The Football Brainiacs

Continuing with our plan this offseason to share some content that a couple members of our community have been creating for close to a year now!

I am happy to be able to announce that TFB supports The Champion Standard Podcast!

Our guys @soonerbrad and @Birddawg have been pumping out some high-quality podcasts that talk about Xs and Os, hot topics, and OU football talk in general. This podcast represents the views and opinions of Rob and Brad and TFB is not part of their operation, but we do endorse it wholeheartedly!

Each time a new podcast drops I will post it here for the community. Give the guys a listen, sub to their YouTube channel, and include their pods on your mobile devices!

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“Rollin”

As Oklahoma’s sports scene ramps into June, the Champion Standard hosts Rob and Brad return on Memorial Day weekend to break down what might be the most pivotal week of the summer season for the Sooners and Thunder alike. From OU Softball’s historic ninth straight Women’s College World Series appearance, to the Thunder’s playoff war with Minnesota, to a big recruiting win for Todd Bates.

OU Softball: The Drive for Five

“It’s unreal, man. Nine straight. I don’t think people realize how insane that is,” Brad said to open the show, reflecting on Oklahoma Softball’s latest postseason run. “Especially in what was supposed to be a ‘rebuilding year.’”

“I love that it’s in Oklahoma City. And I know it bugs the crap out of the other 49 states,” Brad added. “But I don’t care. We committed to it. We built it. We earned this.”

Rob agreed, but wasted no time looking ahead to the draw. “This side of the bracket is brutal. Tennessee, Florida, Texas… that’s a gauntlet. Four teams that were ranked No. 1 at some point? That’s wild.”

Despite the challenge, confidence in Patty Gasso’s squad remains high. 

“I just think there’s too much depth, too many bats. Landry’s peaking. Gabby Garcia’s a star. This team’s going to remind everyone who runs this sport.”

The hosts gave plenty of shine to Garcia, the freshman phenom who leads the team in home runs.

“She’s just got that fire—reminds me of Britto or Riley Boone—just brings that spark every time she’s up to bat,” Brad noted. “And she’s hitting .360 with 20 bombs. That’s not normal for a freshman.”

But the path won’t be easy, especially with Tennessee’s Payton Gottshall and Karlyn Pickens—the latter of whom throws near 80 mph and could be the toughest pitcher OU has faced this postseason.

“Pickens is nasty,” Rob said. “But if we can get to her early, we’ll break through. Tennessee’s defense has been shaky this year too. That’s something people don’t talk about enough.”

One major talking point was the loss of veteran leadership on the defensive side—namely Jada Coleman and Kinzie Hansen. Their absence, especially in clutch moments, could loom large.

“Not to be harsh, but Isabella Emerling just hasn’t been consistent behind the plate,” Brad said. “You can’t let passed balls cost you runs at this level.”

Still, Brad thinks the Sooners are built to rise to the moment.

“No walks, no errors, no freebies—that’s what wins you games at this stage. And we’ve got the bats to back it up.”

As for who needs to show out?

“This is Sam Landry’s series. If she rises, we win the whole thing,” Rob declared. “She’s got that Kelly Maxwell arc going. Quiet regular season, but the coaches trust her, and she’s catching fire at the right time.”

Thunder vs Timberwolves: A Clash of Tempo and Talent

After a blowout Game 3 loss in Minneapolis, the Thunder face a crucial Game 4 to keep the upper hand in their series against the Timberwolves.

“They laid an egg,” Brad said bluntly. “But that’s why it’s a seven-game series. You shake it off and move on.”

Rob, ever the optimist, wasn’t rattled in the slightest.

“I’m not worried. This team is too good, too fast, too deep. Shai’s not gonna be denied the Finals. It’s happening,” he said. 

The Thunder crowd may have a rival, though, as the hosts noted Minnesota’s home fans were impressively loud and engaged.

“Gotta give credit—they were rowdy,” Brad admitted. “But we’ve got that same juice in OKC. We’ll be fine.”

Still, the pressure’s on. If OKC falls again in Game 4, the narrative shifts quickly.

“If we come out flat again tonight, then I’ll start sweating,” Brad said. “But we’ve seen this team bounce back all year.”

Rob sees this team’s potential clearly, especially with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm.

“Shai’s got the Kobe gene. He just hasn’t had a chance to show it yet because we’ve been beating teams by 15. But it’s coming.”

“Honestly, Denver might’ve been the toughest team we face. If we finish this series in five or six, I like our chances against anybody,” Brad said.

Recruiting Momentum: Brian Harris Commits

One of the quieter but most impactful moments of the week came off the field, as Oklahoma picked up a commitment from 4-star defensive tackle Brian Harris out of Florida.

“That’s a big-time get,” Brad said. “6’3″, 290, already looks the part. And more importantly—he had a committable offer from Alabama. That says everything.”

Todd Bates, Oklahoma’s defensive line coach, continues to show why he’s one of the most respected recruiters in the country.

“He just keeps stacking these guys every May like clockwork,” Brad added. “This is when he starts building his class, and he always gets someone who surprises people.”

Rob put it simply: “If you’re stealing commits from Freddie Roach’s room at Alabama, you’re doing something right.”

Nagy & The Future of Recruiting

Much of the latter portion of the episode focused on Jim Nagy, Oklahoma’s new general manager-style hire, who’s bringing an NFL approach to roster building.

“Nagy’s not just going after stars. He’s building player profiles, traits, personalities—like an NFL draft board,” Brad said. “That’s what separates good classes from great ones.”

The hosts anticipate this could shift OU’s recruiting rankings—possibly dropping them in the short-term—but ultimately producing stronger, more NFL-ready talent.

“We might finish with the No. 15 class instead of No. 7. But if you reevaluate in three years, I guarantee ours will outperform,” Brad predicted.

The duo compared it to Georgia’s slow-burning roster dominance under Kirby Smart and the value of development over flash.

“It’s about stacking the right kind of guys,” Rob added. “Give me three-stars who stay and grow.”

They also discussed Nagy’s potential future beyond Norman.

“I think we’re the launching pad,” Rob said. “Give him 3-4 years, and he’s gonna be an NFL GM. But while he’s here, he’s laying the foundation.”

Roster Building, NIL, and The Modern CFB Landscape

Naturally, the conversation turned to NIL and roster construction in the age of revenue sharing.

“Eventually, rosters are gonna shrink,” Rob said. “No more 85-man teams. You’ll see 60, maybe 65 guys.”

That’s where efficiency and evaluation come in.

“Three out of four spots will be homegrown, one out of four will be portal additions,” Brad estimated. “That’s your ratio going forward.”

And as for NIL?

“Quarterbacks are about to eat,” Rob said. “You better be ready to shell out $30–40 million over three years for a top guy. That’s how the market will develop.”

Brad chuckled: “There’s gonna be a G-Wagon for every QB1 in the SEC soon.”

Transparency around NIL earnings was also discussed.

“Apparently all the players know what each other’s making,” Brad said. “I didn’t realize it was that open.”

Rob welcomed it. “That’s a good thing. If I’m busting my tail and outperforming the million-dollar guy, I want that contract  too.”

Final Thoughts: Stay Rollin’

The podcast closed with a reminder of what’s at stake for Oklahoma sports fans this week.

“By the time we record next Sunday, we’ll know if the Sooners are in the championship series,” Brad said. “And we’ll be one game closer to the Thunder in the Finals.”

The hosts teased a special upcoming episode focused on John Mateer.

Until then, Oklahoma fans are reminded to “cheer like a champion,” split their energy between OKC and OU Softball, and prepare for what could be one of the most memorable weeks in recent memory.