Oklahoma Sooners vs. texas

Fellas, it's a pretty narrow path to a championship. For OU, you have to be undefeated heading into Dallas. Check. Their non-conference slate was borderline clinic. Box scores have been gaudy. Second, you have to beat texas, and third you have to handle your business the rest of the way. 

Texas, for their part, has also followed the same formula. They have handled their business and now we have what everyone wants; OU and the Longhorns undefeated for the first time since 2011. The winner is on the inside rail for the Big 12 championship. For OU, the path looks really favorable if they can escape the Cotton Bowl with a win. 

It's all in front of us now. Let's get it. This could be an all-timer. 

OFFENSE

Dillon Gabriel is for real. Let's have a little mea culpa here and admit that. He's a game manager. While he might miss something big or easy every now then, he's not killing you with dumb plays. He keeps the offense in good down and distance with his feet, too. 

The wide receivers are rounding in to form. Andrel Anthony leads the way and Nic Anderson really looks good to me. Jaden Gibson is a big target who can make catches in traffic. All these guys bring something to the table to keep the Longhorns honest on defense. 

The big question marks will be how well the Sooners can run the ball and how quickly can Dillon Gabriel get settled in. The Longhorn defensive line is going to be much bigger and better than any the Sooners have faced.

I'm going with DG as my OPOG. It's his first Red River Shootout and he's liable to be a little high strung. If he's some semblance of his typical self, the Sooners should be in business.

DEFENSE

As mentioned, the depth here compared to last year is just night and day, but the biggest difference I see is physicality. There are some dogs (dawgs?) out there looking to feast and they are going to be flying and cracking pads in this one. 

The D-line has to occupy the Longhorn line. I'm looking for guys like Adepoju Adebawore to apply some pressure on the edges. From there, it's discipline. This has been a very opportunistic group to this point. Hopefully they can force Quin Ewers into some mistakes while keeping him contained. 

The other obvious point of emphasis is stopping the texas run game. Texas can always run the ball. The Sooners have been pretty solid in this phase, but are we who we think we are? Thus far, the Sooners have been able to get off the field. Their bread and butter has been third and fourth downs. 

Mentally, I get the sense the Sooners are ready in this one. Danny Stutsman is the lynchpin of the D and he's my DPOG today.

THE SCORE

This really could be an all timer. I think this one's going to be fast and physical. I think the country is going to watch this one and see that the SEC is getting a couple teams that can hang. 

I think the Sooners are looking to have long, keep away type drives. The defense is going to absolutely fly around. 

My only fear is the Sooners are a little less tested than the Horns. However, in a rivalry game, in Dallas, this is neutralized. The Sooners are going to be ready and they'll respond when they get hit in the mouth. 

The Sooners win and beat the (narrowing) spread. 

OU 31, Texas 24 

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner. Texas fucking sucks

texas

 Whoa doctor it's a big one this week. Our Sooners enter this year's edition of the Red River Rivalry ranked #12 in the Nation. Standing 5-0 and playing seemingly good football on both sides of the ball. texas comes in also 5-0 and ranked a lofty #3 in the country. Both teams are 2-0 in the conference, both teams put up similar numbers in terms of total yards on offense and defense, with a slight edge in offense to OU and defense to texas. The biggest difference is OU has played a murderers row of ass-dribble teams and texas has mixed in wins over Alabama and a solid KU team (a thrashing last week of the latter). We all remember last year, an historically lopsided win for the Longhorns that was an absolute embarrassment. OU will have revenge on their minds and texas simply looks to prove they are the better team and no fluke.

To me there are two main factors that will determine the outcome in this one. First and foremost is the OU offensive line vs the texas defensive front. Their front is absolutely monstrous with all four regulars clocking in at over 300 lbs. They have controlled opponents with pressure and a shutdown of the run game. If the Sooners can't open running lanes or give DG time, it will be a long afternoon indeed. The second is the OU secondary. texas has big wide receivers and our DBs have looked, um, questionable at times. Again, this is coming against some bad QBs and week WRs. texas has neither of those things. A lot will be predicated on pressuring Ewers and containing him from scrambling for 3rd down conversions. But if OU is again leaving WRs completely alone on the field it will be rough.

Offense

The offense has taken turns looking dominant and mediocre the last two weeks. DG continues to do the same thing, which is put up a solid line and look like shit doing it. Nevertheless, I am staying away from the run game. First, I have no idea who is going to be the RB-du-jour this week and that defensive front tells me it's going to be tough going on the ground. As such, I'm going to go with Nic Anderson. Dude is emerging as a total stud. He's big, can make contested catches (something I think is going to be critical) and can get open with his speed and athleticism. I like him for some clutch catches and a TD today.

Defense

Come on now, I can't mess around here. Stutsman. He's emerging as an All-America candidate and Butkus (RIP by the way)  award candidate. I think he announces his presence on the national stage in a big way.

Score

Whew the experts and Vegas agree, this game belongs to texas. Frankly, given our opponents, I think it is reasonable. I think there is a real possibility that DG melts down in this one. But, I also know this is the last Big 12 meeting for these rivals. I know OU is coming off a nationally broadcast dick-slap against these guys last year. All of the motivation is there, and for once, the pressure is firmly on texas as the higher ranked opponent. The atmosphere is going to be insane. Venables has them fired up to 11. Sooners sneak it out 37-35.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Iowa State

 Hello Sooners fans, today's contest pits the Sooners against the Cyclones of Iowa State. OU comes in averaging 46.5 pts and 506+ yards/game on offense. Iowa State compares at 21 pts and 308+ yards on offense. OU's numbers are clearly skewed by two huge performances against bad teams. ISU could say the same with a piss poor loss to Ohio (not Ohio State mind you, the other one) where managed only 7 pts in a 10-7 defeat. OU is coming off a road-win in a trap-game (my assessment) against Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati. I missed the majority of the game unfortunately, but from what I read and heard from those that watched, the offense left quite a few points out there. This is known scientifically as the Dylan Gabriel effect. The part I didn't see coming was the defense holding Cincy down all day. They employ a hybrid QB that is just the sort of player that was all but guaranteed a career day against OU's past teams. I think he played like absolute shit, but credit where due. I can't remember the last time OU won a game on defense against anyone, no matter how shitty they were. 

It's all sunshine for now, but similar tidings were had last year and we all know how that went. Sooner nation collective has their ear to the door waiting for that other shoe. I'm hoping it never drops, but realistically, it will at some point. Iowa State is coming off a nice win against Oklahoma State. I've watched zero minutes of ISU football this year so I don't know which of the 2-2 teams is the real one. At minimum they've proven their capable of beating a decent team. OU can't go to sleep in this one, just need to keep the pedal to the metal and keep that defense clicking.

Offense

After 3 games of correctly predicting who would be completely absent from the offense, I finally got one right last week with Andrel Anthony. I admit it was a pretty sturdy limb I was out on, but nonetheless he blew up. I'm feeling lucky with the dice today so I'm going to take a shot at an RB. I'm going to say it's Javantae Barnes who gets the call this week. It's been a different guy nearly every week who is the bell cow. It might as well be Barnes this one. 

Defense

At this point I'm afraid to not pick him. It has to be Stutsman. This guy is playing way into legendary OU linebacker status, which is no easy club to break into. He's unbelievable every week and teams have to be scheming away from him at this point. In spite of that, he's still everywhere on the field blowing up plays.

Score

OU is favored by 20 at the time of publication. That's a pretty solid line for the Sooners. But, Matt Campbell is a really good coach and since he's been at ISU the Cyclones have played OU extremely tough every time. They are coming off a big win and I'm sure the team is feeling good coming in. The home crowd will be amped, the Sooners will be ready. OU wins this one 37-24.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

 Happy college football Saturday, sports fans. Our Sooners are 3-0 at the conclusion of warm-up section of the schedule. They've looked mostly very good to this point. Dillon Gabriel is playing at a consistently higher level year over year and the defense is visibly much improved.

Today shit gets real. This will be Cincinnati's first game in the Big 12. It's the first true away game for the Sooners.  The Bearcats will be fired up and ready to show they belong. Our boys are going to have to show some character today if they want to come out with a W.

OFFENSE

Reportedly the Bearcats have a pretty solid defensive line. They have 10 sacks so far this year. The Sooners offensive line has been a little spotty and they haven't nailed down personnel. Keep an eye out here. You know the Sooners will never give up on the running game, but we don't need to see Dillon Gabriel scrambling early and often as it may make him a little more accident prone. 

It makes me wonder if Jackson Arnold might get in the mix if it does happen that the Sooners line can't keep the Bearcats in check. 

Meanwhile, in the passing game, the Sooners took some shots last week which was great to see. Nic Anderson showed he can be a serious threat. He's tall and strong enough to shed defenders. 

I like Nic Anderson today as my ovenmitts.com Hot Hand player of the game. 

DEFENSE

I'm keenly interested to watch the defense today. The Bearcats QB is a dual threat transfer from Florida. It's a given that the Sooners are going to take the Bearcats best shot. There's probably going to be some breakdowns and the Sooners are going to get punched in the mouth.

Today we'll see if they've got some grit. I think the mentality is there but it's going to get tested. 

Whoever is spying the quarterback is my DPOG. I don't know if that's Danny Stutsman, Jaren Kanek, Justin Harrington or someone else. But that's the key. I'm guessing they start with Kanek. I'm not sure if Harrington is even back from injury. 

The Sooners have three guys banged up that they need back ASAP. Harrington, Dasan McCullough and Gentry Williams. Williams, especially. I'd feel much better about things if two of these three were active today.

OK so my DPOG is Kanek.

THE SCORE

This is the perfect test at the right time for the Sooners. The Bearcats are a team we should beat by more than 14 (current spread). It's the situation for the Bearcats that makes this one so much more difficult. On the road, first Big 12 game in history for a Cincy team that will want to prove they belong. 

The Sooners need to play with an edge and attitude and squash the bug. The Sooners O-line needs to ball out and the defense needs to show some toughness. 

If it works out, I like the Sooners 31, Bearcats 17.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Cincinnati

 Today marks the start of Big 12 play for the Sooners. It is also the first true road test of the season. Thus far the Sooners have played good football. Two demolitions sandwiched around a questionable effort vs a sort of decent SMU team. My optimism is mostly tempered by the memory of similar start last season. 3-0 delusions of a competent defense followed by a season ending run of cold, wet shit. Is this team different? Time will tell, but the conference opener on the road against a decent Bearcat club should give us a little bit better of an idea. 

Dylan Gabriel still looks an awful lot like Dylan Gabriel. Last week was arguably his best game as a Sooner in my opinion. He looked through his progressions at least a couple of times, which is a couple of times more than he's done otherwise this season. The accuracy issues remain and his decision making is questionable, but credit where due last week. That said, I still think he loses us games this year. Arnold is clearly the better player albeit inexperienced. The running game would be a fantasy football manager's nightmare if one dabbled in such pursuits. It's a wild card as to who will be the feature back any given week with four viable options to fill that role. Still, it's been successful thus far and I hope that continues. 

Defensively, it is the Danny Stutsman show. Better teams will scheme to take him out of such a dominant role, but so far he has been nothing short of dominant. Hopefully the front four can generate more pressure than they have, otherwise it's going to be a long day for the second against more skilled opponents.

Offense

Dylan Gabriel has playstation numbers to this point. I still have no faith in him. I'm usually not a believer in the "eyeball test". If the numbers are good, the numbers don't lie. But anyone who has followed the team can see how much he leaves out there. His deep ball is comically bad and he misses open receivers early and often. So, I can't in good conscience choose him. I will instead go with Andrel Anthony (the irony, as he depends on Gabriel).  Anthony has been incredible thus far and is clearly Gabriel's favorite target. I think he has a big day on the road in spite of the rainy conditions. 

Defense

Stutsman is just my only choice here until someone else steps up and kills it. I'm going with Danny again and I think he tears it up today.

Score

OU is favored by 14 in this one. I think that is highly optimistic. It's a road test. It's Cincy's first conference game in the Big 12, the team and fans will be amped. They have a decent offense with a QB that can run (always trouble for the Sooners). The conditions aren't optimal for a high flying attack. I think Cincy hangs around and I think this is too close for comfort. Sooners escape 31-28.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

 Greetings, Sooner fans. Our boys are 2-0 after a "little close for comfort" but spread beating win over SMU last week. SMU proved to be a worthy foe and it was nice test for the crimson and cream. This week, it's a "road game" for the Sooners as they travel up I-44 to face Tulsa. This is a road game in name only as the Sooner following in Tulsa is quite large and I'm sure many in OKC are happy to make a short little trip for this one. 

Tulsa is led by for Sooner coach Kevin Wilson and he, by all accounts, inherits a Tulsa football team whose cupboard is as bare as a Venezuelan super market. Wilson also led one of the least potent offenses of the Bob Stoops era. This one should be a blowout.

OFFENSE

Frankly, I'm a bit flummoxed by Jeff Lebby's offensive philosophy. He LOVES to run the ball and will do so, apparently, until someone wiggles the wires plugged into the back of his neck. Hey, I love running the football. It's a nice flex to be able to do it at will. But it also exists to open up the passing game. In Jeff Lebby's world this often means play action with a check down to some short slant.

Now, what I'm confused about is if this is Jeff Lebby's world view or is it what peak Dillon Gabriel looks like? It is flabbergasting how few shots down the field the Sooners try. I'm inclined to blame Dillon Gabriel but then you think back to last year and how the Sooners used Gavin Freeman. Every time he was on the field they ran a jet sweep with him and rarely, if ever, deviated from it or used it to set up something else. 

Last week, the Sooners brought in Jackson Arnold on 3rd or 4th and short. Every single time they ran Jackson Arnold. Fine, but why not use it to do something different? It never happened. It's predictable and that makes me think this is all Jeff Lebby.

Anyway, today I'd like to see some kind of evolution beyond running 19 times in a row and/or taking some shots off of play action. It would be blissful to see Dillon Gabriel go through some progression and take some chances. 

Or, here's my pet theory, continue to use Jackson Arnold but keep him in as the "hot hand" and let him run the offense for a series at a time. Maybe he'll keep Gabriel on the sidelines without straight benching him.

My OPOG today is Gavin Sawchuk. He hasn't had much of a chance to get on the field much since he's been working his way back from injury but I think today he gets some touches and makes the most of it. 

DEFENSE

These guys are playing well enough to get the job done. 11 total points through two games is stingy. Anything under 24 should be enough to win any game. This week they need to continue to find their playmakers and quit being their own worst nightmares.

SMU's best drives last week relied on the Sooners committing dumb penalties, including a sideline infraction in the middle of the damn play. You never see that and it's unconscionable. They have to clean it up today.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how excited I am for the future of this defense. They are markedly improved across the board from last year. And they are very young. The linebackers are looking great.

Keep in mind last week that the Sooners were without Dasan McCullough (So) and they lost their starting CB Gentry Williams on the first drive. They might Penalties aside, they didn't miss a beat.

Today my DPOG is Kip Lewis. He's one of those young linebackers that is looking really good. He's super fast and had 9 tackles last week, second only to Danny Stutsman who had 17 fucking tackles. He's a machine.

SCORE

OU is a 28 point favorite and that seems about right. I don't have confidence the Sooners will cover. See above my doubts about Jeff Lebby's football intellect. He seems like he's happy to run the ball so long as the Sooners have the lead. I hope I'm wrong. I hate that kind of football. No amount of points can ever be enough if you're a Sooner fan. We just don't trust the D enough yet.

The Sooners will win comfortably, however, something like 42-17.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Tulsa

 Welcome back loyal reader(s). For the second year in a row, the Sooners started off looking like a juggernaut and followed that up by falling back to earth in disappointing fashion. So far, the Sooners have managed to stave off a bad loss, but let's be real, SMU is not a great football team. The sort of effort OU displayed last week would have them destroyed versus a better opponent. I've minced words somewhat and tried to look at the situation through the most optimistic lens I could conjure up, but the reality is Dylan Gabriel sucks. His arm is shit and he has zero ability to go through a progression. If his first option isn't there he either forces the throw anyway or tries to run. This seems like it would make a defensive game plan exceedingly easy to come up with. It's a matter of time of before Jackson Arnold takes the starting role, I only worry that it will take a couple of losses before this happens. And on that note, I truly hate the Arnold "belldozer" look that OU ran seeminly 25 times without any success last week. What a joke.

Defensively it wasn't much better. The front four has zero ability to get any pressure on the QB. Mind you this is coming against a presumably mediocre SMU offensive line. Even with the blitz they seldom "got home". Give any FBS QB unlimited time to throw and he is going to pick you apart. Fact. The middle of the defense appears to be the strongest unit with Stutsman and Kanek both looking very solid. The DBs are difficult to assess due to the aforementioned complete lack of pressure. No one can expect them to cover for 30 seconds on every snap, it just isn't possible. Suffice to say that the warts that popped up against Arkansas State became more evident last week and will only continue to do so unless major corrections are made. My fear is that the talent isn't there to make those corrections.

Offense

On the positive side of things, the skill positions appear to be pretty solid on offense. Aside from Gabriel, the WRs and RBs all seems to have capable players and plenty of depth. The TE position would be the one spot where it seems they might be a little understaffed. Stogner is solid but certainly hasn't shown to be a difference maker at this point. One of the most pleasant surprises has been Tawee Walker. The fact that he is getting reps over big time recruits says a lot. That he is clearly out playing those guys says even more. With that in mind I'm going with him to be my OPG. He is not razzle dazzle by any means, but he is solid in all facets of the offense and always seems to get positive yards when given the ball.

Defense

So far this has been the Danny Stutsman show. Dude is a menace out there. He is so high energy and always seems to be around the ball. On a medicore unit with few (if any) stars he is a definite bright spot. Until proven otherwise, he is my DPG.

Score

Tulsa does not appear to be a good football team. They got completely dismantled by #8 Washington last week. There is the in-state rivalry aspect, but let's be real that is one-sided in the sense that the Sooners don't give a shit about Tulsa. The line is -28 for OU. I expect this game to be frustrating in all of the worst ways of underperforming. Tulsa will likely play their best game of the season and OU will oblige. But Tulsa is just too undertalented to make this a close game. Sooners win 41-17. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner