OU-texas

Another year has passed and we are on the cusp of another OU texas game. It is simultaneously the game that gets me the most pumped up and the most nervous. While I do appreciate being in the position of the favorite and what that means, I hate the pressure being on us with them having something to prove. Luckily, this isn't usually a game that either team looks past, regardless of ranking.

If you're reading this, you know the stories. Throw the rankings out, etc. Though the Oklahoman went to great lengths to illustrate that the rankings DO matter, I still call bullshit. This game is always close regardless of rankings, and close plays come down to momentum shifts and turnovers, and rankings don't mean shit for those two things.

texas is greatly improved this year. Although, they were pure shit last year, so that isn't terribly monumental. Maybe it would be more appropriate to say they are more like teams of the past. However, they are quite young, notably at the skill positions and in the secondary. To me this is the huge advantage for us. Experience goes a long way in this game and in this atmosphere. That said, I think it will be a close game.

I know last week I made a point of Ikard getting tested at center. In hindsight, I probably brought that out a week early as this week he looks to face some legit division I tackles. texas is big and fast up front, our line will be tested. Additionally, by all accounts, they like to blitz a lot. The biggest question I have in this one is how Lonnie will react to the blitz and being under duress. If it's anything like he's reacted in the first four games, it will go a long way toward keeping texas in this. He has, I repeat, HAS to handle pressure better. There has been a fair amount of talk about how he's only been sacked once. Credit the O-line certainly, but I could avoid sacks too if I took a snap and blindly threw off my back foot at the first sign of a blitz (read: 5 Int's). Lonnie has to give his O-line a chance to protect against the blitz, furthermore he needs to utilize that time to go through a progression and actually find an open receiver. If that means getting sacked or throwing one out of bounds on occasion that's cool. I think our defense can be trusted, so it's OK to punt if it means avoiding a pick.

That's the other side of the coin. I think our defense comes in ready. Sure, they (their offensive coordinator particularly) have a reputation for trick plays and lots of shifting and motion plays to fuck with the D's heads. However, a key element is they have two first year starters running that shit, so if we can see through all of the movement, my guess is the plays get more simple after the snap. In that vein, I expect to see a healthy dose of all-world freshman Malcolm Brown along with the veteran muppet. We will definitely be fooled a few times, and expect to see them try for a home run at LEAST once in the first quarter (second drive I think) to try to give them momentum/confidence. We need to avoid a slow start and, unlike last year, put them away.

I'm nervous about this one for sure, but I think it stacks up fairly well for us. If we can avoid giving up the big plays and avoid turning it over it bodes very well for us. Those are two big "if's", but I think our defense will be ready and ultimately that will be the key. We have to keep their drives short in order to get our offense (and their defense) back on the field, as I'm guessing they will desire to do precisely the opposite.

Offense

Last week was pretty unbelievable, admittedly against inferior competition, nearly everyone had a huge day. I don't expect that again, but I think we can move the ball on them. I hope Whaley continues his excellent start and has a huge day. I think he can for sure, although it will get tougher now as I'm sure teams have started to notice him. I have sort of a gut feeling that we might see a little of Brandon Williams in some meaningful minutes. However, my pick this week is James Hanna. Big and athletic, and has stepped in big games before. With all of our weapons, he seems easy to lose and I think this week he capitalizes.

Defense

I love Frank Alexander and Tony Jefferson here. I think both will have big days, but I'm going with Old Steady this week. It's his last OU-texas game, he's wearing Soggy's number, and his foot is supposed to be fully healed (not that it's slowed him down much). My guess is he's had one of those emergency boners you hear about on the Viagra commercials (...an erection lasting longer than 4 hours) all week in anticipation of this one. I think he's all over the field, and makes the most of his last go at these fucks.

Finally, the score pick. I think this one will be close (our D + Lonnie's pant shitting = close game, it's simple math really), I think Texas will make some big plays, but I think we will do enough to pull it out. It goes down to the end, but I think the Sooners take it 24-17. I've been the definition of anti-flaccid all week with thoughts on this game. I can't wait for the action. Let's roll heads on these rotten motherfuckers.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner