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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Steak, Stats, and Swag: OU’s Offense Looks to Feed the SEC a Heavy Plate in 2025″
CS
July 13, 2025

When Brent Venables takes the podium at SEC Media Days this week, there’ll be no shortage of questions. But if the Oklahoma Sooners can answer just two on the field—offensive line identity and pass-catching firepower—they may leave the rest of the SEC wondering how the new neighbors brought this much smoke.

In the latest episode of Steak Night with the Offense, hosts Brad and Rob slice into Oklahoma’s offensive roster with a culinary twist—ranking each position group on a steakhouse scale. From Golden Corral (bring your own rolls) to The Ranch (45-day dry-aged ribeye royalty), the hosts lay out not just opinions, but stats-driven insight with the fire of true believers. The verdict? Oklahoma’s offensive transformation in 2025 could be as juicy as a ribeye, but only if the beef is backed by bite.

🥩 The Ranch: The Quarterback Room

John Mateer isn’t just the guy—he might be that guy.

Rob starts the segment with a deep statistical dive worthy of a Power BI presentation. He pulls data on 1,746 FBS quarterbacks since 2016, filtering for deep passing metrics—passes over 19 air yards—to stack up QB John Mateer vs OU’s Historical Quarterbacks and former Washington State/Miami signal-caller Cameron Ward.

Mateer? He ranks 6th among OU QBs/Ware in deep-ball on-target percentage and completion percentage, ahead of 2020 Spencer Rattler,  2022 Dillon Gabriel  and 2024 Cameron Ward. That’s an eyebrow-raiser, especially when considering Mateer did this in his first season. The only OU QBs ahead of him? Names like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts—Heisman’s and first-rounders.

“If you want 9–3 or 10–2,” Rob says, “it starts with your talented player taking that next step.” Brad agrees, calling the quarterback room a consensus Ranch rating. “If Mateer can replicate even 85% of last season in a tougher SEC slate, you’re looking at a top-3 QB nationally.”

🧂 Saltgrass: Running Backs & Offensive Line (Split Decision)

Brad tags the running back room for Saltgrass—thanks largely to Cal transfer Jaydn Ott, who gives OU its most explosive back since Rodney Anderson. “Ott puts that room on steroids,” Brad says. “We already had talent with Tatum, Barnes, and Sawchuk, but Ott adds home-run potential. This is a top-three SEC backfield if healthy.”

“Jaydn Ott is most likely our best playmaker outside of Mateer.”

He’s not alone in liking the upside.

 Rob places offensive line here, projecting a revenge tour for Bill Bedenbaugh’s unit. “They were criticized last year by everyone, but they’re pissed off and motivated now,” Rob says. “They brought everyone back. That cohesion and fire is going to matter in November when LSU comes to Norman.” “Coach B’s soul-piercing eyes have more fire than ever..” – Rob

He points to returning names like Jacob Sexton, Logan Howland, Eddy- Pierre Louis, Troy Everett, and freshman phenom Michael Fasusi as pieces of a group that Phil Steele ranked in the SEC’s top five. “Bendenbaugh’s got 10 guys who can play. No steep drop-off at any position,” Brad echoes. “That two-deep is real.”

🥕 Charleston’s: Flash + Fit = High Potential

Rob slaps the running backs into Charleston’s tier too, highlighting a possible thunder-and-lightning combo between Ott and Xavier Robinson. The wild card? Robinson’s downhill power in wide zone looks—a Derrick Henry-eqsue like role in Arbuckle’s system.

“You get linebackers flowing east-west, then send 230 pounds of Robinson north-south—man, that’s a hard tackle to make,” Rob says. “I think they’ll evolve into the best 1–2 punch we’ve had in years.” “Give me Thunder! And Lightning!”

Rob also mentions Taylor Tatum’s knack for manipulating linebackers, despite ball security issues. “He was the only running back last year who could really set up linebackers to be wrong,” Rob adds. “If the game slows down for him and he holds the rock—watch out.”

Meanwhile, Brad places the offensive line at Charleston’s—calling that their floor. “This group’s deep, experienced, and battle-tested. And now they’re angry. That’s what you want in the SEC trenches.”

🌶 Chili’s: The Wide Receivers

It’s no secret—the receiver room is the most uncertain. Both hosts give it a Chili’s grade, citing a lack of proven scorers and continuity. And the stats back it up.

Rob uses his advanced data work to remove FCS transfers that OU brings back only six touchdowns from FBS competition, placing them near the bottom of the SEC. 

Even more troubling: OU ranked 15th out of 16 SEC teams in yards per reception last year (10.09), only ahead of Mississippi State.

“You’ve got to find scorers,” Rob emphasizes. 

Names like Dion Burks, Javonnie Gibson, and Arkansas transfer Isaiah Sategna offer hope. And true freshman Elijah Thomas, could force his way into the rotation.

Still, it’s mostly potential. “You don’t need eight guys,” Brad says. “You need three that scare the crap out of safeties.”

“On our schedule, we play a lot of man coverage teams—a lot. Like five of the top seven SEC pass defenses are man coverage dominant: Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina… they all run on like 30%+.”

“To give reference, OU plays 17%-20%. Even less in Conference play.  

OU is the opposite—complete opposite philosophy.”

“Who are our Man-Beaters in this offense” -Rob

🍞 Golden Corral: Tight Ends

This one’s unanimous—and unforgiving.

“Just don’t screw up,” Brad says of the tight end room. “That’s our bar.”

H-back transfer Jaren Kanak (a converted linebacker) draws praise for his grit and social media energy, but it’s still a “prove-it” unit.

The silver lining? New OC Ben Arbuckle.

“At Washington State, Arbuckle used tight ends smartly—Red Zone Pop Passes, Middle of the field/Get Big , and TE Leak ” Rob explains. “You don’t need Brock Bowers. You need a someone to stand on a board and block and get BIG to catch touchdowns.”

That could be transfers Will Huggins or Carson Kent, but the expectations are modest. “Scheme some touchdowns,” Rob says. “Don’t be invisible, and Arbuckle will help that”

🍽 Final Course: What It’ll Take to Win 9–10 Games

“We’ve got the hardest part figured out—quarterback and OC,” Rob says in the final segment. “Now just check two boxes: offensive line and scorers.”

Brad agrees. “30 points per game. That’s the number. With this defense? You’re getting to 9 wins, minimum.”

There’s also a secret weapon: Kevin Wilson, the new offensive analyst and former Indiana head coach.

“People forget how good he is with the run game and tight ends,” Brad says. “Wilson, Arbuckle, and Bedenbaugh? That’s a three-headed offensive monster.”

🧾 The Final Steakhouse Rankings (Offense)

Steakhouse	Position Group	Notes
🥩 The Ranch	Quarterbacks	Mateer is a top-10 deep passer nationally.
🧂 Saltgrass	Running Backs (Brad) / O-Line (Rob)	Ott elevates a deep RB room. O-Line is motivated and experienced.
🥕 Charleston’s	Running Backs (Rob) / O-Line (Brad)	Robinson offers thunder, Tatum has vision. OL floor is high.
🌶 Chili’s	Wide Receivers	Too many question marks and too few proven scores.
🍞 Golden Corral	Tight Ends	Coaching, depth, and impact lacking.

If Oklahoma wants to silence the SEC doubters in 2025, it won’t just be about talent—it’ll be about production. And on Steak Night, the numbers spoke louder than the sizzle.

Boomer Sooner. Now pass the mac and cheese.

Thank you!

We started this podcast for fun, and it’s been nothing short of awesome.

One random day back in April 2024, Brad and I were deep into another hours-long conversation about Sooner football—just chopping it up like always. Out of nowhere (and maybe a few drinks in), one of us said, “Screw it, let’s start a podcast.” And just like that, Champion Standard was born.

From day one, we set out to be different. No hot takes for clicks. No fluff. Just real football talk backed by numbers, All-22 film, and insights from coaches. We wanted to mix analytics with attitude—and build the kind of podcast that felt like hanging out at the best tailgate in Norman.

Since then, we’ve connected with Sooner fans from everywhere, networked with D1 coaches across the country, and even landed a sponsorship with SIS Data—shoutout to SIS Data Hub for trusting two dudes who just love ball.

We don’t track views, clicks, or reposts. This has never been about money, and it never will be. 

Our version of “success” is simple:

• Are we having a blast talking ball?
• Are we learning more about Sooner football every week?
• Are we meeting great people along the way?

The answer has been a resounding yes.

Over this first year, we’ve gotten to talk football with some incredible guests. And one of our original goals is finally starting to take shape—building a legit tailgate party.

I grew up going to Kansas City Chiefs games, which is basically the mecca of NFL tailgating. Now we’re bringing that same energy to Norman—our own slice of tailgate heaven.

Thanks to SoonerPako (a tailgate guru if there ever was one) and the Champion Standard crew, we’ve got a killer spot that’s shaded, spacious, and stress-free.

• Always room to park (even late in the day)
• $30 OU parking lot—though I’m calling twice a week trying to make it free
• Fast in-and-out access with a direct shot to HWY-9
• WiFi strong enough to run your TV or stream the game
• Oh, and did we mention shade?

Boomer Outreach Building.

And now, my favorite part… the menu.

We’re talking:

Texas Brisket

Jambalaya 

Seafood Boil—because why not go big?

Got questions? Hit us up.

DM @TFB or email me directly at rob@championstandard.com

We’ve also been lucky enough to be guests on some incredible pods this past year:

HOF Football

HornsDown Podcast

Sooners360

All genuine dudes who work their tails off to make quality content. Much respect.

And of course. Thank you, TFB!

K, Charlie, James… you’re the best. Seriously.

We appreciate all the support more than you know. Let’s keep building this thing.

This season, you won’t find more content dropped from a podcast on a Sunday.