Venables was pretty candid tonight. But nothing was more interesting than his comments on Arnold's backwards pass.

I included his comments here, plus injury updates on Kendel Dolby and Deion Burks.

"I love Mike. He's confident. He’s loose in the right ways. The moment’s not going to overwhelm him, even though again he's a young guy."

The offense was again awful against Tennessee, but there might be reason for hope despite a 25-15 loss.

Oklahoma lost to Tennessee but there were individual performances that stood out.

We’re taking a look at Michael Hawkins Jr. first. What struck me in his performance was how quickly he processes information.

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Parker and Brandon,

Going to light a candle at church for you guys for the season. I feel like you guys are going to earn your money this season. Buy a punching bag, take up cross fit or something to get frustration out. At least your ladies will be happy, as you’ll have some extra stress that will need an active outlet at home (cough cough). Next week will let you know how the rest of the job looks like in 2024.

We joined the SEC for this exact reason: to bolster our roster by weighing it against other contenders.

I think that this season has and will continue to expose deficiencies on the roster such as lack of meaningful depth on the offensive line.

The bottom line is that we need more. The SEC literally requires more. That just wasn’t the case in the Big 12.

What are we doing right? The defense. Thank BV for that; he’s the real deal. Also, this fan base gives a damn. That’s just not generally the case around the country.

What are we doing wrong? IMO, two things. First, the OC that comes in next is going to be like Lebby, they’re going to have full control of the offense. That’s a fact, sorry if you don’t like that. Therefore, we need to go and hire a proven commodity rather than just a past player. Second, we need to start treating this roster like a professional team. Unfortunately, we need to stop retaining players who are hurt. Or, if we do retain an injured player, their scholarship needs to be tinkered with to open a roster spot.

"Aikman, badgered by Kansas blitzing, completed two of 14 passes for eight yards at Kansas. Three passes were intercepted and returned 90 yards, one for a touchdown, as unranked KU stunned second-ranked Oklahoma 28-11. It was the Jayhawks' first victory over OU in nine years and first at home in 20 seasons."

Brandon & Parker,
You two knew long ago what I have been saying for weeks...Arnold cant process and if we run anything but RPO he IS a liability. You both knew this in spring, you knew it in summer and you have known it during the season. Yet, you chose to belittle my comments and any many others on this Board that questioned Arnold's ability.

Well, not only did he get exposed last night, the two of you did as well. You running cover for him was shameful, unethical and disrespectful to this board. Dont try and tell us you were "protecting" someone. That is BS. This Board pays your salary. Blowing smoke up these people's asses is inexcusable.

You owe everyone an apology.

lol

Hey Brandon, Parker or anyone else in here who has knowledge on this topic! Any input is greatly appreciated.

I’m 19, no degree and currently work for a college recruiting company, doing sales. I have been a sooner diehard all my life from Tulsa, OK.

The chances of becoming a coach with not much high school playing experience is little to none, so I wanted to ask, what would be the best way to go about pursuing a career around OU football/ CFB in general? Hearing Parker speak about him going to OU to get into SB has me intrigued to look into college for that, as I would love to do what Brandon and Parker do, but also would love to develop a career having an impact on the program in any way I could even if it’s not as a coach, which is highly unlikely.

If you read all this thank you so much to anyone who did. Boomer

(Posted on Owen Field board because not sure if can see both!)
@Parker Thune @Brandon Drumm

Hey Brandon, Parker or anyone else in here who has knowledge on this topic! Any input is greatly appreciated.

I’m 19, no degree and currently work for a college recruiting company, doing sales. I have been a sooner diehard all my life from Tulsa, OK.

The chances of becoming a coach with not much high school playing experience is little to none, so I wanted to ask, what would be the best way to go about pursuing a career around OU football/ CFB in general? Hearing Parker speak about him going to OU to get into SB has me intrigued to look into college for that, as I would love to do what Brandon and Parker do, but also would love to develop a career having an impact on the program in any way I could even if it’s not as a coach, which is highly unlikely.

If you read all this thank you so much to anyone who did. Boomer

@Parker Thune @Brandon Drumm

Same posters that were defenders of Arnold. You all are a joke!
Now all of sudden, Hawkins is QB1. You guys are the biggest problem with our fan base. You know nothing about football except what the moderators post on this site.
Do yourselves and the rest of us a favor and pen your eyes and educate yourselves on the game.

For the record...I was without a doubt the biggest hater of Arnold on this forum. I called him out after the Alamo Bowl and throughout Spring, Summer and this Fall.
With that said, before you all knight Hawkins as the next coming of Jesus Christ like you did Rattler and Arnold, can we at least see how he plays in the SEC on the road?
Dont get me wrong, I said in the Spring he needs time with the 1s because I think he is better suited for what Seth wants to run. But lets be real, Jordan Hare is a tough place to play.
I have no doubt he will be prepared but again, he is a true freshman on the road in the SEC. Just saying....cool your jets a bit.

Lets Go Mr Hawkins!

Come out, come out wherever you are. Penalties, blown assignments, general lake of talent, poor blocking schemes, did I miss anything? He will be the reason Brent gets fired.

I bet he could hit the portal in the next 10 days. If he doesn’t play another snap this season, he can redshirt.

Y'all. It's here. The SEC opener.

We're getting started early. Myself, @Bryan Clinton, @Parker Thune and @Brandon Drumm will have you covered with everything that's happening at Owen Field.

Pregame reading: Things to watch, Tennessee overview with Vol Report's Ryan Sylvia, Vol's tempo provides stiff test for OU defense, Cookin' With Grill Boy

Anyone got a prediction?

Let's be honest
It doesn't matter who the QB is!!! The OL portal kids are awful!!!!
Traber: nobody can play QB behind that OL
Must Start the freshman OL, EPP etc.
Brady and Montana can't play QB behind this OL
Nic Andeson is a puss
Our WRs are 5'10
It's like playing darts trying to throw bullseye

Do we have a legitimate QB coach? Or do we just have a couple OC’s that kind of fill that void? I’m talking about a QB coach that has actually played QB and knows what it takes to be better?

You seem to have excuses for Arnold?

What’s your opinion on this, @Brandon Drumm and @Parker Thune? You hear the same? Even if he could have come back and started, he would have left anyways?
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Dang. Anyone know who he is referring to on his latest tweets?

Any feedback from the recruits lastnight?

all summer long when OU was going to get G5 and FCS players from the portal yall defended it with that “if you can play, you can play anywhere” bullshit. Yall used FCS generational players like Jared Verse etc to make the players we got sound good but truth is - as many of us said when the commitments happened, boooo 👎. @Parker Thune and @Brandon Drumm constantly talked those mid ass transfer commitments up lmao. And got defensive when some of us said why are we taking guys like Sam Franklin etc from those lower level programs. Yall thought the world was crazy for being sleep on Baur Sharp and co.

Going into the SEC, OU assembled an offensive line that relied on transfers from SMU, UNT, and USC to anchor it lmaooooooooooooooo.
We brought in players from lower level programs to build “competitive depth” in a higher level conference. Make that make sense. Meanwhile the other big time SEC teams were shopping for the best available in P4 conferences.

Sure there may be some gems here and there but for the most that’s not the case. There’s levels.

10 point loss is honestly not that bad. There was obviously some REALLY bad offense in the first half but at least we found footing in the second. We can wait to hit the panic button till we see Hawkins at QB1 playout for a little bit. We can all agree it looked a lot more cohesive in the second half so before we start angry mobbing lets give these guys our support! Fun week ahead heading to auburn, very winnable game, and we need to portray some confidence for these guys if we even want to have a lick of chance against Texas.

I remember when the Selmon brothers were playing OU and I believe it was Barry that said "he wished they had more sons" or something like that. I kind of feel the same way about the Bowen brothers. Quality, quality young men who are just bad ass football players with a game IQ that seems off the chart for their age. Tennessee tested Eli a few times early when he was in and every time I've seen the kid he is in the right spot at the right time just like his brother always seems to be. Kudos to those boys.

If you're BV or Littrell, who are you starting at QB on Saturday, truthfully? I'm not asking in the hot take, reactive sense. I mean within the context of managing an entire roster, recruiting, etc., where you know that benching Arnold likely means he transfers (at some point) and your QB room is in upheaval. It's not a cost free decision to say the least. And yet, based one everything you've seen over the past 3 games (going back to the bowl game last year), what would you do?