3 - 3 ...

And on we go with our seventh year of the Sooner Survivor Series - the annual Big 12 Survivor Pool.

The rules are simple:

---(READ THIS ONE CAREFULLY, AGAIN) as there are only 10 Big 12 teams we always spend the end of the year filling out the regular season schedule. Well, to keep me from hating my life while filling out 500+ winners (until my BELOVED upset comes in) we’re going to do it in reverse. The first four weeks will be picking ONE winner from three hand picked games around college football. You don’t need to pick the winner of each, you simply pick the winner of ONE of the three games. If you’re right, you advance, if you’re wrong, your season ends early.

---Starting in week five, you’ll pick one Big 12 team each week that you think will win that week's game. If your team wins, you advance to the next week. When a team you picked loses, you are eliminated from the competition. Remember you ARE NOT picking against the spread, these are straight up win/lose scenarios.

---Once we've started the Big 12 segment and you've picked a Big 12 school, you cannot pick them again the rest of the season. This means you have to pick carefully and assess for things like bye weeks, matchups, etc.

---There are no byes for participants. In other words, you have to pick a team every single week. You have to watch later in the season to make sure you have a team to pick every week, because if you get into a situation where every team you have left is on a bye week and can't pick a team, you'll unfortunately be eliminated.

---Also, you MUST have your picks in before the first game on the docket (it will always be the first game listed below).

--- If anyone (or multiple people) can make it all the way through 14 weeks without losing, we'll use the bowl weeks as tie-breakers.

If anyone has any other questions, please feel free to write them below!

And now, here are the options for Week One.

PRIZES:

1st Place: Free Year of SoonerScoop.com (50$ Gift Card to your choice of Amazon, Best Buy, etc.)
2nd Place: Free Six Months of SoonerScoop.com and your Scoop Shirt of Choice
3rd Place: Free Three Months of SoonerScoop.com and your Scoop Shirt of Choice
4th and 5th: Two Free Months of SoonerScoop.com

Sept. 10 (All times central)

UTSA @ Army (11:00a)
Houston @ Texas Tech (3:00p)
Baylor @ BYU (9:15p)

The Survivors: (If your name is NOT on this list, I need a link to the week 1 post that I got wrong, don't just tell me to go find it, NO WAY, NO HOW, I'LL NEVER GO BACK)

@19lifesooner71 – UNC

@2SBTM – UNC

@512SoonerGUY – UNC

@7maryt – UNC

@86sooner – UNC

@aarington – UNC

@aboe21 – UNC

@ADAllDay – UNC

@ADA FLASH – UNC

@adamhess – UNC

@alecmorris – UNC

@AllDay#1 – UNC

@AllenSooner – UNC

@Amase47 – UNC

@Amayetli – UNC

@AmericaGWShark – UNC

@ammo_u – UNC

@andrewj1120 – UNC

@Asianpx0 – UNC

@atbradford – UNC

@Atriebucco – UNC

@austin.tinsley – UNC

@auzzieEarl – UNC

@Av8adam – UNC

@Avren Radth – UNC

@awattas – UNC

@awhibb – UNC

@BakersDickHeat – UNC

@BandoOU – UNC

@Bblair121209 – UNC

@Bdp0117 – UNC

@BearClaw172 – UNC

@beattexascarl – UNC

@Benjorge25 – UNC

@BGowens – UNC

@BigBlodg – UF

@Big Daddy D – UF

@bigdfrmok – UNC

@bigfoote – UNC

@BiggBaby – UNC

@bigfnthunder – UNC

@bigjohn3911 – UNC

@billysooner – UNC

@bja613 – UNC

@BlackSheep171 – UNC

@blakewood – UNC

@BmSooner22 – UNC

@Bnpotter71 – UNC

@BobStoopsBurner – UNC

@Bohannon69 – UNC

@Bomber1978 – UNC

@BOOM405 – UNC

@Boom82 – UNC

@Boom_Alert – UNC

@Boomer16 – UNC

@Boomer23405234

@boomer3150 – UNC

@boomerang007 – UNC

@BoomerBobby – UNC

@BoomerBoi – UNC

@BOOMERBOLD – UNC

@BoomerCase – UNC

@BoomerFlynn – UNC

@BoomerMatt – UNC

@Boomer_Rider2007 – UNC

@boomersooner2323 – UNC

@Boomer_Sooner_84 – UNC

@BoomerSooner88 – UNC

@BoomSoon21 – UNC

@boomsoon8 – UNC

@BoomThooner – UNC

@Bostinopolis – UNC

@Bowden74 – UNC

@Brasky07 – UNC

@Braxdan30 – UNC

@braydenwatkins – UNC

@BraylenDRogers – UNC

@brensands2 – UNC

@Brian Peace – UNC

@brothahayes – UNC

@Bsouth70 – UNC

@Bundy2256 – UNC

@burgessky – UNC

@Bville2Sooner – UNC

@Bwalker81 – UF

@Byerly08 – UNC

@cacheoneal – UNC

@Caleb0485 – UNC

@Cameront1388 – UNC

@capclay – UNC

@capou – UNC

@CA Sooner 56 – UNC

@cardinal13 – UNC

@carterssooners – UNC

@cdorsey000 – UNC

@cdsooner90 – UNC

@cgates – UNC

@CG III – UNC

@chadh610 – UNC

@ChainsawKitten – UNC

@chasejamy – UNC

@ChefBaker – UNC

@chrislf – UNC

@Chris_Patterson – UNC

@chuck_muskie – UNC

@Chrispridemore – UNC

@cj210 – UNC

@ckit_008 – UNC

@clayman0414 – UNC

@CoachBrannon – UNC

@CoachRoss44 – UNC

@coachsooner – UNC

@Codybailey123 – UNC

@codydelano – UNC

@cole24 – UNC

@colets12 – UNC

@ColoSooner – UNC

@Connor256 – UNC

@COR5 – UNC

@CosmoCramer1 – UNC

@Counttheheadlights – UNC

@Crimson62 – UNC

@Crimsondreamer – UNC

@CrimsonSurgeon – UNC

@curhtova – UNC

@curzsh – UNC

@cwoolly – UNC

@DallasB7 – UNC

@Dallas_Sooner2015 – UNC

@Dalpha2625 - UNC

@daredprice – UNC

@Darrell_Venezuela – UNC

@Darth Bagel – UNC

@davidquiz – UNC

@dcars09 – UNC

@deputyfroglegz – UNC

@dglide – UNC

@djhen – UNC

@dlaurens – UNC

@Douglas45 – UNC

@drew_smith__ – UNC

@dsmightymouse3 – UNC

@dubyac30 – UNC

@dwelch1974 – UNC

@EliteTaco – UNC

@Ellis_2303 – UNC

@ellissooner – UNC

@emurlin – UNC

@Eric999 – UNC

@ethanscott0498 – UNC

@FBCoach78 – UNC

@fdubzou1 – UNC

@fhsu161 – UNC

@Fmscott – UNC

@finklesfoot - UNC

@forrest283 – UNC

@FreeMason26 – UNC

@gcoop65 – UNC

@gdg – UNC

@ghost_of_gaylord – UNC

@Ginganator30 – UNC

@g_johnson – UF

@Gmeissner03 – UNC

@GoatRoper98 – UNC

@Going4eight – UNC

@Grouchypants – UNC

@guntherpprice – UNC

@Hamburglar24 – FSU

@Hans Landa – UNC

@harberokc – UNC

@Hazedsooner – UNC

@hensleys0 – UNC

@herbaby – UNC

@Herb Kirkstreit – UNC

@herbmat – UNC

@Hhuffman1023 – UNC

@HornsDown4Life – UNC

@HornsDown4Violence – UNC

@hortonwyatt22 – UNC

@houstonsooner17 – UNC

@HTX_sooner08 – UNC

@Hurleyfry007 – UNC

@iamjchapman01 – UNC

@IdahoSooner54 – UNC

@IggySan – UNC

@I_hate_it_here – UNC

@IndySooner – UNC

@IRun4Beer – UNC

@Jaaa – UNC

@JackMacAttack – UNC

@jakebo – UNC

@JalenRoss – UNC

@Jamespaul07 – UNC

@Jarbojack – UF

@jason#1soonerfan – UNC

@JasonComer65 – UNC

@jason_uhh – UNC

@jasrjones1 – UNC

@JayRodd – UNC

@jbiss – UNC

@jbrewpga – UNC

@jbrown92 – UNC

@jcamp119 – UNC

@Jchapman7112 – UNC

@jclelacheur – UNC

@Jds1990 – UNC

@jeffpo42 – UNC

@jenn1144 – UNC

@JFischer29 – UNC

@JKlein823 – UNC

@JLawrance – UNC

@Jmeff71 – UNC

@jmidkiff13 – UNC

@jobea01 – UNC

@jocah4 – UNC

@joeandmic3 – UNC

@joecdiver – UNC

@joepfeifer – UNC

@JoeWillieNamath – UNC

@johnnyc85 – UNC

@Joker1981 – UNC

@JonFarrow – UNC

@joshwahq – UNC

@JRMymy – UNC

@Jromines – UNC

@JRs BBQ – UNC

@jsigOU – UNC

@JustGoForItRoy – UNC

@JustinIAm – UNC

@jvancuren – UNC

@Kagean – UNC

@kansooner – UNC

@KansasSooner24 – UNC

@KantoBoomer – UNC

@Karate_Jesus – UNC

@kcsooner78 – FSU

@kcsooner8360

@KD5091 – UNC

@kenh9984 – UNC

@kip_winger – UNC

@KISSFREAK – UNC

@kjhouston – UNC

@Koyboy13 – UNC

@Kpoage89 – UNC

@kyletxsooner – UNC

@KREagles1133 – UNC

@Kritifer – UNC

@Kwill88 – UNC

@LandGrabbin – UNC

@Landon2314 – UNC

@LarryBird69 – UNC

@lauderdaleOU – UNC

@LawtonSooner – UNC

@Lemdime – UNC

@Lenbias – UNC

@Lincoln Liar – UNC

@LincolnsLeftNut69 – UNC

@longest58 – UNC

@Lowelicious – UNC

@Lrscoop2021 – UNC

@LRSooner06 – UNC

@lylexpress – UNC

@Macjr69 – UNC

@M.a.jones614 – UNC

@MarkM2015 – UNC

@markmcm – UNC

@MarMill – UNC

@masonb09 – UNC

@mattpest – UNC

@Mdw279 – UNC

@Miggs – UNC

@Mkjmkj11 – UNC

@mokemoke – UNC

@Mr-White – UNC

@MuncieRebel – UNC

@MustangBWC – UNC

@NarcAssault – UNC

@nazeer77 – UNC

@NealKenn – UNC

@NhutNguyen – UNC

@nolimittro – UNC

@NoahBForThreee – UNC

@nook sooner – UNC

@notaburner – UNC

@no user name – UNC

@November0013 – UNC

@NUSOONER – UNC

@nwsoonerfan – UNC

@ogbigdaddy2 – UNC

@Oger – UNC

@Oily_52 – UNC

@OkarcheFootballTeam – UNC

@OKGiant25 – UNC

@okcsooner2008 – UNC

@OkieBoomerSooner1957 – UNC

@Oklahomey – UNC

@olekingcole806 – UF

@oleskinny – UNC

@OUadam08 – UNC

@OUATO87 – UNC

@oubaseball7 – UNC

@OUBrady – UNC

@OUFAN7 – UNC

@oufreud – UNC

@OUGrunt0311 – UNC

@OU/JL – UNC

@Oujunkie78 – UNC

@Oumichael – UNC

@OUReplay – UNC

@ouryan47 – UNC

@ousoonerfan97 – UNC

@OUSooners_75 – UNC

@OU The Professor – UNC

@Ouwood12 – UNC

@OUzach – UNC

@Oskie918 – UNC

@ovpksooner – UNC

@Pand0004 – UNC

@Panhandle Clapsaddle – UNC

@Pani_sooner – UNC

@PawneeSooner5 – UNC

@PaysonS – UNC

@PBSooner5150 – UNC

@Pdaddy_B – UNC

@Pea Picker – UNC

@PerineTookAknee – UNC

@phildpayne79 – UNC

@pioneerman – UNC

@PizzaBooty – UNC

@pkug28 – UNC

@Pland00l – UNC

@PoorSooner32 – UNC

@pquillen – UNC

@Pratt_888 – UNC

@qmoring – UNC

@QueensBlvd – UNC

@Rainman718 – UNC

@Ralee1717 – UNC

@RangerDeem – UNC

@Razzari – UNC

@rch6 – UNC

@Rdarks1 – UNC

@rds57 – UNC

@RedemptionSooner – UNC

@RedHillsSooner – UNC

@Redninjaturtle32 – UNC

@RedWig – UNC

@Reebevoli – UNC

@rfloyd19 – UNC

@Rhythmdog – UNC

@RightFieldHomie – UNC

@rileyrichter5 – UNC

@riverrocks – UNC

@Rockyman97 – UNC

@rph ted – UNC

@Sac Sooner – UNC

@Sai9s – UNC

@Sam Bradford Apologist – UNC

@SamStoots – UNC

@Sarcasm2 – UNC

@Savannah_Sooner – UNC

@schm3016 – UNC

@schoeppeya – UNC

@Scissor-Tail HornCatcher – UNC

@sdent50 – UNC

@sdolese3 – UNC

@SDS28 – UNC

@Seajay15 – UNC

@SeemsLegit – UNC

@SEKboom – UNC

@SevenTimeChamps – UNC

@shawnou – UNC

@Shizzle1 – UNC

@shn3215 – UNC

@shytnik – UNC

@silerg – UNC

@SirBill – UNC

@SMcDan72 – UNC

@smittyok – UNC

@SnapInfraction – UNC

@Snrborn – UNC

@solomonholt – UNC

@Son of Samara – UNC

@SonOfTodd – UNC

@SoonerBarry – UF

@soonerbd – UNC

@soonbeager – UNC

@SoonerBray – UNC

@Sooner Butch – UNC

@sooner3369 – UNC

@sooner46 – UNC

@Sooner888 – UNC

@Sooner997 – UNC

@SoonerBoomer620 – UNC

@soonerbrave – UNC

@SoonerBrethren – UNC

@soonercb - UF

@SoonerFan151 – UNC

@Soonerfan 17 – UNC

@soonergreg918 – UNC

@soonerguy14 – UNC

@SoonerInColumbia – UNC

@sooner in sf – UNC

@Sooner in VA – UNC

@soonerjbryan – UNC

@SoonerJD19 – UNC

@SoonerJones – UNC

@SoonerKoos0719 – UNC

@Soonerkv – UNC

@SoonerLore – UNC

@Soonerloyal84 – UNC

@Soonermagic33 – UNC

@Soonerman1973 – UNC

@soonerman509 – UNC

@SoonerMD – UNC

@SoonerMeatSchooner – UNC

@SoonerMets – UNC

@Sooner N Austin – UNC

@SoonerNC10 – UNC

@Sooner Nick – UNC

@soonernje – UNC

@Soonerpulc06 – UNC

@SoonerPride – UNC

@SoonerPride33 – UNC

@SoonerRantipoler – UNC

@SoonerRecruits – UNC

@Soonerroo – UNC

@SoonerRuss2007 – UNC

@Sooners1108 – UNC

@SOONERS20 – UNC

@sooners3210 – UNC

@sooners02 – UNC

@SoonerSawyer – UNC

@soonerschneid – UNC

@SoonerSensei – UNC

@SoonerSid – UNC

@soonersjd – UNC

@soonersoldier – UNC

@SoonersOU1 – UNC

@soonersponges – UNC

@Soonerspread Panic – UNC

@sooner_steamroll – UNC

@SoonerVet24 – UNC

@Soonerzach90 – UNC

@soonrs25 – UNC

@soons n dc – UNC

@Soxfan405 – UNC

@Spaceman Spliff – UNC

@Split_Down_The_50 – UNC

@ssou32 – UNC

@SS Sheriff – UNC

@staylor2972 – UNC

@StephenParcell – UNC

@Steven50616 – UNC

@stevenspaul1357 – UNC

@St. John Sooner – UNC

@stoops44

@stout813 – UNC

@Strd82 – UNC

@supersooner78

@SVP_Kramerica – UNC

@swm1109 – UNC

@TBrady16 – UNC

@tcamou – UNC

@Tcocheres – UNC

@TCUkilledJFK – UNC

@T_diddle – UNC

@tdo11 – UNC

@texarksooner – UNC

@TexSooner817 – UNC

@TH12228 – UNC

@TheBryceIsR1te – UNC

@The Dread Pirate Rob – UNC

@TheGreatOne405 – UNC

@The Librarian – UNC

@Thugnificense – UNC

@TimboSliceOU – UNC

@Timbro1 – UNC

@Tinkers00n – UNC

@TLJackson23 – UNC

@tmeyer3307 – UNC

@TopekaSooner – UNC

@tpav – UNC

@Traaav13 – UNC

@Treybe – UNC

@Trick – UNC

@TRoss84 – UNC

@TrumpetSooner – UNC

@Tschilli23 – UNC

@Ttownsooner95 – UNC

@TulSooner8 – UNC

@Twebb84 – UNC

@Twest4244 – UNC

@Twolfe12 – UNC

@Ty4OU – UNC

@TyBo_OU – UNC

@TyCope – UNC

@usafmaddog – UNC

@usnor – UNC

@vargo05 – FSU

@Visor #7 – UNC

@WardogSooner21 – UNC

@warr1314 – UNC

@WDCSooner – UNC

@Wedd4OU – UNC

@Weston54 – UNC

@whatawin – UNC

@Whatthefaulk8 – UNC

@Wilann – UNC

@wolverine_10 – UNC

@Wstucky – UNC

@X2Reload – UNC

Login to view embedded media
They are going through it .... Ubran Meyer talk has some in a sweaty hell.

OFFENSE:

QB: Dillon Gabriel - 77 - Gabriel was very shaky to begin with and was holding onto the ball too long but was much better in the second half.
RB: Eric Gray - 74 - I think he's a great change of pace back but I just don't think he's the guy.
WR: Drake Stoops - 76 - I still can't believe he scored on that touchdown.
WR: Marvin Mims - 88 - One of the true bright spots from beginning to end, glad he can catch passes in the second half again.
WR: Jalil Farooq - 60 - We may have to put some fliers on doors and make sure he's alive.
TE: Brayden Willis- 78 - A much more quiet game but he was solid, definitely helped his team.
OT: Anton Harrison - 75 - He looks so much more comfortable at left tackle, he was NOT the problem int he early run game.
OG: McKade Mettauer - 63 - This was better, it was far from perfect but it was better.
C: Andrew Raym - 60 - I thought he really struggled at the point of attack, just wasn't getting push when I watched.
OG: Chris Murray - 71 - A step back from last week, it wasn't awful but wasn't as consistent as last week.
OT: Tyler Guyton - 67 - Looked much more comfortable on the right side, again lots to clean up but it was better.

Offensive Average: 72.6 (799)


DEFENSE:

DE: Reggie Grimes - 83 - Man he flashes big but there needs to be a bit more consistency.
NT: Jeffrey Johnson - 77 - Continue to think he's really solid in the middle.
DT: Isaiah Coe - 81 - I think he's coming on as a real difference maker for Oklahoma.
DE: Ethan Downs - 77 - Continued to show a great motor but there just isn't much that's happening initially.
LB: Danny Stutsman - 93 - That's the guy he can be, he's just got to keep going there.
LB: David Ugwoegbu - 77 - I thought he was a bit more consistent than last week if not quite as flashy.
CH: DaShaun White - 65 - I just wonder if he's going to find his feet, he just doesn't look like he's playing fast.
CB: Woodi Washington - 84 - Woodi had a few nice moments and a BIG hit.
CB: Jaden Davis - 78 - I can't say I even saw him, has to be a good thing, right?
S: Justin Broiles - 82 - No one will want to hear this but Broiles was aggressive and played fairly well.
S: Bily Bowman - 90 - Man if not for Stutsman everyone would be raving about this performance, he was very, very good.

Defensive Average: 80.6 (887)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

K: Zach Schmit - 82 - You almost don't want to mention it but he's been very steady so far.
P: Michael Turk - 87 - Wasn't booming as many kicks but dropped three inside the 20, not too shabby.
KR: Billy Bowman - 70 - Live by the aggression, die by the aggression, put OU in a few bad spots.
PR: Marvin Mims - 88 - Had a big one that obviously makes up most of this ranking.

Special Teams Average: 81.8 (327)

Key Reserves:

RB: Marcus Major - 89 - Man I just love what he's doing right now and the cut on that touchdown? WOW.
RB: Jovantae Barnes - 70 - You saw a little more youth tonight but he's getting a better feel for when to bounce and when to take what's there.
TE: Daniel Parker - 74 - I wanted to see more in the run game (perhaps I missed it) but his help in the passing game was noteworthy.
DT: Jalen Redmond - 86 - I think he made a few plays that he won't get credit for.
DT: Kelvin Gilliam - 83 - He's starting to flash and force more time for himself.
LB: Jaren Kanak - 76 - Man, he just flashes a few times that kind of make you rub your eyes in disbelief.
DB: Justin Harrington - 87 - There's just no question that as he got on the field more that defense became more productive.
DB: Damond Harmon - 83 - I think he's just forcing himself out there more and more.


Reserves Average: 80.5 (644)


Team Average: 78.1 (2657)


My Overall Grade: 72


Breakdown: This is one of those games that is always tough to grade, I mean how do you rank a horrible half of football against a very dominant one? As bad as the first half was, Oklahoma was in such control in the second.

I like a lot of what the defense did but in the second quarter, as Brent Venables has talked about, they just had to get off the field. It was as if they just refused to help themselves at times.

Offensively I talked about in staff picks but I really thought Oklahoma would be more open to what they were seeing but they just seemed bound and determined to force some things rather than taking what Kent State gave them. Once they found a bit more patience they hit their stride and got rolling.

I also just can't help but notice how different, and more consistent, the run game looks when Marcus Major is in the backfield.

Still though there's a part of me that thinks that half came at a perfect moment for the head coach to motivate his guys for their first 'seeming' test in Lincoln next week. At the very least it's their first time leaving Norman as a team this year.

What I will say as a positive is this feels like a team that would have laid down and let Kent State hang around in years past. We've all seen the Sooners struggle continuously at various points in recent years so the response in the third quarter was both telling of the team's morale as well as the reality that they weren't just simply a bad team - they had a poor half, simple as that.

Scoring Standard:

100-82: Playoff Contender
82-74: Big 12 Title Contender
74-65: Bowl Game Participant
65-0: 'I'll be hoooome for Christmas

I remember a few years ago Wuffee posted that his little Yorkie Buster had passed and having a little dog myself I was so very sad for him and dreaded the day I’d lose my little dog Buddy. Well, today was that day. My little guy was approaching 16 years old and he had a heart issue that we thought was under control. But apparently the drugs he took for that were also destroying his kidneys, He had been sick and throwing up for a couple of days so we took him to the vet this morning. An hour and a half later my wife called me at my office to tell me the vet determined it was kidney failure and that he’d be dead within 2 days. She recommended putting him down as it would be a painful exit otherwise.

The reason I came here though is I wanted to share a story that has me thinking about God or the universe or whatever greater power you want to believe in that comes to us in our time of need. I first found out about the situation at my office and I didn’t know what to do. My little guy was playing and his normal self just a few days ago so when my wife called with the news, I’m ashamed to say my first reaction was to tell the vet to just handle it and remember him as he was before. But when I dropped him this morning he was scared and shivering and I told him I’d be back. So after remembering that, I decided to go with my wife to the vets office to say goodbye to our friend.

My vet here in Tulsa has a cockatoo in her office that speaks. As we were saying our goodbyes. The cockatoo started speaking. It said twice….. I love you. I love you. And then repeatedly…..Bye Bye. Bye bye. Bye bye. It was as if that damn bird had given my little Buddy a voice. Eventually the bird stopped, and we called in the vet assistant and gave my friend to her for the last time. I cradled his face and told him one last time that I’d miss him and love him forever and he was gone. Driving home, I couldn’t get that damn birds voice out of my head. I love you. Bye bye. I think maybe God made that bird speak, and give my boy the ability to tell his people goodbye. And I’m just so very grateful.

Buddy was my gol dog for years and if you played a lot of evening golf at Hefner several years ago you may have seen us out there. My little guy loved to chase the cart after a tee shot. I’d cut him loose from leash and he’d chase the cart, jumping up into the seat when I’d stop at my ball and wait to be told how smart and great he is only to do the same again a few holes later. Tonight will be our first night without him other than vacations and the odd getaway in nearly 16 years. And while we’re here missing him, I just know that Buddy is chasing a golf cart down the big hill after the tee on #6 at Hefner knowing when he catches it, his dad will be there to take him in his arms and tell him what a good boy he is. And my hope. My prayer. Is that someday….. I will be. So long Buddy. I love you little boy.

Thanks to all of you for giving me a place to put these thoughts and feelings into words. Let’s hope our Sooners whip Nebraska tomorrow. A distraction would certainly be welcome. Boomer Sooner.

Doing a report on the best OU/Nebraska games of all time before Saturday.

I've only witnessed 2 games in my lifetime ('10 Big 12 Championship, '21 In Norman). Also finished watching the '86 and '87 game, while GOTC is on in the background on Big Ten Network.

All that leads me to ask, what are everyone's earliest/favorite memories of the rivalry? Year, moment, location.

Using this as a chance to learn a few things too.

"I consider myself a serious CFB fan and realized that in the 60 odd games CLR was HC @ OU I may have watched 3 of them. Total. Had no problem with OU. Respected them. Big Boz fan when I was a kid and always loved Switzers swagger. And I knew or was aware that this Lincoln Riley was some sort of offensive prodigy and was vaguely aware of some of their skill players. The first game that really caught my attention was the red River game and CW coming out party last year. And the reason I never watched OU is that they aren’t glamorous or sexy or a rock star brand. Their fan base actually probably leans into that heavy and as a guy who grew up in Tex—izzz I get their whole deal and that vibe. But nobody outside that region ever thinks “I gotta catch the Oklahoma game”

SC is glamour. SC is sexy. SC when it’s rolling is Hollywood royalty, a national brand that pulls in everyone even if it’s just to hate on them. CLR at OU then coming to SC is night and day.

We are two games into this thing. TWO. GAMES. And the team that went 4-8 and was a punchline a year ago is a top 7 team with national pundits fawning over them and local writers already proclaiming them the best team in the country. (pump the brakes a bit Bill if for nothing else whatever shred remains of your “objective” credibility)

That is the power of plugging The genius of Lincoln Riley into the USC brand. Nothing has changed about HIM. What he does, how he runs a program, his on field demeanor, play calling etc. He’s been doing this for years. He just went from Hallmark Network to HBO. This guy is going to be a National rock star. Caleb Williams is literally going to be the face of CFB. The Coliseum WILL become prime time must see CFB television. If you can’t see the winds shifting in two weeks headed (quickly) in that direction you either aren’t watching or irrationally hate/deny SC.

OU could never match this. Never offer it. Never compete with this. And that is a huge reason CLR took this job literally overnight. Having never set foot in the Coliseum or on campus. He didn’t need to. He knew the brand. He knew the City. And he knew what he can do and what he could do here could not be matched anywhere else."


"I think the other appeal was that only so many recruits would take OU seriously. They were a brand, but a regionally limited one. Pete Carroll proved that USC's brand, when the team is right, is national and in the new NIL world, that creates opportunities that far exceed what the local Lawton, Oklahoma buick dealer can provide."


"I did a deep dive into LR's time at OU starting from when he was hired on as OC. He did a lot in boosting OU's recruiting profile and not to take anything away from BV but he is building on the foundation that LR put in place. One could also say that Stoops did the same for LR but keep in mind while OU was still a very good program they were slipping in the 2010's. Not necessarily in the W/L column (although they did go 8-5 twice in 5 seasons) but not only were they winning games against inferior competition by slimmer and slimmer margins (and losing) but they were also getting blown out at least once or twice a year to in conference foes despite having more talent than any of them besides maybe Texas.

When LR took over, it was Stoops' staff minus Bob. It was Bob's culture, players, etc and while Riley had built up the offensive side, the defensive unit had been average at best for years and sometimes terrible. No doubt LR had some reservations about bringing in his guys wholesale because OU almost never fires coaches. They value loyalty above all else. I also read that over the next few years. Stoops was still hanging around the program so even though he won't ever say it, Oklahoma was never his program. That combined with not getting the resources needed to compete with Bama and UGA are two of the biggest reasons as to why he left.

So I totally agree that we're getting the real Lincoln Riley, the maverick mastermind who had a vision but could never build it out at Oklahoma. There's been just two USC coaches in the last 30 years who didn't make excuses as to why we can't be a top program--Pete Carroll and now Lincoln Riley. No surprise that his trajectory is already soaring."

Racing in a parking garage and putting it on the internet.

A&M corner Denver Harris racing in a parking garage

*Alright guys, we'll get this thing started with the most topical guy of the moment Tyler (Texas) Legacy Rivals250 defensive end Jordan Renaud.

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I'll be honest, I had written this blurb out earlier this evening and frankly it was about what I'd coming into the weekend expecting to write. 'Oklahoma made a good run but I'm still going to bet on Alabama and will be changing my forecast'.

But, as ever, I'm patient - a trait that I know you all love very much - and I heard from a few more sources in the evening and came across some pretty interesting ideas. The most notable of those is that the Sooners may well have hit it out of the park with Renaud's family.

"I think mom and dad want him (at Oklahoma)," the source said. "It's going to be a battle."

We're going to keep checking as it's unusual that things feel this tight so close to a decision. But still, I came away feeling better about the Sooners chances on Sunday evening than I did during lunch on Sunday.

**The next one is a sign of a forecast I'm about ready to put in.

That forecast?

Lincoln (Neb.) East's Rivals100 tight end Malachi Coleman.

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In speaking to a few sources over the past few weeks it has felt like Oklahoma was picking up real momentum in his recruitment and I know speaking to our guy @Clint Cosgrove after his recent chat with Coleman that he got some vibes that the Sooners were a very real threat to long-time leader Nebraska.

Well of course that fire only grows more considerable with today's firing of Scott Frost and Coleman's apparent reaction to it.

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Based on some of the stuff I've heard my biggest question mark may be around something I've seen mentioned already on the Corner, does this give Nebraska some time to really hit the ground running with their new staff around Dec. 1 and perhaps reel Coleman in at a later date?

It's possible but that's all so hypothetical it's hard to take seriously at this point. As it is though, I'm about a breath away from putting in a forecast.

***I spoke a bit tonight with Denton (Texas) Guyer defensive back Ryan Yaites about his visit and it sounds like things went well though I admit he was fairly vague about anything - I think he's still being a bit cautious after a recent situation that may have caused him some distress in his relationships with various coaching staffs.

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Still though, he admitted to having a good time with his buddies in Norman.

"Night games are always fun. (It's) cool to see the lights and fans," Yaites said modestly.

He also told me that right now there is clearly nothing imminent in his situation "I'm comfortable where I stand with my commitment."

Obviously that leaves a little to be desired as far as clarity goes but it doesn't change that it's good news that Yaites keeps showing up in Norman and that the Sooners aren't ready to give up on this pursuit.

****The final big piece of the weekend's puzzle was Denton (Texas) Guyer Rivals100 safety Peyton Bowen.

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I'm told that the Sooners, much like Renaud, did a nice job of putting his family's mind at ease with the possibility of him ending up in Norman. I'd heard from a few difference places - as Scoop talked about on Friday - that Todd Bates was going to have a bigger role this weekend and may have had a big hand in this comfort being built.

"It was about perfect," one source said.

Now there comes a point where you do wonder what Bowen could be waiting for as far as a final decision but the Sooners remain sphinx like and just keep running their race. And it's a race I continue to like their chances in.

*****One visitor who didn't make it in was David Hicks, who was instead at Texas A&M, but I'm told that was largely by a scheduling conflict. His brother had a game of his own and that made it difficult for David to get to Norman. Now that isn't to say he didn't want to visit A&M. It's just a matter of what time allowed for.

And yes, even with the Aggies visit I'm as confident in this situation as I was when I forecasted it the day after the Party at the Palace as many of the things people are talking about - expedited timelines, etc. are things we've been discussing for a while as frankly there just isn't much Hicks hasn't seen from any of the schools he is eyeing. I'll be seeing him this Thursday and hopefully have more insight on the situation.

Super excited about this one.

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🌶 Gilkey moved to Jenks after losing qb battle to Shaker

I can confirm that Ryan Yaites is in Norman, "I came up with Peyton (Bowen)," Yaites told me.

After telling an LSU site, for on3, that he wasn't taking any more trips while Jackson Arnold was telling @Eddie_Rado that Yaites would be there, this one felt like a coin flip.

But obviously, it turned up nicely for the Sooners.

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Who would’ve thought that Nebraska would’ve been the cupcake on our schedule.

Good gosh Nebraska might bite the bullet on that 8 million and fire him.

Never Forget. I was in 8th grade art class when the first plane hit. We thought the world was ending. Thank you to all the first responders and prayers for every single victim and their families

We just re-entered the Gary Gibbs Era!

First, the crew did a good job. Leaf was good and Morgan was decent enough.
Second, holy hell, more commercials than I have ever watched. Ads on ads on ads. If I had more energy I’d love to clock these and see just how many minutes of ads the viewers are subjected to. It’s incredible.
I wish ESPN+ was easier to use but aside from the ads I’d give ESPN+ a B+.

App looking solid so far.

Notre Dame looks pretty shitty. Maybe osu's defense isn't as improved as everyone thought.

Has immediately made Gameday more watchable.

Guy is a legitimate pro. He’s son’ing everyone on the show right now with his talent and charisma.

Bear looked like the kid who wants to play with the cool kids when Pat and the UT basketball coach were chatting it up. 😂

If I didn’t know better I would think he has never lifted a weight in his life. His arm musculature is completely nonexistent. Has developed a pretty impressive spare tire. I can’t believe he is the starting C in a D1 program with that development. And before you ask yes I am ****ing stacked, with a 10 pack.

I’m so baffled by some of the shenanigans that are going on on college campuses today.

Teachers getting in deep shit because they try to be edgy and cool.

Activism getting out of control and demanding this or that or they’re going to do this or that.

Students wanting special buildings where they can retreat and be safe (from what?), that are manned by specific kinds of counselors that can heal their perceived bruised psyches and have comfort animals to make them feel all fuzzy and good.

Athletes that you can’t yell at or they’ll try to take over the program or take their sensitive asses and go someplace where they’ll be pandered too.

I’ll confess, I absolutely do not understand the intricacies of human interaction anymore . I’m confident that if I was conversing, with an active enlightened person today, that I would say something (unintentional) whether it be a word, phrase, or even body language, that would totally piss them off and I would be in deep shit.

So Grim, you make me feel better about some of the above mentioned things.

You’re level headed and bright and I can talk to you any damned well I please about any topic.

I hope that there are many more like you.