Sooner Saturday Viewing Guide: September 19
Coming off last week's glamorous Ohio State-USC game, week three lacks much pop. We're still early in the year, however, so don't knock it 'til you try it.
Saturday Viewing Guide: September 19 (All Times EST)
Before Noon: True Life marathon (MTV2)
With ESPN GameDay headed to Austin for what looks like a Texas toasting of Tech, Colt McCoy will probably need a cigarette when all is said and done. I'll pass.
this lineup of True Life that MTV2 has in store, beginning at 8 am:
- "I'm on Crystal Meth"
- "I'm on Steroids"
- "I'm in Debt"
- "I'm Getting Out of Prison"
You may not be able to get out of bed for the rest of the day after that, but remember: if you were in Sing Sing, you wouldn't be able to watch college football on a Saturday... Of course, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it if you were in any of the other situations... Let's move on.
Noon to 3:30 pm: California at Minnesota (ESPN)
If you live outside the Golden State, chances are you have yet to see the Golden Bears this year. Don't miss your chance to catch Cal at a reasonable hour. Jeff Tedford's team will be right in the thick of the national championship race this year. Jahvid Best alone is worth at least an hour of your time. Last year, Tedford elected to take his team cross-country the day before a noon kickoff in an out-of-conference game against a lousy Maryland team. Not surprisingly, the Terps beat the Bears' brains in, Teen Wolf-style. Homerism doesn't expect a repeat here, but you never know.
Another reason to tune in: the under-the-radar rivalry that is always simmering under the surface when these two meet. If you're not familiar with the backstory, Cal has hated Minny since the school bit off of the Golden Bear mascot when creating their own team nickname, the Golden Gophers. In retaliation, Los Angeles stole the Lakers from Minneapolis in the 1950s. It's been ugly ever since.
3:30 pm to 7 pm: Tulsa at Oklahoma (FSN)
Apparently, 'Cane fans took offense this week when ESPN beefcake Kirk Herbstreit called this game a "gimme" for the Sooners. Herbstreit's wrong on that account, but TU fans should save their indignation. This is a a completely lopsided state "rivalry." The chaos surrounding OU's team at the moment means this is no sure thing, but Oklahoma is one of the top programs in the entire country. The perception of the game as a guaranteed win for OU isn't some condescending slight. Yet, if TU coach Todd Graham can motivate his team to play with that kind of motivation, the Sooners will get a much better idea of just what a non-gimme this game really is.
The last time the Golden Hurricane pulled off the shocker over OU in Norman, ex-Edison Eagle Wes Caswell had a 99-yard touchdown catch to spark TU to victory. It may be the most inept moment in Sooner football history.
7 pm to 10:30 pm: Florida State at BYU (Versus)
The battle for Texas state pride is being hyped by the World Wide Leader as the game of the week, but this is the far more compelling matchup in my book. If BYU takes it to the Seminoles, it could be a sign the Sooners aren't as far off as they seem. If not, ticket scalpers in Dallas will be in worse shape than the crystal meth addicts you watched this morning. (Note: actually watching OU is another way to judge the Sooners, but why take one step when you can do it in three?)
Even better, you'll have spared yourself from watching what is likely to be a vicious beatdown in Austin. If it's not, you'll still have about an hour of the second half to watch when Cougs-'Noles winds down.