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Oklahoma is intensifying its efforts to secure the services of Oswin Erhunmwunse. Initially, it appeared that Providence had the upper hand, but the situation has since changed. As mentioned in a previous note, Oswin is considering a commitment date in January, with a potential reclassification if circumstances align. I'll keep you all posted as more information becomes available.

Is Miller Moss that good or Louisville D that bad?? Didn’t expect that type of performance from them.

Bunkley-Shelton will leave after two seasons with the Sooners.

POW: CeeDee Lamb, Baker Mayfield [was MONEY on 3rd downs]
HM: Marvin Mims [would've been a POW but for costly KOR fumble for TD], Tress Way, Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray

AFC:
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots #38: DNP (inactive)
RB Joe Mixon, Bengals #28: Started, 11-43 RU, 2-7 RE
OG Cody Ford, Bengals #61: Played, no stats
OT Orlando Brown, Bengals #75: Started, 1 misc tackle after INT
DE Obo Okoronkwo, Browns #54: DNP (inactive)
OT Anton Harrison, Jags #76: Started, no stats
RB Samaje Perine, Broncos #25: 1-2 RU, 4-27 RE
WR Marvin Mims, Broncos #83: Started, 3-63 RE, 3-59 PR (2 FC), 2-28 KOR, FL (fumbled KOR for TD)
OG Ben Powers, Broncos #74: Started, no stats
DE Nik Bonitto, Broncos #42: DNP (inactive)
DE Ronnie Perkins, Broncos, #51: 2 tackles
S Delarrin Turner-Yell, Broncos #32: 1 STs tackle
TE Blake Bell, Chiefs #81: 1-4 RE, illegal shift penalty (offsetting)
OC Creed Humphrey, Chiefs #52: Started, no stats
OT Wanya Morris, Chiefs #64: Started, holding penalty
LS James Winchester, Chiefs #41: Played, no stats
LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers #9: Started, 4 tackles [5th tackle negated by penalty]
LB Curtis Bolton, Raiders #36: Illegal formation penalty on STs

NFC:
WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys #88: Started, 6-118 RE (TD), 2-14 RU
DT Neville Gallimore, Cowboys #96: 1 tackle
QB Jalen Hurts, Eagles #1: Started, 24-38-301 PA (TD, INT [pick 6]), sack (-6), 85.5 rtg, 8-34 RU (TD), FR (own—completed pass and converted 3rd down on the play)
OT Lane Johnson, Eagles #65: Started, holding penalty
RB Eric Gray, Giants #20: Played, no stats
WR Sterling Shepard, Giants #3: Played, no stats
P Tress Way, Commanders #5: 7-294 P, 42.0 avg, 35.6 net, 3 I20, 49 lg, 1 blocked
QB Baker Mayfield, Bucs #6: Started, 26-35-283 PA (2 TD), 2 sacks (-18), 116.7 rtg, 5-5 RU
LB Brian Asamoah, Vikes #33: Played, no stats
TE Brayden Willis, 49ers #9: Played, no stats
OT Trent Williams, 49ers #71: Started, misc tackle after INT
QB Kyler Murray, Cards, #1: Started, 24-38-230 PA (2 TD), 2 sacks (-17), 97.5 rtg, 5-32 RU, fumble out-of-bounds (-8), delay of game penalty [declined]
WR Marquise Brown, Cards #2: DNP (inactive)
CB Tre Brown, Seahawks #22: 1 tackle, PI penalty

Practice Squads
DE Ronnie Perkins, Broncos, #51
DE Isaiah Thomas, Browns #58
OL Tyrese Robinson, Vikes #79
OG Marquis Hayes, Cards, #78

Injured Reserve/PUP
WR Mike Woods, Browns #12 (IR)
TE Mark Andrews, Ravens #89 (IR)
DT Perrion Winfrey, Jets #92 (IR)
DT Jordan Phillips, Bills #97 (placed on IR after wrist surgery)

Compared to the last two years, the Sooners' roster is a lot more stable heading into this year's bowl game.

Wasn’t this kid a legacy at OU?

Give Nolan the money he wants. Damn!

Who is doing the negotiating for OU on the NIL? Get better, much better or pay a serious price!

A look around the conference:

Is loading up they getting commitments left and right 😳

Oklahoma has added a big-time transfer with former North Texas IOL Febechi Nwaiwu. https://oklahoma.rivals.com/news/sooners-add-former-freshman-all-american-ol-febechi-nwaiwu

Anyone else wondering why he’s at the usc game and not the stoolwater game?

I can’t make it to the game. Endzone tickets. Section 124. Row 29. Seats 1 & 2.

1) Are we (OU) not landing top tier transfer talent in the transfer portal because we just don't want to pay the money and think we can get by with lesser talent to fill our needs?
2) Where did Missouri suddenly come up with all of this cash that they are now throwing at recruits and transfers? It's getting old losing players to MU (it sounds like McClellan may be off to the highest bidder Missouri as well. The NIL is the best thing that could have happened to a school like Missouri who, before NIL, would have never gotten some of the players they are getting. Now they are getting a good number of them.
3) Not sure why anyone would sign and/or transfer to Texas A&M right now. That football program is in disarray. Maybe the new coach will turn it around.

Unfortunately, we are in the day and age of whomever wants to buy the best team will likely be in the hunt for championships.

Basically blue blood status kinda loses its luster and matters less. Kids no longer care whether you're one of the top all time college football programs. It's all about the bag now. If we're not willing to pay with the big boys we are going to get left behind.

I've trusted in the BV hire from day one and I continue to be excited about what he is building and I will continue to trust in BV. I love what he stands for on and off the field. He and the administration just might have to make the decision to open the checkbook more.

I can't imagine how the money that is being thrown out there for some of these players is sustainable in the long run. I just hope it doesn't ruin college football.

Final thought...Had to move from my seats for the last 20+ years to make room for the students with the new SEC requirements. Decided to upgrade with the move to the SEC. Can't wait for the season to start!

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NOTE: This post has been an annual OUInsider tradition for over a quarter-century, and began under the direction of former publisher Brian Bishop. As co-publishers, Brandon and I maintain the tradition today in honor of Brian and in reflection of our common faith. We do not begrudge any who do not share in that faith, and respect all those who have different beliefs and traditions. But we do ask that in return, you extend the same respect to us as we exercise this means of celebration.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We saw His glory the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father...

Now a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. Everyone went to his own town to be registered.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

There were shepherds nearby out in the field, keeping guard over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign* for you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!"

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us."

So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all were astonished at what the shepherds said. (But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean). So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.

At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the baby (Jesus), up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord'), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

There was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah.

So directed by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, Simeon took the baby in his arms and blessed God, saying, "Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, permit your servant to depart in peace. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light to reveal your will to the Gentiles, and bring glory to your people Israel."

Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was said about the baby. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: this child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!"

There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment, she came up to Joseph and Mary, and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, "Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for it is written this way by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."

Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well."

After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was.

When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

Wise men still seek him.

Merry Christmas!

Parker Thune, Co-Publisher
Brandon Drumm, Co-Publisher
Jesse Crittenden, Lead Team Reporter
Bryan Clinton, Staff Writer
Blake Mullen, Staff Writer
Spencer Forsyth, Director of Production
Brody Lusk, Basketball Contributor

*The strips of cloth were the 'sign.' These were swaddling, (or burial cloths), were a 'sign' to men that this baby was born to die, so that we may live.

I'm a big Sooner fan living on the West Coast. This coming year, I plan on attending the big game in Dallas. It's been a bucket list item for years. I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on how the tickets for this game are sold. Are they only sold through the two Universities, and therefore, only go to boosters and donors? Or, are there a limited number of tickets that get released and sold to the general public? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

Two years after donning the white visor from legendary coach Bob Stoops, Brent Venables and Oklahoma are headed back to the Alamo Bowl, where his journey as the Sooners' head coach all began.
https://oklahoma.rivals.com/news/pl...nges-for-brent-venables-ou-in-2023-alamo-bowl

Finley made his first public comments since being hired as co-OC on Tuesday. He also offered his first thoughts on new TE signee Davon Mitchell.

Plus, Ted Roof had an interesting thing to say regarding his future.

"This place obviously means everything to me. I've been trying to get back here for 23 years, and so this is obviously the place I want to be."

Littrell discussed his dream of coaching at OU, his mindset heading into the bowl game, Jackson Arnold and more in his first press conference as the Sooners' new OC.

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Obviously, the Sooners got a long-awaited announcement from Febechi Nwaiwu on Friday, but are still waiting on a decision from former Michigan State offensive guard Geno VenDeMark.

This is reminiscent of the Sooners' pursuit of Troy Everett in many ways. Some of you will recall that it became a back-and-forth, drawn-out battle between Oklahoma and Virginia Tech this past spring for Everett's services. This time around, Michigan State is to VanDeMark what Virginia Tech was to Everett. The situation appears to be as simple as this: if VanDeMark does end up transferring, Oklahoma would be the destination. But there is a substantial NIL deal on the table if he returns to East Lansing, and I'm also told the Spartans have the all-important girlfriend factor working in their favor.

A well-placed OU source conceded that VanDeMark's pledge to Oklahoma appeared imminent a week ago, but added, "The longer it goes, the less I feel good about it." And I think that's a pretty apt summary. With each day that passes, the likelihood increases that VanDeMark just stays put. If we don't have a decision by the end of the coming week, I'd bank on VanDeMark withdrawing from the portal and returning to Michigan State. And one way or another, I would no longer count on VanDeMark being a Sooner. It may very well still happen, but the likelihood is continually diminishing in real time.

It is clear, with their weak schedule next year and what they have paid in the TP, Lane Train has sold the university on 2024 being their year to make a run at a Natty.
They have pushed all their chips in.
The bad news for Ole Miss is that Lane will **** up at least 1 game somewhere along the season. Lets hope its against the Sooners!