Oklahoma Sooners 2015 - an overview in the making (please jump in)

[russ1945]

BDQH: You don't get it and you never will. I already spelled it out for you. We are silmply looking at a team that we are very close to. Do you think we bet on OU every week get real. Every team has strengths and weaknesses. I took Ohio St to come out of the playoff on top and they did. Then you say Mayfield could not start at Ohio St or USC....really. Mayfield picked OU dude, keep that in mind. He sat around for a year without playing, he paid a price but he has some goals. No body mentioned him as a Heisman candidate, we were talking about Knight following the bowl win over Alabama.

And there are excuses for a 5 loss team when you change your defense for no apparent reason and replacing 4 asst coaches shows it. He should have replaced his brother just like GS mentioned, he ain't got it anymore. We are not presenting OU as a possible national Champion. We are looking at strengths and weaknesses. I can see them exceeding expectations but coaching changes sometime take some time to take effect. However, I do see these coaching changes as the kind that could kick in more and more during the season. GS points out that the defense is the question mark and that Mike Stoops is also. I agree. As far as Bob Stoops being the problem goes people always run him down and his call to repunt in the OSU game was freaky. But Stoops might have needed that wake up call. You are counting the Sooners as down and out before the season even starts. I would not be so fast to jump to that conclusion. Stoops is still a very capable coach. Is he perfect, no, but who is.

 

[russ1945]

Here are some Oklahoma stats from 2014:

#23 – Total Offense
#10 – Rushing Offense
#83 – Passing Offense
#20 – Scoring Offense (36.4 ppg)

#51 – Total Defense
# 8 - Rushing Defense
#117 – Passing Yards Allowed (276.2 ypg)
#55 – Scoring Defense (25.9 ppg)

#95 – Turnover Margin
#66 – Red Zone Offense
#53 – Red Zone Defense
#65 – 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Down Conversions

#53 – Punting
Field Goals - # 72 (in 2013 Hunnicut was #3)

 

[russ1945]

You guys also forget the biggest problem that Bob Stoops has. That is Bob Stoops. (BDQH).

Really. I can never defend Stoop's call in the Okie St game but his record speaks for itself. Stoops is 168-44 as a HC and all of that at OU.

Here is some food for thought. In 1999 OU under Stoops went 7-5 the next season they ralled to a 13-0 record. In 2005 OU went 8-4 and the next season went 11-3. In 2009 the Sooners went 8-5 and the next season went 12-2. Guys like BDQH are quick to put down conferences, schools, and HC's they don't like for whatever reasons. Based on what I just posted there is more than just a tendency that Stoops does know how to rally the troops and not many HC's have an 80% winning percentage. Did BDQH know all this. Nope. Were his remarks based on fact or opinion. GS and I both pointed out how the Sooner's could have very well finished 10-3 last year. It is what it is in one respect but you have to dig a little and do that extra bit of homework to put things in perspective. That is the point of this thread. To keep things in perspective which means not to throw in the towel on Stoops for one. The stats up above show a lot of room for improvement and I think they will indeed do just that.

 

[russ1945]

A little more on Bob Stoops. In 16 yrs as HC at OU his teams have been in the top 25 all but 3 of those years (mentioned above). When ranked their averge ranking was 8th with the 22nd being their worst ranking when ranked. As mentioned above the 3 years they did poorly were followed by very successful seasons. They followed up those 3 seasons with a combined record of 36-5.

 

[russ1945]

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Austin Kendall, 2016 four-star QB, verbally commits to Oklahoma

Photo: Alex Menendez/Getty Images​

BY CHRIS JOHNSON
Posted: Tue Apr. 7, 2015Updated: Wed Apr. 8, 2015
Oklahoma did not sign a quarterback in its 2015 recruiting class. A year later, it is set to land one of the most heralded signal callers in the nation.
Austin Kendall, Rivals.com's No. 3 pro-style passer and No. 27 player in the class of 2016, announced on Instagram on Tuesday night that he has verbally committed to the Sooners. Kendall’s pledge comes less than a month after he decommitted from Tennessee because, as he told Rivals.com, he thought “committing early was the right thing to do at the time but it also limited my options. With my recruitment back open I hope to see what other opportunities are available."
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ten players ready to make major comebacks from injuries in 2015


by Colin Becht




Kendall, who attends Cuthbertson High School in Waxhaw, N.C., chose Oklahoma over Auburn and Kentucky, among other programs. His brother, Ryan, is a walk-on receiver for the Wildcats, and Kendall had cited his affinity for the Tigers’ offense and hisrelationship with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Yet Kendall reportedly visited Oklahoma in March and said this week that the Sooners are his top school.“It's just a feeling [at Oklahoma], but I got a feeling here [at Auburn], too, so it could weigh out," Kendall told Rivals.com on April 3.
Lincoln Riley, who was hired as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator in January, reportedly began recruiting Kendall while serving in the same position at East Carolina.



Note: Lincoln Riley already impacting recruiting

 

[russ1945]

OU football: Joe Mixon 'hungry' and 'matured' according to Sooners teammates

JOE MIXON: Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon hasn’t spoken publicly about his return to football, but that hasn’t stopped his teammates from talking about it. Mixon’s Sooners teammates and coaches say he has looked good during spring football practices.


by Ryan Aber Published: April 8, 2015

NORMAN — Joe Mixon has yet to speak publicly about his season-long absence from football and the incident that put him in that position.
But Mixon’s Oklahoma teammates have had plenty to say about the former five-star recruit and his return to the Sooners during spring practices.



OU's Joe Mixon (25) stretches during spring football practice for the University of Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Okla., Monday, March 23, 2015. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman“Joe is hungry. Joe wants it,” linebacker Eric Striker said. “Joe is going to give it his all. You don’t have to worry about that with Joe.”
Mixon came to Norman last summer with soaring expectations.
He committed to the Sooners in the aftermath of the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama and garnered plenty of attention at least year’s spring game watching from the sidelines and signing autographs for fans.
But an incident not long before fall practices began ended any chance to Mixon seeing playing time last year.
Mixon punched a 20-year-old female OU student in the face at an eatery near campus, leaving her with four broken bones in her face. Mixon eventually entered an Alford plea and was given a one-year deferred sentence, 100 hours of community service and ordered to undergo cognitive behavior counseling.
Semaje Perine became the freshman sensation at the position — rushing for 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns and setting an NCAA single-game rushing record in the process.
Even with Perine back, Mixon is likely to find a role in OU’s offense. Bob Stoops likes to use multiple backs and in new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s system, Mixon’s speed is valuable.
“He’s going to be a problem for a lot of teams,” wide receiver Durron Neal said.
Mixon also appears to be getting the system down and shaking off the rust of a year away from the game.
“He’s a smart player in understanding what we’re doing and executing well,” Stoops said. “He understands where he needs to be in the passing game as well. He catches the ball well. He’s been pretty consistent with all of it.”
His teammates are trying to move past the July incident but say Mixon learned lessons from what happened and the effects of his actions.

“He’s a different person,” cornerback Zack Sanchez said. “That incident is far gone and we forgot about it. He’s obviously learned from it and he’s definitely matured a lot. It’s helping him out and it’s helped him taking a year off.”Mixon isn’t the Sooners’ storyline going into Saturday’s spring game thanks to several factors — Perine’s performance, the four-way quarterback battle, the recent SAE video and the team’s protests in the wake of the video’s release and, obviously, Mixon’s planned absence from the spring game as he completes his team punishment from the incident.
While his time away may have helped him as a person, Mixon has been hungry to get back to being a football player.
“It’s just like whatever you all love, you know what I mean? You’re an artist, you’ve been out, you can’t wait to paint,” Striker said. “Can’t wait to do what you do. The media, you’ve been out for a year, sick in the hospital? Can’t wait to ask questions, huh? Something like that.
“Or like artists. You know, Jay-Z might take a year off, he’s ready. I love Jay-Z. He retired in 2004 then he came back. He missed it. He needed it. He can’t stay away from what he loves. That’s the same thing with Joe.”

 

[sendacash]

The fact that Baylor seems to have Oklahoma under their thumb is amazing to me given the history of these two programs. Oklahoma does not seem to have an answer for it as well, at least for now.

 

[russ1945]

The fact that Baylor seems to have Oklahoma under their thumb is amazing to me given the history of these two programs. Oklahoma does not seem to have an answer for it as well, at least for now.

Things change and that can go either way on a season to season basis. Baylor has good coaching and a good balance of attack. I don't run down other teams in the Big 12 and I am not a die hard OU fan so I like to give credit where credit is due. Remember Texas has been in a decline and Baylor is no longer getting the left overs. As far as OU having an answer that will have to start with the new asst coaches and go from there. And like GS points out the defense will be the key to returning to the top of the heap. Baylor deserves a lot of credit for how they have elevated their program. Briles is the man.

 

[russ1945]

Coach Briles bent on building dynasty at Baylor



David Ubben

FOX Sports Southwest





FEB 23, 2015 8:46p ET

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports​

Art Briles isn't looking to replicate other college football dynasties, he's working on building his own at Baylor.



















Baylor football coach Art Briles is more Steve Jobs than Darth Vader. Why build off someone else's empire when you can find a new way to do something and just create your own?
It's tougher than it sounds, but Briles is doing it. Like Jobs, he's done it all in a long-sleeve mock turtleneck, too.
So far, Briles has fulfilled a little more than 16 percent of his grand vision for the Bears.
Two consecutive Big 12 titles?
How does 12 consecutive titles sound, with a few national titles tacked on for good measure?
"What I'm doing is recruiting 11-year-old males right now sitting in front of the TV every Saturday," Briles told Fox Sports Southwest. "They sit there and for six years, they see Baylor being a dominant football program and on the national scene. When they're 17, they're thinking that's the place I need to go.
"To me, to change perceptions and traditions, it's a 12-year process. We're certainly in the beginning stages of that, but that's where I want to see it go. I want to see it go to where in 15 years, they're talking about the best sustained football programs over the last 20 years, I want them to be saying Baylor."
Chuckle and dismiss at your own risk. On the day Briles was hired at Baylor, he didn't speak in generalities. He spoke of a plan and didn't seem bothered by the league-wide laughter and condescending pats on the head after declaring Baylor would soon end its decade-long bowl drought before winning a Big 12 championship.
Seven seasons later, the Bears have two of those trophies (not to mention a $266 million, six-month-old stadium) and an outstanding chance for a third in 2015. That chase unofficially begins Tuesday when Baylor takes the field for the first of its 15 spring practices. It's only fitting the Bears, who play as fast or faster than any team in the league, start spring practice first among Big 12 programs.
Quarterback Bryce Petty is gone but 17 starters return, headlined by defensive end Shawn Oakman and offensive tackleSpencer Drango, who turned down the NFL Draft to chase a third ring in Waco. The Bears also have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers returning in Corey Coleman and KD Cannon, as well as 1,200-yard rusher Shock Linwood. Just two starters — linebacker Bryce Hager and defensive back Collin Brence — are gone from last year's defense that ranked fourth in the Big 12 in yards per play.
Briles hasn't named Petty's replacement but the safe bet is junior Seth Russell, who, thanks to Baylor's penchant for blowout wins, has earned more garbage time snaps than any quarterback in America over the last two seasons. He'll have to officially beat out sophomore Chris Johnson and incoming freshman Jarrett Stidham, but he'll begin the spring with the majority of the first-team reps.
Russell threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns against FCS Northwestern State in Baylor's second game of 2014 after Petty's fractured transverse processes in his back forced Russell into his lone career start.

How does each Big 12 team stack up over last five seasons?







He boasts a sub-4.5 40-yard dash time that makes him a couple steps faster than Petty and his 41-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds has spawned stories from teammates of between-the-legs dunks at the rec center.
"He can do any dunk out there," Coleman said. "When we do sprints after practice, he's competing with the skill-position guys."
And off the field?
"He's like the dad of the team," said Coleman, who was a fellow member of Baylor's 2013 recruiting class. "He's in bed by eight or nine o'clock. Even on the weekends, I think. (Laughs) If you go to a party, you won't see Seth. He might go to a movie, maybe.
"He just wants to be great and he has great parents and wants to make them proud."
While Big 12 powers Texas and Oklahoma bemoaning their lack of a franchise passer, Briles keeps churning one out after another at Baylor.
Robert Griffin III won the Heisman in 2011 and Bryce Petty is preparing this spring for life in the NFL.
In between them, all Nick Florence could manage to do before leaving football was set the single-season school record for passing yards (4,309).
Besides quarterbacks, Briles has helped Baylor build a budding college football brand by recruiting and developing players who share his disdain for hesitation amid skepticism.
As a four-star recruit from Cedar Park, Texas, Drango narrowed his choices to Stanford, Texas and Baylor. Like Briles, he ignored the raised eyebrows to buy into Baylor. Remember, this was back in 2011, before Baylor had a Heisman Trophy or even a bowl win under Briles.
"Everyone was like, really? Baylor?" Drango said. "I wanted to be a part of building a tradition, not just joining one."



With attitudes like that, it makes sense why Briles declined a year ago to chase a Texas job that would have been a perfect fit for him.
Still, there are plenty of boxes left unchecked for Baylor. Baylor followed both Big 12 titles with bowl losses. In 2013, the Bears were 17-point favorites before UCF embarrassed them 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl. In last year's Cotton Bowl, Baylor squandered a three-touchdown lead over Michigan State in a 42-41 loss.
The Bears were only in that game because a two-touchdown loss to West Virginia in October gave the selection committee reason to deny them a chance to play for the program's first national title and snubbed them from the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff.
"We still feel like there's a lot of unfinished business," Briles said. "Our feeling of satisfaction is not there."
Take a few moments to drink in the sight of two crystal bowls in Baylor's trophy case? That's something he'll save for retirement, Briles says.
Instead, he's fashioned Baylor into the most accomplished and stable program in the Big 12 over the last five years. A third consecutive title would be an achievement equaled only by Oklahoma from 2006-08.
The Bears will be co-favorites with co-champion TCU entering 2015 and should open the season inside the top 10, likely with the highest preseason ranking in school history. At No. 7, the 1957 team currently holds that mark.
"The first (title) was to show we could do it," Drango said. "The second was show it wasn't a fluke. Going for a third one, that's one of our goals and I don't want to speak too soon, but it's to prove we're here to stay. We want to be one of the nation's best programs."
Added Coleman: "Everyone's coming after Baylor. Everyone's talking about Baylor. It's all about Baylor and when you play people, nobody wants to lose to Baylor so you get everyone's best game."
The pieces are in place and Briles has continued to collect talent on the recruiting trail that's made a third consecutive title a more than reasonable goal.
Alabama? Oregon? Ohio State? Don't expect Briles to look to any national powers for a measure of how far his program has come in less than a decade.
"We want other people to look at us and compare themselves to us," Briles said.
Sounds crazy, right?
Sounds like Briles.

 

[GoSooners]

Russ, let us know how it goes Saturday. I'll be playing golf so i won't have a chance to watch it. What I'm more curious about than anything is the run/pass ratio that Riley utilizes for this offense. He's never had this talented a group of RB's the work with before. Here is an interesting article that shows there is indeed power running concepts in the air raid style offenses. I think many will be surprised at how well we run this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Perine or Mixon reach 1,000 yards. More than likely Perine since I'm betting he'll utilize Mixon more in the passing game and make him the more duo threat RB. http://www.nflhspd.com/coaches-corner/article/air-raid-ground-game/

 

[GoSooners]

Coach Briles bent on building dynasty at Baylor



David Ubben

FOX Sports Southwest





FEB 23, 2015 8:46p ET

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports​

Art Briles isn't looking to replicate other college football dynasties, he's working on building his own at

Baylor football coach Art Briles is more Steve Jobs than Darth Vader. Why build off someone else's empire when you can find a new way to do something and just create your own?
It's tougher than it sounds, but Briles is doing it. Like Jobs, he's done it all in a long-sleeve mock turtleneck, too.
So far, Briles has fulfilled a little more than 16 percent of his grand vision for the Bears.
Two consecutive Big 12 titles?
How does 12 consecutive titles sound, with a few national titles tacked on for good measure?
"What I'm doing is recruiting 11-year-old males right now sitting in front of the TV every Saturday," Briles told Fox Sports Southwest. "They sit there and for six years, they see Baylor being a dominant football program and on the national scene. When they're 17, they're thinking that's the place I need to go.
"To me, to change perceptions and traditions, it's a 12-year process. We're certainly in the beginning stages of that, but that's where I want to see it go. I want to see it go to where in 15 years, they're talking about the best sustained football programs over the last 20 years, I want them to be saying Baylor."
Chuckle and dismiss at your own risk. On the day Briles was hired at Baylor, he didn't speak in generalities. He spoke of a plan and didn't seem bothered by the league-wide laughter and condescending pats on the head after declaring Baylor would soon end its decade-long bowl drought before winning a Big 12 championship.
Seven seasons later, the Bears have two of those trophies (not to mention a $266 million, six-month-old stadium) and an outstanding chance for a third in 2015. That chase unofficially begins Tuesday when Baylor takes the field for the first of its 15 spring practices. It's only fitting the Bears, who play as fast or faster than any team in the league, start spring practice first among Big 12 programs.
Quarterback Bryce Petty is gone but 17 starters return, headlined by defensive end Shawn Oakman and offensive tackleSpencer Drango, who turned down the NFL Draft to chase a third ring in Waco. The Bears also have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers returning in Corey Coleman and KD Cannon, as well as 1,200-yard rusher Shock Linwood. Just two starters — linebacker Bryce Hager and defensive back Collin Brence — are gone from last year's defense that ranked fourth in the Big 12 in yards per play.
Briles hasn't named Petty's replacement but the safe bet is junior Seth Russell, who, thanks to Baylor's penchant for blowout wins, has earned more garbage time snaps than any quarterback in America over the last two seasons. He'll have to officially beat out sophomore Chris Johnson and incoming freshman Jarrett Stidham, but he'll begin the spring with the majority of the first-team reps.
Russell threw for 438 yards and five touchdowns against FCS Northwestern State in Baylor's second game of 2014 after Petty's fractured transverse processes in his back forced Russell into his lone career start.








How does each Big 12 team stack up over last five seasons?







He boasts a sub-4.5 40-yard dash time that makes him a couple steps faster than Petty and his 41-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds has spawned stories from teammates of between-the-legs dunks at the rec center.
"He can do any dunk out there," Coleman said. "When we do sprints after practice, he's competing with the skill-position guys."
And off the field?
"He's like the dad of the team," said Coleman, who was a fellow member of Baylor's 2013 recruiting class. "He's in bed by eight or nine o'clock. Even on the weekends, I think. (Laughs) If you go to a party, you won't see Seth. He might go to a movie, maybe.
"He just wants to be great and he has great parents and wants to make them proud."
While Big 12 powers Texas and Oklahoma bemoaning their lack of a franchise passer, Briles keeps churning one out after another at Baylor.
Robert Griffin III won the Heisman in 2011 and Bryce Petty is preparing this spring for life in the NFL.
In between them, all Nick Florence could manage to do before leaving football was set the single-season school record for passing yards (4,309).
Besides quarterbacks, Briles has helped Baylor build a budding college football brand by recruiting and developing players who share his disdain for hesitation amid skepticism.
As a four-star recruit from Cedar Park, Texas, Drango narrowed his choices to Stanford, Texas and Baylor. Like Briles, he ignored the raised eyebrows to buy into Baylor. Remember, this was back in 2011, before Baylor had a Heisman Trophy or even a bowl win under Briles.
"Everyone was like, really? Baylor?" Drango said. "I wanted to be a part of building a tradition, not just joining one."



With attitudes like that, it makes sense why Briles declined a year ago to chase a Texas job that would have been a perfect fit for him.
Still, there are plenty of boxes left unchecked for Baylor. Baylor followed both Big 12 titles with bowl losses. In 2013, the Bears were 17-point favorites before UCF embarrassed them 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl. In last year's Cotton Bowl, Baylor squandered a three-touchdown lead over Michigan State in a 42-41 loss.
The Bears were only in that game because a two-touchdown loss to West Virginia in October gave the selection committee reason to deny them a chance to play for the program's first national title and snubbed them from the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff.
"We still feel like there's a lot of unfinished business," Briles said. "Our feeling of satisfaction is not there."
Take a few moments to drink in the sight of two crystal bowls in Baylor's trophy case? That's something he'll save for retirement, Briles says.
Instead, he's fashioned Baylor into the most accomplished and stable program in the Big 12 over the last five years. A third consecutive title would be an achievement equaled only by Oklahoma from 2006-08.
The Bears will be co-favorites with co-champion TCU entering 2015 and should open the season inside the top 10, likely with the highest preseason ranking in school history. At No. 7, the 1957 team currently holds that mark.
"The first (title) was to show we could do it," Drango said. "The second was show it wasn't a fluke. Going for a third one, that's one of our goals and I don't want to speak too soon, but it's to prove we're here to stay. We want to be one of the nation's best programs."
Added Coleman: "Everyone's coming after Baylor. Everyone's talking about Baylor. It's all about Baylor and when you play people, nobody wants to lose to Baylor so you get everyone's best game."
The pieces are in place and Briles has continued to collect talent on the recruiting trail that's made a third consecutive title a more than reasonable goal.
Alabama? Oregon? Ohio State? Don't expect Briles to look to any national powers for a measure of how far his program has come in less than a decade.
"We want other people to look at us and compare themselves to us," Briles said.
Sounds crazy, right?
Sounds like Briles.

If Briles can get inside the top 20 in recruiting I would give him a chance. But so far Baylor hasn't been close to a top 20 recruiting school. In fact they haven't even been able to crack the top 30. I'll start getting worried if Briles starts bringing in some 4 star defensive talent. But I just don't see 4 star defensive players being thrilled to play in Waco.

 

[russ1945]

Numerous Bright Spots from OU Spring Game

April 11, 2015



White

7
20

Red

Stats | Quotes | Photos | Highlights | Stoops | Full Game​

Score By Quarter
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Red	3	3	7	7	20
White	7	0	0	0	7

Passing
	C	A	Y	AVG	TD	INT
Mayfield	10	13	176	17.6	1	2
Thomas	5	12	83	16.6	0	1
Knight	6	13	78	13.0	0	1
Hansen	5	5	70	14.0	0	0

Rushing Leaders
	A	Y	AVG	TD
Brooks	21	154	7.3	0
Ross	17	62	3.6	1
Westbrook	1	22	22.0	0

Receiving Leaders
	R	Y	AVG	TD
Mead	4	93	23.3	0
Andrews	2	56	28.0	0
Humphrey	1	45	45.0	0
Brooks	3	40	13.3	0

Defensive Leaders
	T	S-Y	TFL-Y	PBU	INT-Y
Hunter	13	1-2	0-0	0	0
Bolton	8	0-0	1-1	0	1-0
Windham	7	0-0	0-0	0	0
Tapper	4	1-3	0-0	0	0

NORMAN — The Oklahoma Spring Game presented by U.S. Fleet Tracking provided fans with their first look at the 2015 edition of the Sooners inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
In front of a crowd of 42,807, the Red team prevailed by a score of 20-7. Points were determined by the color of the numeral of the quarterback. If the quarterback was wearing a red number, offensive points went to the red team and defensive points to the white team and vice versa.
The white team struck first, going ahead 7-0, but the red squad scored the final 20 points of the game to secure the “win.”
“I thought that the guys did a good job overall,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “We got right around 100 plays, which is a normal long scrimmage for us. So you get some good work in game type conditions without risking too much injury. I thought overall (in regard to) fundamentals guys played pretty well, didn’t have foolish bad penalties and really manage the game pretty well.
Here are a few takeaways from Saturday’s performance.
QUARTERBACK DERBY
Perhaps one of the biggest questions surrounding OU right now is who its starting quarterback will be when the Sooners take the field against Akron on Saturday, Sept. 5, and all four contenders played in the Spring Game.
Here is a look at their performances, listed by total passing yards:
Baker Mayfield, Junior
Mayfield finished with 176 yards on 10 for 13 passing. The junior added the only passing touchdown of the game in the form of a 25-yard passing toss to Alex Ross at the end of the third quarter and threw two interceptions.
Cody Thomas, Redshirt Sophomore
The game’s starter for the White team, Thomas completed five of his 12 passing attempts for 83 yards with one interception.
Trevor Knight, Redshirt Junior
On his opening drive, Knight led the White team down the field and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. Knight finished the game with 78 passing yards on 6-for-13 passing. He also tallied an interception.
Justice Hansen, Redshirt Freshman
Hansen went a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 70 yards on Saturday. On his first drive, he recorded a 47-yard pass to redshirt freshman tight end Mark Andrews.
In total, the quarterbacks combined for four interceptions in the Spring Game, but offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said he thinks some of that had to do with them trying to make too much happen in front of the crowd.
“Like I said, you can obviously attribute it to the situation; to the crowd,” Riley said. “In team periods, up to this point, I do not think we have thrown four interceptions this entire spring. It was a great learning experience for us and it is about trusting and learning in the offense. It is something we can learn from and carry into the fall.”
Knight, who found himself in a quarterback battle two springs ago, as well, said he is entering this one with the same attitude.
“It’s the same attitude I have had since I was seven years old,” Knight said. “My dad has always been the one to say that you’re going to have to compete in whatever you do in life. That’s a big lesson for me, because here I am going into my junior year still competing. That’s what you want. You want to be able to go out and compete every day. That’s why you come to a place like this. I’ve said that before. Honestly, it’s a privilege to go out and wear these colors and compete each and every day.”

REILY’S OFFENSE UNVEILED (SORT OF)
Since Lincoln Riley joined the OU coaching staff earlier this offseason, there has been buzz surrounding what the offense might look like for those in the Crimson and Cream.
While fans got a taste of the offensive style of Riley, he said the team did not show all of it during the scrimmage.
“After meeting with Coach Stoops we decided that it being year one of this offense that we wanted it to be more vanilla then we would have been otherwise,” Riley explained. “We wanted to keep some things under the belt. I am very confident, scheme wise, of where we are headed. We have made a lot of strides.”
As for the players, they are a fan of Riley’s offense thus far.
“This is a great offense to play in,” said wide receiver Nick Basquine. “Everyone is going to get the ball and everyone is going to get their chance. Once Coach Riley got hired I was ecstatic.”
COACHES RELOCATE
Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, who typically can be found on the sidelines during contests, directed the defense from the press box on Saturday, while new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley called plays from the field, a switch from OU’s typical arrangement.
“I can see more of the field being up in the press box,” Stoops said. “Being able to see the alignments, not just the position I coach, but all eleven players is key. You get a much greater sense of anticipating what’s going to happen before it happens. Formation recognition is such a big deal for coaches, and I just have to make sure we have the best eleven guys out there at all times.
“It lets you think more in between series,” Stoops continued. “Setting up, and getting more diversification with your formations with more time to think helps. My job is to just communicate to the coaches down on the field, and tell them what I see.”

RECEIVERS MAKE AN IMPACT
Sixteen different receivers caught a pass for the Sooners on Saturday afternoon, led by some new faces. OU’s top three receivers on Saturday in terms of yardage were sophomore Jeffrey Mead (four catches for 93 yards), redshirt freshman tight end Mark Andrews (two catches for 56 yards) and freshman John Humphrey (one catch for 45 yards).
Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said the Sooners have a solid wide receiver corps and that Cale Gundy and Dennis Simmons have done a “great job” with the group.
“Those are two bulldog coaches and that is exactly what that receiver group needed in my opinion,” Riley said. “They have pushed those guys and in the first part of spring, it was rough for those guys. The guys have really come on. Jeffrey Mead was obviously a stand out for us today but throughout the spring K.J. Young, Dallis Todd have made a lot of plays. Mark Andrews has made a lot of plays. We have a lot of talent there and that is a position through recruiting that we have to upgrade.”
Perhaps the most impressive catch of the afternoon came from quarterback Baker Mayfield to Mead, who used his left hand to haul in the 48-yard completion. Mead, who appeared in eight games last season, said he has improved in a few ways throughout the offseason.
“My feet have improved. I am learning how to use my hand and other parts to get defenders off of me,” Mead explained. “I am also stronger and I have been putting on weight. I got here at 185 and then dropped down to 180. Now I am at 192. I dropped five pounds of fat and then put on five pounds of muscle so I stayed the same. Then I started to gain more weight once I dropped the fat. I don’t have a set number I want to be at.”
PARKER, THOMAS MAKE STRIKES IN SECONDARY
After the spring game, Bob Stoops said he was pleased overall with the way his squad played in terms of assignments and discipline in assignment.
Just like on the offensive side of the ball, OU’s defense features some young names who are expected to make an impact this season. When speaking of the defense, Stoops mentioned that some of the players have made strides in the spring, including Steven Parker and Jordan Thomas.
“Young guys in the secondary, two freshman in particular – Steven Parker’s had a great, great spring. He’s playing like a senior,” Stoops shared. “And Jordan Thomas has really improved in a strong way in the last couple three weeks.”
Both Parker and Thomas recorded three tackles on Saturday. Thomas added an interception with a 36-yard return, and Parker had a tackle that went for a three-yard loss.

 

[russ1945]

Russ, let us know how it goes Saturday. I'll be playing golf so i won't have a chance to watch it. What I'm more curious about than anything is the run/pass ratio that Riley utilizes for this offense. He's never had this talented a group of RB's the work with before. Here is an interesting article that shows there is indeed power running concepts in the air raid style offenses. I think many will be surprised at how well we run this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Perine or Mixon reach 1,000 yards. More than likely Perine since I'm betting he'll utilize Mixon more in the passing game and make him the more duo threat RB. http://www.nflhspd.com/coaches-corner/article/air-raid-ground-game/

One thing is for sure, the players love the new offense. The players and the coaches both said they kept it pretty plain vanilla but it wreaks of potential still. I think the fact that these corp of RB's are so talented will be a factor in more than one way. I do not think Riley has a problem spotlighting the running game. By the same token he has never had RB's like OU now has at his disposal. In addition the running game will help open up the passing game in that the emphasis on most defenses will be to stop the running game first. Mayfield has a very strong arm. I think the two interceptions he threw were not throws he would make in a real game. I think the script was so vanilla that given the opportunity to go long he just went with it.

Today I saw tons of enthusiasm from every player. I think there is an attitude change going on and I think the asst coaches are a big part of that. Confining Mike Stoops to the pressbox and keeping him out of the players faces is a great idea. It could pay off dividends in more than one way.

All in all I saw a lot of potential but I can't wait to see that new Freshman K/P Austin Seibert and Mixon make his return, he is chomping at the bit.

 

[russ1945]

Here is a breakdown of the Sooner Roster:

Offensive Lettermen Returning (21)
Defensive Lettermen Returning (19)
Special Teams Lettermen Returning (4)
Lettermen Lost (22)
Players Redshirted Last Season (33)

By Class:
Seniors (13)
Juniors (25)
Sophomores (28)
Redshirt Freshmen (18)
True Freshmen (21)

 

[GoSooners]

One thing is for sure, the players love the new offense. The players and the coaches both said they kept it pretty plain vanilla but it wreaks of potential still. I think the fact that these corp of RB's are so talented will be a factor in more than one way. I do not think Riley has a problem spotlighting the running game. By the same token he has never had RB's like OU now has at his disposal. In addition the running game will help open up the passing game in that the emphasis on most defenses will be to stop the running game first. Mayfield has a very strong arm. I think the two interceptions he threw were not throws he would make in a real game. I think the script was so vanilla that given the opportunity to go long he just went with it.

Today I saw tons of enthusiasm from every player. I think there is an attitude change going on and I think the asst coaches are a big part of that. Confining Mike Stoops to the pressbox and keeping him out of the players faces is a great idea. It could pay off dividends in more than one way.

All in all I saw a lot of potential but I can't wait to see that new Freshman K/P Austin Seibert and Mixon make his return, he is chomping at the bit.

I'm curious to see how this QB battle turns out. If Riley starts anybody other than Mayfield I think this team is in trouble. I do like our WR's. Westbrook looks like the real deal, Mead showed some good hands and Dallas Todd makes a nice tall target. And of course there's Shepherd when he's healthy. I'm not worried at all about the WR's or RB's. As far as these spring games go, we all know they are basically throwing a bone to the fans and recruits, and there is very little you can extract from them other than what the basic overall offense looks like and to get a look at some new players. So I never draw too much from these games, no matter which team or conference it is, or how many fans show up. I've seen players dominate the spring game, only to be never heard of again. And players struggle but looked great in the fall. I saw Sam Bradford throw 3 interceptions in the spring game. So there you go. It's all very vanilla and for show more than anything else. Especially when we have so many no-hit targets running around the field.

 

[russ1945]

I'm curious to see how this QB battle turns out. If Riley starts anybody other than Mayfield I think this team is in trouble. I do like our WR's. Westbrook looks like the real deal, Mead showed some good hands and Dallas Todd makes a nice tall target. And of course there's Shepherd when he's healthy. I'm not worried at all about the WR's or RB's. As far as these spring games go, we all know they are basically throwing a bone to the fans and recruits, and there is very little you can extract from them other than what the basic overall offense looks like and to get a look at some new players. So I never draw too much from these games, no matter which team or conference it is, or how many fans show up. I've seen players dominate the spring game, only to be never heard of again. And players struggle but looked great in the fall. I saw Sam Bradford throw 3 interceptions in the spring game. So there you go. It's all very vanilla and for show more than anything else. Especially when we have so many no-hit targets running around the field.

It was vanilla that is for sure. What stood out to anyone who attended the spring game was the enthusiasm of the players. Wait until Riley unleashes the offense (probably against Tenn) and then we can draw a better picture. Personally I look for this team to improve on a game by game basis. By the time they get to their final 3 games (Baylor, TCU, and Okie St) they will have had plenty of time to either put up or shut up. I have never left a spring game feeling like I did Saturday. The overall team attitude has been uplifted and their enthusiasm is high. I guess I am the only one who believes their defense will improve but that is my opinion at this point and time. There is plenty of room for improvement over last years defensive performance and I think it will happen. I am also looking for an improvement in special teams based on the number of DB's and LB's they have available to implement.

I think the same logic you used towards the 3 int's Bradford threw in a spring game apply to Mayfield's 2. He was forcing those passes and basically they were his only opportunity to go deep. He just went for it knowing it was just a spring game. It could be a wake up call also for him to be more selective.

 

[GoSooners]

It was vanilla that is for sure. What stood out to anyone who attended the spring game was the enthusiasm of the players. Wait until Riley unleashes the offense (probably against Tenn) and then we can draw a better picture. Personally I look for this team to improve on a game by game basis. By the time they get to their final 3 games (Baylor, TCU, and Okie St) they will have had plenty of time to either put up or shut up. I have never left a spring game feeling like I did Saturday. The overall team attitude has been uplifted and their enthusiasm is high. I guess I am the only one who believes their defense will improve but that is my opinion at this point and time. There is plenty of room for improvement over last years defensive performance and I think it will happen. I am also looking for an improvement in special teams based on the number of DB's and LB's they have available to implement.

I think the same logic you used towards the 3 int's Bradford threw in a spring game apply to Mayfield's 2. He was forcing those passes and basically they were his only opportunity to go deep. He just went for it knowing it was just a spring game. It could be a wake up call also for him to be more selective.

What worries me more about this defense is overall talent. I think the coaches will have a much better idea of what they are doing this season. It couldn't have been any worse than last year. But from a recruiting and talent standpoint this defense, especially the linebackers and secondary units, look like they have a lower ceiling than some of OU's past defenses. Naturally, I hope I'm wrong and they surpass my expectations.

 

[russ1945]

What worries me more about this defense is overall talent. I think the coaches will have a much better idea of what they are doing this season. It couldn't have been any worse than last year. But from a recruiting and talent standpoint this defense, especially the linebackers and secondary units, look like they have a lower ceiling than some of OU's past defenses. Naturally, I hope I'm wrong and they surpass my expectations.

I can definitely see them surpassing expectations defensively. Two Frosh stepped up Saturday as shown below, Parker and Thomas. That is a start.

PARKER, THOMAS MAKE STRIKES IN SECONDARY
After the spring game, Bob Stoops said he was pleased overall with the way his squad played in terms of assignments and discipline in assignment.
Just like on the offensive side of the ball, OU’s defense features some young names who are expected to make an impact this season. When speaking of the defense, Stoops mentioned that some of the players have made strides in the spring, including Steven Parker and Jordan Thomas.
“Young guys in the secondary, two freshman in particular – Steven Parker’s had a great, great spring. He’s playing like a senior,” Stoops shared. “And Jordan Thomas has really improved in a strong way in the last couple three weeks.”
Both Parker and Thomas recorded three tackles on Saturday. Thomas added an interception with a 36-yard return, and Parker had a tackle that went for a three-yard loss.

 

[russ1945]

Many agree (including me) that OU would be better off relacing Mike Stoops as the DC. Moving him to the press box might be phase one of just that. But TCU is losing one of the keys to their success the past 11 years in DC in Dick Bumpas. Pretty hard to replace a guy like that.

[h=1]TCU's Dick Bumpas retiring[/h]2/4/2015 - COLLEGE FOOTBALL TCU HORNED FROGS

• 
  Max Olson, Big 12 reporter

TCU defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas is retiring after 11 years with the program, a school spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
Bumpas, 65, has coached TCU's defense and defensive line since 2004, and was a three-time Broyles Award finalist during his tenure in Fort Worth.
The Horned Frogs produced the Big 12's No. 1 scoring and total defense in 2014 en route to a 12-1 season and a share of the Big 12 championship. They were No. 6 in the final College Football Playoff rankings and No. 3 in the final Associated Press poll.
In his 38 years of coaching, Bumpas won championships in four conferences and worked alongside Gary Patterson at four other schools -- Kansas State, Tennessee Tech, Utah State and Navy -- before reuniting at TCU.
A timetable for his retirement and the hiring of his successor has not been announced.

 

[russ1945]

[h=2]Oklahoma's Spring Game | Well That Was Anticlimactic[/h]By M. Hofeld @CCMachine on Apr 11, 2015, 5:44p +

Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports​

You can bank on us getting a lot more in detail a little later on but for now there's not a whole lot of things we're gonna pick up from this afternoon's scrimmage. Both sides of the ball have plenty of work to do still but yet both sides had their share of highlight moments. Clearly the defense was vanilla and clearly the offense was limited with some play-makers on the sidelines.
Here's a few quick thoughts with more to come later.
• The defense secondary was better than expected but still had a few coverage issues.
• DeDe Westbrook is fast, really fast!
• Cody Thomas is more of a player in the quarterback race than people gave him credit for.
• Mark Andrews is huge and athletic but needs to work on his hands a bit.
• Even with a target jersey on Samaje Perine looked intimidating when he carried the ball.
• The offensive tempo should be much quicker this fall.