Balogun update and BYU nuggets as we’re 12 days from play time

One source said, "It would not be fair to the other 84 football players on this team." Another, "The NCAA will appeal and appeal and appeal until they get the answer they want if they so choose." And an attorney buddy with decades of experience in matters such as this said it best: "The NCAA never loses."

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

So the quandary leaves a couple of clear options. One, the NCAA Committee decides to reverse its latest decision and certifies the 25-year-old to play immediately.

Or two, the NCAA sticks with its latest decision meaning Balogun is left with only one option. And it holds no upside. That fruitless option to the much, much-improved man in the middle would be to go back through the legal system and seek to be granted a permanent injunction.

But that will prove to be a waste of time and money. OU will be forced to draw that inevitable line in the sand. As much as they know they need his services-especially under the current circumstances that would see him on the field the majority of snaps-they would be forced to do what is in the best interest of the overall program.

This is when you wonder if the NCAA is the long-term answer when it comes to running college football. Book it. At some point, some other body will be in charge. May be eons before it happens. May involve TV. Lots of maybes. But twill happen sooner or probably later.

PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES SAYS 20 PERCENT

No one knows the extent of OU injuries. But the losses of TR frosh MLB Tom Wort and the likely loss of up-and-coming star Balogun leave the Sooners scrambling for answers and earning their money.

From the beginning, I've given Balogun a twenty percent chance of winning his eligibility argument with the NCAA. The best news is that he is practicing and a decision is expected before the BYU game. If he can't go, look for Austin Box to split time backing up Ryan Reynolds at MLB and continue backing up Travis Lewis at WLB. DC Brent Venables tells me Box is much more prepared than he was last year after Reynolds suffered that killer third major knee injury last season against Texas.

But Venables had four players lined up at MLB ten days ago. And the last thing the staff wanted to see happen was for Box to be forced back into a position that's not best for him or the team.

He'll need to produce because it's not realistic to expect Reynolds to play a bunch of snaps at a high level. And the next option the staff is currently looking at is also not one that will be effective enough for this defense to slow down offenses like Texas and OSU.

That option is to put an unprepared TR frosh in a position that is hard to play and much harder to learn. The option is to play rookie Ronnell Lewis. He has huge upside coming in at a sturdy 6-3 by 225 and looking the part. But the mental part of jumping from 8-man ball in Dewar, OK to lining up against the Horns in Dallas is overwhelming and something OU would do only if it was absolutely necessary.

BYU UPDATE:

BYU is pumped at its chances at Jerry's House. However, they are struggling kicking field goals and with injuries. Otherwise, they are having a good camp and savor the opportunity for the big upset.

OU will have a major advantage when it's veteran, savvy and skilled DL matches up with BYU's young and nicked up OL. However, it's not as bad as some would lead you to believe. Every team has problems. That happens when you have 85 gladiators knocking heads for two-and-a-half hours a day. Anyone who has a problem with the bad things that happen in tackle football can always play flag ball with the SAE's or Thetas.

In Provo, one offensive lineman expected to start is out for the season-guard Jason Speredon. LT Matt Reynolds recently broke a finger but will start against OU. Freshman back-up OL Houston Reynolds is out for the season. R.J. Willing, the most experienced center and guard has been held out of some practices but will play against OU.

OL Coach Mark Weber said BYU's offensive line is progressing just fine. "Our young guys are working hard to improve. They will see things they haven't seen before but they are learning from it. One thing I can say is once they are told something to correct, you don't have to tell them again, they get it."

There were reportedly two more injuries to key contributors. But neither will miss the September 5 opener. Preseason all-conference running back Harvey Unga injured his left hammie and stud safety Scott Johnson suffered a slight concussion.

IN SUM.......

As the Sooners await the Balogun decision and the Cougars await the return of several sidelined with injuries, the public is getting ready for another run at a championship for Bob Stoops and Company. But be warned.

While the OU/Texas game will be one of the biggest in the history of this rivalry and one of the biggest in college football this season, there are games where the Sooners can stumble if they are not on top of their game.