Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tennessee Volunteers

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. Today, the Sooners are in Knoxville, TN for a Black Out night game against the Vols. The Sooners, fresh off a hard fought loss at home last week, are now truly fighting for their season. 

The Sooners have to put it all together tonight to have any chance.

OFFENSE

Last week the Sooners found something in the running game in the second half with Xavier Robinson before panicking late and abandoning it completely. John Mateer was serviceable, but the fact is he's not a great decision maker and his touch is a C at best. 

Also, the Sooners have dynamic playmaking ability with Deion Burks, Isaiah Sategna and Jaren Kanek, who are often open and, as a group, are not getting enough good opportunities in the open field. 

Finally, the offensive line is absolutely the weakest unit on this football team. Ole Miss got pressure with a 3 man rush at times. Think about that.

Today, the Sooners need to figure out the run game early and give Mateer some simple reads. Get the ball out quick, get one of the three dynamos out in space, commit to the running game. It's a simple game.

For my OPOG, I like Isaiah Sategna to bounce back from a brutal fumble that irreversibly turned the tide in favor of Ole Miss last week. 

DEFENSE

If the Sooners hope to win any of their remaining games the Sooner defense simply has to be more opportunistic. At this point, they are still one of the better groups in the country. They are capable of getting pressure and they are good tacklers.

And yet there is almost a conservative aspect to this unit that is either coached or just part of who they are. The Sooners just don't take chances jumping routes or are not in a position to do so. 

I worry it's coached. If that's the case, we're sunk. You cannot win close games by being on the wrong side of turnover margin and the Sooner offense is good for two turnovers a game, easy. 

I'm not hating here. They are undoubtedly good enough to keep us in every game. They need to take chances in the secondary and not just chances trying to rush the QB.

I'll take Marvin Jones, Jr. for my DPOG

THE SCORE

I think the Sooners can come out of Knoxville with a win. I love that Seth Litrell might be tying boat anchors around the proverbial neck of Josh Heupel's offense. To win though, the Sooners have to win the turnover battle. They haven't done it all season, but they must do it today.

If they do, I'll take the Sooners 31, Volunteers 20

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Tennessee

 That was a pretty brutal loss to Ole Miss last week. On one hand, they played pretty terribly and had a chance at the end. On the other hand they lost a game they shouldn't have. Also, Lane Kiffin is a huge shithead. This isn't news (if you came here for that, there are, um, better options). Anyway, of the remaining games that was pretty much a must win as I would say the Sooners will have to run the table to have a shot at the playoff. A high flying Tennessee team isn't exactly the cure for what ails you in terms of the win column. The Sooner D has been good, but they have to be damn near perfect with the way the offense has been playing. The play calling on that side has been very questionable I would say. Continuing to run the same plays that don't work seems to be a resume builder for potential OC hires at OU. Similarly, going away from the only thing working last week (i.e. the run game) was baffling. OU had one good quarter offensively when they ran it down their throat. Otherwise it was BS gimmick plays and deep shots that never panned out. They'd better figure that out this week or it will be more of the same

Offense

Continuing my season long trend of picking the facet of the game that worked the week before, I'm going to go with a RB today. Matteer clearly has to be better, and if he isn't, the rest of the offense isn't likely to get much done. I'm hopeful that on reviewing game film from last week they might revisit that 3rd quarter when they ran with authority. I am going to switch it up though and go with Tory Blaylock this week. I like him to get going and get in the end zone.

Defense

I'm going to go with Owen Heinecke today. He's been a really good player all season for the Sooners and seems to consistently be around the ball when he's in there. I think he jumps a route and gets a pick today on top of a bunch tackles.

Score

I really don't like this game today. My head says this is Tennessee all the way, but my heart wants the Sooners so bad. I'm going to go against my better judgement and take OU 31-30 on a last second FG. Now let's get back in this thing.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Ole Miss

 In what was nearly a "must win" in my opinion, our beloved Sooners TCB'd at South Carolina last week. The D was, once again, not fucking around. The offense finally found a run game. It was a wonderful follow to the shitshow that went down in Dallas. But, now the rubber meets the road so to speak. The boys start quite a stretch of opponents that leads off with the Rebels from Ole Miss. Kiffin's kids (if you will) are an unsurprising offensive machine. This will easily be the biggest test of the season so far. Both for the defense and the team as a whole. Kiffin has, also unsurprisingly, ran his stupid mouth insinuating that we've been stealing signs on defense and that is why the D has been so proficient. Meanwhile, I'm sure Saint Lane coaches with nothing but honor and so forth. Anyway, it was a stupid thing to say and feels like some bulletin board fodder to me. But it does touch on the crux of things today, can we slow down this prodigious offense? I think we can do enough to keep the O in it. We just need to Mateer and the gang (not to be confused with Kool) to put up enough points against their shaky D. To recap, we need to score more points than them. This kind of insight is what keeps you, the reader(s), coming back.

Offense

I was very pleased to see Tory Blaylock crack the 100 yard mark last week. If there is anything the offense has lacked, aside from consistency, it's a run game. I don't think these two facts are independent of one another. Mateer has been good enough (turnovers not withstanding), but he can't do everything. The threat of a power run attack keeps defenses honest and we need it to continue. I think it will today, but I still think it's the pass game that is the difference. I like Jaren Kanak to have a big day today and he gets in the end zone at least once.

Defense

This will easily be the biggest test on this side of the ball to date. Ole miss just lost to Georgia after scoring 40+ points. If they put up that many on our Sooners today, I think we're cooked. As always, it starts up front. Keeping pressure on their Q and shutting down the run is how we beat these guys. I like the big dog today, R. Mason Thomas to step up and have a huge game. 

Score

This is extremely unlikely to be low scoring grind. They will get theirs, but we have to limit them as much as possible. Most importantly I think, we have to force some turnovers (not exactly our strong suit) and of course take care of the ball ourselves. I think we do enough at home to take it, Sooners 34 Ole miss 30.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner 

Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 It's a cool, rainy Saturday in Oklahoma to kick off The Gauntlet for the Sooners. That smug butthole Lane Kiffin and the 6-1 Ole Miss Runnin Rebels come to town to face our 6-1 Sooners. The Sooners took care of business last week against an inferior South Carolina group who, it must be noted, managed the clock worse at the end of the first half against the Sooners than the Sooners did two weeks ago against Texas.

Alas, the Sooners find themselves in terrific position, in control of their own destiny the rest of the way. Can they take care of business at home? 

OFFENSE

John Mateer looked more comfortable last week, an indicator that the thumb is fine. Turns out, going against the scout team doing skeleton drills after a couple weeks off is a sub-optimal way to prep for the Texas game. 

Importantly, the running game re-established itself against the Gamecocks. The Sooners need more of that today. They need to sustain some drives and turn field position. Tory Blaylock was great and is an emerging star. He's my OPOG.

I also have a gut feeling today might be the breakout game for Deion Burks that everyone has been waiting for.

DEFENSE

This will be as difficult a test as a Texas for this group. Importantly, the crowd will be hyped up and Jaxson Dart is not quarterbacking the Rebs.

There's really not a lot of mystery to what the Sooners gameplan will be. It's run downhill like a scald-assed ape to rush the quarterback.

Lane Kiffin will have some stuff dialed up to take advantage and they'll get some big pops I'm sure. The Sooners have to limit them to non-touchdowns and hang in there. 

This Taylor Wein, a sophomore DL, has been all the rage from the coaching staff and has been getting after it the last couple of weeks. I'll take him as my DPOG

THE SCORE

Ole Miss is efficient on offense and can score a lot of points. Enough that the Sooner offense will likely struggle to keep up in a shootout. That's not their game. The Sooners need to take care of the ball and play keep away. Get up two scores and let the defense cook. 

I'm content with ugly wins the rest of the way. Let's get one today.

Sooners 34, Ole Miss, 24

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans from rainy OKC. The Sooners take on the Gamecocks in Columbia, SC today, fresh off their stinging defeat to the reviled Texas Longhorns. This one could be make or break for the Sooners as 6-1 heading into the gauntlet feels much better than 5-2. Before the season, 100 out of 100 Sooner fans would take 6-1 with Ole Miss coming to town.

Last week what once was maybe suspected was definitely confirmed. The OU offensive line is the weakest unit on this football team. Their inability to create a pocket or play with the physicality required to create a push has resulted in a weak rushing attack and has likely led to a 1:1 TD to INT ratio for a quarterback who already has reckless tendencies. This is not winning football.

OFFENSE

This one relies on John Mateer. He has to have a bounceback game. He has to make smart decisions with the ball. When you are already fighting for every inch, you can't be giving the other team miles firing 8 yard laser beams that bounce off receivers. And you damn sure can't heave prayers in the end zone going into half time when you are in field goal range. 

I don't necessarily pin the INT going into half against the Longhorns on Mateer. It was a moronic decision, yes, but equally stupid was the coaching decision to have the offense on the field in first place. Kick the fucking field goal. Get some points where you can going into half. 

One of the hallmarks of the BV era is end of half ineptitude. It's a real problem that's been documented in this space very often.

Anyhow, John Mateer is my OPOG.

DEFENSE

This group, with the exception of not being able to get off the field in the third quarter last week, played pretty well and showed some pride.

Today, they have to get some turnovers. There's no way around the fact that they need to do all they can to give the offense some kind of advantage. Turnovers that result in a short field is the dream come true.

For DPOG I'll go with Eli Bowen. Hopefully Lanorris Sellers can be pressured into making a dumb throw or two and someone in the back, like EB, can take advantage.

THE SCORE

I'm not optimistic. South Carolina, at home, in a disappointing season, can really use a boost so they'll be highly motivated. They  know from last year they can beat us so we'll be confident.

Today it's about how do the Sooners react after last week. They need to show some pride, grit and character. The offensive line should take what they saw last week on tape very personal. They have to hear the criticism. Show some fucking pride. 

If they rise to the challenge they can obviously beat SC. I think they can go 24-17. Let's get this one before it starts getting for real, for real.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner. 

South Carolina

 This is going to be an exceptionally poor effort from me today as I’m away on vacation. That game last week completely fucking sucked. The boys better get back on track or we’re looking at yet another lost season. Here we go. 

Offense

I’m gonna go Deion Burks. Why? Your guess is as good as mine  

Defense

Kip Lewis? Sure  

Score

I don’t know much about SC beyond their record  I hope we can bounce back and TCB. Sooners win it 27-21.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner 

Oklahoma Sooners vs. texas Longhorns

It's hate week, Sooner fans. The perennially overrated texas Longhorns come limping into the Cotton Bowl today after having been ranked the preseason number 1 team in college football, now unranked, and fresh off a loss to the Florida Gators last week in Gainesville. They are led by the poster child for being overrated, Arch Manning. The talking heads seem to think the Longhorns are going to lock it in and that every humiliating performace from Manning is the one that will light the fire to get him to turn the corner. Maybe they are who they are. Maybe they are coming to regret the deal with the devil they made to get Arch on campus. They are stuck. And today they are fucked.

The Sooners, on the other hand, are flying high. They also have a lot of motivation. Beyond the rivalry, they got smacked last year by the Horns and this Sooners defense must be licking its chops at the opportunity to rush this very average un-texas-like offensive line and the woefully average Arch. 

And oh, by the way, it looks like John Mateer will be giving it a go, which in and of itself, will boost the spirits of Sooner Nation. I am very surprised he's going to give it a shot. I figured the Ole Miss game in two weeks would be a more reasonable target date. Alas, this apparent Alpha doesn't want to miss this one as he understands this is why you come to Oklahoma. This is big time college football.

OFFENSE

The obvious key is Mateer. Is he truly able to give something close to 100%? We've talked about the Sooners running game being key, and it is, but in this one, the odds of victory go up exponentially with Mateer. Mikey Hawkins isn't Him. With Hawkins, the Sooners are stressed to depend on the defense and special teams to hang on and, more likely, have to come up with special play to have any chance at victory. With a healthy Mateer, you have an offense that can play keep away or get up a score or two and then leverage big plays in other areas to provide some cushion.

This will be the best defense Mateer has faced, ate least since Michigan. He has to take care of the football. Hopefully the surgery has improved JM's touch.  

The Tory Blaylock/Jaydn Ott combo doesn't have to be lethal, but they need to be respected and they need to be effective enough that the Sooners don't have to put Mateer in overly risky situations from a re-injury standpoint.

Mateer is my OPOG as long as he plays. Isaiah Sategna III is my backup. Anytime something wild happens on the field this year, it's this guy who's in the camera frame. 

DEFENSE

We're running out of superlatives for this group. They are tops in the country in total defense. They will be motivated after having given up 35 last year against the Longhorns. And they are facing the homeless man's Jackson Arnold in Arch Manning. You think you've seen these guys fly to the football all year, just wait until you see them today.

Steve Sarkisian is a crafty little fucker, though, and I'm sure he'll have a scheme designed to take advantage of our speed and aggressiveness, likely in the form of quick strikes that get a texas WR in the open field against Courtland Guillory. That's what I would do anyhow. He's the closest thing to Gas Rag McGee (patent pending) that this defense has. I say that and believe that he'll be a stud in time. Offenses have to find someone to try to exploit, though. 

They will also have to try to establish some run game and the Sooners, as per usual, will sell out to stop that. It's a simple game, really, where the Longhorns will be in serious trouble if the Sooners can get pressure with four rushers. They've been doing it all season.

I'm tempted to pick someone for my DPOG besides David Stone. If pressed to do so, I'd say R Mason Thomas, a guy who shows up big in big moments. However, I'm committed to Stone and his ability to disrupt right up the gut. He demands double teams and then is able to beat them. That's like having an extra rusher right there. Huge. 

THE SCORE

OU is bringing it's most complete football team to Dallas since the early 2000's. Those games featured OU teams with a superior quarterback and a better defense. This team is both those things plus, as we saw last week, difference makers in special teams with Sategna and quality punting and kicking. 

With Mateer being hopefully OK, Hawkins being a sub-optimal solution if not, and Arch Manning on the other side, the Sooners have what it takes to gut one out if need be. If OU can force punts at close to the rate they have all season and Sategna can flip the field position, the Sooners have a kicker and defense that can win a knife fight.

The fact the Longhorns are favored shows the extent of texas bias amongst pollsters and prognosticators. The Sooners should win this one.

Sooners 20, Longhorns 17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner