Close enough to the Season Opener. Post your Season Predictions!

[OUSOONER67]

My Cake and Ice Cream Prediction. Keeping mine simple, just a season record prediction. 10-2, with a Bowl Win to make it 11-2
Old habits die hard and one of those losses will be to someone we should have beaten.

My glass half empty prediction.
10-3 Same as above but with a Bowl Loss.

What ya got? Go!

 

[mojo1fan]

We'll be better than last year.

11-1, regular season with one loss to an unexpected opponent. That's a minimum. We may go undefeated in the regular season. Of course, prediction based on Gabriel staying healthy.

I'll pass on a bowl guess.

 

[csregor]

I'll say 12-0 regular season. OU will get stronger as the season progresses. OU will beat Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs (13-0). OU will sneak up on Alabama (a la 2014) with a very strong defense and a solid running game to win by a TD, 35-28 (14-0)

 

[hubstar55]

I have a standing bet with an individual at work who said we wouldnt win 10 games. So I think of of it as easy money. 10-2 regular season at worse but there is just something in the air that tells me this is going to be a magical season with OU winning it all to prove all the nancys wrong.

According to Stewart Mandell though OU loses 5 games all in conference play. I believe he will be eating a lot of crow and I hope it taste like cow manure.

 

[John Otterstedt]

UTEP - W
Kent State - W
Nebraska - ?Trap Game (first away game)
Kansas State - W (we lay it on them in Norman - payback for the 2021 scare)
TCU - W (destruction)
Texas - W (I'll never predict a loss to Texas.)
Kansas - W (absolute throttling now that it's back home in Norman)
Iowa State - ?Trap Game (away at Iowa State is scary to me)
Baylor - W (like KState, I think we lay it on them in a big primetime matchup)
WVU - W
Cow turds - W (Let's Go! Little brother kicked big brother in the nuts, and now pursuit has begun. Someone is about to eat grass until big brother is satisfied.)
TTU - ? It should be criminal even allowing games in Lubbock. What a wretched place.

So, I've got 3 games that I don't like; Cornholers, Twisties, and Roto Rooters.
We lose one of those trap games and wipe the floor with our actual "rivals."
11-1

The one loss is either a wake up, and we run the table after, or an end of the year letdown due to complacency and cockiness.

And unlike you, 67, I take a bowl win. My reasoning is that we'll get dogpiled by the media for that one loss and being in the BigXII, and we'll get matched up with some ridiculously inferior opponent as per usual these days.

 

[L. Ron Mexico]

I’ll say 1-3 losses but not really sure to who but that’s taking into account for possibly 1 loss where we get jobbed by officials tasked with enforcing the Big 12 bias. Possibly when we play OSU or Baylor or anyone in BIG 12 title contention. I can’t imagine it will sit well if OU or Texas win the division

 

[John Otterstedt]

I’ll say 1-3 losses but not really sure to who but that’s taking into account for possibly 1 loss where we get jobbed by officials tasked with enforcing the Big 12 bias. Possibly when we play OSU or Baylor or anyone in BIG 12 title contention. I can’t imagine it will sit well if OU or Texas win the division

That's why we have to throttle those opponents and keep the refs out of the game.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

Officials make bad calls with or without being bias, but if they do it because of a bias attitude, they're betraying their profession and the game of football.
That said, because I see some dangerous scheduling....at Nebraska, at TCU, at Iowa State, at West Virginia, at Texas Tech....plus home games with Baylor and OSU.... I can imagine anywhere from 2-4 losses.
But I also believe the 2022 team will get better and better with each game, unlike last season.
More than anything else, the 2022 season I regard as a launching pad for OU getting back to playing up to its legacy and true potential where the players embrace and appreciate what it means to play at OU. There may be some bumps in the road, but the right coach (Venables) coming in at the right time will stop the "bleeding" (the feeling of entitlement).

 

[L. Ron Mexico]

Officials make bad calls with or without being bias, but if they do it because of a bias attitude, they're betraying their profession and the game of football.
That said, because I see some dangerous scheduling....at Nebraska, at TCU, at Iowa State, at West Virginia, at Texas Tech....plus home games with Baylor and OSU.... I can imagine anywhere from 2-4 losses.
But I also believe the 2022 team will get better and better with each game, unlike last season.
More than anything else, the 2022 season I regard as a launching pad for OU getting back to playing up to its legacy and true potential where the players embrace and appreciate what it means to play at OU. There may be some bumps in the road, but the right coach (Venables) coming in at the right time will stop the "bleeding" (the feeling of entitlement).

I’m looking forward to hopefully getting back to watching a defense that can keep our opponent out of the endzone. Those games where we’ve squeeked out a 3 point win to opponents that on paper should be inferior to us is embarrassing and difficult to watch.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

I’m looking forward to hopefully getting back to watching a defense that can keep our opponent out of the endzone. Those games where we’ve squeeked out a 3 point win to opponents that on paper should be inferior to us is embarrassing and difficult to watch.

I believe the days of shutting out opponents or holding them to 14 points or less are mostly over. My opinion is that defenses are built now to limit scoring.... and this has been a failed strategy in OU's case over the years, even before Riley.
In the last 10-12 years, had OU played with defenses that could make 2-3 stops in clutch situations (regardless of the score at the time), I think OU could have won at least two more championships....and the accomplishments of Mayfield and Murray would have been seen even greater.
"Offense sells tickets-defense wins championships" was never truer in OU's case.

 

[Andrew Owens]

My prediction is 5-7.




































Oh wait, OU hired Brent Venables, not Steve Sarkisian. My bad.

I'm going with a conservative 10-2. I think Texas is the most likely potential loss.

 

[L. Ron Mexico]

I believe the days of shutting out opponents or holding them to 14 points or less are mostly over. My opinion is that defenses are built now to limit scoring.... and this has been a failed strategy in OU's case over the years, even before Riley.
In the last 10-12 years, had OU played with defenses that could make 2-3 stops in clutch situations (regardless of the score at the time), I think OU could have won at least two more championships....and the accomplishments of Mayfield and Murray would have been seen even greater.
"Offense sells tickets-defense wins championships" was never truer in OU's case.

Totally agree about the clutch stops, heck even 2 of those against Georgia would have turned that game in a different direction even though we were shutdown offensively in the 2nd half.

I guess my original comment was more in line with say the Kansas game last year where it’s crunch time and we’re in a very tight game….again…..to what should have been an inferior team based on talent but if not for a heads up play by our qb, we very well may have lost.

I’m hoping the days of easy easy 3rd down conversions for the opponent are over.

Also hope to see a more cohesive offense this year, last year was so discombobulated.

 

[BUDDY G_rivals25215]

Unbeaten regular season and Big XII title game W.

A hard fought first round exit to...Clemson.

Playoff seeding:

1. Alabama (12-1)
2. Oklahoma (13-0)
3. Clemson (12-1)
4. Ohio State (12-1)

Bama still gets the nod from the committee after they lose a squeaker to the fighting Huepels.

 

[4th & 14]

UTEP 48-6
Kent State 55-0
Nebraska 33-13
K-State 38-24
TCU 51-17
Shorthorns 36-21
KU 63-0
Iowa State 44-14
Baylor 28-23
West Virginia 42-10
OSU 45-20
Taco Tech 56-27

Can very easily see the Sooners running the table with a few tougher games sprinkled in. No offenses we play have much scare factor, and most defenses with exception to Baylor and K-State are weaker. Lebby just needs to get running game rolling...then do the demolition of opposing defenses. But words don’t win games...fundamentals, coaching, and smart play do.

 

[ppchj98]

Texas, Neb, Baylor and little brother are the games that worry me.

 

[ppchj98]

I'll say 12-0 regular season. OU will get stronger as the season progresses. OU will beat Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs (13-0). OU will sneak up on Alabama (a la 2014) with a very strong defense and a solid running game to win by a TD, 35-28 (14-0)

I like this.

 

[ppchj98]

Officials make bad calls with or without being bias, but if they do it because of a bias attitude, they're betraying their profession and the game of football.
That said, because I see some dangerous scheduling....at Nebraska, at TCU, at Iowa State, at West Virginia, at Texas Tech....plus home games with Baylor and OSU.... I can imagine anywhere from 2-4 losses.
But I also believe the 2022 team will get better and better with each game, unlike last season.
More than anything else, the 2022 season I regard as a launching pad for OU getting back to playing up to its legacy and true potential where the players embrace and appreciate what it means to play at OU. There may be some bumps in the road, but the right coach (Venables) coming in at the right time will stop the "bleeding" (the feeling of entitlement).

Only took Bob two seasons.

 

[ppchj98]

I believe the days of shutting out opponents or holding them to 14 points or less are mostly over. My opinion is that defenses are built now to limit scoring.... and this has been a failed strategy in OU's case over the years, even before Riley.
In the last 10-12 years, had OU played with defenses that could make 2-3 stops in clutch situations (regardless of the score at the time), I think OU could have won at least two more championships....and the accomplishments of Mayfield and Murray would have been seen even greater.
"Offense sells tickets-defense wins championships" was never truer in OU's case.

My man!

 

[ppchj98]

UTEP 48-6
Kent State 55-0
Nebraska 33-13
K-State 38-24
TCU 51-17
Shorthorns 36-21
KU 63-0
Iowa State 44-14
Baylor 28-23
West Virginia 42-10
OSU 45-20
Taco Tech 56-27

Can very easily see the Sooners running the table with a few tougher games sprinkled in. No offenses we play have much scare factor, and most defenses with exception to Baylor and K-State are weaker. Lebby just needs to get running game rolling...then do the demolition of opposing defenses. But words don’t win games...fundamentals, coaching, and smart play do.

I for one believe we've the coaching staff to make this happen.

 

[da wiz]

I'll say 12-0 regular season. OU will get stronger as the season progresses. OU will beat Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs (13-0). OU will sneak up on Alabama (a la 2014) with a very strong defense and a solid running game to win by a TD, 35-28 (14-0)

I'm witcha, SS...We have the 'Extra Ingredient', Sooner Magic, and the Wanna-Do-It Mentality...That's been missing for farrrrr too long! It's Not Too Late 4 #8!!!

 

[SVETLECIC]

My prediction is always the same: Some people don’t know what it means to be champions. Oklahoma invented it; invented winning, invented championships.

 

[OUSOONER67]

My prediction is always the same: Some people don’t know what it means to be champions. Oklahoma invented it; invented winning, invented championships.

Its about time we started acting like it. I think we will with the soft limp wrist gone. Add in the ones that bolted that knew some hard work was comin their way.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

I see Venables as the energy that ignites a "sleeping giant".
Regardless of this season's won-lost record, which is hard to predict, I believe this "sleeping giant" is getting a much-needed boost which is long overdue, even before Riley's tenure, and especially as it relates to playing championship-caliber defense.

 

[csregor]

I'm witcha, SS...We have the 'Extra Ingredient', Sooner Magic, and the Wanna Do It Mentality...That's been missing for farrrrr too long! It's Not Too Late 4 #8!!!

#8 indeed!!!! I recall the 99 season. I was in a "wait and see" attitude but felt the coaching changes were good. We lost more than a couple of games that we were ahead in at one point early in the game. Notre Dame and Texas broke my heart. In spite of this, I was excited about the direction the new staff were headed. At the start of the 2000 season it simply felt different. The team seemed different. More energized. I only got to make two regular season games but the changes were evident. The Natty was a special night. I had no doubt we would win. Venables has brought that feeling back to OU. There is something very special about the energy now. Is it strong enough to carry the season? I would say no at this point. But Big Mo is a *****. We need to grab her and hold her tight. Kinda like 2000 Nebraska and Texas A&M. If it doesn't happen this year then 2023 and 2024 will be better for OU. Boomer Sooner!

 

[Raysor]

I'm normally a little pessimistic, but I have some optimism for this season. My history is that we do better in seasons when I'm pessimistic. There is reason for optimism, but there are two very good reasons for pessimism. We see which one wins. I can absolutely see us going 13-0. But I can also see us going 9-3 or even worse.

I really don't like the hurry up offense at warp speed, which is what I keep hearing being discussed. The faster you go on offense, the more plays you have there, and the more plays you have on defense. The more plays both ways, the more attrition you have on your depth chart. This team has places where the depth chart is a concern. Add to that, a whole new offense and a whole new defense. The guys have been bought in, and those with an optimistic view have sound reasoning for that view.

I think there is a reason why the 22 years of the 21st century, that several programs, including OU, have won an NC in the second year of a new regime. But not the first year. It takes a while for things to become mastered enough to be truly aggressive. So I'm going to pick 9-3, while hoping for 13-0 with a trip to the CFP. And if this hurry up, leads to a qb injury because the OLine hasn't mastered blitz pickup schemes, then depending on when, something resembling Stoops' first year is very possible.

We all now show a lot of disdain for the name Lincoln Riley, and I share that. But he as smart enough to learn that super fast offense, causes attrition to his depth chart, and he slowed down his offense. Last season, being a desertion aberration, slowing down got him six straight conference titles. The defense never got great, but it did improve at least a little. I think it will take that for this coaching staff to achieve the goals they seek.

 

[John Otterstedt]

I think some of the "slowing" down by Lincoln was an excuse, because I saw a bunch of delay of games and our QBs repeatedly looking to the sidelines, clapping their hands like, "C'mon! Give me a play!"

He may have had a good offensive mind, but he was about as quick as a kid from Muleshoe.

 

[ppchj98]

I think some of the "slowing" down by Lincoln was an excuse, because I saw a bunch of delay of games and our QBs repeatedly looking to the sidelines, clapping their hands like, "C'mon! Give me a play!"

He may have had a good offensive mind, but he was about as quick as a kid from Muleshoe.

Shoots himself in the foot much like his sensei the pirate.

 

[OUOracle]

UTEP - W (we'll come out breathing fire, unlike last year)
Kent State - W (beat down)
Nebraska - W (this is where we see the intensity and toughness of the BV regime for the first time in a tough environment)
K-State - W (this and the TCU game are where we learn BV and crew won't let down in games where we would have under TBOW)
TCU - W (see above)
UT - W (Bama will have blacked their eyes, we'll deliver the knockout blow for their season; they're in for a rough ride this season)
KU - W (and we won't need a miracle play to make it happen this year)
Iowa State - W (sneaky tough game like it always is; by this time we're rounding into shape for the stretch)
Baylor - W (Aranda's BU defense will no longer be the toughest/most physical unit in the game)
West Virginia - W (tough place to play, but now we're rolling)
OSU - W (they must be punished for that BS last year)
Taco Tech - W (will be a white knuckler in Lubbock; officials will do everything they can to beat us but we'll escape, a little deja vu)

First round playoff loss - overall talent disparity (which won't exist much longer!) between us and the other playoff teams (Bama, tOSU, Clemson) too much to overcome. We'll come out of the year poised for even better things. Haters in the national media will be revealed (again) as clowns.

***All contingent, of course, on DG staying healthy.

 

[ppchj98]

UTEP - W (we'll come out breathing fire, unlike last year)
Kent State - W (beat down)
Nebraska - W (this is where we see the intensity and toughness of the BV regime for the first time in a tough environment)
K-State - W (this and the TCU game are where we learn BV and crew won't let down in games where we would have under TBOW)
TCU - W (see above)
UT - W (Bama will have blacked their eyes, we'll deliver the knockout blow for their season; they're in for a rough ride this season)
KU - W (and we won't need a miracle play to make it happen this year)
Iowa State - W (sneaky tough game like it always is; by this time we're rounding into shape for the stretch)
Baylor - W (Aranda's BU defense will no longer be the toughest/most physical unit in the game)
West Virginia - W (tough place to play, but now we're rolling)
OSU - W (they must be punished for that BS last year)
Taco Tech - W (will be a white knuckler in Lubbock; officials will do everything they can to beat us but we'll escape, a little deja vu)

First round playoff loss - overall talent disparity (which won't exist much longer!) between us and the other playoff teams (Bama, tOSU, Clemson) too much to overcome. We'll come out of the year poised for even better things. Haters in the national media will be revealed (again) as clowns.

***All contingent, of course, on DG staying healthy.

 

[coeSooner81]

A healthy team = undefeated team

 

[ppchj98]

A healthy team = undefeated team

JC did the right thing bringing Smitty back.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

I'm normally a little pessimistic, but I have some optimism for this season. My history is that we do better in seasons when I'm pessimistic. There is reason for optimism, but there are two very good reasons for pessimism. We see which one wins. I can absolutely see us going 13-0. But I can also see us going 9-3 or even worse.

I really don't like the hurry up offense at warp speed, which is what I keep hearing being discussed. The faster you go on offense, the more plays you have there, and the more plays you have on defense. The more plays both ways, the more attrition you have on your depth chart. This team has places where the depth chart is a concern. Add to that, a whole new offense and a whole new defense. The guys have been bought in, and those with an optimistic view have sound reasoning for that view.

I think there is a reason why the 22 years of the 21st century, that several programs, including OU, have won an NC in the second year of a new regime. But not the first year. It takes a while for things to become mastered enough to be truly aggressive. So I'm going to pick 9-3, while hoping for 13-0 with a trip to the CFP. And if this hurry up, leads to a qb injury because the OLine hasn't mastered blitz pickup schemes, then depending on when, something resembling Stoops' first year is very possible.

We all now show a lot of disdain for the name Lincoln Riley, and I share that. But he as smart enough to learn that super fast offense, causes attrition to his depth chart, and he slowed down his offense. Last season, being a desertion aberration, slowing down got him six straight conference titles. The defense never got great, but it did improve at least a little. I think it will take that for this coaching staff to achieve the goals they seek.

With 4 good running backs, and if the offensive line jells really well (which may take at least 4-5 games), OU should have the opportunity to control the ball and the clock, keeping opposing offenses on the sidelines.
But the increase of size and speed in today's players, to me, is the reason why passing has become more of the game of CFB than ever before. I think in OU's case, the three games against the great Miami teams of the late 1980's (1985,1986,1987), marked the beginning of the end of the wishbone. Miami's near NFL-caliber defenses contained Holieway and company and in each game, Miami was the better team as I saw it.... against three of OU's best ever teams.
I could see Lebby using a short-range passing game to go with the running game that could decrease the time on the field for OU's defense.

 

[Raysor]

CT, I think Jimmy Johnson's great familiarity with the wishbone was a big factor. That, and having so many studs with great speed on their D. And OUr oline wasn't the greatest at pass blocking. I think if we had been allowed to play the game after the '87 season somewhere besides Miami, we might have had a good shot. But Miami at Miami was a tough nut to crack.

 

[ppchj98]

With 4 good running backs, and if the offensive line jells really well (which may take at least 4-5 games), OU should have the opportunity to control the ball and the clock, keeping opposing offenses on the sidelines.
But the increase of size and speed in today's players, to me, is the reason why passing has become more of the game of CFB than ever before. I think in OU's case, the three games against the great Miami teams of the late 1980's (1985,1986,1987), marked the beginning of the end of the wishbone. Miami's near NFL-caliber defenses contained Holieway and company and in each game, Miami was the better team as I saw it.... against three of OU's best ever teams.
I could see Lebby using a short-range passing game to go with the running game that could decrease the time on the field for OU's defense.

I want dominance on both sides of the ball. We had it at one time.

 

[csregor]

I took it upon myself to watch a few of Ole Miss games to see this rapid fast offense that some are concerned about. I would encourage others to do the same. Ole Miss vs Arkansas was an excellent game. Lebbie's offense can be fast but not lightening fast as we have seen at OU in years past. I would say Ole Miss leaned towards being extremely efficient and quick. No huddles does not always equate to rapid fast plays.

 

[Andrew Owens]

The faster you go on offense, the more plays you have there, and the more plays you have on defense.

Not true if you have a decent defense that can make stops.

 

[ppchj98]

Not true if you have a decent defense that can make stops.

Dline dictates the game. Brent knows this.

 

[4th & 14]

A healthy team = undefeated team

That is solid fact.

 

[OUSOONER67]

Hopefully no more playing down to opponents.
I like it!
They hate us cause they aint us.

 

[kingcrimson63]

Had this exact conversation with a good friend yesterday. I've been thinking it since early summer and I'm gonna stay with 9-3. Brent has done an amazing job, but we just have so many new faces on this roster. I think we may get bit 3 times. Just not sure we're ready to run the table yet, but how fun is this year going to be!!