Linking Up: April 13, 2011

*The Red-White Game rosters are set.

*Some tidbits coming out of Oklahoma's Tuesday media session:

  • Bob Stoops says Corey Nelson has been the best player on defense and "it's not even close."
  • Stoops has gone out of his way to praise the offensive line, which has to be heartening for OU fans.
  • If it gets him on the field sooner, then I really like moving Joe Powell to corner.
  • The Sooners are fortunate to have so much experience at receiver, because the injuries there this spring have been rampant.

*David Ubben lays out the starting experience of the Big 12 quarterbacks.

*Blake Bell yet again shoots down transfer rumors.

*ESPN's Bruce Feldman and Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz delve into the world of advanced statistics to evaluate a defense's performance ($). Turns out Diaz is a fan of our buddy Bill Connelly's work.

*Speaking of which, Bill breaks down the tilt for the 2008 BCS title between Oklahoma and Florida. Hopefully, I'll have more on this later, specifically Bill's meta-observations about SEC dominance through the prism of this game.

*Stewart Mandel of SI.com profiles Florida State starting quarterback E.J. Manuel, who talks about his experience in Norman last season. Honestly, I hope Brent Venables and Stoops are putting their heads together right now about how to stop FSU, which I think will take a big step forward offensively under Manuel this season.

AprilAllen Kenney2009 BCS National Championship Game, advanced statistics, Blake Bell, Bob Stoops, Brent Venables, Bruce Feldman, Corey Nelson, E-J- Manuel, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Joe Powell, Landry Jones, Manny Diaz, Moneyball, Oklahoma Sooners, Red-White Game, SEC, Texas LonghornsComment