Rays of sunshine after storm has passed

[kcstorm06_rivals]

Clones knocked off by Taco Tech...

And KU knocks off Shorthorns on ***-tin turf. Five losses in a row. Sark has to have more discomfort than laying face down on a cactus mattress right now.

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

Let's hope for some chaos. Although I doubt we could beat little bubba twice this year anyway.

 

[iasooner2000]

I would rather they get in (if we can’t) than any of the other one loss teams.
This b1g and/or two sec automatics are ridiculous. (Until we’re in that mix of course)

 

[22LR]

...KU knocks off Shorthorns on ***-tin turf. Five losses in a row. Sark has to have more discomfort than laying face down on a cactus mattress right now.

Postgame-Ketchum.

 

[Phaeded]

And we needed a miracle to beat a team that just lost at home to the Fightin’ Toucans. There is no silver lining for me - we scored fewer points than Texas State vs BU.

Riley has consistently failed to call plays and/or properly coach up his QBs to get the ball out quicker this year with this subpar OL. It’s like he’s incapable of recognizing reality this year.

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

And we needed a miracle to beat a team that just lost at home to the Fightin’ Toucans. There is no silver lining for me - we scored fewer points than Texas State vs BU.

Riley has consistently failed to call plays and/or properly coach up his QBs to get the ball out quicker this year with this subpar OL. It’s like he’s incapable of recognizing reality this year.

Okay, maybe yesterday he called a bad game. But we were averaging 50 per game in the last four. How can you possibly say Riley has "consistently failed"?

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

Okay, maybe yesterday he called a bad game. But we were averaging 50 per game in the last four. How can you possibly say Riley has "consistently failed"?

In big games, LR has more of a history with failed play calling and not stepping on the throat. He has a history of losing games he should not. This year he has had a bad season of play calling. The last four games are full of empty stats. I hope he finds a way to look in the mirror this week and finally cut loose.

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

In big games, LR has more of a history with failed play calling and not stepping on the throat. He has a history of losing games he should not. This year he has had a bad season of play calling. The last four games are full of empty stats. I hope he finds a way to look in the mirror this week and finally cut loose.

ugh. That post is so frustrating because you seem pretty reasonable otherwise.

What would you say about all the other coaches in the Big XII who have not won six straight conference championships man? How good are they? LR is what, 2-0 or 3-0 in CCGs?

Are you talking about the CFB playoff games? Let's revisit:


1. 2017 vs GA. Got after them in the first half, ran out of gas in the 2nd half. Mayfield had the flu for that one I believe. We lost a great football game to a very good team. Want to hang this one LR for play calling? Maybe, but it's kind of a stretch. I think LR's offense did it's job in that game.

2. 2018 vs AL - we came out flat that's true, but AL could have scored 100 points on that OU defense. Murray and the offense were game, but I don't think we really had a chance in that one. The defense was just too bad.

3. 2019 vs. LSU - pretty much the same same as vs. AL. Hurts was lesser version of Murray and Mayfield, and our defense was exposed. We never really stood a chance vs. the Tigers, so it's hard to pin that loss on LR

I'm not trying to insult you soonersolider, but is it possible that you're just a little bit spoiled by all of our past success? I know it's been a long time since our last national championship, but it's a hard thing to do, and I think LR + Grinch is going to get us there. I really do man. If you don't that's cool, but you better be careful what you wish for.

 

[Phaeded]

Okay, maybe yesterday he called a bad game. But we were averaging 50 per game in the last four. How can you possibly say Riley has "consistently failed"?

Riley won't be earning his keep vs the bottom half of the conference - the meat of OU's conference is at the end and Waco was not an auspicious start. What's our marquee win of the year so far - Tech?

When it doesn't matter who the QB is back there doesn't that tell you something - that maybe its the scheme? Riley refuses to recognize the limitations of this OL and to either demand discipline out of his QB to take the short stuff or to call plays that get the ball out of the QBs hands. First pick Caleb threw vs KU was a bomb off the wrong foot trying emulate his heroics vs UT; great teaching moment I assumed went to the wayside. Puts in Rattler vs BU and what gets called?- a bomb. The two 3rd downs Rattler had he never had a chance to throw a bomb because he was sacked. The QBs want the ESPN highlight bomb - maybe Riley does too. Team be damned.

Short slants, RB screens, jet sweeps, bubble screens (especially the latter two to get to the outside around BU's stout interior) - anything to get the ball out of the QBs hands quickly and get him into a rhythm - where were they? I keep seeing Caleb bobbing in the pocket for way too long looking for something bigger - all year long (and vs crap Ds Caleb can sometimes play his way out of that). Given this OL we need methodical drives that will - in time - open up the deep ball.

I guess what peeves me is Riley already saw Caleb struggle on the road - vs lowly KU. Plan accordingly when your TRUE FROSH QB goes on the road for the 2nd time in his career versus the best D we'll face this year @BU. Nope. Instead we come out and lose 10 yards on our first possession and whatever game plan Riley had he did not adjust out of it. "Put Rattler in and chunk it deep" (and again, failure to even launch on his two 3rd downs). Riley is better than this - he needs to swallow his pride and call a dink and dunk game that sets up the deep ball.

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

Riley won't be earning his keep vs the bottom half of the conference - the meat of OU's conference is at the end and Waco was not an auspicious start. What's our marquee win of the year so far - Tech?

When it doesn't matter who the QB is back there doesn't that tell you something - that maybe its the scheme? Riley refuses to recognize the limitations of this OL and to either demand discipline out of his QB to take the short stuff or to call plays that get the ball out of the QBs hands. First pick Caleb threw vs KU was a bomb off the wrong foot trying emulate his heroics vs UT; great teaching moment I assumed went to the wayside. Puts in Rattler vs BU and what gets called?- a bomb. The two 3rd downs Rattler had he never had a chance to throw a bomb because he was sacked. The QBs want the ESPN highlight bomb - maybe Riley does too. Team be damned.

Short slants, RB screens, jet sweeps, bubble screens (especially the latter two to get to the outside around BU's stout interior) - anything to get the ball out of the QBs hands quickly and get him into a rhythm - where were they? I keep seeing Caleb bobbing in the pocket for way too long looking for something bigger - all year long (and vs crap Ds Caleb can sometimes play his way out of that). Given this OL we need methodical drives that will - in time - open up the deep ball.

I guess what peeves me is Riley already saw Caleb struggle on the road - vs lowly KU. Plan accordingly when your TRUE FROSH QB goes on the road for the 2nd time in his career versus the best D we'll face this year @BU. Nope. Instead we come out and lose 10 yards on our first possession and whatever game plan Riley had he did not adjust out of it. "Put Rattler in and chunk it deep" (and again, failure to even launch on his two 3rd downs). Riley is better than this - he needs to swallow his pride and call a dink and dunk game that sets up the deep ball.

Okay, good post, and I agree with a lot of what you wrote.

But you're not in the "fire LR" camp are you? You wouldn't trade LR for Arranda right now would you?

 

[CTOkie]

Whatever happens in these last 2 games, Riley needs to get this team to improve from top to bottom, defensively and offensively.....not just for the remainder of the 2021 season, but for next year and beyond.
Simply put, OU needs to start playing like a good SEC team because the SEC is where the future lies. That process needs to be realized now by the coaches and players.

 

[ShamWowed]

I'm thinking this season is sensitivity training for us. Once we move to the SEC SEC SEC we will see many more of these a$$-kickeries at the hands of stout defenses. I just want to know how the Baptist mafia can recruit and develop defensive studs and OU is as pedestrian as ever?

 

[iasooner2000]

Catholic girls for starters

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

ugh. That post is so frustrating because you seem pretty reasonable otherwise.

What would you say about all the other coaches in the Big XII who have not won six straight conference championships man? How good are they? LR is what, 2-0 or 3-0 in CCGs?

Are you talking about the CFB playoff games? Let's revisit:


1. 2017 vs GA. Got after them in the first half, ran out of gas in the 2nd half. Mayfield had the flu for that one I believe. We lost a great football game to a very good team. Want to hang this one LR for play calling? Maybe, but it's kind of a stretch. I think LR's offense did it's job in that game.

2. 2018 vs AL - we came out flat that's true, but AL could have scored 100 points on that OU defense. Murray and the offense were game, but I don't think we really had a chance in that one. The defense was just too bad.

3. 2019 vs. LSU - pretty much the same same as vs. AL. Hurts was lesser version of Murray and Mayfield, and our defense was exposed. We never really stood a chance vs. the Tigers, so it's hard to pin that loss on LR

I'm not trying to insult you soonersolider, but is it possible that you're just a little bit spoiled by all of our past success? I know it's been a long time since our last national championship, but it's a hard thing to do, and I think LR + Grinch is going to get us there. I really do man. If you don't that's cool, but you better be careful what you wish for.

Full disclosure: I am reasonable and spoiled and not insulted at all. You seem like a good dude (or dudette) and we are just talking Sooner football.

I am a big believer in the 5 year rule for coaches: if they are gonna win a Natty it will happen in the first 5 years. There are some outliers, but stats favor my position. I think this LR's 5th year.

Coach seems to lose at least one game a year he should not, sometimes more. I don't remember once him stepping up in a post game press conference and saying that game is on me I didn't have this team ready...instead we hear how close they are...over...and...over.

When the QB change was finally made, he made every effort to downplay CW's success while feeding excuses for SR's lack of success.

LR is well known for periods of letting of the gas when he is ahead and letting teams come back to make a game close or to ultimately lose; there is no better example than the playoff game against Georgia.

I think he is a good coach. I think he would be a great coach if he gets Gary Patterson in as the DC and/or hires a great, young OC to call plays. LR is at his peak right now unless he makes a change. Change can be hard, but what he has been doing for 5 years ain't working. I know he has it in him; firing Stoops after the Texas game was not easy.

As currently constituted I do not think LR and his staff can get us to the promised land. Doest mean I won't watch, doesnt mean I will not cheer, doesn't mean I won't talk myself I'm to a win before every game no matter what.

Trust me, I have never wished to be wrong more in my life. If and when that happens, Warrior, I look forward to you telling me I told you so

 

[OUSOONER67]

I'm thinking this season is sensitivity training for us. Once we move to the SEC SEC SEC we will see many more of these a$$-kickeries at the hands of stout defenses. I just want to know how the Baptist mafia can recruit and develop defensive studs and OU is as pedestrian as ever?

One thing I think that ruffles fans feathers more than anything is the nonchalant way Riley and Grinch both talk about the issues with this team especially this season. Just about every week we hear them both say tackling is an issue after every single game. Why can't it be fixed? Its not like its a problem that just surfaced so who is to blame for it?
Also I heard Riley say early in the season when the offense was struggling bad he blamed some of it on Covid and lack of practices and not as many games played last year. He also mentioned that the defenses were getting better at stopping or figuring out these high powered offenses. Could it be they are and he is not adjusting to it or getting creative?

 

[LAY THE WOODY]

I can catch my limit of slot redfish, trout, black drum and flounder all day long on any given day. I might bring in 150g any given year. Who's the genius here? Get my anology?

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

Full disclosure: I am reasonable and spoiled and not insulted at all. You seem like a good dude (or dudette) and we are just talking Sooner football.

I am a big believer in the 5 year rule for coaches: if they are gonna win a Natty it will happen in the first 5 years. There are some outliers, but stats favor my position. I think this LR's 5th year.

Coach seems to lose at least one game a year he should not, sometimes more. I don't remember once him stepping up in a post game press conference and saying that game is on me I didn't have this team ready...instead we hear how close they are...over...and...over.

When the QB change was finally made, he made every effort to downplay CW's success while feeding excuses for SR's lack of success.

LR is well known for periods of letting of the gas when he is ahead and letting teams come back to make a game close or to ultimately lose; there is no better example than the playoff game against Georgia.

I think he is a good coach. I think he would be a great coach if he gets Gary Patterson in as the DC and/or hires a great, young OC to call plays. LR is at his peak right now unless he makes a change. Change can be hard, but what he has been doing for 5 years ain't working. I know he has it in him; firing Stoops after the Texas game was not easy.

As currently constituted I do not think LR and his staff can get us to the promised land. Doest mean I won't watch, doesnt mean I will not cheer, doesn't mean I won't talk myself I'm to a win before every game no matter what.

Trust me, I have never wished to be wrong more in my life. If and when that happens, Warrior, I look forward to you telling me I told you so

Good post. Thanks for the thoughtful response.

 

[ShamWowed]

One thing I think that ruffles fans feathers more than anything is the nonchalant way they both talk about the issues with this team especially this season. Just about every week we hear them both say tackling is an issue after every single game. Why can't it be fixed? Its not like its a problem that just surfaced so who is to blame for it?
Also I heard Riley say early in the season when the offense was struggling bad he blamed some of it on Covid and lack of practices and not as many games played last year. He also mentioned that the defenses were getting better at stopping or figuring out these high powered offenses. Could it be they are and he is not adjusting to it or getting creative?

I think Riley recognized our offensive woes early on were the results of poor O-Line play. What made Caleb successful was his scrambling ability. Spencer did seem to lock onto receivers too much but overall he just could not extend plays with his feet. If Spencer had the O-line(s) Baker had I think he would still be starting. Also, who is our burner wideout? Westbrook, Hollywood, Lamb(lesser but still uber competitive). We need at least one guy keeping a safety over the top or contested balls will be the order of the day.

Defense and tackling seem to be the curse of this team and it is night\day different than say BU and that would make me cry if I was not numb at this point. I don't know what the formula is for getting our guys vicious on defense but something needs to change. I am curious if schools like Bama use their army of "analysts" to do major research and game planning while the coaches focus on fundamentals first then get the game plan in place once it is drafted.

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

1. 2017 vs GA. Got after them in the first half, ran out of gas in the 2nd half. Mayfield had the flu for that one I believe. We lost a great football game to a very good team. Want to hang this one LR for play calling? Maybe, but it's kind of a stretch. I think LR's offense did it's job in that game.

Dang. Didn't realize he had the flu at that game .

Imagine if he had just followed the science and got a flu shot and wore a mask! We would have been in the champ game.

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

Seriously though ..I lean with you, CW. I don't think Lincoln can't play call anymore. It's a stretch to suggest he has lost it.

Something weird happened yesterday and even for this season mostly.

Whether it has been Rattler or Williams, they have both held the ball and avoided the "rhythm" game entirely. I don't know who's to blame on that. The WR coach? The QB coach? The playcaller? I've never seen such an inept passing game, and I think we can all agree that we have the receivers and the arms to make a passing game happen. It just isn't there.

 

[coeSooner81]

Seriously though ..I lean with you, CW. I don't think Lincoln can't play call anymore. It's a stretch to suggest he has lost it.

Something weird happened yesterday and even for this season mostly.

Whether it has been Rattler or Williams, they have both held the ball and avoided the "rhythm" game entirely. I don't know who's to blame on that. The WR coach? The QB coach? The playcaller? I've never seen such an inept passing game, and I think we can all agree that we have the receivers and the arms to make a passing game happen. It just isn't there.

When the head coach is also the OC and the QB coach, and Qb's are overlooking the wide-open underneath passes in order to make a highlight reel, only one person to blame.

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

When the head coach is also the OC and the QB coach, and Qb's are overlooking the wide-open underneath passes in order to make a highlight reel, only one person to blame.

I get that. My question was more of, which hat is he failing to wear straight?

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

BTW, I'll give my suggestion. I think he's failing as a QB coach the most.

I think he got spoiled by back to back generational players in Baker and Kyler. Those were two guys that required almost zero coaching. Then he got Jalen who was likely of the same ilk, but we didn't have enough time to see him flourish.

Now we need some QB coaching, and it was never a necessity. He's throwing his hands up in capitulation.

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

While I'm on a rant, has anyone noted a single screen pass this entire year? Not a single one comes to my mind. Stoops arguably used too many screen passes and eventually got some pick 6s, but even so, they serve a purpose and I haven't seen one this year. Not one comes to mind.

 

[JConXtsy_rivals]

Lincoln thinks he's coaching in the NFL. He doesn't get that these kids aren't mature. They're still knuckleheads and knuckleheads need some Mickey Mouse stuff to be successful.

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

While I'm on a rant, has anyone noted a single screen pass this entire year? Not a single one comes to my mind. Stoops arguably used too many screen passes and eventually got some pick 6s, but even so, they serve a purpose and I haven't seen one this year. Not one comes to mind.

Everybody is asking about big plays. How about we get the ball QUICKLY to Mims and Williams. Those guys are electric it just takes one miss. Or Stonger/Hall on slip screens - leak outs? Dance with what brought you there! These plays have been staples to OU's offensive success.

 

[OklaBama]

Okay, good post, and I agree with a lot of what you wrote.

But you're not in the "fire LR" camp are you? You wouldn't trade LR for Arranda right now would you?

I’m in the let Riley be a head coach and involved in all aspects of the team’s coaching. Not just offense. Do what Mike Gundy finally did and give up the play calling to an OC and be the HC. Know what your DC is coaching as much as your OC. Jump the defensive players *** as much as the offensive players. I don’t know but would like to find out the last time a team won a national championship with the HC calling the plays for either the offense or defense. I’m thinking 1998.

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

I’m in the let Riley be a head coach and involved in all aspects of the team’s coaching. Not just offense. Do what Mike Gundy finally did and give up the play calling to an OC and be the HC. Know what your DC is coaching as much as your OC. Jump the defensive players *** as much as the offensive players. I don’t know but would like to find out the last time a team won a national championship with the HC calling the plays for either the offense or defense. I’m thinking 1998.

I think LR jumps the defensive performance after every game in conference; not necessarily the players directly. And I agree, become a game manger equal parts offensive, special teams, and, defense. It's not admitting defeat it is growing as a coach and person...and a leader.

 

[OUSOONER67]

I think I saw Riley let out some pent up frustration thats been building all season when he blew a fuse at the end of the baylor game. I don't think all that anger was just about the end of that game or the fg that was kicked.
Just an observation.

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

I think I saw Riley let out some pent up frustration thats been building all season when he blew a fuse at the end of the baylor game. I don't think all that anger was just about the end of that game or the fg that was kicked.
Just an observation.

Agreed. Just wish he would redirect to the right target(s).

 

[Crimson_Warrior]

I’m in the let Riley be a head coach and involved in all aspects of the team’s coaching. Not just offense. Do what Mike Gundy finally did and give up the play calling to an OC and be the HC. Know what your DC is coaching as much as your OC. Jump the defensive players *** as much as the offensive players. I don’t know but would like to find out the last time a team won a national championship with the HC calling the plays for either the offense or defense. I’m thinking 1998.

Hmmm.... You're sure it's broken Oklabama?

 

[OklaBama]

Hmmm.... You're sure it's broken Oklabama?

I think Spurrier was the last HC to win a national championship calling all the offensive plays but he had Bob Stoops as his DC. So broken isn’t how I would describe it, but it’s not a proven winning formula either.

 

[Thiswasthelastnameavailable]

I think Spurrier was the last HC to win a national championship calling all the offensive plays but he had Bob Stoops as his DC. So broken isn’t how I would describe it, but it’s not a proven winning formula either.

Maybe Jimbo Fisher with FSU in 2013??? Regardless your point is well taken.

 

[OklaBama]

Yes, like a lot of things, I forgot about Jimbo. Thanks, soldier.

 

[Phaeded]

I'm not fire Riley. I'm Riley have a 'come to Jesus' talk with his QBs about getting rid of the damn ball, or you'll be holding the clipboard. Secondly, calling the aforementioned bubble screens, RB screens, slants, get the TE more involved, and even jet sweeps....anything to make a D think twice about pinning its ears back and coming after a QB bouncing around in the pocket for an eternity, who then lobs an ill-advised 50/50 long ball.

 

[OklaBama]

I'm not fire Riley. I'm Riley have a 'come to Jesus' talk with his QBs about getting rid of the damn ball, or you'll be holding the clipboard. Secondly, calling the aforementioned bubble screens, RB screens, slants, get the TE more involved, and even jet sweeps....anything to make a D think twice about pinning its ears back and coming after a QB bouncing around in the pocket for an eternity, who then lobs an ill-advised 50/50 long ball.

So are you saying Riley isn’t doing a good job as an offensive coordinator? Sounds like it to me. That’s a lot of criticism. Look I know that’s not your intention and I have the same opinion as you. Riley is a big part of the reason that our offense is inconsistent, slow to get going sometimes, etc. that we have all witnessed at times this year against what should be inferior competition. Maybe he just doesn’t have the talent that we believed he did or the offensive coaching staff needs a kick in the ***. And he is the coordinator. Williams is a true freshman playing the most important position so I give him a lot of latitude. He will just get better and better.

 

[OUSOONER67]

I think Spurrier was the last HC to win a national championship calling all the offensive plays but he had Bob Stoops as his DC. So broken isn’t how I would describe it, but it’s not a proven winning formula either.

Yep Spurrier in 96 was the last one.