OU Football 2024 Season

[warreng88]

Did anyone go to the game at Auburn? If so, was there something they did that was noticeably different than what OU is currently doing or planning to do?

[Bill Robertson]

I've said before that in the OU-UT game you never know what can happen. In the John Blake year OU pounded Texas but couldn't beat anyone else. And Texas was pretty good.
But this game worries me. Texas has an O-line that was recruited together, mostly out of Texas, and has played together for 3 years. Hardly heard of in modern college football. OU doesn't have an O-lineman that played against Texas last season. In fact, with our top 5 receivers hurt I heard on TV this afternoon that none of our 11 offensive players started against Texas last season. I haven't fact checked that but I would be surprised if it's wrong. Our defense should be effective against the Texas offense but can we score enough points to have a chance.

[dcsooner]

Not confident at all that OU can win this game. Love BV but losing DG, OL is IMO far too much to overcome. The speed at which we lost our “competitive depth” from last year was unexpected

[dcsooner]

Nm

[OKCRealtor]

This would definitely go down as one of the all time big upsets in the series if OU wins. Rarely do we see the odds so lopsided. Hopefully the defense can play a hell of a game and give Hawkins some great opportunities. Being down all 5 starting WR again to go along with everything else on the offense is extremely difficult. We will need a whole lot of Sooner Magic! Boomer!

[Bill Robertson]

This would definitely go down as one of the all time big upsets in the series if OU wins. Rarely do we see the odds so lopsided. Hopefully the defense can play a hell of a game and give Hawkins some great opportunities. Being down all 5 starting WR again to go along with everything else on the offense is extremely difficult. We will need a whole lot of Sooner Magic! Boomer!

Sooner!
I'm praying for lots of Sooner Magic. One odd thing. If by some miracle we win both teams will be 5-1 and our #18 team will have beaten the #1 team.
And hey. A John Blake 0-4 team went to Dallas and beat the crap out of Texas. Then went the rest of the season without a win. Anything is possible!

[kukblue1]

I think many people need to come to the realization that this could be one of the worst OU teams in a long time. Js. I know I know there's a lot of injuries blah blah blah but they're not very good. Auburn-dominated them for three quarters just keep that in mind

[mugofbeer]

I guess receiver injuries and the level of competition has nothing to do with it.

[gjl]

OU has a coach making 8.6 Million annually. Figure it out. I'll say the same for Gundy making 7.5 million annually.

[April in the Plaza]

I guess receiver injuries and the level of competition has nothing to do with it.

Is it fair to say this is the worst offensive line since the JB era?

[kukblue1]

I guess receiver injuries and the level of competition has nothing to do with it.

You're the University of Oklahoma you should still have enough talent to be able to compete even if some of your best players are out. Oregon didn't have their best defensive player and their best wide receiver got ejected early in that game and they still found a way to win. Oklahoma wasn't even competitive

[OKCRealtor]

Honestly it wouldn't have mattered if we had the receivers, we are just down right bad at every level on offense. They have totally screwed up the offense and I really don't see how it's fixable or where OU goes from here.

Look at where OU is in year 3 with BV compared to UT last year with Sark. We are in a total free fall because the offensive side has been totally mismanaged. I like BV but when you start getting blown out by Texas (2/3, this was only slightly better than the 49-0 a couple years ago) on a regular basis the excuses won't fly.

We haven't been this bad in 30 years, I think the bigger risk other than a potential total rebuild coming at year end would be recruits jumping ship & guys hitting the portal after the season. We have plenty of talent.

[OKCRealtor]

Edit: lagging, double post

[Bill Robertson]

I agree that this offense is really bad. Probably the worst since the 90s. Healthy receivers would make a difference but not enough to make this offense good. Not with this line. It really does look like the offense has become overlooked by the coaching staff. I don't get it and I hope it changes. OU has to get good portal transfers to want to come here.

[bamarsha]

You're the University of Oklahoma you should still have enough talent to be able to compete even if some of your best players are out. Oregon didn't have their best defensive player and their best wide receiver got ejected early in that game and they still found a way to win. Oklahoma wasn't even competitive

You do realize that there is a big difference than one single player being out and pretty much an entire position group, right? Injuries aren't OUr only problem, but it's a big deal.

[PhiAlpha]

You do realize that there is a big difference than one single player being out and pretty much an entire position group, right? Injuries aren't OUr only problem, but it's a big deal.

It’s a big deal, no doubt, but while not as good as the 5 WRs who are out, all those guys behind them were 4 and 5 star recruits too(at least I think Thompson was a 5 star). They shouldn’t be expected to perform as well as the starters but it isn’t like we’re dropping down to G5 talent. Drake stoops was a 2 star preferred walk on and played better than those guys who have a ton more physical ability than he did. No one should expect them to be a top 50 offense under those conditions especially with a bad line and a young QB, but they certainly have enough to be better than 50-70 of the teams that are in front of them right now. There’s just no excuse at OU to ever have a bottom 5-10 offense out of 133 teams. This is an incompetence not seen since pre-1999.

I’m not sure what you can do about it right now, probably best just to hold it together and do whatever they can to make it work but fair or not, there has to be a change at OC at the end of the season barring a miracle resurgence over the last 6 games. Probably need to at least try to keep BB since we have one of the best OL classes we’ve signed since the 2000s coming in and you have to try to keep that together. Maybe Emmitt Jones as well but everyone else is on the block. Their defense is finally pretty good but BV’s job security will depend on how he handles the OC position this offseason. If he makes the wrong hire again it will end up costing him his job.

[MagzOK]

It’s a big deal, no doubt, but while not as good as the 5 WRs who are out, all those guys behind them were 4 and 5 star recruits too(at least I think Thompson was a 5 star). They shouldn’t be expected to perform as well as the starters but it isn’t like we’re dropping down to G5 talent. Drake stoops was a 2 star preferred walk on and played better than those guys who have a ton more physical ability than he did. No one should expect them to be a top 50 offense under those conditions especially with a bad line and a young QB, but they certainly have enough to be better than 50-70 of the teams that are in front of them right now. There’s just no excuse at OU to ever have a bottom 5-10 offense out of 133 teams. This is an incompetence not seen since pre-1999.

I’m not sure what you can do about it right now, probably best just to hold it together and do whatever they can to make it work but fair or not, there has to be a change at OC at the end of the season barring a miracle resurgence over the last 6 games. Probably need to at least try to keep BB since we have one of the best OL classes we’ve signed since the 2000s coming in and you have to try to keep that together. Maybe Emmitt Jones as well but everyone else is on the block. Their defense is finally pretty good but BV’s job security will depend on how he handles the OC position this offseason. If he makes the wrong hire again it will end up costing him his job.

Hmmm, I seem to remember you didn't like my idea of making a change in OC already. . . . Glad you're on board!

I love your assessment of the back up situation we should be in. You're 100 percent correct that our backups should be competitive, but not necessarily up to par with the starters. Bama, Georgia, Ohio State, man they just refill and are just as good as the ones they replace.

I certainly hope we are competitive next season. If OU gets embarrassed by Texas again next season, Venables may be out of a job mid-season, which would be fine. Put the rest of the country on notice we've got a vacancy. I just feel that the way Riley swept the rug out from under us at the end of the season, all the big names were already announced at other schools then all of a sudden Venables came to light. Look, I have never felt so good about Oklahoma football when he was named and I watched the video of him on the private jet putting on the OU hat, boxing the words -- "boomer". I just really hope he's able to get it together.

We also need to keep in mind that all this is Brent's doing. He's made the say in all this. I love the guy and I certainly hope he does make the change and get someone that's proven in here from another program.

[PhiAlpha]

Hmmm, I seem to remember you didn't like my idea of making a change in OC already. . . . Glad you're on board!

I love your assessment of the back up situation we should be in. You're 100 percent correct that our backups should be competitive, but not necessarily up to par with the starters. Bama, Georgia, Ohio State, man they just refill and are just as good as the ones they replace.

I certainly hope we are competitive next season. If OU gets embarrassed by Texas again next season, Venables may be out of a job mid-season, which would be fine. Put the rest of the country on notice we've got a vacancy. I just feel that the way Riley swept the rug out from under us at the end of the season, all the big names were already announced at other schools then all of a sudden Venables came to light. Look, I have never felt so good about Oklahoma football when he was named and I watched the video of him on the private jet putting on the OU hat, boxing the words -- "boomer". I just really hope he's able to get it together.

We also need to keep in mind that all this is Brent's doing. He's made the say in all this. I love the guy and I certainly hope he does make the change and get someone that's proven in here from another program.

LOL, I believe I said that I thought based on Seth’s track record he was a pretty good OC but that he might have fallen into a situation too difficult to coach his way out of and that he might have to be sacrificed because of it without really having a chance to build anything on his own. Also that I didn’t think we should fire him during the season, which hasn’t changed, but that if things continued to look terrible with a healthy OL and potentially a few receivers back that BV would probably be forced to make a change at the end of the season. Well the line has been healthy for two games and Hawkins is struggling to even get the ball downfield and we got obliterated in the cotton bowl (a loss there doesn’t force change but complete futility on one side of the ball usually does). Would have to show some pretty dramatic improvement from here on out to save his job but I’m not sure this offense is capable of enough to help him after Saturday.

[bamarsha]

It’s a big deal, no doubt, but while not as good as the 5 WRs who are out, all those guys behind them were 4 and 5 star recruits too(at least I think Thompson was a 5 star). They shouldn’t be expected to perform as well as the starters but it isn’t like we’re dropping down to G5 talent. Drake stoops was a 2 star preferred walk on and played better than those guys who have a ton more physical ability than he did. No one should expect them to be a top 50 offense under those conditions especially with a bad line and a young QB, but they certainly have enough to be better than 50-70 of the teams that are in front of them right now. There’s just no excuse at OU to ever have a bottom 5-10 offense out of 133 teams. This is an incompetence not seen since pre-1999.

I’m not sure what you can do about it right now, probably best just to hold it together and do whatever they can to make it work but fair or not, there has to be a change at OC at the end of the season barring a miracle resurgence over the last 6 games. Probably need to at least try to keep BB since we have one of the best OL classes we’ve signed since the 2000s coming in and you have to try to keep that together. Maybe Emmitt Jones as well but everyone else is on the block. Their defense is finally pretty good but BV’s job security will depend on how he handles the OC position this offseason. If he makes the wrong hire again it will end up costing him his job.

I think we are saying ABOUT the same thing, but I still think losing one WR isn’t near as bad as losing 5… even with competitive depth.

It’s funny, because a defense wins championships. However, it’s even harder to win a single game with an elite defense and no offense (current situation) than it is to win with an elite offense and no defense (previous situation). Just goes to show that points must come from somewhere, especially in today’s high scoring games.

We definitely must keep BB, at all costs. Look at the OL he has put in the NFL. EJ is a master recruiter (of players that get injured, so it seems), so need to keep him too. Probably should keep DM while we are at it. None of these coaches need to be calling plays, though (at least to my knowledge).

Don’t hate me for saying this, but wouldn’t it be awesome if LR came back on the OC for BV? I know, it will never happen… but even Cale Gundy would be awesome (yes, his reading of a player’s tablet that was disrupting a meeting, but).

[bamarsha]

Well the line has been healthy for two games and Hawkins is struggling to even get the ball downfield and we got obliterated in the cotton bowl (a loss there doesn’t force change but complete futility on one side of the ball usually does).

Do you think Hawkins isn't throwing very much (well) due to the coaches telling him not to turn the ball over like JA kept doing? No turnovers and keep the job or start turning it over and JA (or CT) goes in? I could see that pressure (or sense of pressure) causing him to look at his first read, maybe second, and if nothing is there, to pull it down and run (especially with the struggling OL and some RBs not able to block). I just don't know if MH is doing everything he can. I'm not sure if JA is forcing too much or just not as good under pressure that everyone thought he would be.

[kukblue1]

SMH YOUR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. Yes you have players out but your Offense (EPA) rating should not be ranked 127th out of 134 teams. Here is a list https://www.espn.com/college-football/stats/team total offense.

[PhiAlpha]

I think we are saying ABOUT the same thing, but I still think losing one WR isn’t near as bad as losing 5… even with competitive depth.

It’s funny, because a defense wins championships. However, it’s even harder to win a single game with an elite defense and no offense (current situation) than it is to win with an elite offense and no defense (previous situation). Just goes to show that points must come from somewhere, especially in today’s high scoring games.

We definitely must keep BB, at all costs. Look at the OL he has put in the NFL. EJ is a master recruiter (of players that get injured, so it seems), so need to keep him too. Probably should keep DM while we are at it. None of these coaches need to be calling plays, though (at least to my knowledge).

Don’t hate me for saying this, but wouldn’t it be awesome if LR came back on the OC for BV? I know, it will never happen… but even Cale Gundy would be awesome (yes, his reading of a player’s tablet that was disrupting a meeting, but).

If LR wanted a redemption arc I'd be all about it but I bet even if he got fired, he'd fall up to the NFL a la Kingsbury.

For the record, Jones didn't recruit most of the Injured guys. Farooq, Anderson, and Gibson were in Gundy and Washington's classes. Anthony signed on the same day Jones joined the staff so I'm not sure if he did anything other than help close him. Burkes was a transfer last offseason so I guess that one does count but at least he seems like the least injured, so that helps! lol

I hate to say it but I think DeMarco has to at least be on the hot seat. He's mismanaged the RB room to an extent (If you've enjoyed watching DG go off in another uniform, go check out what Tawee Walker...who we wouldn't give a scholarship to...is doing at Wisconsin) and seems to have struggled with evals and development. The line is bad so that is definitely part of the problem but Barnes and Sawchuk have been extremely inconsistent for 3 seasons now. Kaleb Hicks seems like a bust. Dylan Smoothers bounced. We let Tawee Walker walk without giving him a scholarship (See above). Marcus Major never seemed to develop. Not really sure what Franklin is doing but seems decent on special teams. He hit on Eric Gray in the portal and helped develop him into an NFL caliber back so that's a hit. Rhamandre was a good Juco signing and while he signed before DeMarco...I'm sure he did have an affect on his development during the 2020 off season/season. And drumroll, Seth McGowan and MIkey Henderson robbed a dude and got kicked off the team, narrowly avoiding jail time. Jury is still out on Tatum but, while he's a freshman, he just hasn't looked ready to play with several fumbles (again, bad OL, but you still have to hold onto the ball). Xavier Robinson has looked good in limited action but way too early to tell.

So all of that to say, there are some bright spots...maybe some really bright spots with Tatum and Robinson, but not near enough to automatically say he's safe.

Yeah you're right, competitive depth kinda goes out the window when you lose most of your two deep lol.

Definitely have to have at least an average offense, with some kind of identity, paired with a great defense to win championships. Thought I do think it's a lot harder and takes longer to build the culture and roster required for a good defense (especially moving from the B12 style of play to the SEC). The last three times we've had a frustratingly bad offense with decent talent on the roster in 1998, 2005/2006, and 2013/2014 (which primarily struggled through the air), we were either a new OC and/or a new QB away from being very good the following season and having a heisman finalist at QB in season 2.

- 1998: Whole new staff in 1999 with Leach/Heupel and then Mangino/Heupel. Offense was instantly competitive and then great in year two.
- 2005/2006: This one is a little weird because of the whole Bomar debacle (I think he would've been much better than PT with Wilson in year two), but that gave way to promoting Kevin WIlson (2006) after Long left and Bradford (2007). Instant improvement on offense with Bradford and he won the heisman in year two.
- 2013/2014: Offense wasn't horrible but it was very inconsistent as was the QB play. Heupel gets fired and that gave way to Riley/Baker. Offense was good enough to propel us into the playoff in year one, Baker was a heisman finalist in year two, and won it in year three and almost overcame a horrendous defensive performance in double OT to go to the NC game.

If BV can keep doing what he's doing on defense, nail the next OC hire and the new OC can either help Hawkins or JA realize their potential or portal someone then things could improve very quickly when it seems like overhauling a defense is a much slower process. It's worked three times when the roster talent was solid and the defense was decent/good. On the other side, he could royally F it up again and be out of a job in a year....but that's showbiz baby!

[PhiAlpha]

Do you think Hawkins isn't throwing very much (well) due to the coaches telling him not to turn the ball over like JA kept doing? No turnovers and keep the job or start turning it over and JA (or CT) goes in? I could see that pressure (or sense of pressure) causing him to look at his first read, maybe second, and if nothing is there, to pull it down and run (especially with the struggling OL and some RBs not able to block). I just don't know if MH is doing everything he can. I'm not sure if JA is forcing too much or just not as good under pressure that everyone thought he would be.

Probably a little of all of that. I mean look at his first three games.

1)Thrown into OU's SEC debut as a true freshman down by 16 against the number 3 team in the country after watching the 5 star ahead of you turn it over three times and get benched. On national TV with Gameday there, etc.
2) First start in OU's first SEC road game which was widely panned as one of our few winnable games left on the schedule.
3) The RRS on a hostile neutral field in the biggest game of the year against the number 1 team in the country.

All with a rough OL and none of your best receivers. Not exactly an ideal way to get used to the speed of the game. I think the coaches are trying to simplify it as much as realistically possible while giving themselves a chance. It's just a tough situation all around.

[Bunty]

I just heard a sports commentator on KHRH-2 Tulsa call OU's offense the worst in 25 years!

It will be interesting to see who has the worse won/loss record--OSU or OU?

[PhiAlpha]

I just heard a sports commentator on KHRH-2 Tulsa call OU's offense the worst in 25 years!

It will be interesting to see who has the worse won/loss record--OSU or OU?

It’s a race to the bottom lol.