Open Post | Weekend, October 1st -3rd
Posted on: October 1, 2021
Chris McClellan Post Visit Update
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 28, 2021
James, K and I have each spoken to sources around Norman in regard to ’22 instate defensive line target Chris McClellan’s official visit.
*** Sources all indicate the trip went very well, as you would expect from OU sources.
***Sounds like Chris appeared to be very comfortable in Norman and the family was engaged and appeared to be enjoying themselves.
***Sources tell us OU is very encouraged following the trip and they feel like they have pulled even with Florida at the very least and some believe they may be out front.
With that said, we have not connected with Chris at this point to get some comparisons between the visits and his take on where things stand.
As we said following his Florida visit, the Gators feel very confident that they ‘got him’.
Following his OU trip, the Sooners feel like they are very much in play with some sources feeling as though OU ‘got him’.
At this point, we still lean towards the Gators having the upper hand, based in large part on not having direct interaction with Chris. Obviously, once K or I get with Chris, that position could change. (More below after speaking with Chris)
Right now, we are still expecting this to go on a bit longer as McClellan still has some planned visits on his calendar.
Chris McClellan Post Visit Quotes
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 30, 2021
Caught up with Sooners ’22 instate defensive line target Chris McClellan last night following his trip to Norman over the weekend.
As you know, earlier this week, Super K picked up some sourced notes from the OU side which can be found HERE.
‘*** Sources all indicate the trip went very well, as you would expect from OU sources.
***Sounds like Chris appeared to be very comfortable in Norman and the family was engaged and appeared to be enjoying themselves.
***Sources tell us OU is very encouraged following the trip and they feel like they have pulled even with Florida at the very least and some believe they may be out front.
With that said, we have not connected with Chris at this point to get some comparisons between the visits and his take on where things stand.’
Now that I have communicated with Chris, I wanted to share a few quotes with you…
***McClellan was very impressed with the visit, when I asked him how he would rate it on a scale of 1-10 he said, “The visit was a 9.5! It was a great experience…was different than any other time I’ve been to Norman”
***When I asked him what stood out to him he said “The atmosphere was more family like and it was more natural than before.”
***He continued by saying “It definitely felt like it was less about recruiting and more about building a true relationship”.
My Take:
Chris still has some visits he would like to take. Whether they happen or not is still a bit up in the air.
I think OU obviously did a good job with Chris and his family and he genuinely saw a different side of Oklahoma this week.
Does that move me to conclusively say this one is wrapped up for OU? Not yet. I still believe Florida is right there and I would not put any kind of prediction on how this one is going to end up right now if I were to risk anything worthy.
If I could have a free bet, I would slide my chips toward OU right now, but I am not counting Florida out or Alabama if he gets down there and they push.
Feels like he is still not settled in his own mind but I feel like, in the end, OU has more advantages going for them that may end up putting them over the top.
Know Your Opponent | Kansas State
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 30, 2021
Head Coach – Chris Klieman (3rd Season at KSU)
Offensive Coordinator – Courtney Messingham (3rd Season at KSU)
Defensive Coordinator – Joe Klanderman (3rd Season at KSU)
On Offense …
Kansas State is unlike traditional Big XII Offenses. They aren’t explosive vertically and you won’t see a ton of Spread or Empty Formations from the Wildcats. They want to create confusion with misdirection and hit you right in the mouth.
QB – #15 Will Howard or #7 Skylar Thompson or most likely #5 Jaren Lewis
FB- #29 Jax Dineen
RB – #22 Deuce Vaughn* and #2o Joe Ervin
– Will Howard is a very questionable decision-maker as a passer. He’s much more decisive as a runner and he was banged up against Oklahoma State.
– Lewis is a guy who came in and replaced Howard and is didn’t get a chance to run much, but he was 10 of 19 for 148 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
– Skylar Thompson is ‘Not likely’ to play according to Klieman. Thompson suffered an injury in the Cats second game of the season and his actual return is still up in the air. If Thompson does return, OU will get a chance to avenge their 2 consecutive losses against the guy that lead Kansas State to victory over OU in successive years. Thompson, when healthy, is a problem for OU and he has beaten them with his feet and with his arm.
– Deuce Vaughn is the workhorse in the backfield and has the appearance of a guy that gets stronger as games wear on. The Sooners can’t get tired of tackling this guy on Saturday. The Wildcats throw it to Vaughn often, as well and Joe Ervin is no slouch himself as he is averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
WR – #88 Phillip Brooks
WR – #4 Malik Knowles
TE – #87 Nick Lenners
– Knowles is averaging 16.8 yards per catch over his 9 receptions and Brooks is averaging 15.5 on his 11 receptions
– Lenners is listed as the starting TE, but he has no receptions to this point. #0 Daniel Imatorbhebhe and #19 Sammy Wheeler both will see action at TE as well.
RT – #73 Christian Duffie
RG – #63 Ben Adler
C – #69 Noah Johnson
LG – #76 Josh Rivas
LT – #50 Cooper Beebe
– Klieman has brought a very unique set of blocking schemes to Manhattan and he has a very strong and experienced OL going for him. I’m a big fan of what they have done.
– This is a stiff, physical group that wants to brawl on every play. Okklahoma has the better athletes, but once again, this matchup will be decided by who is tougher on Saturday.
On Defense …
Kansas State rolls out an energetic bunch which shows multiple looks. From the typical 4-2-5 look common to the Big 12 to a new 3 man front look…
DE – #91 Felix Anudike-Uzomah
NT – #98 Timmy Horne
DT- #92 Eli Huggins
DE – #90 Bronson Massie
– The loss of Wyatt Hubbard was not an easy pill to swallow for the Cats but the unit still has generated a decent pass rush as they have accumulated 13 sacks through their first four games led by 4 from Anudike-Uzomah.
– This is line has the potential to give the Sooners some issues early on, particularly if the offensive line has not upped their game a bit.
– OU should have some success against the interior as compared to their game against West Virginia however.
MIKE – 22 Daniel Green
WILL – 55 Cody Fletcher
SAM – #5 Ryan Henington* (Really an undersized LB, more of an in the box safety)
– The Linebackers aren’t anything special on their own, but the guys up front afford them a lot of freedom to track down the football and make plays.
– Green has 19 tackles and Fletcher has 14 through the team’s first four.
CB – #25 Ekow Boye-Doe
SS – #31 Jahron McPherson
FS – 7 TJ Smith
CB – 23 Julius Brents
DB – #2 Russ Yeast
– McPherson is one of the team’s leading tackler and a team captain and Smith is a youngster who is making his mark and is very active. Good looking kid.
– Yeast is a guy who is on the field often in place of the SAM and he has a pick on the season. Kansas state has 4 total interceptions.
Overall thoughts…
Due to my contractual obligations with you, the community, following my predictions from the prior two years, I offer no thoughts on the outcome of this game.
One on One | Kansas State
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 30, 2021
The Sooners are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they take on Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas!
While the Sooners are a two-score favorite, there are a couple ‘One on One’ matchups that stand out to me in regard to the outcome of the game.
As I mentioned in the Know Your Opponent thread, Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman mentioned, starting QB Skylar Thompson is ‘unlikely’ to play. If Thompson does play, obviously he would be a matchup to keep an eye on as he has lead Kansas State to two consecutive victories over the Sooners.
With Thompson’s status in doubt, I am going to focus on a couple of other ‘One on One’ matchups that stick out to me.
One on One Number One:
KSU RB #22 Deuce Vaughn vs OU linebacker Brian Asamoah (DaShaun White & David Ugwoegbu as well)
Vaughn leads the wildcats in rushing on the season with 75 carries for 393 yards which is a 5.2 yards per carry average along with 5 touchdowns. Good stuff, nothing really spectacular though, right?
The concern I have for OU vs Vaughn is not so much in the run game as OU has been very good against the run for the most part. My concern lies more with the linebackers matching up with him in the passing game or losing track of him and paying for it in scramble plays.
Here is what happens when you lose track of the little guy (as Oklahoma State did) who is generously listed at 5’6…
OU is all too familiar with Vaughn and the threat he poses in the passing game. Last year, in the home loss to the Cats, the Sooners held Vaughn pretty much in check in the run game as he carried the ball 8 times for 35 yards. However, he also added 4 receptions for 129 yards which was good for a 32.3-yard average, and that included a 77-yard play.
Asamoah and the rest of the linebackers have been pretty spotty to this point this season. They really struggled the first two real games (Tulane and Nebraska) with everything from their run fits to their coverage assignments. Last week, they improved significantly against West Virginia but they still have a lot of room for progress.
They will need to be on point every time Vaughn is on the field. Keeping track of Vaughn may not even be enough as he is super twitched up and very elusive. The linebackers will need to focus on keeping him in front of them and containing him with the expectation that the rest of the defense will swarm to the ball.
Vaughn presents a big test for Asamoah and the boys.
One on One Number Two:
Lincoln Riley against his own head when it comes to playcalling.
I could have easily gone with:
KSU DE #91 Felix Anudike-Uzomah vs Wanya Morris/Anton Harrison (and TRob)…but I think that one sorts itself out as the interior of the KSU DL will allow the edges to get some help. Don’t get me wrong, Anudike-Uzomah will present a stiff challenge for the tackles, but right now, I am more concerned with Riley’s playcalling for this particular game.
The Sooners are coming off a last second win against West Virginia. The final drive of the game was a work of art. The first drive of the game was also just beautifully designed and executed.
OU needs more of that in the middle of the game. Period.
Riley called an ample amount of run plays on both of those drives to go along with quick passes because that was what West Virginia was giving.
Spencer Rattler played an extremely efficient second half last week and he likely has some confidence coming off that ending.
I need to see Lincoln Riley first and foremost try to establish the run and not abandon it.
Last year, OU scored 14 points in the second half against KSU…but zero in the 4th quarter.
This defensive line is not as explosive as West Virginia and the Sooners offensive line could use a dose of confidence. Show me a more basic approach to the run game early on with more zone blocking than GT Counters initially. That could open up the counter and in turn the play-action which makes Rileys offense go brrrrrrr.
Really want to see some flow to the play calling and I believe that flow is dependent on the run game.
I don’t get paid the big bucks to call plays for the Sooners, but sometimes, in my experience, I have learned it pays to keep it simple…
