Bob Stoops loves to win, but it’s not life and death

The Sooners coach enjoys what he does for a living, but he will not let the job or results on the field consume his personal life.

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Needless to say, this was one of the weirder events we’ve witnessed at an Oklahoma game. Better than the Sooner Schooner tipping over in the Orange Bowl.

We had a nice visit with Gabe Ikard’s dad at the DFW airport yesterday enroute to the Phoenix area. He’s obviously a very proud papa. Look for Ikard to be team captain next year for the Sooners.

Mills Avenue in Tempe was rather quiet Thursday. That’s the “campus corner”-like area near Arizona State University’s campus and within walking distance of the Sun Devil stadium where the Insight Bowl will be played.

There were a few Oklahoma fans there, and a few more Iowa fans, but nothing like what we’re used to seeing a few days before the Fiesta Bowl games we’ve attended here.

Our pre-game lunch today was at the Tilted Kilt, which is a sports bar chain that is best described as “Hooters meets Plaid”. Food was better, though. I don’t see this chain making it in Oklahoma. Not enough Scottish clans around. But then, the all-male clientele didn’t seem so so Scottish here either.

The team did a walk-through at the stadium this morning. That’s according to Hunter’s buddy who’s tagging along. We won’t name names, but he’s a branch on a coach’s tree.

Weather in Tempe is about as perfect as we’ve seen in now four trips to the Phoenix area for football. Sweater weather at night — so we’ll have that handy at the game — but daytime is 72 degrees. You can see why people move here. It’s for golf in December.

Alex is picking the Sooners to beat Iowa 27-10, with one of the Cal trio starring. He says Kenny Stills will make a comeback and score all of the Sooners touchdowns.

I’m saying Oklahoma wins on a Jimmy Stevens field goal at the buzzer to win 17-14. A fitting end to a weird season.

Hmmm, did we leave Hunter at the Tilted Kilt? — Mike