The Wiz of Odds

A Title Game Full of Tears and Cheers

A look at Thursday night's Bowl Championship Series title game, thanks to our friends at TV Tan Line.

How Oklahoma Scored Deep in the Heart of Texas

A terrific piece by Thayer Evans of the New York Times, who gained exclusive access to the recruitment of Jamarkus McFarland, a top defensive tackle prospect from Lufkin, Texas.

McFarland visited Texas, Oklahoma, USC and Louisiana State before selecting the Sooners on Thursday. The recruiting process was paved with an offer for an interest-free loan for his mother, a wild party in Dallas where "girls were acting wild by taking off their tops and pulling down their pants," a ride in a Hummer stretch limousine, a meeting with a university president and recruiting hostesses sitting on the laps of prospects.

'Boomer' Billy Sims Says He's Sorry

Billy Sims, the pride of Hooks, Texas, has apologized for his cheering stunt at Saturday's Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Sims shouted "Boomer" 11 times from the stage after Sam Bradford was announced as the Heisman winner.

 "I hear I've been getting some bad press, that I say 'Boomer Sooner' too much," Sims said. "In no way did I mean to upstage Sam's night. I love Oklahoma so much, and I try to be a spokesman for the university. I will never, ever stop saying 'Boomer.'

"But I apologize to the Bradford family and the Heisman Trust if I crossed a boundary. Sam's dad, Kent, was a teammate of mine and was part of my Heisman season. That's why I was so happy for Sam."

Stiff-Arm Trophy Already Paying Dividends

The Sam Bradford victory tour continues. Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback made a stop Tuesday morning on Wall Street, ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. He's due back in Norman later Tuesday.

For what it's worth, Bradford's appearance had a positive impact on the market. The Dow was up 4.20%.

Sooners Stake Their Claim

Welcome to Norman, site of Saturday night's Big 12 South Division showdown between Texas Tech and Oklahoma. Yes, the Sooners scored early and often in a 65-21 victory that wasn't as close as the score would indicate. Oklahoma might need to make room for another national championship on its scoreboard.

Wiz correspondent Greg was among the crazies in attendance and also took in the "GameDay" festivities. That's Lee Corso giving a thumbs-up to the crowd.

A sample of some of the masks and headgear on a chilly Norman morning.

And, of course, signs. This was one of the better ones.

Wouldn't think of doing a photo gallery without including local scenery.

Memorial Stadium in the morning sunlight.

And you thought the Unabomber was safely behind bars. Check out the person behind the woman talking on her cellphone. Told ya!

The Sooners take the field ...

... followed by the Red Raiders.

A look inside Memorial Stadium as the Sooners line up for one of their many kickoffs.

In Place of Snapshots of the Week We Bring You ...

Scott Hines of TV Tan Line spends way too much time in front of his computer capturing video frames. The man was overdue for a vacation, even a mini one, so he ventured to the Cotton Bowl for Saturday's Red River Rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas.

Everything is big in Texas, including the 212-foot Ferris wheel at the State Fair. It is the largest Ferris wheel in North America.

The crowd is evenly divided between Sooner and Longhorn fans, and this is a shot from high atop the Cotton Bowl, looking across toward the Oklahoma contingent.

As you can see, Oklahoma's fans — with the Sooners about to be handed a 45-35 loss — made an early dash for the exits.

A terrific end zone shot of a nearly empty Cotton Bowl.

The Dallas skyline from the top ring of the Cotton Bowl.

The "GameDay" crew breaks it down.

Nothing quite like fair food, is there? How about some chicken fried bacon!

Perhaps it's best to stay with that time-tested artery blocker, the corn dog.

Click to enlarge this terrific image of the Cotton Bowl crowd.