Brut Sun Bowl: Stanford vs. Oklahoma

Brut Sun Bowl

Robert Guliano on Why Stanford will win: The theme for this game is runner-ups. The game is full of desperately short of tremendous entities. Oklahoma was last year’s National Championship runner-up. Stanford’s Toby Gerhart was this year’s Heisman runner-up. Even the halftime performer fits the bill. David Archuleta was American Idol’s runner up. The only thing that has fallen faster than Oklahoma’s ranking this year is Stanford alum Tiger Woods’ reputation. Led by Gerhart Stanford should run over a squandered Sooner squad.

Stanford Key players:

3. Steve Beurlein- The one-time pro bowler (that is not impressive—just look at a list of one-time pro bowlers) will be color commentating this one. Be prepared to hear insight on the game that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, including the minds of successful college head coaches like Bob Stoops and Jim Harbaugh.

2. Jim Harbaugh- I swear I’m not just naming random mediocre quarterbacks. This would be a huge win for the young coach.

1. RB Toby Gerhart- This large, disproportional back looks unnatural doing anything. He looks like he doesn’t even need shoulder pads. Several female consultants have told me that he is rather unnatural looking as well. Nevertheless, he will make a difference in this one.

Brandon Hickey on why Oklahoma will win: Oklahoma joins USC and Georgia as top-level programs who took a step back this season. The Sooners opened up the season against BYU and lost starting quarterback and defending Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford in the second quarter. Finishing at 5-3 in the Big 12 is not what is expected in Norman, and it doesn’t get any easier in the Sun Bowl against Stanford. Oklahoma football is pretty much all Oklahomans have, and Oklahoma football has been downright disappointing since winning the national championship in 2001. Since then, the Sooners have only won one BCS game and have lost three national championships. Coincidently, suicide rates in Oklahoma have climbed 12% since 2004. As I said, Oklahoma football is all these people have.

Oklahoma Key Players:

3. DT Gerald McCoy-McCoy’s main job will be to stop Toby Gerhart. Hopefully the announcers won’t go overboard on “The Real McCoy” references.

2. OT Trent Williams-Todd McShay likes him. Not in a man-love kind of way or anything. Just as a prospect.

1. QB Sam Bradford-He says he’s going to the NFL, but he should think about staying in school another year. No NFL team wants to draft an injured quarterback.

THE COMPROMISE: Oklahoma's defense shows up, 21-13 Sooners.