NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and Cliff Brunt, The Associated PressThanksgiving is nearly here, but this year’s turkey-filled holiday may be a bit more contentious than year’s past; the 2024 U.S. presidential election was only three weeks ago, after all. Ever since President-elect Donald Trump claimed victory over Vice President Kamala Harris , some Americans may not be feeling so jolly and bright this holiday season, what with the merry-go-round of controversial cabinet picks and concerns over Trump’s anti-immigration policies and stance on LGBTQ+ rights . For some Americans, Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather with friends and family and acknowledge what it is we’re truly grateful for. But for others, the holidays can prove to be difficult, especially when your political views greatly differ from your relatives. Not everyone has the ability to put politics aside for the sake of a peaceful meal, considering certain issues have direct impacts on the health and safety of our loved ones (or even ourselves). These days, it seems nearly impossible to avoid such hard-pressing topics, and we shouldn’t be avoiding all responsibility when it comes to these discussions either. However, that doesn’t mean we should reject all that the holiday season, including Thanksgiving, has to offer, like feelings of joy and togetherness. That’s why The Independent spoke with Sean O’Neill , a licensed marriage and family therapist, for his expert advice on how to navigate this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, all while avoiding political discussions that are sure to ignite a heated debate. For starters, why is it that these contentious arguments tend to flare up at the dinner table in the first place? Well, according to O’Neill, peoples’ political views have become deeply intertwined with their identities and values. When someone disagrees with those views, it can feel like they’re challenging who we are at our core. “Family dynamics and the nostalgia of the holiday can amplify emotions, creating a perfect storm for conflict. We’re also coming in with all the polarization we’ve seen on social media, where echo chambers have made it easy to dig in our heels,” he told The Independent . “So, it’s not surprising that discussions can turn heated when we’re all in one room, balancing our desire to connect with the pressure of defending our beliefs.” When these dinner table discussions go south, it’s important to remember why we’re all celebrating Thanksgiving together in the first place. Although you may not agree with your friend or family member’s political views, it’s polite for a Thanksgiving host to acknowledge their opinion. O’Neill suggested the response, “I understand where you’re coming from,” before gently sharing your own perspective. This way, it helps to create a more constructive dialogue rather than a combative one. What’s more, using “I” statements can be especially effective during a contentious political discussion. Not only does this technique avoid any semblance of a personal attack, but it also invites a more open and respectful conversation. “Keeping the tone friendly and focusing on the ideas rather than the person can help maintain a positive atmosphere while still expressing your disagreement,” the family therapist said. Unfortunately, there may come a time during Thanksgiving dinner when that respectful dialogue veers off course, and the conversation must be redirected. According to O’Neill, the best way to diffuse tension is to acknowledge everyone’s feelings and views without dismissing them. Then, try pivoting to a related topic that’s less divisive, such as community issues or shared interests. “Humor can also be a great tool; a light-hearted comment can break the ice and ease the tension,” he recommended. “Focusing on common ground or shared values can help remind everyone that, at the end of the day, we’re all human and connected, which is what really matters during the holidays.” Instead of diving into politics this Thanksgiving, go around the table and ask your guests their favorite holiday traditions or what they’re most thankful for this year. Or, offer up some of the movies or TV shows you watched over the past few months. O’Neill added: “If you throw in a few fun, light-hearted games or trivia about Thanksgiving, it can keep the mood upbeat and steer the focus away from potentially contentious topics, ensuring everyone has a good time!” Ultimately, taking care of our mental health should be a main priority this holiday season, especially after such a politically divisive year. This Thanksgiving, prepare yourself as best as possible for potentially contentious dinner table discussions by practicing self-awareness and setting your boundaries. “Know your triggers and how you usually respond in heated situations, which can really help you manage your emotions when things get tense,” O’Neill said. “Setting some ground rules for discussions can be super helpful, like agreeing to steer clear of certain topics or just focusing on understanding each other rather than debating.” Additionally, carve out time for activities that can recenter and recharge your energy, such as going for a walk, reading, or even finding a quiet moment to yourself. Deep breathing and meditation ahead of the holiday season can also help you stay centered during stressful Thanksgiving debates. “It’s helpful to remind myself that it’s okay to take breaks during gatherings, stepping away for a bit if things get too intense,” O’Neill added. “And let’s not forget to prioritize gratitude and connection over confrontation — reminding ourselves of what we appreciate about each other can really shift the atmosphere and keep the focus on the positives instead of diving into arguments.”
Tired of Night Sweats? Uncover the Cause and Cool Down With Our 4 Tips(The Center Square) – Although it remains unclear how many Democratic Senators will vote for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, some House members in the party have explained why they voted yes, despite a controversial provision restricting military-funded transgender surgeries for minors. The nearly $900 billion bill passed the House 281-140 Wednesday, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor versus 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. Most of the NDAA consists of bipartisan agreements, such as pay raises for service members, strengthened ties with U.S. allies, and funding of new military technology. But a critical point of contention is a Republican addition that would prohibit the military’s health program from covering any gender dysphoria treatments on minors that could "result in sterilization.” The must-pass bill is so critical that nearly 40% of House Democrats voted in favor–but not without expressing their disappointment. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., condemned Republican colleagues who, she said, “chose to sully this bill with political culture wars;” nevertheless, she voted in favor. “While it doesn't address everything we asked for and consider important, including the full ability of parents to make their own decisions about healthcare for their children, it marks a rare moment of productive bipartisan agreement on what is arguably the most crucial legislation we take up as a body each year,” Houlahan said. The bill’s provision does not forbid service members’ children from receiving transgender therapy. It forbids the military’s health insurance provider, TRICARE, from covering treatments on minors that “may result in sterilization.” Reps. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also voted in favor of the bill despite their displeasure at the ban. “The NDAA is a hugely important bill. We had to pass it, which is why I voted yes,” Landsman posted on X Friday. “However, the anti-trans language that was attached to it was mean and awful and should never have been included.” “I have serious concerns about some remaining provisions that were placed in the bill for political purposes,” Sewell said Wednesday. “Still, the responsibility to support our service members and provide for our national security is one that I do not take lightly, which is why I ultimately chose to support the bill.” Besides the importance of annual military funding, another reason some House Democrats assented to the legislation is because they were successful in axing other House Republican amendments, such as a plan to eliminate reimbursements for service members who travel to obtain abortions. The Senate is expected to pass the bill within the next few days, after which President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.
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