2019...

[CTOkie]

OU will field a good team once again, but key personnel losses will likely prevent OU from winning all of its games.
OU loses its greatest quarterback and kicker to start with.
Murray was the reason OU won 12 games. Without him, and even with the likes of so many skill position players and a solid offensive line, OU might easily have lost at least 4 more games besides the October Texas game.
Siebert will be missed not only for his punting and placekicking, but his deep kickoffs which were very rarely returnable.
Powers and Samia on the OL will be gone and either or both Ford and Evans will exit.
Hollywood Brown, who played hobbled last night and has been thrown under the bus this morning by some with very short memories, will be gone. His diminished play was the most costly injury for either team last night. Murray lost a very key weapon and OU's best receiver.
Bolton at LB will be gone.
Bledsoe at DE will be gone.
Gallimore at DT may be gone.
************************************
OOC games are Houston and South Dakota (huh ?) at home, and UCLA away.
The Big 12 looks like it could be weaker, with road games with Texas in Dallas and at Oklahoma State.
So on paper, every game is win-able. At this time I would believe Texas will be OU's biggest challenge.
********************************
The gap between Oklahoma and Alabama will be considerably wider (if that's possible....and it will be), and that to me says it all.....and it will remain that way until OU decides to play defense.
*****************************************
2017 and 2018 will likely be OU's "high water mark" for a while thanks to Mayfield and Murray.
My biggest frustration has been seeing two years of incredible offensive firepower wasted because of such poor defensive play.
*********************************
This team played hard and staged a very heroic comeback. But clearly, the best team won.
Now, I hope that Riley and his staff know what an elite team looks like "up close and personal".
I want to see this defeat serve a constructive purpose and provide the OU program with something to build upon.

 

[OklaBama]

Excellent post. I hope you’re right about all 2019 games being winnable. I don’t expect a miracle to occur and suddenly the Sooners have a great defense but I sure hope we see a meaningful improvement. Little victories. Next year: rebuild or reload?

 

[CTOkie]

Excellent post. I hope you’re right about all 2019 games being winnable. I don’t expect a miracle to occur and suddenly the Sooners have a great defense but I sure hope we see a meaningful improvement. Little victories. Next year: rebuild or reload?

Rebuild AND reload as far as I'm concerned....and the rebuild must include some soul searching as well. Things like playing well defensively and maintaining composure, especially in big games come to mind. And the offense has to maintain a decent level of performance, especially in keeping OU's defensive unit on the bench as much as possible.
I can see Riley throwing Spencer Rattler into the fray early as it's probably going to be at least until 2020 that this team can realistically think of higher goals above just a conference championship. Rattler (or Mordecai) need to be polished and ready in 2020.
Maybe a grad transfer is in the mix at QB.
I am guessing that Sermon, Brooks and Pledger will make up the RB rotation with Stevenson and Major redshirting.
The receiving corps will be solid, thanks in part to two 5-star recruits and maybe 5-star Haselwood, who's an OU lean.
TE's should be Calcaterra, Willis and freshman Stogner, the top TE prospect in Texas.
One concern is H-Back.....with Meier gone, Hall is in line to start there. Maybe freshman Rhamondre Stevenson (6'1" 230 lbs) gets the call.
Defensively I can't speculate on what happens. On paper, there's the chance that it will have about the same ineptness but I don't see Riley and his upgraded (?) staff letting that happen.
Again, I think and hope last night's game can be a great "lesson learned" experience by playing Alabama, the "gold standard" of college football.

 

[CalSooner_rivals250695]

Agreed. MUST TAKE DEFENSE SERIOUSLY.

Actually, the defense played better last night than I feared they would. There is too much talent there to not get them organized and playing together.

 

[CTOkie]

Agreed. MUST TAKE DEFENSE SERIOUSLY.

Actually, the defense played better last night than I feared they would. There is too much talent there to not get them organized and playing together.

It did, but only after letting the game go to Alabama in the first quarter.

 

[thatdude35]

11-3 or 10-4

Then the year after back in the playoff

 

[Senior Sooner]

It did, but only after letting the game go to Alabama in the first quarter.

But can we lay that entirely at the feet of the D, CT? I thought the inability of the O-Line, to offer better QB protection, and Kyler's inability to get his ship together were HUGE factors in that first-quarter-fiasco...I did not even recognize that team that took the field...but, at that point, I was still pouting because Lincoln deferred...

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

LR absolutely confuses me sometimes. He has the #1 offense in the nation and he puts the D on the field first! OU has momentum and we on side kick and give half a field to a team that scored at will on us. LR is the best OC in the nation bit has a ways to go before being considered a top notch HC. Murray was rattled and more bad passes in the first half than he had all season.

 

[Senior Sooner]

LR absolutely confuses me sometimes. He has the #1 offense in the nation and he puts the D on the field first! OU has momentum and we on side kick and give half a field to a team that scored at will on us. LR is the best OC in the nation bit has a ways to go before being considered a top notch HC. Murray was rattled and more bad passes in the first half than he had all season.

THIS!!! Had we won, it would have been a TEAM/Coaches Win...As it played out, it was definitely a Team/COACHES Loss, just as last year's Rose was, IMO...

 

[OklaBama]

THIS!!! Had we won, it would have been a TEAM/Coaches Win...As it played out, it was definitely a Team/COACHES Loss, just as last year's Rose was, IMO...

I’m glad Lincoln is our coach. He brings a lot of enthusiasm, is a great recruiter, and is a very talented offensive mind, but he’s still learning. I’m not that surprised. He’s very young. However, I do expect maturity to begin showing up sooner rather than later. Next year will test him. IMO.

 

[BillyRay_rivals31072]

But can we lay that entirely at the feet of the D, CT? I thought the inability of the O, to offer better QB protection, and Kyler's inability to get his ship together were HUGE factors in that first-quarter-fiasco...I did not even recognize that team that took the field...but, at that point, I was still pouting because Lincoln deferred...

That first quarter summed up the entire game. One team had a defense. OU did not.

Plus Bama was just flat out better prepared. They came on the field ready to dominate. OUs offense wasn't ready at all for what they were about to go up against. They settled down and played better. But after that first quarter the game was essentially over.

 

[OklaBama]

That first quarter summed up the entire game. One team had a defense. OU did not.

Plus Bama was just flat out better prepared. They came on the field ready to dominate. OUs offense wasn't ready at all for what they were about to go up against. They settled down and played better. But after that first quarter the game was essentially over.

Bama manhandled our defense. Frankly I thought the refs allowed Alabama too much leeway after the play. 82 literally was throwing our guys around like rag dolls.

 

[Senior Sooner]

I’m glad Lincoln is our coach. He brings a lot of enthusiasm, is a great recruiter, and is a very talented offensive mind, but he’s still learning. I’m not that surprised. He’s very young. However, I do expect maturity to begin showing up sooner rather than later. Next year will test him. IMO.

Agree, Okla...I'm not throwing rocks at Lincoln...I gave him a pass for his Freshman Season, but expected Much More from his Sophomore. I have hopes that he is past his 'learning curve' by 2019, but, sorry to say, I DO have lingering doubts...

 

[CTOkie]

But can we lay that entirely at the feet of the D, CT? I thought the inability of the O, to offer better QB protection, and Kyler's inability to get his ship together were HUGE factors in that first-quarter-fiasco...I did not even recognize that team that took the field...but, at that point, I was still pouting because Lincoln deferred...

34 points should be enough for a true championship caliber team to win a playoff game.
As for the offense, it had not faced such a defense as Alabama's during the regular season and was made to look bad by a great defense.

 

[OklaBama]

34 points should be enough for a true championship caliber team to win a playoff game.
As for the offense, it had not faced such a defense as Alabama's during the regular season and was made to look bad by a great defense.

How many points will the losing team score in the championship game? 34 plus or minus? I have nothing. Lol

 

[8085sooner]

Evans should comeback. He's a 3rd-5th round guy
QB we will be alright, not Heisman but strong
RB, will take a hit. The Oline will take a step back
WR will be, strong as long as Lamb stays healthy and at least one true freshman steps up. Lamb was the best true freshman, I've seen play at OU, 2017. If one of the new guys is close. We will be fine
TE will be good
HB, we take another step back

Dline, The only way they get better, is if we get a new position coach. They have very poor fundamentals. Raymond and Perkins will need to take that next step.
LB, Kelley is the only one with a high skill set but he hasn't adapted to the system, or speed. Some of it is alignment. It's hard to cover a slant from the outside. I can't believe we NEVER adjusted. That's is 100% on coaching. Murray is serviceable but the stiffest LB, we have had start. I'm looking for White to make that 2nd year leap. I had high hopes for Draper but he's not impressing the coaches, in practice. Bonito just might be another, that steps up, over the next 9 months. He has the tools. Yell might make a decent DB but not a safety.
DB, Motley has talent and could be very good, he already is a very good DB, outside of what some people on this board thinks. Brown is a solid DB and of all people, Norwood has played better but he is NOT a safety. I was very weak on him most of the season at DB. Bookie, is a huge ??, he played out of position at safety and didn't impress at DB.
Safety, we only have one and no one on roster, has what it takes outside of Barnes. I highly doubt any of the true freshman, will play elite, their 1st year.

 

[coeSooner81]

Motley is terrible, Is it because of coaching, probably cause he had a good sophomore year. His technique is awful, never looks back to locate the ball, never gets hands on the WR at the LOS. His tackling.....well the whole team was poor at tackling. Does Motley have the tools to be a good DB? Maybe, but last night he was just awful, never give up the inside on man coverage. Oh and one more thing a safety is a DB.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

34 points should be enough for a true championship caliber team to win a playoff game.
As for the offense, it had not faced such a defense as Alabama's during the regular season and was made to look bad by a great defense.

The offense certianly looked rattled through the 1st quarter but they did at least calm down and figure it out. However as has been pointed out a little to late. I do think if the defense can just improve from where it was this year (and it was awful and maybe some of the worse since the Blake days ) then OU has a shot to make it 5 B12 championships in a row.

As for winning a NC though until OU once again fields a great D to compliment the O I just don't see it happening. I just want to see next seasons D at least finish in the top 60 and that would be a step in the right direction.

Like many here though I would like to see OU win another NC before my time expires. I've been around for 4 of them but 5 would be nice.

 

[CTOkie]

The offense certianly looked rattled through the 1st quarter but they did at least calm down and figure it out. However as has been pointed out a little to late. I do think if the defense can just improve from where it was this year (and it was awful and maybe some of the worse since the Blake days ) then OU has a shot to make it 5 B12 championships in a row.

As for winning a NC though until OU once again fields a great D to compliment the O I just don't see it happening. I just want to see next seasons D at least finish in the top 60 and that would be a step in the right direction.

Like many here though I would like to see OU win another NC before my time expires. I've been around for 4 of them but 5 would be nice.

Good points, 59.
OU now faces two challenges as I see it.
One.....reinventing itself all over defensively.
Two....maintaining an offense that can be at least fairly close to the ones of 2017 and 2018.
And having turned 70 earlier this month, I have to confess I'm getting concerned about see another national championship before my ashes are scattered on the rocky shore of Winter Harbor, Maine. Right now, I don't see Alabama's monopoly on winning championships breaking up anytime soon.

 

[JoeOU1]

2019’s success will be determined by the new DC.

 

[OUnabomber]

If you don't have a very good QB then you can only do so much. Next year we will take a big step back at that position. I see us losing probably 3 games or more

 

[CTOkie]

If you don't have a very good QB then you can only do so much. Next year we will take a big step back at that position. I see us losing probably 3 games or more

I might agree with you, except that the schedule appears weak in 2019.

 

[Zgeo]

You now what? Taking so long to change the defense to stop the slant is inexcusable.... you are not going to like this but MS would not have taken so long to fix that problem....you are not going to like this either but the defense got worse after MS was fired,,,.

I don’t want MS but I want someone and the quicker the better.....

Bama loses its OC and play caller and that guy is good....maybe we can catch up ....

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

But can we lay that entirely at the feet of the D, CT? I thought the inability of the O-Line, to offer better QB protection, and Kyler's inability to get his ship together were HUGE factors in that first-quarter-fiasco...I did not even recognize that team that took the field...but, at that point, I was still pouting because Lincoln deferred...

Our oline is and was excellent. There's only so much we can do. Their defense was just THAT good. Thank goodness for Kyler and CeeDee.

 

[Soonerborn1959]

If you don't have a very good QB then you can only do so much. Next year we will take a big step back at that position. I see us losing probably 3 games or more

If it wasnt fore Murray this year I have no doubt we would have seen OU lose 4. I agree that next season the offense will take a small step back but in all seriousness do we really know how much of a step back that will be at QB?

Its hard for me to judge since we didnt really see much of the back-up QB this season. In reality if the defense does improve its quite possible OU just has to have a adequate QB not a great one.

I keep hearing speculation that Mordeci not Kendall will likely win the starting job. I dont follow the recruiting process like many here because I take the wait and see what they do on the field approach over the recruiting ratings hype. Could Rattler possibly be in the mix to win the job?

 

[CTOkie]

If it wasnt fore Murray this year I have no doubt we would have seen OU lose 4. I agree that next season the offense will take a small step back but in all seriousness do we really know how much of a step back that will be at QB?

Its hard for me to judge since we didnt really see much of the back-up QB this season. In reality if the defense does improve its quite possible OU just has to have a adequate QB not a great one.

I keep hearing speculation that Mordeci not Kendall will likely win the starting job. I dont follow the recruiting process like many here because I take the wait and see what they do on the field approach over the recruiting ratings hype. Could Rattler possibly be in the mix to win the job?

All I will add is that since 1999, the QB position at OU has been very good with only Hybl, Thompson and the tandem of Knight and Bell a slight drop off....which in no way implies they were not good players.
Heupel, Bradford, Jones were fabulous and Mayfield and Murray were "Mount Rushmore" talents.
Still wonder how good Bomar would have been after the 2005 season. He was a very special talent.

 

[OUnabomber]

I might agree with you, except that the schedule appears weak in 2019.

I was thinking we went to Army next year...do we not?

 

[Soonerborn1959]

All I will add is that since 1999, the QB position at OU has been very good with only Hybl, Thompson and the tandem of Knight and Bell a slight drop off....which in no way implies they were not good players.
Heupel, Bradford, Jones were fabulous and Mayfield and Murray were "Mount Rushmore" talents.
Still wonder how good Bomar would have been after the 2005 season. He was a very special talent.

Yea Bomar was a special talent but I never liked his selfish attitude. I was just never impressed with the way he acted.

 

[thatdude35]

Agree, Okla...I'm not throwing rocks at Lincoln...I gave him a pass for his Freshman Season, but expected Much More from his Sophomore. I have hopes that he is past his 'learning curve' by 2019, but, sorry to say, I DO have lingering doubts...

Depends on the DC for me. I don’t have much doubts because the recruits coming are pretty good

 

[coeSooner81]

I was thinking we went to Army next year...do we not?

no we skip a year

 

[CTOkie]

I was thinking we went to Army next year...do we not?

In 2020.

 

[CTOkie]

Yea Bomar was a special talent but I never liked his selfish attitude. I was just never impressed with the way he acted.

Bomar had great talent. I know about his behavior. But many excuse bad behavior these days when there are games to be won.

 

[virgie76712]

CT, my ashes are to be scattered at Chief's Knoll at Fort Sill. But if they don't happen to get there I probably won't worry too much about it. Like you, I'd like to see number 8 national title as OU counts, number 17 as Alabama counts, or is it 18?

 

[Soonerborn1959]

Bomar had great talent. I know about his behavior. But many excuse bad behavior these days when there are games to be won.

This is true but I think you would find many of us still think bad behavior should never be rewarded or tolerated. Discipline today has been put on the back burner by many coaches today because they care more about winning that doing the honorable thing.

However this trend is not really new in the world of CFB.

 

[OUSOONER67]

CT, my ashes are to be scattered at Chief's Knoll at Fort Sill. But if they don't happen to get there I probably won't worry too much about it. Like you, I'd like to see number 8 national title as OU counts, number 17 as Alabama counts, or is it 18?

Alabama counts it at 17 right now. Look at the Bama helmet on the table when Riley and Saban were doing their Orange Bowl Press Conference, bama's helmet had 17 on it to denote number of titles won. If they win this year the helmet number will change to 18 the next time they play in the title game.

 

[mg1471]

I might agree with you, except that the schedule appears weak in 2019.

I was thinking we went to Army next year...do we not?

2020

 

[mg1471]

CT, my ashes are to be scattered at Chief's Knoll at Fort Sill. But if they don't happen to get there I probably won't worry too much about it. Like you, I'd like to see number 8 national title as OU counts, number 17 as Alabama counts, or is it 18?

Alabama counts it at 17 right now. Look at the Bama helmet on the table when Riley and Saban were doing their Orange Bowl Press Conference, bama's helmet had 17 on it to denote number of titles won. If they win this year the helmet number will change to 18 the next time they play in the title game.

Many of those are before the poll eta, so they are subjective claims at best.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Lincoln has proved that he'll roll out a top 10 offense every year, despite the losses.

The offensive line is loaded with talent. Behind Creed, only time to gel will matter.

The QB position is loaded with talent as well. Just because they aren't Kyler or Baker doesn't mean they can't be really good.

I see no reason to be concerned at the skill positions. Brooks, Sermon and Pledger got it down. CeeDee, Calcaterra, and Rambo will keep things moving. Morris, Jones and some new comers will again make us loaded.

I'm not saying anything Sooner fans shouldn't see for themselves. Offensively, we'll be fine. They will do their part.

Now to the defense. This is where we take the next step. We can only go up. However it may still take more time than we'd like to remove any infected tissue left behind by Mike. It's not an overnight fix. Whomever comes in needs to start from square one. When I watch other college games, I see bad tackling and poor angles, but only in spots. Every player we have tackles high, seems afraid of contact or tries to should the ball carrier to the ground. Look at Alabama's running back trucking Barnes for evidence. Yes he had a full head of steam, but Barnes came in with his should using mostly his upper body. Set himself up for failure. Bolton and Murray are serial offenders of high tackling. Murray isn't small. He should be stopping most in their tracks but high tackling removes his physical advantage. The defensive backs don't look for the ball. None of them. That's coaching. Whoever is teaching them is failing them and needs to be gone. You don't look for the ball you can't tip a pass or make a pick. What does happen though is you make it much easier for the ref to throw a flag for PI.

Fundamentally we have staggering flaws defensively. Coupled with a culture of a soft attitude in the coaching, it shouldn't be a surprise the defense is so bad. We coach scared and it shows in the players. We do not attack the line of scrimmage with the defensive line. We do not attack the quarterback outside of a rare blitz. We do not attack receivers in press coverage. A new culture is in order and soon we'll be on the way. If it's to late for some of these players, it's a shame. But a clean slate needs to be put on the table and all positions open for competition.

 

[OklaBama]

Lincoln has proved that he'll roll out a top 10 offense every year, despite the losses.

The offensive line is loaded with talent. Behind Creed, only time to gel will matter.

The QB position is loaded with talent as well. Just because they aren't Kyler or Baker doesn't mean they can't be really good.

I see no reason to be concerned at the skill positions. Brooks, Sermon and Pledger got it down. CeeDee, Calcaterra, and Rambo will keep things moving. Morris, Jones and some new comers will again make us loaded.

I'm not saying anything Sooner fans shouldn't see for themselves. Offensively, we'll be fine. They will do their part.

Now to the defense. This is where we take the next step. We can only go up. However it may still take more time than we'd like to remove any infected tissue left behind by Mike. It's not an overnight fix. Whomever comes in needs to start from square one. When I watch other college games, I see bad tackling and poor angles, but only in spots. Every player we have tackles high, seems afraid of contact or tries to should the ball carrier to the ground. Look at Alabama's running back trucking Barnes for evidence. Yes he had a full head of steam, but Barnes came in with his should using mostly his upper body. Set himself up for failure. Bolton and Murray are serial offenders of high tackling. Murray isn't small. He should be stopping most in their tracks but high tackling removes his physical advantage. The defensive backs don't look for the ball. None of them. That's coaching. Whoever is teaching them is failing them and needs to be gone. You don't look for the ball you can't tip a pass or make a pick. What does happen though is you make it much easier for the ref to throw a flag for PI.

Fundamentally we have staggering flaws defensively. Coupled with a culture of a soft attitude in the coaching, it shouldn't be a surprise the defense is so bad. We coach scared and it shows in the players. We do not attack the line of scrimmage with the defensive line. We do not attack the quarterback outside of a rare blitz. We do not attack receivers in press coverage. A new culture is in order and soon we'll be on the way. If it's to late for some of these players, it's a shame. But a clean slate needs to be put on the table and all positions open for competition.

Well stated.

 

[virgie76712]

Many of those are before the poll eta, so they are subjective claims at best.

OU lays no claim to the Billingsley Report national title awarded to them in 1915. Alabama claims everything.