Observations From Saturday

[bcsoonerfan]

The defense is getting close to being really good. Redmond is finding his stride and Reggie Grimes is settling in. Bonitto is the real deal and his ability to spy is huge. We've long struggled with mobile quarterbacks and yet Mike refused to spy. We still look lost at times in zone but that will get better.

Rattler, in my opinion is trusting his arm and not his receivers. There have been a number of drops since last season and they've persisted into this one. Maybe he's holding on to long waiting for his receiver to be open as opposed to trusting the route. Separation hasn't been great by the WRs either.

The erratic play of the offense comes from, imo, a lack of identity. Riley seems to be shielding the RBs.

The offensive line is looking better but still a ways to go. It was nice to see the counter start to open up holes but it doesn't do much good if Riley is afraid to pound it out.

Drake Stoops return could be the catalyst Rattler needs to settle down. Who'd have thunk it. Stoops is money to make the catch and move the chains. If Stogner, Hall and Willis get more involved in the middle, things will open up for Mims and Williams deep.

 

[Senior Sooner]

The defense is getting close to being really good. Redmond is finding his stride and Reggie Grimes is settling in. Bonitto is the real deal and his ability to spy is huge. We've long struggled with mobile quarterbacks and yet Mike refused to spy. We still look lost at times in zone but that will get better.

Rattler, in my opinion is trusting his arm and not his receivers. There have been a number of drops since last season and they've persisted into this one. Maybe he's holding on to long waiting for his receiver to be open as opposed to trusting the route. Separation hasn't been great by the WRs either.

The erratic play of the offense comes from, imo, a lack of identity. Riley seems to be shielding the RBs.

The offensive line is looking better but still a ways to go. It was nice to see the counter start to open up holes but it doesn't do much good if Riley is afraid to pound it out.

Drake Stoops return could be the catalyst Rattler needs to settle down. Who'd have thunk it. Stoops is money to make the catch and move the chains. If Stogner, Hall and Willis get more involved in the middle, things will open up for Mims and Williams deep.

'Where Seldom is heard an Encouraging Word', Thanks for giving us one, bc!

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

The defense is getting close to being really good. Redmond is finding his stride and Reggie Grimes is settling in. Bonitto is the real deal and his ability to spy is huge. We've long struggled with mobile quarterbacks and yet Mike refused to spy. We still look lost at times in zone but that will get better.

Rattler, in my opinion is trusting his arm and not his receivers. There have been a number of drops since last season and they've persisted into this one. Maybe he's holding on to long waiting for his receiver to be open as opposed to trusting the route. Separation hasn't been great by the WRs either.

The erratic play of the offense comes from, imo, a lack of identity. Riley seems to be shielding the RBs.

The offensive line is looking better but still a ways to go. It was nice to see the counter start to open up holes but it doesn't do much good if Riley is afraid to pound it out.

Drake Stoops return could be the catalyst Rattler needs to settle down. Who'd have thunk it. Stoops is money to make the catch and move the chains. If Stogner, Hall and Willis get more involved in the middle, things will open up for Mims and Williams deep.

Good stuff and nice perspective thank you sir.

 

[8085sooner]

The defense is getting close to being really good. Redmond is finding his stride and Reggie Grimes is settling in. Bonitto is the real deal and his ability to spy is huge. We've long struggled with mobile quarterbacks and yet Mike refused to spy. We still look lost at times in zone but that will get better.

Rattler, in my opinion is trusting his arm and not his receivers. There have been a number of drops since last season and they've persisted into this one. Maybe he's holding on to long waiting for his receiver to be open as opposed to trusting the route. Separation hasn't been great by the WRs either.

The erratic play of the offense comes from, imo, a lack of identity. Riley seems to be shielding the RBs.

The offensive line is looking better but still a ways to go. It was nice to see the counter start to open up holes but it doesn't do much good if Riley is afraid to pound it out.

Drake Stoops return could be the catalyst Rattler needs to settle down. Who'd have thunk it. Stoops is money to make the catch and move the chains. If Stogner, Hall and Willis get more involved in the middle, things will open up for Mims and Williams deep.

Thanks

Bonito looked a lot better, he was lost against Tulane.
With only 2 scholarship RB on the roster, I'd be scared as well
The Oline looks better but still no maulers.
The biggest issue I've seen this year is the lack of TE/HB plays. If they have a big game, the offense is unstoppable. Hasn't happened yet.

 

[iasooner2000]

(*against a team with a pulse)
If anyone can post a photo of Blake’s smoking the heavier Nub defensive back and/or the offensive stats from the West popcorn game I would be most grateful

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

Thanks

Bonito looked a lot better, he was lost against Tulane.
With only 2 scholarship RB on the roster, I'd be scared as well
The Oline looks better but still no maulers.
The biggest issue I've seen this year is the lack of TE/HB plays. If they have a big game, the offense is unstoppable. Hasn't happened yet.

Riley seems over focused on his stable of WRs. I agree on the TE/HB and this would seem to be on Riley's play calling. We thought Riley may breakout a different game plan in the second half but nope. Keep an eye on Ethan Downs as the season progresses. He has high rate of horsepower and gets in the backfield often.

 

[iasooner2000]

Young man from Weatherford looks capable of playing and at 6’4 a lot of skills including Offense if needed.
BOOMER !

 

[LAY THE WOODY]

Offensive continuity (qb decision making/timing/offensive philosophy) are why the gears just aren't in sync offensively. OUr running game just might be OUr bread and butter this year. Oh, OUr defense has grown leaps and bounds. It was OUr defense that beat Neb. A work in progress, but none the less provided the greatest excitement in this win for me anyway. That defense gave me Sooner Magic goosebumps which I haven't felt in a long long time.

BOOMER!

 

[GASooner86]

Offensive continuity (qb decision making/timing/offensive philosophy) are why the gears just aren't in sync offensively. OUr running game just might be OUr bread and butter this year. Oh, OUr defense has grown leaps and bounds. It was OUr defense that beat Neb. A work in progress, but none the less provided the greatest excitement in this win for me anyway. That defense gave me Sooner Magic goosebumps which I haven't felt in a long long time.

BOOMER!

If we can get a running game going it's easy for a DC to game plan if the running game isn't there.

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

Personally I think the offensive line is kind of a wreck at the moment.

We're so spoiled after having those great lines back in 2017 - 2019, and last year's line, anchored by Humphries was still pretty good.

This year's line is really average (at least for now), and suddenly our QBs, RBs WRs and Coach look human again.

 

[CTOkie]

Personally I think the offensive line is kind of a wreck at the moment.

We're so spoiled after having those great lines back in 2017 - 2019, and last year's line, anchored by Humphries was still pretty good.

This year's line is really average (at least for now), and suddenly our QBs, RBs WRs and Coach look human again.

Good post. Says it all.
From the lackluster play of the offensive line, every other part of the offense is influenced. The absence of Stevenson and Humphrey is being felt as well.

 

[OUSOONER67]

Personally I think the offensive line is kind of a wreck at the moment.

We're so spoiled after having those great lines back in 2017 - 2019, and last year's line, anchored by Humphries was still pretty good.

This year's line is really average (at least for now), and suddenly our QBs, RBs WRs and Coach look human again.

Sorry I am not one of the "Spoiled" believers.
How does OU not have the depth that it should have on the Offensive Line and especially at RB? Also Riley's bread and butter has been with mobile QB's, Mayfield, Murray and Hurts, all Transfers. Rattler is the 1st QB Riley has had thats not a transfer and he is not a threat with his legs and the O is struggling. Can Riley develop a QB? Asking because I don't know.

We pride ourselves on having great offenses yet let it get so bad we only score 7 points in a game vs an unranked team? Almost lose to Tulane and Nebraska as well both below average teams and even in a bad year that should not happen at OU.
Would Riley have stayed with Rattler and took a loss last week, yes he would. I can't remember him ever pulling Hurts when he was stinking it up?
Somebody needs to start running to open up the Play Action. Since Rattler cannot that leaves the RB's yet we cannot establish the run and that will eventually lead to a loss, then another, then another. Just because the rest of the Big 12 Coaches are dumb it doesn't mean they are stupid and they will take advantage of our glaring weakneses.

As always my 2 cents. Not written into law or gospel. I have my own mind and I speak it.

But then again I have watched videos of the team and Coaches having fun after these tough wins, maybe its building Character and making them Tough, that there is no game they cannot win as long as they fight. Thats better than blowing out teams and getting overconfident I suppose so maybe we are not used to this but it might be what we need? Hell I don't know. Just keep winning.

 

[CTOkie]

Rattler's issues really do not include his mobility. They were not a year ago, when the O-line was playing well.
OU won its last championship with a QB who was not a dual threat, yet Heupel made some clutch yardage with his legs and had enough quickness to avoid getting sacked. And like Rattler, his RB corps basically had two backs consisting of Griffin and Works....with FB/RB Littrell and the "Swiss army knife" Josh Norman.
Rattler, like his two running backs, is being shackled by a surprisingly average-at-best offensive line. It's not even debatable. (And can we really expect Gray and Brooks to be the only backs during an entire season ?)
I think this is why OU has decided to pass more than run so far (148 plays passing, 132 plays rushing), as the running game is being stuffed. Opposing defenses are playing to OU's O-line issues and Rattler can't deal with it. He rarely throws deep anymore and has to rely on short range passes (usually into double coverage)...due to poor protection which results in poor decision making and throws.
Agree that the closeness of three games so far could acclimate the team to playing in tough games, and that's a good thing. But playing sloppy, not making adjustments and perhaps lacking the talent/depth may trump playing hard and tough.
So much will be revealed against Texas.....and maybe this weekend vs Kansas State as well.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

Sorry I am not one of the "Spoiled" believers.
How does OU not have the depth that it should have on the Offensive Line and especially at RB? Also Riley's bread and butter has been with mobile QB's, Mayfield, Murray and Hurts, all Transfers. Rattler is the 1st QB Riley has had thats not a transfer and he is not a threat with his legs and the O is struggling. Can Riley develop a QB? Asking because I don't know.

We pride ourselves on having great offenses yet let it get so bad we only score 7 points in a game vs an unranked team? Almost lose to Tulane and Nebraska as well both below average teams and even in a bad year that should not happen at OU.
Would Riley have stayed with Rattler and took a loss last week, yes he would. I can't remember him ever pulling Hurts when he was stinking it up?
Somebody needs to start running to open up the Play Action. Since Rattler cannot that leaves the RB's yet we cannot establish the run and that will eventually lead to a loss, then another, then another. Just because the rest of the Big 12 Coaches are dumb it doesn't mean they are stupid and they will take advantage of our glaring weakneses.

As always my 2 cents. Not written into law or gospel. I have my own mind and I speak it.

But then again I have watched videos of the team and Coaches having fun after these tough wins, maybe its building Character and making them Tough, that there is no game they cannot win as long as they fight. Thats better than blowing out teams and getting overconfident I suppose so maybe we are not used to this but it might be what we need? Hell I don't know. Just keep winning.

RB:
Stevenson- went pro
Pledger- portal
McGowan- uh, yeah.
Henderson- see McGowan
Major- academics
Bradford- played us

That’s 6 backs we lost in the off season, & I’m pretty sure that Stevenson (& MAYBE Pledger) were the only ones that had any hint of not being here.

As far as the OL goes, take a look at the ‘18 & ‘19 classes. Those guys should be playing a good bunch, if not starting. A whole lot of whiffs (to this point) in evaluation, imo.

 

[Scottsdale.Sooner]

Mark it: The O-Line is half a heart beat from playing well. Once they determine that Wanya Morris should be playing from the first snap and they settle on either Raym or Congel then we gel and hit a rhythm.

 

[GASooner86]

Mark it: The O-Line is half a heart beat from playing well. Once they determine that Wanya Morris should be playing from the first snap and they settle on either Raym or Congel then we gel and hit a rhythm.

hope they find their rhythm soon.