Tulane Green Wave vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 The Tulane Green Wave come to Norman on a beautiful Saturday to take on our 2-0 Sooners. The Sooners looked like wet turd on offense last week in a much closer than the oddsmakers predicted 16-12 nailbiter against hapless Houston. The defense looked good and sealed the game. It looks like they may have to do that for the foreseeable future. 

Tulane gave a scare to Kansas State last week in New Orleans. The Sooners had better be ready to play.

OFFENSE

The offensive line is putrid. They got no push in the run game and they were undisciplined in the final moments with an inexplicable personal foul almost costing them the game. 

Today's OPOG has to be Jackson Arnold unfortunately. He has to figure out a way to manage this team and figure out a way to get some yards on first down. They can't be living in 3rd a long. This is the last week before it gets "real". With this offensive line, I have serious doubts.

It doesn't look like Nic Anderson is back yet, either, so JA has his work cut out for him.

DEFENSE

This group is playing hard and by and large doing the right thing. They had one bad breakdown last week which is going to happen.

That said they have to be better to cover this offense. That's wild to think in the modern era, but here we are. 

Today I like Gracen Halton for my DPOG. He's at 2.5 sacks thus far and he's a big, disruptive fella. Why not?

THE SCORE

It turns out that some concerning hallmarks of the Brent Venables era is a lack of discipline and poor ball control and clock management at the ends of halves.

I can't believe the lack of confidence in the Sooners offense at this point. Perhaps they can fill a hole or two on the line this week. 

I'll take the Sooners 31, Tulane 17

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tulane Green Wave

Welcome back, Sooner fans. The world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket* as I type this but football is moving forward. Football will always be there. Speaking of forward, forward and upward is the trajectory of our Sooners and, if you can believe it, expectations and hype are higher than any year in recent memory. The Sooners take on the Tulane Green Wave in week 1.  Spencer Rattler is the early odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The Sooner D, fresh off an ass beat of Florida in the Cotton Bowl, look as though they may not give up even a first down, much less a point all season. This in spite of notable departures at key positions in Country Music and PRCA Champion Ronnie Perkins and defensive backs Tre Brown and Tre Norwood.

Alas, the hype is much deserved. Spencer Rattler is back and should make a noticeable leap, the mere thought of which is kind of bananas. And he's surrounded, as per usual, with dynamic playmakers like Marvin Mims and Kennedy Brooks (who should be in incredible shape after a year off). It is with regret I do have to mention that dumbassery has negatively impacted this side of the ball with Trejan Bridges, Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson all running afoul of the law and Marcus Major flunking his classes. All of these guys would have seen the field a lot. So it goes. 

OFFENSE

The Spencer Rattler leap is going to be fun to watch. The key to it happening is going to be making sure he doesn't get into any lulls where he's trying to do too much too fast. He needs rhythm. The addition of Mario Williams at wide receiver should help.

I'm also keenly interested in the running back group. They are thin and led by Kennedy Brooks. He took last year off because of Covid. Eric Gray is his backup and comes from Tennessee. Then there's.. nobody. I imagine Jeremiah Hall is going to get a lot of action. I'm not saying he's Rhamondre 2.0 but if you asked Rhamondre to play TE he could do it and he would look like Jeremiah Hall. That's trouble if utilized correctly.

For my OPOG I'm going Spencer. It's opening day. He's the Heisman front runner. Let's do this. 

DEFENSE

Expectations are sky high for this group which is a nice change. There are key pieces to replace in the secondary but it looks like the DJ Grahams and Woodi Washingtons of the world are ready to step up at defensive back.

Today I'm watching the linebackers and nickle spot. There is talk about how the 'backers are some of the best the coaches have ever assembled. Let's see it. I'm going Nik Bonitto, preseason All American, for DPOG. How nice is it to have a front seven that is full of playmakers? Also, interestingly the Sooners feel they have enough depth to use eight guys among the front four. 

As far as nickle goes, Billy Bowman is the guy to watch. Much ballyhooed out of high school, he was expected to see the field on either side of the ball and he's getting his first chance on D replacing departed knucklehead Brendan Radley Hiles. I think he might also be a kick returner. He's a serious athlete.

THE SCORE

It's a shame climate change has moved this game to Norman. That would have been a cool atmosphere in Nola. I don't think it affects the outcome much. I expect the Sooners to cruise with the second unit on offense getting some oohs and aahs in mop up time. If Caleb Williams gets to play that will be must see tv.

I'm going sooner 49, Green Wave 10

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner!

* When I speak of the world going to hell I mean specifically that this past week Hurricane Ida ravaged most of the eastern half of the United States, starting with Louisiana. The Sooners and Green Wave were scheduled to play in New Orleans and now the Sooners get an extra home game. 

Tulane

I hate to discuss old business at the beginning of this every week, but that was a damn good time last Saturday. At the risk of disparaging Bobby Stoops, that was the type of performance that hasn't been seen at OU in a decade. I can't remember the last time the Sooners played on a stage that big (and no, a nationally meaningless sugar bowl does not count) and kicked a team's teeth in. Aside from a solid drive, following a big kickoff return to open the second half, Ohio State did nearly nothing. Which leads us to the crux of the situation and I can't believe I'm even saying it but, the defense looked fucking good. Granted Ohio State hasn't done one thing to prove it's a good offense at this point and the Sooners may have exposed JT Barrett as what he is, a running back playing quarterback, even still that was damn fun. Let's also not overlook the OU offense. Offensive question marks aside, I don't think many would argue that Ohio State has a bad defense, in fact their front seven is one of the best in the country. Last Saturday, the only team that stopped OU on offense was OU. Bask in that glow for as long as you like.




....and we're back. Tulane rolls into Norman today for a tilt with the, now number 2 in the country, Oklahoma Sooners. Tulane resides in the heart of a rabid college football town, alas the town is rabid for LSU. While the Green Wave is never much more than a blip on the national spectrum, this is no run of the mill doormat. Should OU roll? Yes. Should this game be a formality? Yes. But, Tulane generally has a handful of NFL caliber players on the roster, and this is a prototypical let-down game. Am I worried? For the first time in years, I actually feel confident. Did I mention I'm excited for the Lincoln Riley era?

Tulane evidently runs some old school option type offense. I'm sure this is a jazzed up (New Orleans joke) version with some odd formations that get them in that game, but it boils down to disciplined assignment football. Ohio State game aside, this is not the type of offense that the Sooners under Mike Stoops have struggled with. The reason that option football has all but disappeared is because defenders have gotten so fast and athletic that teams who don't stay disciplined, or that miss assignments can recover. Fortunately for Sooner nation, the OU defense is both fast AND athletic. Basically, OU needs to get out of this one healthy and tuned up for conference play.

Offense

Cutting and pasting Baker Damn Mayfield here would be a short and accurate way of nailing this each week, but that would deprive you loyal reader(s) of me making an absurd and stupid pick each week (Trey Sermon last week not withstanding). I read earlier this week that coaches expected Mark Andrews to play this week, but predictably the Oklahoman neglected to revisit the subject as practices commenced. Why would anyone be interested in the health of the Sooners second best offensive weapon? (Regardless of his health, it seems like a good week to rest him in that I think this is winnable without him.) I went RB last week and I think (for now) Sermon has solidified himself as the first option. That said I think I'm going to go with CeeDee Lamb, he looks like the real deal and as fun as Badet is to watch, I think Lamb has the makings of a star WR.

Defense

Wow, what a show last Saturday, several guys looked the part not the least of which is Parnell Motley who really has the makings of being a stud. He was tested several times and answered. I don't however, envision Tulane passing a lot (though the may be forced to eventually if the score dictates it) so I'm going with Caleb Kelly. He's been somewhat quiet the first couple of weeks and with his speed I think he's going to make a bunch of tackles against the Green Wave's run-first offense

Score

I do think there might be some letdown after last week's emotional win. It has to be hard to get up for a second tier team after beating the number 2 team on the road. I do think the Sooners roll, however, just maybe not as dominating as could be. Sooners tighten up in this one, 49-21. This is getting fun again.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. Tulane Green Wave

We got us a football team. The boys looked sharp and composed in their thumping of the bygod Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus last week. The defense played bigly and you can't say enough about Baker Mayfield. Without a doubt he is the heart and soul of this team. I can't recall the last Sooners team that had this kind of attitude.

Now the Sooners find themselves at number two in the polls, receiving first place votes and in control of their own destiny. This is where Sooner teams should expect to be. The challenge will be in keeping the edge week to week and taking everyone's best shot. I feel good about it but it's easier said than done. Lincoln Riley and Co.'s work is really just beginning.

Up next, the Tulane Green Wave.

OFFENSE

The Sooners need three things to happen today on offense. First, bring the same TCB attitude to this game that they've had in the first two games. With Mayfield leading the way, coming out flat seems impossible. Dude bro probably plants a flag in his apartment after a bowel movement.

Second, continue to develop receiver options. This shouldn't be too hard either as Mark Andrews is out for today and that's a bummer. The silver lining is everyone else has to step up. Baker can't have too many options.

Third, stay healthy. It would be great to see a bunch of "2's and 3's" getting some early playing time. How validating was it when last week BD Mayfield got "dinged" and Kyler Murray had to fill in. Sure it was one play but in year's past it might well have been his first play as a Sooner let alone of the season. No bueno in that situation.

For my OPOG today I'm going with Trey Sermon. He gets his first start today and a chance to stake his claim as the feature back. Something tells me he's, "gonna go for it honey".

DEFENSE

I guess it's time to start believing in these guys. The athleticism of this unit is clearly a step above last year. They really need to stay healthy as depth is already becoming an issue in the secondary.

Steamroller homepiece RPP texted during the game last week that Parnell Motley should be the MFer for this year. Navin correctly pumped the brakes. This is a developing situation but it's encouraging that there is at least one candidate. One could also make a case for Ogbonnia as well. I was skeptical but he is playing real well.

Today I think I'll take the freshman Kenneth Murray as my DPOG. It seems like in this gimmicky run-oriented offense that he could really pile up the tackles.

THE GAME

The Sooners need to TCB on offense, don't "break contain" on defense and get out of this one healthy. An apparently one dimensional run offense is going to have a difficult time keeping up with the Sooners offense, to say the least. The Sooners cruise in this one. Mayfield sits the second half. The D looks sharp again.

Sooners 52, Tulane 10

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.