,” Bob Stoops said. “Every time we got near the scoring zone, we'd get something. We had the holding, which pulls us back, we had the dropped pass over the middle - a couple of them - and it just ruins your drives. Then Landry, they get pressure, the running back busts the protection - he has the linebacker, he doesn't take him - so Landry, trying to make something happen, ends up fumbling the football. Touchdown.”

OU RUNNING BACKS coach Cale Gundy was asked if there was any silver lining in the loss in that his brother, OSU head coach Mike Gundy, just picked up the biggest win of his coaching career.

“I'm at OU,” Cale Gundy said. “I want to win. What he does on other games besides us I'm happy for him, but I'm a Sooner.”

OFFENSIVE TACKLE Jarvis Jones was back and suited up for Bedlam, after missing Senior Day last weekend because of a “compliance issue.” That issue apparently has been resolved.

Jones, once the projecting starter at right tackle, however, didn’t see the field.

With the Big 12 title on the line, the Sooners were blown out by Oklahoma State Saturday, 44-10. Jake Trotter grades Oklahoma's performance and it's not pretty.

Quarterbacks: D-
After getting popped early and often with the blitz, Landry Jones seemed discombobulated the entire night. He completed 27 of 50 passes for 250 yards, with four turnovers, no touchdowns and no completions of more than 23 yards. Jones didn’t get a lot of help. The running backs struggled to pick up OSU’s blitzes. The wideouts didn’t fight for the ball. But you can’t hand an opponent two touchdowns, which is what Jones did with his two critical fumbles. One was returned to the OU 1-yard line. The other for a touchdown. It will be interesting to see if Jones decides to return or leave early, but his NFL stock has to be at its lowest point of the season. In three games without Ryan Broyles, Jones is yet to throw a touchdown pass. Belldozer or not, that is astounding.

Running backs: D+
To be fair, it’s difficult to be a factor when you don’t get a chance. On OU’s first three possessions, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel called 14 pass plays, one reverse and no running pays to the backs. In fact, OSU’s Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith combined for 10 carries before Roy Finch or Brandon Williams got one. Didn’t Bob Stoops say earlier in the week the Sooners would have an edge in bad weather because of their superior running game? Finch and Williams finished with only 16 carries combined. Still, both had critical errors that contributed to the onslaught, which Bob Stoops referenced after the loss. Finch, who has been inconsistent with pass protection all season, misread a blitz and allowed OSU linebacker Alex Elkins to hit Landry Jones unscathed, forcing a fumble that Jamie Blatnick returned to the OU 1. Williams, who struggled to get on the field for most of the season because of ball security issues, fumbled during a disastrous third quarter. Fullback Trey Millard, OU’s best offensive player Saturday, keeps this unit from turning in an “F.” He finished with 32 yards rushing and 39 yards receiving.

Receivers: F
Before the season, OU’s receivers claimed their unit was as good as any in the country. Turned out, it was a one-man show. Since Ryan Broyles’ season-ending injury, the wideouts have gone in the tank. Saturday, the receivers dropped six passes, and were uncompetitive on many others. In the first quarter, Landry Jones threw up a jump ball to Jaz Reynolds, who allowed OSU cornerback Brodrick Brown to come down with the interception. That set the tone for the rest of the night, as OSU’s secondary dominated the OU receivers. For the record, three different OU receivers have served one-game suspensions this season. That’s all you need to know about the season this group has had.

Offensive line: D+
Bottom line, the line got overwhelmed by OSU’s front. Much of OU’s 108 yards rushing came in the fourth quarter when the score was 44-3. The Sooners also couldn’t protect Jones, who took his biggest beating in two years.

Defensive line: F
No Ronnell Lewis. No healthy Frank Alexander. No chance. The Sooners got manhandled by OSU’s offensive line, which cleared the way for 278 yards on the ground. OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden had all the time in the world to throw, too.

Linebackers: D+
Travis Lewis and Tom Wort played decent early, but Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle eventually imposed their will. Smith rushed for 151 yards, and Randle finished 119. The two also combined for four touchdowns. That’s inexcusable.

Secondary: B
Looking for answers, the Sooners slid Tony Jefferson to back safety and put Joe Ibiloye in at nickelback. Bob Stoops warned about such moves that you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. By the second drive, OSU found the mismatch, isolating Tracy Moore on Ibiloye for a 53-yard crossing pass. But all told, the secondary didn’t play poorly. Moore’s reception was the only Brandon Weeden pass that went for more than 20 yards. Cornerback Jamell Fleming did a solid job against Justin Blackmon, who was held under 100 yards receiving. Then again, the “Sharks” failed to force an interception that could have stemmed the tide.

Special teams: A-
Michael Hunnicutt ended the first half with a 48-yard field goal that gave the Sooners some hope in the halftime locker room. The rest of the special teams units were solid, too.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The proud Pokes finally did the deed.

The goalposts came down, and the Oklahoma State flags went up.

Red state? Blue state? For the first time since 2002, Oklahoma is an orange state.

The impact of Saturday's dominant 44-10 Oklahoma State win over Oklahoma was far-reaching. After voters from coast to coast slot LSU No. 1, they'll have to decide on No. 2: Alabama or Oklahoma State?

But on this night, the Cowboys had a chance to enjoy the simpler pleasures, too.

All that politicking and SEC mudslinging will last less than 24 hours.

This win on Saturday night? It'll last a whole year and bleed everywhere -- from coffee shops to elementary schools across Oklahoma.

Coach Mike Gundy says he's immune from the ever-present smack talk. But everybody else?

"I know it affects the players," Gundy said. "And coaches' families, their kids. I've got three kids that go to school, and all the coaches have kids. They want to win. That's what their dads do. That's just a fact. Whether you like it or not, there's legitimate reasons for us to win, so when they go in those restaurants, they don't have to listen to, 'Hey, y'all made it all the way to No. 2 in the country, but you still didn't beat OU.'"

They played this Bedlam rivalry for the 106th time on Saturday night. This was only the 17th time that Oklahoma State fans left with their heads held high.

"It's one thing to hear it around the rest of the state, but when you go home and you have to hear people talk to you about it, it makes it worse," said receiver Justin Blackmon, who hails from the heart of Sooner country. His hometown of Ardmore, Okla., is only about 80 miles south of Norman.

"I know they won't be able to talk," Blackmon said.

The simple truth: Wins like these are more special for the folks in orange. They don't see them quite as often, but that number is growing.

For a year, they'll relish the first outright conference title in school history and the first since they shared a conference crown in 1976.

Gundy called it the most gratifying football moment of his career, overtaking the first time he beat Texas in 2010.

"Nothing compares," said the career Cowboy, who has spent 21 years as a player, assistant and now head coach at Oklahoma State.

This one was special.

"We've earned their respect over the last four, five, six years, so it's different," Gundy said. "There were a number of years we didn't even have their respect. They respected us, and that helps, but still, you've gotta beat 'em. Otherwise it's always, OSU has got to this level or that level, but they've never beat OU."

And Gundy, in a fashion that turned the second half into a party atmosphere instead of a tense one, became the first coach since that coaching savant down in the Bayou, Les Miles, to knock off Oklahoma as the Cowboy-in-chief.

The Cowboys didn't beat Oklahoma. They beat the heck out of Oklahoma. The offensive line: "Phew, dominant," quarterback Brandon Weeden said with a shake of his head.

Weeden had enough time in the pocket for most of the night to craft each of his linemen a handwritten thank-you note to hand out in the postgame locker room, where Gundy obliged his team with another one of his patented dance sessions.

"I had no choice," he said. "I'm a YouTube sensation. There's no telling what'll be on there next."

That was only after a well-deserved Gatorade shower.

"God, that was cold," Gundy said.

Yeah, Oklahoma fans felt the same way.

Oklahoma State running backs Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle -- who combined ran 22 times for 178 yards and four touchdowns -- found holes from the offensive line wide enough that if the two were Siamese twins, their numbers might not have been much different.

The last time Oklahoma State took the field, Iowa State fans stormed it. Saturday night, it was the Cowboys' turn, all before slapping on orange shirts and white hats declaring them "Big 12 Champions."

Fans braved the nine-foot drop from the stands to the field at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Weeden stopped and posed for an endless string of photos. Players celebrated among the mob.

"I had my helmet on, and I got slapped in the head so many times, I might have a concussion," Weeden joked.

He stopped and shook Pickens' hand after. Those hundreds of millions of dollars that Pickens handed over to the school he loves so much? BCS National Championship Game appearance or not, it's paying off.

Oklahoma State, for the first time, is the Big 12 champion.

"To see [the players] enjoy that, that's a huge thrill for me, because there's so much that goes into this," Gundy said. "I just want them to be able to enjoy it."

They will. And so will the rest of the Oklahoma State family.

STILLWATER, Okla. -- That's as thorough a beating as any Bob Stoops team has taken since USC back in the Orange Bowl.

I believe for their efforts, the Trojans were given a ... national championship? Just some food for thought.

Followed by some analysis for dessert.

How the game was won: Oklahoma State dominated from start to finish in the 44-10 win. Oklahoma moved it early, but Oklahoma State piled on points after a Landry Jones fumble that set up the Cowboys' second touchdown. The second half never materialized as a real contest, especially after Jones inexplicably fumbled while trying to throw a bubble screen and Oklahoma State DE Richetti Jones scooped and scored from five yards out to make it 34-3 early in the third quarter.

Turning point: Down 10-0 and facing a 3rd-and-6 at OSU's 19, Jones was flushed out of the pocket, but OSU LB Alex Elkins caught him. He stripped the Sooners QB, and Jamie Blatnick returned the fumble 59 yards to the OU 1-yard line. The rout, as they say, was on.

Stat of the game: Remember that opportunistic Oklahoma State defense? The one that ranks second in the nation in turnover margin? It grabbed three turnovers in this one, stuffing an OU drive in OSU territory on one, returning another for a touchdown and returning a third to the 1. A solid beating turns to a rout fast when that happens.

Players of the game: Oklahoma State's offensive line. The holes were huge. Brandon Weeden had all day to throw. The Big 12's best front five played a heck of a game and gave the offense what it needed to operate, despite lots of early blitzes from Oklahoma that the Cowboys countered with screen passes. Late in the game, OSU continued to punish OU up front, too.

Second guessing: Poll voters and BCS computers. OSU didn't get any help from LSU, but Oklahoma State and Alabama were pretty close in my mind coming into Saturday night's game. The beatdown swung it in the Pokes' favor from where I'm sitting. No rematch. Let's see LSU's stifling defense take on an Oklahoma State offense that's scoring on everybody. LSU has never seen an offense like it would see in the Superdome. Oklahoma State's never seen a defense like it would encounter. Who doesn't want to see that?

What Oklahoma learned: It can't bounce back offensively from the loss of Ryan Broyles. It struggled last week against Iowa State. Baylor's defense? Well, it's not very good. But the Sooners struggled all night to put together a drive. Receivers weren't open, and OSU's corners, Brodrick Brown and Justin Gilbert, played outstanding games and both grabbed interceptions. Those receivers were plagued with the drops again, too, and without DE Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma's pass rush was non-existent.

What Oklahoma State learned: It can deliver a beating just like Oklahoma has done time and time again in this rivalry. The worst beating OSU had ever delivered before Saturday was a 47-0 win in 1945. Midway through the fourth quarter of this matchup, Oklahoma State fans started chanting "L-S-U! L-S-U!" in hopes that a date with the Tigers in the Superdome was on the way. Oklahoma State didn't surprise anybody by hanging as many points as it did, but the defense completely shutting down the Sooners? That's a shocker.

What it means: We're in for a very tense next 20 hours or so until the BCS standings are revealed on Sunday night. Virginia Tech, who was ahead of Oklahoma State in both human polls that factor into the BCS, lost to Clemson. That helps, and the lopsided fashion the Cowboys won will make lots of voters think twice about automatically putting Alabama at No. 2 behind LSU on their ballots. Oklahoma State can't hide from its horrible loss at Iowa State. But it has more quality wins than Alabama and has won all but two of its games impressively. Which will carry more weight?