Two games in, name your most pleasant surprise....

[K2C Sooner]

I really liked that we have covered both games in Vegas. I like Mike in the press box. I love our new kicker. I love the adjustments made during the game..........

But I have to go with Devante Bond. Where was he last year?

 

[owenfieldreams]

There are several....first, the communication from the sidelines and between the players was outstanding, especially considering the atmosphere. This leads to my next one....our poise. We never blinked. Third, the rotation in the D-line and how well they did and how they wore down the Vol O-line. Our press coverage was a refreshing change. Finally, I thought the O-line improved right before our eyes.

 

[Schoonerman]

I have to agree with K2C on Devante Bond. The guy really has emerged as a super-solid playmaker.

I hope that we'll see one or more of the WRs step up and become a more reliable compliment to Shepard and give us another weapon on offense.

 

[sooner_mike]

Bond and Our Kicker.

 

[LongTimeSooner]

Baker Mayfield never quits.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I'm going with the entire defense. There are a lot of games to play out, but as I posted in another thread, they are light years ahead of last year. So far, I'm impressed.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I'm giving some love to Jerry Schmidt.
In spite of only two games in I get that these guys are in really good, battle shape.

We've had only three guys fall to the wayside.
Rodney Anderson, and no fault of his own, broken leg or foot, out for season.
Kenyon Frison, can't get a hold of the grades thing, suspended indefinitely.

Austin Bennett WR, apparently had a crisis of some kind, quit the team.

Overall, not too bad, considering some schools like Arizona and Arizona State each have like 10-12 guys not able to play for one reason or another.
I'll take it.

 

[veritas59]

I guess Bond isn't really a surprise to me, but Dom Alexander really looks good. He's beefed up and still quick. Charles Walker has also really stepped up his game on the inside. And Steven Parker looks light years ahead of where he was last year.

 

[Okie70]

Mayfield, the punter/kicker and the entire D in that order.

 

[barkingwater2000]

Glad to see Bond living up to all the hype he has been receiving from the coaches. Also glad to see that the freshman kicker appears to be as good as advertised.

 

[PoncaCitySooner]

2-0

 

[Plainosooner]

Bond and Our Kicker.

Totally agree, though I'd likely put Bond very slightly behind Seibert. Right now, with the defense playing so well, Striker may be the second best edge guy on the team, but an All American.

I want to see how we play Saturday. I think we should win, but I'm not sure the defense won't be challenged more than they have been. And they might be missing Striker and Byrd for some early part of the game, to be announced later.

TU's offense is pretty good.

 

[stuck in del rio]

I guess since I predicted us to be 1-1 at this point, I would say being undefeated is so far the biggest surprise...I also would never have imagined this team having such a never say die, never out of the fight, refuse-to-lose attitude.

Baker Mayfield and his moxie, not necessarily his abilities, but his leadership to the team, has been a very pleasant surprise also. He won't be playing in the NFL, but he is very special.
Maybe I should say, he won't be a highly rated NFL pro prospect before he surprises me again.

I'm going to wait until after tomorrow to see how well the D plays but we have been extremely effective vs the pass through 2 games (although they were run-first teams). Tomorrow will be interesting given the lineage of Tulsa's first year HC.

Austin Seibert is a gem. I hope he continues to excel with his FGs but his punting has been phenomenal.