Weekend Open Post | September 4th – 6th
Posted on: September 4, 2026
Sourced Team Notes | August 31st
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 31, 2026
Caught up with sources over the last couple days and spoke to another shortly after the official depth chart was released…
***First…was told Deacon Schmitt really finished camp strong and he likely is your OT3 right now while Fodje is playing center. Source said if Harris or Fasusi went down, Schmitt would likely be the guy to go in at RT and Harris would flip to LT if Fasusi needed some time off. Thought that was interesting. Source said Peyton Joseph is coming along, but Schmitt has found his groove.
***Was told Parker Livingstone did miss a couple days last week, but he is expected to be fully available, much in the same way Jonathan Hatton missed a couple days early in camp. “Abundance of caution.”
***Source said they expect Tory Blaylock to give it a go this week in team periods. As you know, last week I noted OU has been very cautious with Blaylock and his hammy, as source said he “Could be ready tomorrow, or a couple weeks, you never know with Hammy’s”. Well, sounds like he is gonna give it a shot and may be ‘available’ in that case for Friday.
***Y’all see Dakoda Fields at CB with an ‘or’ with Jacobe Johnson on the depth chart. K and I were talking about him this morning; sources continue to rave about Johnson’s physical abilities, but they still point to him needing to get more consistent on a play to play basis. As we have noted throughout summer and fall, Dakoda Fields’ talent was never the question, and with the way he has put his head down and worked, he has answered all the questions about his mindset. This is a good thing for OU.
BV’s Development | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: September 1, 2026
Last year my preseason prediction was boom or bust at a ceiling of 10-2 with a floor of 7-5.
The Sooners hit the ceiling.
My concern wasn’t the talent, as you know, it was whether BV would have the team playing consistently well enough to win that many games against a good schedule.
He did.
I have been asking around about how things are behind the scenes and I continue to get the distinct feeling that BV is growing as a coach and a manager.
One of the things that we heard early on and noted here was just the sheer amount of time BV spent talking to the players. He has a lot of good to say and teach but based on what we’d heard, it was just a bit much at times.
I have been told that has changed. BV is always going to be a good motivator but the hour after practice talks aren’t happening anymore.
The physical practices were great but they were getting too many games beat up. Brent has found a new balance with that.
The micro managing other coaches? BV will always want to make sure you know what you’re doing. That’s great. That’s management. But what I would call over tinkering, I’m told isn’t happening.
I used to be concerned that BV’s response to everything was just hard work. Sometimes it’s not a question of harder work. For example, if you work out your chest every day with no rest, that’s counter productive. If you dig a ditch everyday in the backyard, despite what the labor value theorists (commies) tell you, that hard work isn’t inherently valuable.
It’s about working smarter. Being efficient so you are prepared and you are fresh. And I’m told that’s happening more at every level from the staff to players.
BV is always going to have a bias towards overwork and maybe over management but I get the sense that there are a number of areas he is adjusting and improving that I think will serve the program better and better.
Know Your Opponent | UTEP – 2026
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 1, 2026
Head Coach: Scotty Walden – 3rd year
Offensive Coordinator(s): Lanear Sampson and Joe Pappalardo – 1st years in roles
Defensive Coordinator: Kyle Beyer – 1st year
UTEP enters 2026 looking to rebound from a 2-10 season in 2025, a year marked by offensive inconsistency and struggles to run the football. Scotty Walden has revamped the roster, bringing back key players from injury, including WR Kam Thomas, while QB EJ Colson returns to lead the offense. The Miners also move into the Mountain West, giving them a fresh start and a new challenge. With more experience and talent, 2026 is a pivotal season for Walden and UTEP.
On offense…
UTEP operates a high-tempo, spread-the-field offense under Scotty Walden, built around pace, spacing and getting the quarterback into a rhythm. The Miners want to create explosive plays through the passing game while using the run to keep defenses honest. In 2026, the emphasis is on becoming more efficient and protecting the football after UTEP committed 24 turnovers last season. EJ Colson’s dual-threat ability gives the offense another dimension, while a revamped offensive line will be critical to getting the run game going.
Starters and impact players…
Offense
QB #1 EJ Colson – The Miners’ new starting quarterback after transferring in from Iowa Western. Colson brings significant experience, completing 71% of his passes for 2,142 yards and 16 TDs last season. He’s the key to UTEP’s offensive turnaround.
RB #0 Tavorus Jones – A transfer running back who gives UTEP an experienced option in the backfield. Jones is projected to lead the rushing attack, with fellow transfer Kam Thomas behind him.
WR-X #5 Carver Cheeks – The veteran of the receiver group and projected No. 1 outside target. Cheeks’ experience should be particularly important for a new-look UTEP passing game.
WR-Z #7 Jaylan Brown – Another transfer expected to step immediately into a starting role. Brown gives UTEP another experienced outside option opposite Cheeks.
WR-Slot #3 Jaden Smith – The veteran slot receiver brings another dimension to the passing game. His experience makes him a natural fit for the inside role.
TE #82 Judah Ezinwa – The veteran transfer is projected to start at tight end. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Ezinwa gives UTEP some needed size in the middle of the formation
LT #54 Jaymon Lamb – A transfer projected to protect Colson’s blind side. Lamb is one of several new faces along an offensive line that has undergone significant turnover.
LG #52 Jackson Bradley – The projected starter at left guard. Bradley is another veteran transfer brought in to stabilize an offensive line that will be critical to UTEP’s ability to run the football.
C #56 Brian Williams Jr. – The sophomore transfer is projected to take over at center. His play will be particularly important because of the communication and responsibility required to get this rebuilt line organized.
RG #55 Omoruyi Aliu-Otokiti – The projected right guard and another transfer addition. He provides experience on an offensive line that has essentially been rebuilt through the portal.
RT #73 Tyler Roberts – The young right tackle is the most intriguing developmental piece on the projected line. Roberts is a freshman, so UTEP will be asking him to grow up quickly against one of the best defensive lines in college football in Oklahoma.
The big picture
The obvious theme is experience through the transfer portal. UTEP’s projected starting offense features a ton of newcomers. The Miners went 2-10 in 2025, so Scotty Walden is betting heavily on transfers to accelerate the rebuild.
The Colson-to-Cheeks/Brown/Smith passing combination is probably the biggest thing to watch. If Colson plays like his 2025 numbers suggest he can, UTEP has the veteran pieces around him to be considerably more dangerous offensively than the record from a year ago would indicate.
One interesting wrinkle: UTEP’s offensive line is the biggest question mark, with four of the five projected starters being transfers and freshman Tyler Roberts at right tackle. Lining up to start their season against OU and their defensive front is a big ask of this group.
On defense…
UTEP’s defense will continue to operate primarily from a 3-3-5 scheme under new defensive coordinator Kyle Beyer, emphasizing multiplicity, aggression and pressure. The Miners use the flexible front to create different pressure looks and move defenders around, while leaning on an experienced front seven led by nose tackle Ashton Coker.
Defense
DT #98 Preston Hickey – A veteran transfer from Northwestern State who gives UTEP experience and size inside. Hickey is projected to anchor one of the two interior defensive line spots.
NT #90 Ashton Coker – One of the more established pieces on the defensive line. Coker returns after recording 25 tackles and four sacks in 2025 and should be an important run-stopper in the middle.
DE #3 Shakaun Bowser – Bowser is back after a productive 2025 season in which he had 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. The senior is expected to be one of UTEP’s primary edge threats.
Bandit #19 Sterling Miles – A transfer from Eastern Michigan, Miles brings proven production to the edge. He had 34 tackles, four TFLs and five QB hurries last season and should be one of UTEP’s more versatile defenders.
WLB #10 Jayden Wilson – One of the biggest returning pieces on the defense. Wilson led UTEP with 92 tackles in 2025 and also recorded eight sacks, making him the veteran centerpiece of the linebacker corps.
MLB #13 Isaiah Bogerty – The Texas Southern transfer takes over in the middle. At 6-3, 236 pounds, Bogerty gives UTEP good size at linebacker and is expected to provide stability to the interior defense.
LCB #0 Justin Content – Content is one of the few returning defensive backs projected to hold onto a starting job. He recorded 58 tackles in 2025 and should be counted on as a veteran presence outside.
RCB #5 TJ Tillman – The sophomore corner is projected to take one of the starting outside spots. Tillman saw action last season and brings some returning experience to a secondary that has undergone significant turnover.
SPUR #27 LaTristan Thompson – The sophomore transfer is projected to play the hybrid SPUR role, giving UTEP another defensive back who can work closer to the box while still handling coverage responsibilities.
FS #2 Xavier Smith – Probably the headliner of the secondary. Smith returns after leading the team with 60 tackles in 2025 and adding 1.5 sacks. His experience and production make him a key piece of the rebuilt defense.
SS #7 Kode Lowe – Lowe started four games last season and finished with 38 tackles, four TFLs, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He’s another experienced piece UTEP can lean on in the back end.
The big picture
The biggest theme with this defense is experience mixed with a lot of new faces. UTEP lost several major contributors from last year’s defense, but Walden attacked the transfer portal aggressively. The result is a defense with veteran pieces like Wilson, Bowser, Coker, Content, Smith and Lowe, while transfers such as Hickey, Miles and Bogerty are being asked to immediately fill important roles.
Wilson and Smith are probably the two names I’d circle. Wilson gives UTEP a proven playmaker at linebacker, while Smith is the veteran safety capable of helping organize what could be a relatively inexperienced secondary.
Bottom line…
It’s finally time to play some football. Oklahoma opens the 2026 season Friday night in Norman against UTEP, and while the Miners bring some experience and a new challenge from the Mountain West, this is a game the Sooners should control from the opening kickoff.
The biggest thing to watch is John Mateer and the OU offense. After averaging just 354.3 yards per game last season, the Sooners need to show immediately that they’ve taken a step forward. Meanwhile, Brent Venables’ defense should have a significant advantage up front against a UTEP team that struggled to run the football in 2025.
UTEP may hang around early, but OU’s depth, physicality and overall talent should take over. Expect the Sooners to establish the run, get Mateer into a rhythm and let the defense make life miserable for the Miners.
One On Ones | OU vs UTEP 2026
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 2, 2026
The Sooners take on UTEP in the first game of the season on Friday Night!
There are no real one on one matchups that jump out to me as UTEP is simply undermanned and overmatched across the board, so I am just going to talk about what I want to see from the offense and defeense!
Let’s have a look!
One On One Number One:
OU Offense vs UTEP Defense
***Against an overmatched UTEP team, OU fans shouldn’t just be looking for a big final score, they should be looking for evidence that the offense is more complete than it was a year ago. The Miners allowed 169.5 rushing yards per game last season, so this is a perfect opportunity for Ben Arbuckle’s offense to establish the run and create some rhythm before the schedule gets serious.
***What would a successful opener look like?
***Quarterback — John Mateer: Something in the neighborhood of 18-of-25 passing, 225-275 yards, 2-3 TDs and zero turnovers would be plenty. The completion percentage matters more than piling up huge yardage. Seeing Mateer make quick, decisive throws and look comfortable would be a major positive. He should also be able to add 30-50 rushing yards without OU needing to expose him to unnecessary hits. A 65%+ completion rate with no turnovers is a reasonable benchmark.
***Running backs — 175+ rushing yards: This is where I’d want to see the Sooners make a statement. 4.5+ yards per carry should be the floor, with Xavier Robinson and Lloyd Avant leading the way and Jonathan Hatton Jr. getting meaningful work. Ideally, OU gets 175-225 rushing yards from the RB room while spreading carries around rather than leaning on one guy. UTEP gave up nearly 170 rushing yards per game last season, making this a game where the Sooners should be physically dominant.
***Receivers — 175-225 yards, multiple contributors: This is perhaps the biggest thing I want to see. Isaiah Sategna doesn’t need 150 yards. Instead, four or five receivers combining for 175-225 yards, with Trell Harris, Parker Livingstone, Manny Choice and Elijah Thomas all getting involved, would be much more encouraging. OU needs to prove this is no longer a one-receiver operation. Sategna was OU’s lone consistently productive wideout in 2025, while the 2026 group has considerably more experience and talent on paper.
***The bigger picture: I’d be thrilled with something like 450+ total yards, 35-45 points, 175+ rushing yards, no turnovers and meaningful production from at least four different receivers. More importantly, OU should be able to get ahead early, hand the game to the running backs and backups, and have Mateer watching from the sideline well before the fourth quarter.
That’s the kind of opener that says: Yes, this offense actually looks different.
One On One Number Two:
OU Defense vs UTEP Offense
***For the defense, the bar should be high, but realistic. UTEP averaged just 331.8 yards and 23.3 points per game last season, while Oklahoma’s 2025 defense finished sixth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.
***What should OU fans want to see?
***Yards allowed: 250 or fewer. Anything under 300 would be acceptable, but against this UTEP offense, the Sooners should aim for 225-250 yards or less. Most importantly, don’t give up cheap explosive plays.
***Points allowed: 10 or fewer. A shutout would be fantastic, but holding UTEP to 10 points or less should be the expectation. The defense shouldn’t be forced to win a shootout.
***Turnovers forced: 2+. This is a great opportunity for OU’s veteran defense to create some havoc. Two turnovers at a minimum, preferably one interception and one forced fumble, would be a strong opening statement.
***Sacks: 4+. With UTEP breaking in transfer quarterback EJ Colson Jr., the Sooners should make his first game in Norman uncomfortable. Four sacks would be a good benchmark, with five-plus signaling that OU’s defensive front is already operating at a high level.
***The bigger takeaway:
***I’d call 250 yards allowed, 10 points, two turnovers and four sacks a very good defensive night. But I’m watching something beyond the box score. Does OU control the line of scrimmage, eliminate explosive plays, get off the field on third down and create negative plays?
***That’s the stuff that will matter when the Sooners travel to Michigan next week. UTEP is an overmatched opponent, so this should look like Brent Venables’ defense imposing its will, not simply surviving. Oklahoma allowed just 77.3 rushing yards per game last season, so maintaining that physical identity should be one of the first things we look for Friday night.
Predicting the Sooners Season
– Super K – Posted on: September 3, 2026
Predictions for how the Sooners will do have been tough these past few years.
I think the previous year I had a range of 7-5 to 10-2 and the Sooners went 6-6.
Then last year, instead of a range, I had a boom or bust prediction at 7-5 or 10-2. The Sooners went 10-2.
We’ve talked about the yo-yo. BV going up and down each season from a losing season to a 10 win season. And we’ve talked about the need to break that trend.
***My first prediction is that they will break that trend.
Why? It’s not just because I think BV has grown in his capacity as a manager. It’s also because, he has built a part of the team that I believe is and will continue to be consistent.
In the first couple of years, BV was heavily involved with the defense but was still allowing others to hold the reins. He fired Roof and let Zac Alley do his thing. It was better but it still wasn’t BV. There is no replacement for himself.
Now he runs the show and we’ve seen what it’s like being on the other side of a BV run defense after some time. He suffocated the Sooners both times he faced them while he was at Clemson.
We saw him suffocate UGA. We saw him suffocate a lot of teams.
Has the talent continued to grow? Yes. But BV could make guys like Tom Wort look good.
The real difference now is he is the DC and now he is in his second year of fully running it.
And if history is any guide, he’s going to suffocate a lot of teams.
***So, I think the Sooners are in a place where whatever happens with the other sides of the ball, the defense will be a stalwart of the team.
***Additionally, the inconsistencies at special teams have not only faded, but that side of the ball is becoming a strength.
***So, in the first few years, the Sooners went from inconsistent and sometimes bad play on defense and special teams to both sides being reliably good. That usually means more consistent winning. And that’s what I’m banking on.
***As for the offense, they are better everywhere. The consensus inside the building – as far as I am gathering – is that the offense will depend on how well they can run.
***Here again, BV has taken another step as a coach. He’s been pushing the run game narrative inside the building and in public. As I noted, he’s going full Bob Stoops to Lincoln Riley (I still chuckle about that one time in Lincs first year where he walked into the presser looking like he’d just been chewed out over not running the ball enough).
***As one source told me recently, if we had this team with last year’s schedule, there is no doubt it’s a playoff team. I completely agree.
***That’s been my biggest question mark all off-season. How much better is this team and how much tougher is the schedule.
***But even when I think about the toughest teams the Sooners will face, Brent’s defense matches up well with most.
I think he can put a second-half choke on UGA. They have a talented team but they don’t have a QB like a Chambliss. And they want to run the ball…well BV wants to stop the run.
I think he won’t hold back like he did in the second half against Texas.
I think Chambliss is a problem but he’s lost weapons.
I think the TAMU QB is mobile but he’s lost weapons and has he seen such a sophisticated defense?
It’s tough playing BV for the first time and teams like TAMU, Kentucky, Florida are all going to be seeing this defense for the first time.
***In addition to the question of the schedule and how much better it may be than last year, the big question remains injuries. We keep hearing of OL getting dinged up. That’s not good. They’re talented but they aren’t deep. It’s difficult to maintain the kind of roster depth teams used to have and the Sooners have been a bit snakebitten in the past.
So…
Too many variables to give a precise prediction so I’m going to stick with my unconventional range type predictions, for now.
I’m going to put the floor at 9-3 and the ceiling 11-1.
Another later add defensive tackle option worth watching for OU
– Charlie S – Posted on: September 3, 2026
Boise State defensive tackle Braxton Fely was granted a Temporary Restraining Order against the NCAA in Cleveland County, clearing him to compete during the 2026-27 season. Fely originally entered the transfer portal in the spring of 2025 before withdrawing and returning to Boise State, where he earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2025.
Fely also put some serious strength on display at Boise State’s Pro Day. The 6-foot-1, 296-pound defensive tackle ripped off 38 reps at 225 pounds, a number that would have led all players at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Sources indicate OU is interested in adding Fely, who brings three years of starting experience and a career that includes 67 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks.
Currently, Fely is not on Oklahoma’s roster. This is a situation worth watching as the Sooners continue to evaluate their options along the defensive interior.
The inclusion of Fely would be in addition to OU adding former Arkansas DL Danny Saili to the program.
College football circa 2026…you never know what’s gonna pop up, no matter when the season officially starts.
