Oklahoma Sooners vs. Illinois State

 Welcome to the 2025 edition of Sooner football! Hope runs high. Dreams inevitably shatter. But not today. Today, the new look Sooners take on the Redbirds of Illinois State. It's the debut of the new look Ben Arbuckle offense led by John Mateer.

The Sooner defense will have to overcome some big losses in Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman. But expectations have folks believing this defense could take a step forward.

There's nowhere to go but up from last year, so let's get right to it.

OFFENSE

The Sooners trotted out a historically bad offense last year led by the hapless Seth Littrel. This year, the Sooners have what they hope is their next version of their quarterback whisperer in Ben Arbuckle and, they hope, the second coming of Baker Mayfield.

Expectations be damned, if they can just even be competent and healthy the Sooners could win at least two more games than they did last year.

Mateer is not expected to carry the whole load. Jaydn Ott is a highly touted transfer running back. The Sooners go deep at running back with Javontae Barnes, Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson. 

The offensive line is also healthy so far, with some big time freshman potentially ready to step in and step up right away.

For game 1, we have to go Mateer for OPOG. He knows the offense and showing some poise and command today will be big time setting the stage for next week's real opener, Michigan.

DEFENSE

The Sooners are stacked up front with Jaden Jackson and R. Mason Thomas. Kip Lewis is ready to lead the linebackers and the Bowen brothers, Eli and Payten, head up the secondary.

I expect some hungry looking players on this side of the ball and they should be feeding off the heady vibes the offense is putting out.

I'm going to go Kendall Dolby for my DPOG as my "Out of left field" pick of the day.

THE SCORE

The Sooners are fired up in this one and the offense gets rolling early. Illinois State gets their check and hits the road.

SOONERS 63, Redbirds 7

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Houston Cougars vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Welcome Sooner fans to a gorgeous late summer Saturday where today the boys take on the Houston Cougars in Norman. Last week the Sooners took care of business against an overmatched Temple team and, while there was a lot to like, it wasn't perfect.

The Sooners offense was poor on third down. Like, almost historically bad, going just 1-12. The offensive line was every bit the cobble together work in progress it was billed to be. But a win is a win and today they play for 2-0.

OFFENSE

Not only was the offensive line cobbled together, Center Branson Hickman went down with injury on the first series of the game. The Sooners have three weeks to get ready for Tennessee and Bill Bedenbaugh is going to have to earn his check.

The Sooners need to find a serviceable combo up front and they need to figure out a way to get to third and manageable. Then they need to run the ball. 

Today I'm picking Gavin Sawchuck. 

DEFENSE

Temple is not good, but the Sooner defense looked pretty darn good. They forced four turnovers in the first half and held the Temple offense to just 197 total yards. About 77 players had a tackle. 

They need to build on this and make it their identity. I'll go Kendall Dolby for my DPOG.

THE SCORE

I expect there to be some unexpected murmurs in the crowd stemming from poor offensive play. In the end, the Sooners figure it out. The defense is a welcome safety blanket. This will be a process working towards Tennessee and the heart of the schedule.

Sooners win going away, 45, 10.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner