Oklahoma Sooners versus Texas Christian

 Good morning, Sooner fans. Would you agree that it's always a better feeling coming off a win against Texas? The Sooners won a classic by coming up big on defense in overtime but it shouldn't have had to come to that. Predictably and regrettably, that same Sooner D allowed Sam Ehlinger to run roughshod in the final minutes to tie the game up. Alas, a win is a win and it represents a step forward for the D. 

Today it's TCU and a perfect trap game for the Sooners. Gary Patterson is a crafty sumbitch and will no doubt have gleaned some key data points from the Sooners game tape. The key for the Sooners is, like always, can they bring the same mentality and effort level they had against Texas into Fort Worth today? History says it's doubtful.

OFFENSE

Spencer Rattler got benched in the first half which may have knocked him off a few Heisman ballots. More important, it exposed what seems to be his biggest weakness which is his trying to do too much. His arm is incredible and clearly people have told him as much. He believes that it's not only okay to throw back across his body into double coverage but that, unlike anyone else in the history of high level football, that it will work. Does he watch other football games? He needs to chill out and I think that's essentially what Lincoln Riley told him. To his credit, he came back out in the second half and played really well and made some nice throws when he had to. 

Importantly, he found his safety blanket in Austin Stogner. The next step is to find that wide receiver who makes things happen one on one or in space. That person is Marvin Mims. The O-line needs to provide enough push that the Sooners average 4.5 yards per carry. If they can do that it's ballgame.

Today I look for a ball control game with easy throws and reads from Rattler to continue to build up his game management skills. I'll pick him for my OPOG.

DEFENSE

Even if his defense has not turned it around as quickly as anyone would like, Alex Grinch is a breath of fresh air from an honesty perspective. His transparency with the media offers actual insight. For instance, he admitted that, like everyone, he had no idea what to expect with the pandemic and in hindsight believes he may have fucked his planning up tremendously. He said he tried to get young guys college ready and, before he knew it, they had to be game ready. Hence, the initial lack of fresh faces on the field, particularly in the secondary. Now some of those young guys are finding the field and hopefully they will be able to stay there. Also, it is my most sincere hope that there is someone coming up behind Patrick Fields who is just brutally awful this year. He sticks out in a bad way on an average at best defense. Grinch jokingly warned his team that if the play more consistently like they did against Texas they may find themselves being accused of being decent.

Today I fear the Sooners will not have the same mentality as they brought to the table last week. If they do bring it that's a win on a number of levels but none more important than it may signify Grinch's attitude shift is starting to gain traction. 

I also worry that Gary Patterson has some bullshit up his sleeve and we as fans are to be subjected to long sustained drives with back breaking third down conversions. Maybe I just have PTSD from watching it week in and week out for the last 12 years it feels like. 

In any case, I'm still not ready to pick a DPOG.

THE SCORE

I am optimistic that Spencer Rattler is going to take a step forward after having been benched and that the Sooner D is unwilling to take two steps back in their quest to be decent. I think if the Sooners can average 4.5 yards per rush it's ball game. 

Sooners 38 TCU 24

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners v. TCU Horned Frogs

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnfjawwaaso7zg9/SoonerSteamroller_05_OUvTCU2014.mp3?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnfjawwaaso7zg9/SoonerSteamroller_05_OUvTCU2014.mp3?dl=0

Oklahoma Sooners 2012 Schedule Preview

It's opening week and the nadir of hope and optimism.  Time to foist the crimson-est of crimson colored glasses onto your chubby happy cheeks.

On the eve of their epic quest for glory, let us take a walk through this rainbow filled glen and look ahead at each opponent the Sooners will annihilate.

September 1st, 2012 at University of Texas - El Paso
The last time the Sooners played a Mike Price coached team it was a PlayStation performance for the defense in the Rose Bowl against Washington State. Virtually every unit on offense and defense needs to work the kinks out. I, like everyone else, am keenly interested to see how the defense looks.

September 8th, 2012 Florida A&M
I heard tell that the famous Florida A&M band was not making the trip to Norman for this one. Hopefully it's an ugly, vicious rumor. Else, why schedule this one? I suppose it will satisfy the blood thirst. Also, it will make me pop a vein in my forehead to see the empty seats in the student section.

September 22nd, 2012 Kansas State
This will be a decent test I suppose. If nothing else the Sooners should be tuned up by this point and good and healthy.

October 6th, 2012 at Texas Tech
Revenge Game. Tech always is a tough place to play. There's something about that Tommy Tuberville I just don't like. He's got an arrogance like he's playing chess vs. checkers since he came from the SEC. In short, he's a jerkoff and I hope we shit down their throats.

October 13th, 2012 Texas, at Dallas
Not worried. As long as Mack is suckling on the teat of some pre-Madonna QB's Mama and promising playing time for her blond-hair blue-eyed kiddo the Sooners have this in the bag.

October 20th, 2012 Kansas
Charlie Weis inherits what might possibly be the largest dearth of talent in Division 1 (or whatever it's called today). A perfect tune-up for Notre Dame.

October 27th, 2012 Notre Dame
This is one of the most highly anticipated non-conference games that I can remember. Every one and their dog has this date circled on the calendar as the "game they are going to". I hate giving any credit to Notre Dame (backhanded compliment alert!) because they are so overrated but the name still does carry massive cache'. Also, the Sooners have a hard time against them. Sooner Magic has historically been trumped by the Luck of the Irish. There are only two (!) home games worth a shit this year and this is the first.

November 3rd, 2012 at Iowa State
Potential letdown game after the whipping of the Irish. One thing Iowa State does is play hard. The Sooners will be a battle-tested fine tuned machine by now though. This is also the point in the season where, in recent years, the Sooners have been undefeated but still manage to come out flat. It is the bane of my existence and I do not want to see it this year.

November 10th, 2012 Baylor
Revenge game. I also have to believe that a Robert Griffin the 3rd-less Baylor team is a neutered Baylor team. Also, the defense can not be nearly as porous as last year. Plus it's at home. Plus it's a revenge game. Also, it's at this point in the season when I start thinking Brent Venables needs to be fired. Looking forward to not worrying about that.

November 17th, 2012 at West Virginia
Well everyone thinks this one will be huge. It will almost certainly have a deep conference impact. Of course there is also the novelty of West Virginia's entrance into the Big 12. You couldn't pay me to travel to Morgantown as a fan of the visiting team. As an Oklahoman we can make fun of about 5 states. West Virginia tops the list.

November 24th, 2012 Oklahoma State
All roads to glory lead home. Revenge game. Cowboys fans are drinking the Kool-Aid hard by already trying to convince themselves that their true Freshman Quarterback has all the skills (plus he's a better athlete) than 28 year old Brandon Weeden. I also overhead someone trying to seriously assert that some WR (really the name is irrelevant) is better in all phases of the game than Justin Blackmon. Puff Puff Give you HIGH motherfucker.

PS this is the other home game that's worth pissing on.

December 1st, 2012 at Texas Christian 
TCU's roster got decimated by some hard working Christians on the roster had their highly profitable pot-ring busted. But they need to be taken seriously. Especially when they are the only thing standing in the way of perfection.

Up next we'll discuss the 2012 MFer award and we'll throw a few team oriented predictions out there as well.