OSU

 What familiar waters we find ourselves in this week. Trying to win, making a case, watching scoreboards etc. It’s as consistent as the leaves changing. The Sooners are once again on the outside looking in and while of course I want them to get to the conference championship, win the big 12 and eke their way into the playoffs, frankly they don’t belong there. The committee is nothing if not flawed, but they got it right keeping OU low. The offense has looked uncharacteristically bad, vanilla even. And the defense is, well, the same. I remarked to a friend last week, during a moment when it certainly looked like the Sooners were going to piss it away to Iowa State,  this has been an exceedingly difficult Sooners team to like. They do so many things shittily. So with that dose of sunshine, on to the picks. 

Offense

The Sooners have struggled mightily here, switching QBs, trying trick plays and still barely scoring any points. It is a thankfully unusual circumstance for one of Riley’s teams. And at this point he gets the benefit of the doubt that it’s an outlier. However, one things had been remarkably consistent, Kennedy Brooks. Dude is as good as they come with that rare blend of power, speed and vision. I am going with him again today. My only question: why are we only getting him 10-15 touches a game?

Defense

Christ they are bad. Horrid tackling, guys out of position, can’t get stops on third and fourth down…and round and round spins the broken record. 

Score

The Sooners go into this one as four point dogs on the road. I believe (though am too lazy to confirm) that this is the first game this year where they haven’t been favored. Nothing else has gotten their attention so far, I’m stupidly hopefully that this will. Sooners do just enough 31-30. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin’ Sooner 

Iowa State

Well, it wouldn't be a fall in Norman if the football Sooners didn't lose a stupid game they shouldn't have. I can't think of a team in recent memory more frustrating than this one. Their ability to play to the level of their opponents is absolutely unparalleled. Frankly, they were lucky to get to 9-0 before they lost one. Tulane should've beaten them week 1. It's been a maddening year, and one where the Sooners don't belong amongst the nations elite teams. 

Offense

I'll say Marvin Mims. My fire for the season took on a lot of water last week and I'm just having a hard time getting pumped up for this one. I hope the offense gets back on track and a good start would be getting the ball in the hands of a playmaker like Mims.

Defense

I'm a believer that coaches need time and a certain amount of leeway in order to get players that fit their systems, to establish their identity as coaches and to implement the strategies that comprise winning football. So I'm not saying Alex Grinch needs to go yet, but that leeway is being consumed at a prodigious rate. 

Score

Iowa State always plays OU very well. They just saw Baylor completely control both sides of the ball. I hope the Sooners might have gotten a wake up call however and can do enough to win today. I think they do, 24-21.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners versus Iowa State Cyclones

 The Sooners luck ran out last week in Waco as the defense's inability to get off the field cost them dearly. I turned it off when the Bears rattled off a 15 yard run on a 3rd and 12. My crimson colored glasses had me believing that so many close games and comebacks portended a story book season where all the breaks go your way. All this time it was just dumb luck.

Anyway, speaking of disappointments, the Iowa State Cyclones come to Norman today. They no doubt saw the film last week and have some ideas on how to further ruin the Sooners hopes and dreams since they have nothing else to play for at this point. 

OFFENSE

Last week the Sooners just couldn't get into any rhythm. Caleb Williams kept looking to go deep and the running game was inconsistent.

This week there has to be some semblance of a plan to get easy throws to the middle of the field. There just have to be opportunities less than 15 yards down the field. There are too many good receivers for CW to have all day and only be looking for bombs. 

I guess I'll go CW today for OPOG although for the first time in ages it's hard to know where a spark will come from on offense.

DEFENSE

Fuck these guys. I'm so tired of watching them be in a position to stop or slow down someone at the line of scrimmage only to whiff and give up chunks of yards. Seriously, at the point of attack all a defender has to do is slow down the ball carrier and wait for help to arrive. Just wait for the cavalry. But no. It's painful to watch.

THE SCORE

I mean I think the Sooners can win but it's going to be another butt clincher. I'm going Sooners 20, Cyclones 17.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Baylor

 Since we last got together for a Sooners game the playoff rankings have been released. Many years ago in my younger and more naive days, the Sooners poor ranking would've given me much angst and vitriol to spew about fairness and blah blah blah. My nephew and I had a conversation that afforded me the new, and strange, role of talking him down as he had the same angst and vitriol I just mentioned. But years of watching, and being let down, have given me perspective and perhaps a whiff of insight. As I told him, none of it matters unless the Sooners win the rest of their games. One loss at this point, and we're pretty much done for the playoff anyway, regardless of our initial ranking. Like it or not, unlike Alabama for example, OU has done nothing to earn the benefit of the doubt. And, if the Sooners do win out (massive "if" given what we've seen from the defense), things will take care of themselves and everything we dream of each season will still be on the table. But, none of it matters if OU rolls into Waco today and loses a tough, conference road game. Which, I fear, is a very real possibility. 

Offense

Caleb Williams has ignited a Sooner fanbase unlike any player I can quickly think of since the likes of Adrian Peterson. Not since AD has any player, let alone another true freshman, been so obviously better than most (if not all) of the players on the field. He's so fun to watch because in addition to all the obvious athleticism and talent, he really seems to be a smart player inherently. Converse to the defense it's nice to watch someone not fuck things up regularly. This is a tough road game against a very good team. And while the Sooners don't win without a great game from CW, the run game is essential to controlling the ball and keeping our abysmal defense off of the field. As such, I like Kennedy Brooks in this one. He has decidedly been out of the limelight since CW took over, but he's still a complete badass. I like Lincoln to lean on him today, and he delivers.

Defense

If you just picked up the newspaper and read the box score, it would look like the Sooner defense played a pretty solid game (by their woefully low standards) against Tech. But it was still the same story of guys out of position, missed tackles, and generally shitty play. And as I threatened before that game I refuse to pick anyone on that side of the ball until they start playing respectably. 

Score

OU is 5 point road favorites, Baylor is a solid team with nothing to lose. This is a recipe for a bed shitting. I'm predictably nervous, and a loss wouldn't surprise me. From here on out the schedule is a real rectum tester. But, one game at a time. I think OU does enough to escape Waco with a win and remain unbeaten. Sooners win it, 27-24. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner 

Oklahoma Sooners versus Texas Tech Red Raiders

 Good afternoon Sooner fans it's a glorious day in Oklahoma. A fine afternoon for a football game. Today our 8-0 Oklahoma Sooners take on the Red Raiders in what on most days might be considered a trap game. Fortunately or no, the Sooners had their trap game last week against Kansas. It was a butt puckering affair that required Caleb Williams to invent a new football play on a 4th down conversion to pull the Sooner asses out of the proverbial fire. 

It's hard to polish a turd that wet but I'm here for it. It's good the Sooners got tested and who cares what it did to them in the rankings. They are still in the drivers seat. Now they have a home game against a team with a brand new coach, then a bye, then they run the gauntlet. It's all out there for the taking. If you break the season up into parts this might be the third act. The Sooners have two weeks to start playing their best ball and then it's six games to glory.

Let's get it going today.

OFFENSE

It's Caleb Williams world and we're just living in it. If I can pick some knits I'd like to see him distribute the ball a little more but it's tough to argue his going to where he's comfortable early and often to Jaden Haselwood. Frankly, he could probably run a smidge more too although the threat of his running is probably enough to keep linebackers in place. 

Today I look for lots of short passes with big plays by receivers. I like Haselwood to have another big day.

DEFENSE

Good Lord, these guys. They have to get their shit together and today everything is set up on a platter for them. They have the home crowd, a terrible team, a new coach and they should have a Quasimodo sized chip on their shoulder. 

So help me if they can't get off the field. They all need to answer the bell. It's exasperating as hell. I'm not picking anyone this week although I like the spirit that Key Lawrence plays with. 

THE SCORE

This damn well better be a total ass beat. If the Sooners can't come out crisp and fired up on both sides of the ball then you really will have to doubt this is the year and this is the team. I'm serious. Today is a fresh start and lots of people have something to prove a play for. 

I'm going Sooners 28, Red Raiders 7 and it better not be that close.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Tech

Last Saturday, in the midst of a complete abortion of a first half against KU, I remarked to a friend that this Sooners team is incredibly hard root for. I love 8-0, but man has it been a headache getting there. Tulane is 1-6, KU is 1-6 and the rest are slew of mediocre teams. What do they all have in common? They've all pushed the Sooners to a 4 quarter effort and narrowly lost. Aside from Western Carolina, OU has been absolutely mediocre in doing just enough to win each game, but not nearly enough to put anyone away until the final whistle. It's brutal. If it continues, the chances of OU lucking out close win after close win to run the table are almost nil. The schedule gets tougher going forward, and by that I mean they're playing teams with winning records, starting today with Texas Tech. Who, while in disarray, still must be salivating at the opportunity to play against the tire fire that is the OU defense. 

Offense

The road to greatest freshman QB in OU history took a slight turn last Saturday with Williams looking decidedly average in a first half in which the Sooners failed to score. No one was calling for Spencer Rattler, nor should they be, but with the defense OU has, there aren't many teams that they can afford to lay an egg for a half against. While I love CW still (that strip of Brooks for a first down will go down as the stuff of legend in OU history), I think the key to this offense is getting Kennedy Brooks rolling early. I like the Sooners to regroup and pound the ball on the ground today. Brooks is my OPG.

Defense

Aside from the Western Carolina game, this defense has positively elite at allowing other teams to stay on the field and in turn, in games. Last year felt like steady progress throughout the season up to the last game where OU had, dare I say, a competent D. Unfortunately the Sooners don't really seem to be getting any better. The things they are bad at warrant an entire book, so forget about trying to do it in one paragraph. Alas, I will try to remain optimistic, but we are nearing the point where I stop picking anyone. I'm going to pick Isaiah Thomas today in hopes that he makes life miserable for the new starting QB for Tech.

Score

Tech comes in amid some turmoil. It's Sonny Cumbie's first game as HC and he has a new QB under center (I think, I'm too lazy to check). This should be a ripe opportunity for the OU D to "get right". But if there is anything I'm sure of, it's that they will not be able to get off of the field on 3rd down and this one will be (sigh) much closer than it should be. The Sooners are favored by 19, I don't think they cover, but they keep the win train rolling. Sooners win 38-30.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Kansas

Going in to last Saturday I felt there was little question that Caleb Williams would be starting. It was the worst kept secret in Norman when Lincoln Riley attempted something akin to a poker face when he decided not to announce his starter. But after the polarized performances in the Red River, how could anyone in their right mind not continue with Williams? Still, I had some fear (as I always do) that when the pressure and time to think that comes with knowing you will be "the guy" set in on CW that he might not look the part as he did when expectations were zero. Suffice to say, that fear was quelled in the most delightful way with a dominant performance where TD passes (four) nearly matched the number of incompletions (five). I was discussing with a friend last night, and both of us were marveling at how much better Williams decision making is with so much less time in the system. Dude is unbelievable. It's nice to have KU now as a less nerve-wracking game to hopefully clean up the defense going into the rest of the season.

Offense

I was hesitant to pick CW last week. Partly because of what I mentioned earlier, but also because I'm a moron and was afraid of a jinx. I'm not going to be "smart" this week and think too much. It's Williams for me today. I think he goes inside, outside, over and around an overmatched KU squad. It should be a lot of fun.

Defense

It's a real accomplishment that what the defense did last week could be framed as an improvement. Volumes are spoken by the fact that a couple of three and outs and a fourth down stop qualify as a successful outing by a team that gave up 31 points to a decidedly mediocre TCU team. But, I'll take victories where they come. Let's all hope that this is a stepping stone and KU presents another one. If the defense can continue to improve (and it will have to in order to reach the playoff) this team could be very fun before it's over. DPG? I don't really know honestly. I'll guess Perrion Winfrey for no particular reason. 

Score

The line is 38.5 for the Sooners today. That's a shitload of points and I have to think if Rattler were starting that's at least 10 points lower. I like the Sooners big, but KU to cover. OU wins it 45-7 on a day that the defense looks just a little better than last week. Let's keep it rolling. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner