Good morning Sooner fans and welcome to the biggest day, so far, of the college football season. It's the Red River Rivalry and, thankfully, there is a lot on the line in this one. Let's dive right in.
The Sooners can remain undefeated this far into the season for the first time since 2011 and are looking to prove that the defense is worthy of some ballyhoo. A win places the Sooners firmly in the drivers seat.
This is must-win for the Longhorns. A loss might not cost them a shot at the Big 12 title but it eliminates them from any CFP consideration. A win and they are very much in the hunt and the national media will be more than happy to push that narrative. The prospect is nauseating.
OFFENSE
The Sooners have to negate the physicality of the Longhorn defense and take advantage of the apparent injuries in their secondary. I would normally think time would be well spent pounding the ball on the ground to negate blitzes and keep defenders honest. More likely the Sooners stick with what's been working and utilize some play action (RPO in the parlance of our times). If the secondary is the weakness and you have the likes of CeeDee Lamb and Charlston Rambo then, by all means, drop bombs early often.
In any case it depends on the offensive line. They are penalty prone, particularly Eric Swenson. This unit has to step up today. Play time is over. There are some dirty players on that Texas D and they cannot be allowed to push people around. The line has to set the tone and be able to match that physicality.
I believe in Jalen Hurts and he'll be cool as ice but he can't do it alone today. It will be interesting to see what his running game looks like today. I think it will be fairly limited. For my OPOG I'm going Rhamondre Stevenson even though I just talked about passing. He fits the mold of a "didn't see that coming" breakout which happens a lot in this game and he's a big play threat any time he touches the ball.
DEFENSE
Alex Grinch and his defense have to be licking their chops. Here they are, showing steady improvement this season, and now with an opportunity to make a legit statement. The Longhorns are more offensive than offensive juggernaut but Sam Ehlinger is a googly eyed media darling and the Sooners have been letting mediocre teams look good for years. The narrative can change today.
I anticipate an uptick in pre-snap movement from the D. I don't think Ehlinger can adapt and make quality reads. I also don't think he'll be able to get away from outside blitzes when they come. The key for the Sooners, surprise surprise, will be the front four. Texas will try to pound the ball and play keep away. This is the exact area that the Sooners have shown the most improvement this year. Texas would be dumb not to test it but even dumber not to have a Plan B.
You know I'd love to go with Neville Gallimore for my DPOG but I shall not. Instead, I'll go with Kenneth Michael Murray. As I sit here typing I am envisioning Alex Grinch finding new ways to use him. He can be a lethal X Factor if an offense doesn't know where he's going to be from play to play. Nobody besides Bookie Radley Hiles in this defense is able to do this like KMM and I'd rather see KMM do it than Bookie.
THE SCORE
I am very concerned about the Sooners offensive line and the physicality of the Longhorn D. The Sooner D has proven thus far that they can force some punts and get the offense back on the field. I like the Sooners getting out to an early lead. The key will be keeping the hammer down because Texas will not quit.
In the end I like the Sooners going away (can you believe it?) and sending a big statement to talking heads. OU has an opportunity, as mentioned, to be undefeated deeper into the season than they have been since 2011. I like the odds of a Heisman front-runner against a depleted defense and revamped Sooner D with everything to prove.
Sooners 34, Longhorns 17
Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner!
Showing posts with label Red River Rivalry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red River Rivalry. Show all posts
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The Red River Rivalry
Not to be overconfident because, "You can throw out the records in this one" and yada yada but is this the last RRR for Mack Brown? I mean, I don't think they'll can him mid-season. But if the Longhorns lose, however badly, is this the death knell for ol' Mack? If the horns win, does it save his job? Does it provide enough of a glimmer of hope for Longhorn Nation to see if ol' Mack can bring back the bygone magic of the Vince Young days with [Insert name of freshman QB wunderkind here] ?
I wouldn't care a whit except I like whipping Mack Brown's ass. I love his nasally, over-protective post game pressers. I am also scared shitless of an Art Briles Texas Longhorn offensive juggernaut. Don't want no part of it. I like the status quo here.
Now I don't like it enough to stomach a loss to the horns this week though, you understand. No sir. I want to absolutely pistol whip these sonsabucks. But I just wonder if I had my way and the Sooners go PlayStation on the Horns, have we seen the last of Mack? It's sad to think about really. I'm not sure I want to live in a world where Mack Brown is patrolling the Georgia Tech sidelines.
OFFENSE
My favorite aspect of this game is the Cinderalla Story who comes out of nowhere and ensures himself, at worst, a future at an autograph table at Joe Cooper Ford some Saturday during Ford Truck Month. Last year Trey Millard played the role. So far this season, Josher seems happy making sure those RRR highlights are the only memories of Trey we'll have.
So who will it be this year? I couldn't tell you if the Sooners have had a tight end on the field this year or not. So that would be the longest shot. I can't even name a TE and I won't bother looking it up. Somebody like LaColtan Bester would be a good choice. He seems to be solid if forgotten after that fumble against West Virginia. I think the best choice though is someone like Roy Finch. He's the perfect candidate because he's the kind of player you can move around (a la Millard) and get involved in a lot of different ways. Most importantly, Josher can do this with a lot of NEW formations and plays. They could even go back to that little shuttle pass that worked so well with Q back in the early aughts. Who else can make that kind of play?
So my choice is Roy Damn Finch. Related: Notice I didn't mention the texas D? That's because they're terrible and if that one guy hadn't done some shithead hit on an Iowa State guy last week there'd be nothing at all with the D to talk about.
DEFENSE
Boy, the loss of Corey Nelson hurts. Speaking of Cinderella stories. Until now, Co. Nelson's career has been more balleyhooed and underwhelming versus coming from nowhere but finally this year he was starting to make believers. In fact, he was a total beast. And now, season over.
No time to cry though. Fuckin-A we got a game to play here. I really like the idea of a Mikey Stoops defense causing Case McCoy's eyes to go all Marty Feldman.
I'd love to pick Dominique Alexander here just out of solidarity for his fallen bro but I can't. But I'm such a firm believer in the Sooners rattling Case that I do think one Chaz Tapper is going to "go off". You want to talk about pleasant surprises? You want to talk about Beast Mode? Let's talk Chaz Tapper.
THE SCORE
Well I like the Sooners big here but all cliche aside I'll be pleased with a 1 point win. Me and the lady are going to the game for the first time (for me) since 1996. I need a Sooner victory. I've earned a Sooner victory.
Realistically, the texas D is pathetic. Our O will be fine. Our D will be "turnt up". We will, in fact, dominate.
I like the Sooners here in a great way. OU 35, texas 14.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner!
I wouldn't care a whit except I like whipping Mack Brown's ass. I love his nasally, over-protective post game pressers. I am also scared shitless of an Art Briles Texas Longhorn offensive juggernaut. Don't want no part of it. I like the status quo here.
Now I don't like it enough to stomach a loss to the horns this week though, you understand. No sir. I want to absolutely pistol whip these sonsabucks. But I just wonder if I had my way and the Sooners go PlayStation on the Horns, have we seen the last of Mack? It's sad to think about really. I'm not sure I want to live in a world where Mack Brown is patrolling the Georgia Tech sidelines.
OFFENSE
My favorite aspect of this game is the Cinderalla Story who comes out of nowhere and ensures himself, at worst, a future at an autograph table at Joe Cooper Ford some Saturday during Ford Truck Month. Last year Trey Millard played the role. So far this season, Josher seems happy making sure those RRR highlights are the only memories of Trey we'll have.
So who will it be this year? I couldn't tell you if the Sooners have had a tight end on the field this year or not. So that would be the longest shot. I can't even name a TE and I won't bother looking it up. Somebody like LaColtan Bester would be a good choice. He seems to be solid if forgotten after that fumble against West Virginia. I think the best choice though is someone like Roy Finch. He's the perfect candidate because he's the kind of player you can move around (a la Millard) and get involved in a lot of different ways. Most importantly, Josher can do this with a lot of NEW formations and plays. They could even go back to that little shuttle pass that worked so well with Q back in the early aughts. Who else can make that kind of play?
So my choice is Roy Damn Finch. Related: Notice I didn't mention the texas D? That's because they're terrible and if that one guy hadn't done some shithead hit on an Iowa State guy last week there'd be nothing at all with the D to talk about.
DEFENSE
Boy, the loss of Corey Nelson hurts. Speaking of Cinderella stories. Until now, Co. Nelson's career has been more balleyhooed and underwhelming versus coming from nowhere but finally this year he was starting to make believers. In fact, he was a total beast. And now, season over.
No time to cry though. Fuckin-A we got a game to play here. I really like the idea of a Mikey Stoops defense causing Case McCoy's eyes to go all Marty Feldman.
I'd love to pick Dominique Alexander here just out of solidarity for his fallen bro but I can't. But I'm such a firm believer in the Sooners rattling Case that I do think one Chaz Tapper is going to "go off". You want to talk about pleasant surprises? You want to talk about Beast Mode? Let's talk Chaz Tapper.
THE SCORE
Well I like the Sooners big here but all cliche aside I'll be pleased with a 1 point win. Me and the lady are going to the game for the first time (for me) since 1996. I need a Sooner victory. I've earned a Sooner victory.
Realistically, the texas D is pathetic. Our O will be fine. Our D will be "turnt up". We will, in fact, dominate.
I like the Sooners here in a great way. OU 35, texas 14.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner!
Friday, October 12, 2012
OU - Texas
National implications aside, nothing feels better than beating these scumbags. I'd love to hate these guys even more but this year they are too generic. They're Texas corn-fed football 'bots. Of course their fanbase is laughably smug. But the 2012 version of the Horns isn't despicable because they're so good the way Alabama is. Nor are they universally loathed for being actual assholes the way USC is. No one stands out enough athletically to hate them out of jealousy. I'm just happy that for 100 years before and after this Saturday the Horns suck and they're fun to beat in anything.
Let's get down to brass tacks.
OFFENSE
Last week's spanking talked Sooner Nation off the cliff. There's a lot of Bro's who deserve game balls but I have to single out Landry. He threw some really nice balls and made some great plays. I hope his performance stemmed more from his gaining trust in the O-Line and receivers more than Tech's D being terrible. And, obviously, I hope we see the Lonnie from last week show up this week.
Dammit, Good Lonnie will show up this week so let's assume the much ballyhooed Texas D is above average at best. The Sooners, if the O-Line can keep their pads on somebody, should be able to score some points. Each week a new weapon is revealed by the Sooners (Durron Neal as a for instance last week) making it harder for defenses to take away options.
This week the Sooners add to the war chest. This Jalen Saunders fellow makes me giddy. It's unreasonable to expect anything from him. Nonetheless, it's nice to have his skills available and this is the type of game where bit players can have huge impacts.
For my OPOG I'm going with Kenny Fuckin Shitbag. I'm climbing aboard the bandwagon of believers. He lives the RRR, he loves the RRR, he's bigtime in the RRR.
DEFENSE
It seems like for the umpteenth year in a row I ain't skeered about anyone on the Longhorns Offensive depth chart. Likewise, for the umpteenth year they have a Shipley and McCoy on the roster.
The key to me on defense is going to be slowing down this David Ash rascal. He's been firing laserbeams with a nearly 80% completion rate. It's been like skeleton drills for him. So the Sooners have to find ways to make him uncomfortable.
Last week the Sooners were hellbent on getting to Seth Doege. The same strategy applies here. Ash can't be allowed to sit back and pick the D apart. The D-Line probably won't be able to get enough pressure by itself (although Casey Walker played really well last week). So blitz blitz blitz. In fact, this should be the Sooners calling card going forward.
In keeping with the them of bit players standing out I'm going out on a very thin limb for my DPOG pick. R.J. Washington. Here's a young man, a Senior, who's never really lived up to expectations and is now playing in his final RRR. So I think he makes it a memorable one.
Before moving on to the game pick can I just throw out there how excited I am for the Frank Shannon era? He's earned more "reps" and here's hoping he gets them.
THE SCORE
These teams are pretty evenly matched actually so it could be a
In the end OU's D is the difference. Texas hasn't faced a competent one yet. I'm less nervous about this one than Tech. The Sooners will pack their hard hats and lunch pails and Mack will be making excuses for someone.
OU 28, Texas 24
Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner.
Click here for some more hard hitting game info from Berry Tramel, a man who clearly has unlimited access into the Sooner football team. Pulitzer stuff here.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The OU-texas Post-Coital Embrace
Now let's not start sucking each others popsicle's just yet. The toppling of texas was a fine win. Sure, the Sooners are 5-0 and it's true they might have their most difficult games already behind them. It's also true that championship teams (there's that word) must also avoid key injuries and have its fair share of luck. We must remember the season is far from over, there's lots that can happen.
However, come October 16th, the next time the Sooners take the field, the college football world will have been shaken up. I don't mean to pretend to be Nostradamus, that's just the way things work. The Sooners play host to a perpetually hapless Iowa State team at night at Owen Field and, afterward, the Sooners will be undefeated and still in control of their own destiny. The Sooners will be a bona fide contender (!).
How about that Sooner Magic? Thank goodness it has reared its glorious head because the Sooners seem to be hell bent on giving games away. The fake kick? I wouldn't make that call on the PlayStation. What about the inability to execute a time-wasting, game clinching drive? Hell, how about a time-wasting first down or two? I won't give Lonnie too much grief for the fumble because he was trying to make a play but damn, every Sooner player, coach and fan nearly took a simultaneous shit it when that ball came loose. The 2010 Sooners are nothing if not dramatic.
On to the Game Balls/Helmet Stickers/Cheers/Cups-on-the-Butt/Post-Coital Embrace etc.
To DeMarco Murray for once again carrying the load and for getting himself penciled in for my Offensive POG pick for the Big 12 Championship (may the Sooners be so fortunate to go) and whatever bowl game we play. I did not realize how close DeMarco was to becoming OU's all-time touchdown's leader. Pretty amazing and rarified air. I have a feeling DeMarco will go down as one of the most underrated Sooners of all time. But that's another post.
To DeJuan Miller. Each week he has two or three grabs that always seem to move the chains, change the momentum or come at key times. Saturday was his best yet. He's realizing his potential. I'm proud of him and I'm not sure why. I know nothing about him beyond his clutch catches and uniform number. Cameron Kenney we hardly knew ye.
To Jeremy Beal. Five tackles, two sacks and forced fumble. Also, he made Navin and I infinitely (okay, somewhat) less douchey by validating our Defensive POG picks and my defensive breakdown "piece".
To James Winchester for recovering the Aaron Williams muff (snicker) and providing the obligatory Sooner player "upside-down hookem" (see also Lehman, Teddy and Jones, Kejuan et al).
To Aaron Williams for muffing the punt.
To Mack Brown for always bringing unintentional comedy to an otherwise tense, violent affair. I can't wait for the time texas is flagged for a blatant hold and Mack bursts a vessel in his forehead. It will be glorious.
Enjoy the off week.
However, come October 16th, the next time the Sooners take the field, the college football world will have been shaken up. I don't mean to pretend to be Nostradamus, that's just the way things work. The Sooners play host to a perpetually hapless Iowa State team at night at Owen Field and, afterward, the Sooners will be undefeated and still in control of their own destiny. The Sooners will be a bona fide contender (!).
How about that Sooner Magic? Thank goodness it has reared its glorious head because the Sooners seem to be hell bent on giving games away. The fake kick? I wouldn't make that call on the PlayStation. What about the inability to execute a time-wasting, game clinching drive? Hell, how about a time-wasting first down or two? I won't give Lonnie too much grief for the fumble because he was trying to make a play but damn, every Sooner player, coach and fan nearly took a simultaneous shit it when that ball came loose. The 2010 Sooners are nothing if not dramatic.
On to the Game Balls/Helmet Stickers/Cheers/Cups-on-the-Butt/Post-Coital Embrace etc.
To DeMarco Murray for once again carrying the load and for getting himself penciled in for my Offensive POG pick for the Big 12 Championship (may the Sooners be so fortunate to go) and whatever bowl game we play. I did not realize how close DeMarco was to becoming OU's all-time touchdown's leader. Pretty amazing and rarified air. I have a feeling DeMarco will go down as one of the most underrated Sooners of all time. But that's another post.
To DeJuan Miller. Each week he has two or three grabs that always seem to move the chains, change the momentum or come at key times. Saturday was his best yet. He's realizing his potential. I'm proud of him and I'm not sure why. I know nothing about him beyond his clutch catches and uniform number. Cameron Kenney we hardly knew ye.
To Jeremy Beal. Five tackles, two sacks and forced fumble. Also, he made Navin and I infinitely (okay, somewhat) less douchey by validating our Defensive POG picks and my defensive breakdown "piece".
To James Winchester for recovering the Aaron Williams muff (snicker) and providing the obligatory Sooner player "upside-down hookem" (see also Lehman, Teddy and Jones, Kejuan et al).
To Aaron Williams for muffing the punt.
To Mack Brown for always bringing unintentional comedy to an otherwise tense, violent affair. I can't wait for the time texas is flagged for a blatant hold and Mack bursts a vessel in his forehead. It will be glorious.
Enjoy the off week.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
OU - Texas
It's hard to believe we're already here. I've been to this game in person exactly one time. It was the same 1996 contest that Navin waxed so poetically about in his post. For some reason when I enrolled at OU the athletic office sold me a seat to the game right there on the spot. I found myself on the 50 yard line about two rows up and behind the texas bench. When James Allen won the game in overtime my euphoria was matched only by the girth of my prodigious boner (I'm a steed). As I was leaving the Cotton Bowl I met up with some Sig Ep bretheren and we proceeded to heckle relentlessly in the faces of every texas fan we came across. To the victors go the spoils.
Nowadays I rarely go down to Dallas as I've come to realize I can get drunk in front of my or a friends television and sleep in my own bed afterwards all whilst spending about $500 less. Don't hate, we're in a recession. So that's what I'll be doing today. Hanging out with about 30 other die hard Sooner fans at TFrye's house (allegedly the new King of New York).
If you want proof that any asshole can have both a blog, an opinion and not a clue, I offer you this. I also know very little about texas. You know why? I hate them. I have better shit to do with my time than cruise the Interwebs for stats, facts and figures related to those assholes. Trust me, there's plenty of texas people out there who will all too eagerly tell you how awesome they are. In short I have nothing solid to base my feelings of this contest. I stand wobbily on Crimson Colored Glasses.
Here's the deal. The Sooner offense has just enough weapons that Lonnie won't have to take too many chances. In theory this should mean less opportunities for interceptions. Also, knocking on wood here, the Sooners haven't fumbled the ball yet. Everybody knock on wood again please. So, even against a stout defense, I like our chances. Look for lots of short to intermediate throws from Lonnie. Look for lots of throws to the Trey Millards and Trent Ratteree's of the offense and especially look for creative ways to get the ball to Ryan Broyles so he can get the ball in open space. He'll expose the texas D for the terrible tacklers they are (based on no basis of fact, but I'm sure of it because they are texas and they fellate one another at practice).
What are the Sooners going to do on defense? I'm glad I asked. I think they do everything possible to make Garrett Gilbert beat them. I can't remember a texas Quarterback who struck less fear in the hearts of Sooner Nation. This is telling when you consider the storied history of effeminate texas quarterbacks. All day long it's base Nickel packages, stuffing the run and making Gilbert make plays. I think the Sooners get two, maybe three INT's.
Also, I'm truly going to be disappointed with anything less than Florida State type intensity out of the D. Really, it should easily exceed it. In a perfect world this lends itself to 60 minutes of flying to the football like your hair is on fire. The lack of same has been the bane of this Sooner D in every other game. They fix that today.
The Picks
Offense
The burden is heavy on Lonnie but he has the best weapon for either team. For that reason I'm picking the weapon, Ryan Broyles. I really think they try a lot of different things to get him the ball and he lays waste to the texas D. Broyles is a Norman native, he's no longer wide-eyed and he knows probably better than anyone what this game means. I now have a chub.
Defense
Navin, you really had me on the edge of my seat. I was pretty confident we would arrive at the same conclusion. Of course it happened. Look, I don't need to go through all the options because Navin did that quite ably. Jeremy Beal is going to wreak havoc on Gilbert and the texas O-Line. Whoever has him (again, too lazy and indifferent to look up the names of any texas O-Linemen) will have his hands on his hips with shoulders sagging. No bullshit. Jeremy Beal is going to own.
The Conclusion
This isn't going to be 7-3 or 63-3. I don't see it as a defensive struggle either. The Sooner offense is better. When they want to, the Sooner D can be as good as anyone. I cannot believe they won't be jacked today. I like Sooners (obviously).
28-14
Boomer to the motherfuckin' Sooner
Nowadays I rarely go down to Dallas as I've come to realize I can get drunk in front of my or a friends television and sleep in my own bed afterwards all whilst spending about $500 less. Don't hate, we're in a recession. So that's what I'll be doing today. Hanging out with about 30 other die hard Sooner fans at TFrye's house (allegedly the new King of New York).
If you want proof that any asshole can have both a blog, an opinion and not a clue, I offer you this. I also know very little about texas. You know why? I hate them. I have better shit to do with my time than cruise the Interwebs for stats, facts and figures related to those assholes. Trust me, there's plenty of texas people out there who will all too eagerly tell you how awesome they are. In short I have nothing solid to base my feelings of this contest. I stand wobbily on Crimson Colored Glasses.
Here's the deal. The Sooner offense has just enough weapons that Lonnie won't have to take too many chances. In theory this should mean less opportunities for interceptions. Also, knocking on wood here, the Sooners haven't fumbled the ball yet. Everybody knock on wood again please. So, even against a stout defense, I like our chances. Look for lots of short to intermediate throws from Lonnie. Look for lots of throws to the Trey Millards and Trent Ratteree's of the offense and especially look for creative ways to get the ball to Ryan Broyles so he can get the ball in open space. He'll expose the texas D for the terrible tacklers they are (based on no basis of fact, but I'm sure of it because they are texas and they fellate one another at practice).
What are the Sooners going to do on defense? I'm glad I asked. I think they do everything possible to make Garrett Gilbert beat them. I can't remember a texas Quarterback who struck less fear in the hearts of Sooner Nation. This is telling when you consider the storied history of effeminate texas quarterbacks. All day long it's base Nickel packages, stuffing the run and making Gilbert make plays. I think the Sooners get two, maybe three INT's.
Also, I'm truly going to be disappointed with anything less than Florida State type intensity out of the D. Really, it should easily exceed it. In a perfect world this lends itself to 60 minutes of flying to the football like your hair is on fire. The lack of same has been the bane of this Sooner D in every other game. They fix that today.
The Picks
Offense
The burden is heavy on Lonnie but he has the best weapon for either team. For that reason I'm picking the weapon, Ryan Broyles. I really think they try a lot of different things to get him the ball and he lays waste to the texas D. Broyles is a Norman native, he's no longer wide-eyed and he knows probably better than anyone what this game means. I now have a chub.
Defense
Navin, you really had me on the edge of my seat. I was pretty confident we would arrive at the same conclusion. Of course it happened. Look, I don't need to go through all the options because Navin did that quite ably. Jeremy Beal is going to wreak havoc on Gilbert and the texas O-Line. Whoever has him (again, too lazy and indifferent to look up the names of any texas O-Linemen) will have his hands on his hips with shoulders sagging. No bullshit. Jeremy Beal is going to own.
The Conclusion
This isn't going to be 7-3 or 63-3. I don't see it as a defensive struggle either. The Sooner offense is better. When they want to, the Sooner D can be as good as anyone. I cannot believe they won't be jacked today. I like Sooners (obviously).
28-14
Boomer to the motherfuckin' Sooner
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