Thanksgiving weekend also means Bedlam. As you know I’ve been doing radio for over 17 years now; and when I first started I used to worry about making everyone happy. I quickly realized that is impossible and I decided to do my show based on the truth. To the dismay of many fans, I would not be a homer for the school I so proudly attended, Oklahoma State University, this past weekend. I would never change my experience in Stillwater, but there sure are some orange clad fans that embarrass the heck out of me.

Here are two examples: If you listen to my show you know that I picked OU to win the game and cover the spread. After Al Eschbach and I gave our picks at the end of the pre-game show we started walking to the stadium and there she was… A woman dressed in orange calling me Trader. I sure am happy that my name rhymes with Trader… Jim Trader this, Jim Trader that. But this pathetic woman was mad because I wouldn’t go against a team that had won 29 straight in this stadium and was 65 and 2 under Bob Stoops at home. Guess what? I was right on the money. Hmmm… maybe telling the truth and calling the game the way I see it is the right thing to do. If you want a homer for your school there are others on the radio that will tell you what you want to hear… but that’s not me.

Example number 2: Because my family was in town all weekend, I didn’t have a chance to look at all of my emails from Tuesday of last week until Monday morning after the game. One of the emails I received was from an OSU fan who before the game couldn’t believe that I was picking OU. He said that the home field thing that I had harped on was incorrect, because over the last 15 years OSU has won in Norman. That wasn’t the only reason I picked OSU, but he was trying to prove that I was wrong. Obviously I was right and on Monday morning when I got his email I sent a quick reply saying, “Well, I guess I was right. Sorry.” He then replied by ripping me and saying how weak it was that I had waited until after the game was over to answer his email and that if I had been wrong, and OSU had won the game, that he wouldn’t have heard a word from me. He said I was arrogant and that he would never listen to my show again. I simply emailed back, “but I wasn’t wrong and I just now read your email”.

As you can see many people do not want to hear the truth about their beloved school. The week before I picked Tech to beat OU and of course the OU fans were mad at me about that. I’ll just go on calling it like I see it and being right more times than not.

Under the circumstances, OU played one of their best games in a long time. Brent Venerables and his defense were dominating. And although I thought Mike Gundy could’ve shown more imagination, and Zach Robinson was definitely hurt, I don’t think it would have changed anything for the Cowboys. The fact is it’s close to impossible to win in Norman I don’t care who you are. And before OSU fans start trying to figure out what’s wrong, just realize what is right – 9 and 3 with a Cottonbowl bid is a really good year considering the injuries and the suspension of Dez Bryant.

I can’t wait for the Florida Alabama game. There is nothing better than 1 vs 2 late in the season. It could be an old fashion, defensive, slug-it-out type of game, but I’m kind of old fashion. I realize that many of you would love to see Tim Tebow fall flat on his face, but it’s not going to happen. Florida wins and plays Texas in the National Championship game. More about that later. Next week we will talk about the Bowls, which I’m sure at least 20 of them will be junk. How can anyone get fired up for 6 – 6 and 7 – 5 teams? This year cries for a play off more than any other. Wouldn’t you like to see TCU, Boise, and Cincinnati all step up to the Big Leagues and go head-to-head with a Florida or a Texas? Not going to happen… instead we’re going to get Cincinnati against someone like Georgia Tech. YAWN!

Pro Football: I got an email Sunday night 10 minutes after the game ended ripping the Steelers and me. Par for the course, but I was really proud of the Steelers Sunday night. They went to a division rival with a huge crowd, started a third team quarterback who had thrown one pass in the NFL, and their star defender did not play. And they go to overtime? The Steelers may not be the Super Bowl representative from the AFC, but they’re not done yet. I know I wouldn’t want to play them in January.

I love what Craig Humphries said on the Sports Animal and it needs to be repeated. He said that when Bret Favre went to Dr. Andrews to get his shoulder operated on he must have operated on his head to. It took Favre until he was 40 to realize that the guys around him can be stars too. And boy is he throwing the ball really well. Great MVP race: Favre, Brees, and Manning… believe it or not, right now I lean towards Favre. The Saints looked unbelievable on Monday night. If their defense plays like that they will be unbeatable. Of course that’s not the way it usually goes. Right now, they are the best team in the NFL. How about that? The Saints.

To comment on this post, Click Here for my message boards.

Now to sports. Isn’t it unbelievable to finally see an Oklahoma State football team play defense! I realize that Texas Techs offense is not as good as it has been in the past, but to hold them to only 17 points is impressive. They should name a street after Bill Young in Stillwater. I love the way they hit! Even when the other team completes a pass or makes a decent run they are brought down violently. And by the way, if you didn’t know this, Football is a violent sport. It may be hard to fathom that with all of the “sissified” rules now days. In past years, OSU would have surely lost that game when they gave the ball back to Tech – but not these Cowboys.

On the offensive side of the ball, Gundy is doing a masterful job of taking what he can. If Robinson doesn’t throw the ball well, then they run… to the tune of an 18 and a 16 play drive. That sounds like the 1960’s. Good to see Kendall Hunter back; although Toston has had a great year, Hunter brings something to the table that they don’t have otherwise. What a great one-two punch.

Zac Robinson sure took a wicked hit at the end of the game on Saturday night. Being the experienced player that he is he should have never been hit. But let’s not dwell on that. There is no way that he should play Thursday night against Colorado. I know that it’s Senior night, and I’m sure he will beg and plead and yell to get on the field – I know I would – but if the doctors clear him to play, let him be ready in an emergency. Colorado stinks. OSU should win with the back up quarterback. So announce Zac Robinson last on Thursday night, name a street after him too, but just don’t let him play. Why? You may ask? Because the Bedlam game in Norman will be the biggest game in the history of the school. If they win out they have a great chance to go to a BCS Bowl for the first time in school history. It will go down as the greatest year of football ever at OSU. If Robinson were to get hurt again against Colorado they would have NO chance without him in Norman.

Now I hate to burst everybody’s bubble, but I think they will lose. Bob Stoops is 65 – 2 in Norman…tough odds. I can’t wait to see OSU’s offensive line against OU’s defensive line; two of the best in the country at their respective positions.

Speaking of OU, it was a great win against Texas A&M – as I predicted. You know why I predicted it? Cause A&M stinks! I like the way Kevin Wilson got the ball to his two play makers, Broyles & Murray, but A&M’s defense couldn’t stop me, Julie and my girls. At least Landry Jones threw the ball to the right team. This week in Lubbock we will find out which was the fluke: Five interceptions against Nebraska or five touchdowns to Norman. The Sooners are a 5 point favorite, which is higher than I thought. So Vegas believes OU has a great chance to win. Lubbock has been a thorn in the side of Bob Stoops. And even though Tech’s offense is not as good as it has been, their defensive line will give OU fits. Over / under on penalties on the offensive line is 10. I’m picking Tech to win in a close game. Sooner fans better hope the wind doesn’t blow 40 miles per hour.

On to the NFL: As I throw up in my mouth, I have to give credit to the Cincinnati Bengals; sweeping the Steelers and the Ravens is impressive. But don’t give up on the Steelmen yet. I was a week late on the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo. They waited until Green Bay to puke down their leg. But they still have the inside tract on the NFC East Championship.

What’s happened to Denver? I can see Baltimore at Baltimore; I can see the Steelers on Monday night… but Washington? Oh and by the way, here come the Chargers. Whoever wins Sunday in Denver will win the AFC West – I’m staying with Denver.

If you haven’t noticed, my locks of the week are 11-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This past week my lock was the Rams – THE RAMS against the undefeated Saints. People laughed at me. They weren’t laughing when the Rams threw a pass in the end zone to win the game. New Orleans came out with the win… but just barely. A guy emailed me and said that if you bet $50 on my first lock and rolled it over every time you would have just under $103,000. My wife wanted to know why I didn’t do it – I told her of course, that I don’t know any bookies.

As the College and NBA season goes along we will be talking more about hoops. I am very impressed with Jeff Capel at OU; he is going to bring in some big time players. And Travis Ford, in his countrified way, is really on the right track in Stillwater. The Thunder is off to a good start and the big boys in the NBA are losing games… could be a great season.

I will get back with you before Thanksgiving. Get your turkeys ordered! I ordered myself a 24 pounder today!

To comment on this post, Click Here for my message boards.

OSU has had a horrible time with Texas; at least figuring out a way to play an entire football game. I always say that if OSU wants to get to the next level these are the kind of games they have to win – A small under dog at home. Unfortunately, there is no Kendall Hunter and there is no Dez Bryant. Although, I’ve heard that Hunter may play. But the pathetic NCAA has said nothing about Bryant and probably won’t. I got a great text message from a friend of mine yesterday that said “Who is worse – The NCAA or the Obama Administration?” I don’t know if I can answer that one; they’re both disturbing.

Back to the game, Texas is better than people around here give them credit for. They may not be as good as they have been in the past, but clearly they are the best team in the Big 12. If you go back to some of my earlier blogs you will see that I was concerned that something was wrong with Zac Robinson earlier in the season. Mike Gundy all but agreed when he said in a press conference that Zac had lost weight and was moving much better. He got bigger this off season to avoid injury, but it also made him slower and more sluggish. However, he has played some big time football the last three games and he will need to be even better this coming Saturday. The no–name receivers are catching the ball and making plays. It has been remarkable what Gundy and his coaching staff and the players have done under adverse conditions.

Let’s talk about the defense: There is no doubt that they are better both physically and mentally. It’s been a long time since an OSU defense will hit you in the mouth. Bill Young has brought a great attitude to this defense. Although I think Baylor stinks – especially without Robert Griffin – and Missouri is not as good as last year, this defense still went almost six straight quarters without giving up a point. In 2009 that’s impressive I don’t care who you’re playing.

Last year OSU went down to Austin and played the Longhorns off their feet. Two years ago, they led into the fourth quarter, but then let Colt McCoy run wild. I don’t have to remind you of the history; sorry, but I have to give the edge to Texas. If Hunter and Bryant were playing I would pick OSU, I just don’t think they have enough weapons without them. I will tell you this though, if OSU wins this game it will be the biggest win in a long time for the Cowboy program.

Now to Norman: We certainly didn’t think that OU or Kansas State would be where they are right now. But don’t let their records fool you. This is a mis-match of epic proportion. I give it up to Bill Snyder for pulling this team together (I still think he’s the greatest coach to ever coach in NCAA football) but the North is horrible! Kevin Wilson and Brent Venables have really picked up their game planning in recent weeks. Wilson has all but admitted that they can’t run the ball – a far cry from the beginning of the season. It’s great to see a football coach admit that what he originally thought was wrong. Now they’re clicking under Landry Jones. This will be a spanking and I doubt Kansas State will get double digit points.

Last week I gave my opinion as to what Sam Bradford needed to do; apparently someone else agreed with me and was giving him some really good advice. Hope his surgery goes well. I will miss watching him play. I believe he’s the greatest quarterback ever to play at OU!

By the way, this is by far the worst year I’ve ever seen of Big 12 football since its inception. Eight teams are bad, the entire North plus Texas A&M and Baylor… Oh yeah, A&M just crushed the fourth best team Texas Tech. I do want to give major props to Iowa State and Coach Rhoades; he has more wins already than Chizek had in two years.

NFL: I told you last week the Steelers would beat Minnesota, but I must say I was impressed with the Vikings. Not because of Favre or Peterson… but because their defense is really good. Final score of that game should have been 13 – 10 Steelers; wouldn’t mind a Super Bowl re-match.

I thought that the Giants were the best team in the NFC – they’re not. Right now it is definitely the Saints; that was a great comeback against the dolphins. Hey Dallas Fans, Cowboys had an impressive win against the Falcons; especially after getting punched in the mouth to start the game. I told you they would be better off without Terrell Owens.

World Series: I was right on the money with my Yankees – Phillies pick. I like the Yankees in six games. Isn’t it nice to see the two best teams in the World Series? I know people love Cinderella stories, but this is what it’s all about.

NBA: Season starts tonight with Lebron and Shaq against the Celtics. For those of you who don’t know I’m a HUGE Lebron fan. So my NBA comments will be biased. I give it up to players and teams when necessary – like Kobe – but I will cheer Lebron on. Who will be a better addition – Shaq or Artest? Artest says that all he wants is a ring and he’s changed… we’ll see. I’m hoping he’ll cause trouble and mess up the Lakers, but I doubt that will actually happen.

In my opinion there are only four teams that can win the championship, Lakers and Spurs in the West and Cavs and Celtics in the East. Some of you will say “what about Orlando?” I think they will miss Turkeglu. The Spurs have to stay healthy (Ginobili) and the Jefferson pick up could get them over the top, but Findley and Duncan are getting old. So, I just don’t think they will have enough. In the East my head says the Celtics, but my heart says the Cavs. Guess what? For once in my life I’m going with my heart. I’ve got Lakers – Cavs in the finals … what a match up Kobe and Lebron. Who do you think I’m going to pick? Lebron in a classic! I sure hope I’m right.

As for the Thunder, they will be better; maybe 30 – 32 wins. And we’ll see if Harden was the right pick. I just want to see improvement and which guys will fit in for the 2010- 2011 season. That’s when they need to make a run at the play offs. So, will Ibaka or White or Mullins be a part of that team? Find that out this year. Is Westbrook a point guard? We’ll know that in nine months. Then spend some money in the off season with the great free agent pool and maybe play off basketball will come to Oklahoma City.

Last, but certainly not least, my locks of the week are still perfect! Mississippi State and the Steelers were both winners. To show you just how lucky I am right now, both teams returned two turnovers for touchdowns. Don’t touch me – you might burn yourself!

To comment on this post, Click Here for my message boards.