SOONERS HANDLE ZIPS IN OPENER

I’ve learned over the years that making a proclamation or passing judgement after only one game, whether it be on the entire team, the offensive or defensive unit, or even a particular player, is like thinking I know all about a woman after only one date…the probability that I’m wrong is usually very high, and the consequences suffered as a result are usually somewhat uncomfortable or even painful.

So with that in mind, here are a few of my thoughts after watching the Sooners season opening performance against the Akron Zips last Saturday night:

MISC…

What the hell is a ‘Zip’?  Zips," is a shortening of "Zippers," a pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company of Akron. It was originally adopted by the school in 1925 after a contest to give the school a nickname.  Which makes me wonder, if Zippers was the winner, what the hell were the other choices? Douche-bags? Ass-stains?

In case being named after a rubber boot wasn’t bad enough, the school mascot, adopted in 1953, is a female kangaroo named Zippy.  Which, I guess, explains why there was a cartoon ‘roo, with eyes that indicated either anger or constipation, on the back of the Akron helmets.  Regardless, it’s all adds up to the worst mascot in the history of athletics.

Freshman: Seven true freshman played against the Zips, including P.J. Mbanasor, who started at safety.  Safe to say I’ll be referring to him as P.J. only from this point on.

THE DEFENSE

To me, the defense is the real area of concern for this team.  If the Sooners are to return to top 10 or top 5 status, then this unit will have to be much improved from the debacle we witnessed on the field in 2014.  Whether it’s fair or not, anything positive that happens in a game like this should be tempered because of the opponent…but that being said, I thought there were some positive signs on the defensive side of the ball.

Let’s All Just Get Along.  To start with, there were no contentious confrontations between Mike Stoops and Sooner defensive backs. Maybe that’s because Mike was in the press box.

Air Pressure. The Sooners only gave up 88 yards passing…which would’ve been the opponents total after the 1^st quarter last year, regardless of who it was.

True That. The Sooner defense seemed more reactive and less confused…they also weren’t staring at the sidelines when the ball was snapped. Coincidence?  Not to the OAS.

Dominate Dominique.  The Sooner linebackers looked bigger, faster and more aggressive, especially Dominique Alexander.

All together now.  The tackling was very solid and often by more than one Sooner

Kangaroo Hunter. Charles Walker had a great game. 3 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble

THE OFFENSE

3 & out X 3.  Three straight three and out possessions to start the game was not a confidence builder, especially when you throw in holding penalties and the o-line getting pushed around like a fork at Rosie O’Donnell’s house.

Offensive Line: Uh-oh.  I’m trying not to panic, but between the penalties and the fact that the offensive line was getting blown off the line of scrimmage early in the game, by an undersized, inferior opponent, is a big concern to me. It was so bad that I thought Darlington and Kasitati might be wearing roller skates instead of cleats, but turns out they were just getting their ass kicked.  Don’t know whether it’s their mentality, talent, or technique, but something needs to be adjusted, and soon.

Hello, Jarvis Baxter.  As sad as this may sound, I usually know something about, or I've at least heard of every Sooner player that takes the field.  But when the TV announcer stated, "Jarvis Baxter, making the catch for the Sooners," I had a big bag of nothing.  Turns out Jarvis Baxter, who caught 5 passes against Akron, is a walk-on from Garland, TX, who transferred to OU after playing two seasons of Juco ball.  Hmm. I'm not sure what to think about that since he’s only been practicing with the team since August 6^th.  Either Jarvis is very smart and talented or the rest of our highly recruited wide-receivers suck...or I guess, both.  Let’s hope it’s the former.

Baker Mayfield.  I thought Baker looked pretty good for his first outing since 2013. Early on the o-line was getting pushed around and he had some balls dropped but he didn’t panic or try to make something happen when it wasn’t there like he was prone to do his freshman year at Tech.  I love how he (1) spread the ball around, with 10 different receivers getting a catch (2) including the tight end Andrews, who caught 4 balls on the night.  Overall, I give Baker an A, but he’ll need more from the o-line and running game to be as effective when facing a better opponent, that much I can promise you.

Not Your Average Joe. Mixon definitely made a big impact in his debut.  His 75 yard TD reception was the longest in school history by a running back.  I don’t know what it is though…maybe it’s just me, but there’s just something about his #25 that doesn’t look right on him.

New Year – Same Trevor. Trevor Knight came in and looked great, right up until it mattered.  That’s when he threw a balloon into the end zone that was easily intercepted by the Zips. That one play, is a great example of why he’s no longer the starting quarterback.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Our best player for a large portion of the game was a freshman kicker.  Austin Seibert, our true freshman kicker/punter was outstanding at both.  Man, I really hate complimenting kickers, especially a freshman who’s about to kick on the road for the first time, in front of 110,000 no less…but Seibert’s performance deserves being recognized. So Austin, please don’t get the shanks in Knoxville on Saturday and make me regret saying something nice about an f%#@ kicker.

Just the Opinion of One Mildly Interested Guy

Buddy Putty - The Overweight Armchair Sooner