In my off season thread I thought it would take some time for him to adapt and for the offensive line to develop. The transition was expedited by Mayfield's success. OU's only loss to date came after the only off week they had all season, strange indeed. Mayfield has been a very good improviser also but the team has extreme confidence in their new OC. Mike Stoops is my only concern and I still think he needs to go.
Saw an interview with QB Mayfield and he sounded pretty confident that he will be able to play Saturday. We shall see. He participated in non-contact drills yesterday and will have to pass a fitness test before he can play but he was very up beat during the interview. He also said that if he plays he will not be holding back. We shall see. Once again I should remind that weather could be a factor Saturday and a running QB could play a big part.
Going through the NCAA team statistics found this to be interesting. The Big 12 has 5 of the top 7 ranked teams in scoring offense. Baylor #1 (53.8 ppg), Texas Tech #2 (46.5 ppg), Oklahoma #3 (44.6 ppg), TCU #6 (42.9 ppg), and Oklahoma St #7 (42.8 ppg). Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team in the top 25 in scoring defense (#25). OU held T Tech to 27, Baylor to 34 and TCU to 29.
Oklahoma St "held" T Tech to 53, TCU to 29 and Baylor to 35. It will be interesting to see what happens in the Bedlam matchup Saturday.
Oklahoma St "held" T Tech to 53, TCU to 29 and Baylor to 35. It will be interesting to see what happens in the Bedlam matchup Saturday.
In my offseason thread I laid out some reasons that I thought Oklahoma could contend for a national championship. Most disagreed and I could see why. I was basing my opinion on players, favorable coaching changes, and that I thought they would improve game by game. Then they got beat by Texas. I started to come on to the forum and eat some crow but then I thought to myself that it ain’t over till it’s over. Luckily that is the same mind set that the OU players and coaches had also. From that point on they did improve and Baker Mayfield was everything I thought he could be and more. He is a true leader and I can see him as a HC in the future.
I am not posting to brag about my prediction. The Texas loss instilled humility as well as a reality check. I am posting this because I am glad that the OU players and coaches got it together and maximized their performance following that Texas loss. Last year Ohio St lost to Virginia Tech and the same thing happened and they finished the season like a true champion. I am not sure if OU can match that or not but at least they are in the running. Sometimes it is the little things that count. Things like moving Mike Stoops up to the press box and hiring new assistant coaches. There was doubt that new OC Lincoln Riley could work the running game into his wide open offense. That was overcome. Mayfield probably exceeded everyone’s expectations except his own. He walked on and spent a year waiting for his chance. Not many players have that kind of drive and inspiration. That drive and inspiration has carried over to not only his team mates but also to his coaches especially Bob Stoops.
Even if the Sooners do not get to the final game they can be proud of their accomplishments which could in turn really enhance their recruiting for next season. Injuries to key players on Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma St probably did play a role. Things like that are completely unpredictable as is the timing. I am not necessarily a Homer when it comes to OU as I support OSU as well as Tulsa. OSU exceeded most everyone’s expectations also, maybe it was something in the water. BOL
I am not posting to brag about my prediction. The Texas loss instilled humility as well as a reality check. I am posting this because I am glad that the OU players and coaches got it together and maximized their performance following that Texas loss. Last year Ohio St lost to Virginia Tech and the same thing happened and they finished the season like a true champion. I am not sure if OU can match that or not but at least they are in the running. Sometimes it is the little things that count. Things like moving Mike Stoops up to the press box and hiring new assistant coaches. There was doubt that new OC Lincoln Riley could work the running game into his wide open offense. That was overcome. Mayfield probably exceeded everyone’s expectations except his own. He walked on and spent a year waiting for his chance. Not many players have that kind of drive and inspiration. That drive and inspiration has carried over to not only his team mates but also to his coaches especially Bob Stoops.
Even if the Sooners do not get to the final game they can be proud of their accomplishments which could in turn really enhance their recruiting for next season. Injuries to key players on Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma St probably did play a role. Things like that are completely unpredictable as is the timing. I am not necessarily a Homer when it comes to OU as I support OSU as well as Tulsa. OSU exceeded most everyone’s expectations also, maybe it was something in the water. BOL
Here is some more comparative data on the top 8 teams in the Power Rankings:
Avg Pt Differential SOS Ranking ATS Record
Clemson 19.1 ppg #43 5 - 7
Alabama 20.2 ppg #2 7 - 5
Oklahoma 25.0 ppg #1 9 - 3
Mich State 12.3 ppg #28 5 - 7
Iowa 15.0 ppg #60 7 - 5
Ohio St 21.0 ppg #35 5 - 7
Stanford 13.7 ppg #16 8 - 4
UNC 20.5 ppg #43 8 - 4
Avg Pt Differential SOS Ranking ATS Record
Clemson 19.1 ppg #43 5 - 7
Alabama 20.2 ppg #2 7 - 5
Oklahoma 25.0 ppg #1 9 - 3
Mich State 12.3 ppg #28 5 - 7
Iowa 15.0 ppg #60 7 - 5
Ohio St 21.0 ppg #35 5 - 7
Stanford 13.7 ppg #16 8 - 4
UNC 20.5 ppg #43 8 - 4
Well my preseason prediction came true, Oklahoma made the playoffs. I am personally looking forward to playing Clemson instead of Alabama. Stoops has a history of not having his teams ready for bowls but this time all of the incentives are there. Motivation has been in the air for quite a while having faced who they played to end the season. Throw in the pay back factor with Clemson and it just gets better. Yes, I did put some mulla on the Sooners before the season started. After the Texas game I wrote that off so it just goes to show you that it ain't over till it's over. But now it all starts over. It is all about the here and now. Going to be very interesting. I will break down the matchup between Oklahoma and Clemson from time to time up until game time. BOL
I would rather face Clemson in this first game than Bama. You give Saban close to a month to prepare for you and it puts you at a disadvantage. As good as Venables has been at Clemson, I still don't think he is that good against really good spread offenses. He never was when he was at OU. And he doesn't have nearly as tough of offenses to deal with on a week to week basis in the ACC. Which I'm pretty sure was a big selling point of him going to Clemson, where he knew he could find success. We'll probably still have to outscore Clemson to beat them. It will be a tough game..Watson will be the best QB the Sooners have faced all year. But I would still rather face a great offense than a great defense with time to prepare...
OU is -4, favored over the #1 ranked team. Maybe vegas knows more than the committee lol.
GS: I would rather play Clemson also. Every incentive is there. If OU survives and faces Alabama for all the marbles then Alabama will have more to prepare for in terms of defensive preparation.
Alabama is vulnerable in terms of pass defense if you take into account they have not faced teams with the offense will throw at them. Granted they are talented but one big play can make the difference in that kind of game.
GS: I would rather play Clemson also. Every incentive is there. If OU survives and faces Alabama for all the marbles then Alabama will have more to prepare for in terms of defensive preparation.
Alabama is vulnerable in terms of pass defense if you take into account they have not faced teams with the offense will throw at them. Granted they are talented but one big play can make the difference in that kind of game.
Looking thru my Phil Steele preseason magazine. Funny thing. He had Clemson ranked #17 and Oklahoma #18 in his preseason picks. 12 teams that he had in his preseason top 25 fell from the rankings. This is not the final poll but that is way above his average of having 8 fall from the rankings. Iowa and N. Carolina were not in his preseason top 25. I am not trying to run down Steele but I think every indication is that this season was very difficult to predict in terms of how teams would perform. Of course injuries played a part especially for TCU and Baylor but that kind of thing is unpredictable. Hard to believe he had Mizzou and Auburn in his preseason top 25. Clemson and Oklahoma exceeded expectations while Ohio St was more or less thought to be a shoe in for the playoffs. Bowls are a different breed of cat but for some reason I think that most all of the teams involved will come ready to play. 21 bowl games have lines of -4 or less. That tells you something. I think this bowl season will be well worth watching. BOL
I have a strange feeling that this year more favorites will cover than dogs. I think most every team has a higher degree of motivation this year over some in the past but that is just me. You could be right and that is usually the way it is. Most of the dogs I like play on or before 12/23/15.
