Hey Sooner fans…. Boomer Sooner! Take a deep breath… Here’s a little perspective on statements that have been made since yesterday’s dismal defeat:
I’ve been a fan for 50+ years and OU has never lost this bad.
- In 1997 in 3 consecutive weeks OU lost to Nebraska 69-7, OSU 30-7, and then to A&M 51-7, dropping their season record to 3-7.
OU will drop out of the Top 25 for the first time in who knows how long.
- In 2020, OU lost 2 of their first 3 games to start 1-2. They fell all the way from #3 to unranked in just two weeks.
Jeff Lebby chose Dillon Gabriel over better QBs that would have OU in a better position.
- Dillon Gabriel was the highest rated QB in the transfer portal available to OU. Gabriel was ranked 6th coming into the season to win the Heisman trophy. He may not be a home run transfer, but he was likely the best possible hope for OU who had lost their entire QB depth chart. If Lebby missed, so did everyone else who was evaluating talent.
Venables et al. have to coach better.
- Venables inherited a team where 11 players with eligibility remaining left for the NFL draft and 12 players transferred out (including the starting QB and top WR). The coaches were hired two weeks before early signing day and have not even had one year to get players accustomed to their systems.
Nick Saban’s first year at Alabama 7-6
Bob Stoops’ first year at OU 7-5
Dabo Swinney’s first year at Clemson 4-3
Kirby Smart’s first year at Georgia 8-5
OU should have gone after a proven head coach.
- Bud Wilkinson - assistant coach
Barry Switzer - assistant coach
Bob Stoops - assistant coach
The truth is the coaches inherited a program reeling from a blindside. A program that lost an enormous chunk of the team including the leaders on both offense and defense. Most coaches need 2-3 years to get the players they need to run their schemes, and it takes more than one off season to grasp new systems.
OU has some great players who will play in the NFL, but they are also starting guys who are in there because they are the best option. The games the last two weeks have been awful to watch, but if you think your insight is pointing to something the coaches and players don’t know, that’s pretty narcissistic. The team and fans know what’s wrong. The team just need time and support to get things righted. No one needs support when things are going right. It’s when things are going wrong you find out who really has your back.
I’ve been a fan for 50+ years and OU has never lost this bad.
- In 1997 in 3 consecutive weeks OU lost to Nebraska 69-7, OSU 30-7, and then to A&M 51-7, dropping their season record to 3-7.
OU will drop out of the Top 25 for the first time in who knows how long.
- In 2020, OU lost 2 of their first 3 games to start 1-2. They fell all the way from #3 to unranked in just two weeks.
Jeff Lebby chose Dillon Gabriel over better QBs that would have OU in a better position.
- Dillon Gabriel was the highest rated QB in the transfer portal available to OU. Gabriel was ranked 6th coming into the season to win the Heisman trophy. He may not be a home run transfer, but he was likely the best possible hope for OU who had lost their entire QB depth chart. If Lebby missed, so did everyone else who was evaluating talent.
Venables et al. have to coach better.
- Venables inherited a team where 11 players with eligibility remaining left for the NFL draft and 12 players transferred out (including the starting QB and top WR). The coaches were hired two weeks before early signing day and have not even had one year to get players accustomed to their systems.
Nick Saban’s first year at Alabama 7-6
Bob Stoops’ first year at OU 7-5
Dabo Swinney’s first year at Clemson 4-3
Kirby Smart’s first year at Georgia 8-5
OU should have gone after a proven head coach.
- Bud Wilkinson - assistant coach
Barry Switzer - assistant coach
Bob Stoops - assistant coach
The truth is the coaches inherited a program reeling from a blindside. A program that lost an enormous chunk of the team including the leaders on both offense and defense. Most coaches need 2-3 years to get the players they need to run their schemes, and it takes more than one off season to grasp new systems.
OU has some great players who will play in the NFL, but they are also starting guys who are in there because they are the best option. The games the last two weeks have been awful to watch, but if you think your insight is pointing to something the coaches and players don’t know, that’s pretty narcissistic. The team and fans know what’s wrong. The team just need time and support to get things righted. No one needs support when things are going right. It’s when things are going wrong you find out who really has your back.
