Oklahoma Sooners versus texas Longhorns

Fuck texas

The 5-0, still undefeated Oklahoma Sooners take on the abysmal and off-putting texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown today at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas. The Sooners are the ugliest 5-0 team in recent memory. But they find ways to win and must do so again today against a texas squad who, if nothing else, will attempt to run the ball down the Sooners throats all day.

OFFENSE

Spencer Rattler showed flashes of brilliance last week against K-State by putting up some gaudy completion numbers. If the offensive line can hold up today I look for him to be solid yet again. By solid I mean #52 redshirt senior Tyrese Robinson needs to pull his head out of his ass. He more or less had a penalty flag stuck in his ass crack all last week.

If the line can hold then perhaps the Sooners can establish a running game. Pundits seem to think this is the missing link to the Sooners being dynamic on offense. 

In this game I always like to pick someone lesser known to step up. Today I'm going with Brayden Willis. He was targeted a few times last week and is a big target that makes for a good safety blanket. 

But the key today is that line and their ability to be aggressive and not commit dumb penalties.

DEFENSE

The texas quarterback seems to be shaky as hell. That's good news. The bad is that shakiness is overcome by brick shithouse running back Bijan Robinson. Obviously the Sooners need to stop him first, second and third. This will stress the db's because you know the Longhorns will try to go over the top.

The Sooners will have to get an INT or two to assure victory methinks. 

Also, the Sooners need to be better at getting off the field. Last week was a mess in the respect. It reminded me of a youth baseball pitcher who perpetually gets to a 3-2 count only to walk the batter. The Sooners need to be better at the point of attack and it will difficult to win that battle against Robinson today if the initial tackler can't at least slow him down while others come to help.

Today I'll go with Nik Bonitto simply because on this side of the ball I have to go with our best on a big day. 

THE SCORE

This is one of the few games you don't have to worry about the Sooners being as excited to play as the other team. If they bring that expected intensity and focus to this one it should be a long day for the Horns. They just have more holes on both sides of the ball than do the Sooners. But the Sooners have shown they can play down to any level necessary to make for a close game. 

I pray that Tyrese Robinson has been removed from the line and that Spencer Rattler enjoys the throwing lanes he had last week. That will be the difference.

Sooners 31 Texas 24

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

texas

 We are back for another edition of the Red River Rivalry, and back with full attendance this year. Which, should result in a pretty raucous crowd I would think. OU has been very consistent this season in that they've been underwhelming. Seemingly, they're content to keep every game within one score. If that trend holds true, I think today will be a loss. This is always a tough, throw-the-records out rivalry contest and I think the edge goes to the underdog for that reason. OU needs to combine a good day on offense and a good day on defense for the first time this year. If they can't get it together in this one, then they truly have no business being ranked in the top 10. 

Offense

My inclination is to go with Kennedy Brooks here. Dude is an absolute monster and he's been the most consistent guy on an otherwise woefully inconsistent team. Spencer Rattler is the antithesis of consistent. He makes so many dumb dick throws that I never really feel comfortable with him. Let's not forget he got benched in this one last year. It was clearly a turning point in his season, but unfortunately that solid play has not carried over. I think he makes some dumb plays today, and I can't pick him for that reason. However, I think he does get the ball to Marvin Mims often today, and I think Mims makes the most of it. I like MM for my OPG. 

Defense

Mirroring the team as a whole, the defense has been all over the place. At times, looking very tough, and then looking like a collective piece of wet toilet paper. In turn, the guys stepping up has been varied as well. For the first time in a long time there are actually a few guys to like on this defense, 11th year senior Pat Fields not withstanding. I'm going with the guy that has really stepped up in this game previously, Nik Bonitto. 

Score

I can't see this being a blowout. While texas has a loss, they're always highly talented and that doesn't really even matter in this one, it's nearly always close. I have a predictable bad feeling today, but I'm going with my hope of hopes. I think the Sooners do just enough to win, but not cover (OU -3.5). Sooners eke it out again, 21-20.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas State Wildcats

 Happy college football Saturday, friends. The Sooners are taking on Kansas State in Manhattan and, oh boy, am I puckered up for it. The Sooners are 4-0 and have done quite literally just enough to win the last two weeks. Now they find themselves playing on the road for the first time against an always game Wildcat squad. In sports, the past is not always prologue but today we've got what look to be two fairly matched teams, especially on defense. It will come down to who is toughest. The Sooners have proven to be tough enough so far. Can they do it again today?

OFFENSE

Well, Spencer Rattler has taken much heat both in this space and from his own home fanbase. It turns out that maybe the offensive line is a little shitty. The Sooners inability to run the ball is costing them dearly. Today we need to find out if the offensive line can improve and if Lincoln Riley can draw something up to carve out some semblance of a run threat. I still cannot for the life of me understand why Kennedy Brooks is not getting more touches. My peanut sized football mind can't figure it out.

All this talk about the line and the run game and yet what the Sooners will especially need today are some big plays which have also been notably absent. Marvin Mims needs to bust out and apparently he has been moved back into more of a slot position. Jaden Haselwood has been good too. But where is the space and separation? Where are the easy throws. I am, again, much vexed.

For my OPOG I guess I'll go with Michael Woods II. He gets a lot of targets and seems to make the most of them. I can't believe I'm guessing on offense but here we are. 

DEFENSE

A quick look at Kansas State statistically would indicate that they like to run the ball a lot and might use multiple QB's. Once again, holding the opponent to 21 should be enough and would be beyond enough in recent years. 

The Sooners need more than that today. Again, no big plays. This Deuce Vaughn (RB, KState) needs to graduate because he's a major pain in the ass. If the Sooners can shut him down maybe they can get a pick or two on some obvious passing downs.

For my DPOG today I'm taking a page of Nate's playbook and going Delarrin Turner-Yell. He was all over the field last week and hopefully can wreak some havoc this week.

THE SCORE

Oh baby I'm nervous. I just don't see the offense busting out so the defense just needs to keep things close and count on Rattler et al to gut it out. Thankfully we have the nations best field goal kicker who is liable to get 4 scores today. That still may not be enough.

Sooners 27, Wildcats 21

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

West Virginia

So far the Sooners have played three games, and so far they've managed to win all three. But aside from the western carolina cupcakes, it's been pretty consistently ugly. Nevertheless, no one looks at how much you win by, as long as you win. Let's hope the Sooners can manage to continue that trend today. Mostly, OU has been a pretty frustrating team to watch. They still give up way too much on third and fourth down and, uncharacteristically, they've struggled on offense. Spencer Rattler has been, umm, inconsistent. He makes way too many stupid decisions that either stall the offense or, worse, lead to turnovers. With the running attack OU has, the passing game should be pretty open. Yet Nebraska sat back in a soft pass defense all day and OU never really took advantage. West Virginia comes in today with a much better defense than Nebraska had, expect more of the same until OU proves they have an answer for it. 

Offense

Coming off of the worst scoring total in five years, OU has a lot to accomplish today. They need to prove that was an aberration and they need to prove that they can score regardless of the defense in front of them. West Virginia has one of the best defenses in the country, it will be tough sledding. My instinct is just to trust that Kennedy Brooks will do his thing and roll up big yards and a couple of TDs. Instead I'm going to outsmart myself and go with Jadon Haselwood. He's starting to show some chemistry with Rattler and I think today is the day he breaks out.

Defense

This is one of the stranger OU defenses I've seen. They looked like disinterested steaming turds against Tulane, they shut out Western Carolina and last week they gave up so many third downs yet held Nebraska to 16 points. I prefer "bend but don't break" to bend and break. But, how about we give neither bending nor breaking a try for a change. I'd love to be well acquainted with the Mountaineer punter before this is over. I'm going to mix it up a little and go with Delarrin Turner-Yell. He's not afraid to come up and tattoo a ball carrier and he's always around the play. I think he gets a pick today and leads the D.

Score

OU is somehow favored by 17.5. WVU just beat 15th ranked VaTech and boasts an experienced QB, a very good RB and that stout defense. This will be a big test for OU. I don't think they cover, and I don't think it's pretty, but 4-0 sounds awfully nice. OU ekes it out 31-30 with a late score.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners versus West Virginia Mountaineers

Last week against Nebraska the defense proved its mettle and it was the offense that had fans pacing the floor. I'm pretty sure it was a top 3 prediction failure for yours truly. I predicted the Sooners would put up 63 and watched as Nebraska played a ball control game while Spencer Rattler looked like he was playing a playground game (in the poor decision making, fuck around sort of way. It was near worst case scenario as the Huskers played way above the heads while, fortunately from the Sooners, making more self inflicting errors than the Sooners).  The Sooners scored 23 and won 23-16.

 West Virginny comes to Norman today to take on the undefeated Sooners. The Mountaineers are fresh off an upset of Virginia Tech. Nebraska wound up being a good test. The Mountaineers absolutely are.

OFFENSE

It's hard to explain Spencer Rattler but it's almost as if his decision making is based off what throw he wants to make instead of just making the right throw on a given play. As if taking what is given to him is too boring. He needs to do everything with flair.

Pretending this to actually be the case, he needs to learn that by playing the system that he will drastically improve his value as a quarterback by taking the throws that are there as often as possible rather than constantly trying to do something gaudy. Hopefully there is enough on film at this point to be able to point out these obvious easier throws. He needs to bore the hell out of himself and make some smart throws today. I mean, I bet he could put a scare in the 80% completion percentage mark if he'd participate in my plan. He should be able to make easy throws that make the offense look like a 7 on 7 drill.

He's my OPOG because I really do want to see him show a command of the offense. 

DEFENSE

Statistically, this defense is everything we could hope for. There are areas that they can improve, sure, like tackling, but defenders (even and especially Pat Fields) seem to be in the right place to make a play more often than not. It could be that I'm high but I don't recall a completely busted defensive play to  date that resulted in a long touchdown. 

West Virginny seems to rely a lot on their run game. The Sooners have been very good at stopping the run. That's the difference today and so I'm going Perrion Winfrey for my DPOG. He's a beast and can ruin some running plans for sure if he balls out. Fumbles seem to be our jam, too, so let's have a portion or three of that. 

Also, I think there are a few guys who were banged up last week who will be back this week. Billy Bowman chief among them. That will help.

THE SCORE

This matchup is probably second on my list of Big 12 games that I'll miss when the Sooners move to the SEC. The states of Oklahoma and West Virginia are constantly battling for rating 49th or 50th (or 1st or 2nd) depending on the  statistic. There are few states we can say, "At least we don't live there" so I think there's some pride on the line in this one. 

Today, the Sooners get back above 40 on offense and the defense plays well enough to carry it under the lights, in PRIMETIME. I'm going Sooners 42, Mountaineers 24.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Nebraska

The Sooners welcome back an old rival today in the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This once storied, hard fought rival has all but withered and died since Nebraska left the Big 12 for the Big 10. Similarly, both teams have went on different trajectories since that time as well. Nebraska has faltered and fallen into steady mediocrity, never really contending for the National Title, nor the Big 10. OU has been nothing short of dominant in the Big 12, and while the National Title has proved elusive, they've made to the playoff multiple times as one of the top 4 teams in the country.  Scott Frost, an old OU nemesis as a player, leads the Huskers into Norman today as solid underdogs, in search of big road win and upset. 

I'm still not sure what OU is. They looked disinterested and underwhelming (as I mentioned last week) in barely beating an overmatched Tulane squad. Then last week absolutely lambasted Western Carolina by 76, covering the spread and then some. In other words, exactly what was expected. Today will certainly be more of a barometer than last week, though I'm not certain if Nebraska is better or worse than Tulane. 

Offense

After a wobbly, turnover laden game in week 1, Rattler had the dominant game everyone expected last week. In fact, you could name several players on the offense as MVP and not be wrong. I don't expect anything of that caliber this week. But, if guys do their jobs and take what is there, they should be able to put some points on a Nebraska defense that is a shell of the former vaunted Blackshirts. Today, I like Marvin Mims to have a big day. I think he stretches the defense and puts up big numbers with over 100+ receiving yards and 2 TDs. 

Defense

Pitching a shutout never hurts, and hopefully it means that week 1 was the wake-up call we hoped for. Adrian Martinez is solid, and he's the type of QB that gave OU trouble in the past as a solid runner that can throw it as well. The defense will have a solid challenge today. I like Isaiah Thomas to contain Martinez and the Nebraska RB's, and even produce a sack today. 

Score

The Sooners are favored by 22.5 today. I think Nebraska plays better than they have been and keeps this tighter than the Sooner faithful would like. Sooners manage to pull out the win today, 41-31.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner versus Nebraska Cornhuskers

Welcome to the show, friends. It's week three for the Sooners and the Nebraska Cornhuskers are making a reluctant return to Norman in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century. The Huskers tried to bail on this game on account of the fact they have been setting football back since they made the move to the Big 10. Alas, the Sooners wouldn't have it. 

The Sooners are coming off a win against FCS foe Western Carolina. It was a game the Sooners needed to look sharp in and managed to exceed those expectations. It was a testament to the Sooners for being interested (which makes me mad to even need to type it). 

The worst case scenario for the Sooners is that the Huskers manage to use the pomp and history of this one to rise to a level factors beyond what they have demonstrated in the last decade. A once a decade performance need not be seen this weekend in Norman.

OFFENSE

On offense today I'm looking for another step forward for Spencer Rattler wherein he needs to find that reliable second wideout. Marvin Mims is clearly his favorite target and, of course, why not. But after that it's flinging spaghetti at the wall. It's not a bad thing to have so many options but who is the safety blanket? I'm thinking it's some version of Brayden Willis, Theo Wease or Jaden Haselwood. Haselwood, in particular, seems ready to get more action. Also, while not a big target, Mario Williams seems keenly interested in showing what he can do. I'm going with him for my OPOG. Something tells me he's going to show out on national tv. 

In other news on offense, Eric Grey looked great last week but he still needs to be used as changeup to Kennedy Brooks. Brooks is the running equivalent of a quick slant in Sooner offenses of yore. You're going to get positive yards every time and more often than not you'll get more than that. Sometimes much more! I think Brooks gets 15-20 carries today.

DEFENSE

Earlier this week, Alex Grinch called out by name most of the returning players from last year and not in a good way. So I am expecting someone among that bunch to come out with fire lit. I'll say it's David Ugwoegbu (Originally spelled Ogboegbo by me before looking it up).  He's my DPOG today and will so earn it by keeping a good eye on Husker quarterback Adrian Martinez.

Martinez seems to be the entire Husker offense so as he goes, they go. 

Keep an eye on this dude named Danny Stutsman. I may doom him to redshirt by mere utterance of his name, but he's a freshman linebacker who is second on the team in tackles thus far and out of his ten, eight are solo. He looks like a guy who Alex Grinch needs to find a way to get on the field more. 

SCORE

The Huskers are hot trash and have been for nigh on a decade now.  The fans need to enjoy the pomp and circumstance of this one but the Sooners need to TCB (take care of business). Tulane is legit probably better than Nebraska. I think the Sooner D takes a big step today and makes life miserable for Martinez and the Sooner offense looks trim and efficient on their way to putting up about 56 on the 50th anniversary of the big game.

I like the Sooners big. 56-24. Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.