Monthly Archives: December 2019

Moving on…

We realized some time ago that playing Georgia in this year’s Bowl game would be the best course of action for the Sooners.  OU could use the game as a springboard for next year.  Unfortunately, Oregon screwed things up by beating Utah in the Pac 12 Championship game.  OU’s consolation prize was a match-up with LSU in the CFP.  Making matters worse, we had to go to war against the SEC powerhouse with a depleted lineup.

Having to go into battle with Big 12-type players against SEC monsters is cruel and inhumane. Our mental well-being was shattered even further by the embarrassing final score.  Only time will heal these wounds; in the meantime OU fans may need to hear some good news to make this time go more quickly.

The good news is that Lincoln Riley knows that recruiting SEC-type players is a must for these battles.  Lincoln is working day and night to make this happen.  To glean something good from this year we must start with Jalen Hurts.  We should be eternally grateful to Jalen as he directed this team to 12 wins this year including wins over Texas and OSU.  This allowed the Lincoln Riley momentum to continue.

Jalen also provided Spencer Rattler with needed time to learn Lincoln’s system.  This fact may be understated by some Sooner fans, but additional experience for Rattler will pay huge dividends down the road.

Spencer Rattler, a former 5 star recruit is the real deal.  Rattler will be joined in 2020 by a stable of quality running backs, an improving offensive line and a born-again defense.  This group will also be joined over the spring and summer by a bunch of SEC-type recruits.

There you have it…my silver lining for today.  We need to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future.  Next year is going to be a fun ride.

Boomer Sooner…

 

 

 

 

 

The cavalry’s coming…

Wow, when it rains it pours…first, we start off as double digit dog to LSU, then we lose a boat load of players to suspension and injury.   I know we’re OU, but really.   Things are not looking good for the Peach Bowl.   Then again, crazy things happen in bowl games and of course there is that Heisman curse thing.

My suggestion is that we all relax and appreciate the fact that we made it this far.   There are 126 D-I football teams in America who would love to be in our shoes.   Sooner fans should keep their sights on the future.   The early signing period filled a lot of holes for next year’s team.   The Sooners recruited the best group of offensive linemen in America to go along with the top two defensive tackles.  On defense Alex Grinch and the OU coaches recruited its best bunch in years and as we know defense wins championships.

On offense, the Sooners were already in good shape as five-star quarterback Spencer Rattler is set to go through his second spring in Norman.   Additionally, Lincoln has secured the commitment from one of the top high school quarterbacks in America for the 2021 season.   Five-star recruit Brock Vandagriff out of Georgia has already committed to the Sooners.    Regardless of what happens this Saturday, the Sooners will now be able to compete with the Clemson’s, Ohio State’s and LSU’s of the world in coming years.

Okay, back to the Peach Bowl…my advice to Sooner fans is to sit back and hope for the best with the realization that regardless of the game’s outcome, the cavalry is on the way.

Boomer Sooner…

 

 

The upside…

As you know, I’ve never been keen on the idea of playing LSU in the CFP.  Nothing has changed my feelings on the matter.  Outside the NFL, no team in America has better athletes than LSU.  This OU team has improved this year, but LSU is another matter.

I do have three pieces of good news, however.   First, we made it.  A month ago that possibility appeared to be slim and none.    Secondly, the early signing period will occur prior to the LSU game.  Thirdly, the sun will come up the next day regardless of what happens in the Peach Bowl.

Okay, point number two above is the real silver lining.   As far as top notch recruits are concerned, the hay will be in the barn before the Peach Bowl game kicks off.  The recruits will be more interested in next year than the score of the CFP game.  The success of the 2019 season will be determined by our success during the December 18-21 signing period and not December 28.  I will let you know you how that goes…

Here’s my Christmas wish list.  I want the OU coaching staff to find a way to hang with LSU for a half.   Next, I want to the OU Regents to find a way to keep Lincoln Riley in Norman for the foreseeable future.  Finally, if my second wish happens, my third wish of a great 2020 season will be just around the corner.

Boomer Sooner…

 

 

 

Coaching…

Years ago, I watched as Mike Gundy honed his skills as an assistant at Maryland and Baylor as he moved closer to his dream job at OSU.  I believed then that the T. Boone/Mike Gundy combination could be lethal.   T. Boone eventually hired Gundy, built a new stadium along with a state of the art weight room.  The Ags under Gundy were off and running.

Fortunately, for OU fans, the T. Boone/Gundy formula worked against everyone, except the Sooners.  Fifteen years later Gundy has 2 wins against OU and one of those was a gift from Bob Stoops.

With T. Boone now deceased, one must wonder how long OSU can afford to pay for Gundy’s $5 million dollar yearly salary.  Then, again one must also wonder how OSU can live without Gundy and his salary.  To keep Gundy in Stillwater, the Ags agreed to a $6 million dollar buyout clause that must be paid on top of Gundy’s $5 million dollar yearly salary.   It would take upwards of $11 million to fire the Mullet Man.

Still what came to mind after Saturday night’s game was the fact that $5 million OSU dollars leaves little room for hiring quality assistant coaches.   Even the dumbest Aggie fan must realize that the OSU staff was simply out coached on Saturday night.   Alex Grinch made adjustments in the 2nd half while Gundy set up his next hair appointment.  Offensively, co-offensive coordinators Cale Gundy and Bill Bedenbaugh simply outfoxed Gundy’s defensive staff.

With these thoughts in mind, it’s time for the OU Regents to do some greasing of the skids themselves.  This was not a great OU team this year, but this coaching staff made it work.   The future looks bright with recruiting on both sides of the ball picking up.

With Jerry Jones on the verge of a head coach opening in Dallas, OU officials need to up the Lincoln ante and fast.  Jerry has been playing second fiddle with Jason Garrett for far too long and I expect that he will be looking to the north for Garrett’s replacement.

We can’t let that happen…starting over is not an option.

Boomer Sooner…