Temple Owls vs. Oklahoma Sooners

 Hello Sooner fans and welcome to the 2024 edition of the Steamroller. Hard to believe we've been doing this since 2010. We've had almost as many page views as we've had years. Maybe the Sooners move to the SEC helps things out a bit.

Speaking of the SEC. Gawt dang, you guys, we did it. We're here. It's the premier league in all of college football. It can't be overstated how big of a deal this is for the University of Oklahoma. 

A step up this big comes with wildly high expectations, and why not. The Sooners wouldn't be here if they weren't considered one of the blue bloods of college football. Yes sir, we belong with anyone.

But what better way to have championship aspirations than by also joining the premier conference with a new Offensive Coordinator, a new Defensive Coordinator, kind of a new Quarterback, and an all new offensive line. Well, that's what our Sooners are doing.

At least the boys start off with a Friday night cupcake against the Temple Owls. 

OFFENSE

We got our first taste of the Seth Littrel/Joe Jon Finley/Jackson Arnold offense in the Alamo Bowl, a loss against Arizona. The offensive line was bare bones in that one and the trio had mere weeks to prepare. The results were uneven with flashes of brilliance from JA along with some boneheaded mistakes.

If what we saw is, in fact, a taste of what's to come, you can expect a lethal offense. There was a ton of shotgun play action, quarterback read plays that led to a lot of defensive hesitation which Arnold exploited either with his legs or by finding easy throws.

Also, and this is important, he can throw a deep ball. Newcomer Deion Burks should feast by getting an extra step on defenders as a result of the play action. If he doesn't Andrel Anthony is back in good health. He was OU's best threat prior to his going down with a "leg" last year. 

This misdirection scheme should also provide opportunities in the flat for Gavin Sawchuck with easy passes or gaping holes via the now patented pulling guard run blocking.

For my OPOG I'm going with Jackson Arnold for the simple fact it's now his team, his time and he needs to get a solid performance at home under his belt to settle any nerves. But, it would be really nice to see this re-assembled hodge podge of an offensive line get some good reps under their belt as well.

DEFENSE

Zac Alley takes over for Ted Roof and, by all accounts, Alley is a Brent Venables clone. Hopefully, unlike Venables, he knows how to use timeouts in end of half situations and can keep himself on the sidelines during game play.

Beyond that, the Sooners seem poised to make a leap on this side of the ball. They return Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, both studs. The linebacking group must be deep as Jaren Kanek, a starter last year, is now 3rd team. Also keep an eye inside where true freshman Jayden Jackson is getting the start at DR.

What should we look for on Friday from this group? Depth, competitiveness and physicality, all led by my DPOG (and you and I both know it will be Nate's as well) Danny Stutsman. He's one of those heart and soul type guys that will lead this group all year.

THE SCORE

It's kind of cool this one is on Friday night. A lot of eyeballs will be watching. It's also a bit of a bummer it's going to take away from Friday Night Lights in Oklahoma. That said, it will look like a college football elite versus a high school football team. 

This is the scrimmage the Sooners need to shake the rust off and to start getting a comfort level amongst teammates.

It's almost over before it starts but it'll be fun to see some new faces.

OU 70, Temple 6

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Arizona Wildcats

 Hello Sooner fans and welcome to the final installment of the 2023 Sooners football season. One cannot deny improvement, but this campaign still has a lot of "what might have beens". 

Today we turn the page. The future, Jackson Arnold, takes the reins of the now Seth Littrel Sooner offense. What schemes carry over or new schemes might we see?

OFFENSE

I'm excited to watch Jackson Arnold and I wish there was some reveal of what is to come next year. However, the O Line is decimated by graduation and transfer. 

As such I think we some some fairly simplistic run schemes for Gavin Sawchuk and Jackson Arnold. I also anticipate an uptick in down field shots to Nic Anderson and Jaden Gibson. Drake Stoops and Sawchuk can be the safety blankets. 

The Sooners need to stick to their strengths and keep the ball in playmakers hands. 

For my OPOG I'm going with Jackson Arnold. This is a good stepping stone for him as a player and leader. 

DEFENSE

Danny Stutsman is staying and having him in this one is huge. The D needs to take chances today and he can fix a lot of mistakes. 

He's my DPOG. 

The Sooners win if they win the turnover battle. They've done it all year. 

THE SCORE

I think the Sooners can scrape by with enough points to win in spite of a new O-Line but can the D get off the field. Arizona has been hot and has a lot to prove. 

In the end, I think Jackson Arnold takes advantage of his first real chance and carries the day for the Sooners. 

Sooners 28 Wildcats 17

Boomer to the motherfucking Sooner

Arizona

 Tonight our Sooners play the most prestigious of bowl games, the historically proud and significant Alamo bowl! At least it isn't the Beef O'Brady's bowl which is worse in name and absolutely no different in significance. If you can't tell, I'm not remotely excited by this game. I love tradition and pageantry as much as anyone, and it is one of the things I really love about college football. So my conundrum with that perspective is that I really do not care about any Bowl games that aren't the playoff. And that includes OU bowl games. I guess I'm a bit of a spoiled bitch in that if this were OU's first bowl game after a decade of losing seasons, I might pay attention. But as it stands, this is a formality where many stars will sit out and the stadium will be half full if they're lucky.

Offense

I don't really know who all is playing, but I assume Jackson Arnold will be and I am going to pick him. This is as much hope-based as anything else, but I want to see the young buck gain some confidence going into next season.

Defense

One unexpected, and great, piece of news this fall was that our man Danny Stutsman is coming back next year. He's a stud and he's continuing his run as my DPG.

Score

I know nothing about Arizona other than their ranking and records are similar to ours. So it seems this might be a good matchup. I like our Sooners to score the upset (Zona is -2.5) and win this 30-24.

One last time for 2023: Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Happy Thanksgiving, Sooners fans. I hope you all had a lovely day and have a terrific weekend in store. Today the Sooners tie a bow on the regular season in a special Friday tilt, at home, against the Horned Frogs. Last week the Sooners won ugly against BYU and lost both Dillon Gabriel to a concussion and Jackson Arnold's redshirt. It was a game the Sooners almost certainly would have lost last year. So while there is plenty to bitch about that needs to improve (game/clock management), it's important to remember that there has been some significant improvement this season. 

Alas, it's senior day in Norman, the Sooners will reach 10 wins with a victory today and they are still have a shot at making the Big 12 championship game. Let's go.

OFFENSE

My brother-in-law Kyle sent me an article this week that said DG is a no go against TCU and that he hadn't practiced all week. Kyle then said he saw DG practicing this week with his own eyes. An article in The Oklahoman says DG has been practicing and is probable. I think he probably goes today. 

Whether it's DG or Jackson Arnold, the Sooners have started rounding into form the last two weeks. Jeff Lebby seems to have realized that you need not rely so heavily on cute tricks and gimmicks when you have personnel that can play competent football. Gavin Sawchuk has been on beast mode, Drake Stoops is playing the best football of his life, Jaden Gibson and Nic Anderson are stretching the field. It's a simple game, really. 

Look for more of it today. I'm picking Drake Stoops for my OPOG. I've appreciated him but too easily dismissed the difference he makes. He really has had a remarkable year. On this, his Senior Day, he deserves some attention. I hope he goes for 100 with a score or two. None of that is a stretch.

DEFENSE

Kudos to this group for pulling the Sooner season out of the fire last week. Yes they gave up yards in chunks to a team that is not good at running the ball, but they got stops and turnovers when they had to. It's becoming a habit for them. 

I'm going to assume that TCU will be successful at something simple like a slant or RPO and it will drive us fans crazy. I would like to think our scheme is designed to tolerate success at something the opponent is not good at (like not worrying too much about a running attack) in order to take away everything else. I don't think we're that clever.

All this to say, we just need to keep getting stops when it matters and the occasional turnover from playmakers. Danny Stutsman is our best player and Billy Bowman is our best playmaker. I'm going Billy for DPOG.

THE SCORE

I laid out the plan last week. Win out, get help, win the Big 12, lose on national TV in the playoffs. It's all out there still. 

I like the Sooners big today on Senior Day. The best part; watch how few defensive players are playing their last game today. This team is young and this year could be a springboard for being truly in the discussion for the natty.

I'll take the Sooners today 35-10. Boomer to the motherfucking Sooner

Oklahoma Sooner vs. BYU Cougars

 Stop me if this sounds familiar. The Sooners ride high all season, beat Texas and are fully in control of their own destiny. They lose games they shouldn't and are no longer in control of their own destiny. They then win out, someone else helps them out, the Sooners make it to the Big 12 championship, win that and then go on to lose spectacularly on national television.

That's where we're headed.

OFFENSE

The Sooners rolled up 600 yards and Dillon Gabriel accounted for 8 touchdowns. Drake Stoops played the best game of his life. But Gavin Sawchuk was the secret sauce. He's my OPOG for today. If he meets with success, everyone else's life is easier.

DEFENSE

It says a lot about both Danny Stutsman and Kip Lewis that when Stutsman came back from his injury he changed positions to keep Kip Lewis on the field. That move has worked better than could be hoped. I'm picking Kip Lewis today.

THE SCORE

The line started at 20 and has moved to 25 which seems high. I like the Sooners to cover, however because BYU is inept in all phases apparently. Only an act of God in the heart of Mormon country can help the Cougars today.

I like the Sooners bigly, 42-14.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

BYU

 I have essentially given up on the OU team. This is probably discernable based on my even more half-assed-than-usual effort for these posts. I should be happy that they still have some kind of shot at the conference championship but I'm still under the delusion that this team should be competing for National Championships even though they are currently in the longest drought in school history since they won their first one in in 1950. Basically they've been slightly above average for a very long time. 

Anyway, BYU today. This game would've given me tremendous anxiety if OU hadn't already shit the bed twice. As it stands, it will be a tough road game against a team hungry to prove themselves in a new conference. OU will probably lose. It will not matter.

Offense

How about Gavin Sawchuck today? It's as wild of a dart throw as any. I'm going to roll with that on the road where a ground attack would prove useful. I'm sure Jeff Lebby is way smarter than that though and will call 127 gadget plays that don't work instead.

Defense

Stutsman

Score

I think OU ekes this one 28-21.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner

West Virginia

 I am so disappointed in this Sooners squad. They have looked like absolute trash since they beat texas. I guess that was the goal of the whole season as they have been on a mission to completely fuck themselves in every game since. It's the same old song and dance on defense with a new wrinkle on offense of complete ineptitude. Fun times indeed. I honestly have pretty  much stopped caring. Lebby is completely overmatched and Venables doesn't seem to be the defensive wizard  everyone thought. Instead he looks like the buffoon defensive coordinator we fired all of those years back. 

Offense

I have no idea here. The offense has been so bad. Dylan Gabriel fucking sucks and now it's just showing up every week. I will get cute here and go with Austin Stogner. He's been completely forgotten on this offense and why would you look for a huge target on those critical 3rd and 6 or less downs? Maybe they remember he's on the team this week,

Defense

It appears Stutsman is back, and there you have my pick.

Score

Can the Sooners actually score some points tonight? Because I know they will damn sure give some up. What the hell, Sooners win 42-30.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner.