Name some players over the last 40 or so years that played against OSU (mostly in-conference) that you absolutely hated, but probably would have loved if they were wearing America’s Brightest Orange.
Whether it be because they always dominated the Pokes - ex: Vince Young
OR
if it was because they never seemed to graduate - ex: Kevin Bookout
OR
any other reason, maybe you just couldn’t stand them - ex: Trae Young
Fun question.
“…but probably would have loved if they were wearing America’s Brightest Orange.” - That’s an important qualifier.
Would I have loved Boz or Baker? I don’t think so. (But am I really honest there? Did we have an equivalent to either of those guys? Maybe Marcus Smart??) [Edit: Note, I liked Smart at OSU, and I love him in the NBA.]
Tisdale? Yes, would have loved him at OSU.
Manning? Yes, would have loved him at OSU.
Adrian Peterson? Yeah, probably. But never really hated him. Just scared every time he touched the ball.
Trae - No, don’t want him. (TBH, I have a very small % fear that Cade could be like Trae, but I am alone on that island and have no evidence to justify that fear beyond the “one and done” plan.)
On the sidelines… Switzer or Tubbs? No. Never. Perfect villains.
Blake Griffin and the constant camera on his parents was so annoying probably annoying as Did you know Phil Forte and Marcus Smart were childhood friends ad nauseam in our games for others
Jason Sutherland (Mizzou) from the Big 8 #1 on my list. Calvin Simpson, Jack Spates, Baker, and short white guys that hits 3’s from the corner from OU against oSu but really aren’t very good.
Football - Basically everyone from Baylor. Even before the sexual assault allegations and everything, everyone associated with that program just seemed so smug, and watching our multiple blowout wins over them when they were good in the early 2010s (mainly 2011 and 2013) was so satisfying.
Every backup QB who’s come in against OSU and had the games of their lives against us. They didn’t do anything wrong, but I still hate them. S/O to guys like Skylar Thompson, Jett Duffie, and pretty much every QB on Iowa State’s depth charts.
Basketball - Trae Young (never forget he’s afraid of birds and lost Bedlam because he didn’t care enough to outwork Mitch Solomon for a loose ball)
Mitch Lightfoot from KU - I don’t know why, he just looks like someone I wouldn’t like and has a very punchable face
Kevin Bookout
Coaches - Tom Herman, Art Briles, Lou Roselli (OU’s wrestling coach)
But to go back to @BlakeG’s question, how many of those on your list would you take as an OSU player or coach? I wouldn’t take anyone from Baylor. I didn’t hate them individually - always seemed collectively.
The Kevin Bookout deal was especially brutal at OU because he went nutso in the 2nd half of the state championship game of his senior year at Stroud to deny my high school back-to-back state titles. We were up at halftime, and then he turned into a legitimate D1 talent in the 2nd half. That was about all it took in 3A basketball in Oklahoma at the time. THEN, he was at OU for forever. It was unpleasant.
Hermann and Briles are good additions to the list. Switzer and Tubbs are so etched in my memory as the worst of the worst that I can’t recognize the newer examples who also qualify. Could add Dave Bliss to the list.
Definitely no one from Baylor or Trae Young (just too annoying and even some OU fans were getting worn out by the end of his year there). I’d probably be pretty happy with Bookout/Lightfoot if they were at OSU because they both seem like the perfect examples of “annoying white dude who fits all the cliches” like Phil Forte and Mitch Solomon have been for us.
RG 0 and 3 at Baylor was much hated in my house.
I hate every time I see Jason White hawking AC service.
Dean Blevins is a hack.
I love seeing Baker fail.
Oh god this is going to be fun…most of mine are basketball-related…
Jeff Boschee
Kevin Bookout
Brian effin’ Boddicker
Eduardo Najera
Dean Wade (don’t care what anyone says, he’s guardable)
Royall Ivey (not now, but I used to)
Kareem Rush (one of the most annoyingly beautiful jumpshots I’ve ever seen)
Georges Niang (the most unfit-looking player I’ve ever seen)
Belldozer…
Any Baylor quarterback
Michael Crabtree