UTEP

 What an offseason it has been. The Sooners Football Program begins this season with a new coach for the second time since 2017. When Bob Stoops retired, I think his main goal was to turn the program over to a coach that he thought could lead the program for the next two decades or more. To turn it over to someone that would become the next legendary Sooners coach after Wilkinson, Switzer and himself (sorry John Blake). And then we all know what happened. But, my guess is that he has to be pretty happy with (and likely had a hand in) his long-time friend and assistant being the man that is in the spot now. As much of a dick punch Riley leaving felt like at the time (and it is still pretty shitty the way he did it), there are reasons for optimism. Lebby has led better offenses the last few seasons than OU had and Alex Grinch will be difficult to replace in the way that it's difficult to replace a roll of toilet paper. In short, I don't think it's a reach whatsoever that OU could conceivably get considerably better on both sides of the ball immediately. Talent will be the initial question mark and of course there will be growing pains with guys playing in a new system and learning a new playbook. That last part, however, might be somewhat mitigated by the fact that transfer QB Dillon Gabriel played in Lebby's system before (to the tune of 3600+ yards, 29 TDs and a 156.9 QB rating as a freshman). On defense, there is almost nothing but room for improvement. It's telling to 1) hear former Sooners in the NFL openly disparage Grinch for how bad he was and 2) see how much success guys have in the NFL after not doing a ton at OU. 

There were so many frustrating things about the team last year, but nothing irritated me more than their ability to play to the level of an opponent. Seldom did OU dominate and put teams away. Every game felt like it came down to the last possession. That's all wonderful when you're playing a tough road conference game or a top 10 matchup. But when you're playing conference doormats and teams like Tulane (that went 2-10 last year including 0-6 on the road) to a 40-35 (they gave up 35 points!) barn burner win, that is pathetic. Let's hope the new era starts with a dominant ass beat, backups in the third quarter, smiles and backslaps on the bench--of a 3rd tier team. As it should be. 

Offense

While most of the flashy recruits are gone, there is still a lot of talent on this side of the ball. The guys we know like Mims, Marcus Major, and company can play. I would say RB is a bit of an unknown as Major and Gray were solid in the past but both have talent and I think Gray catches a ton of passes out of the backfield in this offense and both of them have a great year. WR looks very good again, the offensive line has some new faces but looks promising and TE is in the capable hands of Braden Willis who has been with OU since 2003 seemingly. But, as predictable as it might be, I'm going with the new face at QB and Dillon Gabriel today. I think he absolutely light up UTEP and we get some garbage reps for the other QB transfer Davis Beville. I like DG for 300+ yards, 4 TDs and no turnovers.

Defense

There are some things to like about the defense in spite of the fact that they were pretty mediocre last year and lost several key players to the draft. Most of that stems from the hope that there is someone competent coaching them for a change. I like Key Lawrence and Woodi Washington in the secondary, and hopefully Jaden Davis can recapture whatever he had that made him look so promising as a freshman. The DL has several good (if no real stars as of yet) guys rotating in and out that they should be strong through four quarters. The LBs are strong with Ugwoegbu and Stutsman and DaShaun White. Today I like DaShaun White for DPG. He earned the famed Cheetah position in Venables' defense. I think he makes a ton of tackles and forces at least one turnover.

Score

I know almost nothing about UTEP. I do remember them coming to Norman many years ago and OU barely winning against Mike Price's bunch. This UTEP squad is already 0-1 (losing in their opener to the Flying Seth Littrell's of North Texas 31-13), and I predict the Venables era starts with a bang. OU dominates 45-6. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner