The Football Brainiacs

Will Hollywood be a go?

After Marquise Brown injured his ankle during the Big 12 Championship, Oklahoma has been mum on exactly what the injury is and how long their all-American receiver will be sidelined. Coach Lincoln Riley was asked directly Wednesday if Brown had had surgery. Lincoln Riley said no, but also didn’t really clarify if he will be ready for the Orange Bowl Dec. 29.

“It’s still too early,” Riley said. “It’s not a definite no, it’s not a definite yes. We’re hopeful, but he hasn’t done much at this point.”

Instant reaction

Since the Big 12 Championship Riley and his coaching staff have been on the road recruiting. With the early signing period approaching, they, like most coaches, have been crisscrossing the country nonstop.

However, this year, Riley says because of the success and notoriety the Sooners have had the past month, he has noticed a different reaction from people on the road.

“We’ve been on a lot of people’s TV screens the last couple of weeks, which is a good thing. There is a ton of momentum behind the program,” Riley said. “I think they see it as sustained right now. There are a lot of recruits and their families right now feel they can come to OU and they know what they’re going to get.  It’s not an up and down deal that maybe they have to try and hit at the right time. It’s a huge advantage and makes for great conversation.”

Heisman infamy

One of the reasons for the increased notoriety is the fact the Sooners have won back to back Heisman Trophies.

“It’s hard to even quantify right now. It will have a long-lasting impact,” Riley said. “Having one is just so rare. And to have two back to back is really, really special. Just shows guys the opportunities that they have when they walk in the door to this place. If you work hard and you play at a high level, anything is possible.”

No change for K1

While adding another Heisman to the collection has improved the Sooners brand, for the Heisman winner, very little has changed.

“Nothing different has happened,” Murray said. “I’ve just been chilling honestly. Nothing crazy has happened. I’ve been to Chipotle once since the deal. That is the only time I’ve been outside the house. Other than, it’s been pretty normal so far.”

No sign nervousnessAs he sat with Dwayne Haskins and Tua Tagovailoa and awaited the Heisman announcement, Murray said he was surprisingly calm.

“I wasn’t nervous at all, which was weird,” Murray said. “I thought I was going to be super nervous. I just felt like he’s going to call my name. I don’t know. I wasn’t nervous at all.”

Despite the pressure, Murray is enjoying himself

“It’s a lot of fun. Every game is fun, obviously. Just being in those environments. I love playing on the road more, personally. Going to West Virginia, that game was a ton of fun. Texas in Cowboy Stadium, it doesn’t get much better than that. The ones at the end, when we’re playing for a lot of stuff, they’re a little more meaningful. I think it’s natural they’d be more fun.”

Pulling double duty?

Momentum has grown over the past few weeks that Murray could play in the NFL. Despite already having been drafted by the Oakland Athletics, it seems Murray is giving some thought to maybe doing both.

However, he now is not thinking about such things.

“I don’t have really anything to do with that right now,” Murray said. “All I can control is going out and playing. As far as talking to agents and stuff, I’m not doing any of that stuff. I really can’t speak on all that.”

Questions about the DC

With the OU coaches visiting recruits across the country, Riley admitted some of them on the defensive side have had questions about who will be the defensive coordinator after this season.

“I would ask them if they were seniors at the University of Oklahoma right now, what would want me as the head coach worrying about right now,” Riley said. “ Do you want me to worry about a defensive coordinator or do you want us to worry about winning a national championship? That’s pretty unanimous across the board. The recruits are vitally important to us, but our first priority are our players and our team here. If we weren’t in a playoff, would it be different? Maybe. But we are. They understand that and I think they have confidence that once we get done with the season we’re going to have a great defensive coordinator here.”

Learning from last year’s early signing period

“We learned that these two weeks are going to be really, really, hectic. Especially if you play in the championship game and you have guys going to different award ceremonies,” Riley said. “I think there are some things we learned as far as timing approach, strategy. How your numbers fit in. Trying to get a strategy for now and how you’re going to approach it in January.”

Expecting a shootout

Riley said he was impressed with Alabama’s offense, especially the wide receivers. He said he is expecting a shootout like the Sooners have been a part of throughout most of the season.

“They are different than they have been,” Riley said. “Tua has had a tremendous year. I’d say one of the strengths of the team is the receiving core. Those three guys, plus the tight end are really, really good football players. They’ve grown a lot in the throw game. They have certainly been a little bit more explosive than they have been in the past. I think it’s going to be a lot like what we see often. We’ve played a lot of really good offenses and they’re going to stack right up there with any of them.”

4X All-American

Ben Powers has been named to four first-team All-American squads this season

“It means a lot,” Powers said. “It really does. It means a lot. It’s been a long road. It really has. Four or five years ago if you had asked me if I would be in this position, I’d say you’re crazy.  I’m incredibly blessed to be in this position.”

Coach Bedenbaugh effect

“I think he’s helped with my mentality the most,” Powers said of coach Bill Bedenbaugh. “Everything you do and how you approach it. It’s just grown. It’s gotten better. It’s in the little things. Doing all the little things right. From going to class and turning in every little homework to paying attention in meetings, writing stuff down. All that.”

Matchup with Alabama D-Line

“They are a good defense,” Powers said. “Looking forward to it. “

Importance of bowl games

With West Virginia quarterback Will Grier skipping out on his team’s bowl game, Riley was asked to comment on the topic.

“Just get in the playoffs and you don’t have to worry about it,” Riley joked. “I am really torn on it. I am. I haven’t been in that situation yet. Hopefully not in it for a while. I appreciate our guys. We had some guys three years ago when we played in the Sugar Bowl, we had some guys that could have bowed out. You can see both sides of. I know a lot of people want to point out what happened to the kid at Notre Dame. That’s the main example everyone uses. You can get hurt in any game. It’s football. I think it comes down to the induvial person and what their team and program means to them.”