OK, let's roll.
What is Ruffin McNeill trying to say?
So it was asked why there was no Ruffin McNeill video/audio following OU's 48-47 win vs. Oklahoma State in Bedlam.
And, well, here ya go.
Here's McNeill addressing whether the Sooners deserve to be in the college football playoff conversation after their defensive outing vs. the Cowboys.
"I was talking to those guys that did our game - Todd, Steve and Brian ... What do I think? Win by one. Win the game. Because when you've been in it as long as I have, you know how hard wins are.
"Now, with the playoff, it's going to be different now. Yeah, sure. You would like to have this, maybe. But nothing would ever take away from the feeling of winning.
"Yes, the playoff goal is here (puts hand up high). The Big 12 goal is here (puts hand even with chin). Winning this game was right now (hitting podium). I'm thinking a little bit differently right now. I know there's a long-term goal. Mine goes right back to tonight. I've got 24 hours to digest it.
"On Monday, we'll go to the next game. Not tonight. After we break down film. Getting critical stops? Is that a category? Maybe somebody should look that up. Getting critical stops and stopping the two-point play was pretty big. The two-point play last week for an interception, it helped us win. I probably look at it differently than most people.
"It doesn't mean I'm right. I don't lie ... winning is important. I don't listen to radio and stuff like that. I know that's a part of it now, being the complete team and making sure we do our part. It doesn't intimidate me. It even motivates not just me, but our staff and our players. But at the same time, nothing will override us winning the football game.
"A rivalry game, nip-and-tuck, and our guys having to come up and make a play again for the second time in a week. It wasn't pretty, in some standards, but for me it was because we won. I really put that over a lot. Maybe that's not the answer everybody wants to hear. I just like to win because I've been on the other side of that when we didn't win. I enjoy that part. And I enjoy it for the kids, too." - McNeill
So... that's a maybe? McNeill clearly has a passion for his players, loves those kids. But when you're actually trying to figure out what's going on with the defense and why, good luck. Almost feels as though Curtis Bolton is the go-to on things like that.
***
OU will take advantage of recruiting weekend
Back in 2011, used to think the game itself was a huge part of an official visit. It's simply not, at least never in a negative light. An awesome game might accentuate positives, but it's hard to make it a negative thing.
What we saw? A struggling defense barely put down a 5-5 team that had fans booing both the defense and offense at various times.
What they saw? An incredible f'n atmosphere in the fourth quarter. Got to the sideline immediately after Chuba Hubbard's fumble, and that was pretty intense. That crowd for the long Kennedy Brooks run, Trey Sermon touchdown, Curtis Bolton hit on third down and Tre Brown & the two-point stop - that's nice. OU fans don't get that chance to be that loud too often, and the fans really brought it.
So you play it off as an instant classic game. You tell the offense they can be in games like this in Norman. You tell the defensive kids they're the reasons why you can stop having games like this if they pick OU in the future.
Then you have Saturday night to celebrate, and Sunday with Riley and company doing what they do best.
Sure it would have been nice had Jeremiah Criddell or David Ugwoegbu made the move, but it's not the end of the world that they didn't.
Felt there was a 20 percent chance of a commitment over the weekend because it's more about OU making the impression on Criddell, Ugwoegbu and Stripling and then building off that momentum to close with 'em down the stretch.
I'd put the over/under at 2.5 for non-OU committed official visitors signing with OU from this weekend.
***
De'Vion Harmon's work is done, time to sign
And we'll end with basketball. First, OU has two games this week (Mon at UTSA, Sunday at home), so get my first chance to check them out.
But two, it's signing day. The early signing period is Wednesday, and OU is ready to ink all five of its 2019 class members.
And what a class it is, currently ranked No. 10.
You could argue whether Merritt or Williams belong in the class, but OU likes what they bring in terms of chemistry and filling their needs.
Just give the major S/O to Harmon. Committed in November, and even when OU was struggling, never looked away. Held down the fort for nearly 11 months before Iwuakor and Hill joined the crew two months ago.
OU is not doing a separate signing day press conference, unfortunately, but I do plan to bug Lon Kruger about the quintet Wednesday afternoon after practice.
What is Ruffin McNeill trying to say?
So it was asked why there was no Ruffin McNeill video/audio following OU's 48-47 win vs. Oklahoma State in Bedlam.
And, well, here ya go.
Here's McNeill addressing whether the Sooners deserve to be in the college football playoff conversation after their defensive outing vs. the Cowboys.
"I was talking to those guys that did our game - Todd, Steve and Brian ... What do I think? Win by one. Win the game. Because when you've been in it as long as I have, you know how hard wins are.
"Now, with the playoff, it's going to be different now. Yeah, sure. You would like to have this, maybe. But nothing would ever take away from the feeling of winning.
"Yes, the playoff goal is here (puts hand up high). The Big 12 goal is here (puts hand even with chin). Winning this game was right now (hitting podium). I'm thinking a little bit differently right now. I know there's a long-term goal. Mine goes right back to tonight. I've got 24 hours to digest it.
"On Monday, we'll go to the next game. Not tonight. After we break down film. Getting critical stops? Is that a category? Maybe somebody should look that up. Getting critical stops and stopping the two-point play was pretty big. The two-point play last week for an interception, it helped us win. I probably look at it differently than most people.
"It doesn't mean I'm right. I don't lie ... winning is important. I don't listen to radio and stuff like that. I know that's a part of it now, being the complete team and making sure we do our part. It doesn't intimidate me. It even motivates not just me, but our staff and our players. But at the same time, nothing will override us winning the football game.
"A rivalry game, nip-and-tuck, and our guys having to come up and make a play again for the second time in a week. It wasn't pretty, in some standards, but for me it was because we won. I really put that over a lot. Maybe that's not the answer everybody wants to hear. I just like to win because I've been on the other side of that when we didn't win. I enjoy that part. And I enjoy it for the kids, too." - McNeill
So... that's a maybe? McNeill clearly has a passion for his players, loves those kids. But when you're actually trying to figure out what's going on with the defense and why, good luck. Almost feels as though Curtis Bolton is the go-to on things like that.
***
OU will take advantage of recruiting weekend
Back in 2011, used to think the game itself was a huge part of an official visit. It's simply not, at least never in a negative light. An awesome game might accentuate positives, but it's hard to make it a negative thing.
What we saw? A struggling defense barely put down a 5-5 team that had fans booing both the defense and offense at various times.
What they saw? An incredible f'n atmosphere in the fourth quarter. Got to the sideline immediately after Chuba Hubbard's fumble, and that was pretty intense. That crowd for the long Kennedy Brooks run, Trey Sermon touchdown, Curtis Bolton hit on third down and Tre Brown & the two-point stop - that's nice. OU fans don't get that chance to be that loud too often, and the fans really brought it.
So you play it off as an instant classic game. You tell the offense they can be in games like this in Norman. You tell the defensive kids they're the reasons why you can stop having games like this if they pick OU in the future.
Then you have Saturday night to celebrate, and Sunday with Riley and company doing what they do best.
Sure it would have been nice had Jeremiah Criddell or David Ugwoegbu made the move, but it's not the end of the world that they didn't.
Felt there was a 20 percent chance of a commitment over the weekend because it's more about OU making the impression on Criddell, Ugwoegbu and Stripling and then building off that momentum to close with 'em down the stretch.
I'd put the over/under at 2.5 for non-OU committed official visitors signing with OU from this weekend.
***
De'Vion Harmon's work is done, time to sign
And we'll end with basketball. First, OU has two games this week (Mon at UTSA, Sunday at home), so get my first chance to check them out.
But two, it's signing day. The early signing period is Wednesday, and OU is ready to ink all five of its 2019 class members.
And what a class it is, currently ranked No. 10.
You could argue whether Merritt or Williams belong in the class, but OU likes what they bring in terms of chemistry and filling their needs.
Just give the major S/O to Harmon. Committed in November, and even when OU was struggling, never looked away. Held down the fort for nearly 11 months before Iwuakor and Hill joined the crew two months ago.
OU is not doing a separate signing day press conference, unfortunately, but I do plan to bug Lon Kruger about the quintet Wednesday afternoon after practice.
