Friday, November 30, 2007

Twas the Night Before the Big XII Championship




'Twas the night before the Big XII and all through the land,

not a Tiger was stirring, not even the band.

Their Jockeys were hung by the locker with care,

in hopes that the Sooners soon would be there.

Truman was nestled all snug in his bed,

while visions of the BCS danced in his head.

And Pinkel in his kerchief full of Tiger pride,

and Bob and the Sooners ready to ride.

When down in San Antone there arose such a clatter,

Chase sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

He realized the Option was gone in a flash,

and Maclin's dreams of running had just been dashed.

The Tiger tight ends trembled as they watched the show,

A Crimson and Cream luster set the horizon aglow.

When what to their wondering eyes should they find,

but a miniature Schooner, seven National Titles behind.

With a wizened old driver, skilled in leading his troops,

they knew in a moment it must be Bob Stoops.

More rapid than Temple his players they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"On Bradford, on Joe John, now Patrick and Murray!

On Chris Brown! On Iglesias! On Hartley and Kelly!

To the top of the conference! To the top of it all!

Now dash their hopes! Dash their dreams! Dash away all!"

And then in a twinkling, the Tigers fought back a scream,

and Chase saw the last of his Heisman trophy dream.

The defense drew in their breath and looked all around,

and realized that their "Pig" was nowhere to be found.

Bob's eyes how they twinkled, his coaches how merry!

As they carried on the legacy left them by Barry.

Gary's sad little face and a fear in his belly,

he shook on the field as his knees turned to jelly.

Pinkel spoke not a word, and the ball they couldn't carry,

Stoops filled up the scoreboard and then turned to Gary.

And laying his hand on the shoulder of his friend,

he gave Pinkel a nod and said, "Like Norman again."

Bob sprang to the Schooner, to his team gave a shout,

to the BCS they flew and left Mizzou down and out.

And we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

"Boomer Sooner to All and to All a Good Night!"

47 comments:

  1. Wade,

    It is OBVIOUS that you do not have enough to do!

    BOOMER SOONER

    Gary
    Norman - Home of the Sooners

    P.S.: the buses and sirens just went past my window on the way to the airport...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gary,

    Can't claim to be the author of this one. Don't know who is - just sent to me by a church member.

    Blessings,

    wade

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  4. For once we agree - Go Sooners. I hope they win big and put an end the the madness of Mizzou being in the championship game.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. ........GO MIZZOU GO TIGERS........


    MAY THE SOONERS WISH THEY NEVER BOOMED INTO TEXAS, AGAIN

    ......LONGHORNS FOR TIGERS........

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't agree with a lot that you post, but this I can agree with 100%! Boomer Sooner!

    Ronnica
    Class of 2005

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is hard to find a team to cheer for in this one. Missouri in the title game? Can't happen. But seeing the Sooners humbled (even a little if possible) has appeal.

    Good News: One of these teams will lose.

    Bad news: Both of these teams can't lose.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So, you're saying you're going with the traditionalist establishment on this one, eh?

    I cannot. I believe it's time for men to be measured by their ability, not by their public relations departments and the gridiron fantasies of their old men.

    Here I stand, I can do no other.

    M-I-Z.......Z-O-U

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ronnica,

    I'm interested in those matters with which you do not agree with me. It would seem that not only do we have a great deal in common, I am one who would affirm your theological pursuits at Southeastern Seminary.

    Blessings,

    wade

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really hope Arkansas plays the Sooners in the Cotton Bowl, which would mean that Mizzou would need to get the best of your team tomorrow :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Putting my pro-Big XII hat on: I don't think OU makes it to the Sugar Daddy Bowl should they prevail over Mizzou. So I tend to favor the Tigers.

    Putting my pro-South hat on: I'd Sooner OU win as A&M did over Kansas State in a similar situation just under a decade ago (1998)

    Oh the quandry of deep confliction.

    Greg Harvey

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a privilege to do ministry in the beautiful city of Columbia, Missouri. I enjoy reading your blog. Your poem is quite witty, but we'll be doing the laughing tomorrow night when the nation's best offense, and, yes, the Big 12's #1 total defense, and their 8 all Big-12 players, rolls over you in San Antonio. Go Tigers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wade, if you know what's good for you and for the Big 12 you will change your allegiance this Saturday. Surely you can put aside your Sooner pride for the good of the best conference in the world? Right?

    Anyway, Go Jayhawks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. if its a close game we lose. We have to win by 14 or more.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Now you've gone and done it, Wade. This is clearly heresy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The desire to keep Ohio State from yet another undeserved appearance in a national championship game is most of the motivation behind my hoping that Mizzou comes out of this on top, that and the fact that it couldn't be a nicer turn of events for a couple of teams like Mizzou and West Virginia to play for the national title, while the perennial powers are at home, watching it on television, and contemplating the concept of "parity."

    I think OU is in for a long evening. On a neutral field, with a team that has vastly improved since they met earlier in Norman, I just don't think the Sooners are up to the task of having to beat Mizzou twice.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow. That was horrible.

    Yet another reason to cheer for Mizzou... OU butchering a Christmas classic.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used to think your heart was in the right place, Wade ;)
    Go Mizzou!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wade,

    I can not agree with you on this one. I hope that the too short, too fat, too slow QB from Southlake, TX, Chase Daniels, puts on a passing demonstration that will have Bob Stoops on his knees crying out to God for mercy. And then I pray that OU plays Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl so all you Okies can know who is the real "Big Red" team in the land.

    And all God's people said ... Amen!

    David Spriggs

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hiram, thanks for coming forth with your identity. I appreciate your willingness to participate in the conversation here even if you do bring an alternative point of view.

    As I am finding out since I began blogging and posting, it isn't always easy to own your words. Suddenly, folks who never paid me any attention before are wanting to talk to me and make me accountable for my words. It's not easy, but it is refreshing to be able to converse about differences. That's the reason that I am most thankful for this and other blogs...not because I always agree with the viewpoints presented, but because I really believe we can dialogue and still work together.

    I'm just thankful that in this medium, we still have the ability to voice our differences without fear of censure or punishment.

    On another note...Go Kansas! I'm a Univ of KY fan, but since we obviously are not having much of a football season, I don't want anyone else to enjoy theirs either! :-)

    Terry

    ReplyDelete
  21. Type-O...I meant "go WVU" since I live on the WV border.

    I got my "UK"s mixed up in my thinking. I don't care a bit about Kansas football!

    Go WVU!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wade,

    I...along with "Columbus, Ohio"...would like to thank all the Sooners and all the great Sooner fans in advance.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wade,

    I respect the fact that somebody, somewhere, sometime, wrote a poem about your exceedingly flat state's football team, but has Oklahoma ever been referred to, biblically, as holy? Huh? Huh? Has it?

    :)

    Check Genesis 36:2 (and various other places) for a reflection on the esteem in which Bama is held. Eight times (in the NIV), no less.

    ReplyDelete
  24. "...and I awoke from my dream,

    The truth, it would seem,

    Was quite different for the crimson and cream."


    As an OkStater and a soon to be Missourian...

    Let's Go Tigers!

    SOLA GRATIA!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Half the Sooners are from Texas--"Go, Sooners!"

    ReplyDelete
  26. David, As a Texan, I agree. I often cheer for the University of Texas at Norman.

    Ken

    ReplyDelete
  27. The University of Texas @ Norman...

    That's stinkin' hilarious. Love it.

    A Displaced Texan Serving Overseas

    ReplyDelete
  28. You guys are silly. Look how many Mizzou players are from Texas, too (Chase Daniel being the best example). That's because a) you make up your own country size-wise; b) you guys worship football there.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kevin, you say that like it's a bad thing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Phil,

    I responded to Hiram on the blog post that relates to that subject.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Moral/Theological Question:

    We try to maintain some level of Christian standard of conversation when we comment on various theological/political issues.

    But, am I not right that when it comes to football, those rules go out the window?

    It is completely acceptable to call names, rant and rave, and belittle others as long as the subject is football, isn't it?

    I need clarification.

    The good thing about the bowl games is that it brings us closer to the end of football and the beginning of spring training.

    I know, with all our differences, the one thing we can agree on is the greatness of the New York Yankees.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wade,

    Read your blog everyday to keep becoming informed, but fail to post comments. I cannot refrain any longer : Sooners by 21.

    I love you big bro.

    BRB

    ReplyDelete
  33. Considering there is no team from Vermont to cheer for, and the fact that I have been in Missouri for longer than I care to mention--I will be most surprised if OKL can come within 14 points. I think you guys will be looking for something else to watch after half time. But thanks for coming and we have some nice parting gifts for you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. It is completely acceptable to call names, rant and rave, and belittle others as long as the subject is football, isn't it?

    Only for college level and above. But yes.

    :)

    My personal take though is to never talk smack about football. Anything can happen.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Because he is a man of erudition,

    I concur with David Miller!

    Let's Go Yankees!

    SG!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wade, I read about you being censured. I can't say that I am your biggest fan, but I can certainly agree with the issues you have about baptism and private prayer language. I will keep you in my thoughts this week as I know that God will reveal what he wants all involved to learn. He has softened my heart towards you. So I already see some of the fruit. How far his hand stretches.

    ReplyDelete
  37. By the way, what on earth is a Sooner?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dave,

    In 1889 President Benjamin Harrison signed the Land Act which opened land in Indian Territory for settlement by the white man. In five land 'races,' the two biggest being held April 22, 1889 (the Oklahoma City area), and September 16, 1993 (the Northwestern Oklahoma area including my city Enid), over 250,000 people, at the firing of a shotgun to begin the race, rode fast and furious on their horses, wagons, and a few on trains to 'stake' out their claim for a quarter section of land that would be given to them, free of charge, by the United States government if they built a dwelling on it and stayed at least five years. Because of the influx of hundreds of thousands of people in a very short time Oklahoma was able to become the 46th state in the union just a little over a decade later - November 16, 2007.

    Some people illegally jumped the gun by crossing into Indian Territory before the specified start of the Land Run. They hid from federal Marshalls who were patrolling Indian Territory, and, after the gun fired, popped up out of creeks, holes they had dug in the ground, or clumps of trees and arrived first to 'stake their claim.' These people who jumped the gun - criminals according to the law - were called 'Sooners.'

    Those who entered the territory legally were called 'Boomers.'

    If 'Sooners' were caught by the Marshalls they were hung on the spot. Overtime, Oklahomans have lost any sense of Sooners being criminals and have adopted the moniker - as in Oklahoma Sooners.

    Hope that helps.

    Wade

    ReplyDelete
  39. Short Version:

    Law breaking, land grabbing thieves

    (HT:Wes Kenney)

    BY GRACE ALONE!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I saw that on the Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie "Far and Away" some years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wade,

    Another little known fact about sooner football.

    In 1908, Texas Gov. Thomas Campbell signed into law ; any Texas resident who crosses the Texas/Oklahoma border and plays football for O U, automatically surrenders their Texas residency and may never enter the Lone Star state again. If said person does illegally enter the state of Texas, then he/she may be shot on site or taken into custody for hanging at a later date.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Just sadly turned off the T.V. Having just read this AFTER the game in San Antonio, very spooky.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  44. To the Sooners...we will never say you have not done anything for us, ever again.

    Thanks guys, love ya!

    -THE Ohio State Buckeye Nation.

    ReplyDelete

Please discuss principle and do not denigrate people. Vulgar comments or those which violate the simple request above will be deleted.