The Football Brainiacs

Oklahoma knows how to bounce back.

The last time the Sooners lost back to back games was during the 2014-15 season when they lost to Oklahoma State 38-35 before getting drubbed by Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl, 40-6.

Since then, every time the Sooners have suffered a defeat, they have come back to win the next week.

Oklahoma looks to continue that streak Saturday when they take on TCU in Ft. Worth just two weeks after losing to Texas.

“We have a great history of bouncing back,” wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said. “Losing one game then carrying on the rest of the season. I feel like we’re trying to carry that over this year. I feel like we just put the pieces together and no one wants that bad taste in their mouths.

Marquise Brown says the entire team gets the credit for their ability to not let one loss turn into two.

“It’s a credit to our coaches. And a credit to the players for staying focused, taking it week by week. Just trying to get 1-0 each week,” Brown said. “Each week, we practice hard. As long as we practice hard and be well prepared for the game, I feel confident.”

Dramatic week behind them

With the firing of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, much of the focus during the bye week was on the defensive side. However, Lamb was asked how the offense handled the drama of last week.

“The offensive is always great because we’re the ones who put up numbers,” Lamb said. “Obviously, defense can too. It’s always fun on offense, especially under coach (Lincoln) Riley. I feel like our defense has something to prove and they’re going to come out stronger. I feel like they used it as motivation and fuel. I feel like they’ve come out hungrier.”

Ruffin right man at the right time

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh says Ruffin McNeill is the right man to handle the turmoil that comes from a midseason firing like the Sooners are going through.

“I think so. But I’ve got a lot of other things to worry about quite honestly,” Bedenbaugh said. “I’ve got five guys I’ve got to coach. But Ruff is one of the best guys in the world. I’ve known him for s long time. I wasn’t at Tech when all that stuff went down. But, I was with Ruff for a long time. He’s really good for our whole team.”

Still feeling the loss

With quarterback Kyler Murray experiencing his first loss as a collegian, he was visibly emotional after the game against Texas. Lamb said he wanted to make sure he didn’t try and shoulder all the blame last week.

“I feel like he got stronger, but coming from me, a guy that’s in that locker room as well, I feel like I had a part to do in it,” Lamb said. “I could have caught one more ball on the hitch could have done a lot more. He’s not the only one who feels like everything is on him. But for us, as a great teammate, we have to be there for him.”

Improving each week

Through six games, Brown has 33 receptions for 675 yards and seven touchdowns. In FBS he ranks eighth in yards, fourth in receiving yards per game and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns.

But Brown doesn’t feel he is close to being done as far as getting better.

“I think I have been progressing pretty good,” Brown said. “I’m just going each week still trying to build myself up physically and mentally in the game. And just getting more comfortable in the offense.”

Award season

Because of the impressive numbers Brown is putting up, he is being mentioned as a possible candidate for several postseason awards.

“I don’t get excited, but I do take it as a blessing,” Brown said. “It’s always a blessing to get recognized.”

TCU defense

While the Horn Frogs do not have the record they normally do at this time of the season, that doesn’t make their defense a unit the Sooners can overlook. Bedenbaugh especially pointed out the play of their defensive ends Ben Banogu (No. 15) and L.J. Collier (No. 91).

“TCU has the two best defensive ends we’ve seen up to this point. (Banogu) was a really good player last year,” Bedenbaugh said. “He’s improved (Collier) is now a full-time starter. He’s really good. He’s probably the best defensive end we’re going to face I know up to this point. Those two guys together are really good.”

Who is the fastest?

The question surrounding the program since training camp has been who is faster out of Murray and Brown. Both have shown during games why each one may be considered the fastest on the team. That includes Murray’s touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Texas.

However, according to Lamb, that question may never be settled.

“No they haven’t (raced) and I don’t think they ever will,” Lamb said. “Honestly, they are both lazy. They don’t feel like racing each other. They can both say they are the fastest and nobody has the upper hand.”