Before we begin, I’m just gonna leave this here.
In all seriousness, the alts looked incredible. Sorry to those of you who didn't like them. You're entitled to your wrong opinion, though.
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You know what they say about momentum — it’s hard to stop. To stop momentum you need to apply an external force for a finite amount of time equal to or greater than that momentum. Momentum is usually a word that gets applied in sports in a positive manner. Conversely, It can also apply to a team in complete free fall.
41-34, 55-24, 49-0 — that’s momentum in the wrong direction. Now, I’m not one to sit here and tell you that this (negative) momentum has been completely halted. Far from it. But there were signs of life today. A pulse we hadn’t seen or felt for 2 straight weeks. Sure, there were coverage busts, missed tackles, errant throws, etc. but… there were flashes of a team getting better. Flashes of a team halting the momentum pushing against them.
We needed this. I’m not sure how bad it would have gotten had we fallen to 3-4. That just doesn’t happen at Oklahoma.
Thoughts —
- After today’s offensive performance, I would be shocked to see any 2023 offensive recruit decommit. We had 701 yards of total offense and went 16/21 on 3rd down. That’s flat out dominant. What’s scary is we probably should have had about 900+ and 70 points.
- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Lebby’s offense with Jackson Arnold and that stable of receivers (Farooq, Pettaway, Anderson, Freeman, Evans, Gibson) is going to be a problem. A flat out problem.
- OL is coming on strong. Honestly, it’s becoming the best unit on the entire team next to the receivers group. Say what you want about Kansas but they rolled into Norman with the number one rushing defense in the Big 12. We straight up gashed them all day. Anyone (still) calling for BB’s head might need to be checked for schedule 2 stimulants.
- Eric Gray is shooting himself up NFL draft boards. The kid is transforming before our very eyes. I’ll be the first one to admit that I didn’t think he had it in him. The kid continues to improve in the open field.
- Javontae Barnes is going to be elite. Period. Having said that, DG’s open hand fumble was because of him thinking it was a handoff... gotta clean that up.
- Gavin Freeman will be Drake Stoops 2.0 on steroids. Kid has something special. I don’t know what it is just yet, but the kid needs to see the field early and often from here on out. He’s earning at least a few more looks at the VERY least.
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On to the defense.
- DL played better… but honestly that’s putting it as nice as I can. I was happy to see us in a 4 man front. But even then we rarely get home without bringing extra pressure. There were flashes and Bean is a hyper-mobile QB so keeping contain wasn’t going to be easy. Even when he stayed in the pocket it felt like there were times where we just allowed him to call his Mom and ask her what’s for dinner in that backfield. This has to improve. Kansas' OL isn't elite by any stretch. We should have truly feasted.
- Secondary was good. HAVE YOURSELF A DAY KEY. I’m really hoping that Key comes back for his senior year. That secondary with Bowman, RSJ, Key and Woodi could be elite.
- Speaking of RSJ there is no reason he shouldn’t be seeing the field more. Freshman or not, this kid is hungry. Feed him.
- Linebackers were decent. They did some good things today. Run fits were good. I still just don’t see a level of consistent physicality with this group. I can’t wait for the days where Kanak and Kip are roaming around like heat seeking predators looking for their next meal.
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Special Teams
For anyone that didn't know,
@Eddie_Rado got on the stat sheet with a touchback yesterday. Sweet catch, Ed! Would have liked to see a return though.
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Some Intel
- Brent was as hands on with the defense this week than he has been since Fall Camp. I’d expect this to continue for the remainder of the season.
- Vasek was at the Texas game. We all saw the photos of him on the sideline yucking it up with Arch and a lot of their 2023 class. From what I was told — “You might start resolving yourself to the notion that this kid might not be a part of this class.” We’ll see where this goes but this seems like more than a kid that’s just going to the game with his parents. Time will tell.
- Door isn't closed on Hicks. Which shocked the shit out of me. Don’t get your hopes up but… that relationship isn’t as dead as many thought it would be.
- Kayden announcement on Halloween. Pretty much between Clemson and OU. I’d be shocked if it isn’t Clemson but I was told (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) that the relationship with Bates is something that just can’t be ignored. He’s being sold on near immediate impact and a really great relationship with Derrick LeBlanc.
- The whole Darby … thing. I was told the kid had a really good day at practice and then shit it away with his attitude. Won’t go into specifics on what exactly happened but if it were his first, second or even third strike it probably wouldn’t have been this big of a deal but this isn’t Darby’s first rodeo in the doghouse.
- Piggybacking on that last note — expect some wholesale changes after the year. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked to see about 10% - 15% of this roster get told that this isn’t the place for them. There is a contingency of players that just can’t be or aren’t open to be reached. I don’t think we all truly realize the scope of the cultural rebuild that Brent is undertaking right now. That point can’t be overstated.
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4-3. Bye week. Time for some rest and to go chasing Cyclones in two weeks!
Oh… and anyone see that USC game? That was good for soul.
#BOOMER
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