Insight Bowl 2011: Oklahoma Has One Shot To Salvage Depressing Season

High hopes were extinguished and depressing times abounded as the Oklahoma Sooners sank in 2011. Iowa gives them one last shot at redemption. 

The part that really has to hurt is that this is not nearly the bowl game that Oklahoma wanted to feature in at the beginning of the season. It wasn't even the one they were shooting for when they took on in-state rivals Oklahoma State to end the season. 

Rather, the Cowboys ended the Sooners season by beating up on them 44-10 to start December on a somber note. This is no time to mope as a stout Iowa side that smells upset will be filling the opposite side of the field in the Insight Bowl. 

It would be very easy for the No. 14 Oklahoma Sooner to overlook the Hawkeyes in what they might consider a consolation prize of sorts. 

Many will cling to the thought that Oklahoma is prone to fits of malaise mentally. Head coach Bob Stoops feels it was far more simple than that in the final game of the season. Via ESPN:

"

That's masking the problem if you say, "Oh, we weren't ready to play, didn't want to play," any of that. That couldn't be further from the truth. We just weren't good enough, made mistakes.

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Oklahoma can hardly afford mental letdowns or even shoddy play. So, whether their end of the season funk is due to either is inconsequential. The Sooners are good enough to beat Iowa into the ground. 

Oklahoma will win the Insight Bowl if they just take care of the ball and show emotion on defense. 

The second that they consider this bowl game a chore is the moment they are hit with yet another upset. For a season that has already experienced so many lows, that would be utterly depressing. 

I see a bounce-back game for Landry Jones who will put the team on his shoulders following a horrible showing last game. 

The Insight Bowl is Oklahoma's. All they have to do is want it. 

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