Georgia

 Hello Sooner fan(s)! Coming off an, ahem, uninspiring win against New Mexico where our Sooners mustered up a staggering 14 points, the crimson and cream go on the road today where the gauntlet begins at UGA. Georgia is one of the best teams in the country, and we are, well, not. Ben Arbuckle's seat is nuclear reactor core at this point. Venables towed the company line in supporting him, blah blah blah, but I'll be surprised if Arbuckle is our OC at the end of this season. The defense has been good enough, no question, but they can't do it alone. If only we could combine our teams from 2015-2021 or so, we'd have an undefeated team and a winless team. Alas...

Offense

I'll be surprised if we score 10 points on offense today. We just execute poorly designed plays shittily, it's a bad combo. But, I have to pick someone and that someone is Rocky Beers, for no real reason. 

Defense

The defense is going to need to make some huge plays to prevent this game from being a laugher. The front is where it starts but the secondary needs to get a pick or two and my man to get one today is Courtland Guillory. I think he makes a pick and some key pass breakups today.

Score

Last I looked, the line is -13.5 for Georgia. That is both embarrasingly long for a conference game between two supposedly good programs and also shockingly low for a Sooners team that couldn't score against New Mexico. The only way we hang around with a shot in this thing is defense and special teams scores. I'll borrow Mitchy's glasses today and say we get it done in the upsettiest upset that ever upsetted, Sooners win this thing 17-14. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooner vs. Georgia Bulldogs

 Good Saturday, Sooner fans. The weather in OKC this morning was rainy and gloomy, a perfect match to the current outlook of this Sooners football team. The Sooners are coming off a, shall we diplomatically say, uninspiring win against the New Mexico Lobos.

Confidence is not high. John Mateer turned the ball over. The offensive line had no push. The offense is a disaster. The Sooners now take the show on the road to perennial power Georgia. The question is, can the Sooners make enough improvement to keep it close? I don't think so.

OFFENSE

14 points against the New Mexico Lobos is just unbelievable after an off-putting performance against Michigan. What can the Sooners do? Ben Arbuckle has to go. I will be shocked if he's still calling plays by the Kentucky game.

Alas, today I think the Sooners best bet is to utilize multiple tight end sets. Go big with extra blockers and run a lot of play action with some boots for John Mateer. He runs for his life anyways. He can't go through a progression. Get him in situations where Georgia defenders have to choose between spying on the running QB or defending a RB or TE in that second level. 

I'll take Rocky Beers today because he has been a bright spot. Fire Arbuckle on the spot if he runs an empty backfield shotgun QB draw or jet sweep on a 3rd down.

DEFENSE

The problem today for this defense is not getting off the field or having the personnel to match up with Georgia. It's whether or not they can win turnover margin. Unfortunately, Mateer puts them in a real bind that's tough to overcome. The next three weeks are going to be brutal for these guys.

Today, I bet Owen Heinecke continues to do his thing. 25 tackles through three games is pretty tough.

THE SCORE

Look, I'm not suggesting the Sooners are going to wave the white flag against Georgia today and Texas in two weeks. It would be a season changer to go 1-1. But I do fear Arbuckle just isn't a guy who is going to do anything other than continue to try to jam a square peg through a round hole.

It's too much to expect the playcalling to become competent, the offensive line to suddenly own the line of scrimmage and your quarterback to be able to work through progressions and not make at least two dumb passess per game. That's just what we have. 

Best case, Arbuckle's headset is turned off and someone else is running the show behind the scenes. We get through the next two game and cut Arbuckle loose and try to make something of the rest of the season.

Georgia 28, Sooners 6

Prove all us haters wrong, boys.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner. 

New Mexico

 What a mess last week was. Our Sooners looked absolutely impotent on the offensive side of the ball. And the D softened just enough to let the sad Michigan offense get some points. It helps when Mateerrible throws an absolutely brutal pick in a tie game that led to an easy 6. This is year two of the Arbuckle Mateer experiment and so far it's been bad. The play calls generally range from unimaginative to completely head scratching. And aside from the first three or four games last year Mateer has looked, well, like ass. His accuracy is mostly terrible and he's caught the same virus that Jackson Arnold and Landry Jones had where the QB is absolutely unable to look anywhere beyond his first read. In short, he stinks. NM comes in to town and I know really nothing about them. But honestly, and I really hope I'm wrong, the season looks like a lost cause already. We have a murderers row of conference games and the fact that we couldn't win the non-conference "test" against a clearly bad Michigan team does not bode well. We basically can afford (maybe) to lose one more game. I don't see that happening. On to the optimism!

Offense

Mateer is officially in my doghouse and I refuse to pick him again. Granted I will at times pick receivers which he is directly involved with, but not him. Today I will go with Lloyd Avant. He's been very good when given an opportunity. Unfortunately, he's been the victim of Arbuckle's "if it ain't broke, let's go ahead and fuck around with it a bit". Maybe today he'll get a more extended opportunity. 

Defense

Taylor Wein is awfully hard not to pick. Dude is just a great player. But I really like David Stone today. He's been extremly solid up front and I think he gets to the QB today.

Score

I didn't bother looking at the spread but this feels like a game where we look good enough that everyone has some since of hope going into Athens next week, where we will get smashed. Sooners win this one in convincing fashion 27-7. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

New Mexico Lobos vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Happy Saturday, Sooner Nation. The Sooners are fresh off a disappointing 17-10 loss up in Ann Arbor. It was a game decided in the trenches for the Sooner offense. The offensive line was dominated and the Sooners lost the turnover battle 2-0. One turnover resulted in a red zone offense opportunity that the Wolverines capitalized on.

Is it the end of the world? No. But most disheartening was the play of the offensive line and the lackluster offensive game plan in general. 

OFFENSE

In week 1, the Sooners put John Mateer under center, they used a fullback in the eye formation and they often times used 2 or 3 tight end sets. Against Michigan, the offense regressed to their comfort zone. QB shotgun draws  with 0 tight ends or backs for extra blocking. They completely bungled an opportunity to try and get some points before halftime, albeit a long field goal attempt. 

On one hand, we should expect the Sooners to rebound against what is presumably an overmatched Lobos defense. I expect to see a crisply executed, competent game plan. On the other, it will be maddening to watch knowing that they could have done the same thing in Ann Arbor.

I think I'm over Ben Arbuckle and Bill Bedenbaugh. Arbuckle in particular demonstrates a complete lack of grasp of in game management. He seems to be unable to adjust on the fly and is hell bent on calling plays he enjoys running. He's completely predictable. Bedenbaugh hasn't been able to keep his guys healthy or establish any real depth for the entirety of the Brent Venables era. It's inexcusable.

Anyway, I don't see anyone really busting out today. I guess I'll say Mateer, simply because he needs to get some confidence before heading to Athens next week.

DEFENSE

These guys played competently enough to win the game last week, but they have some room to improve as well. If the offense is going to be hapless, these guys have to force some turnovers. They missed on two opportunities in Ann Arbor. 

I expect them to be steady and to set the tone today. However, I worry that they will start to get frustrated by the offense. 

Today I'll go Jayden Jackson for my DPOG. He seems to be lost in the mix of all the hype surrounding the players around him. He's a stud and I think he plays lights out today. 

THE SCORE

There is no way in hell the Sooners can put up more than 50, but they damn sure better put up 35. I'll take the Sooners 42, Lobos 10 

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Michigan Wolverines

 The Sooners (1-0, 0-0) head north this week to The Big House in Ann Arbor Michigan to take on the Wolverines (1*-0). The earlier in a pair of blue blood matchups this Saturday, the other being Ohio State and Texas. 

Michigan is fresh off an undeserving win against Western Michigan that had the Wolverines gifted an extra down to throw a hail mary which was caught for a winning score. The Wolverine co-eds then, embarassingly, stormed the field as if they had just punched their ticket to the playoffs. To reiterate, the Michigan Wolverine fanbase stormed the field after a last second victory against Western Michigan. 

Anyhow, you can say the Wolverines were looking ahead. You can say they now have their heads snapped on straight. But you can also say that the Oklahoma Sooners come in having handled their business against UTEP in a 51-0 shellacking and they were not looking ahead. You can also claim that the Sooners have an advantage with continuity in the system across the board. Whereas Michigan has a new coach and, regardless how esteemed he might be, cannot have his unit fully dialed in to this point.

OFFENSE

The Sooners did some really encouraging things last week. Multiple tight end formations, John Mateer under center, the use of a fullback. All fantastic. They also were able to run the ball. The Colorado State transfer, Lloyd Avant, looked outstanding. He has outstanding acceleration through the hole (that's what she said). 

John Mateer made some really nice throws. Isaiah Sategna had a punt return and a TD reception. A total beast.

The souls of the Michigan players will be seen visibly leaving their bodies and fogging the lights of the Big House if the Sooners meet with early success running the ball. The Sooners also put some things on tape that will really make Michigan have to work on play action and with the tight ends out in coverage. 

For my OPOG, I think it'd be easy to take Sategna as he is clearly one of the best players on every field he steps on. However, I'm going to ride the hot running back hand this week and go with Avant. I am really excited about his game.

DEFENSE

UTEP missed three field goals in the shutout loss last week, so it maars what looks like an otherwise perfect report from the D. It was still a great game by the Sooners. They were locked in througout. UTEP threw every play in the book at them. What jumped out at me was in the 2nd half how the Sooners just had fresh body after fresh body to throw out there. It was relentless and overwhelming.

Michigan is a completely different challenge, but the point is the depth. Bryce Underwood has not done much after having been so balleyhooed out of high school. He's a fine player. But he is going to make some mistakes with having so much, so intensely thrown at him for the entire game.

In fact, this will be what gets the Sooners through the gauntlet this entire season. This has the chance to be an amazing defense and you can tell Sooner Nation is here for it. 

For my DPOG I'm going Taylor Wein. We need a DE to get home a couple times in this one. His size really jumps out at you on TV. 

THE SCORE

I think the Sooners have good reason to feel very confident going into this one. I'm interested to see how Michigan reacts after last week. Were they looking ahead? Are they still getting their sea legs under them?

The Sooners are the better team today so I'm not sure it matters. Still, I think it'll be real tough to win in Ann Arbor.

Sooners 27, Michigan 21

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Michigan

 One week (and a day) after dispatching UTEP in expected fashion, the Sooners travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines in one of college football's most storied venues. Coming in to the season, this looked like a massive non-conference road game. While that still holds true, Michigan's miracle (questionable?) win over lowly Western Michigan (gasp, a directional school--hat tip Tory Jay) has sent the Wolverines out of the top 25 and provided far more questions than answers. This week should offer a few more, and hopefully the answer is that we kicked their ass. The Sooners D was looking vicious last week against an overmatched UTEP team. They need to bring that heat again and dominate a good, if underperforming Michigan club that finds itself with an all-world recruit QB on a very short leash.

Offense

This game should provide a much bigger test for the offense. The Michigan D played well, as expected, last week. They sport a significant upgrade in talent at all 3 levels than the Sooners faced last week. In big road games, it's the stars that have to step up and make plays. I think John Mateer does that both with his arm and with his legs in this one. I like the QB for OPG this week.

Defense

Bryce Underwood struggled mightily last week after a promising opening possession. The Sooners D is solid and the front is not to be fucked with. I think they get after the young QB early and often. I like Taylor Wein this week to get off for a couple of sacks and generally wreak havoc. Don't be surprised if we learn a bit about the Michigan back up in the second half (or more) of this one. 

Score

Michigan did not look great, to say the least, last week. But this is that point in the season where things are still shaking out. But, OU has a defense I believe in and even though the offense is still a question mark in my mind I think they get it done on the road. Spread is -4.5 for OU as of this posting, I think we ride the defense to cover city, Sooners win 27-13.  Let’s get it.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin’ Sooner 

UTEP vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Hello Sooner Nation and welcome to another installment of Sooner football and the Steamroller. I'm thrilled to be here and back with you to provide contextless commentary and uninformed opinions based on nothing more than gut feel and hope. It's the new American way after all.

The 2026 Sooners, fresh off a playoff appearance have high hopes and for good reason. They return a ton of starters on defense, plus it's year 2 of Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer. They do, however, have to run the gauntlet of what might be the toughest schedule in all of college football. Georgia, texas, Ole Miss, Michigan, and Texas A&M are all preseason top 20 teams.

First things first, it's a not top 20 foe in UTEP. The Miners will hopefully come into Norman, find themselves on the wrong end of a lopsided ass beating, collect a paycheck and head back to that fabled west Texas town of El Paso.

OFFENSE

You want optimism? The Sooners offensive line might be the most improved unit year over year. They have Mateer and a stable of running backs. Isaiah Sategna returns at receiver and Joe Jon Finley is out as TE coach, replaced no less a personage than future first ballot hall of famer Jason Witten. Oh yes, optimism is high.

All we need to see in this one is an injury free performance. The line I just spoke of has been "dinged up" at Center. No more injuries. Apart from that, how about some commitment to the run game. How about working the TE game and how about spreading the ball around to these new receivers to see what Mateer might have to work with going forward.

For my OPOG I'm going Mateer. He says the thumb is fully recovered. "They" say he's been working on his mechanics. "They" say he's been hitting the weight room. Let's see all that hard work pay off, my guy. I like him for 300 yards, 4 total TD's. 3 passing, 1 running.

DEFENSE

The Sooners have an embarrassment of riches here with continuity to boot. David Stone and Jayden Jackson shore up the front. Kip Lewis and Owen Heineke are back at linebacker. Eli Bowen, the better of the two Bowen brothers, is back at CB. I could go on, but I can't remember all the names and I'm not interested in looking it up. Just trust me when I say this unit is full of Dawgs and they are hungry.

I'll take Kip Lewis as my DPOG. I think he goes Ham this year and sets himself up for a nice NFL payday. He's good for a sack, about 12 tackles and, hell why not, a forced fumble.

SCORE

We're getting 2026 off with a bang under the Friday Night Lights in Norman. I like the Sooners big here.

Sooners 56, UTEP 0

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

UTEP

 As the fall of 2026 is upon us, I am pleased to be starting our 17th season of "publishing" the Steamroller. Yes, it's bad, yes, it's hastily thrown together most weeks but it's a damned tradition. So here we go again. The Sooners probably exceeded expectations last season making the college football playoff for the first time under Brent Venables. It's taken him a few years, but he finally delivered on bringing that top defense to Norman that has been missing since probably 2003ish. Sadly, the offense was still a work in progress (the irony!) so what was probably a championship level defense wasn't enough. I'll take a good D, bad O combo any day over the opposite though, so it was a welcome change at least. The Sooners return a lot of really good player and have a healthy Mateer back at QB. Let's hope the two sides of the ball can get cooking at the same time and something exciting can happen this year. 

The injury problems this fall has been somewhat of a bummer. First the starting center went down early in camp with an MCL strain that is expected to keep him out until Michigan at the earliest, and possibly for 2 more weeks after that. Then, this week we learned that the backup has also injured his knee and will miss at least the UTEP game. So third string it is! It's a little alarming that the original "backup" C was actually a G/T that moved over and hadn't really played C much except for a few snaps in high school. This doesn't give me a ton of confidence in the lad, although hopefully he can hold his own against what should be an overmatched UTEP squad. Additionally Parker Livingston (that's right, only skill position players names are worth my time) is in the concussion protocol as of this week. He's not officially out, but definitely in doubt at this point. All this to say, let's get past UTEP without anyone else getting knocked out, and try to get healthy for that big road test in Michigan the following week.

Offense

While I love a healthy John Mateer and am very excited to see if he can put his late season decision making behind him, I'm going another direction for OPG. Mateer will obviously have to start making good decisions, hitting open guys, and throwing the ball away when nothing is there. Injured hand or not, those things should be (desperately need to be) improved upon. But against UTEP I hope he isn't playing after halftime. Not to overlook anyone, but if this team expects to be playing in the CFP again, this game should be a tune up. I'm expecting a ground and pound game and I'm going with Xavier Robinson as my OPG.

Defense

While no doubt this unit had some significant departures, they still return a great group of players. Taylor Wein really blew up last year and I'm expecting a huge season from him. Likewise David Stone is just an absolute monster up front. Our Cheetah returns and basically the entire secondary is back. There is a lot to like on this side of the ball. I do think UTEP will try to stay away from Wein and Stone on directional play calling and that's why I'm going with Jayden Jackson for my DPG. Dude is a beast and will get tested a lot this year as a result of the talent around him.

Score

Our Sooners are a relatively modest 41.5 favorites against a better-than-your-usual-cupcake UTEP team. I think the offense stays vanilla and I think the defense clamps down. Vegas knows, as usual, but I don't think the Sooners quite cover here but it's never in doubt really, Sooners roll 41-6. Let's fucking go.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Alabama CFP Edition

An exciting time is upon Sooner nation. Our beloved Crimson-clad football team finds itself in the college football playoff for the first time in its current iteration. I made a remark before the LSU game to Mitch that I simply wanted the Sooners in, everything else is gravy. Which are the words of a fan expecting little going into the season and at the time on the cusp of the postseason. But that was then, now I of course want more. 

After beating the aforementioned LSU tigers and all but sealing a trip to the postseason, in my head I mostly decided I just didn’t want to play anyone we’d played before, specifically Alabama. And in spite of my wish of them losing to Georgia coming true, they somehow got in with 3 losses. This is called Horseshit, if you’re groping for the technical term. 

In the first meeting, as sweet as it was, all but the most delusional Sooner fan I think would agree that OU got lucky. The D was excellent, the O was dreadful and the turnover battle was the difference. A pick six and 2 other turnovers were the difference. Assuming the offense and play-calling are still dreadful (no real reason to think otherwise given the total lack of adjustment during the season), it would almost require replicating that same performance. This seems, um, unlikely. 

Offense

What a disaster this part of the team has been. And what irony that when the Sooners finally put together a really good defense, they can’t score. Mateer has mostly been bad all year. I won’t dig into my opinions as to why, but it’s maddening at the end of the day. And yet, the scoring lives and dies with him. I’ve tried to pick RBs but none of them have done much in the sparing opportunities they’ve had. So I am going with Mateer. I think/hope the extra time has allowed him to reset, rest and get his head right. I think he plays well, limits turnovers and puts some points on the board. 

Defense

So many good players on this side of the ball. The front is going to have to really dominate this game for the Sooners to have a chance. Ty Simpson needs to get acquainted with the turf early and often. But I think that while the front is tying up the Alabama line, Owen Heinecke is flying around and making plays. I like him for a ton of tackles and one takeaway. 

Score

If you can’t tell, I’m nervous. Alabama has the advantage of a chip on their shoulder and the confidence knowing they should’ve won the first time. Yet the Sooners faithful will be out in force and making it a tough road environment. Additionally, the fact that they beat the Tide on the road and are still home dogs has to be lighting a fire. This all put together with a little vintage Sooner Magic has the good guys winning. Sooners escape, 24-23. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin’ Sooner 

Louisiana State Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Greetings, Sooner fans and welcome to the final Saturday of the regular season. The Sooners find themselves in the proverbial drivers seat with regards to a playoff spot. Yessir, it's win and quite likely in. Standing in the Sooners way in Norman, however, is a dangerous LSU Tiger squad. A disappointing bunch, at best, with nothing to lose and an opportunity to play spoiler. Much like last week against Mizzou, the Sooners are fortunate to be at home with a friendly crowd.

Speaking of last week, the Sooners shut down the Mizzou running attack and won the turnover battle. That proved to be a winning formula, go figure. The Sooners will need to replicate that plan again today because, let's be real, the Ben Arbuckle led Sooners offense is suspect at best. 

OFFENSE

Speaking of suspect offenses, we've watched this season as the offensive line has struggled both on and off the field before settling into a solid rotation the last month or so. We've seen John Mateer come out like gangbusters before breaking his hand and then watched as he's thrown all balls with the same trajectory and velocity. He has, however, reduced his turnovers. That leaves Ben Arbuckle who seems hell bent on calling the game he dreams of in his mind versus what he has available from a personnel standpoint and by what the defense gives him.

Today, and for the rest of the season, the Sooners need to play ball control football. Get first downs, hang onto the ball. Own field possession. Use Tate Sandell as needed and score a couple touchdowns. You do that by running the ball. They need a running back in the backfield to at least make the defense think someone besides Mateer might run in it in obivious Mateer running situations.

So again, I'm picking Xavier Robinson for OPOG. Not because I think he'll have a big day so much as I am trying to will into existence the commitment to a running attack.

DEFENSE

What's left to say? These boys have carried the load. I think today, where the wind is whipping and the game could get ugly, these guys are going to be hungry. There is no way they are letting LSU control the action with it all on the line. 

Today I'm going Kendal Daniels for my DPOG. He's been getting some pub this week. He's a Senior, it's Senior Day. He's ready to let it rip.

SCORE

I can't believe the Sooners are 10+ point favorites, but I haven't watched a lot of LSU football and they do have some guys dinged up. The season has been a disaster, obviously, for them.

I feel like it's our new stock in trade to score about 24 points and give up potentially about 17. 

24-17 Sooners 

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

LSU

 Here we are my friends, the last game of the season and it’s a big one. After a bleak middle of the season sitting at 2 losses and facing a run of 3 very good, ranked conference teams, including on the road at (then) #4 Alabama, our beloved Sooners have done what they haven’t in so long, TCB. Yet with 1 regular season game remaining, a loss in said game would dash all hopes of a meaningful postseason and a win, well, dare I say?

The obnoxious LSU tigers come to Norman this week for their first ever appearance there. No fan base has done more with less as it pertains to arrogance relative to actual success (except maybe Ole Miss). Make no mistake, they are a very good team and this will be a very tough test to close the season out. But after living in New Orleans for a few years, one gets rather tired of hearing about LSU football. There is plenty on the line here for the Sooners, but that added layer especially has me anxious for this one. Nothing would make me happier than an OU postseason game(s), but if it comes at the expense of an LSU team, all the better. 

Offense

Let’s start with this, Ben Arbuckle is an atrocious play caller. He seems to have no awareness of game situations for down and distance or series to series, let alone in the broad perspective of the entire game. The OU offense isn’t good, but he definitely doesn’t do them any favors. My prediction of them running the ball last week couldn’t have been farther off. So what am I doing? Doubling down of course. I think that Xavier does it this week and maintains the type of ball country so sorely needed with a good defense. 

Defense

Speaking of this Unit (that is with a capital U); where do I start. Missouri is definitely one dimensional, and that QB was horrendous, but man they really shut them down. Zero second half rushing yards allowed against what is easily the best run game in the country. For this week, I’m going to say David Stone. Dude is an absolute beast, I think he makes his presence “felt”.

Score

The line as of me writing this is OU -10.5. That feels absurdly high. LSU has a good defense and see above regarding our offense. The only way I could even remotely see us covering is 12-0 with four FGs. So no. I think that LSU comes out with something to prove and nothing to lose, this is a dangerous combo for a team with their talent. But I think the OU D does enough. Sooners hang on 17-14. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

Missouri

 What a week last week was. Beating the might Crimson Tide on the road in a primetime matchup. It felt like 2001 again (wow I am old). I savored that for a few days this week, no question. But, back to the present and a sneaky good Missouri team coming to town. This has all the makings of a letdown week. Mizzou is tough, they have a  great run game (you may have heard) and they have nothing to lose. I'm sure nothing would please them more than to come in to our house and ruin our playoff hopes, and ergo, season by my calculations. I think this will be hard fought, and if OU can escape with win I will consider ourselves lucky.

Offense

The OU offense has been mostly abysmal. They were no better last week, let's be honest. The defense and special teams are the only reason we stole a W in tuscaloosa. Matteer has been, um, not good. Let's leave it at that. He, and by extension the offense, simply has to be much better if we want to continue this run. As has been oft mentioned, Missouri comes in with one of the best running games in the country. I think we counter today with our own running game and the X man. Xavier Robinson has a big day after Arbuckle takes two hits of LSD this morning and hallucinates his way to actually handing the ball off regularly.

Defense

It all starts on this side of the ball. Unlike last week, the key will be stopping the run game. It's an interesting flip of the script in terms of defensive focus. I think the guys adjust and I think Owen Heinecke is in the thick of it all day long. I like him for approximately one shitload of tackles today and a no doubt DPG.

Score

This is going to be a grind. I think Mizzou hangs around the whole way making for a very uncomfortable day. In the end I think OU does enough to survive this wake-up call. Sooners eke it out 22-21. Let's keep it going.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Missouri Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. The Sooners, fresh off a massive win in Tuscaloosa, host the Missouri Tigers and find themselves in the thick of the college football playoff hunt. The Sooners need only to win out to get in. That's easier said than done, however, as the Tigers are a pretty dangerous football team and the Sooners, if they aren't careful, could be ripe for a letdown and upset. If you've read the blog for any appreciable amount of time, you'll know there's no room for such gloom and doom around here though. We see the world through crimson colored glasses so on we go.

OFFENSE

John Mateer continues to do enough to win and last week, crucially, he didn't turn the ball over. Alabama did and that was the difference in the game. Pretty simple. Taking care of the ball, along with some cohesion along the offensive line, is the best thing that can be happening to this offense right now. The freshman trio of Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje and Eddie Pierre-Louis are going to be anchors for the next couple of years.

The Sooners need to take a long view, without overlooking anybody, and approach this game as the next step in the evolution and establishment of what this offense really is and needs to be for a playoff run which means taking care of the football, staying ahead of the chains and having 3rd and shorts. 

Today I think the Sooners will try to pound the ball against Missouri and they'll definitely take some shots to Isaiah Sategna. In fact, I think I'll pick Sategna as my OPOG. He about gives me a heart attack with his ball control, but he's a star in the making.

DEFENSE

Missouri's running game is elite. Ahmed Hardy is the nations leading rusher. Fortunately, the Sooner defense matches up well to this style of play. While you can say every game it all starts with stopping the run, today you can definitely say it starts with stopping the run. 

The Sooners depth up front and physicality should be enough to keep the Tigers in check. However, if the Tigers meet with some success, it could result in some time consuming drives that turn this game into an ugly slog.

I don't know that Mizzou has a good answer if the Sooners turn them into one dimensional passers. I'm certainly not scared of their personnel.

Today I'll take Owen Heinecke for my DPOG. He's been a maniac lately and should rack up double digit tackles today.

THE SCORE

I'm glad the Sooners are back home and can have the crowd help prevent a let down after a big win last week. The work is still ahead of them, but the Sooners are in prime position to make the playoff.

If they take care of business today, I can see them handling the Tigers by a couple of scores.

Sooners 27, Tigers 17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Alabama

 Our beloved Sooners find themselves traveling to the hostile environs of Tuscaloosa today with everything they wanted still on the line. OU is currently 11th but squeezed out of the playoffs if they were to start today due to other conference bids superseding their ranking. Alabama, after a season opening loss, hasn't bothered to lose again and are all the way up to 4th in the country. A win on the road would certainly move the Sooners up a few spots in the rankings, and deservedly so. A loss, well, that would have us curious which mid-december fast food/lawn care/autoparts bowl we'd be heading to. In short, everything is on the line here.

After a surprising and ultimately meaningless (to the Sooners) win at home against Alabama last season, the Crimson Tide are no doubt anxious to avenge us. They sport a gaudy record in spite of having a mediocre offense and by extension offense. Their D however is excellent. This sounds a lot like a texas team we lost to earlier. I'm nervous.

Offense

I just did a quick google search and it turns out that you can't win games if you don't score. So, this side of the ball is important. Mateer started off the year looking like a heisman winner. After breaking his hand in the Auburn game, he's looked like a participation ribbon winner. This can't stand if we are to make the playoff. As much as Xavier Robinson and the run game are critical to the success of the offense today (and every day), I'm saying Mateer has a great game today. I think he makes some mistakes but comes up in the clutch. I like him for OPG. 

Defense

R. Mason Thomas is doubtful to play today. Normally this fact would have escaped me and I would have picked him right off. Maybe it's a bad sign that I'm not. The defensive line will be the crux of things on this side of the ball, if they don't step up, this is over before kickoff. I think they do and as a result, I think they force Ty Simpson to make some bad plays. I like Courtland Guillory to be the benefactor of this. I think the true freshman gets a pick today, and does a great job against a very tough alabama WR room.

Score

Whew brother, this is going to be a ball buster. I almost hate that we beat them last year even though it was fun. We have everything to play for and so do they. This game is huge on both sides with the added revenge factor and home field for Bama. But, we have the nobody-thinks-we-can-do-this factor and I'm a homer. I think the Sooners pull the big upset, 24-17. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tennessee Volunteers

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. Today, the Sooners are in Knoxville, TN for a Black Out night game against the Vols. The Sooners, fresh off a hard fought loss at home last week, are now truly fighting for their season. 

The Sooners have to put it all together tonight to have any chance.

OFFENSE

Last week the Sooners found something in the running game in the second half with Xavier Robinson before panicking late and abandoning it completely. John Mateer was serviceable, but the fact is he's not a great decision maker and his touch is a C at best. 

Also, the Sooners have dynamic playmaking ability with Deion Burks, Isaiah Sategna and Jaren Kanek, who are often open and, as a group, are not getting enough good opportunities in the open field. 

Finally, the offensive line is absolutely the weakest unit on this football team. Ole Miss got pressure with a 3 man rush at times. Think about that.

Today, the Sooners need to figure out the run game early and give Mateer some simple reads. Get the ball out quick, get one of the three dynamos out in space, commit to the running game. It's a simple game.

For my OPOG, I like Isaiah Sategna to bounce back from a brutal fumble that irreversibly turned the tide in favor of Ole Miss last week. 

DEFENSE

If the Sooners hope to win any of their remaining games the Sooner defense simply has to be more opportunistic. At this point, they are still one of the better groups in the country. They are capable of getting pressure and they are good tacklers.

And yet there is almost a conservative aspect to this unit that is either coached or just part of who they are. The Sooners just don't take chances jumping routes or are not in a position to do so. 

I worry it's coached. If that's the case, we're sunk. You cannot win close games by being on the wrong side of turnover margin and the Sooner offense is good for two turnovers a game, easy. 

I'm not hating here. They are undoubtedly good enough to keep us in every game. They need to take chances in the secondary and not just chances trying to rush the QB.

I'll take Marvin Jones, Jr. for my DPOG

THE SCORE

I think the Sooners can come out of Knoxville with a win. I love that Seth Litrell might be tying boat anchors around the proverbial neck of Josh Heupel's offense. To win though, the Sooners have to win the turnover battle. They haven't done it all season, but they must do it today.

If they do, I'll take the Sooners 31, Volunteers 20

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Tennessee

 That was a pretty brutal loss to Ole Miss last week. On one hand, they played pretty terribly and had a chance at the end. On the other hand they lost a game they shouldn't have. Also, Lane Kiffin is a huge shithead. This isn't news (if you came here for that, there are, um, better options). Anyway, of the remaining games that was pretty much a must win as I would say the Sooners will have to run the table to have a shot at the playoff. A high flying Tennessee team isn't exactly the cure for what ails you in terms of the win column. The Sooner D has been good, but they have to be damn near perfect with the way the offense has been playing. The play calling on that side has been very questionable I would say. Continuing to run the same plays that don't work seems to be a resume builder for potential OC hires at OU. Similarly, going away from the only thing working last week (i.e. the run game) was baffling. OU had one good quarter offensively when they ran it down their throat. Otherwise it was BS gimmick plays and deep shots that never panned out. They'd better figure that out this week or it will be more of the same

Offense

Continuing my season long trend of picking the facet of the game that worked the week before, I'm going to go with a RB today. Matteer clearly has to be better, and if he isn't, the rest of the offense isn't likely to get much done. I'm hopeful that on reviewing game film from last week they might revisit that 3rd quarter when they ran with authority. I am going to switch it up though and go with Tory Blaylock this week. I like him to get going and get in the end zone.

Defense

I'm going to go with Owen Heinecke today. He's been a really good player all season for the Sooners and seems to consistently be around the ball when he's in there. I think he jumps a route and gets a pick today on top of a bunch tackles.

Score

I really don't like this game today. My head says this is Tennessee all the way, but my heart wants the Sooners so bad. I'm going to go against my better judgement and take OU 31-30 on a last second FG. Now let's get back in this thing.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Ole Miss

 In what was nearly a "must win" in my opinion, our beloved Sooners TCB'd at South Carolina last week. The D was, once again, not fucking around. The offense finally found a run game. It was a wonderful follow to the shitshow that went down in Dallas. But, now the rubber meets the road so to speak. The boys start quite a stretch of opponents that leads off with the Rebels from Ole Miss. Kiffin's kids (if you will) are an unsurprising offensive machine. This will easily be the biggest test of the season so far. Both for the defense and the team as a whole. Kiffin has, also unsurprisingly, ran his stupid mouth insinuating that we've been stealing signs on defense and that is why the D has been so proficient. Meanwhile, I'm sure Saint Lane coaches with nothing but honor and so forth. Anyway, it was a stupid thing to say and feels like some bulletin board fodder to me. But it does touch on the crux of things today, can we slow down this prodigious offense? I think we can do enough to keep the O in it. We just need to Mateer and the gang (not to be confused with Kool) to put up enough points against their shaky D. To recap, we need to score more points than them. This kind of insight is what keeps you, the reader(s), coming back.

Offense

I was very pleased to see Tory Blaylock crack the 100 yard mark last week. If there is anything the offense has lacked, aside from consistency, it's a run game. I don't think these two facts are independent of one another. Mateer has been good enough (turnovers not withstanding), but he can't do everything. The threat of a power run attack keeps defenses honest and we need it to continue. I think it will today, but I still think it's the pass game that is the difference. I like Jaren Kanak to have a big day today and he gets in the end zone at least once.

Defense

This will easily be the biggest test on this side of the ball to date. Ole miss just lost to Georgia after scoring 40+ points. If they put up that many on our Sooners today, I think we're cooked. As always, it starts up front. Keeping pressure on their Q and shutting down the run is how we beat these guys. I like the big dog today, R. Mason Thomas to step up and have a huge game. 

Score

This is extremely unlikely to be low scoring grind. They will get theirs, but we have to limit them as much as possible. Most importantly I think, we have to force some turnovers (not exactly our strong suit) and of course take care of the ball ourselves. I think we do enough at home to take it, Sooners 34 Ole miss 30.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner 

Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 It's a cool, rainy Saturday in Oklahoma to kick off The Gauntlet for the Sooners. That smug butthole Lane Kiffin and the 6-1 Ole Miss Runnin Rebels come to town to face our 6-1 Sooners. The Sooners took care of business last week against an inferior South Carolina group who, it must be noted, managed the clock worse at the end of the first half against the Sooners than the Sooners did two weeks ago against Texas.

Alas, the Sooners find themselves in terrific position, in control of their own destiny the rest of the way. Can they take care of business at home? 

OFFENSE

John Mateer looked more comfortable last week, an indicator that the thumb is fine. Turns out, going against the scout team doing skeleton drills after a couple weeks off is a sub-optimal way to prep for the Texas game. 

Importantly, the running game re-established itself against the Gamecocks. The Sooners need more of that today. They need to sustain some drives and turn field position. Tory Blaylock was great and is an emerging star. He's my OPOG.

I also have a gut feeling today might be the breakout game for Deion Burks that everyone has been waiting for.

DEFENSE

This will be as difficult a test as a Texas for this group. Importantly, the crowd will be hyped up and Jaxson Dart is not quarterbacking the Rebs.

There's really not a lot of mystery to what the Sooners gameplan will be. It's run downhill like a scald-assed ape to rush the quarterback.

Lane Kiffin will have some stuff dialed up to take advantage and they'll get some big pops I'm sure. The Sooners have to limit them to non-touchdowns and hang in there. 

This Taylor Wein, a sophomore DL, has been all the rage from the coaching staff and has been getting after it the last couple of weeks. I'll take him as my DPOG

THE SCORE

Ole Miss is efficient on offense and can score a lot of points. Enough that the Sooner offense will likely struggle to keep up in a shootout. That's not their game. The Sooners need to take care of the ball and play keep away. Get up two scores and let the defense cook. 

I'm content with ugly wins the rest of the way. Let's get one today.

Sooners 34, Ole Miss, 24

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans from rainy OKC. The Sooners take on the Gamecocks in Columbia, SC today, fresh off their stinging defeat to the reviled Texas Longhorns. This one could be make or break for the Sooners as 6-1 heading into the gauntlet feels much better than 5-2. Before the season, 100 out of 100 Sooner fans would take 6-1 with Ole Miss coming to town.

Last week what once was maybe suspected was definitely confirmed. The OU offensive line is the weakest unit on this football team. Their inability to create a pocket or play with the physicality required to create a push has resulted in a weak rushing attack and has likely led to a 1:1 TD to INT ratio for a quarterback who already has reckless tendencies. This is not winning football.

OFFENSE

This one relies on John Mateer. He has to have a bounceback game. He has to make smart decisions with the ball. When you are already fighting for every inch, you can't be giving the other team miles firing 8 yard laser beams that bounce off receivers. And you damn sure can't heave prayers in the end zone going into half time when you are in field goal range. 

I don't necessarily pin the INT going into half against the Longhorns on Mateer. It was a moronic decision, yes, but equally stupid was the coaching decision to have the offense on the field in first place. Kick the fucking field goal. Get some points where you can going into half. 

One of the hallmarks of the BV era is end of half ineptitude. It's a real problem that's been documented in this space very often.

Anyhow, John Mateer is my OPOG.

DEFENSE

This group, with the exception of not being able to get off the field in the third quarter last week, played pretty well and showed some pride.

Today, they have to get some turnovers. There's no way around the fact that they need to do all they can to give the offense some kind of advantage. Turnovers that result in a short field is the dream come true.

For DPOG I'll go with Eli Bowen. Hopefully Lanorris Sellers can be pressured into making a dumb throw or two and someone in the back, like EB, can take advantage.

THE SCORE

I'm not optimistic. South Carolina, at home, in a disappointing season, can really use a boost so they'll be highly motivated. They  know from last year they can beat us so we'll be confident.

Today it's about how do the Sooners react after last week. They need to show some pride, grit and character. The offensive line should take what they saw last week on tape very personal. They have to hear the criticism. Show some fucking pride. 

If they rise to the challenge they can obviously beat SC. I think they can go 24-17. Let's get this one before it starts getting for real, for real.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner. 

South Carolina

 This is going to be an exceptionally poor effort from me today as I’m away on vacation. That game last week completely fucking sucked. The boys better get back on track or we’re looking at yet another lost season. Here we go. 

Offense

I’m gonna go Deion Burks. Why? Your guess is as good as mine  

Defense

Kip Lewis? Sure  

Score

I don’t know much about SC beyond their record  I hope we can bounce back and TCB. Sooners win it 27-21.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner