Oklahoma notes: Gator haters

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Even though Thursday’s showdown with Gators is in Florida, Sooners coach Bob Stoops is hoping that it doesn’t take on the feel of a road game.

“I’m calling on all of the (Miami) Hurricanes fans and the (Florida State) Seminoles fans to come down here and root for us,” Stoops said. “That won’t be hard, I don’t think. There’s a part of South Florida that isn’t for the Gators, and we’re hoping to recruit them here this week.”

Musical escape

Yesterday it was Elvis. Other times country, rap or hip-hop has played over the speaker system at Oklahoma’s practices. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the decision to play music during workouts has kept the team loose all season.

“At first we were just doing it to teach them how to block out distractions,” Wilson said. “But it turned out to be one of the best things we did all year. We’re not out here dancing, but (the music) has really turned practice into an enjoyable deal.”

Visual evidence

Oklahoma players said they took time recently to view the tape of the 13-2 victory over Florida State that gave the Sooners the 2000 national championship. But they’ve also watched film of the title game losses to LSU (21-14) and USC (55-19) that followed three and four years later.

“You can’t just focus on the good memories,” linebacker Travis Lewis said. “You have to look at the bad stuff, too. Coach Stoops wants to know that we can be beat – and we can be beat bad – if we don’t come to play.”

Granger again sidelined

The Sooners’ trip to Miami has been bittersweet for DeMarcus Granger. The all-conference defensive lineman won’t play in Thursday’s game because of back problems that required surgery last month.

“There’s nothing I can do but keep my head up,” Granger said as he left media day on crutches. “I’ve got to keep smiling and know that I played a big role in us getting here.”

This marks the second straight year that Granger has missed a postseason game. Last season he was sent home from the Fiesta Bowl after being arrested for attempting to steal a coat in Arizona.

Feeling the draft

Even though the biggest game of the season is just three days away, Oklahoma’s coaches and players are dealing with questions about this spring’s NFL draft.

Underclassmen such as quarterback Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham have been projected as first-round picks.

“From where we think they are physically, I don’t think any of (the underclassmen) would hurt themselves by coming back,” Wilson said. “I think they’d all be better players in the long run. It’s a grown world up there.”

Wilson said he’s more concerned with the well-being of the individual athlete – not the well-being of the program.

“When I talk to those guys, I don’t talk about OU,” he said. “We’ve lost guys and had guys get hurt and we always find a way to have a good team. It’s not about Oklahoma. It’s about what’s best for them. I can’t speak for them, but I think a lot of those guys see the benefit of coming back.”