I've considered this topic time and time again. I think back to 2017 and especially 2018. I considered the BB hogs pre-texas to post-texas and the different intangibles. I think there are things that define him and his strengths and weaknesses.
Moxie and mean streak: Remember Dru Samia? He was always looking for a fight. I worried every game if he was going to get a personal foul for being too aggressive and physical. But I never worried about him being pushed back or lacking a punch. How about Orlando Brown? He was pissed off before the game even started. Those 2017 and 2018 lines all had a little bit of Stoops, and a lot of BB and Schmitty attitude. Remove Stoops and Schmitty and insert Linc and his yoga guy and we saw a quick decline in the oline. I think back to Stoops first 2 seasons and one thing was for sure: there would be no excuses, no lack of effort and a chip on everyone's shoulder with the belief that I'm better than you. It was a culture that BS instilled. I think we're seeing the reinstalment of Schmitty with the culture and intensity BV brings struggling to be the new culture on the oline. It is back with the defense and I believe it will be back with the oline, they just need a little more time.
BB the enigma: why does it typically take 5 games to find that aggressiveness and moxie? Why the head scratching decisions on one guy starting over someone who appears to be better? Why Alvarez over Creed Humphrey? This is the BB I struggle with and don't have an answer. As Parker would quickly point out (rightfully so), who am I to question the historic results from BB racking up NFL players year after year. But I still can't help but shake my head when watching the Sooner offense put up less than 400 yds against an undersized, overmatched temple defense while our freshman QB played very well. Trying to figure it out, I rewatched the game and saw the oline was bad but not as bad as it appeared watching it live. Brown was really bad after Hickman left and the shuffle of lineman took place. Hatchett was bad at center and I questioned along with those sitting around me, "Where was Bates", the rest of the game. I mean Bates looked good in the Spring game. I did see Brown have a few good blocks including the long run by Franklin. I saw Bates take over at center in the 4th and he looked good the rest of the way, and the rest of the oline looked much better. (I will add without the dropped passes, OU probably has another 100 yds of offense.) I'm not sure we'll ever have the answers to these types of questions. When push comes to shove, I still have confidence in BB until he proves me wrong. Let's hope that never happens.
Maybe the answer might be, tell BB the season begins 5 weeks earlier than it really does and then most of us will be happy with the product he puts on the field for the first game.
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