Oklahoma Sooners versus Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl

Life comes at you pretty fast, Sooner fans. The last month has been bananas. The Sooners lost to the Cowboys in Bedlam. Then Lincoln Riley bolts for USC. Doom and gloom sets in for a week before the triumphant return of Brent Venables buoys the hopes and dreams of Sooner Nation yet again. We had a season with championship aspirations and a Heisman Trophy quarterback and now we've got the Alamo Bowl, Spencer Rattler gone and Bob Stoops coaching the game.

There have been decommitments,  transfers and opt outs. Rattler, predictably, is gone. Austin Stogner went with him to Shane Beamer and South Carolina and Jaden Haselwood left for Arkansas. Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas and Nik Bonitto are notables on defense who have opted out of the bowl game. These are major blows but much has been salvaged. Theo Wease (he of 0 catches all season) entered the portal but decided to stay, there have been a couple of transfers from the portal on their way in and the recruiting class is still top 10 for whatever that is worth.

Most importantly, Caleb Williams thus far has stayed. I think if he was leaving he would have done so already. But besides going to USC to follow Riley, where else could his situation be improved? Kennedy Brooks, Marvin Mims and Mario Williams have also decided, thus far, to stay. I wouldn't be surprised if Brooks opts for the NFL after the bowl game, however. 

I think they've been convinced to stay by Jeff Lebby who, statistically, has had a top five offense nationally the last three years at Ole Miss. The Sooners offense, by contrast, has been around 40 the last three years. I didn't realize this until I obsessively started following the coaching search.

All of which has me looking at the program in a new light. First, it's possible OU just got better all around. Anybody would say Brent Venables is an upgrade from Alex Grinch and statistically the offense has room for improvement. Second, it's possible that the legend of Lincoln Riley is just that. It will be very interesting to watch the development of his former players compared to his new guys over the next three years. Third, there now seems to be a very intense focus on player development and for OU to become known as a conduit to the next level. 

Oregon, if you can believe it, finds themselves in a similar if not worse situation. They also lost their coach and due to transfers and opt-outs are missing something like thirty players for the bowl game. With expectations now through the floor and nothing on the line, this one looks like it could be a pretty fun one to watch.

OFFENSE

It's Cale Gundy calling plays and one wonders if this means everything will be simplified or if new OC Jeff Lebby has been doing any work trying to install some of his offense to try out. My guess is there will be a let 'er rip approach but with a heavy lean on the run game. By that I mean I don't think the run will be abandoned the way Lincoln sometimes would and I also expect there won't be a lot of playing for field position or punting. I bet the Sooners go for it on 4th at least three times, not including some late game obvious 4 down situation. 

I'll go with CW for my OPOG because I think he'll have quite a few designed runs for him. I wouldn't call it a coronation per se, but I think this will be a showcase game for him. 

DEFENSE

This is where things get real interesting. Nearly the entire D-line has opted out. You have a handful of coaches sticking around before heading off to new jobs and you've got Bob Stoops and Venables around but, in the case of Venables, not technically part of the staff. 

I think this lends itself to a hair on fire approach where a lot of new faces get a lot of snaps to audition for parts in next years D. Things could get extremely ugly but with Oregon being so shorthanded maybe the Sooners catch some breaks. 

Defense seems harder to adjust in a short time frame and I'll be interested to see if there's as much pre-snap movement or if new concepts are being installed. I will be shocked, in a bad way, if the D does not come out highly motivated and flying to the football. Those that are here and intend to be on campus next year should be very keen to be on Venables radar as soon as possible.

For my DPOG I'll go with Danny Stutsman who impressed me all season and who absolutely should be on the short list for players to make a big jump next year in the new Venables defense.

THE SCORE

Surprise, surprise I think the Sooners win this one going away. The line is Sooners -7 and I'd be jumping all over that if I were a betting man. There is no reason to think the Sooners offense can't be potent, especially with one of the best defensive players in the country opting out for Oregon. 

And don't forget this game is a meaningless exhibition, which is when Oklahoma teams really shine. All this points to good times and one last ice bucket bath for Coach Bobby.

Sooners 42, Ducks 17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners versus Iowa State Cyclones

 The Sooners luck ran out last week in Waco as the defense's inability to get off the field cost them dearly. I turned it off when the Bears rattled off a 15 yard run on a 3rd and 12. My crimson colored glasses had me believing that so many close games and comebacks portended a story book season where all the breaks go your way. All this time it was just dumb luck.

Anyway, speaking of disappointments, the Iowa State Cyclones come to Norman today. They no doubt saw the film last week and have some ideas on how to further ruin the Sooners hopes and dreams since they have nothing else to play for at this point. 

OFFENSE

Last week the Sooners just couldn't get into any rhythm. Caleb Williams kept looking to go deep and the running game was inconsistent.

This week there has to be some semblance of a plan to get easy throws to the middle of the field. There just have to be opportunities less than 15 yards down the field. There are too many good receivers for CW to have all day and only be looking for bombs. 

I guess I'll go CW today for OPOG although for the first time in ages it's hard to know where a spark will come from on offense.

DEFENSE

Fuck these guys. I'm so tired of watching them be in a position to stop or slow down someone at the line of scrimmage only to whiff and give up chunks of yards. Seriously, at the point of attack all a defender has to do is slow down the ball carrier and wait for help to arrive. Just wait for the cavalry. But no. It's painful to watch.

THE SCORE

I mean I think the Sooners can win but it's going to be another butt clincher. I'm going Sooners 20, Cyclones 17.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners versus Kansas Jayhawks

 Well, Sooner fans, are you not entertained? Caleb Williams looks like the cross pollination of Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray. I asked my dad if CW should start against Kansas and, after some discussion, he said, "No wonder Spencer was off. He had to be looking over his shoulder."

Kirk Herbstreit was asking for Wet Naps on national television and it was not because he finished his nachos. No, Caleb Williams is that good.

Talk of Spencer Rattler transferring is click bait idiocy though. Spencer Rattler would be a fool to do anything other than put on a headset and absorb as much as possible the remainder of the year. First, he's one play away from coming back in and a championship is at stake. Second, leaving town double post haste because you got outplayed at your spot is unbecoming of a top draft pick. And he's still young. The 2nd best QB at OU last year is leading the nation in passing TD's this year at SMU. He should ask Jalen Hurts how sticking around for a season and then weighing options worked out. 

On to hapless Kansas. There are a few things that have to happen this week. First, everyone stay healthy. Second, Get Caleb Williams somehow more comfortable. Third, continue to let the defense settle in now that the cavalry has arrived. 

OFFENSE

I'm not Adam Schefter but I've watched my fair share of good quarterbacks over the years and what we witnessed in Caleb Williams last week was one of the best QB performances I've ever seen. I've never seen an OU QB look like he's playing chess versus checkers the way I saw. Not a single throw was into double coverage. Almost every incompletion was a dropped touchdown or a pass interference that prevented a touchdown. 

Fuckin-A CW is my OPOG until he decides someone else should carry them. 

DEFENSE

TCU made some plays and the OU offense was brilliant but there's yet more work to do over here. Maybe Woodi Washington and Pat Field and Delarrin Turner-Yell being out make a drastic difference. This week offers a chance to reset the calculus a little bit. Kansas is good at nothing and needs to  remain so. 

The Sooners need to stay healthy and build some depth. Guys like Key Lawrence and Latrell McCutchen need to step up. 

I'm stumped who to pick here. I surveyed the roster and the name Reggie Grimes sticks out. I'm a regular Nostradamus.

THE SCORE

Kansas is a fucking weird place and I hope that means some goofy penalties and maybe a 5th down. I don't want to see injuries or God forbid a struggle. The Sooners TCB bigly.

OU 56 Kansas 10

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners versus Texas Christian Horned Frogs

How about that 21 point come from behind victory against the reviled Longhorns, Sooner fans? And how about that Caleb Williams? Should he start? 

• The Sooners had 500 yards and scored every time he touched the ball when he was in the game.
• The Sooners are trying to win games not please parents.
• What message does it send to the rest of the team if you start Spencer Rattler?
• Rattler was benched for his play, not for an injury.

In short, I'll be shocked if Williams doesn't start. He earned the time the same as any other position. The Sooners are at home and prohibitive favorites. If he's ineffective you bench him. For now, today, he has beat out Rattler. I would be stunned if he doesn't get the call. The offense has not been firing under all cylinders with Rattler thus far. We got a taste with Caleb Williams. Sooner Nation is dying to see how the Cadillac drives. 

OFFENSE

I would love to pick Kennedy Brooks for my OPOG today but loyal readers already know where this column is headed. Brooks has landed on my just announced All Underrated  Running Back Team. He joins Demarco Murray and Samaje Perine in this century and Greg Pruitt from last. Brooks performance against Texas was so strong and he continues to get no love.

Appropriately, we're riding the Caleb Williams train today. The guy has an extra level and electricity that comes through the television. When he trots on the field today the crowd is going to lose their shit. This dude has it.

He's my OPOG and it's job until he loses it. I love how he stuck in the pocket, commanded the offense and made confident throws. He's got this.

DEFENSE

As per usual I have no idea what TCU brings on offense. I'm guessing an average QB who will play solid but throw at least one really dumb INT. They'll have a running back who is solid between the tackles but won't get to 100. I bet they have one really good wide receiver who will expose Jaden Davis or Latrell McCutchen. 

Today I expect a defense that has consistently done "just enough to win" to be their usual selves but they'll shine because the Sooner offense will look more like its expected self. 

For my DPOG I'm going Shane Whitter. He caught my eye last week. Maybe I should rename this award to the Hot Hand on D because that's how I roll. 

THE SCORE

I like the Sooners big on what otherwise might be a letdown alert for a few reasons. First, Caleb Williams starting. Second, homecoming. Third, at night. Iowa is losing at home as I write this. Anything can happen any week. But with factors in play that give the Sooners an extra edge there is no letdown today.

Sooners big. OU 49, Horned Frogs 17.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.