Open Post | Weekend, September 25th – 27th
Posted on: September 25, 2020
Starters Status Update
– Super K
Earlier this week, I was told that all starters were practicing. So, so far so good for the Sooners.
There were some back up guys who were hit with contact traces who should be back in this week. And, one back up who actually caught the virus who will also be back this week. So, as far as we know, things are looking good for Oklahoma.
I’m sure there will be some guys out. With how fast this thing happens, it’s a difficult target to hit. But again, at least so far the Sooners are full strength on the starting units.
The Latest | 2022 RB Gavin Sawchuk
– Charlie S
Caught up with Sooners 2022 running back offer Gavin Sawchuk (5’11” 175) out of Littleton, CO earlier this week.
If you recall, Sawchuk visited the Sooners back in March prior to the pandemic induced never-ending NCAA recruiting dead period.
At that time I said:
“Signing day for the 2022 class is a long way off, but the initial feedback from Sawchuk suggests that the Sooners, led by DeMarco Murray, have a pretty solid lead here and they will have additional opportunities to impress Gavin and his family down the line.”
The two main points one can take away from the paragraph above from March is that the Sooners lead and Sawchuk planned on making his way back to Norman.
Obviously, he has not been able to make it back to Norman to this point, so where do things stand on the other point?
Sawchuk told me “Things are still going really well with OU. I speak to coach Murray and coach Riley often”. He added, “They do a really good job of making it feel like a family”.
So the communication is going very well still and Sawchuk and the Sooners are continuing to build their relationship.
In this case, I feel like had the first three games been played by the Sooners this year, he would have been back to Norman already (likely for the Tennessee game). That return trip could have put the Sooners in a position to have him in the boat at this time.
As it is, I still like where Oklahoma stands with Sawchuk and while he hasn’t announced a specific timeline for a commitment, the vibe I continue to get from him is that it is not too far off. In other words, I don’t think he makes it to the spring as an uncommitted prospect (no matter where he chooses).
Colorado just opened up their high school football and Gavin tells me his first game should be on the weekend of October 8th. Looking forward to seeing some of his film coming out of this season as I think he is one of the best backs in the ’22 class.
Team Note | Position Move
– Super K
Quick note here on a position move in the secondary.
I’m told the staff has moved Woodi Washington to cornerback to have him push Jaden Davis. And, I’m told Norwood has been moved to safety.
Not sure how permanent this is but it sounds like it’s the case for now.
One on One | Kansas State
– Charlie S
The Sooners open up their 2020 conference schedule Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats in Norman at 11:00 am.
While Oklahoma is a 28 point favorite and the Wildcats are way down on their number of players available (due to COVID protocol and injuries)…never forget that the Wildcats were also 3 touchdown underdogs last year when they upset the Sooners.
Kansas State is coming off a brutal loss to Arkansas State and while they may appear to be wounded, there is zero chance Oklahoma will not be prepared in an effort to deliver some payback from last year
Let’s take a look at a couple of match-ups worth paying attention too.
One on One number One:
Sooners OT Anton Harrison vs KSU defensive line
I was going to feature the entire Oklahoma offensive line against the Kansas State defensive line as the first matchup to keep an eye on, but when push comes to shove, what I really want to see is how the insertion of Harrison (listed starter) at left tackle affects the Sooners offensive line ply, which was not stellar last week against Missouri State.
After going back and watching the Missouri State game several times, I can honestly say the OL did not perform nearly as poorly as many believed, but I can say they were not dominant in the run game. They did well in pass pro, but failed to impose their will in the run game.
I also believe that characterization is a bit deceiving as well. For instance, if you go back and watch the 3rd and goal from the 3 in the second quarter (second FG for OU) which was supposed to be a power sweep of some sort for OU, the play was choppy from the beginning. Rattler was out of sync getting the ball to McGowan which set the timing off and the OL actually did a good job of picking up their assignments…where that play really failed was with Mikey Henderson and Jeremiah Hall missing their assignments which resulted in a negative play for the Sooners.
So I am going to be watching to see if having Harrison (or Wilkins) at left tackle and moving Ealy back to right tackle and removing Eric Swenson from the equation will help the OU running game get back on track.
KSU has some talent on the edges of the DL in guys like Wyatt Hubert, Kirmari Gainous and Spencer Trussell, but if the OU OL is in step, they shouldn’t provide much of a challenge.
Let’s be frank though…while the Kansas State defensive line does present an upgrade in talent when compared to Missouri State, overall, they should not provide much of an obstacle to the Sooners offensive line and if this OL is going to live up to their hype (my hype) we need to see the Sooners go out there and impose their will on the Wildcats and getting the run game firing is the most important aspect in that regard.
Anton…show me you are ready. Show me you are the guy who makes this line whole. Harrison doesn’t have to go out there and deliver pancake after pancake. I want to see him be assignment sound and help to make the line a more cohesive unit.
One on One number Two:
Sooners safety DTY vs KSU QB Skylar Thompson
Thompson represents the type of dual threat QB who has given OU (and everyone else in CFB) fits as he is a matchup issue.
DTY (and Fields and Bookie) will be the guys who are put in the pressure points more often than not when it comes to the issues that a mobile QB creates.
Last week, the Sooner safeties played a very good game. Both DTY and Fields (and Woodi) had solid days in regards to tackling, coverage, and being assignment sound. However, Thompson represents a different type of challenge with his feet and the decision making process for the Sooners will be more complicated and sped up.
What I want to see is quick recognition and diagnosis from DTY followed by decisive maneuvers.
What I don’t want to see is a guy caught in the middle. Following the UCLA game last season, it seemed like things came together for DTY. He steadily improved throughout the season and the loss of his services for the LSU game really impacted the Sooners in a negative fashion to close out the year.
I do not expect the Sooners to pitch another shutout this week, it is just incredibly difficult to do in this day and age. But I do expect the Sooners ‘1’s’ to pitch something close to a shutout while they are in the game.
DTY and his mates in the secondary should also have several opportunities throughout the game as Thompson was a guy last week who showed flashes of brilliance along with plays that made you shake your head as to how he is starting at the D1 level.
I’ll be interested to see if DTY can put up a stat line which reads something like 8 tackles with 2 tackles for loss and an interception or forced fumble.
Last Weeks One on Ones
One on One number One:
Spencer Rattler vs Expectations
Rattler exceeded my expectations and delivered in every facet. Win.
One on One number Two:
David Ugwoegbu vs His New Position
Ugwoegbu also performed very well. He looked like he knew what he was doing for the majority of the game and at times his athleticism and potential really flashed. I expect him to continue to shine as he gets more comfortable each week. I also expect him to start taking more of the snaps throughout the game as things progress during the season. Win.
Team Note | Young Cornerbacks
– Super K
As we noted earlier in the week, the Sooners moved Woodi Washington back to cornerback and Norwood has moved to safety.
I gather this was done to help Norwood get back into the swing of things at a position that doesn’t require the same foot speed. Before the injury he had all the speed he needed but sometimes that can take some time to return after a lower body injury.
Was told they are hoping Woodi can push Jaden Davis. Davis has played well but as you know, Grinch loves to rotate guys.
I asked about where things are with the freshman cornerbacks.
While DJ Graham had a good spring, things fell off over the summer and into fall camp and I get the sense he’s lagging behind Eaton and Dennis.
Between those two, they’ve unfortunately been dealing with a lot of little dings and then of course contact tracing issues. So, the staff really didn’t get to have them as much as they’d like.
But I was told that right now, Dennis seems be pulling a bit ahead of Eaton.
Eaton is a little dinged up right now so I’m not sure if we will see him in this upcoming game.
But while Dennis is still learning the technique and the sense of urgency that he needs to play with, one source noted that anytime Dennis’ name is mentioned, someone always comments saying, “best feet, most athletic”.
That’s what Dennis is, he’s a special athlete who, if he gets it figured out, can play on Sundays.
I do think that they may just have to throw him in a game and let him get that sense of urgency under live fire.
Either way, there is a battle right now to see who can emerge as that third corner to rotate in.
Jalil Farooq | Reminder
– Super K
As you know, the Sooners have been in hot pursuit of 2021 4-star WR, Jalil Farooq (Upper Marlboro, MD) for quite some time.
Along with his friend Caleb Williams and others, Farooq made his way down to Norman over the summer for a self guided tour.
We have said for a while that the Sooners are in a good spot in this battle. Over the summer, we were told that if the Sooners were to lose Farooq to anyone, it would likely be to Maryland. But again, most feel the Sooners hold serve.
Just a reminder here that he will be announcing his decision on Sunday, the 27th.
Kansas State Game Week | Quarantine Room
– Charlie S
…is pretty much empty. (as of Thursday evening)
Aside from the one guy we noted last week who tested positive, at this point of the week, the Sooners quarantine room for contact tracing and positive tests has had no new additions to the best of our knowledge.
This weeks list was a lot easier to compile than the one we brought to you prior to the Missouri State game.
Will update if we hear anything new prior to the game this weekend.
