Kansas

Well, one week after a scathing tear down of the man Bob Stoops, the Sooners went out and proved me wrong winning on the road in Manhattan against normally feisty KState team. I still stand by my comments until things start changing, but no matter what, I always enjoy the Sooners winning and playing good ball.

(side note, apologies for the lack of fresh drivel last week, had some things going on and was preoccupied with my beloved Royals making the World Series for the second time in as many years. Never say never, but I don't intend on missing any more of these)

This week brings us to KU. A team yet to tally a mark on the win side of the ledger. Unlike in some cases, this really isn't misleading. They're bad. The Crimson and Cream should bury their proverbial swords to the hilt, and come away smiling in this one. Lets hope the demons of texas and the tremendous let down there, don't rear their ugly heads.

Offense

Samaje Perine took on KU last year at home, and made Melvin Gordon's reign as single game rushing king, the shortest ever. I suspect KU will try very hard to avoid this happening again. Frankly, it's unlikely to due to the fact that OU has more than one dimension these days. I think today it's all about that other dimension, specifically Sterling Shepard. I think he gets open early and often and hauls in 3 scores on the field, and as many co-eds to his dorm room tonight (boy-yoy-yoy-yoing)

Defense

It seems the defense came to play last as well. Beating a solid Texas Tech squad, or at least containing them as best they could. I think more of the same this week against a more or less helpless Jayhawk club. I like Dominique Alexander again this week. I think he racks up tackles into the teens, and forces a TO. Big day for the talented 'backer with a unisex name.

Score

Sooners roll up to the lovely state of Kansas for the second time in three weeks and come home just as happy. This isn't a site seeing trip to see the house of mud (you see kids...), it's all business. Sooners roll again in the land of wheat, 57-3.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks

We're gonna run around em. We're gonna run through em. We're gonna run around em and through em! We're gonna fight. We're gonna win. We're gonna Go! Fight! Win! Now let's get out there and kick some ass!

There is no worse football team on the planet than the Kansas Jayhawks. This is the scheduling Gods equivalent of that horseshit maneuver that the SEC pulls with their SW Lafayette games eight weeks into the season. This is a working bye week.

OFFENSE

The Sooners have found a rushing attack and it's glorious. Look for a lot of it today. As nice as it will be, Sterling Sheperd is going to have a field day. I bet he goes for 175 and two scores in about 3 Quarters of work.

DEFENSE

I'm becoming a yooge fan of Charles Walker. Look for him to wreak havoc today. Also, that new Nickleback Will Johnson is playing well. I like him to get an INT as a reward for his good efforts.

SCORE

There will probably be a terrible turnover that give KU an opportunity to score some points. The rest should be PlayStation cruise control.

Sooner 56 Jayhawks 7

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Sorry for the brevity. It's Halloween and nobody cares about this game anyway.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Tech

Well it looks like the doom and gloom was a bit premature. The Sooners looked like they were launched out of a cannon last week and very little of their performance bore a resemblance to the product that was fielded against Texas. I cannot believe such a drastic change was possible. Now of course there's the woulda coulda shoulda's and why-for's wasn't this how they played against Texas. Texas is done. It's over. As the Tulsa World beat writer Guerin Emig said on Twitter during the game (I'm paraphrasing here) Sooner fans should be relieved the same team didn't show up against K-State, not confused or upset. 5-1 looks a hell of a lot better than 4-2 at this point.

Seriously though, the offense looked dynamic. It was fast getting to the line, the ball was going somewhere quickly and the K-State defense was continually on its heels. They had 30 first downs. This was the offense everyone was hoping for when Lincoln Riley came to town.

Defensively the Sooners held K-State to 110 yards. That's PlayStation Rookie level stuff. They tackled. They forced three turnovers.

Now the Sooners have some nice momentum going again, they're back at home and they've got some built in motivation with the Baker Mayfield - Texas Tech revenge factor. I'm back in baby and I just got a big whiff of some Red Raider ass beat.

OFFENSE

Obviously, more of same from last week here. Move your playmakers around, get the ball to them quickly in space and let them go to work. Baker Mayfield needs to stay calm. The Red Raiders give up yards in chunks so let's take them. The O-Line got a shake up and they looked good. They need to build on last week as well.

You know who I really want to pick? Mark Andrews. But it's not his time yet. Here in a few weeks we'll figure out good things happen the more he's on the football field. But for now, I'm going Joe Mixon. I just have that good old feeling today that he's going to do something awesome.

DEFENSE

Shutting anyone out is a big deal. The Sooner D made the K-State offense look Class B. The best thing to say, I guess, is they were ready willing and able to try new looks and personnel and it paid off. Getting Hatari Byrd off the football field to make way for Steven Parker full time worked. Someone named Will Johnson stepped in at the Nickel and looked pretty darn good.

What's coming this week is a different class of quarterback, however. It was dumb for Klifford Kingsbury to not give Baker Mayfield a scholarship but Patrick Mahomes is pretty solid. He, like Mayfield, seems to have "it".

I wish I could figure these guys out. They are trash one week, treasure the next. No one seems to epitomize this more than Zack Sanchez. Last week he was great. I hope he is this week also so I'm picking him. Don't sleep on Charles Walker though. It seems like that guy has been stepping up of late which, if true, is huge.

THE SCORE

The Red Raiders are easy to hate. They have a super inflated sense of self worth based on a history of mediocrity and tortilla tossing. Klifford K Kingsbury is an A-hole. The Sooners are going to be pumped. The home crowd is going to jacked up. It's going to be a fun game.

The Sooners pull it out going away 49-28.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Kansas State (brace yourself, this isn't a feel good "piece")

Call me a bad fan, call me fairweather, call me doughy ginger, I don't give a shit what you call me. I'm tired of this same routine every season. I'm officially calling for Stoops ouster. It's the same story every year, the same lines about competing for conference championships, the historical win/loss record, hell he's the winningest coach in school history. But there is no accountability, no one questioning his status. We haven't been a realistic national title contender since 2009. If you follow recruiting, and I really don't to be fair, it seems like the guys we sign have it narrowed down to Kentucky, Central Florida and OU, not  even on the big programs radar. I'm tired of it. OU isn't in the business of competing for championships with the word "conference" in front of it. For the record, it's now been more years since our most recent national title, than it was before Stoops delivered us to the promised land in 2000.

It's maddening, and I'm sure a plethora of assistants will be fired after this season, if not sooner. There has been a very consistent lack of fundamentals for years now. If this is just anecdotal bullshit in your eyes, I submit this quote from Bob Stoops after embarrassing themselves in the Cotton Bowl last week: "You can put it all on me, but I don't play." What kind of coach says that, out loud, to the media? That is just absurd, and really demonstrates his line of thinking and attitude toward the team.

The Sooners travel up to Manhattan, KS this weekend to take on Bill Snyder's Wildcats. Speaking of coaching, that is someone who might do more with less than anyone else. I'm not wishing for KState's program, but I'd be delighted to have a coach who got the most out of his players like Snyder does. KState is fresh off a near upset of Top 5 TCU. We all know what the Sooners are coming off of. I don't expect the offensive line issues to be solved this week, so I expect another dose of Baker Mayfield running for his life from the moment the ball is snapped. Hopefully, he can revert to getting out of the pocket more as opposed to last week when he seemed content to let it collapse on him. Hell, maybe he's just tired of running. This has the makings of another Sooner loss. Going on the road and playing a disciplined, fundamentally sound team, and bringing neither of those traits with them. Should be interesting.

Offense

I went with Baker Mayfield last week and that certainly didn't pan out. He did as well as could be expected I guess, given the "protection" he had. My hope is that the Sooners try to slow down the 7 yard dashes of the Wildcat front by throwing a few screens and maybe some well timed draw plays. With that in mind, I am going with Joe Mixon. No, he never plays. No, there isn't a good reason for this that I know of. But, if I'm going to unleash my kiss of death on anyone, I prefer someone who will be on the bench most of the game.

Defense

This feels a bit like last season where I just threw darts at the defensive roster. No one really played well last week, and that crap they called "tackling" was just reheated post-mexican food shit. I'm not sure who informed everyone on the defense that they were Ronnie Lott and wrapping up was ancillary in light of their menacing hitting prowess, but they were full of shit. Again, fundamentals, basic pee-wee league type shit that has clearly not been taught. Anyway, with the fact that I'm obligated to pick someone, I will pick Jordan Evans. Because...might as well.

Score

OU probably will end up losing this game for the plethora of reasons I mentioned above. However, we are the ranked team, and we do only have one loss (however awful it might be). We can occasionally do some things well. I think the Sooners will do enough of them to sneak out of the Little Apple with a W. Sooners take it in an ass-clencher, 31-30.

Apologies for the overriding negative vibe in this post. It's telling that I still feel this way, writing this with a week to chill. It's been building for a few season, and I've just had enough. Still, I root on and hope for the best.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner. 

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas State Wildcats

The Sooner Bandwagon as of 4:00PM CST on October 10th, 2015

Well it didn't take long for Sooner championship hopes to squirt hot diarrhea down its trouser legs.

Good Lord did the Sooners get exposed. Defensively, I guess there are some who learned to tackle in some alternate universe where throwing a head at a thigh pad is an effective method. The unit also collectively decided to ignore such fundamentals as, "Play to the Whistle". Texas passed 12 times and still couldn't stop the run, much less key on it.

Offensively, the Bill Dorn, "Ole' Bullshit" pass protection technique did little to hinder a Texas pass rush that sometimes consisted of three linemen. Berry Tramel spent all week defending the Sooner O-Line but, c'mon, they were abysmal. I was stunned to learn that Josiah St. John, the absolute worst of the bunch, is a senior. I also can't figure out if the coaches unwillingness to sub linemen out is due to policy or because the 2nd and/or 3rd string is even worse. Probably the latter.

Schematically, it doesn't appear any Texas tape was watched. The Sooners had a game plan by God and they were going to run it. Until this week, the Texas rush defense had more gaping holes than a Hanoi brothel. The Sooners averaged 1.8 yards per rush.

So now there is all this crap on tape and nobody does more with less than this week's foe, Ol Oversized Windbreaker himself. I  can imagine Bill watching OU-Texas game tape, sitting in front of the hearth with his turtleneck and his all white walking shoes kicked up on the davenport, faithful Sharon brings him a slice of Turtle Pie, his eyes moisten and the television reflects off those cold eyes of his. A faint smile crosses his lips. Buzz-cut Wildcat Nation smells blood.

I'm not excited about it.

OFFENSE

Everything needs to get better and it starts up front obviously. But Baker Mayfield needs to rebound from his worst performance as well. He made bad situations worse by not getting rid of the ball. In zone read situations he made some bad calls. If his receivers can get two hands on the football they need to catch it.

I feel I'm on a two week cycle here but I'm picking Mayfield again. Picking a running back is a joke because the running game is never going to be that important. K-State is going to blitz early and often and Mayfield's going to have to find some space fast and get rid of the ball faster. This is literally the only chance.

DEFENSE

Is it 2014 again where I feel like picking a defensive player is like deciding where I want to get punched? These guys are so annoying. The tackling "display" last week was just embarrassing. I seriously doubt it is something that is practiced. I can't imagine what "technique" is taught that results in such terrible results. I also have zero faith that any noticeable changes will be made. Oh there might be some different faces on the field. It's the players faults after all (sarcasm) but nothing that says, "we've watched tape and we stink at stopping the run up the middle we should get ready for that by finding a safety who tackles reliably and moving him a couple steps closer to the line (or something - grasping at straws here)".

In any case I suppose I'll pick Dominique Alexander. He seems to be the best tackler we have and they'll run all day. Being the best tackler on this team is like a screen door being the best boat in your Navy though.

SCORE

Yes I'm down in the dumps and no longer a believer. One week ruined it. Maybe we can get it back but we're not playing Kansas or Iowa State. These are the only teams left on the schedule who are incapable of scoring 40 on us and I'm shaken at the lack of improvement of the O-Line and our inability to stop the run. That's really everything right there.

I'm counting on a miracle. Punter/Kicker/Freshman wunderkind Austin Siebert wins this one for us today after the Sooners pick off a pass and force a fumble on special teams.

I'll go OU 31, K-State 28.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns

It's Texas week. 'Nuff said.

The Sooners, fresh off a gutty home win against West Virginny, head down south to Dallas and the Cotton Bowl to face a Texas team that, frankly, seems on the brink of imploding. How sweet it would be for the Sooners to deliver the boot that knocks the Horns over the cliff.

All signs point towards a thorough beat down. These are two teams on different trajectories. The Sooners on offense might not be a juggernaut but they are relentless and have yet to peak. Defensively, I am starting to believe. Texas doesn't play very well on either side of the ball and their defense seems to be getting worse the deeper they get into Big 12 competition. The Sooners have cracked the top 10 and might be deserving. The Horns, well, they might be top 10 in Texas.

However, this game being a rivalry anything can happen. The Sooners could just as likely give the ball up five times and crap down their trouser legs for four hours. Texas could make solid decisions and control the action. Charlie Strong's job may not be in jeopardy but a win against his biggest rival could wipe out the sting of a few bad losses. Texas's wunderkind QB Jerrod Heard also leads the team in rushing. Any long time reader of this space (and if you've watched a quarter of Oklahoma football over the past decade) can tell you that this does not bode well. This game is all about players stepping out of the shadows into the spotlight and right now there's nothing but shadows in Austin. Adding insult to injury, even Bevo is so critically ill he can't make the trip.

This year is different. Oklahoma teams of the recent past have had a noticeable lack of leadership on the field. Occasionally a single play can mind fuck them so hard the whole team unravels. That isn't the mentality with this group. If you can make the case that Texas has nothing to lose and that makes them dangerous I think you could also say that the Sooners have everything to gain. For the first time in years it feels like they actually understand this and are prepared to embrace it. This is a business trip for them.

OFFENSE

The offensive line concerns me. I have that nagging feeling that someday it's going to cost them. Not in this game but down the road. If they could only improve marginally there's no telling how far this team can go. You can't survive a season of Baker Mayfield running for his life as soon as the ball is snapped. And you can't take control of a game against the big boys with the running game in its current condition. To hell with making holes, the O-Line has allow either Mayfield or a running back to have time to make a choice.

The Texas D-line is trash so naturally you can expect them to get some push. I don't know if you  counter this with quick passes, straight rollouts or what. I do know I'd ditch the QB run on the 3rd and longs. It's too predictable. And I'd definitely try to get Mark Andrews involved in the passing game. All that guy does is make big plays.

In fact, here's who you need on the field as often as possible (in addition to Mayfield, obviously). Joe Mixon, Sterling Sheperd, Mark Andrews, Semarje Perine. Two of those four need to be on the field at all times. A total absence of any of them for prolonged periods is asinine and over thinking. You can get them rest without being cute. This is college athletics after all where athleticism rules and these guys are too young to get tired.

For my OPOG I'd love to go Mark Andrews. Someone unexpected always steps up and as I mentioned he just makes big plays. But I'm going with Semarje Perine. A big game from him would be a bit unexpected just because he hasn't been able to get into a rhythm so far this year. It's a bit foolish on my part though because for some reason I still expect Lincoln Riley to give a mouse fart about the running game and I don't think he does. But what the hell. Perine could bust out in the passing game as well.

DEFENSE

I'm starting to believe. If you take away some dumbfounding penalties last week, I'd have to say the D played about as well as you can hope against a quality spread offense. There were some breakdowns to be sure but this team seems to understand that a football game is a long slog and one play here or one drive there need not dictate the rest of the day.

I couldn't have been more surprised by Jordan Thomas's play, particularly early on. Evidently he is not interested in being 2015's Gas Rag McGee award winner. It's great to see. Mikey Stoops also threw a curveball when he said Devante Bond and Eric Striker wouldn't be playing much together. It seemed like they were on the field plenty together last week. Again, with the best athletes on the field mantra.

Speaking of Striker, good Lord did he come to play. How wonderful would it be to see him just make Jerrod Heard's life miserable?

In light of this desire and this being a big game I have to go with Eric MF Striker for my DPOG. He's forcing a fumble just watch.

THE SCORE

The Sooners understand the situation. They have a certain something they've lacked in year's past. It could be as simple as maturity or awareness. It could be something more. It's a little too early to tell. But, whatever it is will outweigh the nothing to lose mentality the Horns will be bringing and this one will go as predicted.

The Sooners will be steady eddy on offense and the D will play solid and without the boners from last week. This one is predictable in the most delightful way.

Sooners 35, Horns 14

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Texas

As you may or may not have heard, the Sooners play their arch rival tomorrow the texas longhorns. If you own a TV, radio or have left your home in the last 4 weeks, it's also likely you know that texas hasn't been very good this year. There is apparently quite a lot of conflict within the team. It seems the upper classmen don't like the lower classmen and vice versa. I could give a shit.

texas is talented, though they have (according to Mel Kiper types) a dearth of nfl prospects with not one player expected to be drafted next spring. That said, they come in with 2 losses (OSU and Cal) that very easily could have been wins had their special teams not turned the inside of their unis burnt orange. The Sooners should win this game, they are better in all phases. However, anyone who has watched this series over the years knows, anything can happen.  The blowouts only seem to happen when they are unexpected (I took 2.3 seconds to think about that last statement). With nothing else to play for, this is the season for Ut.

Those that know me personally know I only like burnt orange in one capacity, my nether regions. They also know I expect the worst nearly every week. I am nervous about this. After TCU publicly fisted them last weekend, the masses expect a repeat. I don't see a demolition, I think this will be tough.

Offense

Man, Baker Mayfield is making it awfully hard for me to not pick him every week. He's been stellar nearly every game. Mixon has been spectacular, but seems to have angered someone as he routinely sees about 4 snaps a game. Perine has been relegated to the football equivalent of a closer. I just have to go with Mayfield this week. He's been great and I think he continues to extend plays this Saturday and carries the Sooners again. 300+ yards and he accounts for 4 scores.

Defense

Big stage for the defense against a mobile quarterback. This one will be up to the front 4 to contain the Q and apply pressure. I've been all over the place with my picks on D and so far I don't think I've even come close yet. That changes Saturday. Eric Motherfuckin Striker takes the field for his last taste of Bevo (not beaver, presumably he'll taste more of that down the road). He was an absolute menace last week and I think he carries it over. 3 sacks, tackles by the shitload and a turnover.

Score

The spread I saw most recently was OU by 17.  I don't quite think the Sooners cover. I think it is a somewhat ugly game, but the Sooners do enough to make the sphincter relax by 1:30 or so. For my man RP I think the Sooners put up 40, texas 27.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

If you were a season ticket holder for Good Ol Alma Mater how much would you donate if your non-conference home slate consisted of the following: Georgia Southern, Liberty and Maryland? How confident would you be after hammering these wet bags of turd and heading out on the road for the first time all season against a capable conference foe?

I'll tell you I wouldn't blown my nose with my tickets for those scrimmages and I'd be puckered up like a snare drum if I was West Virginia. Honestly, I didn't know Liberty had a football team. So the Mountaineers have a top 15 offense and defense. Cue the slowest, most sarcastic slow clap I can muster. 

I'm not, by any stretch, implying the Sooners have nothing to fear here. They know how big this one is. They've asked the fans to candy stripe the stadium and they're pulling out the alternate uniforms because they A) need to protect the house (something that didn't happen last year) so they can B) start/stay in the Big 12 championship chase and C) make a strong early season impression on voters/computer against a currently ranked, undefeated team. The Sooner faithful should be in full throat in spite of yet another 11am kickoff.

OFFENSE

This is the key to the whole ballgame. It's going to become a broken record if it isn't already but the Sooner offense is truly the best defense. If the Sooners can get rolling early and pop a defense that's been untested it may provide enough cushion to win the day.

This is true. Georgia Southern got routed by West Virginny 44-0 and attempted 13 passes. This is the best offense they've faced. If the Sooners game plan isn't to hit the Mountaineer defense early, keep them on the field and wear them down then I know nothing. I expect a lot of hands on hips from the Mountaineers. 

The other key for the Sooners is to hang on to the ball. They should have buried Tulsa two weeks ago but turnovers cost them about 31 points. West Virginia is opportunistic and experienced. If the Mountaineers get some breaks off turnovers and capitalize then all bets are off. If the Sooners shove it down their throat and bring a gun to a gun fight they'll win. It's such a simple game really.

The scary thing is the Sooners haven't fired on all cylinders yet. They've gotten off to slow starts, the run game has struggled at times and they've had fumble-itis. They will hit their stride this week. They have 9 receivers for Baker Mayfield to choose from. They have a dynamic backfield (although I can't fathom why David Brooks got so many early carries over Joe Mixon against Tulsa).  I really want to pick Semarje Perine for my OPOG but I can't do it. I'm going Baker Mayfield. He's on fire. His ability to keep plays alive and distribute the ball is awesome. What he did against Tulsa was video game stuff. I'll keep the Semarje card in my back pocket and take ol' Baker. Not sure if he can hit 86% completion for 6 million yards again but I'll be thrilled with less gaudy numbers and the same dearth of INT's.

DEFENSE

I'm a little nervous when the absence of Jordan Thomas is the excuse for giving up ∞ yards to Tulsa. It's also mildly jarring to read that Devante Bond and Eric MF Striker aren't going to be on the field much together going forward. I get it, but how frustrating is it to get picked apart because there is zero pressure from up front? Why not take a couple chances with your best players on the field together? You get scored on anyway. You have to disrupt the rhythm of either the QB or the receivers. I like Striker and Bonds versus a QB than Jordan Thomas et al against everyone else. Especially at home.

Someday, some defensive coordinator in the Big 12 is going to quit trying the same thing over and over and will change things up drastically, shut down some big time offenses and become a well-paid head coach in the SEC. He'll probably come from TCU.

Anyway, I'm skeered of the Mountaineer offense and particularly Wendell Smallwood at running back. My worst nightmare is a 3rd and medium scenario and this guy just shoving it down our throats.

For DPOG I'm making a pick based on sheer force of will. I desperately want someone on the D-Line to get to the quarterback if the Sooners are going to stubbornly refuse to send someone from the edge.

::closes eyes, points fingers at depth chart::

I'm going Charles "Chaz" Walker because I like his name. Note: I am not in defensive indifference mode yet. That won't happen until after Texas Tech I hope. I just want someone on the D-Line to step up and I have no idea who that will be at this point.

THE SCORE

If the Sooners can pick up where they've been leaving off and hang on to the ball we're golden. If the defense can hold the Mountaineers even one touchdown below their season average the Sooners win.

I think the D will do a little better than that and the Mountaineer D just isn't ready for this test yet.

Sooners 49, West Virginny 35

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

The West Virginia Mountaineers

Sooner fans, it's been an exciting year up to now. An improbable road win against a solid SEC opponent, a TCB win against an also-ran, and a grind it out win in a trap-game against a high-scoring offense. Now the season gets serious as conference play begins. It's no patsy either as WVU comes in unbeaten and ranked 23.

In doing some "research" on a website called smokingmusket.com (a website I fully expected to 1. require my credit card info to access, and 2. melt my computer as soon as I entered) I learned that the mountaineers come into the game leading the country in points and turnovers....on defense. Sure, we always expect Holgerson's teams to score, but this one seems to understand tackling and coverage etc. Granted, they haven't exactly played the 2007 Patriots, but nonetheless this is new territory for this team.

Since joining the Big 12, WVU has yet to finish in the win column against OU. The comments I've read from the players leads me to believe they've circled this game for some time. It's their chance to beat a big time team as well as firmly establish themselves as a Big 12 title contender. It's also the first game of a murderous stretch for the Mountaineers (OU, OSU, Baylor, TCU). They've proven they can score, now paired with a solid defense this represents a very tough test for our Sooners.

Offense

With a week off to heal up bruises, tweaks and pulls I expect the full arsenal of weapons to be at Lincoln Riley's disposal. Mayfield has been nothing short of great in every game. He extends plays, takes his shots when they're there, and scrambles for postive gains when they aren't. He's also realized that it's acceptable to go through a progression and throw to any receiver who might be open. No small feat, and one we haven't really seen since Bradford. Now that I've spent this whole section verbally fluffing Baker Mayfield, I'm going in a different direction. This game will likely see plenty of scoring. This one will be won by the team that can grind it out late. After getting embarrassed by Perine last season, they'll be keying on him, that's why I like Joe Mixon to make his name a household one in this tilt. It's his coming out party tomorrow, 150+ total yards and a score.

Defense

This is becoming harder to pick. We've had solid play from several different guys in every game. One area where I feel comfortable avoiding a pick is the secondary. They were just scorched by Tulsa. Truly an awful showing. For this game we will need balance in both the run and pass phases of the game. I like Dominique Alexander to come strong in this one. He's been quietly solid and I think Saturday he makes some big plays and contains the high flying Mountaineers.

Score

This is a huge game, first one of the season in conference, two unbeaten teams, two ranked in the top 25. The winner stays the course for those preseason aspirations, the loser says the right things and quietly begins scoreboard watching. The Sooners have had two weeks to get ready for this game. It's in the right stadium, and they've still got that "nobody-believes-in-us" mentality accompanying a sub-top 20 preseason ranking. It'll be a very tough test, but the Sooners do enough and win it 31-27.


Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.