Just to reassure your request has definitely not fallen on deaf ears, we’re going to try something new here. We know you’ve wanted something of a Q&A/chat type of opportunity and that’s what we’re aiming to give you with this new ‘Town Hall’ feature.
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* We’ll see how things go, but the plan as of now is to spend around 30 minutes trying to answer as many questions as we can get to. Maybe that 30 minutes goes up at some point (no promises!) depending on how popular this new feature becomes, or maybe 30 minutes proves to be too long a time. That all depends on you, TFB’ers.
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Alright, now that we have all that out of the way we’ll open up the comments starting at 7pm (CT). Looking forward to seeing you back here then.
265 Comments
If you’re not already familiar, please read the post above as to how this thing works.
Otherwise, look forward to seeing you back here @ 7.
Thanks for the Town Hall… Of Houston’s no-huddle and OU’s up-tempo offenses, which poses the most difficulty to the opposing D and why?
I’d have to say Houston, just b/c of the run threat Ward presents as compared to that of Mayfield.
fair enough, I’m going to say OU’s up-tempo will cause more difficulty because I’m a fan and that’s what I’m sticking with
Who do you guys expect to leave early for the draft after this season?
I think Perine, Mixon, Thomas and Walker are all possibilities if not likely.
I bet Mixon stays if Perine goes. Feature back and he lost a year. Needs to more distance between himself and the Molitor incident.
Guys thanks for doing this again, the last one was awesome. What’s the chances we a classic Bobby Stoops big game beat down and the Sooners win somewhere in the ballpark of 42-24?
The more I watch of Houston, the more I like OU’s chances. If they can contain Ward, easier said than done I realize, I think OU s/b fine.
I think this OU D wants to establish a name for themselves and will keep him in check for the most part
With our undervalued asset of Nick Hodgson gone, are we
expecting as many touchbacks this year? Sounds like from Stoops that Siebert
will be doing the kickoffs.
I don’t. Nothing I’ve seen suggests Seibert is going to put it in the end zone like Hodgson did.
He was famous in HS for his 80 yard kickoffs. I imagine he will do just fine.
How much p/t for Jackson and Kelly this Saturday. Thx.
I wouldn’t expect that much for either. Later in the season that could def change tho.
Should we be worried about coach B’s health? Also Brandon mentioned a podcast he was working on a few days ago, do you know if he recorded it and when we may be able to enjoy it?
It’s a non-issue, that’s the latest I’ve been told.
OU-UH score prediction?
Not big on predictions like that, but I think there is a good chance OU covers the 10 point spread.
OU -45 – U of H -27 Mixon and Perine romp…
Will Johnson at LB, how high is his ceiling? Does he carry enough weight?
It’s really only “LB” in name. He’s still a DB playing close to the LOS, not a real LB.
What’s up ya’ll
Game week JY – game week! We’re stoked!!!! You?
Man I’m ready! I wish I could set the DVR already!
I believe the o-line gave up around 40 sacks last year. Do you think they can cut that in half this season?
I think they have the potential as the talent is definitely there. How they execute as a group will be the determining factor
What do you think our game plan is against Houston offense and defense?
Run the ball w/ Perine/Mixon.
Don’t give Ward the short, easy passes this Houston lives on. And limit his run lanes.
Do that and you’re golden, IMO.
Contain Ward and don’t let him beat you with his feet. Limit short fields for him and don’t turn the ball over. Run the ball and control the line of scrimmage.
Just read that A. Hines is planning to commit on 11/29. Are our chances still good in signing him?
Still good, but he’s also still evaluating schools.
Great chance. The problem may be numbers. Jacob Phillips has long been a guy that is high on OU. Family wants him to take all 5 visits, but he is still set to announce in mid october. Where Hines is late November. The question is, does OU make room for Hines no matter what?
Don’t know much about Ruben Hunter. Is he able to stone running backs?
Solid player, not an exceptional athlete from what little I know.
Do you guys think Chaisson commits after the OU/Hou game?
I do not, but K and/or Brandon may disagree.
Nah. He is gonna take some visits. OU is still the team to beat, from what I am told.
Jordan you carrying the load tonight…edit JY in the house!
JY is here. K & Brandon may or may not pop in.
YO
Are TFB pleased with OU’s improved recruiting over the past
couple years or is it still not at a level you would like to see?
I think they’re definitely recruiting on another level. Bedenbaugh and Cooks have definitely brought a lot of energy to the group. Crazy to think that Stoops and co. have done so much with lesser talent over the years.
Very pleased. They are top 5-6 in most rankings. Have some big fish they are after. What’s not to like?
Several weeks ago there was mention of a silent commit that would send Norman in a frenzy once it became public. Has that recruit committed as of yet?
I don’t recall that, sorry.
Yeah I think you’re thinking of Gumbs.
i thought it was Risen.
Are there any DB recruits on OU’s current radar other than Okudah, Boyce, Jaylon Johnson?
Not that they’re serious about that I’ve heard
What do you think our true chances are with Marvin Wilson?
Sooners will def make the top 5 and if Texas struggles this yr I’d argue ou is the team to beat
How many open scholarships are there? I thought we were 4-5 short of 85.
That sounds right.
Currently at 76.
Currently at 82 for ’17.
With L Riley having one full year under his belt, what significant changes or additions from his playbook do you think we might see on the field this year?
I think another trick play or two, more of Perine & Mixon on the field at the same time, and I think they really get Mixon more involved in the pass game.
Biggest diff will be the ability to refine what they do well because there’s less initial install
Any word on Antoine Stephens or Reggie Turner…haven’t heard much news on them?
Stephens did some good things, but fell behind some of the other guys. Turner started practice last week.
Good news on Turner..I was gonna write him off if nothing soon
Stephens is still with the team. Scout team. And turner just started last wk
Do we see more Kapri Doucet or more Will Johnson on Saturday?
Will Johnson based on Houstons offensive personnel
Very much agree w/ K.
I like it as he has more experience.
Will Johnson. Houston offense fits his style so much.
How’s your podcast coming along bud.
Teddy Lehman says Doucet/Kelly more than Johnson, but who knows.
Why does Stoops have running backs returning kicks. It seems we should have the fastest guys back there and give them an opportunity. Maybe someone the would actually have a chance doing it in the NFL.
Gotta be able to break tackles too.
Brooks and Mixon are two of the fastest guys on the team.
Surprised Quick has not had taken over that role. Watching his highschool tape, he was electric with the ball in his hands.
Yes folks he plays hurt! Brandon showin up on a broken ankle! He’s a hockey player folks.
Who are the early enrollees for 2017
Howdy folks. Ask away.
How many carries does adams see this year?
Barring a significant injury to Perine and/or Mixon, I’ll say < 60
How does OU keep Ward in the pocket while still applying pressure?
Middle and zone blitzes. Keeping your edge defenders at home and not taking the inside move if the o tackles open em up
So even more so than most games its Jordan Evans game?
Him and I think pressure from the defensive line up the middle will be Key. Charles walker and Tay evans need to have big games.
Thank you sir
AD Miller / Mead. Who ends up with more receptions this year?
Miller
aka Superman
Here’s hoping we don’t have another ‘what the heck’ game
this year (ie Texas last year) but which game would you consider the most
likely candidate? Houston seems like a possible candidate since it’s the opener
and it’s on the road but you never know with Texas either.
Do you guys think Mixon could have a Christian McCaffery type of season?
Probably not quite on that level, but if all goes as planned he could come fairly close. Depends greatly on how he takes to KO return.
What are some mismatches we should be looking at taking advantage of this Saturday? And what players not named Greg Ward Jr are the impact players for Houston?
Mark. Andrews.
I like what you just put down on the mismatch to watch. Me likey.
I haven’t watched film just yet but Jordan and Brandon have so they’ll cover that later in the week
Does anyone have an actual clue what is up with Jordan Parkers injury? Like what has kept him out?
I thought it was his knee, but I could be misremembering
Good question. Last I spoke to someone they had mentioned he had minor surgery and was back. Appears there is more to the story
How soon before Gallimore sees significant time?
midseason w/b my guess
They’ll ease him in to prove he’s ready to be on the field and can be relied on
Which team has more talent? This year, or last year?
Man that’s hard to say.
This year, IMO.
When all is said and done, is this year’s defense better or worse than last year?
Tough call. I’ll say worse if for no other reason than the schedule this year looks to be much tougher.
Will Okudah commit shortly after the Ohio State game?
Doubtful, IMO.
Bet on November or earky December and the Sooners need to beat Ohio State
How many kids is OU looking to take in this class?
Who leads the sooners in sacks this year, and can he hit double digits?
Walker or Obo and I’ll say no to double digits, but close
Has Grant Blankenship been practicing?
I’d assume so, but don’t know that for sure.
Of all the newcomers, who has the chance to make the biggest impact?
Just from ease of breaking into the lineup by position i’d say it’s a tossup between Abdul Adams, Parrish Cobb and maybe Caleb Kelly
I’ll go on a limb and say Parnell Motley.
That’s a thin limb but if so, I’m in. ha
Hearing good things about Kapri Doucet too
SS17 is great on D, watching Broiles play he has great ball skills and lays the wood is he a better fit long-term at FS?
I think he is a SS/nickel type. K may or may not agree. FS is Barnes, imo.
Due to better range for Barnes?
Any chance Barnes grows into an ILB?
Rodriguez still on the team? Didn’t see him on the depth chart.
Still listed on the roster, yes.
Is Austin Roberts listed as #2 DE because he’s improved that much or is Gallimore still really raw?
Stoops seems to really like Roberts. Has mentioned him a lot since the start of fall camp.
Roberts has a lot of length at the 5 that not a lot of other guys do too.
The depth chart can change once these guys get on the field. That’s just a preliminary starting point. Trust can be earned. Initial depth charts are about known commodities
I’ve been saying for a while that if OU beats Ohio State, we can mark them down as going at least all the way to the NCG. My reasoning is that Ohio State has never lost under Meyer on the road or as an underdog and they’ll be both (assuming line holds) when they come to Norman. I have to think if they can beat him, they’ll be able to beat any coach they see before the NCG. Do you guys agree?
TCU @ Ft Worth won’t be easy and Lubbock is always dangerous for OU, but I’m picking up what you’re putting down.
This team is so new and young at so many positions that I”m gonna take em week by week. Been burned too many times before.
I have too much respect for this league to agree.
With Joesph Lewis’s recruitment heating up do you guys think OU has a realistic shot at landing him?
Not unless something changes. Maybe they can knock his socks off if they get him on campus.
As far as I know he has an official to OU for the Bailer game.
Realistic? I mean, I put it at about 15%.
Weakest position group?
LB, just look at today’s depth chart.
On a scale of 1 to BOOMER! how excited are you all that it is finally game week?
Also, what would you give as the over/under for Andrews receptions on Saturday? I’m looking at about 6.5 and taking the over!
BOOMER!
I’d have to take the under right now, but would LOVE to be wrong.
all caps BOOMER!
For those of you who’ve been around the team, does this D seem to want to create their own identity? Are they hungry?
Sorry I’m a little out of the pocket here folks. In a meeting and trying to sneak some answers in here 🙂
Dedication! We appreciate it Super K. 🙂
Always trying to sneak that jab in. We liking those jabs so keep’em comin.
What’s the word on Chaisson?
How many dbs will play minus garbage time
starting five, plus two more I’ll say
In your opinion (in percentage) what are the chances OU wins a national title in the next 3 years?
20%. That’s high. Just think they are really young across the board, but very talented.
Prentice McKinley still on the team? If so should we expect to see him in garbage time this year?
still there, yes.
He is. On scout team. And yeah maybe late time but not much else barring injury
What are you Brainiacs day jobs? 🙂
Accounting (for now).
Yucky.
I was in an accounting job, went to work on the outside and have lost about 20 pounds and don’t have to deal with office bs. One of the better decisions I’ve made the past 5 years.
I work in transportation/logistics
I work for big oil company…
Oil drum fall on your ankle? /s
lol. No. I don’t have that type of job.
Nice, I’m a petroleum engineer by background, worked for Shell first 3 years out of school but am now in construction with the downturn…
Romar behind Wade is odd, is that just a week one deal due to concussion protocol? Also is Walker going to be limited?
In part, yes. But Wade has looked good in fall camp as well. He’s someone a lot of fans either forget about or underrate.
I’ve been a fan of Wade, thought he should have played more the last 2 seasons.
As Bob said today, Wade is consistent. Bob likes consistency in his players.
If OU wins the NC this year and Baker / Mixon return for ’17, what do you think the chances of a repeat are due to our youth this year?
If they get everybody back, id say it’s higher
Any word on the players scheduled to redshirt this year? Any thoughts that one or more generally thought of for redshirting might lose that redshirt?
Did you see/hear Stoops’ comments today by chance? He said ideally they wouldn’t redshirt anyone.
Now obv that’s not realistic, but I think most of this class will play in some form or fashion.
Bob pointed out guys who left early after having redshirted, asked rhetorically was that better for the team in hindsight. (Paraphrased)
Out of the WR’s, who do you think will be the biggest surprise to breakout?
I’ve been driving the AD Miller hype train for a while now.
I will say Miller and Mead.
I like Smallwood
Most underrated player in SS17 by both Sooner fans and by national recruitniks?
I’ll say Hayes
I’d say Creed Humphrey
Jeremiah Hall. Should fill Flowers’ role after he graduates.
Do you guys think Bob Stoops has his ” Juice ” back?
I don’t think he ever lost it. I just think that sometimes since we’re all human you get beat up. You have to have people around you that require you to be better.
Way more than I did a couple years ago.
Thoughts on Brooks/Mixon on KR’s?
Speed. Elusiveness. Exciting. That is, if they get to return kicks….ever…
Right, KO’s should be easier than PR’s tho
I like it, minus the injury risk to Mixon of course.
Never understood why they just insist on putting two guys back there tho.
I wanna know how Brandon’s fett are?
Broken ankle. Been walking on it for a month. Had no clue.
im sorry
Rub some dirt on it and get back out there!!!
Next 17 commit is?
Jacob Phillips. Just a guess.
Mykel Jones. PT vs Houston or no?
PT
Secret weapon?
If Samaje is healthy, when does he break the record? And will ESPN ever give him the respect he’s due?
Houstons strength seems to be in their front 7. Do you think we open the game trying to establish the run? Seems like that’s what they would want us to do.
Yes. But Riley won’t beat his head against the wall if they sell out to stop the run.
Do you think Mike Stoops is around as DC as long as Bob is head coach? Or does he try another head gig at some point?
Unless he’s willing to settle for a small school, hard to see him leaving for another HC job at this point.
He keeps putting out defenses like 2013 and 2015 he has no reason to leave.
Absolute silence around Lampkin this camp. Having issues coming back from the spring injury or just not getting it done?
I think there was some minor injury deal, but mostly just beaten out by the other guys.
I’m sorry if this is already been asked but I didn’t see it below. Do you think Smallwood will play a big role at 6’2 and his almost Perine-like build?
They definitely want that. Bob has always like him out wide, kid just needs to stay healthy.
Are there any meetups for tailgating?
Does the sooners lack of trust in young players hurt recruiting? (Guys like Caleb Kelly, Neville Gallimore, Overton, Lampkin, McGinnis, are buried on depth chart)
It’s Week 1, I don’t know that I would consider anyone all that “buried” on the depth chart just yet.
How do they not? Stoops has long played young guys if they are one of the best 22 players on the team.
The kid I am thinking about is the OT that got screwed by UM.
Erik Swenson.
Yep
More likely to see the field? Overton or Lampkin?
Overton
Agree w/ JY
Overton.
Who will be All-Americans by the end of the year?
Mayfield. Andrews. Parker. Perine. All have a chance.
Orlando Brown, Charles Walker
Jordan Thomas
Odds of the Sooners going to back to the playoff?
Good if not high
Really good. Schedule helps if they just win.
definitely a solid SOS
thanks TFB!!!!!!!!
NP we love it
What do we know about Marcelias Sutton? Not heavily recruited.
versatile guy, plus athlete.
Dude can fly. Committed to UVA out of HS I believe. Think Daniel Brooks before injury maybe faster
Five minute warning…
With the 2017 recruiting class coming somewhat to a close , which 2018 recruits should Sooner nation keep their eye out for?
IMG OL Carlos Dunlap
2018 oline class will be NASTY & BEEFY.
Devin Montgomery, great film, thoughts on his tenure here?
Does this system not use very many RB screens. Feels like we never use them when getting pressured a lot?
I think the swing passes to the backs function as the screen passes.
Any chance Orlando Brown leaves after this year?
Depends on the type of year he has. That’s why you have to get a guy like Swenson ready. You never know. Also Bobby Evans waiting in the wings.
He could, if he has a big year and gets a solid draft grade. Sooners could lose several really important guys to early entrants.
Chances Parker goes pro after this season?
Given his off-field issues, I’d have to say pretty good. But that’s speculation on my part.
Was he meaning Steven Parker?
Yea I meant Steven Parker
Thomas??
Oh, yeah, my bad.
Parker, at this point I’d say maybe 50/50.
Better recruiting class rankings after both are signed, SS17 or ST2k18?
Depends, 18 is off to an amazing start with Brey Walker and Cam Rising. Dakota’s little brother too. Oklahoma OL is chock full of talent in hs ranks. Several in state monsters
What JY said. OU wins this year, 2018 could be very special. That’s saying something with how loaded 2017 class is.
So is it fair to say Cobb’s quick pickup of the mental part of the game exceeds Mbanasaurus Rex’s physical measurables?
So far, yes. But Cobb isn’t exactly hurting in the physical skills department either 😉
High school football game to see this weekend from ss17
Collinsville vs Oologah.
Think I may go to that.
Just may get out there to see it!
Devin Montgomery?
Thanks guys!
More TDs on the season? Mixon or Perine?
I’d say Perine…hes more natural in short yardage
Still have to go Perine, but Mixon could get him w/ the receiving TDs I expect him to get.
Do the Sooners defend the option run better this year?
I’ll believe it when I see it.
BAZINGA
UH…TakeOver of TakeCover?
Alright y’all, gonna call this one.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH to everyone who participated!
Does Mayfield throw the ball away this season