Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Award for "Worst Blogger in September - Sport or Group (In Season)" Goes to:

Me.

Real quick like:

Offensive POG: Lonnie
Defensive POG: Jamelle Fleming
Final Score: 30-13

Cincinnati

Well, our first road game of the season comes at a semi-neutral site. Hopefully that bodes well for our team that, as everyone knows, sucked a giant cock on the road last year.  Our QB was sub-par at best on the road and that includes the Stanford game which everyone assumed was Lonnie turning the corner. As we now know, like a Cinemax late movie Lonnie can tantalize us but for the most part leaves us wanting more. I definitely like the fact that the two time reigning Big East champ has gotten off to a pretty shitty start this season. While it doesn't help our resume all that much to win this necessarily, we've got plenty of tests down the road that it doesn't matter really either. And thanks to the crack reporting of the Oklahoman I've learned that after football Lonnie wants to be a minister (not to mention I've walked a mile in the kicker's cleats, really Carlson? See man, it's clever because a kicker doesn't just wear shoes he wears cleats. I hope that Jenni Carlson gets exposed as the center piece in a 2 on 1 pig roast with Berry Tramel slipping his tattered cock from under his tweed jacket and turtle neck in the back, and Jake Trotter sweating his fat ass off on the other end gagging her. I'm drunk). While I can't think of a worse job than spreading the word of the good book, I'm willing to give him a pass only because we're stuck with him as our QB. I really don't care if he prays our way to victory, as long as we win. As for our opponent, they allegedly have a lot of talent, if not injuries, on the offensive skill positions. However, by all accounts their offensive line is shit. I'm not positive but I think they lead the country in sacks allowed. Which, gets me rock hard thinking of Frank Alexander and Beal pummeling their passer early and often. I feel like our defense might get exposed a little early, but unlike last week I think (hope) that we lock it down in the second half. I honestly don't know much about their defense, but it's somewhat moot if Lonnie can't find and hit our open receivers. Our run game has been slow to get going, mostly because teams can stack up for it while Lonnie flounders. Let's hope that we change that today and hit some big plays.

Offense

This week I really like our run to get going. I think Lonnie struggles enough that he doesn't really earn this award. But, and here's the kicker, I think that Mossis (my dog) Madu comes to play today. I think that DeMarco will get his, but Madu has been poised to break out as the 2 in our 1-2 punch running game. He looked salty against FSU, and in spite of an uninspiring performance last week, I think he's breaks at least two big ones today. I think the oft talked about O-line rotation gets rolling and opens some holes. I like the idea of this very much.

Defense

On this side of the ball, I'm going with the vogue pick of late. I really like Tony Jefferson (true frosh no less) to do something big today. This guy feels like he might be the real deal. I'm already fully in his camp, and he's got future MF'er all but tattooed on his face. I like him to force at least one turn over today, and make two more plays that make us feel funny "down there".

Overall, I'm pretty fired up about this game. Two of Mitch and I's closest buddies are out visiting me and so far our itinerary for the day has us getting lunch and then holing up in a bar and watching this game (amongst others).  It's not often living in NYC that I get to watch the game with legit Sooner fans who know the team and I couldn't be much more fired up about that prospect. As a result, I think we bring it today, but with the caveat that Cincy will be ready. Like most weeks this game was circled for them a while ago. But, unlike most games this one was probably circled for us too as it's our first road test. I think it's a good game, and they hang with us better than either of us would like. But, as always, I think we do enough to go into Red River unbeaten. I like the Sooners in this one shutting them down late and winning 28-17. Again, we don't necessarily impress anyone but we continue to win. Let's get these fucksticks.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Phew. No Shit.

Those were the last two texts exchanged by us after Saturday's game. I'm glad we won, sure. But I'm disappointed that it was that close and even more disappointed in the way it happened. I know that they are like no one else we face, and the option is still a great offense, and all sorts of other horse shit that I couldn't give a fuck less about. The bottom line is we should have won and we did, but we shouldn't have let them back in the game in fourth quarter. I can see them getting some yardage and points, but to let them rally for 14 in the final quarter is unnerving to say the least. After they scored that first touchdown the D should have really buckled down. Credit them for doing what almost no one else has done at our place during the Stoops era: run it up our ass. It shouldn't have to come down to a clutch third down pitch and catch from Lonnie to Stills. But it did, and we held on.

Speaking of Stills, Mitch I really liked that pick and while I'm not sure I'd hand him the player of the game he played his way into the discussion and given the first two weeks I'd call your prediction genius. It's certainly seemed as though he's improved each week and I'm sure the fact that he bailed us out on the last play will build some confidence with Lonnie. I like him to continue to break out.

Finally, I'm not sure I like the way Stoops and Ronnel Lewis seem to be verbally sparring a bit through the Oklahoman. First of all, Lewis had some balls to even try that shit. Second of all, I can't believe Bobby played that game instead of just putting a foot straight up his ass in practice. Whatever, it doesn't really matter I suppose. I hope that amends are made and that is the last we hear of that distraction.

Three and 0 and looking forward to the game this weekend in Cincy. I hope we get back on track defensively and Lonnie remembers not to take the #2 train to brown town in the back of his jockey's just because he didn't get to sleep in his dorm room last night. More on that game later in the week.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

OU - Air Farce

Navin, I really like what you've done here. Might I say drunk writing is a strong suit. As much as I want to agree with everything you say I'll try to shake it up a bit for the benefit of our vast and ever expanding readership.

First let's tackle this Brave or Sooner business. Who gives a shit? This conversation, if it ever needed to take place, should have happened sometime during the Summer. Berry Tramel was too busy writing puff pieces about the glory days of Bud and Barry. I think he has so little access to the locker room that he has to write about stuff like this when there is actual football to discuss. All I know is today will probably be the loudest home of the Sooners yet. I'm indifferent because I'm usually sucking down beers in the parking lot whilst this is going down. But don't judge me. I'm a patriot.

I'm excited to see this razzle dazzle Triple-Option for the Teens (or whatever this decade winds up being called). The Sooners have spent time preparing for it in the offseason and this spells trouble for Air Force. Oh they'll make some play I'm sure but Brent Vanables always says that discipline is the key to beating the option. So far, the 2010 Sooner D has shown it can be quite disciplined. If they play disciplined today then watch out the rest of the season. This D will be for real and will certainly be conference-championship caliber (that's right, already looking ahead).

Offense

I like the Lonnie pick. I really do. But I'm going to go with a bit of a dark horse here in Kenny Stills. He took a big leap from the Utah State game to the FSU game and I see another step today. I sense that this guy can make people miss in the open field and that Lonnie can give him some opportunities today. The WR rotation seems to be set but if the law firm of Broyles, Kenney and Kenny can collectively have some confidence built up by next week that will be huge.

Defense

After reading over the last two weeks that the base package for the Sooners this season will be the Nickel and how this means less playing time for Ronnell Lewis in comes an Air Force team that will take the Sooners out of their base package for most of the game. So, I'm going out on a limb and presuming Ronnell will see more time today and so I'm picking him. Some big hits will keep the crowd bloodthirsty.


The Result

Sometime in the first three or four drives the Sooner D will look shaky and probably give up some points. But no worries as they settle down and depth and athleticism win the day. Lonnie has a fine day and that helps the ground attack also. The Sooners have no problems scoring. I like the Sooners here 35-14.

Boomer to the motherfuckin' Sooner

Air Force

OK, So I was out pretty late last night and honestly I think I'm still drunk. That's probably irrelevant. Air Force comes to Norman today, and by all accounts they've perfected the option and are likely to run it straight up our ass all day long. Well, I have no doubt they'll get their yards but I don't think they're going to destroy us with it. Granted, they've ran it on some pretty good teams and have hung around with a few teams they probably have no business hanging around with. Basically their lack of really talented players have forced them to figure out one thing they can do (the option) and then just keep doing it until they've nearly perfected it. However, while Air Force has played almost everyone competitively the last few years since Fisher (dingle) DeBerry retired/fired/quit (whatever he did, because really, who cares?), I think that playing a legit title contender on the road (not to mention that they currently maintain the nations longest home winning streak) may be a bigger challenge than they're used to. Of course this is the biggest game of their careers and as such we will get their best shot. In that vein, I'm guessing we see a little deviation from their bread and butter early with some play action and some deep shots down the field attempting to catch us with only the run game in mind. But, unlike most of the nonconference schools we play, they are not going to abandon what they normally do in order to fake punt their way to a moral victory. Which is why I like us in today's game. I definitely think they'll get some yards on the ground. In fact, I think they'll get a good chunk more than we're A) used to giving up and B) going to allow by any other team. I imagine there will be moments where the Sooner faithful are pretty pissed off at the fact that we can stop the option. However, I think we will also blow them up a few times more than that and really take it to them defensively.

Also, I know Stoops wants it really to be home of the "brave" at the end of the national anthem but I frankly don't give a shit who we're playing, I'm a big fan of stirring up the home crowd any way we can (even if that move was bitten off of a number of NFL teams, the Chiefs who I might hate more than Texas have been doing that shit since the early 90s). So let's hope the crowd today wasn't terribly distorted by our absolute dismantling of FSU last week, and stay in it even if we don't necessarily do what we want when we want on every single play. I love a game like last week as much as anyone, but to have the expectation that it will happen every week is absolutely ridiculous (possible even ridonkulous, sp?). On to the awards.

Offense

This week I really like Lonnie again, I know this makes two weeks in a row but I'm feeling him and if he can put together two starts in a row like last weeks', then I think that sets him up well to be supremely confidant (what we need) in a tough first road game. I think Air Force spends all of their time in practice playing against an offense that essentially runs the ball (nearly) every down. As such, I think they do a nice job of limiting our run game (clearly our weak point, in spite of the Utah State game). Our O-line hasn't been opening up serious holes since 2008 (possibly the most experienced/best offensive line of the Stoops era, oh and a future #1 overall pick to think about in regard to the passing game), and I don't think we figure that out with this team for at least another couple of weeks and that is being optimistic. As such I think we'll be dedicated to the run game today, as always, but I don't see it really catching fire and I think we'll be able to throw it. Especially if Cameron Kenney really has stepped up into the number two receiver role. I like Lonnie for 300+ and 3 TD's again.

Defense

When facing a team that runs at all costs it seems obvious to pick someone in the front 7 to have a big week. I think guys will up there, and we may even have a Ronnell Lewis sighting in our base set, but I think they are good enough at doing their thing that they will have the guys up front accounted for on a fairly regular basis. That's why I'm going with my second repeat of the young season and picking Quinton (motherfuckin') Carter. I think he's flying around, coming up on blitzes and run support in general. They'll be feeling pretty good getting the front guys accounted for only to have necks broken by a full steam QC hitting the holes faster than their RB's. I like him for 10 tackles today and a forced fumble. That's right, I'm being that specific, so you can suck it.

As for the final score, I like us in this one and I think we'll get a hot start. However, I for some reason feel like the offense might still a bit in the middle of the game. So, I think they'll hang around more than anyone wants them to. I think we'll pull away late and hopefully make the score look like we destroyed them for the benefit of the pollsters who only look at box scores. I like the final to be 36-17. I'm ready to destroy these rotten bitches.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Semirolled

Hey Navin see what I did there? I combined Seminoles and Rolled (as in, the Sooners Rolled over the Seminoles). We didn't even discuss this beforehand. Our title-writing is without peer.

I have to give you serious "props" for nailing two out of two Offensive POGs. I thought it was the best game of Lonnie's career. Hopefully this portends good things and not that Sooner Nation is in line for a season long roller coaster ride. "Stache - The Ride" doesn't sound fun even for a Tuesday night at Buddy's in KC.

Also, the O-Line was phenomenal. Lonnie had all day and they opened up some nice holes. It was an awesome showing by that whole group.

On Defense what can you say other than everything that the Sooners did poorly last week they did well this week. The tackling was solid (again), the seconday got their hands on a lot of balls and Navin is right, the Christian Ponder for Heisman campaign got derailed, "In a great way". It's still early but I think this defense could be something special. As a unit they seem to be smarter than team's past. They are in position, fundamentally sound and even the young guys seem to have a veteran presence. I'm definitely excited for the 2010 Sooner Defense.

As far as Ronnell Lewis as 2010 M.F.er we were spot on. We (rightly) rationalized that an M.F.er cannot be named on hype. This isn't a preseason Watch List. The award is based on known commodities and thus far, Quinton M.F. Carter is proving himself worthy. He's Steady Eddy in the Secondary.

Speaking of, my Quinton M.F. Carter t-shirt is finally being delivered today. Our long national nightmare is over.

I told you I was going to try to do better than last week's Photo Essay. Well, I shot some video because you were asking about the crowd. I was hoping to get some of the pregame crowd stuff but copious beers at the tailgate made us late to our seats.

This will probably get chosen for Sundance or something:

Monday, September 13, 2010

Semolition

Ha! Get it? It's like I mixed demolition with Seminole! Whew, with those snappy titles I'll beating off suitors with both hands...er, nevermind. Anyway, that was a ball stomp in its purest form. Aside from the first drive of the game for FSU, we absolutely dominated in all phases of the game. We single handedly ended Chris Ponder's Heisman campaign. I would have never guessed it would be that lopsided, hell not even Sunshine and Lollipop's Mitchell  guessed it would be that bad (although he was much closer to being right than I was). I thoroughly enjoyed the game and hope it sets the tone for the season. I also hope the Lonnie we saw Saturday is more true to form than the one we saw in week 1. He looked really good and only really missed on a couple of balls that I can think of off hand. Defensively, that was a totally different team out there. Good pressure, and even better downfield coverage. The return of Frank Alexander (see: 2 sacks) was huge, and I don't think I'd be the only one to say that Tony Jefferson looks as though he may be the real deal.

Mitch, what was the crowd like on Saturday? It seemed solid on TV, but then it's easy to be pumped when the team is imposing it's will on the other team in all phases.

From the pat myself on the back and effectively jinx myself out of ever predicting anything accurately again category (not the snappiest title for a category), this is the second week in a row that I confidently say I predicted the offensive player of the game nearly to a statistical T. One could even make a case that I nailed defense too, but Travis Lewis was rather quiet in getting 6 tackles and a pick. Lonnie dominated and really the only thing I missed was that he didn't throw the pick I thought he might. Though Kenny Stills teased me with a couple of early grabs, Cameron Kenney stepped up for the time being as our top second option at WR. In addition to some nice catches and a TD, his block downfield sprung James Hanna on his TD grab. We'll see if he's really figured it out or if it's a repeat of last season where seemingly every week someone new was poised to break out.

Air Force is unique challenge, so much so that according to the Oklahoman, we actually took some time in fall camp preparing for them (precious time not even afforded to the likes of Texas or FSU). They currently lead the nation in rushing (generally what we excel at stopping), and I'm sure they'll get some yards but I think we'll be ready. Of course, I'll get into that more later in the week. For now I'm enjoying this drubbing for the next couple of days. I'm hoping we keep building and getting better.

Finally, as the season plays out in it's early stages, I'm becoming increasingly glad we didn't name Ronnell Lewis MF'er. While he absolutely murdered that poor fellow on that kick return, he's largely been absent from anything meaningful. Part of that is because we seldom run the base 4-3 these days. While it's a bummer he's not in, I'm guessing if he was truly dominating the coaches would find a way to get him out there regardless of the set. On the flip side, Quinton led the team in tackles this week and has generally been a dominant force. I'm pretty damn fired up.