• Reduced federal funds and public donations jeopardize services

RAY MARTIN The Oklahoma Daily

In the midst of what an economic research group recently labeled a recession, local non-profit organizations are taking budget hits that could result in fewer specialized services.

A meeting at Norman City Hall on Wednesday night manifested the troubles facing 19 agencies in the Norman area.

Leaders from those agencies gave presenta-tions to city officials in hopes of receiving a piece of the Community Development Block Grant—federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“It was not a fun meeting,” said Linda Price, revitalization manager for the City of Norman. “What I’m hearing is that costs and needs are going up, and contributions are going down.

Some agencies might not even get funded.”These agencies provide various services like

abuse counseling and holiday gifts and food for needy families.

Price said the amount of funds available through the grant has declined steadily through-out the last decade, and are projected tohit a new low in 2009. In 2000, the grant peaked when it exceeded $1 million.

This year’s grant was just more than $800,000, but only $120,000 of that will be put toward agencies. Price said the amount going to agen-cies is far from sufficient.

There will be around $5,000 less available to agencies than there was last year, she said.

“That’s a huge amount, [it] might be the differ-

ence in an organization closing or not.”Community Services Building Inc., an institu-

tion that houses 16 non-profit services in Norman, is experiencing problems due to its non-profits’ depleting budgets, said Becky Aguilar, executive director of CSBI.

Aguilar lobbied for funds to continue improve-ments to the corporation’s heating and air sys-tems Wednesday night. The improved system would be more energy efficient, allowing organi-zations to rent at a lower price.

“If we don’t get it, it will definitely hurt a lot,” she said.

Organizations like the Center for Children and

“What I’m hearing is that costs and needs are going up, and contributions are going down. Some agencies might not even get funded.”

Linda Price, City of Norman revitalization manager

• Student survey gives ideas on new initiatives

CAITLIN HARRISON

The Oklahoma Daily

A campus bike program and new metered park-ing spots are a few changes UOSA will soon make to campus parking.

The changes are due to the results of a recent student parking survey that asked students about

their parking hab-its. The multiple-choice survey also included a free response section at the end where students could voice individual concerns.

“When these surveys go out, their responses are heard,” said Chase Roberts, UOSA director of off-cam-pus living.

Of about 3,100 students who com-pleted the survey, many showed interest in having new park-ing meters installed in the new parking lot

across from the Huston Huffman Center. Roberts, entrepre-neurship and finance junior, said UOSA was pleased with the number of students who filled out the survey and thinks the response pool was large enough for UOSA to rely on it as it designs its initiatives.

UOSA is in the process of tabulating numbers to decide how many meters to install. Roberts said he thinks there will between five and 10.

He said the survey also showed that some students wanted parking meters for more than a place to park while working out.

“We had a number of students who said, ‘I just need a place to park my car temporarily while I go turn something in,’” he said. “We’re going to keep that in mind whenever we’re translating our results into an action item.”

Many students also said they wanted to see more green parking initiatives and public trans-portation, which gave UOSA the idea for a cam-pus bike program. For this program, the univer-sity would supply bikes for students to check out. Roberts said the program, which few universities have, will be implemented within the next year.

“With that initiative, we’ll also see parking spots free up as we turn from two pedals to two wheels,” he said.

Roberts said another widespread concern of students was the $195 price of a parking permit. He said UOSA probably will not be able to lower the price, but several members will meet with Parking and Transit Services next week to discuss the permit money trail.

“We respect that figure and their reasoning for that figure, but if we figure out that part of the permit is money that’s just being wasted, obvi-ously we’re going to rally for a lower price for the permit,” he said. “I would say it’s safe to say those numbers have been well thought-out.”

History junior Sarah Savage, said she would not be able to afford her parking permit if she did not have a university scholarship.

“As far as price goes, it’s pretty expensive,” she said.

Roberts said some students who took the survey said parking permits at Oklahoma State University do not cost as much as OU’s. He said the value of campus real estate affects the price, which is why OU’s cost more.

Several female students also said in the survey that they do not feel safe while walking around campus, Roberts said.

Savage said sometimes she feels scared walking around campus at night. Savage, who lives in the residence halls, said she normally parks in Priority Housing parking spots, but they are often filled on the weekends.

“It might be a lot later when you get back to the dorms, when you have to walk further than you’re supposed to,” she said.

UOSA pitches new ideas to improve parking conditions

OU professor fulfills need for speed

• Cross-country motorcycle racing provides exciting escape from academia

RAY MARTIN

The Oklahoma Daily

Randy Hemphill remembers the conference well. Several years ago Hemphill walked into an auditori-

um and saw Lee Williams, dean of OU’s graduate school and vice president of research, giving a speech in a suit with a cast over his broken arm.

Someone asked Williams how he broke the arm, and Hemphill smiled when he heard Williams recount the tale.

“I broke it racing,” Williams said. “Racing dirt bikes.” It wasn’t the first time Williams had given a speech in

bandages, and it probably won’t be the last. Williams, a native of Wales, is an academic by day; he

also is a Regents Professor of Geography, and profes-sional dirt bike racer by night. Some nights and week-ends he trades in his suit and tie for a helmet and racing

gear to compete on the Oklahoma Cross Country Racing Association circuit.

“When you’re out there with other people who love to race, it doesn’t matter what you do for a living,” Williams said. “It’s just a great decompression from the pressures of life. It’s a great escape.”

Williams races in a professional statewide champion-ship series that is overseen by the OCCRA. He cross-country races from February to June and continues the season from September through November.

Cross-country races are usually 6 to 12 miles long, and take place on differing terrains. Some races include motocross tracks with hills and jumps. Others are flat with sandy areas, and some tracks weave through tight trees and open fields.

“Oklahoma is perfect for this kind of racing,” Williams said.

He also races on a winter circuit, from December until the beginning of the next season in February.

Williams, 57, admits he is not one of the fastest drivers in the over-50 division, but he isn’t the slowest either. He said he usually finishes in the middle of the pack.

“Right now I’m not in that great of shape, so I don’t win, I survive,” he said laughing.

PARKING Continues on page 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 2008© 2008 OU Publications Board

FREE — Additional Copies 25¢

VOL. 93, NO. 72

A&E 5Campus Notes 2Classifi eds 6Horoscope 7

Opinion 4Police Reports 2Sports 7Sudoku 6

SPORTS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TODAY

SATURDAY

LOW 29°

LOW 29°

HIGH 43°

HIGH 51°Source: Oklahoma Weather Lab

WEATHER FORECAST

TODAY’S INDEX

The musical “Annie” will run

through Dec. 14 at the Sooner Theatre in

Norman. Read The Daily’s review. Page 5.

Fashion Friday tackles holiday make-up. Visit OUDaily.com for more.

Failing economy causes problems for non-profit organizations

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ECONOMY Continues on page 2

SPEED Continues on page 2

Photo provided

Lee Williams, OU professor of geography and professional dirt biker, poses with his motorcycle after a race.

This just in: OU is playing in the

Big 12 Championship Saturday.

And the Sooners know their opponent

quite well. Page 7.

Plenty of people

have found fault

with the current BCS system, but few of

them have called for

the Department of

Justice to look into

the topic. But Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) is doing

just that. Page 7.

NEIL ABERCROMBIE

FINAL: 73-72page 8

one-point win

MECCA PILGRIMAGE

Hemphill, a psychology teacher at Norman High School who also races cross-country, said Williams is one of the most respected driv-ers on the track.

“He’s a clean driver, a thought-ful racer and really well-respect-ed among his competitors,” said Hemphill, who has been friends with Williams for close to a decade and has raced since 1973. “It’s funny, because I also have a Ph.D. and it’s like two renaissance men

out there. But really it’s an entirely different life. Nothing else matters when you’re racing.”

Williams has raced cars, motor-cycles or cross-country for nearly 40 years. He started racing cars at age 17. When he came to OU in 1976 for a post doctorate, he made the switch to motocross. He raced grand prix style cars for five years while teaching at the University of Kansas before taking up cross-country, which he’s stuck with for more than a decade.

He said his love for racing began as a child, when his uncles raced motorcycles and he was constantly tinkering with toy cars and machines.

“They were really good,” Williams said of his uncles. “I guess they kind of inspired me.”

Williams’ wife, Naila Williams, said her husband has always been good at the things he has tried.

“He’s been good at everything he’s wanted to do,” she said. “He

always puts things together, and did as a child. So I have extreme confidence when he’s out there on the track.”

Williams has passed his family’s racing tradition on to his children. At one time in his career, he raced with both of his sons, Gareth, 14, and O.J., 21. Gareth received his first cross-country bike when he was 6 years old, Naila, who works in the Earth and Energy depart-ment at OU, said. Soon after, weekend races turned into family outings and mini-vacations.

Naila and Williams have been married for 35 years, and she used to ride her own motorbike prior to the birth of their first child O.J.

“I’ll be honest, I was a little more nervous when the kids were riding,” Williams wife said. “It’s just a part of who they are, though. I love to go and watch Lee. It’s who he is.”

NewsFriday, Dec. 5, 20082

Continued from page 1

Parking

Continued from page 1

Speed

CAMPUS NOTESThe Daily draws all entries for Campus Notes from OUDaily.com’s comprehensive, campus-wide calendar. To get your event noticed, visit OUDaily.com and fill out our user-friendly form under the calendar link.

TODAY

SCHOOL OF MUSIC• A concert will be at 4:30 in Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center.• A OU Symphony Orchestra concert will be at 8 p.m. in Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center.

POLICE REPORTSNames are compiled from the Norman Police Department or the OU Department of Public Safety. The report serves as a public record of arrests or citations, not convictions. The people here are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDaniel J. Abeyta, 21, E. Alameda Street, Wednesday

PETTY LARCENYJustin Airick Blackburn, 34, 3400 block W. Main Street, Wednesday

MUNICIPAL WARRANTMichael Perry Bumbalow, 19, 200 block W. Gray Street, WednesdayChristie Ann McWilliams, 32, 3400 block W. Main Street, Wednesday, also petty larceny

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANANatalie Dawn Elliot, 20, 3600 block W. Main Street, Wednesday, also possession of drug paraphernaliaJustin Ryan Ferree, 22, 3200 block W. Robinson Street, Wednesday

POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLChristopher Scott Garroutte, 18, 3600 block W. Main Street, WednesdayJeremy Isaiah Mitchell, 20, 3600 block W. Main Street, Wednesday

OWN/KEEP/HARBOR BARKING DOGAlan Gene Hughes, 51, 1000 block Chautauqua Avenue, Tuesday

OUTRAGING PUBLIC DECENCYCharlie Braden, 20, 700 block Asp Avenue, Wednesday

Families Inc. and Bethesda, which counsels chil-dren who are sexually abused, have also suffered substantial cuts.

Price said the groups operate off fundraising too, which has been down recently.

“It’s a double whammy for those organizations,” she said. “They lose government money as well as donations.”

Some organizations that don’t receive government funds are being forced to change their strategy.

The Eden Clinic, a pregnancy and counseling cen-ter, relies only on donations and has been forced to transition to a volunteer model of leadership.

Mark Hiehle, executive director of The Eden Clinic, said he hopes soon to have around 20 volun-teers working at the clinic, as opposed to about five volunteers prior to the budget cuts.

“We are trying to trim as much as possible with-

out jeopardizing quality,” Hiehle said. “A lot of our major donors have talked about how they’ve taken hits in the stock market. I think contributions are down everywhere.”

Hiehle said he is tapping into new resources and organizations like rotary and optimist clubs to com-bat the cuts.

Agencies shouldn’t lose hope, though, Price said. She thinks funds will increase in the coming years for those who receive it.

President-elect Barack Obama will try to make helping these organizations a priority, Price said.

“It’s important to both parties, but because of certain situations now, we haven’t been able to help these agencies,” she said. “It might get worse before it gets better, but I think it will ultimately improve.”

Continued from page 1

Economy

Many students also said they wanted more parking garages on campus, Roberts said. But building parking garages is expensive.

“It’s more than you would think it would cost to build a parking garage,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he thinks UOSA’s upcoming meeting with Parking and Transportation Services next week will help with responding to students’ concerns.

“We’re hoping we’ll get to the bottom of [their concerns], and we can pacify some of their negative feelings toward park-ing,” he said.

Photo provided

Williams, OU professor of geography

and professional dirt biker, races his

motorcycle.

“He’s a clean driver, a thoughtful racer and really well-respected among his competitors.”

Randy Hemphill, friend of Lee Williams

“We had a number of students who said, ‘I just need a place to park my car temporarily while I go turn something in.’ We’re going to keep that in mind whenever we’re translating our results into an action item.”

Chase Roberts,

UOSA director of off-campus living

SEAN MURPHY

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma students whose families earn more than $50,000 could qualify for regents.

The Task Force on Oklahoma’s Promise recommends adjusting the family income limit when students apply for the scholarship so that adjusted gross income minus the amount for exemptions equals $50,000 or less. Another recommendation would automatically adjust for family size so that larger families would be allowed to have higher incomes.

For example, a married couple with four children could earn $70,400 in adjusted gross income and still qualify for the program under the proposal.

Bryce Fair, who oversees Oklahoma’s Promise for the state regents, said the change would allow participation of more middle-income families that likely don’t qualify for need-based financial aid.

“This proposal would bring in a lot of those families,” Fair said.

The current family income level, established in 2000, is $50,000, and Fair said the changes would adjust for inflation and provide more fairness to larger families.

All the changes would have to be approved by the Oklahoma Legislature, but Chancellor Glen Johnson said he’s optimistic the recom-mendations would be well received, since four legislators served on the task force.

Fair said the projected cost difference to the

state would not be realized until 2012, with an $8 million impact, increasing incrementally to about $43 million in 2019.

Students who participate in Oklahoma’s promise must maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average in a 17-unit core curriculum, attend school regularly and stay out of trouble. Students also must enroll in the program by the 10th grade.

The number of students completing the requirements for participation has increased steadily each year to its current level of 6,530 students.

The regents also accepted a report on the impact of recent hikes in tuition that shows enrollment patterns have not been affected by the increases. The average increase system-wide for a full-time student is $302 annually for the upcoming year.

Johnson said the regents have come forward with a proposal this year not to increase tuition if the Legislature approves $80 million in addi-tional funding that Johnson said would help cover increased fixed costs and expansion of critical academic programs.

Meanwhile, the regents approved a 5 percent increase in Johnson’s current annual salary of $286,650 and provided him with a one-time bonus of $10,000. The item was approved with-out discussion as part of the regents’ consent docket.

Johnson was appointed chancellor of the state’s higher education system in December 2006.

State regents eye expansion of scholarship program

STATE NEWS

AP Photo

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday.

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Ellis Goodwin, managing editordailynews@ou.eduphone: 325-3666fax: 325-6051For more, go to oudaily.com. Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 3Campus NewsCampus News

• City plans for road to be open for holidays

JAMIE HUGHES

The Oklahoma Daily

The City of Norman’s Department of Public Works is ready to give shoppers an early holiday gift this year.

The roadwork at the intersection of Main Street and 36th Avenue N.W. is almost complete and should be finished within the next two weeks, public works director Shawn O’Leary said.

“This is a major transportation corridor proj-ect,” O’Leary said. “[It has been] a long time coming.”

The department considers the project, which is adjacent to Sooner Mall, to be about 98 per-cent complete.

“[We are] very committed to getting this done by the holiday season,” O’Leary said.

Initial completion dates were slated for before Thanksgiving, but moving utility lines and unfa-vorable weather set the department back, he said.

“Like with every project, we’ve had prob-lems,” O’Leary said.

O’Leary said the city broke ground to alter the roads because it foresaw problems near the intersection due to a high concentration of com-mercial businesses in the area.

“This is a...problem area in Norman [which] experienced congestion,” he said.

Lynn Palmerton, general manager of the Sooner Mall, said business for stores has gone well, despite the road construction.

Mall officials and shoppers are used to the project by now, Palmerton said.

Hilary Hudson, University College freshman, said she worked at El Chicos, a restaurant in the mall, right before construction began.

“They tore up the parking lot where the work-ers parked,” she said.

Workers had to park in the regular parking lot and were inconvenienced, Hudson said.

Fatima Zahir, business senior, said the con-struction has been manageable for workers at

the mall, though it can be irritating.Zahir, who works at the mall, said she avoids

the construction on her way to work by taking Ed Noble Parkway but runs into problems when she leaves work on an alternate route.

“Sometimes I literally sit there for four or five minutes,” she said.

Earlier in the project, cars were not able to turn left on to Main Street from 36th Avenue N.W., which frustrated some drivers, O’Leary said.

“That might have been the most concentrated source of complaints,” he said.

Another point of discontentment has been with people who live in the area, O’Leary said.

“For the last six months, I’ve tried to avoid the area,” said Hudson, who lives in the neighbor-hood. “I went to the post office and getting out was impossible. Since then I’ve tried to avoid it.”

While there have been some negative com-plaints, O’Leary said the reaction from the com-munity has been mostly positive.

“In total, folks have been patient with us,” he said.

Palmerton said it might be unfortunate for drivers, but the road will be nicer after the proj-ect is completed.

“[It is] short term pain for long term gain,” O’Leary said.

Main St. roadwork at Sooner Mall nears completion

THE NUTS AND BOLTS• The portion of 36th Avenue N.W. from Brookford Drive to

Brookhollow Road will be completed in late February.

• The department received approximately $3.6 million in

federal funding for the project.

• The project should cost approximately $6 million.

• Improvements will include new stoplights at the inter-

sections of 36th Avenue N.W. and River Oaks Drive, and

36th Avenue N.W. Brookhollow Road.

• The north project will include a left turn lane. Source: Shawn O’Leary, director of public works, and Lonnie Ferguson, project director

Amy Frost/The Daily

Signs in front of Sooner Fashion Mall direct traffic around road construction that has lasted for ten months. Maintenance conflicts and bad weather have delayed the project which has

caused congestion in the busy commercial area.

• Potato pancake dinner benefits children’s hospital

PAIGE LAWLER

Daily Staff Writer

At least 250 students lined up for latkes and live music Thursday evening at the Hillel House on Boyd Street, and every cent donated will benefit Jewish children in need.

Thursday’s Latkes for Love event raised $4,800 — well beyond the $3,000 goal — for the Shaare Zedek Children’s Hospital in Jerusalem, said Issac Freeman, international security studies and politi-cal science junior.

The Shaare Zedek hospital treats child victims of terrorism and is one of the leading cancer research centers in the Middle East, Freeman said. Last year they sent just $1,000.

Freeman, the president of Hillel, said he came up with the Latkes for Love idea three years ago in 2006. That year it was thrown together at the last minute, and an ice storm hit the day of the dinner.

“We had about 80 people show up despite the ice storm,” he said.

Since then, greater preparation and organization have brought more people to the event, Freeman said.

They also have ramped up publicity efforts, and the hard work continues to pay off as more stu-dents show up each year, Freeman said.

Criminology senior Chris Barnett said he saw advertisements all over campus and was curious to find out what latkes are: Yiddish potato pancakes.

Architecture sophomore Stephanie Ferguson attended the event for the first time this year. She said she is interested in the Jewish religion because most OU students are Christian.

“It’s good to support other parts of the commu-nity,” Ferguson said.

Volunteers also raised more money than ever before, which has helped the outcome, said Joshua Freed, French senior and Latkes for Love chair.

Many children in Jerusalem are injured in bus explosions or fires, and the Shaare Zedek Children’s Hospital is efficient in cleaning shards of glass out of their skin and treating burns, said Shayna Daitch, international security studies and Judaic studies junior.

“That’s something we don’t even have to deal with in the United States,” said Daitch, who also is in charge of food for the Hillel board.

Daitch said she enjoyed contributing to the event, and her previous experience cooking for large amounts of people came in handy Thursday night.

But, she said all the cooks were overwhelmed. They originally bought 150 pounds of potatoes, and had people on standby throughout the night in case they ran out.

The unusual part was measuring ingredients by tens of pounds instead of by cups, Daitch said.

A mixture of traditional Jewish and Hanukkah food has been served at each Latkes for Love, Freed said.

Middle Eastern dishes, like tabuli, were added to the menu this year, Freed said.

But even if she were not cooking, Daitch has a desire to support the event because it hits close to home for her.

“Mostly I’m thinking of kids with cancer,” she said. “We’ve had kids in my family who’ve died because of cancer.”

Freed said the event left an imprint on him as well.

“You’re involving so many people on campus for the greater cause of something,” he said. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Latkes for Love lures long lines

Michelle Gray/The Daily

Megan Godwin, University College freshman, serves dessert to Joshua Huff, a philosophy junior, at the Latkes for Love

fundraiser, Thursday night at Hillel.

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All Sales Final

It’s a great time to graduate.Sure, the economy has had better days and

I may be elbowing aside laid-off journalism vets for my first job.

But it’s no use waiting out the financial storm in college, which is proving just as susceptible to the barrage of rising costs and debts.

From 1986 (the year most seniors were born) to 2006, college tuition increased an average of 439 percent, outpacing increases in incomes (which rose 147 percent) and the price of medical care, food and hous-ing, according to a report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released Wednesday.

Attending a four-year public university like OU costs a medi-an-income family 28 percent of its income and lower-income families 55 percent of their incomes, the report found.

This study was the first to compare how much families shell out for tuition and fees with how much they’re bringing in — and the results are staggering.

Add to the pile the risky loans drowning many students and the uncertain financial horizons that await even those with degrees in hand, and it might be time to make that lan-guage minor into a major and jump ship (college in France costs about 300 euros a year for tuition, fees and health insur-ance — just a suggestion).

But if you’re set on staying in the States, you have a few options to help reverse the trend.

Nationally, you can join the picket lines to lobby for more government dol-lars for higher education. At OU, you can help President Boren by picking up the phone and schmoozing for donations.

Or you can make the most of the dol-lars you are already investing in these 4… or 5 or 6, years. Here’s why:

1. You (or your parents) spend a lot for you to be here.

Someone once told me the three-hour class I was consider-ing skipping costs me $75 as an out-of-state student, whether or not I attend (it’s actually about $62 for a three-hour class, but the exaggeration was effective). That’s like buying a Big 12 Championship ticket at face value ($75) and not going.

Whether you or your parents or some distant loans are pay-ing for that teacher’s droning, you should start getting your money’s worth.

And you don’t want to pay for — or take — the class twice.

David Shulenburger, co-author of the report, said retaking classes (or sticking with the 4-year-that-is-more-like-6-year plan) is a cause of higher college costs that we can change.

For most, (excluding the guaranteed, school-for-life majors) reducing the years and dollars spent on college could be as simple as attending class more and changing majors less.

2. You won’t (hopefully) be in college forever.I know it’s hard to imagine planning life around something

other than game day, but I hope to report in a few weeks that there is life beyond college.

It’s the life for which you’ve been preparing all these years.It will be different.For me, moving to Washington State brings less wind

and more rain. A full-time job means more money and more expenses. A new season of life brings new challenges and blessings.

If anything were to tempt me into taking a victory lap, it would be my precious friends, even if they succeed in sabotag-ing my graduation.

But there is a time for everything under the sun, and even the sweetest seasons of life will go sour if we refuse to let

them pass.

3. You are here for a purpose.Graduating.OU has entire departments prodding

students to “Graduate Sooner.”It’s easy to lose sight of the goal in

the midst of a costly perfect storm, with college getting “funner,” degrees taking longer and the world for which they prepare us becoming more financially daunting every day.

College has become an indefinite holding pattern for those who don’t know where to land.

But it may be better to land and make a decision — any decision. Work at Starbucks (my fallback plan, com-plete with health benefits), or travel the world (before airline costs catch up to tuition).

The moment will come when you realize stretching nine hours over two semesters won’t do, and you will have to gradu-ate.

Whether funded by scholarships or working two jobs or gen-erous parents, what matters is how you use the time between now and then.

Whitney Coleman is a journalism junior. Her column appears every other Friday.

OU’s annual lighting of what is called the “university holiday tree” represented an attempt to celebrate the meaning of the holiday season for people from the faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

However, the Christians were unable to talk about Jesus, the Muslims were unable to talk about Allah, and the Jews were unable to talk about Yahweh because of the shackles of political correctness.

The speakers came close to talk-ing about God, their faith and beliefs, but stopped just short; each one gave a generic speech about how their holidays represented love, kindness, caring, religious freedom and light dispelling darkness.

I don’t follow Islam or Judaism, but I wanted to hear an honest, open explanation of their beliefs and holi-days.

I would not have had a problem with that. I would not have been offended.

Political correct-ness carries the assumption that people on a univer-sity campus aren’t mature enough to hear beliefs dif-ferent from their own. I think we all deserve a little more respect.

I bel ieve Christmas is indeed about love, car-ing, kindness and light dispelling darkness.

Christmas is the celebration of God fulfilling the promise he made from the beginning of time: sending his son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world so that people of all nations might be reconciled to him.

Christmas represents light dispel-ling darkness because Jesus is that light. He was the word of God in the flesh, the one who shed light on the dark of man’s sin and who pointed all toward the light of salvation.

Christmas is about caring, kind-ness and love because when we are celebrating the greatest gift the world

has ever known, given to us by our heavenly father.

The best way for Christians to worship and give thanks to God is to reflect that love upon family, friends, strangers and those less fortunate.

Indeed, when we give love, kind-ness and gifts to those who soci-ety views as having the least worth, Jesus said that we are doing it for him as well. By giving and helping others, we are following the example of Christ, who came to earth to serve man as part of the plan of redemp-tion.

That is the spirit of Christmas. We love because God loved. We give because God gave.

And, yes, this truth is a sword that divides between those who choose to believe it and those who don’t. And this is why people now shy away from calling Christmas by its name.

But if we are going to gather togeth-er and light Christmas lights and Christmas trees, then the Christmas story should be shared.

And I appreciate and respect those who talk about Hanukkah and Eid as well.

All I want is for people to have the right to be open and honest about what they believe instead of crouch-ing down under the approaching goli-ath of pluralism and political cor-rectness.

Jelani Sims is a professional writ-ing sophomore. His column appears every other Friday.

“Is he out of his mind?”That was our first reaction

when we heard a U.S. congress-man had proposed that President-elect Barack Obama instruct his Department of Justice to investi-gate the Bowl Championship Series as soon as he took office.

Surely this was the work of some publicity-hungry nut job from a state without any BCS schools, or a bitter rep-resentative from Texas who was out to take down the system that vaulted his Red River rival into the Big 12

Championship.But we were wrong on both

counts. The congressman who is spearheading the anti-BCS cam-paign on Capitol Hill is neither from Texas nor crazy. He is Keith Abercrombie, a representative from the *** district of Hawaii, and he has a point. (See page 7 for details.)

The BCS, as it is currently struc-tured, selects the teams that will compete in BCS bowls based large-ly on which conference they’re from, not whether they’re some of the best teams in the nation.

The teams that get the nod are heaped with benefits for their BCS bowl status — playing time on a national stage, adoring press cov-erage and trips to warm cities in January. Oh, and millions of dol-lars.

Those millions are reinvested into those schools and their athlet-ic programs. That attention makes it easier for those BCS teams to recruit the best players. It’s a self-

perpetuating cycle that keeps just a handful of teams atop the college football world year after year.

OU has benefited from that cycle.

The Sooners have played in six BCS bowl games in eight years. They have won two.

Now, Bob Stoops is a great recruiter, but face it, it’s not all about Sooner Magic. The multi-million-dollar athletic facilities and the repeated trips to BCS bowls don’t hurt.

While it’s hard to argue that the BCS hasn’t been good for OU, it’s impossible to argue that the BCS is fair to every team. What about the Boise States and Ball States of the world? Both of those undefeated teams are likely to be denied a BCS berth this year, all for the crime of not being from a BCS conference.

Rep. Abercrombie is right that the nation needs a different means of determining its national cham-pion. He’s wrong that improving the system means destroying the system.

The best solution will keep the BCS rankings, which incorporate both objective and subjective cri-teria for determining the nation’s top teams.

But the bowl-bound teams won’t be determined by automatic bids for the champions of certain con-ferences.

The top eight teams in the rank-ings would advance to a three-round playoff series. Talk about settling things on the field — this system would have the nations’ best teams going head-to-head three weeks in a row over winter break.

We realize OU has been a BCS beneficiary for years. But we think the Sooners could hold their own on the field as part of a system that would crown a virtually uncontest-ed national champion.

Hailey Branson, opinion editordailyopinion@ou.edu

phone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051For more, go to oudaily.com.OpinionOpinion

OUR VIEW is an editorial selected and debated by the editorial board and written after a majority opinion is formed and approved by the editor. Our View is Th e Daily’s offi cial opinion.

STAFF CARTOONOUR VIEW Mai-Thao Nguyen — biochemistry and studio art junior

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T V O I C E O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F O K L A H O M A

Meredith Simons Editor-in-Chief

Ellis Goodwin Managing Editor

Nanette Light Assistant Managing Editor

Amanda Turner Night Editor

Nijim Dabbour Assistant Night EditorHailey Branson Opinion EditorAmy Frost Photo Editor

Dane Beavers Senior Online EditorKevin Hahn Multimedia EditorCorey DeMoss Sports EditorAdam Kohut A&E EditorJudy Gibbs Robinson Editorial AdviserR.T. Conwell Advertising Manager

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification. Submit letters Sunday

through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ou.edu.Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion.’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily. Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff. The board meets 1 p.m. Sundays in 160 Copeland Hall. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.T

he

Fin

e P

rin

t:160 Copeland Hall860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, Okla.73019-0270 phone:(405) 325-3666e-mail:dailynews@ou.edu

NEWSROOM DIRECTORY

Co

nta

ct U

s:

Friday, Dec. 5, 20084

JELANISIMS

STAFF COLUMN

Don’t forget faithI don’t follow Islam or Judaism, but I wanted to hear an honest, open explanation of their beliefs and holidays.

Buck the BCS

WHITNEYCOLEMAN

STAFF COLUMN

Getting out of college, even during turmoil, can be best

College has become an indefinite holding pattern for those who don’t know where to land. But it may be better to land and make a decision — any decision.

Adam Kohut, A&E editordailyent@ou.eduphone: 325-5189, fax: 325-6051For more, go to oudaily.com. 5Friday, Dec. 5, 2008

Arts Entertainment&

Review: ‘Annie’ at the Sooner TheatreThe Sooner Theatre’s production of “Annie”

is a decent way to ease into the Christmas spirit. That’s about it, though.

The musical began its three-week run last week-end at the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St, and runs through Dec. 14.

Mixed in the cast of “Annie” are a variety of actors and actresses with esteemed careers who have trav-eled the world performing musicals and plays.

Beware though. “Annie” was two-and-a-half hours of inconsistent singing and acting.

Caitlin Belcik, who plays Annie, has the adorable quality necessary to play the part, but she demon-strated some pitch problems in her musical numbers. She proved a worthy actress, but her overbearing vocals made the audience tense up and lean far back in their seats.

While music director Keith Adams and his orches-tra were flawless, the Sooner Theatre lacked the

acoustics to create a full sound. The vocalists often trumped the sound of the instruments, creating lop-sided musical numbers.

While most of the major roles were carefully cast, the same care was not given to the smaller roles. There were no mistakes or follies, but they lacked the over-the-top quality necessary for musicals.

“Annie,” however, does have its bright moments.The onstage chemistry of Annie, Daddy Warbucks,

played by Michael Gibbons, and Miss Hannigan, played by Paula Sullivan, was perfect — their interac-tions were easily the highlight of the show.

Gibbons did an exceptional job showing the trans-formation of his character, from a self-indulged busi-ness tycoon to a warm, compassionate, orphan-adopting billionaire.

Sullivan was also perfect in her role of Miss Hannigan, carrying multiple musical numbers and never letting up with her quirky interpretation of Miss

Hannigan.The musical had its share of comedy as well,

mostly by poking fun of the president at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt, played by James Briggs.

But despite its humorous moments and well-known story, “Annie” comes up empty in many ways.

It’s is a fine play to see with the family or a signifi-cant other, but don’t expect to walk away a changed person.

If you’re looking to get into the Christmas spirit with “Annie,” I’m sure ABC Family will show the movie soon.

— STEPHEN PYLE IS A PSYCHOLOGY AND JOURNALISM SENIOR.

Photo provided

FROM LEFT: Gracie Koonce, Kate Kemmett, Caitlin Belcik (as Annie), Alix Court, Addison Baker, Brooke Potter and Katherine Lock perform in the Sooner Theatre’s production of “Annie.” The play runs through Dec. 14.

‘ANNIE’ SHOWTIMES

When: 8 p.m. tonight

8 p.m. Friday

2 p.m. Sunday

8 p.m. Dec. 12

8 p.m. Dec. 13

2 p.m. Dec. 14

Where: Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St.

For ticket pricing information, contact the Sooner Theatre at 321-960 or visit www.soonertheatre.com.

Microsoft’s Nov. 16 release of a user interface update for the Xbox 360 has stirred up some praises and complaints among the gaming community.

Since the Xbox 360 was released, the platform has used a “blade” format, which allows players to flip through menus as if they were pages of a book.

One of the biggest complaints of the original browsing system was the ability to get lost easily in the menus. Finding what you were looking for in the Xbox Marketplace became a major hassle.

The new layout — which, ironi-cally, seems to look more like a Mac than a PC — is beginning to sweep the Xbox community. Codenamed the “New Xbox Experience,” or “NXE”, players will now have less difficulty accessing menus and finding some of the interface’s new features.

The Xbox 360 interface now allows gamers to view menus with ease, providing large pictures and vertical scrolling menus. These less

maze-like menus have decreased loading times and produce a more vivid look of your console’s homep-age, including a custom-created avatar.

This avatar can be used as a character in some games and acts as a virtual self when chatting with friends in the new “Party Chat” mode in which a group of avatars stand together in front of a deco-rated background chatting via text or voice format.

Of all these new upgrades, the coolest new feature available on the 360 is the ability to stream Netflix media from your console. That’s right, gamers can now stream more than 12,000 movies and 15,000 TV episodes in high definition, all from their Xbox.

Despite these new features,

there are some complaints. Some players are still uncom-

fortable with the new layout, say-ing that it looks too much like an iTunes album cover viewer. In addi-tion, there has been an argument stating that the avatar function is a near direct rip-off of the Wii’s “Mii” function.

Like it or not, Xbox owners will have to download this new firm-ware update in order to continue using Xbox Live. For the most part, the new update will make your gaming life easier, and most will be excited about the new features. Overall, I believe this is one free update that would be worth pay-ing for.

— LUKE ATKINSON IS A BROADCAST AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA JUNIOR.

Column: Xbox 360 dashboard changes

Photo provided

Microsoft released a new dashboard interface for the Xbox 360, opting for a sleeker format than the original “blade” layout.

The dashboard allows gamers to stream Netflix videos directly from the console and offers a “Party Chat” mode which

supports voice and text chat.

I n t h e O U A r t s D i s t r i c t

8 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 11-133 p.m. Dec. 7Reynolds Performing Arts Center

OU Fine Arts Box Office

(405) 325-4101

CONTEMPORARY DANCE OKLAHOMA

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.For accommodations on the basis of disability call (405) 325-4101.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMAUNIVERSITY THEATRE

R.T. Conwell, advertising managerclassifi eds@ou.edu

phone: 325-2521, fax: 325-7517For more, go to oudaily.com.ClassifiedsClassifiedsFriday, Dec. 5, 20086

PLACE AN ADPhone

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MailThe Oklahoma Daily

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call 405.325.2521 before the

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All ads are subject to

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Display Ad. . . . .3 days priorClassifi ed Display or Classifi ed

Card Ad are due 3 days prior to

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DEADLINES

RATESLine AdsRates are determined by the

price per line, per day. There

is a two line minimum charge;

approximately 40 characters

per line, including spaces and

punctuation.

Classifi ed Display AdsRates are $16.00 per column

inch, per day with a minimum of

2 column inches.

Classifi ed Card AdsClassifi ed Card Ads are $170 per

column inch with a minimum

of 2 column inchs and run 20

consecutive issues. Ad copy

may change every fi ve issues.

Game SponsorshipsClassifi ed Display Ads located

directly above the following

games/puzzles. Limited spaces

available – only one space per

game.

2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches

Sudoku ...........$760/month

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1 col (1.833 in) x 2.25 inches

Crossword .....$515/month(located just below the puzzle)

PaymentPayment is required at the

time the ad is placed. Visa,

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money orders or local checks

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Credit AccountsBusinesses may be eligible for

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area. Please inquire with

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rrs TM

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Announcements

ENTERTAINMENT2009 spring break taste of Ireland, 6 days, air, lodging, private bus, meals, and certifi ed Irish guides, room for 50 people on special rate, 1st deposit due mid Jan. 2009. for more info call 330-8068 or www.scissortailtravel.com

For Sale

FURNITURESolid Oak Table, Six Chairs, and Server $575. Chaise Lounge $150. Queen Sleeper Sofa $275. Call 405-722-4480.

MISC. FOR SALEFOR SALE pool table $300, FOR SALE 14’ Alu-minum boat, 15hp electric start motor, and trailer $1250. 100cc pocket crotch rocket bike $225. Call 360-1937

TICKETS FOR SALEBIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TICKETS!8 same row tickets $150 ea., 8 hospitality tent tickets $50 ea., parking pass $20, call or text (785)550-3142.

TransportationC

AUTO INSURANCE

Auto InsuranceQuotations Anytime

Foreign Students WelcomedJim Holmes Insurance, 321-4664

Employment

HELP WANTEDHigh energy waitstaff wanted! Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar. Apply in person: I-40 & Rockwell.

$5,000-$45,000PAID. EGG DONORS for up to 9 donations,

+ Exps, non-smokers, Ages 19-29,SAT>1100/ACT>24/GPA>3.00

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Housekeeper needed $9/hr. fl exible hrs NW Nor-man 310-6125 or osolloway@gmail.com. Can call wknds.

SOONERSNEEDJOBS.COMPaid survey takers needed in Norman100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

The UPS Store: Part time and seasonal help wanted immediately! Apply in person at 3334 W. Main in Norman.

Male needed to work with male individual with developmental disabilities. &7.50/hr to start. Paid training. Please call Panhandle Opportunities at 942-4822 or fax resume to 942-4993.

America’s FAST LANE is now hiring lube techs, car wash attendants, service advisors, cashiers, and management trainees. Full and part-time positions are available with no experience neces-sary. Fast Lanes offers competitive pay, fl exible schedules, and opportunity for advancement. Ap-ply in person at 1235 West Main Street, Norman OK or call 321-5260.

We pay up to $75.00 per online survey! www.cashtospend.com.

Seeking part time and full time employees visit boomerbooks.com to apply.

Make up to $75 per online survey www.cashto-spend.com.

Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec. Train-ing provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133.

Financial institution has immediate opening for an experienced teller. Previous banking experi-ence or experience in retail is preferred. Strong customer service skills req. Earn monthly per-formance incentives in addition to salary. Part time positions available. Apply in person at First Bank & Trust Co., 2330 36th Ave NW, Norman or send resume to Human Resources, PO Box 580, Duncan,OK 73534. EOE, M/F/D/V.

Housing RentalsJ

APTS. FURNISHEDWalk to Campus -3 bdrm. apt $600 a month-1 bdrm. apt $350 a month-1 bdrm. all bills paid $475 a month (duplex)Call Sharon 397-3200 at Metro Brokers

$400, bills paid, effi ciency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, fi re sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store offi ce.

2 bedrms starting at $299 lease today, move in tomorrow! Call 366-0999.

APTS. UNFURNISHEDVERY NICE!!!, 800 sf, 1 bdrm, living room, kitch-en, bth, wood fl oors, 1 block OU, 1018 S Col-lege, $275/mo. Call 306-1970 or 360-2873.

1/2 OFF 1ST MONTHS RENTDec. & Jan. Move-ins only!

$99 DEPOSIT! PETS WELCOME!Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

1&2 bedrooms available! Elite Properties 360-6624

or www.elite2900.com

CONDOS UNFURNISHED1,2,3,&4 bedrooms, starting at $350/mo. 1/2 OFF FIRST MONTHS RENT! Available immediately. The Edge at Norman. Call (303) 550-5554 or e-mail: iris_macintosh@msn.com.

Available Now

Restored 5 bedroom bungalow with hardwood fl oors & central heat and air. $1000 a month. Sharon at Metro Brokers 397-3200.

HOUSES UNFURNISHED2 bdrm house, 4 blks to OU, wood fl oors, CH/A, stove, refrig, w/d, no pets, $600/mo. Call BOB, MISTER ROBERT FURNITURE, 321-1818.

Nice, large 3-4 bd, 826 Jona Kay, 3/2/2/2 living, fp, 2000sf, $950/mo; 2326 Lindenwood, 4/2.5/2/3 living, 2400sf, $995/mo. 360-2873 or 306-1970.

NOW LEASING FOR MAY 2009, nice 3 bed brick houses 1 & 2 blks west of OU on College or Chautauqua Ave. call BOB Mister Robert Fur-niture 109 E. Main 321-1818, or stop by to apply for other sizes.

TOWNHOUSES UNFURNISHEDGriffi n Park Townhouse, 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, com-bined living and dining room, all appliances, fur-nished/unfurnished, neutral colors. 329-2310.

ROOMMATES WANTEDOne roommate needed for spring semester, 5 min walk to campus, room has private bathroom, $290/mo.+utilities. Inquiries call: (972)533-7429.

Housing SalesJ

CONDOS2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, 928 sf, upstairs with brand new carpet and tile, 1 mile to OU, $39,000. Holly Van Auken, Dillard Group, 326-1999.

HOUSESFIRE YOUR LANDLORD!OWN YOUR OWN HOME!

GET A DOG!

One bed home, totally new throughout including kitchen and bath. Payments cheaper than rent. $58900 sales price. Gwen @ Metro Brokers of OK 820-5454 (B/O)

Employment

HELP WANTED

Housing RentalsJ

HOUSES FURNISHED

Sell yourSell yourstuff.stuff.

classifieds@ou.educlassifieds@ou.edu

NO MORE EXCUSES.NO MORE LUNG CANCER.

It’s the NUMBER ONEcancer killer.

Hazing?Not on our campus.

Report incidents at:

325-5000All calls are anonymous.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Instructions:Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Previous Solution

Difficulty Schedule:Monday - Very EasyTuesday - EasyWednesday - EasyThursday - MediumFriday - Hard

8 3 7 9 4 2 6 5 14 1 9 7 5 6 3 2 82 6 5 8 1 3 4 9 77 2 6 3 9 4 1 8 55 8 3 2 7 1 9 4 61 9 4 5 6 8 7 3 26 5 8 4 3 7 2 1 99 4 1 6 2 5 8 7 33 7 2 1 8 9 5 6 4

Universal Crossword

“DIAL IT UP” by Dillion Matthews

ACROSS 1 Aerial

maneuver 5 Almost boil 10 “Aw, gee!” 14 Irish river to

Donegal Bay 15 Pointed craft 16 “The very

___!” (“What nerve!”)

17 Utah ski resort

18 Exhaust, as a supply

19 Larry, the first black American Leaguer

20 Start of a question with a calling

23 It can create a stir

24 Howard, Howard and Fine

28 Secret supply

32 Easy to drive on

33 Turtle besides Yertle

36 It’s a real knee-slapper

38 “Have you set ___ yet?”

39 “Evil Woman” grp.

40 More of the question with a calling

42 Writer’s block?

43 Sunshine State city

45 Lorre’s detective

46 Hardy girl

47 Olympic skater Baiul

49 Ponder, as evidence

51 Some dog-show entrants

53 First name in TV talk

57 End of the question with a calling

61 Embellish richly

64 As low as you can go

65 Animal with a cub

66 Best-selling cookie

67 “As You Like It” exile site

68 Christiania today

69 Hot streak 70 Brakes 71 GlobuleDOWN 1 Genesis

woman and Remini

2 Bottom deck 3 When a

football may be hiked

4 Bird with iridescent feathers

5 Aquarium buildup

6 “Deal or No Deal” pick

7 With a clean slate

8 Looks sullen (Var.)

9 Bus stations 10 Succeeded,

informally 11 Bother or

pother 12 Chancel-

lorsville combatant, briefly

13 Aye’s antithesis

21 Words with “roll” or “hunch”

22 “Enough!” in Mexico

25 Completely lose it

26 James and Kett

27 Loses a coat 29 PC brain 30 Soccer’s Mia 31 Funny-bone

neighbor 33 Staff notes 34 Similar 35 Shoreline 37 Dole (out) 40 Number in

CB lingo 41 Former

French toastee?

44 One who accepts charges

46 1958 horror film creature

48 Rock concert sites

50 Mad dog’s warning

52 The other mad dog’s response

54 Pretense 55 Sicily, to

Sicilians 56 Ecclesiastical

council 58 Taro root 59 Penthouse

feature 60 Coastal

birds 61 Acquired 62 Blood-

pressure raiser

63 Bucolic expanse

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 05, 2008

© 2008 Universal Press Syndicatewww.upuzzles.com

www.oig.biz

Pre-Leasing for January

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Saturday, Dec. 6 @ 5:00 p.m.*Students free with OU ID

Skate with the Sooners Friday after the game!For tickets, Call (405)631-3307

Blazers Ice Centre8000 S. I-35 Oklahoma City, OKOU

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14 Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Vote for Sam • Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam 14 for Heisman • Vote for Sam• Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman

Bradford for Heisman • Vote for Sam • 14 for Heisman • Bradford for Heisman

OU ready for championship rematchBY THE NUMBERS

OU offense• Points per game: 53.3 (national ranking: 1)• Rushing yards per game: 202.42 (national ranking: 21)• Passing yards per game: 354.3 (national ranking: 3)• Total yards per game: 556.67 (national ranking: 3)• Giveaways: 9 (national ranking: 1)• Sacks allowed: 11 (national ranking: 5)

Missouri offense• Points per game: 45 (national ranking: 4)• Rushing yards per game: 165.17 (national ranking: 46)• Passing yards per game: 344.3 (national ranking: 4)• Total yards per game: 509.42 (national ranking: 6)• Giveaways: 20 (national ranking: 46)• Sacks allowed: 13 (national ranking: 12)

OU defense• Points allowed per game: 24.8 (national ranking: 60)• Rushing yards allowed per game: 109.9 (national ranking: 18)• Passing yards allowed per game: 249.67 (national ranking: 98)• Total yards allowed per game: 359.5 (national ranking: 66)• Takeaways: 29 (national ranking: 6)• Sacks: 39 (national ranking: 3)

Missouri defense• Points allowed per game: 24.7 (national ranking: 58)• Rushing yards allowed per game: 119.4 (national ranking: 24)• Passing yards allowed per game: 277.08 (national ranking: 116)• Total yards allowed per game: 396.5 (national ranking: 91)• Takeaways: 21 (national ranking: 62)• Sacks: 28 (national ranking: 42)

OU special teams and miscellaneous• Yards per punt return allowed: 5.44 (national ranking: 18)• Yards per kick return allowed: 24.82 (national ranking: 108)• Penalties per game: 7.67 (national ranking: 109)

Missouri special teams and miscellaneous• Yards per punt return allowed: 4.11 (national ranking: 6) • Yards per kick return allowed: 22.89 (national ranking: 93)• Penalties per game: 3.92 (national ranking: 5)

— DAILY STAFF

• Sooners and Tigers square off for second consecutive year

KYLE BURNETT

The Oklahoma Daily

At this time last season, OU was prepar-ing to take on No. 1 Missouri in the Big 12 Championship with the possibility of ruining a national title. This year, the teams are the same, but the roles are reversed.

Saturday will mark the first time the same two teams have met in the Big 12 Championship for two consecutive years.

The Sooners enter the rematch ranked No. 2, and a win virtually guarantees OU a spot in the National Championship against the SEC champion.

Last year’s game was played in San Antonio, while this year’s will be played in Kansas City, where there figures to be a Missouri home-field advantage.

While this year’s match-up isn’t a high-profile clash between two top-10 teams, head coach Bob Stoops is well aware that Missouri is still a threat.

“We have tremendous respect for Coach Pinkel and his staff and what they’ve done in the last several years,” Stoops said.

Stoops said Missouri returns much of last year’s talent on defense and that the team OU defeated twice last year should be a tough challenge.

“Defensively, they have a veteran team back, a bunch of guys from a year ago, so once again it’ll be a big challenge,” Stoops said.

Senior Missouri signal caller Chase Daniel has played OU three times in his career, but has yet to win. This game will be Daniel’s last chance to give his team a win over the Sooners before he graduates.

“They have a bunch of great players,” Stoops said. “Chase Daniel, their quarter-back, is an outstanding player. He’s so effi-cient running their offense, and he’s so quick with everything he does, getting the ball out, and then he can roll out and move around. He also has a lot of targets.”

Daniel’s statistics for the season are

impressive, and they have been consistent from last year as well. He has passed for 3,880 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 intercep-tions in 2008, and he passed for 4,306 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2007.

In his three games against Oklahoma, Daniel has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 870 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

“It’s a tough offense that we’re going against, and you just have to stay balanced and in position,” sophomore defensive end Jeremy Beal said. “Daniel makes plays when there is nothing there. It just creates more problems for [the defensive line].”

Daniel, however, is not the only offensive threat the Sooners must face. Missouri’s sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has torched defenses all year with his blazing speed. Maclin has caught 88 passes for 1,175 yards — both more than any player on OU’s roster — and 11 touchdowns, but he has yet

to score a touchdown against OU.“They use their screen and run game to

set up the pass,” freshman linebacker Travis Lewis said. “I think you have to stop the run game first, and we intend to do that.”

Daniel’s other favorite receiver is tight end Chase Coffman, who is second on Missouri’s roster with 79 catches for 872 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Maclin, their receiver, and Coffman their tight end are great players,” Stoops said.

Oklahoma leads the all-time series over Missouri 65-23-5 in the 93 times the two schools have met. Missouri’s last win came in the first year of the Big 12 Conference, in 1998, when Missouri beat Oklahoma 20-6 in Columbia.

Last year, the two teams met in San Antonio and OU came out victorious with a 38-17 drubbing of the Tigers. The win pro-pelled OU to the Fiesta Bowl, while Missouri went on to play in the Cotton Bowl.

• Hawaii rep says the current system is illegal

COREY DEMOSS

The Oklahoma Daily

During halftime of Monday Night Football on Nov. 3, President-elect Barack Obama declared the need for the BCS system to be replaced by a playoff.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) is taking that procla-mation a step further, calling for the Department of Justice to look into eliminating the BCS.

“It is clearly a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Law,” Abercrombie said. “It is a clear violation in a sense of restraint of trade.”

Abercrombie has been vocal about his desire to get rid of the BCS for more than a year, but he became more emphatic after Obama’s announcement.

Earlier this week, Abercrombie teamed up with Reps. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and wrote a letter to Obama requesting that action be taken in the matter.

In the letter, Abercrombie and his associates stated that “non-BCS schools are at a competitive

and financial disadvantage prior to the beginning of the season” and that “the current BCS process is fundamentally unfair.”

Abercrombie pointed out OU’s jump over Texas as the latest rea-son to scrap the BCS and install a playoff.

“If I was the Texas coach, for example, I would simply be say-ing, ‘I don’t care who Oklahoma plays, they’re not the champions,’” Abercrombie said. “Suppose Oklahoma goes running all the way through this thing; if I was the Texas coach, I’d say, ‘You can say you’re the cham-pion, but you’re not.’”

Abercrombie said that the BCS is inherently slanted toward the schools in major confer-ences like the Big 12 or SEC, and consistently slights teams in less-publicized conferences.

“You have to test the competi-tive benefits against the anti-com-petitive effects, and you make a balance,” Abercrombie said. “It’s so blindingly clear — in other words, you’d have to be blind not to see — that the anti-competitive effects are so profound on the

schools that are not allowed in the BCS equation.”

He particularly noted that Utah and Boise State — both of which are undefeated this season — will not get the chance to compete for a national title.

“How do you say to Boise State that they don’t get to play in a top bowl game?” Abercrombie said. “Oklahoma knows better than anybody. Anybody who played in [the 2006 Fiesta Bowl] — whether

on the winning side or the los-ing side — loved being in that game. They’ll remember it forever, and they’ll remem-ber their part in it. It showed just because you’re from a school that doesn’t neces-sarily have the big name or the

big headlines, it doesn’t mean you can’t play.”

Abercrombie also said that the only way the BCS will change is for the government to step in and do it.

“They will never do it on their own,” he said. “They’ve been forced kicking and screaming by virtue of public outrage at one level or another to begrudgingly

allow a non-BCS team in here and there, and even that — especially this year — is absurd and unfair.”

Abercrombie is so confident the BCS is illegal that he said he is certain it would be eliminated if the Department of Justice takes it to court.

“This is no contest,” he said. “There’s no question in my mind it’s illegal. It won’t stand five min-utes in any court. In fact, I believe if the Department of Justice takes this to court, any judge will rule on its face that it’s a violation. I don’t even think you have to take it to trial it’s so patently obvious.”

Abercrombie said that if a more open and fair playoff system were established that allowed smaller schools to participate, the wealth of money and talent would be more evenly spread across the nation and create a more even playing field.

However, Abercrombie did not provide an answer for the exact manner in which a new playoff system would be implemented or how many teams would be involved.

“I don’t propose to come up with [a replacement system],” Abercrombie said. “That’s not the issue I’ve raised. The issue I’ve raised is the legal issue. This is clearly restraint of trade, it’s clear-ly federal in nature and it’s clearly an issue for the Department of Justice to pursue.”

Want to read more of what

Abercrombie has to say? View his

letter to President-elect Obama in

its entirety at oudaily.com.

Zach Butler/The Daily

Safety Nic Harris (5) and cornerback Brian Jackson (2) celebrate with linebacker Keenan Clayton (22) during

OU’s Nov. 22 victory over Texas Tech. The Sooner defense will be key when OU take on Missouri Saturday in

the Big 12 Championship.

Corey DeMoss, sports editordailysports@ou.eduphone: 325-7630, fax: 325-6051For more, go to oudaily.com. SportsSports 7Friday, Dec. 5, 2008

Congressman pushes to eliminate BCS

Max Payne PG1312:50 3:05 5:10 7:30 9:50Nick and Norah’s Infi nite Playlist PG13 7:00 9:30Pride and Glory PG-131:00 4:00 7:15 9:55The Dark Knight PG-1312:45 3:45 7:05 10:00

The Duchess PG1312:30 2:45 5:05 7:209:40 The Family That PreysPG1312:40 2:55 5:15 7:25 9:45Wall-E G12:35 2:50 4:55

Friday, Dec. 5, 2008

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Generally, you’re the type of individual who is good at brushing off petty annoyances or ungracious comments. However, you may need stronger bristles in your brush at this time.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- When involved in a competitive situation, be careful not to be outmaneuvered because you ex-citingly couldn’t help but reveal the game plan to others. Even the walls will squeal on you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Be careful with whom you get involved, because if you’re undiscriminating, you could be identified and penalized for something another does. The line of demarcation must be clearly defined.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- You have the ability to do well in competitive developments, but you must adhere to the highest standards at all times. Anything less will be a victory with a hol-low ring.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Direct your anger and energy down constructive channels in-stead of merely losing your cool and becoming totally unraveled. The former ushers in favorable conditions; the latter only creates unhappiness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Instead of getting angry over unsolicited shifting conditions, make the most out of what’s at hand. These challenges will provide some favorable options you hadn’t thought of.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Conditions might dictate that you make some key concessions in order to appease certain people with whom you have to deal. Remember, compromises invite cooperation.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- It’s true that all work and no play can make for a dull day, but, remember, those important jobs you neglect could cause you far more complications down the line than you’ll want to handle.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Al-though your executive skills will be pronounced, don’t take it upon yourself to tell others what to do or how to do it when it is none of your business. People will resent you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Be careful not to brag about projects you say you’re going to do but have no intention of completing. You’ll be in less trouble if you keep mum and let the results speak for themselves.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- In order to be an effective sales-person, you need to know how to stop selling once the deal is made. If you don’t understand when it’s time to close your mouth, that “yes” could become a “no.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Your ideas for making or saving money might be quite good, but, unfortunately, you could fall short when it comes to carrying them out. Unless you turn your thoughts into action, they’re worthless.

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

SportsFriday, Dec. 5, 20088

• OU fails to put Trojans away, escapes with one-point win

STEVEN JONES

The Oklahoma Daily

Head coach Jeff Capel said Wednesday unranked USC may be the best team the Sooners have faced all year.

The Trojans’ performance Thursday backed that up as they gave the No. 6 Sooners all they could handle, making them work for a 73–72 win.

Sophomore forward Blake Griffin scored 25 points for OU (7-0) and junior guard Dwight Lewis led USC (5-3) with 25 as USC shot 50 per-cent from the field in the loss.

“We feel fortunate to get this win,” Capel said. “I thought USC was terrific. It’s very rare that you beat a team that shoots 50 percent from the floor … We found a way down the stretch to pull out a win so we’re pleased with the win, not nec-essarily pleased with how we played.”

The Trojans began the game with a 10-0 run while using three defenders on Griffin and throwing OU out of its offensive rhythm. However, the Sooner guards soon made USC pay

by knocking down open shots.Senior guard Austin Johnson scored 11 points

in the first five minutes of the game, and USC’s defense began to back off Griffin.

Griffin said Johnson’s early success was the key that allowed the Sooners’ to get into a first-half groove.

“We actually have been practicing that all week,” Griffin said. “That’s what they did last year … and A.J. did a great job of stepping up and hitting shots … For him to do that, it made them real-ize they can’t do that anymore and it kind of opened up the game for everybody else.”

Johnson finished the game with 17 points. Even after the Trojans changed their defense, however, the Sooners continued to shoot a high percentage en route to 42 first-half points.

At the half, USC led the Sooners in rebounds and assists, but OU had just one turnover and shot 54 percent from the field, helping the Sooners to a seven-point lead. However, Griffin had just one first-half rebound, and finished the

game with six. He had been averaging nearly 20 per game.

Capel said that because OU expected USC to focus on Griffin and leave other players open, it may have affected Griffin’s rebounding.

“I think he came in with a different mindset today,” Capel said. “I think that’s why he wasn’t

as aggressive as he nor-mally is especially in rebounding the ball.”

The Sooners came out slow in the second half, essentially exchanging buckets and turnovers with the Trojans for the majority of the period.

Both teams played aggressively in the sec-ond half, and the Trojans were charged with two technical fouls, both committed against Griffin.

Griffin said after the game that the Trojans

were the most physical team OU has faced.“Purdue did a pretty good job physically but I

think USC had a little bit more down low, a [few] more bodies, a little more strength,” Blake said “They hit the boards hard and they did a good job. It showed.”

Despite the technical fouls, OU was unable to make the Trojans pay at the line and USC was able to claw back into the game, getting to within one point at multiple times in the second half.

However, the Sooners never let USC take the lead. The Trojans were within one point when forward Keith Wilkinson fouled senior forward Taylor Griffin — who finished with ten points and nine rebounds — with 40 seconds remain-ing. He made both free throws, giving OU a 73–70 lead.

A Sooner turnover gave USC one last chance with eight seconds left, but Johnson fouled guard Daniel Hackett before he could get a shot attempt. Hackett hit both free throws with 3.4 seconds on the clock, drawing the game to within a point again.

Sophomore Cade Davis — who had missed only one free throw in his career before the game — then missed two free throws to keep the Trojans within one.

A USC desperation heave at the buzzer fell short and allowed the Sooners to escape with the win.

“I’m happy to win but my thing with our team is that we have to get better,” Capel said. “That’s the question I’m always asking, ‘Are we getting better?’ I thought USC was terrific tonight and I thought we did some good things … but again there’s a long way for us to go.”

Michelle Gray/The Daily

Senior Taylor Griffin (32) fights through two defenders and a hand to the face

during Thursday’s game. Griffin finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

“We feel fortunate to get this win. I thought USC was terrific. It’s very rare that you beat a team that shoots 50 percent from the floor.”

— Head coach Jeff Capel

Sooners outlast USC in final secondsAmy Frost/The Daily

Sophomore Blake Griffin runs with the ball after the whistle blew during OU’s game Thursday. Griffin led the Sooners with 25 points, but pulled down only six

rebounds, his lowest number of the season. OU traded blows with USC for much of the second half, and came away with a 73-72 victory.