Whoa mama, this is gonna be a tough one. The Sooners travel up the road tomorrow to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The days of this being a big brother/little brother matchup are gone. Granted OU holds a likely insurmountable edge in the all-time series, OSU has been consistently good for well over a decade now. The two teams are again highly ranked and again, both have plenty to play for.
The initial playoff rankings were released on Tuesday and they did an excellent job of serving as sports talk fodder and causing much angst and hand wringing. In reality, they mean absolutely nothing. The chances of these rankings being the same at the end of the season (when they do mean something) are as good as my chances of getting a nice bronzy tan next summer. Every team has it's fans (and sometimes coaches) complaining about where they are ranked and what they "deserve" etc about this time of year, I've been guilty of it plenty of times (this year included), but those complaints often have a way of working themselves out in the form of prompt losses. I didn't care for OU coaches and players coming out with that shit this week, if you win, it all sorts itself out. Which brings us to Bedlam, this and every game from here on out are must-wins if OU wants a shot at the playoff.
This week won't be easy. OSU comes in with a very high-powered offense that can score in bunches. If you've watched any OU football this year, that doesn't set up to be a great matchup against the Red Carpet. In my eyes, this game will come down to one position battle, the Sooner defensive line vs the OSU offensive line. If OU can generate consistent pressure without bringing the house, they have a great chance. If not, and the OU secondary is tested, it could be a long, frustrating day. OU will score, but that was never the question, how many times they can stop the pokes is.
Offense
How about the RB situation for the Sooners? I, and many others (I think), assumed this would be a weak point after the departures of Mixon and Perine. If anything it's looking like a major strength. To be fair, they are in a great position to succeed behind an outstanding offensive line and a QB that is a Heisman hopeful. But, nonetheless, they have really done the almost impossible job of being a committee where I'm happy to see any of them come in rather than the opposite. But back to that QB they play behind, he's been next to unstoppable lately. I think big rivalry games like this are what he lives for, I'm going with Baker Mayfield in this one. I think he has monster day and frustrates the Cowboy defense all afternoon.
Defense
In the "Credit Where Due" file, I'd like to submit Mike Stoops photo. I have complained a lot about his inability to make in-game, née in-season, adjustments. After a disastrous opening quarter of defensive football against Tech, the Sooners switched up their fronts and essentially dominated on defense the rest of the way. I have no idea (and even less faith) whether they can repeat that sort of adjustment, but it will be critical to the outcome of this game. As I alluded to earlier, getting pressure on Mason Rudolph and disrupting the run game up front is key. I will be as hopeful as possible and say DJ Ward has a big game on the edge and gets a sack in a key moment.
Score
My gut does not send out good vibes in this one. On the plus side, there is no way they can be looking past OSU. I choose to ignore the minus side. OU will need to play a very complete game, something they haven't done since Ohio State. Let's hope they get it together and crush the flying mullets. Sooners eke out a must-win 29-27.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner
The initial playoff rankings were released on Tuesday and they did an excellent job of serving as sports talk fodder and causing much angst and hand wringing. In reality, they mean absolutely nothing. The chances of these rankings being the same at the end of the season (when they do mean something) are as good as my chances of getting a nice bronzy tan next summer. Every team has it's fans (and sometimes coaches) complaining about where they are ranked and what they "deserve" etc about this time of year, I've been guilty of it plenty of times (this year included), but those complaints often have a way of working themselves out in the form of prompt losses. I didn't care for OU coaches and players coming out with that shit this week, if you win, it all sorts itself out. Which brings us to Bedlam, this and every game from here on out are must-wins if OU wants a shot at the playoff.
This week won't be easy. OSU comes in with a very high-powered offense that can score in bunches. If you've watched any OU football this year, that doesn't set up to be a great matchup against the Red Carpet. In my eyes, this game will come down to one position battle, the Sooner defensive line vs the OSU offensive line. If OU can generate consistent pressure without bringing the house, they have a great chance. If not, and the OU secondary is tested, it could be a long, frustrating day. OU will score, but that was never the question, how many times they can stop the pokes is.
Offense
How about the RB situation for the Sooners? I, and many others (I think), assumed this would be a weak point after the departures of Mixon and Perine. If anything it's looking like a major strength. To be fair, they are in a great position to succeed behind an outstanding offensive line and a QB that is a Heisman hopeful. But, nonetheless, they have really done the almost impossible job of being a committee where I'm happy to see any of them come in rather than the opposite. But back to that QB they play behind, he's been next to unstoppable lately. I think big rivalry games like this are what he lives for, I'm going with Baker Mayfield in this one. I think he has monster day and frustrates the Cowboy defense all afternoon.
Defense
In the "Credit Where Due" file, I'd like to submit Mike Stoops photo. I have complained a lot about his inability to make in-game, née in-season, adjustments. After a disastrous opening quarter of defensive football against Tech, the Sooners switched up their fronts and essentially dominated on defense the rest of the way. I have no idea (and even less faith) whether they can repeat that sort of adjustment, but it will be critical to the outcome of this game. As I alluded to earlier, getting pressure on Mason Rudolph and disrupting the run game up front is key. I will be as hopeful as possible and say DJ Ward has a big game on the edge and gets a sack in a key moment.
Score
My gut does not send out good vibes in this one. On the plus side, there is no way they can be looking past OSU. I choose to ignore the minus side. OU will need to play a very complete game, something they haven't done since Ohio State. Let's hope they get it together and crush the flying mullets. Sooners eke out a must-win 29-27.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner
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