Florida

 At long last, and way too late, the Sooners finally closed the book on the Ben Arbuckle experiment disaster. I've gone over the why's quite a lot here so I'll skip that, but suffice to say I'm pleased with the move. What I am not pleased with is the abysmal performance by the defense against south carolina. What an ass kicking we got at the hands of a pretty mediocre team. The arbuckle firing will buy some time, as will the massive contract extension and its buyout, but the seat is getting a little warm now for old Venables. 

The Sooners travel to Florida this week and normally I'd be hand wringing about a game that would be very tough on the road, but is winnable if the team plays well. As it stands, I have no delusions of winning. I full expect to get trounced. The silver linings of being bad. I am going to be out of the country and remote, so I won't get to see any of it. This is only disappointing in that I'd like to see how the offense looks/changes with Witten in charge. 

Offense

I have no idea what to expect here. But surely Witten is smart enough to try and get the ball to good players (other than Sategna). And as a former TE I am going to go with Rocky Beers this week. Why the hell not.

Defense

I'll rest on old Taylor Wein this week. The D got embarrassed last week and Wein is the type of high energy guy that could make some great plays when he's got something to prove. 

Score

This will likely not be fun, but I will be optimistic that the offense will improve some. Alas, it's not enough to overcome the Mateer factor. Sooners lose 27-20. Prove me wrong!

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

South Carolina Gamecock vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Hello Sooner fans. Last week in a victory against Mississippi State, the Sooners found a little something in the run game. The return of Michael Fasusi at left tackle was a big reason why. Today it'll be rainy in Norman and effective, ugly offense could win the day. Thankfully, nobody does ugly like Ben Arbuckle. 

The Sooners will be forced to commit to the run. By virtue of the hopeful success, Isaiah Sategna will find his spots and have yet another high quality performance. He's my OPOG today.

In a rainy game, the team that can run most effectively is probably going to win the football game. I don't like South Carolina's chances of meeting with success in this regard against the Sooner defense. 

I'll take Owen Heinecke for my DPOG and about 13 tackles, please. Lanorris Sellers is one of the few quarterbacks in the SEC that I would choose after John Mateer.

Mateer today will hopefully build on what wound up being pretty gaudy numbers last week and probably a performance that was on a par with what he did against Texas.

The name of the game today is to build on last week. The weather will force their commitment to running the ball and using the tight end game. If they can be effective, I like the Sooners to win by two touchdown.

OU 27, South Carolina 13.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

South Carolina

 Well, the Sooners have gotten to the good side of the win loss column again with a glittering 4-3 record. The team just isn't very good. It's the same refrain week in week out, good defense, anemic/inept offense. Frankly, it's not very entertaining football. My excitement is no doubt reflected in these half assed posts. I know nothing about South Carolina except that I fear we are becoming them. A mediocre SEC team that will get a flashy upset every year or two, contend once or twice a decade, but never really threaten the big powers and never really be anything more than an also-ran. Man, that's depressing. I would very  much like to be wrong about this. Until we get someone else running the offense, and maybe the team, things don't seem ripe for change. 

Offense

I watched none of the game last week, but the team did manage to put up a few points. I have no idea how much of this was bullshit and how much was actually capable offense. I'm going with Isaiah Sategna III today for no reason other than we forcefeed him the ball like no other.

Defense

I'm going to go with Jayden Jackson again today. He's quietly solid and always seems to be making solid plays. He's not the biggest headline grabber of this unit, but feels like a guy that will be a steal for some NFL team eventually.

Score

I've gone with the Sooners every week this season, channeling my colleague with blind optimism. It's been a real role reversal here at the Steamroller this season, but I'm not breaking precedent now. Sooners win this one 34-28.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Mississippi State

 We stink. That's really the crux of it. Defense is quite good, but we are never going to win games with any sort of consistency with this putrid offense. They can't sustain drives, they can't manage the clock, they have nothing they can go to when they need a play. It's all just cute fakes, qb sneaks and nonsense that never moves the ball. So, without the ability to score points on offense, it's nearly impossible to win. I'm increasingly convinced that Ben Arbuckle is the problem here. Mateer has not been good, but he's not exactly set up for success. Anyway, that kentucky game was a total debacle. I'm about 95% checked out on this team at this point. It's just brutal.

Offense

I don't know what else to say here. I'll go with Lloyd Avant. Again. For no reason. Again.

Defense

I'll go with Jake Kruel. Mostly out of a hope he continues to develop. He certainly looks the part of our next star on that unit. I think he really stands out today in a limited roll and continues to press for more playing time.

Score

Mississippi State is perpetually overrated. But, we are also awful. Just to keep my streak going of idiotic optimism. I think Sooners win this one today. 17-14. Why not?

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. The Sooners are fresh off a disappointing loss to Kentucky. A loss in which the Sooners were, yet again, their own worst nightmare. Now, a stretch of winnable games looks like a week-to-week potential disaster. The most fascinating aspect of which is that the Sooners coaching staff are defiant in their belief that everything is fine and there is literally nothing more that can be done, except execute.

As each week passes, however, the pressure gets tighter and tighter. John Mateer is obviously gone after this season. Ben Arbuckle is, presumably, a dead man walking. Will these two take down Brent Venables on their way out? It's certainly possible.

Anyway, that's the most intriguing thing about this season at this point, because there isn't anything to indicate dramatic improvment or change is on the horizon.

OFFENSE

Ben Arbuckle insists that John Mateer gives the Sooners their best chance to win. He turns the ball over multiple times a game. Can anyone do worse? We may never know. I think Arbuckle is probably right. But if the Sooners continue to lose with Mateer and they don't become bowl eligible, don't you have to see what's in the stable for next year? That's a question for a few more losses down the road. 

I'm not picking an OPOG this game. Ben Arbuckle ensures that no one stands out. 

Oh, and also, the damning indictment of the week is that yet another offensive lineman went down in practice. This time a backup who had to go to the hospital. 

DEFENSE

I feel so bad for these guys. They'll hold the Bulldogs under 24 and it won't be enough. I'll take that freshman, number 98, Jake Kreul for my DPOG. I don't know from under which rock the Sooners had him squirreled away, but he's a menace at defensive end, leading the team in sacks with three.

THE SCORE

I mean, for shits and giggles let's say Sooners 27, Bulldogs 24. But my heart isn't in it. I think Jeff Lebby will run it up if he gets the chance. We know Mateer is capable of fucking anything up. Ben Arbuckle is inept. I haven't been this disappointed since the late 90's.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner. 

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. Everyone should have a little extra bounce in their step this week after the Sooners pulled off one of the most exciting victories in recent memory last week. After an abysmal first half for the offense, the Sooner defense and special teams played well enough to keep things close and then the offense and, John Mateer in particular, managed the game, the defense had a chance to make some big plays, which they did, and Tate Sandell brought it home with a winning field goal as time expired.

This week Kentucky comes to Norman, themselves fresh off a big home win against LSU. The angle on this one, to me, seems to be who can avoid the letdown. 

OFFENSE

The Sooners found something in the second half last week, particularly with Lloyd Avant in the running game. More importantly, John Mateer demonstrated the importance of taking care of the ball. He didn't turn the ball over and made some big throws when it mattered. Hopefully that helps the entire offense coming into this week. 

It also appears the Sooners could be getting some offensive lineman back this week, another big plus. These Sooners are at their best playing a methodical, pro style offense. They went back to Mateer under center, traditional formations and they did a good job of working the ball downfield. 

They need more of it today and I will ride the hot hand of Lloyd Avant for my OPOG, although if the line can take another step forward this week, I think Jonathan Hatton is about to have a bust out performance.

DEFENSE

The Kentucky offense might be the most dynamic the Sooners have faced so far this year. Will Stein is obviously missed at Oregon. This will be a big test for the Sooner D.

However, there is no doubt this will be the toughest test for the Wildcats as well. And at home, fresh off the big win, the Sooners should be confident and flying to the football.

I'm going to go with a wild card here and take Reggie Powers for my DPOG. If there is one thing you can count on with a Brent Venables defense, it's a well timed blitz at a big moment and, to my mind, Reggie Powers is as good as anyone at getting to the QB when it matters.

THE SCORE

One team comes off a legendary win against an arch rival, the other a field storming home win to celebrate the start of a new chapter in an inglorious football tradition.

I think OU will be the one ready to meet the moment today, although Kentucky will be tough. 

I'll take the Sooners 31, Kentucky 27

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Kentucky

 I still can't believe we beat texas last week. We certainly had no business doing it. But I laid out a script in my post, not to pat my own back, and they basically followed it. Which is to say, they miracled a win with special teams and defensive touchdowns. The offense was as limp dicked as it's been all year. But this defense, it's pretty damn good. Solid coverage in the secondary, made to look better by a dominant D line, and a LB corps that is damn good top to bottom. If only our QB and OC weren't completely useless, this team would be legit. Alas, they are not and we aren't. Regardless, that was a fun one last week and if you're going to beat anyone via miracles, it couldn't be against a better team than texas.

Kentucky comes to town this week and I know exactly nothing about them. Well, I know they have one loss and are ranked 15th, but that's about it. Allegedly they have a good offensive line so it should be a strength on strength matchup on that side of the ball. I don't know anything about their defense, but if they have 11 conscious college athletes out there they shouldn't have any trouble shutting us down.

Offense

I'll go with Rocky Beers today. Absolutely no reason or thought applied to this pick whatsoever.

Defense

I'm going to go with Owen Heinecke today. He's always solid if not flashy. I think today we see him flying around out there racking up about a dozen tackles. With the D line occupying their front, I think he's free to make tackles in bulk.

Score

Last week was a complete joke as far as our doing the right things on offense. As I said before, we had no business winning. However, I think Kentucky is a bit overrated (this is based on pure hypothesis) and we have a little wind at our backs after the texas miracle. I think our Sooners continue to play great defense and the home crowd gives us enough on offense to pull off another upset. Sooners win this 20-16. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner