Is OU done winning national titles?

[BawlzDeep]

I know it sounds far fetched, but 19 years, 0-7 when given the opportunity. The landscape of football is changing and OU doesn't appear to be a trailblazer with the changes.

In 1995, Nebraska was the biggest, baddest, and best football program in America, and now, they're irrelevant. No one saw that coming.

OU has been tremendously successful for the last two decades, but winning national titles and kicking butt is the standard. OU has failed miserably on meeting the standard.

Where can OU gets it's heart back? By heart, I mean Defense. Real defense that literally makes opponents quit.

If Lincoln can be the best offensive coach, and bring in great offensive talent. Then, the opposite side of the ball is possible.
What will it take for Grinch to close the gap?

I'm running out of years on this sweet Earth.

 

[UofOKalum]

We like to say recruit ranking doesn't matter. We've played some all world teams. The University of Texas usually ranks higher than OU in recruiting. We don't bring it up. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU usually rank higher than OU. I believe OU has had one top 10 recruiting class in the last, well I think we had one last year. Recruiting is going to close the gap. It can be frustrating as we usually end up with about 4 players missing from championship bowl games or we play USC in the Rose Bowl, LSU in the Sugar bowl, or a Florida team in Florida. We don't bring these things up but they do have an impact.

 

[PtLavacaSooner]

We like to say recruit ranking doesn't matter. We've played some all world teams. The University of Texas usually ranks higher than OU in recruiting. We don't bring it up. Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU usually rank higher than OU. I believe OU has had one top 10 recruiting class in the last, well I think we had one last year. Recruiting is going to close the gap. It can be frustrating as we usually end up with about 4 players missing from championship bowl games or we play USC in the Rose Bowl, LSU in the Sugar bowl, or a Florida team in Florida. We don't bring these things up but they do have an impact.

OU played USC in the Orange Bowl, not that it matters. Any team should be prepared to play anyone, anywhere. The Sooners beat FSU in Florida. Would you rather be in the Cotton Bowl Classic? Johnny Football demolished the Sooners there...

 

[OUSOONER67]

Look at the gap between the SEC Champ LSU vs Big 12 champ OU
And whats happening to Big 12 runner up Baylor vs SEC Runner Up Georgia. Look at the way those SEC Defenses played and are playing tonight.
Big 12 is weak and has been for a while.
If OU or any other Big 12 team does not close that gap the Big 12 will not win a NC any time soon. Ohio State and Clemson are doing it but we don't get the players that any of those programs get.

And I think they said Georgia was without 11 starters?

 

[veritas59]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't think we'll ever get enough elite defensive players as long as we're in the big 12. (I didn't capitalize big for a reason). A move to the SEC is the only way we'd get a serious look from the kind of talent we need to compete with the Alabamas and Clemsons on a regular basis. Some of those kids might actually come play at Oklahoma if they knew they were going to play a significant number of games within driving distance of their families.

 

[Soonerheart]

Its clearly obvious that OU needs out of the Big 12....but we are never going to sign many players from the existing SEC footprint....We would sign more from the cold north and east, from within the Big Ten footprint

 

[owenfieldreams]

The GOR negotiation comes up in what, 3-4 years. That is the key point at which we have to make a decision. If we stay in the Big 12 as currently configured after the GOR is renewed we very well could have seen our last NC. The fundamental question is: are you satisfied with winning a mediocre conference and making the playoffs but never winning the NC or would you be willing to finish 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the SEC to occasionally be good enough to win it all. I disagree that being in the SEC would not improve our recruiting, especially on the D side of the ball. The very best and deepest front 7 talent is in the SE. If we were in the SEC we would be able to sell the showcase aspect of playing against the best.

 

[Oklabama]

The GOR negotiation comes up in what, 3-4 years. That is the key point at which we have to make a decision. If we stay in the Big 12 as currently configured after the GOR is renewed we very well could have seen our last NC. The fundamental question is: are you satisfied with winning a mediocre conference and making the playoffs but never winning the NC or would you be willing to finish 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the SEC to occasionally be good enough to win it all. I disagree that being in the SEC would not improve our recruiting, especially on the D side of the ball. The very best and deepest front 7 talent is in the SE. If we were in the SEC we would be able to sell the showcase aspect of playing against the best.

Well stated.

 

[OUnabomber]

The GOR negotiation comes up in what, 3-4 years. That is the key point at which we have to make a decision. If we stay in the Big 12 as currently configured after the GOR is renewed we very well could have seen our last NC. The fundamental question is: are you satisfied with winning a mediocre conference and making the playoffs but never winning the NC or would you be willing to finish 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the SEC to occasionally be good enough to win it all. I disagree that being in the SEC would not improve our recruiting, especially on the D side of the ball. The very best and deepest front 7 talent is in the SE. If we were in the SEC we would be able to sell the showcase aspect of playing against the best.

I can't see where moving to the sec has helped Missouri or tamu

 

[owenfieldreams]

Mizzou is in a wierd situation. Truth be known, they should be in the Big 10. T A&M has benefited greatly. I expect them to be ranked in the top 10 preseason this year.

 

[Oklabama]

I can't see where moving to the sec has helped Missouri or tamu

bomber, are you really comparing OU's program to that of Missouri and Texas A&M? They both left the B12 because they couldn't compete and settled for the money. If OU leaves the B12 for the money that would be the absolute wrong reason to go. The boost would be wonderful but only if the program would benefit in terms of player development, recruiting and attracting the best coaches. The SEC gets better coaches than the B12. That's just a fact. The best players want to play for the best program with best coaching. Riley can bring the best QBs and receivers but not the best defensive players.....and maybe not the best OL year in and year out. OU is an one trick pony program right now and has been for an awful long time. Since winning our last national title, we are 8-11 for bowls and 0-4 in the playoffs. We have lost 3 opportunities to win a national championship to two SEC teams and a PAC team while all the time dominating the BI2.

 

[humblesooner]

We could take the Clemson route and look to bolster the ACC in to the solid #3 conference.
Who cares about travel? From Oklahoma, you can reach most anywhere in the lower 48 in 3 hours.

 

[Phaeded]

Its all about population. Of all the schools mentioned above, the driving radius to Norman from major metro areas combined with the overall Big XII footprint (Texas and the great plains....and everyone recruits TX) means a lesser likelihood of accumulating talent (Tuscaloosa may have a similar driving radius issue - although their state has a higher population than OK - but the SEC footprint is much more desirable population-wise). This population problem is also why the Big XII's TV contract is not as good as elsewhere - there are fewer TV sets.

First with Leach and then the hurry-up with Bradford at QB, revived with Riley's arrival, we had a schematic recruiting advantage. But the days of Tressel-ball, Bama's tight pro O alignments, LSU's "Mile's" from offensive coherence, are all a thing of the past. Case in point as to how it was: Bama's offense was so run-focused that we once nearly got Julio Jones, from Alabama, to sign with OU. That would never happen today. Our playoff competition all now have potent O schemes and we don't have the D depth to combat that - two lost starters wrecks our D; and compare UGA who rotates in up to 22 kids per game on D. Whether with lesser players or not, Grinch should consider going to UGA's model, at least to keep fresh legs out there (how many second half collapses do we have?).

So Riley has this "QB whisperer" angle, but that monopoly went down the drain this year with the likes of an unheard of nobody - Brady at LSU - doing the same...even against us, badly. And now with losing this Vandergriff kid, even that QB angle hardly seems like something that can be counted on.

There is no silver bullet here - a homegrown Gerald McCoy will fall into our laps occasionally - but the only thing we can rely on is rolling up our sleeves and re-address every phase of the program in regard to the teams on field performance (facilities are fine). We're talking Frank Beamer over-achieving, but we have much more talent than VT ever had...but we've never had a special teams, for instance, that was close to leading the country. Instead our KO returns is an abysmal #116, ignored by Riley as talks to the QB before he runs onto the field after KOs; our punt returns #73 despite having Lamb back there risking his head every time. My concern is Riley is to locked on to being a QB coach (yeah, he got Hurts to Heisman runner-up) to the detriment of the rest of the team; he needs to focus on being the Head Coach, responsible for every aspect. He needs some analytics geek to point out all of the weak spots and aggressively attack them.

"Recruiting better" is not the answer folks - the population does not warrant that. Placing hopes on a CA pipeline is just that, hope. Regional recruiting will always be the heart of each class.

So again, the answer is the tried and true busting your ass off - and we're looking at you Lincoln.

 

[Oklabama]

Its all about population. Of all the schools mentioned above, the driving radius to Norman from major metro areas combined with the overall Big XII footprint (Texas and the great plains....and everyone recruits TX) means a lesser likelihood of accumulating talent (Tuscaloosa may have a similar driving radius issue - although their state has a higher population than OK - but the SEC footprint is much more desirable population-wise). This population problem is also why the Big XII's TV contract is not as good as elsewhere - there are fewer TV sets.

First with Leach and then the hurry-up with Bradford at QB, revived with Riley's arrival, we had a schematic recruiting advantage. But the days of Tressel-ball, Bama's tight pro O alignments, LSU's "Mile's" from offensive coherence, are all a thing of the past. Case in point as to how it was: Bama's offense was so run-focused that we once nearly got Julio Jones, from Alabama, to sign with OU. That would never happen today. Our playoff competition all now have potent O schemes and we don't have the D depth to combat that - two lost starters wrecks our D; and compare UGA who rotates in up to 22 kids per game on D. Whether with lesser players or not, Grinch should consider going to UGA's model, at least to keep fresh legs out there (how many second half collapses do we have?).

So Riley has this "QB whisperer" angle, but that monopoly went down the drain this year with the likes of an unheard of nobody - Brady at LSU - doing the same...even against us, badly. And now with losing this Vandergriff kid, even that QB angle hardly seems like something that can be counted on.

There is no silver bullet here - a homegrown Gerald McCoy will fall into our laps occasionally - but the only thing we can rely on is rolling up our sleeves and re-address every phase of the program in regard to the teams on field performance (facilities are fine). We're talking Frank Beamer over-achieving, but we have much more talent than VT ever had...but we've never had a special teams, for instance, that was close to leading the country. Instead our KO returns is an abysmal #116, ignored by Riley as talks to the QB before he runs onto the field after KOs; our punt returns #73 despite having Lamb back there risking his head every time. My concern is Riley is to locked on to being a QB coach (yeah, he got Hurts to Heisman runner-up) to the detriment of the rest of the team; he needs to focus on being the Head Coach, responsible for every aspect. He needs some analytics geek to point out all of the weak spots and aggressively attack them.

"Recruiting better" is not the answer folks - the population does not warrant that. Placing hopes on a CA pipeline is just that, hope. Regional recruiting will always be the heart of each class.

So again, the answer is the tried and true busting your ass off - and we're looking at you Lincoln.

You have made a good case, but if you are right I'm reminded of the scene in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.....Car Rental Agent: May I see your rental agreement? Steve Martin: I threw it away. Car Rental Agent: Oh boy. Steve Martin: Oh boy what? Car Rental Agent: You're f**ked.

 

[owenfieldreams]

It's not population related, it's the demographics. Oklahoma and Texas have relatively small African-American populations, particularly compared to the SEC footprint. The best front 7 talent is in the SEC footprint and not by coincidence, those great players are African-American. If we were in the SEC we would have an entry into that recruiting base. We would play in SEC stadiums. We cannot depend on Texas for front 7 talent. The state has morphed into a 7/7 talent producing machine but except for corners and safeties, the cupboard is bare of DL and LB elite talent.

 

[Zgeo]

The GOR negotiation comes up in what, 3-4 years. That is the key point at which we have to make a decision. If we stay in the Big 12 as currently configured after the GOR is renewed we very well could have seen our last NC. The fundamental question is: are you satisfied with winning a mediocre conference and making the playoffs but never winning the NC or would you be willing to finish 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the SEC to occasionally be good enough to win it all. I disagree that being in the SEC would not improve our recruiting, especially on the D side of the ball. The very best and deepest front 7 talent is in the SE. If we were in the SEC we would be able to sell the showcase aspect of playing against the best.

If we are picking a new conference I would pick the ACC....great recruiting area, weak overall, basically a one game season as far as competition....

 

[CTOkie]

It's not population related, it's the demographics. Oklahoma and Texas have relatively small African-American populations, particularly compared to the SEC footprint. The best front 7 talent is in the SEC footprint and not by coincidence, those great players are African-American. If we were in the SEC we would have an entry into that recruiting base. We would play in SEC stadiums. We cannot depend on Texas for front 7 talent. The state has morphed into a 7/7 talent producing machine but except for corners and safeties, the cupboard is bare of DL and LB elite talent.

Great point.
States in the deep South have black populations ranging from 22% to 36%, while Texas has only 11% and Oklahoma only 7.5%....and this is why Clemson, LSU and Alabama rule the roost these days. Black talent is the key to winning championships. It's true in football and basketball and has been for at least 50 years.
OU cannot compete in the recruiting wars with teams from Dixie and the Big 12 has really soiled itself with its postseason failures, with OU being the main culprit..
Maybe a move to the Big 10 or SEC can save OU from drifting away, but until then, Riley must figure out way to 1) keep winning the Big12 and 2) pulling off some upset wins in the post season.

 

[Soonerheart]

OU cannot compete in the recruiting wars with teams from Dixie .

SEC bag men will see to it that OU never signs more than the occasional player from the old SEC footprint and almost none of the highly recruited players.

That's why I believe OU's additional recruiting boost will need to come from somewhere else, where players do leave their home state teams.

 

[iasooner1]

Keep in mind that we integrated with great success over 15 years before the steers and the Big 8s addition of the old SWC dregs aided in getting through the last decade but the negatives have to be removed/excised in the next cycle of change in 3 years.

 

[CTOkie]

SEC bag men will see to it that OU never signs more than the occasional player from the old SEC footprint and almost none of the highly recruited players.

That's why I believe OU's additional recruiting boost will need to come from somewhere else, where players do leave their home state teams.

Alabama, LSU and Clemson cannot sustain their great success with just instate talent, but the entire 11-state area we refer to as "Dixie" which is their recruiting turf and it's the richest and most abundant area for high school talent. It's enhanced even more due to college football having become a "religion" in the South, more so than anywhere else.
In the 2020 recruiting class rankings, 8 teams from the South are in the top ten, with Ohio State 3rd and Oregon 10th....and Oklahoma ranked 12th, which is pretty good, all things considered.

 

[Soonerborn59]

Its all about population. Of all the schools mentioned above, the driving radius to Norman from major metro areas combined with the overall Big XII footprint (Texas and the great plains....and everyone recruits TX) means a lesser likelihood of accumulating talent (Tuscaloosa may have a similar driving radius issue - although their state has a higher population than OK - but the SEC footprint is much more desirable population-wise). This population problem is also why the Big XII's TV contract is not as good as elsewhere - there are fewer TV sets.

First with Leach and then the hurry-up with Bradford at QB, revived with Riley's arrival, we had a schematic recruiting advantage. But the days of Tressel-ball, Bama's tight pro O alignments, LSU's "Mile's" from offensive coherence, are all a thing of the past. Case in point as to how it was: Bama's offense was so run-focused that we once nearly got Julio Jones, from Alabama, to sign with OU. That would never happen today. Our playoff competition all now have potent O schemes and we don't have the D depth to combat that - two lost starters wrecks our D; and compare UGA who rotates in up to 22 kids per game on D. Whether with lesser players or not, Grinch should consider going to UGA's model, at least to keep fresh legs out there (how many second half collapses do we have?).

So Riley has this "QB whisperer" angle, but that monopoly went down the drain this year with the likes of an unheard of nobody - Brady at LSU - doing the same...even against us, badly. And now with losing this Vandergriff kid, even that QB angle hardly seems like something that can be counted on.

There is no silver bullet here - a homegrown Gerald McCoy will fall into our laps occasionally - but the only thing we can rely on is rolling up our sleeves and re-address every phase of the program in regard to the teams on field performance (facilities are fine). We're talking Frank Beamer over-achieving, but we have much more talent than VT ever had...but we've never had a special teams, for instance, that was close to leading the country. Instead our KO returns is an abysmal #116, ignored by Riley as talks to the QB before he runs onto the field after KOs; our punt returns #73 despite having Lamb back there risking his head every time. My concern is Riley is to locked on to being a QB coach (yeah, he got Hurts to Heisman runner-up) to the detriment of the rest of the team; he needs to focus on being the Head Coach, responsible for every aspect. He needs some analytics geek to point out all of the weak spots and aggressively attack them.

"Recruiting better" is not the answer folks - the population does not warrant that. Placing hopes on a CA pipeline is just that, hope. Regional recruiting will always be the heart of each class.

So again, the answer is the tried and true busting your ass off - and we're looking at you Lincoln.

This a solid post. As much as I hate to say ( others have in the past) maybe Riley would be better served to be an OC vs. a head coach. There is no doubt he has a great offensive mind ( with a few brain farts here and there) but despite the B12 championships he has failed this team when it comes to the post season.

if OU beats UGA ( and they should have but LR 2nd half play calling was very questionable and the OT even more ) the stigma that OU chokes in the post season would not be as big as it is today. As others have pointed out the conference as a whole lags behind the SEC and even the B10 as of now and honestly the P12 and ACC may very well be ahead of them overall. I hate saying that more than anyone will know.

Until LR and OU makes a commitment to going all out and recruiting great players on the defensive side no matter how great the offense continues to be many of us are never going to our team we love win another NC. I don’t believe any of us thought we would go another 20 years without winning a NC since our last one. Getting to the playoffs isn’t enough today and getting embarrassed is even worse.

Stoops revived this program after the nasty 90s and he deserves praise for that but he also helped in destroying the legacy on the defensive side of the ball by not terminating his brother long ago before LR took over and the team still hasn’t recovered from that.

 

[JConXtsy]

I'm not trying to be PC, and I understand the direction of the posts, but let's keep it real. Poverty is what really drives deep sports talent. Skin color may show correlation, but household income is likely a much greater predictor. Texas has experienced great prosperity over the last decade while other states weren't so lucky.
And now, we have the CTE scare that simple prevents any well to do, athletic kid with options from even considering football. Kids with no other options or future couldn't care less about the threat of CTE.
OU is in a bad area right now until CTE and sports health makes football a viable option for kids again.

 

[Soonerheart]

Alabama, LSU and Clemson cannot sustain their great success with just instate talent, but the entire 11-state area we refer to as "Dixie" which is their recruiting turf and it's the richest and most abundant area for high school talent. It's enhanced even more due to college football having become a "religion" in the South, more so than anywhere else.
In the 2020 recruiting class rankings, 8 teams from the South are in the top ten, with Ohio State 3rd and Oregon 10th....and Oklahoma ranked 12th, which is pretty good, all things considered.

Those teams recruit the bulk of their players from the south and east.

But if Texas recruits are so great.........

why have virtually all of the universities in Texas with rare exceptions been underachieving for so long?

I think it the spread offenses in their high schools.


UT and A&M have as many natural build in advantages as anyone in the nation....Playing with Texas dominated rosters, very often both are not really all that competitive.

OU needs to find other places to recruit from by moving to a conference that offers better recruiting opportunities.

 

[OUnabomber]

bomber, are you really comparing OU's program to that of Missouri and Texas A&M? They both left the B12 because they couldn't compete and settled for the money. If OU leaves the B12 for the money that would be the absolute wrong reason to go. The boost would be wonderful but only if the program would benefit in terms of player development, recruiting and attracting the best coaches. The SEC gets better coaches than the B12. That's just a fact. The best players want to play for the best program with best coaching. Riley can bring the best QBs and receivers but not the best defensive players.....and maybe not the best OL year in and year out. OU is an one trick pony program right now and has been for an awful long time. Since winning our last national title, we are 8-11 for bowls and 0-4 in the playoffs. We have lost 3 opportunities to win a national championship to two SEC teams and a PAC team while all the time dominating the BI2.

No I'm saying that many think that by moving to the SEC that you automatically get better players and become a better team. I don't think that is the case with Missouri or TAMU. They actually seem to be worse now. It was just 2 short years ago that OU was competing at the highest level and probably should have beaten Georgia and played Bama for the NC. We may not be as far as as people think

 

[RCSooner]

Its all about population. Of all the schools mentioned above, the driving radius to Norman from major metro areas combined with the overall Big XII footprint (Texas and the great plains....and everyone recruits TX) means a lesser likelihood of accumulating talent (Tuscaloosa may have a similar driving radius issue - although their state has a higher population than OK - but the SEC footprint is much more desirable population-wise). This population problem is also why the Big XII's TV contract is not as good as elsewhere - there are fewer TV sets.

First with Leach and then the hurry-up with Bradford at QB, revived with Riley's arrival, we had a schematic recruiting advantage. But the days of Tressel-ball, Bama's tight pro O alignments, LSU's "Mile's" from offensive coherence, are all a thing of the past. Case in point as to how it was: Bama's offense was so run-focused that we once nearly got Julio Jones, from Alabama, to sign with OU. That would never happen today. Our playoff competition all now have potent O schemes and we don't have the D depth to combat that - two lost starters wrecks our D; and compare UGA who rotates in up to 22 kids per game on D. Whether with lesser players or not, Grinch should consider going to UGA's model, at least to keep fresh legs out there (how many second half collapses do we have?).

So Riley has this "QB whisperer" angle, but that monopoly went down the drain this year with the likes of an unheard of nobody - Brady at LSU - doing the same...even against us, badly. And now with losing this Vandergriff kid, even that QB angle hardly seems like something that can be counted on.

There is no silver bullet here - a homegrown Gerald McCoy will fall into our laps occasionally - but the only thing we can rely on is rolling up our sleeves and re-address every phase of the program in regard to the teams on field performance (facilities are fine). We're talking Frank Beamer over-achieving, but we have much more talent than VT ever had...but we've never had a special teams, for instance, that was close to leading the country. Instead our KO returns is an abysmal #116, ignored by Riley as talks to the QB before he runs onto the field after KOs; our punt returns #73 despite having Lamb back there risking his head every time. My concern is Riley is to locked on to being a QB coach (yeah, he got Hurts to Heisman runner-up) to the detriment of the rest of the team; he needs to focus on being the Head Coach, responsible for every aspect. He needs some analytics geek to point out all of the weak spots and aggressively attack them.

"Recruiting better" is not the answer folks - the population does not warrant that. Placing hopes on a CA pipeline is just that, hope. Regional recruiting will always be the heart of each class.

So again, the answer is the tried and true busting your ass off - and we're looking at you Lincoln.

And even in spite of these so-called “disadvantages” you speak of in recruiting, one thing that will always benefit OU is it’s only a three hour drive away from the DFW metroplex which has been the number one supplier of talent to OU since the Bud Wilkinson years. And beyond that lies the entire state of Texas, which alongside California and Florida it supplies the most players to NFL rosters and OU has provided Texas players with the most national championship rings of every major college program in history.

Offensively, there’s no stopping Lincoln’s recruiting and immediately after Brock Vandagriff’s decommitment, we’re right back in it with Caleb Williams. Defensively, yes we are a little behind other programs such as LSU, Alabama and Clemson, but we are slowly rebuilding the backbone which led OU to 7 national championships in years’ past. Give or take a few years, then it will be our defense we will be bragging about rather than our offense which will always rank at or very near the top with Coach Riley at the helm.

Keep the faith. There’s no doubt OU will be where we’ve long wanted it to be in just a few short years.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I haven’t read this entire thread but it appears the SEC is well on its way to playing a full on offense w spreads & read/option. Take a look at the differences in the offenses today vs just 5 years ago. As a result, I think the SEC will eventually change and lose its defensive moniker. OU and the B12 are already there & trying to find a balance w better defenses. A few quality defensive players can make a huge impact. OU is close. But Grinch’s honeymoon is over. This will be my last year recruiting cycle that I issue him an auto pass. He has to deliver top defensive recruits going forward or it’s next man up even for him. The Jimmies & Joes are everything in CFB.

 

[CTOkie]

I haven’t read this entire thread but it appears the SEC is well on its way to playing a full on offense w spreads & read/option. Take a look at the differences in the offenses today vs just 5 years ago. As a result, I think the SEC will eventually change and lose its defensive moniker. OU and the B12 are already there & trying to find a balance w better defenses. A few quality defensive players can make a huge impact. OU is close. But Grinch’s honeymoon is over. This will be my last year recruiting cycle that I issue him an auto pass. He has to deliver top defensive recruits going forward or it’s next man up even for him. The Jimmies & Joes are everything in CFB.

Good read.
My concern is that the SEC will stay the gold standard regardless of the type of offense its teams may incorporate in the future because of the great players coming out of southeastern high schools.
As for Riley's current recruiting haul for 2020, I'm impressed that OU had the 12th rated class which may become a top ten class if DL Grimes signs in February. And Chandler Morris could be a real coup if things work out....getting him was a very good rebound from losing Vandagriff, all things considered.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I think a #6-15 ranking for recruiting will get you a B12 Championship. It’s going to take a few #1-5 to get over the hump for a Natty.

 

[owenfieldreams]

After Morris, who actually signed his LOS back on 12/18, committed, we moved up to 9th in the 247 rankings. Grimes has also already signed his LOS. That leaves Collins and a couple of others we are in on. We could end up around #7 when it's all said and done.

 

[owenfieldreams]

Oops...LOI

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Take a look folks... I stopped at the Top25 kids, but they’re from all over, not just the south. The SEC is a better product and as such they are going to attract a better player. This cycle will continue until someone cones along and stops it.

Riley did for offensive players. Ask yourself why? Because he’s very comfortable with this area. He’s good and the kids love it. He has to get a DC w/ the likeness of himself but for defensive players. He thinks he has it. And he actually might. We’ll see in the 2021 recruiting cycle.

 

[Soonerheart]

Take a look folks... I stopped at the Top25 kids, but they’re from all over, not just the south. The SEC is a better product and as such they are going to attract a better player. This cycle will continue until someone cones along and stops it.

Riley did for offensive players. Ask yourself why? Because he’s very comfortable with this area. He’s good and the kids love it. He has to get a DC w/ the likeness of himself but for defensive players. He thinks he has it. And he actually might. We’ll see in the 2021 recruiting cycle.

Most people seem to overlook that the great players come from all over the nation and not just the south.

Look at how many great players Oklahoma has produced that have played for OU.

A huge key to OU’s future success is to somehow build up our home state high school talent base.

 

[owenfieldreams]

Of course there is great talent across the nation...even Canada as we all know, but nowhere is front 7 talent so concentrated as it is in the SEC footprint. Maybe Ohio and Pennsylvania are as well stocked or even SoCal but when you look at the recruiting landscape from Florida to Louisiana and then look at the classes of the SEC powerhouses it's pretty clear that the rich hogs are feeding at the talent trough.

 

[MichaelDros]

I know it sounds far fetched, but 19 years, 0-7 when given the opportunity. The landscape of football is changing and OU doesn't appear to be a trailblazer with the changes.

In 1995, Nebraska was the biggest, baddest, and best football program in America, and now, they're irrelevant. No one saw that coming.

OU has been tremendously successful for the last two decades, but winning national titles and kicking butt is the standard. OU has failed miserably on meeting the standard.

Where can OU gets it's heart back? By heart, I mean Defense. Real defense that literally makes opponents quit.

If Lincoln can be the best offensive coach, and bring in great offensive talent. Then, the opposite side of the ball is possible.
What will it take for Grinch to close the gap?

I'm running out of years on this sweet Earth.

It does sting that OU hasn’t won a national championship in 20 years. This years offense was not a national championship offense. I do t care what anyone says. We have been spoiled with Baker, and Kyler... Jalen was a drop off at the QB position. Don’t get me wrong he did the best he could at OU but Lincoln was handcuffed at times. I wish Jalen the best I do and I am thankful he came to OU this year... if Bakers offense or Khmer’s offense had this years defense the you would’ve seen at least one championship in Norman.

 

[soonersoldier]

After Morris, who actually signed his LOS back on 12/18, committed, we moved up to 9th in the 247 rankings. Grimes has also already signed his LOS. That leaves Collins and a couple of others we are in on. We could end up around #7 when it's all said and done.

Q

Did I miss that Grimes signed his LOI? I saw an update recently where he overwhelmingly confirmed he was going to still sign with OU, but...

 

[CTOkie]

It does sting that OU hasn’t won a national championship in 20 years. This years offense was not a national championship offense. I do t care what anyone says. We have been spoiled with Baker, and Kyler... Jalen was a drop off at the QB position. Don’t get me wrong he did the best he could at OU but Lincoln was handcuffed at times. I wish Jalen the best I do and I am thankful he came to OU this year... if Bakers offense or Khmer’s offense had this years defense the you would’ve seen at least one championship in Norman.

Your really not seeing the true scenario.
2019 was not a rebuilding year but a gap year.....the defense was still a work in process, 4 starters had to be replaced on the offensive line (and OU suffered), a new kicker and punter had to be found (which happened), and a transfer quarterback had to try to pick up where Mayfield and Murray left off. Then TE Calcaterra had a career ending injury, RB Sermon and DL Mann were lost vs Iowa State.
Hurts was a drop-off at QB, but he was the best option Riley had and he guided OU to an 12-2 record and a conference championship over a weak Big 12 slate.
Had Murray started this year, I still don't see OU winning a national championship as OU simple can't play defense, even if marginally better.
Until Grinch can turn around the defense, Sooner fans can "only" hope for a ten-win season and a conference title.

 

[CTOkie]

Q

Did I miss that Grimes signed his LOI? I saw an update recently where he overwhelmingly confirmed he was going to still sign with OU, but...

I read that Grimes was waiting to sign in February so he can have mommy with him and make the event a BFD.

 

[arky tigwer]

Perhaps the SEC should add OU and let Vandy join the MAC

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I read that Grimes was waiting to sign in February so he can have mommy with him and make the event a BFD.

Good for him. Like most kids, this is big deal for him and having family share in the festivities is a great thing. It is after all the love & support from family that allowed him to progress to a level of a scholarship athlete. I think his Mom's attendance and presence is more important than satisfying the masses.

 

[owenfieldreams]

It is my understanding that Grimes, as did Morris, signed his LOI on 12/18 but wanted to wait and experience the announcement on the 2nd signing day. My info may be wrong but I've heard it from reliable sources.