OU - Mizzou Game Tape Review

This article is sponsored by the American Pigeon Museum and Library in Oklahoma City - When you have a message that you want delivered slow or maybe not at all, choose pigeon's, choose the World of Wings. 

Some quick thoughts after watching the tape (Presented in bullet points for my man TFrye who, "doesn't have time for paragraphs"):

• There is no real good excuse anymore for Dominque Whaley not being the feature back. The carries between he and Brennan Clay were nearly even. No disrespect to Clay, who really is a solid player, but he doesn't have the "missability" of Whaley (as Emmitt Smith might say). There was a series in the 3rd Quarter where Whaley had a hole close and he made himself small and, "squirted through the line" for a 1st down. The next play he caught a short pass, delivered a hit, stayed in bounds then used a spin move and a leap to get inside the 5. The next play he outran the defense to gain the corner and score. In short, he can do just about anything.
• The Sooners Offense is at it's best when the ball is getting spread around. Any offense is but I mean the Sooners really need to get Trey Millard and James Hanna involved every now and again. Those guys are under-utilized weapons.
• Jaz Reynolds did a nice job stepping up in Kenny Fuckin Shitbag and Trey Franks's stead.
• At the game I felt like Lonnie is a System Quarterback. I believe it more and more. His numbers are gaudy but his pant shitting robs him of real greatness. By pant shitting I mean anytime the pocket may collapse.
• In person I was disappointed in Josh Heupel's play calling. On tape it wasn't so bad. I think it was the fact that the "hurry up to the line play" was beyond predictable. When half-drunk homers in the last row of the upper deck are calling the plays, chances are good your opponent's Defensive Coordinator is dialed in as well.
• The Sooners D-Line is badass and Frank Alexander in particular is a damn beast.
• Gabe Lynn still looks lost on Defense.

OU vs. The Mizz

When the schedules were released this game looked like a marquee matchup. Sure, former Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert left school a year too early to go to the NFL but, like all recruits, Gabbert's replacement is even better than Gabbert (who was the greatest of all times!).

Today, thanks in large part to a pedestrian victory over Miami (OH) and a loss to the only other D-1 team they've faced, Mizzou finds themselves nearly 30 point 'dogs. The GameDay crew didn't even bother with a score prediction. That's how little anyone cares for Mizzou's chances. As an aside, it's this college football irrelevency which inexplicably has given Mizzou reason to believe it belongs in the SEC.

Meanwhile, our Sooners, by virtue of a hard fought victory over a top five ranked Florida State squad on national television, has earned it's 30-point favorite status. Today they return to Owen Field where, lest we forget, the Sooners don't lose and where they shall be greeted as conquering heroes.

Oh, throw in the fact that the Mizz beat OU last year and revenge will be on the mind. Motivation plus confidence plus home field advantage equals an ass beat. It's true.

OFFENSE

Kenny Fuckin Shitbag Stills really pulled the Sooners ass out of the fire last week. Whilst doing it, he established himself as a bonafide threat and more than Robin to Ryan Broyles Batman. Trey Franks has also run afoul of some team rules and finds himself in street clothes today. I think this all means big things for Kenny. I mean, he's pretty much a badass. So I'm picking him.

In other offensive news I'm looking forward to Lonnie settling down (again) and the O-Line dominating consistently.

Also, my big question is will Roy Finch touch the football? Does it matter?

DEFENSE

Last week the Sooner D was vicious. I can't remember hitting like that since Mike Stoops was here. I shat my trousers when I saw Old Steady on the field.

This is a good time to mention that I was way off on who would sport the #12. My source said it would be Tony Jefferson. Full confession: My source was my grundle. I also thought Old Steady would wear 12 when he came back. So of course Frank Alexander wore it.

Today the key is stopping the run. Mizzou has some kid that averages 38 yards per carry. We can't let that happen.

I'm excited to see which Javon Harris shows up. On that note, I'm picking him as my defensive POG.

THE SCORE

I think Mizzou is a fraud. I'm wary about a possible letdown from the Sooners after an emotional victory. I'm hopeful the home crowd elevates the Sooners to greater emotional heights.

OU 42 Mizzou 17

My PBR's been cracked. Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Missouri

The Sooners return home this Saturday for the first conference game of the season. After a huge road win last week, we will look to avoid a letdown this week at home. I think this is an easier game to avoid letting down in due to the fact that Mizzou beat us last season in our first (and only) week as BCS #1 ranked. It was obviously the only game Mizzou was interested in as they subsequently lost a few they shouldn't have and didn't even win the, now obsolete Big 12 North. This is precisely why they never won any Big 12 championships. Circling one middle of the season game as your biggest game of the year sets you up to not give a shit about the others. Anyway, they've been talking shit all week and appear to have a swagger coming into a house where they've not won since 1966. 1966. 

Missouri is probably a little better than they're given credit for ranking-wise (read: unranked). They lost a close one on the road in OT to the only real opponent they've played. Untested as they are this season, they return some pretty nice players, particularly on defense. According to Venables, their front four is tougher than FSU, which may be lip service but even if it is, mentioning that with a straight face says they are fairly legit at the least. Running the ball will be tough, and keeping the heat off the imminently flappable Lonnie will be key to avoiding turnovers and controlling the ball. 

Offensively, Mizzou has a QB that appears to be EJ Manuel with more speed. Not exactly what we would love to face, but he's unproven and appears prone to making some mistakes. He did however, have his best game on the road at ASU which shows he's at least capable of making plays in tough situations. At RB they start a 3rd stringer that is playing due to injuries. He did however, rack up 260+ yards in the first half last week...against FCS opponent Western Illinois. So, I'm not sure how much that means, probably little. 

I think we will be ready, I think our defense should be able to slow them down quite a bit, and I think our offense will be clicking much better than it was last week. All of that, plus the home field advantage will prove too much for Mizzou. As much as the company line is "it's just another game" etc., I think payback is more on the players and coaches minds than they are letting on. I'm pumped, it's another primetime game on national TV and we will come to play.

Offense

After the first two games of the season, we've displayed a pretty balance attack. Lonnie looked average last week which was sadly better than most expected. This is probably why everyone is acting like he played so great. Exceeding expectations always helps. With that said, it's hard to not want to pick a WR as the offensive player of the game. I think I nailed it (patting back) with the Stills pick last week, he saved us really. And the week prior, Broyles dominated. Couple that with the fact that the Missouri secondary appears to be the weakest part of their otherwise solid defense makes one of those two a solid choice. While, I do think one, and maybe both of the receivers will have big games, I'm going with an RB for my pick. I think Dom Whaley once again feeds off the home crowd and comes up big tonight. I love his running style. It's such a great mix of elusiveness, power, speed and has shown a nice ability to break tackles. I think he gets close to 100 yards, but 2 scores give him my player of the game tonight.

Defense

Last week the D looked good, Javon Harris and Tom Wort battled each other to become the first ever most valuable player and least valuable player simultaneously in the same game. Mitch sent me this text during the game which summed it up pretty well "Love Javon Harris. Next series might hate him. PS I might have a heart attack." Not sure how any of this leads to my pick, but I thought it was worth mentioning. While the squad in general doesn't want to mention pay back from last season, one player did. The gist of his comment was that though it might seem strange, he was looking ahead to this game even last week prior to FSU. Though I'm glad I didn't know that last week, it makes me have a chub knowing it now. Further provoking me to full on hard is that the player was Tony Motherfuckin' Jefferson. I think he comes to play, racks up some big tackles and forces a turnover of some fashion.

As for the final score, I think we will struggle a bit at times defensively, not sure why I think this but a hunch I guess. That coupled with  their solid defense prevents a rout. However, I think we turn it on enough that it's not as close as it was last week (I fucking hope not anyway). I think the Sooners win this one 34-17. 

It's payback time, and I for one can't fucking wait.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Monday Thoughts

Wellsy wellsy, OU came through in a big way Saturday night. That was a really nice win on the road in a pretty tough atmosphere. It's too early to know what FSU will be like through the year, but their D seemed tough enough that they should win a lot of games. Losing Manuel (not sure how long) would hurt them though.

Lonnie predictably looked very pedestrian in this game. Yeah, everyone is on their knees in front of him for the 4th quarter touchdown pass, but honestly it was a terrible throw. All night he under-threw receivers, missed guys, and generally didn't play that well. Credit to their D some, but we've seen this dance with him before. Stills bailed him out more than once with unbelievable catches, and that TD was all him, but it should've been uncontested walking in the endzone as open as he was.

Speaking of Fuckin' Shitbag, what a night! He just might have "emerged" a bit. If I were an opposing defensive coordinator, I certainly wouldn't be comfortable doubling Broyles all night and leaving Stills one on one anymore, he proved he's very dangerous on the other side and can make some seriously tough catches in traffic.

Finally, the most encouraging thing about that win was the defense. I can't even remember the last time we won a game because of our defense. Yes, they've had good runs and have played well for the most part every year. But, that game was different. Apart from the one horrible play on 3rd and 28, I started getting the feeling that no matter what the offense did we were in good shape. I haven't felt that way since maybe 2001? Which, if this defense is like any of our defenses from the past 6 or 7 seasons, it's only going to get better as the season goes on. That could be scary if it holds up. Yes, there were breakdowns and despite a good game from Wort, he still makes some major mistakes, but we looked damn good Saturday.

Next up is Mizzou, and I expect that our guys are looking forward to the opportunity to pay them back for last season's loss in Columbia. I hope the D is ready again because it's another good offense (and defense really) from a Missouri team that I think is better than their early record. Glad this one is at home.

Florida State

Well, here are we are again reader(s). Mitch and I are, lets say, "not on the same page" when it comes to confidence this week. He predictably, is befuddled by the musings that FSU might actually be able to play with us or dare I say, beat us. I on the other hand, have sprained my neck nodding in agreement. Not really, mostly I reserve the right to question the Sooners myself. When media types suggest that FSU can hang with us, I spout prolific expletives and question all sorts of things relating to their mental status and genital fortitude.

Nonetheless, I'm quite worried about this one. As I alluded to in some email banter with Mitch this week, this game feels eerily familiar to me. To me, it feels like OU Nebraska 2000, when we re-cemented ourselves atop the college football universe by beating a #1 Nebraska team coming into our house. This has the pins set up in a similar fashion, and I certainly hope they don't fall in the same way.

FSU has presumably been taping calendars above the weight bench, listening to subliminal tapes etc. referring to this date. All since roughly one year ago when we absolutely kicked the shit out of them. They've improved no doubt. What worries me most about them isn't EJ Manuel, it's their defense. Yeah, Manual (another douchebag with initials for a name) is a great improvisor and the sort of QB that has given us trouble in the past, but I think he'll make some mistakes on the big stage (I fucking hope he does). Their defense however is coached by Mark Stoops. Who at this time last year was still in the early stages of implementing his system and was accordingly exposed by a great offense. However, as the season went on they got better and better. History has told us that if there is one thing the Stoops boys can do, it's design a damn good defense. That aside, they have some serious talent up front and in the secondary. My ass has puckered to inversion while writing this.

All of that doomsday gloom has led me to but one conclusion, we will win. Everyone keeps talking about how they return x number of players and they're experienced etc., but if anyone gives a shit, so do we. For the record, I'm in complete agreeance with Mitch that Tom Wort is suspect. He seems content on every play to lay out the hardest hit of all time. The only problem is he doesn't seem to care if it's the ball carrier, or if he misses completely. He has way too many missed tackles in open space. So I'm not thrilled with him either, he's not approaching Matt McCoy memorial Gas Rag status just yet, but he's certainly peering in the window. Also, I loved the Dominique Whaley/Allen Patrick comparison, well played. On to the picks:

Offense

Mitch is right, I'm not sold on Lonnie. Until he takes over in a true road game (e.g. today), then he's just not my guy. We've all seen the splits on home v. road stats for Lonnie this week, not pretty. But I'm optimistic (perhaps naively so) that another year under the belt will have evened those splits out and he'll play well today. I can't pick him however. I love the Broyles pick, spitting right in the face of the defense  who will no doubt be "keying" (real life football lingo!) on him most of the day. I hope Mitch is right, but I don't agree. I'm going to go, once again, with his battery mate so-to-speak in Kenny Fuckin' Shitbag Stills. Two weeks after making perhaps the worst offensive player of the game pick in the history of time (since he wasn't even in the stadium, though I was unaware of that suspension when I made the pick a week earlier), I'm sticking to my guns. I think Fuckin' Shitbag gets quite a few balls thrown his way in light of Broyles being the focus of the defense, and he does plenty with them.

An aside, I agree that the run game is crucial and more or less echo all of Mitch's sentiments on that front. I will make one prediction, Lonnie will throw at least one pick while trying to force one to Broyles.

Defense

I'm pretty nervous here as well. I think containing Manuel will be tough, but is manageable. The key will be the secondary, breakdowns like last week can't happen. It especially can't happen when Manuel scrambles and buys time. That's where the front four come in. I like our rotation there and I think they can do some damage. Which is why you can imagine the relief I felt when I saw that Mitch and I are going with the same guy here, Frank Alexander.  I think big Frank is going to have another really nice day. That said, I think Tony Motherfuckin' Jefferson also plays big and comes up with some kind of turnover today. He's wearing Soggy's 12, and frankly he's one hard Motherfucker.

I think this is going to be a (maybe) surprisingly low scoring affair. I think Lonnie struggles a bit, but I think their offense does as well. I think if we can avoid giving up big special teams plays (not a given), we can handle them well enough to win. I'm shitting bricks over this one, I'm not going to lie. The crowd will be tough, we will need some time to get our feet under us, and will have to withstand at least one furious second half charge. Sooners win, 24-21.

PBR's talls are iced. I'm pumped. Let's go out and beat these rotten motherfuckers.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.

OU vs. FSU

ESPN has themed this week, "Road Test Week". I think it should be "Statement Week".

Nothing like an early road test to send you either hurtling towards greatness or potentially derailing title hopes. Really, this sentiment is apropos for either the Sooners or the Seminoles. Who is going to take charge of their own destiny?

I'm not that nervous. Your 2011 Oklahoma Sooners are a veteran bunch and that means the world in college football.The Seminole locker room is talking about a return to glory, the Sooner players are talking about games like this being the reason they chose the Oklahoma. The X on your back, the prize in front of you, etc.

I sure do wish the Sooners had played a game last week though. Sure the bye gives you plenty of time to prepare and get people healthy but it's too early in the season for a break. You could argue that the Sooners facing each other in practice is a better test than what the Seminoles had last week but there is nothing better than game experience.

That said, I have it on good authority that these Sooners are ready for this one. If there was a game this season besides Texas that the Sooners are looking forward to it's this one. Gameday, national television at night, and a chance to show the country why they are ranked number 1.

Honestly, I haven't seen a team in the first two weeks that really stepped up and set itself apart from any other. LSU seems pedestrian. Alabama, meh. Where's the playmakers?  They are on the Sooners, damnit, and they are about to serve notice.

OFFENSE

The fundamental truth is that your stars shine brightest on the biggest stage. Baylor's Robert Griffin III is the only player I've seen really perform out of this world and in the spotlight. That changes Saturday night. Ryan Broyles is going to grab control of the Heisman race. Book it. And here's a spoiler alert: Get ready for a season of, "Can a wide receiver win a Heisman in 2011?" articles. Look, if Broyles lights it up this early in the season and has a signature performance in week 3, it's his to lose.

Now, that's not to say that this game is about Heisman front running. That's a bunch of crap. But, the Seminoles are going to throw the kitchen sink at trying to contain Broyles and if they fail (and oh! they will fail) that means they can't shut anybody else down either. That means trouble for Florida State. I am keen on trouble and havoc for Florida State. If the Sooner offensive line can keep Lonnie clean, and Lonnie can keep from smearing his own britches, the Sooners are golden.

Obviously Broyles is my pick.

I can't move on to the Defense without saying also that it's going to be huge that Dominique Whaley not be a one-hit wonder. Yes he's a Cinderella story, he came from nowhere and all that. That shit sells papers (or e-readers or whatever the fuck else). The Sooners have to have a ground game. Against Tulsa, I thought Roy Finch was suspended. I think he's back this week with a vengeance. But the Sooners must be able to run the football. I think Whaley can be better than Allen Patrick and I hope I'm right.

DEFENSE

So I was at Wakarusa this Summer and as we drive in we gave this kid a lift to his campsite and come to find out that he goes to Florida State. We should have kicked him out of the car but we're good people and we put up with his nonsense about how EJ Manuel is like Michael Vick if he made babies with Vince Young and every other run-first pass-average QB of the last twenty years. Here's the thing though; EJ Manuel is a Junior. Christian Ponder is a pussy and woefully overrated. If Manuel were "all that" he would have started. Plain and simple. You think the best quarterback on a roster isn't starting at 95% of all major colleges? Crazy talk. If you think I'm wrong that's you getting caught up in recruiting blabber. Coaches typically like their jobs. They get fired more than they quit. Playing your best players helps coaches keep their jobs. When I was watching LSU-MSU the other night ESPN compared EJ and Lonnie. EJ, for his career, has 6 TD's and 10 INT's. Dreadful on any level.

That's the key difference in this ballgame. Of course the Sooners have to, "stay disciplined", and "don't break contain" and, "know gap responsibility". All that goes without saying.

I'm nervous about the secondary of all things. Versus Tulsa, that's where the breakdowns happened. They can be corrected, of course. But the Sooners need to be the aggressor here and they need to force Manuel into some mistakes which he is clearly wont to do.

The Linebackers need to keep it up also. Whilst my colleague Navin is still not sold on Lonnie, I still don't trust Tom Wort. I'm not convinced he's a gamer. Sorry.

The OU Defensive line was much better against Tulsa than I thought they would be. They could be a serious strength and a source of headache for Offensive Coordinators. Dear God, please let that be the case on Saturday night.

I'm going to play keep up this week with my defensive pick. Frank Alexander was a man possessed against Tulsa, so I'm going with him. Buddy, you better believe the Seminole offensive line has their work cut out for them.

Before we move on, I'd just like to mention that the rumor is that none other than Tony M.F. Jefferson will be wearing Soggy Box's #12 this week. Um, I like that. Would it stand to reason that in Week 1 it's pretty obvious that you let Box's new position minder (Wort) wear #12 and in week 2 you give the honor to your defense's bellweather? That's how I'm thinking this works. From here on out it will go to the person who "grades out" the best on film until Old Steady comes back. He gets it his first week back obviously and then it's back to who deserves it the most.

THE PICK

Someone please tell me what Florida State has done to earn the #5 ranking? Sure they ended the season last year on a positive note. But they played in the ACC which. let's be honest, is barely deserving of a BCS bid if such things were determined on a yearly basis. And yeah Jimbo Fisher appears to be a rare example of the "Head Coach in Waiting" shtick actually working out. And Bobby Bowden might have given the 'Noles an emotion boost by announcing he battled cancer in recent years stoically, alone and like a man. But c'mon. This is a perfect example of why there should be no rankings until week 5. Also, if you're going to base expectations on what happened last year then shouldn't it matter if the QB who took you there is now holding a clipboard in the NFL?

I just don't see it. The crowd will be hyped but this is a business trip for the Sooners. It's not total domination but it's close.

OU 34 - FSU 24

Tip them PBR Tallboys and Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

OU vs. Tulsa Highlights

Stellar highlight package and, in keeping with the theme of "all homer", only the good stuff from OU

There's a lot of nice action here but I enjoyed two plays in particular.

At the 1:57 mark Dominique Whaley breaks tackles, takes some punishment and carries the pile. He'll be facing a lot more contact against FSU and I hope it looks like this.

At 7:49 Lonnie throws a frozen rope to James Hanna. This Lonnie/Hanna connection looks like Mitch/Navin in the park last fall.

Dom Whaley

Try not to root for this guy

The Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes

Welcome to the 2011 season everyone. It's the last year of the Big 12 as we know it. Collegiate Armageddon is unfolding. It feels like the perfect time for the Sooners to win Number 8.

On the heels of Navin's pointed discussion I'd like to propose a slogan for the Steamroller; "All of the Homer, none of the Homework". It really seems to fit.

I know nothing about this Tulsa team and couldn't give two craps less. I know that when I was a yute in Edmond, Oklahoma,Bill Blankenship was at the helm a then juggernaut Edmond Memorial Bulldog squad. He is now coaching the Golden Hurricane and this represents his first game coaching at the FBS (that moniker makes me want to puke) level. This bodes well for our Sooners.

Here are some other things that I like. We don't lose at home. It's the opening day of the pomp and pageantry of college football. Clear blue skies. BBQ smoke wafting through campus. Everyone in the state has been counting the days to today.

I also like the Sooner offense's potential. You start with a now veteran offensive line, mix in not one but two Heisman candidates, badass wide recievers and a stable of running backs who each bring a different style. Now give Josh Heupel the headset and it all adds up to long days for opposing defenses.

I'm really pumped about honoring Austin "Soggy" Box's memory by choosing a defensive player to sport Box's number 12. This week it's Tom Wort's turn which is a brilliant choice. Not only does Wort play Box's position but last year's "Gas Rag McGee" award winner needs to step up his play. If wearing Box's number 12 inspires Wort to do so, no better time than right out of the gate.

I'm nervous about our defense though. As Navin said, we like to give up big plays and do ill-timed, "dumb things" early in the season. This will be a good test but no way can Tulsa keep up. If Tulsa kicks field goals you can start breathing a sigh of relief.

Know what else I want to see? The Sooner kickoff coverage being worth half a shit. That would make me real happy.

OFFENSE

On offense I've got a Semi to watch Lonnie Jones fire lazerbeamz all over the football field to a slew of talented wide receivers. It's truly an embarassment of riches. Ryan Broyles is a man among boys. Kenny "Fuckin Shitbag" Stills is poised to improve on what was a stellar Freshman campaign. And a defense can't afford to sleep on DeJuan Miller, Jaz Reynolds, Trey Franks or Tight End James Hanna.

I'm even more intrigued to see how the Running Back situation plays out. Brennan Clay bears all the marks of being the next Old Steady. Roy Finch is my personal favorite. You can feel the collective breath of 85,000 fans get held every time Finch touches the ball. Roy is also a receiving threat which means lost jocks and soiled britches for defensive backs in the open field.

For my player of the game I'm going with Lonnie. He's the leader of this offense. I think he's finally ready to be the steady force this squad needs. I wouldn't be surprised to see him complete in the neighborhood of 70% of his passes today. It will be surgical domination.

DEFENSE

For all the veterans returning to this unit there are still a lot of areas that need proving. For instance, the interior defensive line. Also, how will the LB's, much less the entire D, play without their leader, Travis "Old Steady" Lewis?

The good news for Brent Vanables is that the talent on this side of the football is prodigious. To hear Venables tell it he's had a difficult task finding room for all his exceptional playmakers.

The choice for Defensive Player of the Game has to come from Ronnell "The Hammer" Lewis, Corey Nelson, Tony "Motherfuckin" Jefferson, Demontre Hurst or Jamel Fleming. I can't in good conscience stray from Tony M.F. Jefferson in the opener. Navin and I picked him for a reason and I'm eager to see how much bigger, faster and better he is this year.

THE PICK

Tulsa's offense could be God's gift to football and they still won't be able to match the Sooner offense on this day. The Sooner D will have its' unfortunate share of foibles. In the end the faithful go home early and happy.

OU 55, Tulsa 24

Don't forgot to drink your PBR Tallboys

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner