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 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 

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

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

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

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

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. 

Oklahoma Sooners vs. texas Longhorns

It's hate week, Sooner fans. The perennially overrated texas Longhorns come limping into the Cotton Bowl today after having been ranked the preseason number 1 team in college football, now unranked, and fresh off a loss to the Florida Gators last week in Gainesville. They are led by the poster child for being overrated, Arch Manning. The talking heads seem to think the Longhorns are going to lock it in and that every humiliating performace from Manning is the one that will light the fire to get him to turn the corner. Maybe they are who they are. Maybe they are coming to regret the deal with the devil they made to get Arch on campus. They are stuck. And today they are fucked.

The Sooners, on the other hand, are flying high. They also have a lot of motivation. Beyond the rivalry, they got smacked last year by the Horns and this Sooners defense must be licking its chops at the opportunity to rush this very average un-texas-like offensive line and the woefully average Arch. 

And oh, by the way, it looks like John Mateer will be giving it a go, which in and of itself, will boost the spirits of Sooner Nation. I am very surprised he's going to give it a shot. I figured the Ole Miss game in two weeks would be a more reasonable target date. Alas, this apparent Alpha doesn't want to miss this one as he understands this is why you come to Oklahoma. This is big time college football.

OFFENSE

The obvious key is Mateer. Is he truly able to give something close to 100%? We've talked about the Sooners running game being key, and it is, but in this one, the odds of victory go up exponentially with Mateer. Mikey Hawkins isn't Him. With Hawkins, the Sooners are stressed to depend on the defense and special teams to hang on and, more likely, have to come up with special play to have any chance at victory. With a healthy Mateer, you have an offense that can play keep away or get up a score or two and then leverage big plays in other areas to provide some cushion.

This will be the best defense Mateer has faced, ate least since Michigan. He has to take care of the football. Hopefully the surgery has improved JM's touch.  

The Tory Blaylock/Jaydn Ott combo doesn't have to be lethal, but they need to be respected and they need to be effective enough that the Sooners don't have to put Mateer in overly risky situations from a re-injury standpoint.

Mateer is my OPOG as long as he plays. Isaiah Sategna III is my backup. Anytime something wild happens on the field this year, it's this guy who's in the camera frame. 

DEFENSE

We're running out of superlatives for this group. They are tops in the country in total defense. They will be motivated after having given up 35 last year against the Longhorns. And they are facing the homeless man's Jackson Arnold in Arch Manning. You think you've seen these guys fly to the football all year, just wait until you see them today.

Steve Sarkisian is a crafty little fucker, though, and I'm sure he'll have a scheme designed to take advantage of our speed and aggressiveness, likely in the form of quick strikes that get a texas WR in the open field against Courtland Guillory. That's what I would do anyhow. He's the closest thing to Gas Rag McGee (patent pending) that this defense has. I say that and believe that he'll be a stud in time. Offenses have to find someone to try to exploit, though. 

They will also have to try to establish some run game and the Sooners, as per usual, will sell out to stop that. It's a simple game, really, where the Longhorns will be in serious trouble if the Sooners can get pressure with four rushers. They've been doing it all season.

I'm tempted to pick someone for my DPOG besides David Stone. If pressed to do so, I'd say R Mason Thomas, a guy who shows up big in big moments. However, I'm committed to Stone and his ability to disrupt right up the gut. He demands double teams and then is able to beat them. That's like having an extra rusher right there. Huge. 

THE SCORE

OU is bringing it's most complete football team to Dallas since the early 2000's. Those games featured OU teams with a superior quarterback and a better defense. This team is both those things plus, as we saw last week, difference makers in special teams with Sategna and quality punting and kicking. 

With Mateer being hopefully OK, Hawkins being a sub-optimal solution if not, and Arch Manning on the other side, the Sooners have what it takes to gut one out if need be. If OU can force punts at close to the rate they have all season and Sategna can flip the field position, the Sooners have a kicker and defense that can win a knife fight.

The fact the Longhorns are favored shows the extent of texas bias amongst pollsters and prognosticators. The Sooners should win this one.

Sooners 20, Longhorns 17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Kent State vs. Oklahoma

The Sooners take on hapless Kent State on a gorgeous sunny day in Norman today. This will be the first game for the Sooners since learning that John Mateer suffered an injury in his throwing hand that required surgery in the Sooners victory against the Auburn Tigers.

Making the playoffs, much less winning a championship, requires more than a complete team. You have to avoid injuries and you have to have some luck. The Sooners have a good, mostly complete team. The timing of Mateer's injury seems to be lucky. The injury should take approximately four weeks to come back from. It seems plausible that he would try to come back on the aggressive side of a 4-6 week timetable. But for the Sooners, what a gift to have week 1 of the injury be on a bye week and week 2 against Kent State, at home, a chance to let Ben Arbuckle and Michael Hawkins, Jr. try to get some work in together before SEC begins, in earnest, with the Red River Rivalry coming up next week. 

The Sooners will be (spoiler alert!) undefeated going into Texas. Let's hedge and say Mateer does not make it back for that one or the matchup at South Carolina the week after. The Sooners will still be in terrific shape for the stretch run if they can go 2-1 without Mateer and get back home on October 25th sitting at 6-1 or 7-0 against Ole Miss. I'd love to see Mateer against Texas. But if Michael Hawkins can show some competence and poise while managing Ben Arbuckle's game plan, I'd be thrilled to see the return of a healthy Mateer at home against Ole Miss.

That's the mission at this point. 

OFFENSE

Speaking of Michael Hawkins, what we've seen in limited action thus far would indicate he is not John Mateer or even close. He's run-first and does not seem to keep his eyes downfield while scrambling. He's an athletic freak, but the magic of Mateer is his ability to keep both a play alive and his eyes downfield.

The key today will be for Hawkins to reign in his instinct to tuck and run. One would hope the Sooners O-Line can provide enough cushion to allow Hawkins time to work on going through his reads quickly, being decisive and running as a last resort. 

Secondarily, today really needs to be used to develop the running game. Every armchair quarterback who's watched the Sooners this year has lamented the lack of a consistent running attack outside of John Mateer. Rumor has it that Jayden Ott might see more action. One is also left to wonder, "Wither Taylor Tatum?". 

The key today though, and my OPOG, is Jaren Kanek. Kanek has been such a pleasant surprise and primary security blanket for Mateer. He will find himself playing on Sundays if he doesn't watch himself. If he and Mikey Hawkins can get on the same page, Kanek can go a long ways towards helping Hawkins get settled in. Kanek needs to hang onto the ball, but by and large he's sure handed, great after the catch and can get himself open a lot. He's brilliant at getting chunk plays when the Sooners need one. I think he'll be huge today. 

DEFENSE

Mateer gets a lot of credit for his part in making the Sooners one of this season's biggest positive surprises thus far. It's the Sooners defense, however, that is carrying the day. They're 3rd nationally in scoring defense and 2nd overall in total defense. 

Perhaps the weirdest statistic in college football this year is that the Sooners are tied for 128th in the FBS in turnover margin. They have yet to get one. They've had chances and you have to trust that they'll come and when they do it will be in bunches. 

Maybe it starts today. Eli Bowen is back and healthy and will get his first action of the season. He is probably the better of the Bowen's which is saying something. If he's fully healthy and the Sooners decide to get him a lot of snaps to work him back into playing action, then it's conceivable this defense just got better. 

For my DPOG I'm summoning my inner Natey, though,  and starting to really like what David Stone brings to the table. He is a menace. This defensive line is something else. I'm claiming my spot on the Stone Bandwagon until it looks like it's parked at a Mumbai station and I'm squeezed off by the crush of so many other Philistines.

THE SCORE

The Sooners will crush today. Kent State has played some ranked teams (Texas Tech and Florida State), but they are about to get feasted on, the extent to which they are not prepared to handle. I will be interested to hear how Kent State compares the Sooners overall to these other quality teams they have faced. Mind you, interested to hear is not to be confused with ambitious enough to actually look.

The Sooners are favored by 45.5 as of press time and the over/under is 53.5. I will take those odds and the over. 

Sooners 63, Kent State 7

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Auburn Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Good Saturday afternoon, Sooner fans. How are we feeling about our football team this week? I'm a little more than cautiously optimistic as the Sooners head into SEC play against Jackson Arnold, Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers.

The Sooners took care of business (TCB) last week in Philadelphia last week against an overmatched Temple team. There could have been a let down but there was not. Now, the Sooners have a confident, violent defense and an offense whose confidence is growing week by week. 

Tigers fans will get a warm welcome in Norman today. Jackson Arnold will not. That's unfortunate as I don't feel much of what happened last year was on him. However, 100 out of 100 armchair quarterbacks would take John Mateer over the mustachioed Arnold. Sooner fans will make life hell on him today.

OFFENSE

Kirk Herbstreit called what Ben Arbuckle and John Mateer are doing is the top story in college football. Folks are getting very bullish on our boys. 

Mateer obviously has some extra moxy that separates him from others. His ability to throw on the move. He has a pre-snap calm. The dude gets it. 

I expect today we will see more growth in the run game. Maybe Taylor Tatum makes an appearance. Tory Blaylock is the man in the backfield though. The Sooners need to continue to find ways to open him up. He's fast and fearless and can take a lot of pressure off Mateer.

Also keep an eye out for Isiah Sategna III who is proving to be a guy who, if given space, can get yards in chunks and make people miss. I'll go with him for my OPOG today.

DEFENSE

What more can be said thus far about this group. They lead the SEC so far in total defense. Will it last? We've seen enough to say that it could. If it doesn't, we still know this group is competent enough to keep the Sooners in games. Teams are going to struggle mightily to overcome a two score deficit.

Today, they are going to sell out to stop JA's read option game. They'll show it a number of different ways, but they are going to shut that down. He is not a great passer.

It is wild that the defense has not gotten a turnover this year. Hopefully that changes today, as JA was more than capable of throwing dumb interceptions as a Sooner. 

I'm going Kip Lewis for my DPOG today. I'm hoping he gets some shots on JA and separates JA from th the ball once or twice.

SCORE

Sooner Nation is coming alive and will have all the motivation they need to spur the Sooners on today. It's a beautiful day in Oklahoma. The Sooners are feeling good and confident. 

I don't know that the Sooners win big, but I like a score of about 34-21 today.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs Temple Owls

 May there be no letdown in Philadelphia today. The Sooners showed the country last week that they have enough pieces to be a complete football team. They dismantled Michigan and really could have inflicted more damage if not for some self inflicted errors on special teams. The Sooners have had some decent wins in the Brent Venables era, but Sooner fans have been waiting for a team like this for well over a decade. 

The Sooners have an aggressive defense that can get pressure with the front four. They can fly to the ball and hit hard. They have some lockdown corners. This is a unit that can make life miserable if you get down two scores on them. 

And the Sooners have a quarterback in John Mateer who has some moxie and can put his team on his back. He is mistake prone, but if his O-line can gel and they can develop some balance in the run game, this team should be in every game they play. 

The test today for the Sooners is can they bring the effort and attitude to Philly against a crappy Temple team after coming off the high of last week. Can they be sharp and avoid self inflicted penalties and errors?

OFFENSE

The offensive line looked much improved last week and they had four new starters on the unit. Freshman Michael Fasusi started at Left Tackle and played real well. That is a fantastic sign for the future, both short and long term. 

The key today is to continue to develop chemistry across the board and to find some wrinkles to continue to get the running game going. The qb run game is solid,but opponents need to know the Sooners can run the ball 

That said, how beautiful was the 16 play, 9 minute drive to ice the game in the 4th quarter. Love that shit. 

For my OPOG I’m taking John Mateer. I know it’s low hanging fruit and I won’t do it next week. Today though I think it’s especially important for him to come out with some energy to lead this team and avoid a letdown. 

DEFENSE

It’s the same story with energy here. Can these guys have near the same level of focus they brought last week. If yes, then we’ve got a group that realizes they haven’t done shit yet and probably realize they have a ways to go before any mountain tops are summited. Great teams come out and take care of business in games like this. 

I’m taking Jayden Jackson for my DPOG. Dude was a menace last week. What a luxury to be able to get pressure with your front four. When was the last time the Sooners had that?

THE SCORE

I think Mateer has his side ready to go. I think BV has his side ready to go. Sooners win going away, but not too crazy. 

Sooners 42, Owls 6

BOOMER TO THE MOTHERFUCKIN SOONER

Michigan Wolverines vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Welcome to a gorgeous college football Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners (1-0, 0-0) find themselves in a big time early test against a big name Michigan Wolverine squad. The Sooners are fresh off a record setting debut from John Mateer last week against the Illinois State Redbirds. 

This one is not make or break for the season or for Brent Venables. However, a win today would be a big statement and an even bigger confidence boost for the Sooners.

OFFENSE

John Mateer is a gamer. The Sooners have a QB. That's sweet relief. However, there are some questions from last week heading into this one. One, freshman phenom offensive lineman Michael Fasusi did not play last week. Will he be available today? If so will he play and can he be a difference maker? The running game, while likely vanilla, was not exactly stellar. It needs to be better to win today.

Second question. Wither Jaydn Ott? He had 1 carry last week in garbage time and went for -3 yards. Rumor has it he was "dinged up". If so, why play him at all? Is he better now and will he get some more carries today.

That said, freshman running back Tory Blaylock was dynamic with the opportunities he got last week. That guy is going to be good. Hopefully he gets some opportunities today as well.

Third question. Will we see some planned runs for Mateer? He didn't have many last week and Brent Venables admitted after the game that the gameplan across the board was very vanilla.

For my OPOG I'm going with Blaylock although it makes intuitive sense to go with Mateer. His command of the offense will ultimately be the difference maker today. 

DEFENSE

The Sooner D put up some pretty gaudy numbers last week against Illinois State, giving up roughly 150 total yards. They did get gashed in the run game early though.

Obiviously today they have to stop the run. I also expect them to try to confuse the hell out of freshman wunderkind Bryce Underwood. 

The secondary will be key and I expect them to get a couple of turnovers against the young fella.

I am, however, taking David Stone for my DPOG. I think he'll be a disrupter on the d-line and really create opportunities for the secondary to capitalize on Underwood being forced to make throws and quicker decisions.

SCORE

I think this one will be fairly low scoring. The Sooners will have a hard time getting chunk plays against the Wolverines and Michigan will also struggle due to the Sooner D dictating the action.

I like the Sooners 24-17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Illinois State

 Welcome to the 2025 edition of Sooner football! Hope runs high. Dreams inevitably shatter. But not today. Today, the new look Sooners take on the Redbirds of Illinois State. It's the debut of the new look Ben Arbuckle offense led by John Mateer.

The Sooner defense will have to overcome some big losses in Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman. But expectations have folks believing this defense could take a step forward.

There's nowhere to go but up from last year, so let's get right to it.

OFFENSE

The Sooners trotted out a historically bad offense last year led by the hapless Seth Littrel. This year, the Sooners have what they hope is their next version of their quarterback whisperer in Ben Arbuckle and, they hope, the second coming of Baker Mayfield.

Expectations be damned, if they can just even be competent and healthy the Sooners could win at least two more games than they did last year.

Mateer is not expected to carry the whole load. Jaydn Ott is a highly touted transfer running back. The Sooners go deep at running back with Javontae Barnes, Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson. 

The offensive line is also healthy so far, with some big time freshman potentially ready to step in and step up right away.

For game 1, we have to go Mateer for OPOG. He knows the offense and showing some poise and command today will be big time setting the stage for next week's real opener, Michigan.

DEFENSE

The Sooners are stacked up front with Jaden Jackson and R. Mason Thomas. Kip Lewis is ready to lead the linebackers and the Bowen brothers, Eli and Payten, head up the secondary.

I expect some hungry looking players on this side of the ball and they should be feeding off the heady vibes the offense is putting out.

I'm going to go Kendall Dolby for my DPOG as my "Out of left field" pick of the day.

THE SCORE

The Sooners are fired up in this one and the offense gets rolling early. Illinois State gets their check and hits the road.

SOONERS 63, Redbirds 7

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Navy Midshipmen

 Well folks happy Friday. I hope you holidays have been fantastic thus far. It's time for the underwhelming conclusion to the 2024 edition of the Oklahoma Sooners football season. The Sooners take on the Midshipmen of Navy in the US Armed Forces Bowl in tropical Fort Worth, Texas.

The Sooners will be without Jackson Arnold and virtually every wide receiver. Quarterbacking will be Michael Hawkins, who probably won't be the starter next year. Joe Jon Finley will be calling plays, and he won't be in that role next year, either.

Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman are also out of this one for the defense. The Sooners are short handed all the way around and this one doesn't even offer much hope for seeing what the future might look like for the Sooners. 

Excited yet?

OFFENSE

New Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle is on campus and is apparently involved in the game planning of this game. Kevin Johns or whoever the hell stepped in to help after Seth Littrel's dismissal. So, maybe he's got a handful of plays that Mikey Hawkins is comfortable running. 

I don't know why Arbuckle wouldn't step in and start calling plays. That's what Littrel did last year in the bowl.

Alas, not knowing anyone else who might play, I'll take Hawkins for my OPOG. He's liable to be running for his life all game. Whatever.

DEFENSE

No Stutsman, no Bowman. There are some portal losses here as well, though not nearly as detrimental as on the offense.

If there is something to look forward to in this game, it might be seeing some familiar faces in bigger roles today.

I like Kip Lewis for my DPOG. He's probably the heir apparent to Stutsman.

THE SCORE

I don't know what Navy brings to the table, aside from their coach is from Oklahoma. That said, they probably do some ball control. The OU defense probably holds them to something like 24. The Sooner offense shows flashes of creativity, but probably steps on their own ding ding with turnovers. You know, the story of the season. We are who we think we are.

Sooners 27, Navy 24.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. LSU Tigers

Hello Sooner fans. The Sooners got new life breathed into their season and their program last with after a humongous home win against Alabama. The Sooners dominated both lines of scrimmage and they played a style of football suited to their current skill set. 

It's just enough to give a fanbase a heavy dose of optimism and overconfidence heading into a regular season finale on the road in Baton Rouge. The Sooners would match the overall record of LSU with a win. "A lot of people" were saying that OU would be the LSU of the SEC and here we are.

OFFENSE

The Sooners played to their strength consistently for the first time all season last week. They ran the ball early and often and played keep away. I was in the restroom, but I could swear I heard on the radio broadcast that Jackson Arnold lined up under center.

The Sooners need more of this set. You put two running backs in an offset I formation or a twin back set and you can run about 9 plays off that in short down yardage.

Apparently, Javonta Barnes could be back, and rumor has it Andrel Anthony might be ready to return. I'll take whatever we can get. 

The Sooners will meet with success if they follow last weeks game plan. Control the ball. Establish the run. Pass to keep the D honest. 

I'll take Xavier Robinson for my Hot Hands Offensive Player of the Week.

DEFENSE

I'm super happy these guys got to celebrate a big victory this year. They've played their asses off and they showed the country they can hang in this conference.

I'm excited to see what they bring today. There's nothing to lose. 

Do we go Kip Lewis or R. Mason Thomas? Danny Stutsman or one of the Bowen brothers? There are a lot good players on this side of the ball.

I'll go Kip Lewis. All he does is score touchdowns.

THE SCORE

You guys, I'm lulled into this false sense of confidence. I think this team is still working hard and eager to end this season on a high note. 

I think they're ready to play tonight and they show up big. 

I like the Sooners 24-21

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Mizzou

Good afternoon, Sooner fans. Welcome to another football Saturday where today our beloved and much maligned Oklahoma Sooners revive their history with the Missouri Tigers in Columbia. 

The Sooners are fresh off a decisive victory against the outclassed Black Bears of Maine. It was a game which was almost lose-lose for the Sooners in the sense that they should destroy a team like Maine, so it's ho-hum when it happens. Or, they could have struggled and that would have represented the new bottom for Oklahoma football. The best I can say about it is this team needed reps under Joe Jon Finley.

OFFENSE

The Sooners went for 500 yards total offense against the Black Bears with highlights being Javontae Barnes rushing for 200 yards and Jackson Arnold connecting with JJ Hester for the longest passing play for the Sooners since 1995. 

Bad news for the Sooners, however, as Javontae Barnes is out with an injury this week. That's how we roll. Also out for the Sooners are five offensive linemen. 

The good news is that Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks should be back. Taylor Tatum is still available and running back Sam Franklin looked pretty good last week as well. They should get ample opportunity today. 

I'll drink the Kool-Aid and ride the Jackson Arnold train as he continues to look more confident after being reinserted into the lineup. He should be able to take advantage of some opportunities to create plays.

DEFENSE

Apparently Mizzou has all kinds of issue of their own at quarterback. Their offense is not prolific and they appear to turnover prone. All of this means nothing of course in so far as the Sooners are concerned. They are more than capable of helping anyone out of a funk.

However, this defense still is not like Sooner defenses of the past. If the Sooner offense can keep them in the game, this unit should be buoyed and hold the Tigers to less than 24 points. 

I'll take Dasan McCollough for my DPOG today. No real rhyme or reason for it other than he seems to be healthy and gaining traction week to week.

THE SCORE

The Sooner offense should not be lulled into a false sense of confidence coming off their performance against the hapless Black Bears. However, they should feel more comfortable in the new offense and, with luck, the Sooners can manage to string together some success on the ground and manage to put up enough points to outscore Mizzou, provided the Sooner defense plays to their abilities. 

At this point, we know what the defense is capable of. If the Sooner offensive line is anything close to decent, I like the Sooners to put up 31.

I like the Sooners getting bowl eligible in a must win today. 

Sooners 31, Mizzou 21

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Maine vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Happy Saturday Sooner fans. We're at the point of the season and the Brent Venables era where what should be a bye week, essentially, for the Sooners is a possibly anxiety inducing game. Last week, the Sooners looked competent in the first half. They ran the ball well and had a great two minute drill. The offensive line couldn't compete in the second half and winning chances slipped away.

The Sooners, losers of 4 out of their last 5, need something cathartic to happen in this game. They are a 34 point favorite and find themselves in the odd position of feeling uncertain they can put up that many points total.

It's bad you guys.

OFFENSE

The Sooners looked better in the first half. They used motion, freed up Jackson Arnold to use his legs and complete some easy passes. They ran the ball really well. It was a damning indictment of Seth Littrell that Joe Jon Finley could make that much improvement in a week. 

Today the Sooners have to take another massive step forward to get their confidence up enough to compete with Missouri next week.

Javontae Barnes and Taylor Tatum have been a nice 1-2 punch. I see them getting into the action in a lot of ways. However, Jackson Arnold really needs to be the guy. Yes it's Maine. If he can have a field day, though, and build some confidence, maybe, just maybe there's something positive somewhere down the line.

Jackson Arnold is my OPOG

DEFENSE

The only way the Sooners beat the spread is if this unit score 2 touchdowns themselves, hold Maine to 0, and the offense "breaks" out. 

It could happen and should. 

I'll go Danny Stutsman in this one.

THE SCORE

Yeah I'm writing it in. The best case scenario for the Sooners is the offense looks crisp and strong. They execute and punish in the running game. They play 60 minutes and pour it on if they are actually able to.

The worst case is a crappy offense is still crappy no matter who they play. If they punt more than three times, the boo birds will be out.

I stupidly hold hope the offense looks the best they have since the middle of last season and they can have some confidence against Mizzou, which, really, should be a winnable game.

They don't call them crimson colored glasses for nothing..

Sooners 49, Maine 0

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooners vs Mississippi

Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. Is it still football season? Seth Littrel is out. It had to happen. Joe Jon Finley is in. If you think that's going to turn this ship around then, well.. I'm as optimistic as it gets but this is a train wreck.

Brent Venables is in real trouble, but OU may be in a worse spot. I think BV has a 40 million golden parachute if the they try to get rid of him. I think he gets 1 more season because of this. He shouldn't. This teams issues are so fundamental that the shit can only have run downhill. He's never been good at game management. You work your way back from there and you get an offensive coordinator and game plans that have no semblance of logic. Sooner football is an unmitigated disaster the like of which hasn't been on display since John Blake. It's impossible to overstate how damning that is.

OU is a 20 point underdog on the road this week at Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin is an asshole which means if he has a chance to score 110 points today he will. 

OFFENSE

I will consider it progress if the offense attempts to slow the game down and play keep away from the Ole Miss offense. A 3 and out should take two minutes off the clock, for instance. There should be zero hurry up, unless we can take advantage of 12 men on the field or something. That would require employing strategy which is not a forte. Sadly, I fear we are who we think we are.

I would also consider it a step forward if we commit to the run game as part of this slow the game strategy. We do it halfway decent the five times we try it. The Sooners, to have any chance to look competitive, have to commit to the run. They have to attack the Ole Miss defense and they have to take time off the clock keeping it running with simple throws inbounds.

My OPOG is Javontae Barnes.

DEFENSE

These poor guys. I'll go Gracen Halton today for shits and grins. Hopefully they are given a chance to win this game or keep it close. 

SCORE

Ole Miss might win this game 49-3. If Joe Jon does bring someting resembling competence to the table, maybe the Sooners could get 24? It's unbelievable how bad they are and to expect a huge turnaround is a fools errand.

I'm calling Sooners 10, Ole Miss 42

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Happy Saturday, Sooner fans. How we feeling this week? I'm non-plussed at best. Last week, we got torched on national tv by the Longhorns. We demonstrated we have zero offensive skills. Seth Littrel almost certainly is the problem, but everything is still so bad it's hard to tell.

Onwards and upwards, though, as a a game South Carolina comes to town. The Cocks gave Alabama all they wanted last week and they boast a terrific defensive line. This might not go well.

OFFENSE

I know adjusting is hard, and I never played a lick of football, but I would love to see this offense just build from the ground up. It starts with the running game. Get Michael Hawkins or whoever under center, put two running backs in the backfield and run some play action or misdirection of that. Go straight at the defense and learn to pound the ball. If you can't do that moderately well, you don't deserve to win anyway.

If you can figure that out, it opens up the passing. I have little faith it happens today. I'll Javontae Barnes for my OPOG.

DEFENSE

I just hope these guys don't give up and keep playing at a high level. It's a shame this defense is getting wasted by this offense. 

Today I'll go Danny Stutsman. The heart and soul needs to bounce back and show out.

THE SCORE

Apologies that my effort matches last weeks offense. Early starts and adulthood are a bear.

Sooner 24, Gamecocks 21 if we're very fortunate.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner