UCF vs Oklahoma Sooners

 Our boys did it, didn't they? They made a statement with a win versus the Longhorns. They had a goal line stand and a heartbreaker winning drive. You love to see it. 

Now they're in the driver's seat with a favorable schedule. All they have to do is TCB. 

It starts today with UCF. 

OFFENSE

Check out our man Dillon Gabriel, now in the conversation for the Heisman. I saw it coming all along. 

Today the Sooners need to find a replacement for Andrel Anthony. I think it's Jaquaz Pettaway. 

I also see the Sooners piling up the rushing yards. Like, Tawee Walker might get 150. He's my OPOG. 

DEFENSE

Well these boys exceeded expectations. They got way more pressure on Quin Ewers than I thought and the aforementioned goal line stand was baller. 

These guys are for real and it's a glorious feeling. 

They're going to be amped up today, at home and I look for someone like Billy Bowman to have a huge coronation party. He's my DPOG. 

THE SCORE

I think the spread is 19.5 as I write this, and the Sooners cover at home easily. 

I like the Sooners bigly, 49-14. 

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

UCF

Welcome back Sooners fans. What a fun time that Red River game was. It's always sweet to beat texas, but those years where they are highly ranked and "back", and we are underdogs and coming off a sweet loss, those are special. And then you add in the unbelievable last minute comeback to really stick a knife in their balls, well, that's a level all it's own. Sooner Magic made an appearance for the first time in I don't know how long and man was it wonderful. The off week afterward made it really nice to savor. But, with all of those glad tidings there is still a lot of football left in the season. And if OU football has drilled anything into my brain, it's that we have an amazing track record of taking a dump in our own picnic basket once or twice a year. This team feels a little different than the ones of years past, but I'm still extremely cautiously optimistic at this point.

UCF comes to town for a game that would feel like a trap normally. It still does in some ways, but I think the week off was well timed in that it allowed us all to savor texas without it distracting from the next game. The extra week was a "let's get back to business" reset in my mind. For those keeping score at home, what I think means less than zero. UCF is 3-3 and I couldn't know less about them. I do feel like these Florida schools at minimum have some really talented athletes and probably a few misfits that didn't latch on to a bigger school for whatever reason. My point being, they likely have some decent talent. The kind of school that could connect enough plays to hang around against any school. OU needs to shut them down with defense early, and just play their game on O. 

Offense

To the idea of giving credit where due, Gabriel's game winning drive was pretty incredible. 75 yards with no timeouts in less than a minute to win the biggest rivalry game of the year is pretty fucking awesome. I still have my quibbles with him, and I'm still confident his lesser traits will be a meaningful (in the bad way) factor in a big game, but he did it when he needed to against UT. So, naturally, I'm staying away from him this week. He's lost his top target in Andrel Anthony (wow, that one really hurts) but I'm going to say Jalil Farooq steps up and is my OPG for the game.

Defense

Let's not go trying to reinvent the proverbial wheel here. Stutsman for President.

Score

This feels a bit like it will be a high scoring affair. The spread is -19.5 for OU at the time I'm writing this crap. I think OU comes out slow, maybe even goes down a score, but rights the ship and pulls out a win 41-21.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner

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