It’s the off-season, what else do you expect? We have been seeing this rumor for a long time now, but it seems to have reached a fever pitch. The Big XII has done everything in it’s power to stay alive over the last couple years and by adding schools like Florida State and Clemson to the mix would be a key to longevity.

Though the Big XII made it back to 10 teams, the conference really needs to make it back to 12 in order to stay competitive and make money. By getting back to 12, and bringing back the conference championship will bring in more money and more TV viewers, again resulting in more money.

Besides Clemson and FSU, several other schools have been thrown around as potential members, mainly Louisville, which I think would be a terrific addition. It logistically makes sense. There has been a lot of it is “what-if” guesses from people lately, though. But with these two schools (Clemson and Florida State), I’ve heard from more reliable sources than people just throwing names out there.

It would be nice for the Big XII to move that far East, making larger recruiting footprints in the Florida and South Carolina area. Again, this would put Big XII games in television markets on the East coast, resulting in money. I realize that I keep bringing up the money factor, but considering money is what keeps the conference alive, it factors in quite a bit. Just ask the SEC.

If this rumor does have any legs to it, you can believe that the ACC will do everything in their power to keep this from happening. Clemson and Florida State are basically the glue that keeps ACC football together. Basketball fans of either school probably wouldn’t mind the change.

Right now, it’s just rumors and everyone’s favorite person, sources, reporting on the story. But this time around it seems to be gaining more steam than it’s had in the past coming from more reliable people. So we will wait it out with everyone else and enjoy the drama of the off-season.

I’m sure new Big XII member West Virginia would LOVE to add Clemson, and their fan base would look forward to another Orange Bowl -type beat down.

With Spring sessions in full swing for most teams, it’s now time for people to pick apart what they think each school needs improvement on and who will have a comeback season for 2012. Of course it’s interesting to see what other writers have to say about Oklahoma and what their opinion is on what needs to be changed.

Recently, Dave Miller of the National Football Post listed the Sooners as 1 of 5 teams to make a comeback for the 2012 season. Not surprisingly, he also listed Florida State, Tennessee, Texas Tech and Ohio State. Before we jump into what he said about the Sooners, I just want to mention Florida State. It seems that the Seminoles are always listed on things like this and every season since Bobby Bowden left, the Seminoles under-produce and disappoint. Jimbo Fisher and crew have done a really nice job recruiting to Tallahassee, and they will return 9 starters on defense and their ‘stud’ QB, EJ Manuel. Analysts are saying the same thing they have been saying for a couple years now about Manuel: if he gets help with the run game, the Seminoles will be a force. I’m still waiting for this from 2 years ago..

Texas Tech is another team that people tend to want to throw in the comeback season mix. The Red Raiders and Tommy Tuberville missed out on a bowl games last season, finishing the year 2-7 in Big XII play and yes, we ALL remember that they beat Oklahoma. In Norman. After a 2 hour rain-delay. On National Television. Texas Tech may be returning more starters than any team in the Big XII, and the Red Raiders have been able to get a hold of some solid recruits. Looking at the big picture though, the quality of the players that Texas Tech will be returning compared to the size and speed of players at the larger schools in the Big XII might not get it done.

Landry Jones and Drew Allen after 2012 Insight Bowl win over Iowa

Tuberville is working to get things back on track for the Red Raiders, but he needs to remember he isn’t at Auburn anymore. The style of play is very different over here in the Big XII and sometimes those SEC schemes he uses aren’t going to work. And he also isn’t Mike Leach.

Now, onto what was said about the Sooners, which is exactly what myself and most everyone else has been saying: Stoops needed change. Since Coach Stoops has been in Norman, he has virtually had the same exact staff. Bringing his brother Mike back after DC Brent Venables’ departure to Clemson isn’t necessarily big change, but considering the defense stats and logistics during the Mike Stoops Sooner era and post M.S. era, he could be the game changer. Another concern Sooner fans have is that they are worried about replacing key components on offense like Ryan Broyles, and if you have been following Spring drills, Trey Metoyer is NOT disappointing. I think the term Stoops used was “human vacuum”. People have mentioned the replacement of Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis at DE. Considering key players leave every year at most schools, I think Stoops and crew are fully capable of being able to replace players.

Landry Jones used his Spring Break wisely. Instead of taking off to a beach, he decided to get back to fundamentals. Jones, along with soon-to-be No. 1 draft pick, Andrew Luck worked out with George Whitfield. Whitfield worked with Cam Newton before the draft last year and also worked with Ben Roethlisberger while he was on NFL suspension. Whitfield started the Whitfield Athletix Quarterback training program in 2004 and has developed dozens of players into collegiate level quarterbacks and helped pros get back in their rhythm.

Yes, last season was a disappointment for all of Sooner Nation, but the Chase for Eight still isn’t over. Sometimes change is all you need and it sounds like the players and staff in Norman are embracing it.

Hey have you heard Sooner Nation? We have a big game this week. You may also have heard it’s in Tallahassee against Florida State. Did you know that it’s also the prime time game and a top 5 match-up? Oh, you hadn’t heard? That’s weird.

We all know what big games equal, right? Big games equal even bigger trash talk. I am a fan of the trash talk, but only when it’s done in the right fashion. I mean come on, I do live in Texas. Last night social media got the best of one Seminole fan and his classless mentality shined through. And I am pretty sure he is regretting it right now.

Every fan base has that one guy, the one that they wish would just shut-up. We all found out who FSU’s was last night. This lovely boy decided to attack Oklahoma defensive back, Tony Jefferson. There was his first mistake right there. His second mistake was the comments that he made to Tony were not only directed towards his family, but Austin Box.

Tony kept his mouth shut, but did say last night on twitter that he was being attacked by a Florida State fan and he was saying things to him about Austin and his family. He commented that he didn’t want to repeat and it bothered him. I see what you did there Tony, let Sooner Nation handle it, that way the kid gets told and you keep Coach Stoops happy at the same time by not going off on him yourself. You’re a genius, and it worked. Cue Sooner Nation.

I went back and forth on whether or not to actual repeat what the guy said, and decided that I would. I wanted to show the cause of the outrage: “Are you going to wear the number of that b**** Austin Box? He was so soft he couldn’t handle Vicodin.”

Yeah.

The super classy guy also went on to tell Tony that he hoped his mother and sister die in front  him, they get cancer and someone needs to rape them. And he also actually told him that he wants to blow him up like Timothy McVeigh. I wish I was kidding about this, but I’m not.

Well due to the magic of Internet geniuses and tracking of social media usage, people figured out the superfans real name (Michael Gagliardi). Unfortunate for Michael, his cell phone number, email address and fraternity affiliation was also figured out. From what I have been told this morning, Michael had a very, very long night. Micheal’s local and National chapter of his fraternity have been contacted for disgracing and breaking code of ethics. His twitter account got shut down last night, and he made a new one rightfully named @sorrysooners. (click link to see his apology). He also apparently said last night on the phone, (I may or may not have heard about people actually calling him) that he expects the Sooners to beat the Seminoles. Why the hostility then Michael? Let’s hope you aren’t on the Welcoming Committee when Sooners begin arriving in Tallahassee.

Again, every fan base has people like this. It isn’t just the Seminoles. I am sure he embarrassed quite a few of his own last night with his moronic behavior. I get the trash talk aspect, I do it myself. And players are used to it, but when one attacks a deceased teammate and wishes death upon family members, you crossed a line.

OU DE, Frank ‘the tank’ Alexander said it best, “They’ll put 11 out there, we’ll put 11 out there. Let the better team win.”

Texas will play host to the College World Series Super Regionals this weekend, June 10-13.

No. 7 national seed, the Texas Longhorns (47-16) will host Arizona State (42-16) in Austin with all  games set to be televised on ESPN or ESPN2 and start at 6 p.m CT. Due to inclement weather yesterday, we are still waiting for the outcome of the Texas A&M-Arizona at the College Station Regional. That game will be played Tuesday at 12:30 CST. The winner will travel to Tallahasse to play Florida State.

Here is a look of all the Super Regional sites:

Austin, Texas – Arizona State at No. 7 TEXAS
Chapel Hill, N.C. – Stanford at No. 3 North Carolina
Charlottesville, Va. – UC Irvine at No. 1 Virginia
Columbia, S.C. – Connecticut at No. 3 South Carolina
Gainesville, Fla. – Mississippi State at No. 2 Florida
Nashville, Tenn. – Oregon State at No. 6 Vanderbilt
Tallahassee, Fla. – Texas A&M/Arizona at No. 5 Florida State
Santa Clara, CA - California at Dallas Baptist

The ACC announced Wednesday that the September 17th showdown between Florida State and Oklahoma will be a 7:30 or 8:00 PM nationally televised game. The game will be shown on either ESPN or ABC.

Photo credit: University of Oklahoma Athletic Department

The official game time will be announced September 6th.

This is setting up to be the ‘game’ of the year in college football. Oklahoma will likely start the season at number 1 and the Seminoles will most likely start out  in the top 5.

Oklahoma hosted Florida State last season on September 11 in Norman with a huge win, 47-17.

Going to be a good one year this year in Tallahassee.

Good Morning Sooners!

Here is your Monday morning links…

And yes that’s a Florida State Spring game preview…. We are scouting the enemy.

Pokes win another close one after Sooners blow late, four run lead - Norman Transcript

Travis Lewis talks fashion, food and fun – Tulsa World

Missouri completes two-fame sweep of Oklahoma Softball – NewsOK.com

No titles, but Sooners finish strong – Norman Transcript

Notes on Florida State Spring game – Blatant Homerism