Column: Getting up to speed on Oklahoma Sooners Bob Stoops, Joe Mixon, and DGB

I haven’t really had much chance to write about anything here lately. I took a ten day trip to Florida to get married last week, as well as enjoy a family vacation. I, of course, spent the time mostly on the beach, taking my daughter to different spots, and enjoying time with the new wife. I didn’t get a whole lot time to really catch up on what was going on in the world of college football.

One of the things I saw was an exchange between Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin and Oklahoma’s own Bob Stoops. Coach Stoops took more shots across the bow of the SEC, and had some words to say about a former rival’s scheduling for the upcoming season. The Aggies play a 2014 non-conference schedule, featuring Rice, Lamar, SMU, and UL Monroe. “Boy, that’s a bunch of toughies,” was his statement during his time in the ESPN Car Wash.

Of course you wouldn’t expect Kevin Sumlin to leave that alone. He fired back with “Coach Stoops has the right to say whatever he wants, but if he wants to play us again we’ll take him up on that.” Okay, so obviously it’s well known that Coach Stoops has criticized the SEC on more than one occasion. He brought validity to those statements with the throttling of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Was Coach Stoops wrong about what he is saying? No. Texas A&M even in the Big 12 did not schedule very tough non conference opponents. 

During their time in the SEC, a regular opponent for the past few years has been Sam Houston State. Their final year in the Big 12, they scheduled teams like, Idaho, and was part of a 10 year deal with Arkansas in the South West Classic. Arkansas was their toughest non conference opponent in recent years. So overall, not very tough. Oklahoma Sooners have consistently scheduled tougher opponents. And yes I do realize that Texas A&M’s strength of schedule for 2014 is significantly tougher, but they are factoring in SEC opponents. Texas A&M will also be down compared to the two Manziel years.

As ranked by fbschedules.com, the Oklahoma Sooners is ranked 93rd for strength of schedule, where as Texas A&M is 5th. Is that rating justified? Probably. Should Texas A&M find away to go undefeated, they will probably end up with a seed higher than four in the CFP. Though on the flip side. It appears, the experts aren’t giving the Big 12 much respect. However, these Strength of Schedule numbers, are based on win loss records of all their opponents for the previous season. Take that for what it’s worth. 

Something else that is big around Sooner Nation, is not only the acquisition of Dorian Green-Beckham, but the recent trouble that five star running back freshman Joe Mixon has got himself into. The investigation is still ongoing, and per University of Oklahoma policy, he has been suspended from the team pending the results. I honestly have had trouble keeping up with this story. Even having the chance to read everything that is going on. This story, has more twists and turns than a horribly directed M. Night Shyamalan movie. Fake witnesses coming forward, one of which claiming to be the mother of the vicitm, Miss Moliter.

Mixon’s attorney, states that this was a case of self defense, that he was under verbal and physical abuse from Moliter. It has also been reported that she has some run in’s with the law her self, including possession of marijuana, and being a minor in possession of alcohol. Also, she reportedly was intoxicated at the time of the incident. It’s a big mess.

Joe Mixon, even if this is a self defense incident, didn’t put himself in a very good situation. I would imagine that he will face some sort of punishment from Coach Stoops, should the best possible resolution happen. I am going to guess, he’ll at least be suspended part of the season, best case scenario. Even if it is self defense, the public opinion of Mixon, will still be less than stellar.

If he was the attacker, like Moliter claims, and is charged and convicted, there is only one choice Coach Stoops can make. That’s to boot him off the team. That type of behavior can’t be tolerated. Yes I do realize I said that, and mentioned DGB in previous paragraph’s. The difference is, DGB was not charged for his incident.

Speaking of DGB, Oklahoma stated this last week, they felt confident that he would be granted eligibility. Mizzou aided in the transfer to Oklahoma, and the powers that be, did their home work prior to approving the transfer. You also have a ZERO TOLERANCE mandate in place for this player. However, my opinion is, that the NCAA should NOT grant a waiver, nor do I think it will happen. He has issues in his past that should force him to sit out the year, and prove himself. Even though he was not charged for the domestic violence incident, he still had the cops called on him. He also, still has the arrest record.

The run-off rule, shouldn’t apply in this situation. He could have made different choices. Those incidents, were not out of his control. I honestly would be upset, if he gets the waiver, and Baker Mayfield doesn’t. Not so much at Oklahoma for trying. The Sooners are trying to get both players eligible for 2014. But, for the NCAA for making such a grievous error in judgement.

Even though DGB appeared to be in well enough standing to come to Oklahoma, he has been in trouble. Given his past, Oklahoma should continue to say ‘show me’. Show me you want to straighten up. If any coaching staff can get someone on the straight and narrow, it’s Bob Stoops and his staff. DGB needs to continue doing what he is doing to earn his way back onto a field.

As for the other player, Mayfield, he had kept his nose clean, made his way onto Texas Techs football team as a walk on, then win the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. He left due to not receiving a scholarship, even after all he accomplished. His transfer was initially blocked, but he was able to win the appeal to transfer to Oklahoma. He still is a walk-on player. Of the two players the Oklahoma Sooners are attempting to get waivers for eligibility. Baker Mayfield should be the one who gets it.

In closing, I am just going to say, I am glad its August. We are about three weeks away from Oklahoma taking to the field. I could honestly do with out the distractions of whats going on with Joe Mixon, or the distractions caused by DGB becoming a Sooner, speaking as a fan. But the fact that we are so immersed in what is going on with the Sooners, means that college football is back. And the Oklahoma Sooners’ biggest fan, my daughter Addie, couldn’t be happier.