The Football Brainiacs

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The season is here. All the talk during the off-season is behind us, as well as the preseason guessing and predicting. On Saturday afternoon, the Sooners will kick off the 2018 season when they host FAU. As TFB did last year, a day or two before each game, we will be posting “Hot Takes,” or just general pregame observations and questions. Please engage in the comments sections to let us know what you think Sooner fans are likely to see on Saturday!

OU Offense

– That offensive line is going to abuse that FAU defensive line. Bedenbaugh has the best five lineman he can get on the field, solid depth behind them, and the versatility he needs to be able to plug guys in. They’ll be good to go.

– The top two receivers in yardage Saturday will be CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown. I think, excluding Calc, Basquine has himself the next biggest game. He’s been sidelined for a year; look for one of the most resilient guys on the team to come out ready.

– I still think that Kennedy Brooks gets the third most touches after Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon, despite Marcelias Sutton being shown as higher on the depth chart.

– Coach Riley compared FAU’s middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to Roquan Smith earlier this week. I think the offensive line does their job to keep him out of the way and that Carson Meier puts him on his back at least once.

– With that said, he is the real deal and will frustrate you at least once.

– Kyler Murray will do something Saturday that makes you very angry.

– Kyler Murray will do something Saturday that makes you very happy.

OU Defense

– I don’t know that I believe FAU will pass with a ton of success. Their quarterback decision is still pending and I really believe OU’s secondary is the best its been in several years.

– Devin Singletary. Might as well know the name now. He’s going to be good. The Rose Bowl showcased what a talented running back can do against OU. I think that the defensive personnel on the field this season is a better fit, but they’ll have their hands full.

– We’ve heard that Tre Brown will get a lot of reps; how do Parnell Motley, Tre Norwood, and Brown split those?

– How often is Bookie on the field?

– For that matter, how often is assumed starting SAM linebacker Ryan Jones on the field? (It will obviously depend on the defensive formation for both questions, but it’ll be something to watch).

– Kenneth Murray has had eight long months to think about the Rose Bowl and has said that he’s watched it a lot. I think he comes out angry and hits someone hard enough to make them think Lane Kiffin is their mama.

– Both Addison Gumbs and Mark Jackson get a sack Saturday. Both have the opportunity to be fantastic edge rushers.

Special Teams

– Someone besides Austin Seibert has their foot intentionally touch a ball on Saturday. Whether that be for kickoff, field goal, extra points, punts, or a game of soccer on the sideline, I think it happens.

– One of the return guys, I’m betting on Tre Brown, has a return that makes you really glad OU has the athletes they do. They’re all capable of making magic.

Over/ Under Fun

– OU quarterbacks who play on Saturday: 2.5

– OU running backs with over 50 yards rushing: 2.5

– OU receivers with over 50 yards receiving: 2.5

– Trey Sermon trucks someone: 1.5

– Singletary has a run over 10 yards: 2.5

– Sacks on an FAU quarterback: 2.5

– Times Baker Mayfield’s name is mentioned on the broadcast: 9.5

– Times David Boren’s name is mentioned on the broadcast: 1.5

Final Score Prediction

OU 48 – FAU 17