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.

Tulane

This Saturday our Sooners host the Green Wave of Tulane University. Let us all hope it is a much better performance than the shitshow bs Houston last week. As this game was on SEC Network I was not able to watch it. But, everything I read after the game was over seemed as though the final score was an accurate depiction of how shitty the Sooners played. Some fun numbers: OU punted 8 times, Arnold was sacked 3 times, he threw an interception and only managed 176 passing yards on the day. If we’re playing Georgia, that seems reasonable (if disappointing) but against Houston it’s just terrible. I’m not sure how much of the blame also lies at Arnold’s feet but the OLine has been absolutely dreadful the first two games. 7 sacks vs 2 wildly inferior defenses. Yes, conference play is going to be rough. On the optimistic side of things, the defense seemed to play well. I can’t remember the last time the defense bailed the offense out, but again, this was against a really bad Houston team that got pasted by UNLV in the opening week. 

Tulane, sadly, looks to be a much tougher opponent (it’s all relative). They played very well against a K-State team that (at least according to the current rankings) is similar in quality to our Sooners. Tulane damn near beat us a couple of years ago in what should’ve been a Sooners blowout. Unless our guys really clean up the offensive line play and Arnold steps up, this could be an early upset. 

Offense

It’s really hard to get excited about anyone with the way the O line has played. I have no confidence in a running back behind them and it’s hard to see a big game from our QB as well. But I will go with a WR in Deion Burks and hope that he can sustain drives and get behind the defense once or twice as well. 

Defense

It’s Stutsman here. It’s just too hard not to pick him. He had 15 tackles last week. He’s an animal, he’s everywhere and he’s our best player on either side of the ball. What I lack in creativity is made up for by the fact that I’m right nearly every week. 

Score

Looking back at the numbers for the first two games, Arnold has simply not been good. His QBR was 40 vs Temple and 37.5 vs Houston. That’s pretty dreadful. He’s not had more than 200 yards in a game and his completion percentage is currently 63% vs two of the worst teams we’ll play all year. I just don’t see how we score a bunch with that. I think tulane plays us very tough and I will stick with our Sooners at home 24-20. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner 

Houston Cougars vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Welcome Sooner fans to a gorgeous late summer Saturday where today the boys take on the Houston Cougars in Norman. Last week the Sooners took care of business against an overmatched Temple team and, while there was a lot to like, it wasn't perfect.

The Sooners offense was poor on third down. Like, almost historically bad, going just 1-12. The offensive line was every bit the cobble together work in progress it was billed to be. But a win is a win and today they play for 2-0.

OFFENSE

Not only was the offensive line cobbled together, Center Branson Hickman went down with injury on the first series of the game. The Sooners have three weeks to get ready for Tennessee and Bill Bedenbaugh is going to have to earn his check.

The Sooners need to find a serviceable combo up front and they need to figure out a way to get to third and manageable. Then they need to run the ball. 

Today I'm picking Gavin Sawchuck. 

DEFENSE

Temple is not good, but the Sooner defense looked pretty darn good. They forced four turnovers in the first half and held the Temple offense to just 197 total yards. About 77 players had a tackle. 

They need to build on this and make it their identity. I'll go Kendall Dolby for my DPOG.

THE SCORE

I expect there to be some unexpected murmurs in the crowd stemming from poor offensive play. In the end, the Sooners figure it out. The defense is a welcome safety blanket. This will be a process working towards Tennessee and the heart of the schedule.

Sooners win going away, 45, 10.

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner

Houston

 One week in the books and our Sooners did a classic TCB last week. It was a typically opening week matchup where OU really only had something to lose. While the game went well, Farooq was injured and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with “a foot”. That’s pretty rough to say the least as he was our most accomplished returning WR. But, it’s a position of depth and hopefully the other guys can step up. What concerned me more than anything in terms of game play was the O Line giving up 4 (don’t quote me on that number) sacks to Temple. This is not the 85 Bears or the 00 Ravens. I said going in that the offensive line was a big question mark and frankly the offense is fucked in conference play if that doesn’t improve. Here’s to hoping it’s just them getting to know each other, learning calls, assignments etc. the defense played well but we’ve seen this movie from venables defenses in the past. I’ll believe when a talented offense gets stopped consistently. All things considered it was a positive start and let’s look to keep it rolling and avoid any more injuries this week. 

Offense

It’s hard to argue with Arnold last week. While not the gaudiest of numbers they were very solid and a few drops made them look worse than they should’ve been. Furthermore he threw some absolute dimes while on the move into some tight windows. If he can get some consistency he is going to be really good. But, I’m going with an RB this week. I think we make it a point to try to pound Houston into submission. I like Gavin Sawchuck to have a big day and get in the end zone at least once. 

Defense

I have to go with Stutsman again. Is he our best defender? Is he the most consistent player on either side of the ball? Am I too lazy to put forth the effort to think of someone else? Yes, yes and emphatically yes.  

Score

Sooners are heavily favored in this one which is no surprise. But, I could see this being a little bit of a trap game. Houston, while not great, will have considerably more talent than Temple did. And I still have PTSD from that Ed Oliver game a few years back. Still, I like our Sooners today and though I see them letting Houston hang around a little early, I think we pull away in the second half. Sooners 44-17. 

Boomer to the Motherfuckin Sooner 

Temple

Welcome back loyal reader(s)! Another season of the steamroller is upon us and that can only mean that Sooners football is set to kickoff once again. The Sooners have three unprecedented factors going into this one, it’s the first ever Friday night game for the Sooners, it’s the inaugural game of the first season in the SEC and it’s the first Sooners game I’ll have missed watching in 20 years (well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad —Meatloaf).

The Temple Owls come to town fresh off three years of being complete trash. The Sooners begin the year with former all-world recruit Jackson Arnold at the helm of the offense. The defense looks as though it has a glimmer of a chance of possibly not being total shit (a glowing review!). These are indeed exciting times. The schedule is daunting and dare I say it is a make or break year for Brent Venables. Let’s enjoy this season of Sooners football friends. On to the picks!

Offense

This unit gives me some anxiety as the offensive line is all new players (didn’t fact check that whatsoever but I think it’s close to true at minimum) and obviously everything starts there. But against temple I think they should be able to get tuned up and hopefully develop some cohesiveness prior to conference play. And while I’m a big fan of Javontae Barns and Gavin Sawchuck, I’m going with our man Jackson Arnold today. I think he played very well and gets Sooner Nation feeling all funny “down there”.

Defense

Absent of doing more research and finding other viable options, I'm going with Danny Stutsman here. Frankly, even if I cared to take the time to find out more about matchups, schemes etc., I would still go with Stutsman. Dude is unbelievable and our best defender, end of story.

Score

As I mentioned earlier, Temple sucks, or at least they have in recent years. I'm not sure a road tilt in Norman is their "get right" game. I like the Sooners big in this one 55-10.

Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner 

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