Weekend Open Post | August 21st – 23rd
Posted on: August 21, 2026
Sooners Sunday | The Day After First Scrimmage
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 16, 2026
The Sooners held their first scrimmage yesterday and the results were about as expected.
You can read our full thread of sourced notes HERE.
Obviously, the note that drew the most attention was the fact that Jake Maikkula was forced to leave the scrimmage after getting rolled up on. For those curious about his status, we have no additional information to share at this time and there is nothing but speculation out there.
As for the rest of the scrimmage, OU reminded everyone that they have a very good defense and that should be very encouraging.
The Sooners offense was able to score some points and they did move the ball at times, so again, that is encouraging.
The team has today off and they will get back to it on Monday with one more scrimmage on the schedule for later this week (the 19th). Following that scrimmage, game prep will begin in earnest.
It officially feels like football, and that is something to be grateful for on this fine Sunday morning!
Three Bold Predictions for 2026 | Individual Defense
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 17, 2026
Ok…we are officially in football mode…so lets get to some predictions on what could happen during the season.
I will start with my three bold individual predictions on the defensive side of the ball!
1*** This one will probably come as a surprise to many in the community based on how I have expressed my feelings about the trajectory of the two players…but, I’m going to say PJ Adebawore has more sacks than Danny Okoye. I’m gonna say PJ ends up with 6.5 sacks and Danny ends up with 6. Taylor Wein will lead the team with 9.
2*** While Peyton Bowen will lead the team with 5 interceptions, it will be a linebacker who finishes second on the team in interceptions, as Cole Sullivan will pick off 4 passes which will be just enough to edge out Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory for the second spot on the team.
3*** Oklahoma will be back on the national scene when it comes to national awards at the end of the year as one player will follow in the footsteps of Lee Roy Selmon (1975), Tony Casillas (1985) and Tommie Harris (2003) to become the 4th winner of the Lombardi Award from the University of Oklahoma. David Stone will join those legends and bring home the Lombardi Award.
Let me see some of your individual bold predictions in the comments!
Sourced Injury Update
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 17, 2026
As you know sources let us know that center Jake Maikkula left Saturday’s scrimmage after getting rolled up on.
Today, sources passed along that they do not believe it is a season ending injury at this time and they are optimistic that he will return to the field.
As for a timeline, that is a bit up in the air at this point, but the thought right now is weeks, not months.
Sourced Notes | Defense is Dangerous but…
– Super K – Posted on: August 18, 2026
***It’s no surpise that the defense is excellent. The reviews we are hearing are as good as we had hoped for but…
***Based on our reports, some of you may be a bit concerned about the offense. What I gather is that it is really hard to judge the offense right now for two reasons…
***First, this defense is nasty but second, was told that at this point in camp, the defense knows exactly what the offense is doing.
***Offensively, the folks I talk to are very optimistic about the wide receiver room. The sense is that not only do they have some talent but there is potential depth. It’s not just Trell and Livingtone and Sategna. You also have guys emerging like ET and Manny who are getting plenty of first team reps.
***It’s also sounding like despite the nagging injuries, the running back room is starting to take shape. In the offseason I was told that room may end up being a room by committee and that may still be true. But, you’re hearing more and more exciting from folks around the program about guys like Hatton and others.
***Again, don’t want to get ahead of myself but the feeling inside the building is this is a very good team. I believe it. They have a very difficult schedule but they’ll be good enough to play with and beat anyone.
Three Bold Predictions for 2026 | Individual Offense
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 18, 2026
Lets continue with the predictions as we get closer to the season!
This time, I will roll out three bold predictions for individuals on the offensive side of the ball.
1*** John Mateer will improve his touchdown to interception ration by close to 100%. Last year Mateer threw 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, which was a 1.27 to 1 ration. In 2026 I predict he will have a 2.5 to 1 TD to INT ratio with 25 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. I base that on the integration of the new TE room and the use of the RBs on swing passes and dump-offs as OU tries to make their offense less taxing on Mateer in general. I also expect him to add 7-9 rushing touchdowns.
2*** OU will have a pass catcher record double-digit touchdown receptions. I know many will be thinking I will name Isaiah Sategna here or a guy like Trell Harris, but I’m not. I’m buying into the Tight End room under Jason Witten and I am going to say…Rocky Beers hauls in 10 touchdown passes this season to match Jermaine Gresham’s OU record set in 2008. Beers is simply going to be the guy who capitalizes on all the opportunities that Mateer and Kanak left on the field last season.
3*** The Sooners will remain focused on a more traditional run game this season, and it will pay off as they will have their first back who goes over the 1,000 yard mark since Eric Gray in 2022. Here’s the thing, I am still bouncing between two back to be the guy, Xavier Robinson and Jonathan Hatton. I think those two will be the guys who get the bulk of the carries. I’m going to say that true freshman Jonathan Hatton finishes the season with just over 1,000 yards and X rob is around the 800 mark.
Sourced Team Notes | August 19th
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 19, 2026
As we first reported at the beginning of fall camp, the Sooners are set to hold another scrimmage tonight under the lights.
***Spoke to a source who continues to tell me that they expect this one to be a light one in regard to the number of reps the projected starters and impact players get, particularly on offense.
***Source tells me they expect the projected starting OL to get a couple series and a handful of situational sets. They expect the line to look like Fasusi – EPL – Nitta – Fodje – Harris if all goes according to plan. (meaning if Fasusi is a full go after doing more work yesterday, which included some contact).
***Source noted that Noah Best is expected to get some run at center and Fodje get some additional run at tackle with Heath Ozaeta mixing in at guard.
***Was told Whitt Newbauer had another really strong practice yesterday and that competition is pretty much wrapped up between he and Bowe Bentley and he is solidly QB2 as OU turns toward game installation and prep.
***Source said the young WRs had a nice day yesterday at practice with Elijah Thomas and Manny Choice getting a ton of reps and Jayden Petit had two competitive catches.
Do the Sooners Finally Have a QB Contingency? | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: August 20, 2026
Over the past few years, the Sooners could not afford to lose their starting quarterback. Unfortunately, for the past few years that’s happened on multiple occasions. The results were often disastrous.
I know Charlie has talked about how Whit Newbauer has taken over the number two QB spot behind Mateer.
I think some expected the highly touted freshman, Bowe Bentley to take that spot. But notwithstanding what Charlie said about his performance yesterday, I’ve heard Bowe has struggled. That can happen.
But in a bit of a surprise, I’ve heard quite a good things about how Newbauer has performed.
I’ve asked point blank if he can man the back up spot and the response has been basically, we don’t think we will be nearly as *bleeped* if (God forbid), Mateer goes down.
It isn’t a resounding, oh he’s going to kill it but definitely some optimism that he’s throwing a nice ball right now, he knows the system and they have pieces around him.
BV is always going to have a nasty defense so you don’t need the offense to be gangbusters. But the Sooners have to have someone who can put pressure on the other team, score a bit and hold on to the ball.
Cautiously optimistic from what I’m hearing, they may have that as Whit continues to develop.
Three Bold Predictions for 2026 | Team Defense
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 20, 2026
Let’s continue with the predictions as we get closer to the season!
This time, I will roll out three bold predictions for the team on the defensive side of the ball!
1*** Last season, Taylor Wein led the team with 7 sacks. As a unit, the Sooners recorded 45 sacks, with Wein at 7 and R Mason Thomas at 6.5 leading the way and next up along the defensive line was Gracen Halton with 3.5 (Kip Lewis had 4). Here is the bold prediction…OU will have two guys with more than 7 sacks this season and they will eclipse the 45 mark they put up last year.
2***One of the hallmarks of a Brent Venables defense has been the creation of turnovers. Last season, OU struggled in that category, specifically when it came to interceptions. In 2025 the Sooners wound up picking off 9 passes, and a trio of Sooners (Peyton and Eli Bowen and Jacobe Johnson) each recorded a pair. In 2026 the Sooners will come close to doubling that amount as they will pull in at least 16 interceptions, and while I think Cole Sullivan will have his share from the linebacker spot, I expect the secondary to have multiple guys with at least 3 apiece.
3*** Finally, pretty simply put, the Sooners will end the year with a national award finalist at all three levels of the defense. David Stone, Kip Lewis (maybe Owen Heinecke even), and Peyton Bowen will all be finalists for national awards and as I noted in my individual defensive prediction thread, I believe David Stone wins his.
Let me see some of your Team Defensive bold predictions in the comments!
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