texas

The 2016 iteration of the Red River matchup is upon us. For the last decade and a half or so, this game has been huge. With national title implications for one, or both, of the teams, the nation historically turns its eye to Dallas in early October. At 2-2, both OU and texas have fallen off this season from lofty standards. Not even network television is interested enough, as the game is relegated to cable tv back-burner, FS1. Nonetheless, two states will put down whatever they're doing to tune in. 

Charlie Strong is again coaching for his job in this one, and Stoops ought to be. Though the Sooners won in TCU last week, it wasn't exactly a confidence inspiring performance. I guess the hope will be to run into a defense each week that is (improbably) more atrocious than our own. I digress, I will lay off of the hate this week as much as I can. This game is too big and too fun to get caught up in that. This type of game is what makes watching college football so much fun. No matter the stakes, this game gets the blood pumping like no other for Sooner nation. 

This game should be a struggle in the sense that neither team is particularly good at football. Each has bright spots, and each are cancelled out by equally abysmal facets of the game. I don't exactly know what to expect in terms of how this game will play out. I do know that the atmosphere will be electric (as always), and the teams will be fired up. It's a good day to be a fan of both teams, at least until 11AM CST. 

Offense

Baker Mayfield looked like Baker Mayfield! last week. That was fun. Make no mistake, TCU has a terrible defense, but making big plays and scoring a lot of points is always a good time. Mixon is a beast, Perine is a beast, Mayfield is a beast; in short, we have a decent collection of beasts. Who will play well today? I say Perine. He's kicked some ass in this game in the past. He's been relatively quiet this year running behind the offensive line heretofore known as Pussy Olè. Today he gets off, and cements his name in Red River lore.

Defense

WDBWYS? (see last week's post). I should make a knitted bracelet.

Score

It seems everyone in the world is expecting a track meet. Rightfully so; neither team has much interest in tackling or covering. But I'm going with my patented move based on anecdotal evidence of the highest order (the only evidence I use) where the score flies in the face of expectation, and unlike recent weeks my heart can't be ignored in picking this one: Sooners 22-20.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.