KINNEY: Can OU handle being No. 1?

By Michael Kinney
The Moore American

MOORE October 01, 2008 11:20 am

— It has happened 18 times. Oklahoma has been ranked No. 1 at least one week in 18 different seasons since The Associated Press poll debuted in 1936, which breaks a tie with Notre Dame.
The tie-breaker came this week after the Sooners beat up on No. 24 TCU Friday at Memorial Stadium. Their win came two days after former top-ranked USC was upset by Oregon State.
While it’s an honor to earn such a high ranking, does Oklahoma really want it this early in the season? That is the questions fans should be asking.
The coaches and players are saying all the right things. That they are not paying attention to the rankings and that they are just concentrating on the next game.
“We’re not even paying attention to the No. 1 ranking. We don’t really care,” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said Saturday. “We appreciate it if it happens but we’re just going to keep preparing as if we’re not ranked at all.”
However, we all know the truth. As a player, you walk around with your chest stuck out a little farther, walk with a little more swagger when that No. 1 ranking is attached to your name. And in the past that has been a problem for Oklahoma.
There is no need to look any further than 2007 when the Sooners were twice on the verge of obtaining the top spot and fell pitifully back to Earth after losses to Colorado and Texas Tech.
Oklahoma just seems to play better when they are stalking their prey. Whether its a BCS championship, a Big 12 title or a No. 1 ranking.
Bob Stoops’ only title came when nobody expected anything from OU. It’s when they are considered the favorites that the Sooners tend to have the biggest problems.
This weekend’s game will go a long way in telling if the Sooners have gotten over those issues. Playing Baylor the week before the Red River Rivalry will show us whether they can handle prosperity.
I have no doubts No. 1 Oklahoma will show up to the party when they face No. 5 Texas. But can they bring the same enthusiasm when its the lowly Bears that want to dance.