Annual Coach Speak Blog - A MINUTE WITH THE LATE ANDY ROONEY

Ever notice how college football coaches never answer a question without using a cliche or generic coach-speak these days?  I have.  I'm curious, when did the health of a running back or the name of a starting quarterback become a matter of national security?  Politicians could learn a thing or two from listening to some of these coaches.  In fact, after listening to one particular head coach address the media and answer questions...I felt pretty certain that I now know less about his team than I did before he started. One coach even refused to discuss who he thought his punter would be.  Instead he offered that it was still a tight competition and that he felt no pressure to name a starter at this time.  I had a hard time deciding which was worse, the fact that he wouldn't answer, or that someone cared enough to ask.  I don't really even like kickers, do you?

One thing I've noticed is that almost all coaches like to have something to 'go back to' in the off-season.  Basics are probably the most popular choice.  You can be sure that any team that was bad the previous year has spent a lot of time getting 'back to basics.'  Other frequently mentioned 'go back to' subjects include the fundamentals, the X's & O's and the ever popular, 'back to what made us successful in the past.' Seems to me they should've never left that one to begin with.  Wouldn't you agree?

I've also noticed that 'going back to' can sometimes require a board of some type.  Some coaches will tell you they 'went back to the drawing board,' while others prefer 'going back to the chalk board because that wasn't the way we drew it up.'  Another oldy but goody is game film.  All coaches want to 'go back and look at the film, find their mistakes and fix them.'   Makes me wonder why they didn't do that during the season last year? Maybe the film projector was broken.  They should get that fixed if that was the case.

One thing I was surprised to learn was how much geometry was involved in coaching. If you can't talk in circles, I don't think you are allowed to coach. "We need to circle the wagons and figure some things out," "the problem is we have been running around in circles," "it always seems to circle back to one thing, taking care of the football," "`".  Then there is my favorite, the task of 'circling a date on your calendar.' This is when you pick out one of the teams that kicked your ass the previous year and make a big deal about it by circling the date that you play them this year.   I found it interesting that you can only pick one date to circle. I'm not really sure why that is, are you?  Maybe they don't want the really bad teams having a messy looking calendar. What do you think?

And what does it mean to give 110% anyway? I had no idea that the maximum amount of effort one could give was subject to inflation, did you?  Coaches want everything you've got, all you got and all you have to give.  They want your maximum effort, your 2nd and 3rd effort, then any extra effort you might still be hiding somewhere. You have to play till the whistle blows; the full 60 minutes, then when the game is over...you need to make sure you left it all out there on the field.  That paragraph made me tired just writing it.

I'm puzzled by what level is needed for a coach to be happy. They always want someone to step it up, take the next step, take it to the next level, to elevate their game.  Coaches can also be really confusing at times, wouldn't you agree? They want you to play smart, but you need to quit thinking and just react.  They want you to learn from your mistakes, but it is important to have a short memory.  You need to play with reckless abandon, but you can't be out of control.  I think sometimes you have to be a little bit schizophrenic to be a good football player.  Have we already talked about this? 

If you're like me, then you've probably noticed that head coaches are an aggressive bunch.  Everything is a battle, a war, a fight.  The game is played in the trenches, on a battle field or in a hostile environment.  This makes me sad.  This is supposed to be college football.  Let's keep the violence where it belongs...in kid's video games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.  

New head coaches are the most curious to me...they have a lot to do.  First, they have to change some things.  Got to change the culture, the attitude, the mindset, the way things are done and the way that we'll go about our business.  If there is a new head coach, then there is a lot to learn. Players are going to be learning how to win, new terminology, a new system, all of which is being taken in by their new mind set.  Is it any wonder that a new coach will tell you that his team is still trying to find itself, or is trying to figure out who they are? They need to find a therapist if you ask me.

Lastly, no coach-speak cliche summary would be complete without pointing out the importance of taking it one day at a time, one game at a time.  All injuries are day to day...and all evaluations are made by sitting down at the end of the day. Coaches want you to bring your A game every day, be consistent day in and day out...but don't get too excited about one game...because it is a long season. I've just about had enough of this preseason coach talk haven't you? We won't have to hear the same ole worn out lines once the season starts...right?

Hello, everybody, this is Brent Musburger with my pardner, Kirk Herbstriet." "Folks, let me tell ya, we got a dandy for you tonight." "Let's go down and check in on the sidelines with my good friend Jack Arute"

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

THE BEST MOMENTS, EVENTS, PLAYS & PLAYERS OF 2015

#1 -  January 2014 –

Baker Mayfield transfers to Oklahoma

“Coach, I’m Baker Mayfield”

The most important thing to happen for the 2015 season, actually took place in 2014.
“It was maybe the strangest thing that’s ever happened in my coaching career.  I’d heard the rumors that he was transferring to Oklahoma, but I’d never heard from him…he never called to ask if he could.  In fact, I didn’t even meet the kid until he came up to me at our first team meeting and introduced himself.  I was like, so you’re Baker Mayfield.  I remember thinking to myself…we have a red-shirt freshman QB that just won the MVP of the Sugar Bowl, yet this kid just shows up without even knowing if we’re going to let him on the team…kid is either crazy or pretty damn confident. If I’d said no, he might be in a fraternity playing yard ball.” – Bob Stoops

Well, coach…turns out he’s still playing yard ball…but thankfully the front of his jersey says Sooners on it instead of Delta Tau Delta.

VIDEO

BOB STOOPS ON THE HERD: 1:15
(Colin clearly didn't do his homework before this interview)

#2 – January 2015 –

Lincoln Riley hired as offensive coordinator

Stoops, in what had to be a tough decision, fires offensive coordinator Josh Heupel and hire East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley as his replacement. 

Bob Stoops introduces new offensive coordinator
Lincoln Riley

The OAS had no problem with the move, but I didn’t understand why all the coaching changes were happening on the offensive side of the ball, when it was the sieve of a defense that needed the over-haul.  

News Flash Blogger Boy…Just in case you forgot about the 8 Big 12 Championship trophies, 5 x Big 12 Coach of the Year awards, 6 BCS Bowl appearances, a National Championship ring, and a resume that makes him OU’s all-time winningest coach…Bob Stoops knows what he’s doing.

#3 – September 10^th @ Tennessee

The Miracle Double OT Comeback in Knoxville

VIDEO: 1:31

#4 – October 10^th

Oklahoma vs. Texas

1-4 Horns Embarrass #17 Ranked Sooners 24-17

The Sooners got physically whipped and embarrassed by a Longhorn team that came into the game with a 1-4 record.  Following this inexplicable and unfathomable loss, the Sooners held a players-only meeting.  Not sure what was said, or who said it, but whatever it was, it worked.  Over the next 7 games, the Sooners looked like a completely different team on both sides of the football, outscoring their opponents by a combined score 364-136. 

Look, I’d rather whittle a beak and go peck shit with the chickens than lose to the University of Texas…so this isn’t an easy thing for me to say…but getting embarrassed that day at the Cotton Bowl might just have been exactly what this team needed.

Banishment to garage
catalyst to 7 game
winning streak?

#5 - October 11th

Fallen OU Flag to Garage 

When I got up on the morning of October 11th, I found my OU flag that hangs outside my house, had fallen to the ground like Ahmad Thomas trying to tackle Jerrod Heard.  I was on my way to breakfast, so I put it in the garage...where it has remained...and during which time the Sooners have reeled off 7 straight. You're welcome, Sooner Nation.

#6 – November 14^th

Oklahoma vs Baylor

Scrambling Mayfield Delivers to Flowers

Up by only 3, with just under 5 minutes to play in the game, the Sooners were facing third and goal from the Baylor 7-yard line. Baker Mayfield extends the play until he finds Dimitri Flowers open in the end zone for a touchdown to give OU a two score lead.

VIDEO: 0:27

#7 – All Season Long

The Best Backfield in College Football

Samaje Perine & Joe Mixon

VIDEO: 3:17

#8 - November 21st

Oklahoma vs. TCU

Steven Parker denies two-point conversion 

VIDEO: 1:37

#9 - September 10th & November 21st

Volunteers & Horned Frogs

Pants with Vowels

The Sooners rallied for a double overtime win in Knoxville and stopped a TCU two-point conversion to hold on and beat the Horned Frogs in Norman.  Why?  Because I was wearing my OU pants of course...but admittedly, the efforts of Baker Mayfield, Sterling Shepard and Steven Parker didn't hurt either.

#10 - The Best Receiver in College Football

Mr. Clutch

Sterling Shepard

VIDEO: 4:00 minutes (but well worth it.)

#11 - All Year Long

The QB, The Leader, The Heartbeat
& The Dance Machine

Baker Mayfield

If this doesn't give you chicken skin, then well, you must be a Longhorn fan.

VIDEO 2:26

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

Buddy Putty - The Overweight Armchair Sooners

SOONERS SURVIVE POTENTIAL KNIGHT-MARE

#7 OKLAHOMA 30 #18 TCU 29

November 21^st, 2015

Memorial Stadium – 85,821

“There’s not anybody on our sideline that wanted to go for one. We didn’t come here to hang around. We came here to win.” – Gary Patterson

One play.

The whole thing happened faster than you can mispronounce Bram Kohlhausen. There was no pause while the “previous play was under review.”  No timeout was called to discuss strategy.  There were no commercials for erectile dysfunction remedies that had to be endured, nor was there an opposing kicker that needed to be iced.  In fact, before I could even figure out which Sooner defensive back I should dog-cuss for giving up the touchdown…the TCU Horned Frogs were lined up in a 5 wide formation with every intention in the world of wreaking havoc on both the Sooners season and my sunny disposition. 

One play. 

As I watched Gary Patterson waddle from the sidelines with two fingers held up, my first reaction was to throw up.  That’s because Patterson never blinked, never hesitated, never even gave the decision a second thought…which could only mean one thing…He had a play ready for this exact situation, one that they’d practiced over and over, and one that they felt extremely confident would work. Yes, my initial reaction was…oh shit, its Boise State all over again.

One play. 

In my opinion, Patterson saw an opportunity to take advantage of three things: (1) That the decision would surprise OU (which it did) (2) which would cause OU chaos as to personnel and scheme (which it momentarily did) (3) but with no timeouts left, any adjustments would have to be made in the time TCU could line up and snap the ball.

One play 

Reasons that support Patterson’s decision to go for two: His offense is now being led by a third team QB, which can’t be overly comforting for the TCU coaching staff.  His defense is so decimated by injuries that he’s been playing a safety at one of the linebacker positions.  His team has all the momentum and as he said, he simply wanted to win the game right then and there.

One play.

Reasons that don’t support Patterson’s decision to go for two: Having the momentum can also be an argument as to why kicking the extra point and going to overtime made more sense for TCU.  But let’s be honest, the biggest reason you play for overtime is Trevor Knight.  With Knight at the helm, the Sooners offense had pretty much ground to a halt. It’d be a stretch to think that OU was going to suddenly start moving the ball when their last 6 offensive possessions had resulted in 5 punts and a devastating interception.  Furthermore, with all the 3 and outs by the OU offense, the OU defense, which had played well for most of the game, was now completely gassed.

One play.

The Sooners aspirations of winning the Big 12 Conference title, their hopes of being one of the 4 teams to make the college football playoffs, and whether or not I spent the night in jail, came down to one play. Fortunately for the Sooners and myself, sophomore safety Steven Parker was up for the challenge…

SCATTERSHOOTING:

Trying to get into the stadium Saturday night was an ass-whipping.  Every gate was stacked up 200 to 300 people deep due to heightened security measures.  For all the time it took, I figured they had to be strip-searching people, but when I get up there, they didn’t even bother asking me to open my coat, which I tried not to take personal.

OU’s defensive issues in the second half illustrated the effect that one side of the ball can have on the other. In this case, the offense really hamstrung the D.  Of OU’s 10 drives in the second half, only one produced points, and that was because Samaje busted one. Six Sooner drives lasted four plays or fewer. Additionally, six went for under 10 yards. Lord, I hope Baker can play Saturday or Bedlam might become embarrassing.

The largest concession on the stadiums west-side, ran out of hot dogs before half-time.  How the hell does that happen? Is there some sort of pig pieces parts shortage or a 2015 Oklahoma hot-dog famine I’m unaware of?

Sooner Offensive Tackle Orlando Brown

I’m all for Orlando Brown having a nasty streak, but judging by the plethora of personal foul penalties he’s racked up the last three weeks…he might want to tone it down to something like…I don’t know, maybe an unpleasant yet rule abiding type temperament.

Lane Wheeler not serving bar at the tailgate, is like watching the Bob Newhart Show, without, well, without, you know…without Bob Newhart.  His absence forced Kent Coleman to play bartender and two red-shirted ladies I’d never met handling the grille and John Cox handling the covered dish table. Great job by all, but Lane you were missed.  To Coleman, Cox, Wheeler and Co…thank you for another great year of tailgates.  Your time and effort is as always, very much appreciated.

Against the Frogs last Saturday night, the Sooners were able to force 4 turnovers, rush for 333 yards, run 31 more plays than TCU, and dominate time of possession by over 13 minutes (36:37 to 23:23) …so why the hell did the game come down to the final play? Well, here’s why:

1.     Sooners offensive

-        Converting on only 4 of 20 third down opportunities

-        Three offensive trips to red-zone results in 0 touchdowns & 3 field goals

-        Last 6 offensive possessions of game result in 5 punts and an interception

-        37% pass completion ratio (14 of 37 passing)

-        Gave up 4 sacks

-        Sterling Shepard is the only receiver able to get open against press coverage

-        Trevor Knight

2.    The Sooners defense

-        Gave up a 97-yard scoring drive

-        Gave up too many big plays, including 86-yard touchdown

-        Let TCU RB Green rush for 127 yards

-        Safety Ahmad Thomas’ inability to get in position to offer help on deep passes

-        Ran out of gas as a result of being on field most of the last 8 min of the game

3.     Mistakes on Special Teams:

-        bad snap/punter puts knee down flipping field position

-        missed 39-yard field goal

-        averaging only 14.5 yards per kickoff return

4.     Penalties: 8 for 90-yards.

5.     Oklahoma Hot-Dog famine of 2015

Okay, I made the last one up, but seriously, who runs out of hot dogs in the first half?

Bottom line, the Sooners won the game, their sixth in a row, and second straight over a ranked opponent.

Next up:  

One game…For the Big 12 Title. For a playoff berth.  

It’s time to go all in.  It’s time for Bedlam.

Orange makes me puke

 

Brian Bosworth presents Sterling Shepard with a magazine autographed by Bosworth's former teammate and Sterling Shepard's late father - Derrick Shepard

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

Buddy Putty – The Overweight Armchair Sooner

BIG 3 & SOME D LEAD OU OVER BAYLOR 44-34

#12 OKLAHOMA 44 #6 BAYLOR 34

“I do believe that the rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated”

– Doc Holiday

On Saturday night, the Oklahoma Sooners walked into a ‘blacked-out’ McLean Stadium and knocked off Art Briles and his upstart, unbeaten and unabashed Baylor Bears 44-34.  With the victory, the Sooners vaulted themselves back into the playoff mix, and in doing so, sent a message to the two time defending Big 12 champs that Bob and the boys from Norman are back.

SCATTERSHOOTING….

“You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning…”  &

“You can’t win ‘em all if you don’t win the first one.”

That one was huge.  I don’t mind telling you, it’s been a long time since I wanted the Sooners to win a game as much as I wanted them to win last Saturday night.  Judging from the attitude and swagger the Sooners exhibited, the feeling was clearly mutual.  The Sooners didn’t back down from the fight, in fact, they seemed to be the ones initiating it.  How physical was OU? At one point during the second half, Baylor had so many players seeking medical attention on the sideline, that Jeff Lebby had to put on some scrubs and pose as a trainer on his own sideline.

Love me some pylon cam…that was cool. 

What a difference a year makes. Instead of having his corners line up 15 yards off the ball, Mike Stoops gave cornerback Jordan Thomas the chance to shut down Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman…and he did.  Jordan held Coleman to 3 catches for 51 yards, essentially making Coleman a non-factor and putting an end to the Corey Coleman for Heisman talk.

Saturday was the 4^th time that Baylor has been involved in a game when ESPN’s College GameDay was on hand.  It was the 29^th such experience for the Sooners, which is more times than the rest of the Big 12 schools combined.

Speaking of Mike Stoops…hats off to the much maligned defensive coordinator. It’s been said here that he was incapable of coming up with a scheme to stop an offense the likes of which Baylor has…and I stand by that.  That’s because Mike Stoops didn’t come up with some whacky, mad-scientist, gimmicky scheme to stop Baylor.  He didn’t send out a defense with seven defensive backs and no linebackers.  He didn’t move a defensive end or a safety to linebacker.  He wasn’t trying to make last second adjustments that had our defense staring at the sideline as the ball was being snapped.  No, Saturday night, Mike Stoops didn’t try to build a blender with old toaster parts…he simply just let the OU defense go out and play…defense. Bottom line, it all added up to the Sooners holding the nations #1 scoring offense to 34 points, which is 23.4 below their average.  Now, let’s just all hope that helps get Mike a job somewhere else this off-season.

I can’t even believe I’m about to say this…but our offensive line played pretty damn well against the big, physical Baylor front.  In fact, Oakman and Billings combined for only one tackle and spent much of the second half getting attended to by Trapper John, MD on the BU sideline.

It wasn’t all sunshine and good times for the Sooners. I thought Bob Stoops was going to have a coronary with all the personal foul penalties that extended drives, ejected players and turned Baylor field goals into touchdowns.

I’m sorry…I know he made the game clinching interception late in the fourth quarter, but is Ahmad Thomas really the best safety we have to put out there?  #13 is seemingly always late with deep help and whiffing while trying to tackle running backs. Just sayin’

There is no doubt that the Sooners caught a break facing freshman Jarrett Stidham as opposed to Seth Russell, who’s a much better running QB.  The beat-up Stidham was reduced to sliding once he was forced from the pocket...something that TCU’s Boykin (if healthy) and the OSU QB tandem of Rudolf and Walsh won’t be doing.

There were three…what I like to call “Crown Royal Moments”, in the game Saturday night.  Crown Royal moments are basically key situations in a game, that should the Sooners not step up, then my intake of Canadian blended whiskey likely will…which can lead to things getting out of hand pretty quickly for both of us.

The Sooner offense was able to sustain drives and score points on three separate crucial occasions in the game Saturday night.  The first was when Baylor went 85 yard, in 8 plays on their first drive of the game to take a 6-0 lead.  If the Sooners go three and out on ensuing possession, they’d likely find themselves down 2 scores the next time Alex Ross returned a kick to his own 19.  Instead, OU answered with an 11 play, 65-yard drive of their own to take a 7-6 lead…OU would never trail again.

#2: But they would be tied. The second half started much like the first with the Bears going 75 yards in 9 plays to tie the game at 20.  But instead of wilting in front of 45,000 re-energized Baptists and giving Baylor the ball back with a chance to take the lead, the Sooners punched Baylor in the mouth…going 74 yards in 8 plays to regain the lead 27-20.

The gutsiest drive came in the 4^th quarter.  The Sooners were up by only 3.  There wasn’t a single person in the Sooner Nation who thought things would end well if Baylor got the ball back down only 3. But 10 plays, 78 yards, and a Heisman moment later…it was all over but for the Sooners celebration.

Call me Captain Obvious…but the Sooners big 3 of Mayfield, Perine & Shepard were absolutely amazing.  Words don’t do justice for how clutch Shepard has been this year.  Perine had his size, balance and speed on full display…and Mayfield…all I can say is wow.  The kid is the heartbeat of this team…if this new Baker Mayfield for Heisman video doesn’t give you chills…well, then you must be a Longhorn fan.

http://www.soonersports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4713699

Next Up: TCU

Stoops has got to make sure he gets the team refocused. No more celebrating Baylor or getting caught up in all the talk about playoffs. TCU is beat up, but I promise you Boykin plays and they still very dangerous with him on the field and Patterson on the sidelines.  The Sooners win over Baylor means nothing if they don’t take care of TCU at home Saturday night.

Sorry about the length of the update…but it was the best win for the Sooners in years!

Boomer…

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

THREE

THREE

There are a lot of things that come in three’s. There are 3 wheels on a tricycle, 3 sides to a triangle, 3 primary colors and 3 little kittens who lost their mittens.  There are 3 Blind Mice, 3 Billy Goats Gruff, 3 French Hens and 3 Little Pigs who had to deal with a wolf more than once.

You can knock three times, you’re granted three wishes and the third times the charm…but supposedly death and bad luck come in threes, three strikes you’re out and three, as the saying goes, is a crowd.  Stooges, Wise Men, Tenors and Amigo’s come in three…so do Musketeers, Witches of Eastwick and Men in a Tub, but I’d stay away from those 3-ring circuses, if it were me.

Sometimes things that come in three can be a wonderful thing…like #3 Derrick Shepard, All-American Selmon brothers, and the number of National Championship rings owned by Bud & Barry.  But sometimes three isn’t so great…like Jaws III, living close to 3 Mile Island or a having a close encounter of the third kind.

Three is also what will define the Oklahoma Sooners 2015 football season…Three games - in three weeks - against three top ten ranked opponents.

Yes, the next three weeks is what will determine and define a season that still holds the hope and optimism of winning out and making the college football playoffs…as well as the possibility of it ending like last year...with the Sooners receiving an ass kicking from a 4^th place ACC team in the Russell Athletic Bowl in mid-December.

Yes, it’s all right there in front of the Sooners.  To win the Big 12 Conference and give themselves a shot at being in the playoffs, all they need to do is win the next three games.  No big deal, right? It’s as easy as A, B, C or one, two, three.  I mean come on, after all, it’s not like they haven’t done it before.  Hell, since 1950, the Sooners have won three straight games 59 times.  If you think about it, that number would probably be a lot higher, but when you don’t lose a game for 6 years in the 50’s and have registered more 10 win seasons than any other school in the history of college football, the opportunity to start many winning streaks in minimal.  Throw in the fact that the Sooners are 114-36 all-time against the next three opponents listed on the schedule and you’d think that winning out would be as easy as using a camera to attract a Kardashian...but times, they are a changin’.

Yes, I’ll admit…it still sounds strange that Baylor, TCU and OSU is a treacherous three game gauntlet, but it is. It’s also arguably the toughest three game stretch the Sooners have seen since they beat #11 Texas, #2 K-State (road) and #1 Nebraska (home) in their historic ‘Red October’ run to the National Championship back in 2000.  But unlike 2000, the Sooners won’t get the benefit of a bye week like they did before playing Nebraska, and two of these three will be on the road.

Can the Sooners do it? Yes.  Will they do it?  I’d like to say yes, but I just can’t.  Nothing that Mike Stoops has done since he’s been back gives me any confidence or indication that he’s capable of coming up with an effective defensive game plan to stop any of the three high-powered offenses the Sooners are about to face.  To think otherwise, well, I’d have to be three-sheets to the wind.

Three games. Win all three and this season, much like the 3 mice, 3 kittens, 3 goats and 3 men in a tub, becomes a fairy-tale…which, as we all know, end with everyone living happily ever-after.

Lose all three? Well, guys…I guess we can always go back to dreaming about the other fairy-tale we have that involves the number three…

Just the opinion of one mildly interested person

Buddy Putty - The Overweight Armchair Sooner

OU TAKES CARE OF IOWA STATE - PREPARE FOR GAUNTLET

#15 OKLAHOMA 52 IOWA STATE 16

IOWA STATE – DON’T LOOK AHEAD

And they didn’t.  The Sooners took care of business on Saturday with a 52-16 blow-out of Iowa State.  The win ran Bob Stoops record to 11-0 against the Cyclones, with all 11 victories being of the double digit variety.

Sinad O'Connor

The last time OU lost to Iowa State you didn’t ask? George H. W. Bush (that’s the first Bush, FYI) was President.  Nothing Compares to You - by Sinead O’Connor (when she still had her hair, FYI) topped the music charts and Pretty Woman (pre-Lyle Lovette dalliance, FYI) was #1 at the box office.  

The last time OU lost to Iowa State? Gary Gibbs was the head coach, Cale Gundy was the QB and the Sooners were ineligible to participate in a post season bowl game.  When OU last lost to the Cyclones, I was 25 years old, my new cell phone looked like a big white brick and Al Gore’s internet was still another calendar year away from public use…which was for me, was 25 years, two marriages and 60 lbs. ago…okay maybe 65.  Yes, the last time Iowa State beat the Oklahoma Sooners in a football game was 1990.

The win moved the Sooners to 8-1 on the season and 5-1 in conference play…and sets up what will be a very interesting three-week stretch.

Up next: THREE

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

Buddy Putty - The Overweight Armchair Sooner

#19 OKLAHOMA 55 KANSAS STATE 0

“Best Laid Planes”

Due to mechanical issues with three different airplanes, the team’s departure from Will Rogers World Airport was delayed by over 8 hours Friday night.  Instead of a short 45 minute flight into the Manhattan Municipal Airport that would have them on the ground around 4:00 PM, the team didn’t arrive until Saturday morning about 12:15 AM. 

“Salute to the Ole Ball Coach”

As a salute to Steve Spurrier, who announced his immediate retirement during the week, Bob Stoops elected to forgo his usual OU game-day visor on Saturday.  The OAS also elected to forgo his usual OU game-day visor for the KSU game, but to be honest, it had nothing to do with the old ball coach calling it quits.  My usual game-day visor was simply unavailable due to the fact I hurled it out my car window onto I-30 when I was driving home from Fair Park the previous Saturday night.

“Things that make you want to go, huh?”

Look, Bill Snyder is obviously a great coach.  But that being said, how could he and his coaching staff look at last week’s Texas film and decide that the best way to attack the Sooner defense was through the air? Well, all I can say about that is….thank you.

“Can I Be Frank with You”

Frank Shannon finally got onto the field for more than a play or two, subbing in for an injured Jordan Evans.  Shannon had four solo tackles.  I’d still like for somebody to explain to me why Shannon, who lead the team in tackles in 2013, can’t get on the field more in 2015.  Of course, I’d also like for someone to explain to me why woman always…oh hell, forget it. Nobody has that kind of time.

 "Home Not So Sweet Home"

The road team has won the last 5 times in this series.  Bob Stoops is now a perfect 6-0 against Kansas State in Manhattan, with all 6 being by a double digit margin

Bipolar Sooners

A week after their pathetic effort and performance against Texas, the Sooners go on the road and completely dominate what had been a very competitive Kansas State team, by turning in one of their best all-around, total team performances in years.  While some, and rightfully so, will wonder where the hell that type of game plan, effort and execution was last week…I’m just impressed that the Sooners were able to put last week behind them and move forward.  Losing to Texas in the manner in which they did, this team could’ve pouted and gone into the tank.  The fact is, all the pre-season goals this team set for itself are still achievable.

64-86-99

Time in seconds of the Sooners first three scoring drives

Sophomore Defensive Back William Johnson

“Changes, They Are a Comin’”

After the Texas debacle, you had to figure the coached might shake things up a little personnel wise, and they did.  On Offense:  Against the Wildcats, OU offensive line Coach Bill Bedenbaugh gave freshman Dru Samia his second start of the year in place of senior Josiah St. John at right tackle and put sophomore Jonathan Alvarez back at left guard in place of senior Derek Farinok. Somehow, Ty Darlington was still the starter at center and Nile Kasitati was still the starting right guard.  On Defense: The big move was moving sophomore defensive back Steven Parker from nickel back to free safety in place of junior Hatari Byrd and inserting sophomore cornerback Will Johnson in at the nickel back or Roy Back.  I’m not going to lie, I had to look up who the hell Will Johnson was.  Turns out he's a 4 star recruit from New York state.

Start of the game: Score: OU 0 KSU 0.  There was a crowd of 52,867 packed into Bill Snyder Family Stadium.  Start of the 4^th Quarter: Score OU 48 KSU 0.  The crowd consisted of The Wildcat Band, the majority of the KSU student section (which was impressive) and 48,000 people disguised as seats.  Not sure I’ve ever seen a stadium look as empty on TV as that one did.

 “You’ll Have Nothing!”

The shut-out against KSU was the first against a conference opponent for the Sooners since 2010 when they blanked Iowa State 52-0.

“No Complaining Here”

Bitching about anything when a team whips a quality opponent on the road 55-0 is like waking up with Angelina Jolie and then complaining about her breath.  Since I would never do that, I won’t mention:

• Down 7-0, the Sooners busted a coverage that left a Wildcats receiver running wide-open down the right hash on a fly pattern, but got away with it when the K-State QB missed him by 15 yards.
• The revamped O-line still gave up 3 sacks, and this despite the fact that the Wildcats rarely blitzed. 
• Still no 100 yard rusher for the Sooners.

“The Best of Saturday”

• Eleven different Sooners caught passes on Saturday
• The Sooners made three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown by Sanchez
• Total yards: OU 568 KSU 110
• The downfield blocking by the wide receivers was excellent
• Sooners had 6 sacks on the day
• Enjoy Sterling Shepard while you can, he is a special football player and even better person

Hell of bounce back win Sooners.  Now it’s time to get ready for Texas Tech. 
Boomer Sooner!

Just the Opinion of One Mildly Interested Guy

Buddy Putty – The Overweight Armchair Sooner