Weekend Open Post | September 20th – 21st
Posted on: September 20, 2024
Working Visitor List | Tennessee Game
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 18, 2024
The Sooners open up SEC play with a primetime game against Tennessee on Saturday night!
The eyes of the nation will be on Norman throughout the day and evening as OU will host ESPN College Gameday and there will be a ton of recruits in attendance.
Below, you will find our working list of visitors who plan on being in Norman.
As always…there will be additional visitors who are not yet on the list and some of the guys on the list will not make it to the game for one reason or another.
25 commits:
WR – Emmanuel Choice
WR – Gracen Harris
WR – Elijah Thomas
TE – Trynae Washington
OL – Ryan Fodje
OL – Michael Fasusi
OL – Owen Hollenbeck
OL – Sean Hutton
LS – Seth Freeman
DL – Ka’Mori Moore
EDGE – CJ Nickson
EDGE – Alexander Shieldnight
LB – Marcus James
DB – Courtland Guillory
DB – Maliek Hawkins
DB – Trystan Haynes
DB – Omarion Robinson
DB – Marcus Wimberly
‘26 recruits:
ATH – Jalen Lott – Frisco, TX
ATH – Paris Melvin Jr. – Cypress, TX
RB – Kaydin Jones – Jenks, OK
WR – Mason James – Norman, OK
WR – Aljour Miles – Kaufman, TX
WR – Zion Robinson – Mansfield, TX
TE – Ryder Mix – OU Commit
TE – Ian Premer – Great Bend, KS
OL – Will Conroy – Cleveland, OH
OL – Deacon Schmitt – Severance, CO
OL – Bear McWhorter – White, GA
EDGE – Kevin Ford Jr. – Duncanville, TX
DL – Danny Beale – Cherry Valley, AR
DL – Deuce Geralds – Suwanee, GA
LB – Kenneth Goodwin – Harbor City, CA
LB – Jakore Smith – Little Rock, AR
LB – Shadarius Toodle – Mobile, AL
DB – Jorden Edmonds – Marietta, GA
DB – Kaden Gebhardt – Lewis Center, OH
DB – Evenson Malaska – Bethany, OK
DB – Jermaine Santana-Diaz – Missouri City, TX
Position Group Progress Report | ’24 Game 3: Tulane
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 16, 2024
Checking out how the position groups performed in the Sooner’s victory over Tulane. OU was a substantial favorite over the Green Wave and they covered the spread with a 34-19 win.
This will be the third progress report of the season. I will include the previous week’s ranking at the top of each position group’s report in all subsequent progress reports!
Let’s see how things shook out against Tulane.
QB: 4* (Last week: 1*)
Some may be thinking that a 4* rating for a QB who went 18-29 for 169 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT does not line up. I get it. However, you also have to take into account his 97 yards rushing to go along with 2 touchdowns on the ground and the sheer determination he showed in putting the offense on his back while refusing to allow that side of the ball to be a possible reason for a loss. Jackson Arnold grew up a bit against Tulane. I don’t like the need to run him a million times, you are absolutely asking for trouble.
If Arnold goes down, your already rather pedestrian offense is in major trouble, but I understand his competitiveness which does not allow him to just throw the ball away time after time. He made one terrible freshman mistake with the pick-six against Tulane on a play where he was scrambling for his life and trying to do too much. He will learn from that. Most importantly, following the mistake, he came right back out and led two badly needed-scoring drives. If anyone is in the business of questioning Arnold’s toughness and competitiveness, they are in the wrong business. I was very impressed with his game against Tulane.
RB: High 2* (Last week: 1*)
They were average to below average when talking about the OU standard for running backs. Not a heckuva lot to say aside from that.
Jovantae Barnes led the running backs in carries with 14 (same amount as Arnold) and he averaged 3.8 yards per carry.
Taylor Tatum had the second most carries for the back with 9 for 27 yards (3.0 ypc) and Gavin Sawchuk added 6 carries for 16 yards (2.7 ypc).
The longest carry on the day from the backs went for 14 yards.
In the passing game, Taylor Tatum recorded his first TD, but you also had Barnes drop a pass in the flat.
WR: 1* (Last week: Nebula)
The Sooners need the vertical game to get on track. However, when you only have one legit WR working, he is going to be a focal point of the defense and somebody else has to step up.
The good news? On Saturday we saw Zion Kearney and Zion Ragins both make contested catches which will help them going forward.
The bad news? Those 2 catches were the only catches by a wide receiver not named Deion Burks. Burks had another decent day (7-80) serving as Arnold’s one consistent option, but again, he also had a crucial drop.
The best play on the day between the QB and the WR was the non-touchdown where Arnold hit Burks with a beautiful deep pass and Burks made a helluva catch. The problem was that Burks never reestablished himself in bounds prior to making the highlight catch. This room desperately needs some help. Hopefully, Anderson will be returning soon and that could (should) give everyone more options from play to play.
TE: 3* (Last week: 2*)
I was pretty pleased with the TE group overall as they did good work in the pass game as they were targeted 5 times and had 5 catches.
Bauer Sharp had 4 catches for 28 yards and Jake Roberts had 1 for 5. I have to add that I did like Sharps efforts in the blocking game…he’s not always effective, but he looks to be trying.
This group needs to continue to emerge as the games are only going to get more competitive, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t have a ton of grievances with their performance.
OL: High 2* (Last week: 2*)
Better.
Not great. Not quite at an acceptable level, but better.
We have seen 2 consecutive weeks of growth here and I was glad to see Bedenbaugh make adjustments and personnel moves that we typically do not see this early in the season.
Logan Howland got the start at left tackle with Sexton, Bates, Nwaiwu, and Tarquin as the other starters. On the third drive, Heath Ozaeta came in for Howland and Sexton bumped out to left tackle for the remainder of the game.
I thought Howland got overwhelmed physically a couple of times and Ozaeta had some really costly mental busts, but you have to be out there to learn and grow.
Whether you prefer Howland at tackle or Ozaeta at guard, it was good to see them both get their opportunity and play at least respectably. Through 3 games you have seen 3 different starting lineups for the OL and I expect you will see starting lineup number 4 this week as Branson Hickman is close to making his return and Troy Everett could also be close to being able to give it a go.
DT: 4* (Last week: 4*)
I thought Da’Jon Terry played perhaps his best game as a Sooner, yet he only got 19 snaps. Every time he was in the game, he was collapsing the pocket or getting double-teamed and freeing up his mates.
Damonic Williams also stood out to me with his disruptive play. Jayden Jackson didn’t make a lot of news on the stat sheet, but I thought he played a nice role in helping limit the Green Wave run game. Gracen Halton had a quiet day after his big game last week, but he was still solid from what I saw.
DE: 5* (Last week: 2*)
This is absolutely a reactionary 5* ranking, but still, when a man wanders the desert for years, he gets awfully thirsty.
R Mason Thomas had one of the most impactful individual defensive series that we have seen since…I don’t really know when. Maybe Eric Striker had a series or two like this? Anyway, when OU was looking to close out the game, R Mason Thomas put on his cape and took over. He had 2 sacks and a pass deflection on the same series and then, on the following series, he closed out the game with a sack, strip and fumble recovery. The kid absolutely has to win SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
I thought Downs was solid and Woullard flashed a couple times and man, PJ Adebawore is getting so close to finishing. Adebawore has become a pass-rushing force and he was blatantly held a couple of times to keep him off the QB.
Also of note, if you will recall back in the spring we talked about a ‘SWAT’ package…at one point on Saturday you had PJ, Ford, RMT all in the game at the same time with Ford and PJ lining up as linebackers.
LB: 4* (Last week: 5*)
Ho hum, Danny Stutsman rips off another dozen tackles. Kid is just a machine and looks to be playing so free and fast.
The most eye-opening part of the Tulane game for me was the fact that Kobie McKinzie appears to have settled in as the starting linebacker opposite of Stutsman…and he is starting to thrive. McKinzie was really good at MIKE (You know I have been saying I prefer Stuts as a WILL as opposed to MIKE) and while McKinzie was only credited with 4 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss, he absolutely played a role in disrupting the Tulane running game whenever he was in there. Big day for 11 and you have to love the fact that he is beginning to reap the rewards of keeping his head down and working.
I do think OU will need to tighten up their LB coverage in the pass game this week against Tennessee so it will be interesting to see what the snap count will be here, but I really like when Stuts and Kobie are out there.
Kip Lewis, Jaren Kanak, and Sammy Omosigho (when playing in the box) played well in their roles.
CB: 4* (Last week: 3*)
No Gentry or Woodi at CB…no problem?
Felt like Dez Malone and Kani Walker each played very well.
Malone was barely even tested (that’s good for a CB) and Kani Walker just continues to make plays when the ball is thrown his way.
Walker started the tip drill that resulted in Billy Bowman’s interception…and he even got away with a little PI (in my opinion) which is sometimes a sign of earned respect from the refs (we will see, lol).
Eli Bowen got his first extensive run and he didn’t look lost.
Jacobe Johnson had a rough one, but I expect him to bounce back and learn from his mistakes.
Overall the corners did a really good job for their part in holding down a pretty explosive set of receivers.
S: High 3* (Last week: Low 4*)
Kind of scratching my head here for a number of reasons after the Tulane game.
Felt like the safety room was ‘off’ on the day.
I thought Billy Bowman tackled well, and obviously, he was the right guy in the right spot on the interception, but there still is something that just felt, well…’off’ as I said.
Robert Spears Jennings was ‘ok’ for the most part and Peyton Bowen was ‘fine’ in his limited appearances (the kid needs to get and stay healthy).
Maybe it is a case of expecting a major impact every week from this group and when they are just solid, it makes ya wonder a bit.
One thing I do not like is the issues we have seen with communication and the backend now over the course of the last two weeks. Several times I saw Bowman trying to get something from the sideline or talking to his players as the ball was about to be snapped and that will absolutely cost them against a team like Tennessee. Need to clean that communication up.
ST: 4* (Last week: 1*)
Good day all around aside from the issue of getting the ball snapped on a field goal attempt which took 3 points off the board for OU.
2 for 2 on field goals is encouraging.
Thought Sam Franklin looked really good at kick return.
Punt return did not look like an adventure.
Coverage was good for the most part.
Student Section: Nebula
Not SEC ready in the slightest!
Be better.
R Mason Thomas Takeover | One For the History Books
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 17, 2024
Just wanted to give a shoutout to R Mason Thomas for his 3 sack performance vs Tulane.
In the history of Oklahoma football, only one player has had more sacks in one game than RMT had against Tulane.
Back in 1994 Cedric Jones had 5 sacks against Texas Tech.
After watching the game against Tulane several times, RMT was very, very close to matching that mark.
Despite missing the top mark, RMT has etched his name forever in the Sooners history book with his incredible takeover against Tulane!
1. Cedric Jones – 5.0 – 1994 – Texas Tech
2. R Mason Thomas – 3.0 – 2024 – Tulane
2. Nik Bonitto – 3.0 – 2020 – Kansas
2. Ronnie Perkins – 3.0 – 2019 – Baylor
2. Charles Tapper – 3.0 – 2015 – Kansas
2. Eric Striker – 3.0 – 2013 – Alabama
2. Corey Nelson – 3.0 – 2011 – Kansas
2. Frank Alexander – 3.0 – 2011 – Texas
2. Pryce Macon – 3.0 – 2010 – Nebraska
2. Jeremy Beal – 3.0 – 2009 – Miami (FL)
2. Jeremy Beal – 3.0 – 2009 – Tulsa
2. Calvin Thibodeaux – 3.0 – 2005 – Texas A&M
2. Rufus Alexander – 3.0 – 2005 – Nebraska
2. Larry Birdine – 3.0 – 2004 – Baylor
2. Larry Birdine – 3.0 – 2004 – Texas A&M
2. Dan Cody – 3.0 – 2004 – Kansas State
2. Dan Cody – 3.0 – 2003 – Oklahoma State
2. Jimmy Wilkerson – 3.0 – 2001 – Texas
2. Martin Chase – 3.0 – 1997 – Syracuse
2. Rod Manuel – 3.0 – 1996 – TCU
2. Cedric Jones – 3.0 – 1995 – SMU
2. Stacey Dillard – 3.0 – 1991 – Iowa State
2. Troy Johnson – 3.0 – 1986 – Arkansas
2. Brian Bosworth – 3.0 – 1985 – Kansas State
2. Brian Bosworth – 3.0 – 1984 – Iowa State
2. Tony Casillas – 3.0 – 1984 – Iowa State
2. Thomas Benson – 3.0 – 1983 – Hawaii
2. Kevin Murphy – 3.0 – 1983 – Kansas State
2. Lee Roy Selmon – 3.0 – 1973 – Kansas
5 Keys to the Tennessee Game for OU
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 18, 2024
Prepping the ‘Know Your Opponent’ and ‘One on One’ threads for later in the week and I keep coming back to 5 keys to the game for the Sooners, so I figured now was as good of a time as any to share those with the community.
– Make Tennessee take field goal attempts. The classic bend but don’t break approach between the 20’s and then slug it out in the red zone. If the Sooners can largely avoid busting coverage and keep the ball in front of them, they have a chance to turn the game into a mud fight in the red zone and a young QB can quickly get overwhelmed in a hostile environment in a pressure situation. OU’s chances to win the game decrease significantly if this turns into a track meet. Oklahoma needs to be sound on the backend defensively and be in position to make plays on the ball when it is in the air on the deep shots.
– Play solid run defense. I am not saying OU has to completely shut down the Tennessee run game, but again, limit the chunk plays and make the freshman know he is in a game. If the Sooners can limit the effectiveness of the run game, that takes away some of the built in protections that Heupels offense affords Nico. If an RPO isn’t really an RPO, the passing game becomes much easier to defend. The defensive line needs to maintain their assignments and it will be imperative for them to set and hold an effective edge while getting things off track in the middle.
– OU also has to limit their turnovers offensively and capitalize on their defensive turnover opportunities. Last week against Tulane we could very easily have seen a 21 point difference in the game if OU didn’t turn the ball over (Arnold’s pick 6) and if the Sooners capitalized on two golden pick 6 opportunities of their own (Walker and Malone).
– I expect that it is likely that the OU offense will look very shaky at points early in the game. I’m sure Littrell will have a plan for the initial drive and if the Sooners can execute the plan effectively, that should give them some confidence. You just really do not want to see a 3 and out on the first series as the outcome and any points would be a solid start.
– The Sooners will likely be starting their 4th iteration of a starting offensive line and personally, I do not expect them to be perfect, so there will undoubtedly be moments where they are overwhelmed and the Sooners do go 3 and out. Just hope to minimize those instances and protect the ball first and foremost and then take what is given.
Thoughts on This Weekend’s Matchup
– Super K – Posted on: September 19, 2024
I’ve watched some film now on Tennessee. Here are some thoughts…
***First, it was yet another reminder of what OU is facing in this new league. This isn’t your Iowa State or Oklahoma State OL/DL. Tennessee has great line play on both sides. OU as a program is going to have to get used to that. For years they’ve outgunned almost everyone in the trenches…
***The days of watching Kyler or Baker or whoever stand back there behind the line for six seconds are probably over regardless of how good OU’s OL plays.
***At times in the Tennessee vs. NC State game, Tennessee’s DL made NC State look like a high school team. Multiple guys breaking through the line. The DE was manhandling the OT – Tarquin should have his hands full.
***I thought the Tennessee offensive line held up well and gave their QB plenty of time. The did a decent job of blocking up the run but as importantly, these RBs know how to make a lot out of a little. They don’t go down easy and they can make second level guys miss.
***You also have to watch their QB in the run game. He steals first downs.
***I don’t get the sense that the QB is reading defenses very well right now. He looks like a guy who wants to see the white of his WRs eyes or he wants to go deep. If he’s accurate on the deep ball, I think it’ll be a long night for the Sooners. Their run game is good enough that if you couple it with competence in stretching the field, then it’s going to be classic Art Briles run pass conflict and they’ll score 30+ on the Sooners, IMO.
***If their QB isn’t accurate with the deep ball and the Sooners aren’t forced to play off (giving up the underneath stuff) then I think the defense will hold up really well.
***Like most of you, I’m very concerned with OU’s ability to be consistent on offense. We haven’t seen consistency in the run game or in protection and this is a substantial step up in competition.
***I don’t think Tennessee is unbeatable by any stretch but they again, they are a lot to handle on both lines. And we know the OU’s offense under Brent’s tenure has had a tendency to go ice cold at times. If that happens, I don’t see OU’s defense being able to hold up.
***Not going to pick this one yet. But I’ll tell you this. If this was Bob Stoops’ team, I’d give it to the Sooners. I think there is enough talent for the Sooners to win. I just haven’t seen enough from Brent and co in these big games to feel confident enough to call it for them. Add to it the injuries and the sudden upgrade in talent they’ll be facing and I’m very torn.
Know Your Opponent | Tennessee – 2024
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 19, 2024
Head Coach – Josh Heupel (4th Season)
Offensive Coordinator – Joey Halzle (2nd Season)
Defensive Coordinator – Tim Banks (4th Season)
The Tennessee staff needs no introduction to Norman, Oklahoma. Head coach Josh Heupel is Sooner royalty as he is the last OU QB to lead his team to a National Championship and was the offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops at OU for many years. Fellow former Sooner QB Joey Halzle is his offensive coordinator in name. This is Heupels offense and Halzle is the caretaker. Both teams come into the game with 3-0 records.
On offense…
The Vols have a young QB in RS FR Nico Iamaleava but they have no intentions of slowing down their pace as they seek to go fast with tempo. They currently rank 2nd in the country in total offense as they average 639 yards per game over their first 3 games which is an 8 yard per play average. They currently are 3rd in the country in rushing with an average of 336 yards per game and they average 7 yards per carry. Tennessee averages 303 yards per game through the air (24th).
QB #8 Nico Iamaleava
RB #6 Dylan Sampson
TE #87 Miles Kitselman
– Nico has had a nice start to his career as QB1 at Tennessee. He is currently completing passes at a 71% clip. He is 48 for 67 for 698 yards with 6 TD passes and 2 interceptions. He has only been sacked once to this point.
– Sampson is averaging 8 yards per carry (45 for 357) and he already has 9 rushing touchdowns on the year. Backup RB DeSean Bishop (#25) is averaging over 10 yards per carry (22 for 222) with 2 TDs of his own. This Vols team likes to run the ball.
– Kitselman at TE is primarily used in the blocking game, but he has 4 catches on the year, 2 of which have gone for TDs.
WR #5 Bru McCoy
WR #17 Chris Brazzell II
WR #3 Squirrel White *All name team*
– This is a very big WR group with 3 primary guys 6’3 or over
– Brazzell (6’5) leads the team in receptions with 10 and #1 Donte Thornton (6’5) leads the WR room with 2 TDs
– Bru McCoy, yes the same Bru McCoy who feels like he should be collecting social security by now rather than playing college football, is second on the team with 8 receptions and still possesses a unique physical skillset.
– Squirrel White is the main slot guy and he is averaging over 21 yards per on his 5 receptions
LT #53 Lance Heard
LG #70 Andrej Karic
C #63 Cooper Mays
RG # 76 Javontez Spraggins
RT #74 John Campbell Jr.
– For my money, Cooper Mays is one of the better centers in the country and he is the strength of the Vols OL. Consistent, experienced, strong and mobile. He is a good one.
– Heard is questionable, but I expect him to play and while OU really coveted him in the offseason, that was about his potential. Right now, he is still learning and while massive, he may be a bit rusty and raw after missing some time early in the season.
– The overall feeling is that these guys are big humans who work pretty well as a unit at this point and I think they are going to get better throughout the year.
On defense…
The Vols basically run a version of a 4-2-5 scheme and their hybrid position (LEO) is basically the 4th defensive lineman. The starting LEO for the Vols is James Pearce Jr, who is expected to have a breakout year, but at this point, he has gotten off to a slow statistical start. Do not be fooled, he has all the talent in the world and Tennessee will be counting on him to have an impact on Saturday night. They have big, physical DTs and active LBs. The secondary is largely untested.
DE #90 Dominic Bailey
NT #21 Omari Thomas
DT #20 Bryson Eason
LEO #27 James Pearce Jr.
– Pearce is physically gifted. Quick, fast, good bend, basically a guy any and every team would want playing defense for them. OU is going to want to pay extra attention to him, particularly since he will match up with Michael Tarquin on most snaps. He may not have the stats yet this year, but he has the potential to cause havoc.
– Bailey (292), Thomas (323), and Eason (310) are a big bunch. They are a legit SEC line and the group combined represent the strength of the Tennessee defense, in my opinion.
– This is a pretty deep group as well as they have some nice rotational pieces coming off the bench in #42 Tyre West, #10 Elijah Simmons, and #55 Omarr Norman-Lott
MLB #11 Keenan Pili
WLB #7 Arion Carter
– Pili is a 6th year guy who spent the first 4 years of his career at BYU. So he has plenty of experience. He is ‘solid’ but not spectacular, but with the Vols front, that is all they really need at this point. He has 9 tackles on the year.
– Carter is in his second year and he looks like he is still feeling his way around a bit. He is pretty quick and tackles well in space, but he does look a bit tentative at times.
CB # 3 Jermod McCoy
S #2 Andre Turrentine
S #35 Will Brooks
CB #1 Rickey Gibson III
STAR (nickel) #5 Christian Harrison
– This is the youngest and least experienced group on the Tennessee defense. They are talented, but definitely the least known quantity.
– Brooks is the leader of the group as he leads Tennessee in tackles with 10 (?) and he has the lone Vols interception on the season.
– Tennessee has rotated a ton in their first 3 games as they have had ample time to experiment and get guys snaps, but so far, nobody has really stood out and made their mark.
Overall thoughts…
– I mean…it is difficult to ignore the notion that this game will be won and lost in the trenches.
– The OU defensive line needs to disrupt the young QB while slowing the roll of the Tennessee running game. I expect Heupel to come out and try to run right at and over the OU defense in the early part of the game. The Sooners could really stand for the OU defensive front to hold their own and force the Vols to adjust.
– The Sooners banged up and shaky offensive line faces what is easily its biggest test of the season to this point (could be the entire season). The Vols have beef and quickness in the middle with size and speed coming off the EDGEs. If the Sooners can move the ball early in the game and avoid the quick 3 and outs while getting their feet under them, that will go a long way to finding some potential success down the line.
– If OU can slow the Vols run game, I think they will be able to put Nico in some uncomfortable situations in a hostile environment. I keep going back to it being imperative that the Sooners do not let Tennessee jump out to a big early lead as they would be best served with having an energized and engaged crowd.
– Welcome to the SEC, go out and make a statement!
One on One’s | Oklahoma vs Tennessee – 2024
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 19, 2024
The Sooners take on Tennessee in the fourth game of the season and it is their first conference game as a member of the SEC!
Tennessee has gotten off to a hot start on the year and they are ranked in the top 5 both offensively and defensively.
There are several key one-on-one matchups to choose from both on the offensive and defensive side.
Let’s have a look at a couple I pulled out.
One on One Number One
Oklahoma Right Tackle Michael Tarquin vs Tennessee Defensive End James Pearce
James Pearce Jr is credited with one tackle on the season. Do not be deceived. Pearce may have gotten off to a slow start in the stat book for the Vols this season, but they have not been pushed and they have had the opportunity to take it easy with his workload. He possesses explosive athleticism, he is very fluid, and he has all the measurables to be an early round draft choice in the NFL. His first step is something that Tarquin and the Sooners will be very wary of.
Tarquin, for his part, has proven to be the best (maybe let’s the say most consistent) pass pro blocker along the Sooners offensive line. Tarquin is experienced and he has seen a bunch of SEC defensive linemen from his days at Florida, so I do not expect him to be overwhelmed with the task at hand, the question is, right now, is he up to the challenge? Absolutely one to keep an eye on as it would go a long way towards OU’s success if Tarquin is able to keep Pearce in check.
One on One Number Two
Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas vs Tennessee Left Tackle Lance Heard
R Mason Thomas had his career game for the Sooners last week against Tulane. He deserves all the accolades he received this week, including the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his 3 sack 1 forced fumble display against the Green Wave. While his stats would make most people sit up and take notice, he was very close to doubling those numbers. R Mason Thomas’ breakout game has been a long time coming and the hope for the Sooners is that he has created some momentum and it will carry over to the Tennessee game.
Heard was a priority target for OU at offensive tackle in the portal this off season. The Vols outbid (by double some say) the Sooners for the former LSU tackle. Heard is by no means a finished product and he is coming off missing the Vols previous game due to an ankle sprain. Here is the thing…while Heard has a very high ceiling, he is not very experienced and if he is working on anything but a completely healed ankle, RMT’s speed and power could give him problems with his lateral movement. If RMT can get pressure off the EDGE, that is a massive bonus for OU who aims to disrupt the young Tennessee QB as often as possible.
Bonus One On One
Brent Venables’ Defensive Scheme vs Josh Heupel’s Offensive Scheme
Josh Heupel is very familiar with Brent Venables. He played on a team Venables helped coach to a national championship and he coached with and against Venables in the years that followed. He has seen the dominance that Venables’ defenses can have when they are running right.
Brent Venables, when OU hired him as their head coach, went out and sought a similarly minded offensive coordinator as Josh Heupel when he hired Jeff Lebby. Brent Venables is very familiar with air raid-ish and tempo-based offenses. He has spent years working against these types of offenses and knows all the tricks of the trade.
Yes, Tennessee and OU have guys holding the titles of offensive and defensive coordinators, but to not be fooled, this is Venables vs Heupel. Whichever guy can get his personnel to play the closest to their ceilings will likely have the upper hand throughout the game.
For what it’s worth, the last time these two faced off, Brent Venables came out on the winning end as his Clemson defense throttled the OU offense to the tune of 40-6.
