What did we think/hope would happen?

All-conference candidates Demontre Hurst, Tony Jefferson and Aaron Colvin would lead the secondary and provide some big plays. Javon Harris and Gabe Lynn would thrive in their new roles. OU would stop giving up so many long scoring passes and 400-yard passing days.

The days of watching linebackers on midget slot receivers 40 yards downfield would be over. Real nickel and dime formations would be used.

What did we think/hope would happen?

Returning starters Corey Nelson and Tom Wort would thrive in Mike Stoops' defense, which would let play like more traditional linebackers – stopping the run and covering short passing routes.

OU would also start to develop some depth by playing backups Franklin Shannon and Aaron Franklin.

On Monday, Jordan Esco of Crimson and Cream Machine called his readers’ attention to a piece from Robert Cessna at the Bryan-College Station Eagle that attempts to... well, I’m not exactly sure.

I think the article is saying that while both teams in the Cotton Bowl may have the same record, Texas A&M’s version of 10-2 is clearly superior to the one sported by Oklahoma. I’m taking that from the headline and bits and pieces of the article, because it's far from clear to me.

Anyway – assuming I’m reading Cessna’s intentions correctly – they’d call this one “bulletin board material” back in the day. Whether or not Bob Stoops maintains a bulletin board in the OU locker room, though, I imagine the Sooners have picked up on the idea that Cessna’s opinion isn’t unique among the punditry.

(Editor's note: In an exclusive interview with BH's Ray Dozier, Santa Claus reveals his one true love in college football.)

Ray Dozier: So, you are a Sooner fan?

Santa Claus: I’m wearing red and white, ain’t I?

For those who were freaking out eight days ago when OU was ranked 31st in Rivals recruiting rankings, please note that with 18 commitments, OU is now ranked 10th by Rivals and 19th by ESPN. Momentum.

So OU has 18 verbaled and anywhere from 5 to 7 ships left in play.

With the general fan panic over defensive and offensive line recruiting now somewhat mollified by an influx of verbal commitments, OU is heading into the home stretch of January. It’s going to be slow going for recruiting news until after the Cotton Bowl.

What did we think/hope would happen?

R.J. Washington and David King would have great senior years, minimizing the losses of Ronnell Lewis and Frank Alexander.

Depth would come from redshirt freshman Chuka Ndulue, JUCO transfer Chaz Nelson and possibly Rashod Favors.

Oklahoma receiver Kenny Stills is one of those guys opponents love to hate. He’s flamboyant. He’s cocky. I’ve seen nothing to make me believe he gives a damn what you think about him.

I love him. Unlike the vast majority of automatons who play college football these days, he actually looks like he’s having fun. I mean, there’s a reason why he’s considered one of OU’s best recruiters, right?

And amid all the antics are the moments like this one:

The Oklahoma Sooners have won eight Big 12 titles in Bob Stoops’ 14-year tenure in Norman. Three of those championship seasons included wins in tough road trips to College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies. On any given Saturday in the fall, Kyle Field is one of the loudest stadiums anywhere. A&M's vociferous, towel-waving fans have earned the reputation of “The 12th Man.”

The Sooners had climbed atop the college football summit in 2000 with an 8-0 record after defeating top-ranked teams in Texas, Kansas State and Nebraska. The Sooners rolled into College Station that November to meet the No. 23 Aggies (7-2). OU had never won at Kyle Field in five previous trips.

The Aggies carried a 24-13 lead into the fourth quarter. Quentin Griffn scored on a 21-yard run on the first play of the final period after All-American safety J.T. Thatcher intercepted an A&M pass. Quarterback Josh Heupel fired a two-point pass to Matt Anderson to close the gap to 24-21. The Aggies, however, moved quickly down the field for a 31-21 lead. Fullback Ja’Mar Toombs lumbered 27 yards for the score, dragging three Sooners on his 275-pound frame.

What did we think/hope would happen?

Senior defensive tackles Jamarkus McFarland, Casey Walker and Stacey McGee would finally play up to their potential and give Oklahoma consistency up front on defense. OU would be able to work young DTs Jordan Phillips, Marquis Anderson, and Torrea Peterson into the rotation to get them ready for 2013.

Landry Jones is bringing a 3-0 bowl game record as Oklahoma's starting quarterback to the fight against Texas A&M at the Cotton Bowl on January 4. In those three bowl games combined, Jones completed 80 of 125 pass attempts (64 percent) for 1,008 yards with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. That computes to a passer rating of 145.4.

Texas A&M’s defense is about on par with the other defenses that the Sooners played in each of those three bowl games. Below is a comparison of defensive statistics prior to meeting OU in a bowl game.

Defenses faced by Oklahoma in bowls (2009-12)