Oklahoma Sooners versus Western Carolina Catamounts

Hello Sooner fans and welcome to week 2 where the Sooners find themselves 1-0. As I write this, Ohio State has lost to Oregon. So, while the win against Tulane was an underwhelming and lackluster performance from the Sooners, I'd still rather be 1-0. Nobody will remember that close contest in three weeks.

Speaking of uninspired, how about that Western Carolina matchup. The Catamounts are 50 point underdogs and so help me if the Sooners don't beat it. 

OFFENSE

The Sooner offense comes into this one needing to find a rhythm and the offensive line has to take a sizeable step forward, double post-haste. Apparently Center Andrew Raym only played a handful of snaps last week and is getting the start today. Hopefully that will help the running game which I would love to see move the ball at will. 

Spencer Rattler needs to put up something gaudy today to keep himself on track. I'd love to see some fire out of him. Sometimes he seems bored or nonchalant and he's the guy who can keep the offense playing with an edge. Gabe Brkic being the Big 12 player of the week is like a Willy Mays Hays basket catch. 

Kennedy Brooks is my OPOG. Keep him healthy today and sit him after he gets his 150 in three quarters. The objective of this one needs to be getting the line some confidence and KB's sea legs fully underneath him. My backup choice for OPOG would be Marvin Mims who could easily go for 200 receiving yards himself. 

DEFENSE

I've attempted to rewatch the Tulane game and the D didn't seem that bad in the first half. It seems like the whole team took the second half off along with Sooner nation. These gentlemen need to play 60 and be able to get off the field on third and medium-long and fourth down. 

Today is a chance to play a shit ton of people and start figuring out who wants to be out there early and often. For my DPOG I'll go Isiah Thomas. He stood out to me last week and I'm riding the hot hand. 

THE SCORE

If the Sooners can feign interest for 60 minutes today they should be able to win 63-10. The worst nightmare would be injuries and/or a rash of penalties. This is nothing more than a tuneup and should be treated as such. I think they can turn last week into a positive because Lord knows they couldn't walk away from that without having plenty to improve upon. Let's see it today. TCB and be crisp.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Western Carolina

 Last week might have broken a record. The oft-mentioned record for most precipitous fall of my expectations, hopes and dreams of a solid Sooners team on both sides of the ball. It was at a nadir about half way through the first quarter. Then the second quarter happened and by half time my pucker factor was nearly zero. And yet, that was only the beginning. The defense did very OU things all the way through the game, namely maintaining their unprecedented ability to never get off of the fucking field with a key stop. But, the particularly maddening part is that the offense was unable to punch it in the end zone with several second quarter opportunities. Then, put up a staggeringly shitty performance in the second half. It turns out that an inability to score coupled with an inability to stop the other team is a 3 michelin star recipe for shitting the bed and blowing a lead, no matter how comfortable it might've seemed. 

Suffice to say, I was disgusted with the debacle we saw last week. And though I had certainly been drinking the proverbial kool-aid that this might be the Sooners year to compete for a national title, I've since spit it out and started chugging my patented doomsday grog. They have, presumably, one week to get their shit sorted on defense, stop throwing ridiculously bad interceptions, and get the ball in the end zone. The season isn't lost by any stretch, but it will be in short order if dramatic improvements aren't made on both sides of the ball. 

Who is Western Carolina you ask? I surmise they are in North, or possibly even South Carolina. If I had to guess, on the western aspect of the appropriate state. 

Offense

Spencer Rattler did not look all that great last week. The talent was never in question, and I was happy to see him tuck the ball and get some yardage with his legs last week. But these horrid interceptions that plagued him early last year will cost this team big games unless they are corrected. Today seems like a good opportunity to do that. While Kennedy Brooks was a beast last week, and I expect more of the same today, I'm going to go with Rattler for my OPG today. I think he rights the ship and cleans up the mistakes.

Defense

My god that was painful to watch. I appreciate the turnovers, those were huge and in the end, the reason the Sooners won. But it would be nice be able to generate pressure without blitzing, and even nicer to not leave WRs completely uncovered on obvious passing downs. I'm not completely demoralized by this defense yet, but I'm damn close. I really liked what I saw out of Perrion Winfrey at the end of last year. He's a big man and I like him to get a couple of sacks today.

Score

OU is favored by 50.5 today! After last week, I can't imagine doing enough of a 180 to cover that monster spread. But, I still think it's a drubbing. I'll take OU today 52-10. Let's get the bus back on the express route. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tulane Green Wave

Welcome back, Sooner fans. The world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket* as I type this but football is moving forward. Football will always be there. Speaking of forward, forward and upward is the trajectory of our Sooners and, if you can believe it, expectations and hype are higher than any year in recent memory. The Sooners take on the Tulane Green Wave in week 1.  Spencer Rattler is the early odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The Sooner D, fresh off an ass beat of Florida in the Cotton Bowl, look as though they may not give up even a first down, much less a point all season. This in spite of notable departures at key positions in Country Music and PRCA Champion Ronnie Perkins and defensive backs Tre Brown and Tre Norwood.

Alas, the hype is much deserved. Spencer Rattler is back and should make a noticeable leap, the mere thought of which is kind of bananas. And he's surrounded, as per usual, with dynamic playmakers like Marvin Mims and Kennedy Brooks (who should be in incredible shape after a year off). It is with regret I do have to mention that dumbassery has negatively impacted this side of the ball with Trejan Bridges, Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson all running afoul of the law and Marcus Major flunking his classes. All of these guys would have seen the field a lot. So it goes. 

OFFENSE

The Spencer Rattler leap is going to be fun to watch. The key to it happening is going to be making sure he doesn't get into any lulls where he's trying to do too much too fast. He needs rhythm. The addition of Mario Williams at wide receiver should help.

I'm also keenly interested in the running back group. They are thin and led by Kennedy Brooks. He took last year off because of Covid. Eric Gray is his backup and comes from Tennessee. Then there's.. nobody. I imagine Jeremiah Hall is going to get a lot of action. I'm not saying he's Rhamondre 2.0 but if you asked Rhamondre to play TE he could do it and he would look like Jeremiah Hall. That's trouble if utilized correctly.

For my OPOG I'm going Spencer. It's opening day. He's the Heisman front runner. Let's do this. 

DEFENSE

Expectations are sky high for this group which is a nice change. There are key pieces to replace in the secondary but it looks like the DJ Grahams and Woodi Washingtons of the world are ready to step up at defensive back.

Today I'm watching the linebackers and nickle spot. There is talk about how the 'backers are some of the best the coaches have ever assembled. Let's see it. I'm going Nik Bonitto, preseason All American, for DPOG. How nice is it to have a front seven that is full of playmakers? Also, interestingly the Sooners feel they have enough depth to use eight guys among the front four. 

As far as nickle goes, Billy Bowman is the guy to watch. Much ballyhooed out of high school, he was expected to see the field on either side of the ball and he's getting his first chance on D replacing departed knucklehead Brendan Radley Hiles. I think he might also be a kick returner. He's a serious athlete.

THE SCORE

It's a shame climate change has moved this game to Norman. That would have been a cool atmosphere in Nola. I don't think it affects the outcome much. I expect the Sooners to cruise with the second unit on offense getting some oohs and aahs in mop up time. If Caleb Williams gets to play that will be must see tv.

I'm going sooner 49, Green Wave 10

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner!

* When I speak of the world going to hell I mean specifically that this past week Hurricane Ida ravaged most of the eastern half of the United States, starting with Louisiana. The Sooners and Green Wave were scheduled to play in New Orleans and now the Sooners get an extra home game. 

Tulane

 Welcome back loyal reader(s)! It is the dawn of yet another season here at The Steamroller. It's been a pretty exciting off-season, which is a relative scale to say the least, and we are on the cusp of another college football season. Since we last were here, our beloved Sooners, and texas have made the decision to move to the SEC. Essentially creating one conference to dominate them all and leaving the rest of the college football landscape to lurk in the shadows. The Big 12, and any lingering remnants of the Big 8 (I'm an old bastard), will finally be extinguished. I'm torn on this because I'm nostalgic, but also realistically this is a good thing for OU. No matter, it will be fun. I digress, on to the season at hand...

OU finds themselves unexpectedly in the friendly confines of Owen Field today. As most (all?, because c'mon, no one reads this that I don't force to) of you know, my wife and I live in New Orleans. The city was hammered by Hurricane Ida last weekend, and large parts of the city still do not have electricity. It's a sad state, but New Orleans is resilient and this too shall pass. In the meantime, a football game at Tulane was not feasible. So, the Green Wave are making their way up to the Sooner State for the season opener. In spite of the fact that OU is surrounded by the most optimism in probably a decade, Tulane is not a pushover. Couple that with a very real rallying point of overcoming a natural disaster to play this game, I think the Sooners have their work cut out for them. 

Offense

The Sooners got some bad news this week when it was announced that potential break-out player, WR Theo Wease would miss "several weeks" with a leg injury. The only silver lining to that is that WR is probably where the Sooners have the most depth. Nevertheless, it's a big loss as Wease is no Judge Smails, i.e. a slouch. In spite of that, the Sooners offense appears to be "loaded." They return almost every major skill player except Rhamondre Stevenson. But, while his loss hurts, they get back Kennedy Brooks (last season opt-out) and raise you one Eric Gray (transfer from Tennessee). Not to mention, the presumptive Heisman favorite Spencer Rattler at QB. I'm fully a firm chub at the thought of this. While I think Rattler has a great game today, I'm picking Kennedy Brooks today. I think by the end of the season that Brooks is established as one of the top 5 backs in the country. He sets the bar today with 100+ rushing yards and a TD. 

Defense

This portion of the column has been such a shitshow the last decade or so that I often don't even bother. However, I think this year might be a little different. Are the Sooners going to be a top 5 defense? No, they are not. But, they don't have to be either. They simply have to be adequate. And I am very optimistic they might actually be adequate. I hope that wasn't the jinx to end them all. Today I like Nik Bonitto. Dude was a beast last year and I think he picks up where he left off and leads a quietly solid defense today.

Score 

The line has OU winning by 32. I love the Sooners and I am cautiously optimistic about the season from a Playoff perspective. But, Tulane has talent.  I like the Sooners to win, but I'm taking Tulane to cover city. OU wins 41-21. It's good to be back.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

The Cotton Bowl

 The Sooners snatched victory from the jaws of defeat once again this year, this time in the big 12 Championship. Although, held the crushing jaws of defeat open just long enough for the clock to expire is probably more accurate. The Sooners defense has definitely improved, but building leads and riding the defense like they’re the 2000 Ravens has not been successful for OU this year. Can Riley be content to take the defensive stops where he gets them and still try to score 50? Please? It’s still a win if you don’t leave a melted M&M in the seat of every Sooner fans jockey’s. 

Florida play a de facto away game in this one due to proximity to Norman as well as the many Sooner faithful in Dallas. However I think the limited capacity will more or less mitigate that. Also, the Sooners seemingly caught a break when all-world TE Kyle Pitts sitting out to prepare for the draft. They still have weapons, and the Sooner D still hasn’t fully convinced me. I think this one will be close. 

Offense

I’ve been fully on board the Rhamondre train and he’s done nothing but deliver so far. I think he’ll be a key in this one. As always Rattler will need to take what is there and not turn the ball over. I think the passing game will be key and I think (hope) Lincoln elects to not take his foot of the gas and aaa result I like Marvin Mims as my OPG in this one. I think this his national name recognition moment. 

Defense

Why break precedent? Step up in this one, and we’ll talk next fall. 

Score

Florida can score and Dan Mullen may be an ass but he knows how to coach a football team.  The Sooners really have their work cut out for them with a young QB and shaky defense. I think they step up enough on defense, Rattler lets the game come to him, Brkic gets his head out of his ass and the Sooners do enough, 33-31. 

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Oklahoma Sooners vs. Florida Gators

Goodyear Cotton Bowl? More like Badyear Coughing Bowl because of Covid, amirite? Enough jokes. We have a quality matchup of blueblood programs today in Dallas. The Sooners, as has become their stock in trade, have shrugged off inexplicable in-season losses and back doored their way into a New Years Day Six Bowl. The Gators are looking to re-establish their place amongst college football's elite. The Sooners can make a major statement with their defense, effectively putting the college football world on notice for next year. The Gators can make a statement by, well, beating the Sooners. Each team has much to prove. 

OFFENSE

I don't know shit about Florida football and I have zero interest in learning more than I have to. Here's what I do know. In general, the SEC takes pride in its big, fast, physical defenses. From what little I know of Dan Mullen, he seems to fit that mold. He kind of reminds me of Tom Herman for some reason. Anyway, I'm spinning this yarn to say I would think the Gators would like to bully and push around Spencer Rattler and his wide receivers. The Sooners offense, with the notable exception of Rhamondre Stevenson, seem to be finesse type players.

For instance, you won't see Rattler lowering his shoulder on his way out of bounds and then hopping up and woofing like Baker Damn Mayfield would. But I can damn sure see Florida woofing and trying to bully Rattler. They'd probably be happy with an early late hit on SR.

So can the Sooners take the punch, keep their poise and deliver some haymakers of their own? Yes of course through my crimson colored glasses I can see the way.  

Quick aside: Do we think Rhamondre was okay physically against Iowa State? I mean, some runs he seemed very slow in attacking the line. Was he trying to be Le'Veon Bell or was he unable to accelerate? it's important because he's key. He did have almost 100 yards and averaged 5.4 per so I'm inclined to think he's ok. 

Beyond, Rhamondre, it is crucial for the O-Line to have their best game of the year. If Spencer has time to throw it's game over. You know he can make All The Throws and if he meets with some early success it's swagger time. I'm taking SR for my OPOG. 

DEFENSE

It is reported that Florida is very heavily tilted towards the passing game. Well, whoopty friggin do is what any self-respecting defense in the Big 12 should say. But the Sooners are only becoming self respecting so they best not slip. 

I feel comfortable that they will have a good game plan. I see nothing that would indicate that they won't play hard. They are who they are at this point. 

Is Kyle Trask the best qb this defense will see all year? Is he better than Sam Ehlinger or Brock Purdy? The answer to both would seem to be yes. (Editors note: He's a Heisman finalist, stupid) That said, can the Sooners force him to make some mistakes and how will they do that without Trey Brown?

It is helpful that the Gators are without Trask's favorite receiver. That will somewhat offset the loss of Brown. The Sooners need to make Trask uncomfortable and hopefully he can't run. His career rushing average of .4 ypc would indicate he is not much of a dual threat. 

That seems like a big advantage. For my DPOG I'm going Perrion Winfrey. He's missed on a lot of backfield tackles lately but has been absolutely hounding QB's. I feel like he gets them today and generally makes life miserable for Trask.

THE SCORE

I think this will be another grinder. Good news is the Sooners are accustomed to it. I'm taking the Sooners here in their home away from home 35-28.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.  

Big 12 Championship

 Nothing like getting this up after kickoff. It will be appropriately short/bad as a result. 

Offense

Rhamondre Stevenson. He controls the ground game in full truck horn mode. 

Defense

Still not picking anyone here. 

Score

Sooners favored by 5.5, they win but don’t cover. Sooners take it 37-32. 

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.