Hello Sooner fans and welcome to the 2024 edition of the Steamroller. Hard to believe we've been doing this since 2010. We've had almost as many page views as we've had years. Maybe the Sooners move to the SEC helps things out a bit.
Speaking of the SEC. Gawt dang, you guys, we did it. We're here. It's the premier league in all of college football. It can't be overstated how big of a deal this is for the University of Oklahoma.
A step up this big comes with wildly high expectations, and why not. The Sooners wouldn't be here if they weren't considered one of the blue bloods of college football. Yes sir, we belong with anyone.
But what better way to have championship aspirations than by also joining the premier conference with a new Offensive Coordinator, a new Defensive Coordinator, kind of a new Quarterback, and an all new offensive line. Well, that's what our Sooners are doing.
At least the boys start off with a Friday night cupcake against the Temple Owls.
OFFENSE
We got our first taste of the Seth Littrel/Joe Jon Finley/Jackson Arnold offense in the Alamo Bowl, a loss against Arizona. The offensive line was bare bones in that one and the trio had mere weeks to prepare. The results were uneven with flashes of brilliance from JA along with some boneheaded mistakes.
If what we saw is, in fact, a taste of what's to come, you can expect a lethal offense. There was a ton of shotgun play action, quarterback read plays that led to a lot of defensive hesitation which Arnold exploited either with his legs or by finding easy throws.
Also, and this is important, he can throw a deep ball. Newcomer Deion Burks should feast by getting an extra step on defenders as a result of the play action. If he doesn't Andrel Anthony is back in good health. He was OU's best threat prior to his going down with a "leg" last year.
This misdirection scheme should also provide opportunities in the flat for Gavin Sawchuck with easy passes or gaping holes via the now patented pulling guard run blocking.
For my OPOG I'm going with Jackson Arnold for the simple fact it's now his team, his time and he needs to get a solid performance at home under his belt to settle any nerves. But, it would be really nice to see this re-assembled hodge podge of an offensive line get some good reps under their belt as well.
DEFENSE
Zac Alley takes over for Ted Roof and, by all accounts, Alley is a Brent Venables clone. Hopefully, unlike Venables, he knows how to use timeouts in end of half situations and can keep himself on the sidelines during game play.
Beyond that, the Sooners seem poised to make a leap on this side of the ball. They return Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, both studs. The linebacking group must be deep as Jaren Kanek, a starter last year, is now 3rd team. Also keep an eye inside where true freshman Jayden Jackson is getting the start at DR.
What should we look for on Friday from this group? Depth, competitiveness and physicality, all led by my DPOG (and you and I both know it will be Nate's as well) Danny Stutsman. He's one of those heart and soul type guys that will lead this group all year.
THE SCORE
It's kind of cool this one is on Friday night. A lot of eyeballs will be watching. It's also a bit of a bummer it's going to take away from Friday Night Lights in Oklahoma. That said, it will look like a college football elite versus a high school football team.
This is the scrimmage the Sooners need to shake the rust off and to start getting a comfort level amongst teammates.
It's almost over before it starts but it'll be fun to see some new faces.
OU 70, Temple 6
Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner
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