SOONERFANS.com game-by-game thread:

[goingoneight]

Since that's what really counts... ;)

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/Game1.jpg
This ain't no TCU, and Todd Dodge doesn't have a single game under his belt as a D-1 (barely) head coach. We get absolutely no style points for this one; in fact, ESPN heads ridicule us AND the BIG 12 whilst puffing their SEC bandwagoneer chests for this game where Bob Stoops and the Sooners finally open the season in a rout over the supposed "Mean Green."
I can see this one getting ugly for UNT from the first series of the game. Sooners steal a turnover, or a guy by the name of Allen Patrick breaks free to set the pace early. I just don't honestly see this team even coming close, but I'll go ahead and knock on wood for everyone.
Wild prediction: Oklahoma calls off the dogs early in the fourth, and turns the ball over in FG territory in burn time. OU 49 UNT 3

More to come... will post one at a time. Your thoughts and views are more than appreciated... feel free to jump in or jump ahead to the next matchup if ya wanna.

[goingoneight]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/game2.jpg
This isn't Jimmy Johnson versus Barry Switzer. Hell, it's not even the matchup it would have been between two major sluggers in the early 2000s. No one could have predicted Miami's drop-off the last few years. Imagine Mack Brown or USC having a losing season in, say... 2009. That's how strange things have been back east for 'tha U.'
To say that this program isn't attracting top-talent still is stupid, though. They have built a reputation that none will ever forget, and that has landed them not world-beating, but still solid classes of athletic talent in recent years. I look at this game identically to UT versus TCU on the second week of the season. We get 'em at home, which is huge... and this game will tell us if we can play against a championship-caliber defense. We absolutely have to establish some kind of a running game early-on... and if history taught us one thing about AP and Chris Brown... they are both solid, good runners, but can be shut down. Look at the 4th quarters of Oregon, aTm, OSU and Nebraska last season. AD wore 'em down and took over, while AP and CB ran out of gas. The line, and all of the backs are going to have to step up, A+... or a young quarterback will eat dirt and throw picks all day long. Never underestimate the fact that OUr defense had better be ready and not start off slow like we have in recent years, because if UAB can march up the field on us, Miami certainly can. Call me crazy, call me a homer... I'm still confident that we can eek this one out similar to how we did against Washington last year.
Wild Prediction: Solid lead sealed late in the 4th. OU 27 UM 13

[goingoneight]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/game3.jpg
What can you say about a team like this? We'll win this even if we're hung over from tha U game. Will we look terrible doing so? Not likely... we should be pretty well set with who will play where at this point. I point to Oregon in 2004, K-State in 2005 and MTSU in 2006... not Stoops's finished product, but this team will be able to whip up on the patsies for certain by this game. That's of course given that we start out slow... if we can dominate from day one, 77-0... 59-0... some ungodly amount of points and yards to zero... you get the picture.
Wild prediction: There will be at least three mentions of Boise State, 4 of Texas and FSN will squeeze an Okie Light comment in. About as obvious as Bob Barry asking Merv about the hotdog again. OU 63 USU 0

[Zing]

[IMG]About as obvious as Bob Barry asking Merv about the hotdog again.

Is this some specific hotdog, or just the chatter straight from the pressbox during commercials?

[goingoneight]

... the famous one, the one that got away. :D

[goingoneight]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/game4.jpg
Mark it down. If OU survives Miami and enters 3-0 (assuming we beat powers-that-be UNT and USU ;)), Tulsa will give us some kind of scare to silence an elbow-to-elbow Sooner home crowd up in Tulsey Town. New coach??? Pfft... one could argue that as much as we liked Kragthorpe, Todd Graham is a major reason Tulsa is even recognized on this schedule. Is he still new to the HC gig? Kinda, sorta. Is he good enough to showcase immediate results? Check it out...
Rice hadn't seen any post-season in 45 years... this guy takes them there, and beats Kragthorpe's Tulsa team along the way. Now, I'm not claiming this will be a Boise State fiasco... I am claiming that Graham is no fool and will have a solid gameplan with decent talent. He's a defensive-minded coach, and it never hurts stealing the top OC in the nation away from a major program (Malzahn). Malzahn fooled some pretty damn good SEC teams. SEC homer, I'm not... do I think we're subject to trickery with BV/BJW? Go ahead, you know the answer. Sad, but true.
I see it going like this... we're never down and out... we just trail Tulsa by a score for quite a while. It's a chase up to the point that it's too close for comfort; then talent, depth, speed, adrenaline and coaching shines in the 4th.
Wild Prediction: DeMarco Murray has a big day. And by big day, I mean by Sooner standards... as in taking over the game, WAY over the centry mark, running, catching and returning. His critics will point and laugh that it was Tulsa he had to do it against, but it will be clear to a much smarter Sooner Nation that this guy is more than "special." OU 38 TU 28

[KantoSooner]

I could quibble here and there, but I follow your plot. Biggest worry and the thing I think could change your scenario?
Slow starts.
IF we come out and don't establish good old smash mouth, between the tackles running; and IF we don't demonstrate an ability to pressure the quarterback without giving up a 60 yard 'whoopsie' early in the game, THEN we're good to go.
But, if we diddle around, Miami and maybe even Tulsa could embarrass us.
This year the story is essentially going to be: how prepared are OU to come out firing on all cylinders from the starting gun. The talent is all there, even at QB. I'm not predicting an NC run, but, frankly, there's not a game on the card, including anybody in the B12 North who might decide to come to a CC game who OU can't beat. The only question is whether the team dedicates themselves to do so.
This year it's really up to the coachs. Time to earn the pay packages.

[goingoneight]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/game5.jpg
Go play intramurals, brother... Colorado ain't beating us! Yes, Boise State shall still be mentioned going into this game, given the obvious Broco-Hawkins history. No way can Colorado be as bad as last year, which was a shock to all. 2-10 CU will enter this game with some moral victories and likely that unheard-of new "west-coast spread offense" no one has ever heard of, right?
This game, the defense looks brilliant for Oklahoma. Not because they'll be :les: THE GREATEST TEAM THAT EVAR PLAYEDED!!! They will look tremendous going into the big D just because CU is that bad.
At this point in the season, OUr rebuilding effort at quarterback will start to show serious signs of improvement as the guy(s) will have that field experience by now. DeMarco doesn't put up Heisman numbers, but again makes another strong case for the starting role with another SportsCenter "oh, my GAWD"-caliber moment.
Wild Prediction: Reggie Smith starts to get some serious attention for AA votes and both OU and Texas hit I-35 undefeated, in the top ten, with one in the top 5. OU 35 CU 12

[goingoneight]

I could quibble here and there, but I follow your plot. Biggest worry and the thing I think could change your scenario?
Slow starts.
IF we come out and don't establish good old smash mouth, between the tackles running; and IF we don't demonstrate an ability to pressure the quarterback without giving up a 60 yard 'whoopsie' early in the game, THEN we're good to go.
But, if we diddle around, Miami and maybe even Tulsa could embarrass us.
This year the story is essentially going to be: how prepared are OU to come out firing on all cylinders from the starting gun. The talent is all there, even at QB. I'm not predicting an NC run, but, frankly, there's not a game on the card, including anybody in the B12 North who might decide to come to a CC game who OU can't beat. The only question is whether the team dedicates themselves to do so.
This year it's really up to the coachs. Time to earn the pay packages.

Of course, that and given potential key injuries, kids getting kicked off the team ala Dusty D, etc. Hopefully, we're past the bad luck by now after 2006's mess.

[birddog]

that is one mean computer logo unt has.

looks like they got that off the cover of an intellivision cartridge.

[Seamus]

:pop: :pop: :pop:

[sooneron]

I don't see us scoring 35 in Boulder. More like 24....

I see the score at Skelly being something like 31-17. They score a late one to make it interesting until we score a later one to put it away.

[BudSooner]

I don't see us scoring 35 in Boulder. More like 24....

I see the score at Skelly being something like 31-17. They score a late one to make it interesting until we score a later one to put it away.

If we don't set the tempo of the game, yeah it could be closer.
As was said earlier in the thread, we have to be aggressive early and all day to show TU and others that this isn't the same team Boise played.
I do see Murray putting up huge numbers, along with the tandem of Brown and Patrick sharing a pretty healthy workload...if we don't let them dictate the speed of the game then yes we should win by 17-20 points but if not then look out.

[SoonerBOI]

I have faith in OU football, boomer sooner!

[picasso]

we have no prior history to base any realistic predicted success.:D

[SteelClip49]

The Aggie Trifecta:

OU 52 Mormon Aggies 10

OU 31 Maroon Aggies 21

OU 41 Boone's Aggies 20

[BOOMERBRADLEY]

I'm afraid that the Miami game will be a low scoring event. Maybe somewhere along the lines of 7-14 points scored per team. I don't like to give score predictions but the score will probably be...

OU - 14
UM - 7


Miami has some beasts of the defensive side of the ball that I don't think get the credit they should. PLUS they have two more than capable play makers at RB that will hopefully be held in check by OU's D but may sneak in a long run or two.

[Zing]

Aw, you can't let this die yet! Here I was looking forward to reading your take on the rest of OUr season.

It's fast approaching, and I'm starving for football!

[KC//CRIMSON]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w125/goingoneight/game2.jpg
This isn't Jimmy Johnson versus Barry Switzer. Hell, it's not even the matchup it would have been between two major sluggers in the early 2000s. No one could have predicted Miami's drop-off the last few years. Imagine Mack Brown or USC having a losing season in, say... 2009. That's how strange things have been back east for 'tha U.'
To say that this program isn't attracting top-talent still is stupid, though. They have built a reputation that none will ever forget, and that has landed them not world-beating, but still solid classes of athletic talent in recent years. I look at this game identically to UT versus TCU on the second week of the season. We get 'em at home, which is huge... and this game will tell us if we can play against a championship-caliber defense. We absolutely have to establish some kind of a running game early-on... and if history taught us one thing about AP and Chris Brown... they are both solid, good runners, but can be shut down. Look at the 4th quarters of Oregon, aTm, OSU and Nebraska last season. AD wore 'em down and took over, while AP and CB ran out of gas. The line, and all of the backs are going to have to step up, A+... or a young quarterback will eat dirt and throw picks all day long. Never underestimate the fact that OUr defense had better be ready and not start off slow like we have in recent years, because if UAB can march up the field on us, Miami certainly can. Call me crazy, call me a homer... I'm still confident that we can eek this one out similar to how we did against Washington last year.
Wild Prediction: Solid lead sealed late in the 4th. OU 27 UM 13

Or, we lose and The Maestro blows an aneurysm.:mack:

[goingoneight]

I'll get some more info then I'll post Texass and beyond. I've been off work and watching video on other teams, spring games, reading all kinds of preseason garb, etc. Post your own if you'd like... that's why I started it, so we could discuss it all. :)

[SoonerBOI]

I'll get some more info then I'll post Texass and beyond. I've been off work and watching video on other teams, spring games, reading all kinds of preseason garb, etc. Post your own if you'd like... that's why I started it, so we could discuss it all. :)

Do not forget to use the words COMFORTABLE, DEVASTATING and PLAN, ok?:D

[TheHumanAlphabet]

The Aggie Trifecta:

OU 52 Mormon Aggies 10

OU 31 Maroon Aggies 21

OU 41 Boone's Aggies 20

What about the sand aggies? We play too many aggies! Sheesh...

[usmc-sooner]

I'm pretty worried about Miami they've got a few guys that will be first rounders on their D.

[BOOMERBRADLEY]

I'm pretty worried about Miami they've got a few guys that will be first rounders on their D.

Yeah, for sure their safety and Defensive end will be top 20 picks

[TheHumanAlphabet]

And they don't have the melt-down that was Coker ( Though I like Coker). With the new coach, I doubt they will be disorganized and confused as they were the last few years...

[usmc-sooner]

and typically we somehow blow it against Miami, USC, and Notre Dame.

I hate those three teams.

[The Maestro]

Or, we lose and The Maestro blows an aneurysm.:mack:

Well, if we lose to Miami at home and that 20 year old scab gets picked clean I would hope a lot of folks on this message board would join me in complete depression.

Not worried...that was then. They barely beat Duke. I can't get past that.

I am thinking a 41-10 type win...crappy offense and a new system. There will be growing pains for them and the first road game of the year is not a place to shine. It's going to get ugly.

If not, I'm buying a pirate some beer.

[goingoneight]

I don't think we'll annhialate them, I just feel we'll struggle with them, back-and-forth mistakes and glories until the 4th when we pull it off.

[goingoneight]

Hook 'em

It's here... the cramped knees from the Dallas road-trip... the sound of at least a dozen cars and motor homes that pass you honking "Boomer Sooner" like fight song horns are something new and innovative... the Red River Shootout intensity you can begin to smell and feel the moment you have passed out of Norman/OKC. The road signs all say "Boomer Sooner... Beat Texas!!!" It's here, and the fun hasn't even started yet.

Some will experience the fun of free burgers at the annual Bevo Bash, some made their trip as early as Monday just to count down. Most, however... do just what I do. Listen to the traditional radio reports on the way to the Big D and find OUr own way to call "bull****." On your way you feel like a kid going to Disney Land, but with more drinking and cursing involved. :D

Friday night you venture to the west end of Downtown Dallas. There is NOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUCH THINGGGGG as a quiet restaurant. For me and my crew, every three seconds of silence in Spaghetti Warehouse is decorated with another "BOOOOOOOOO-MERRRRRR!!!"

... of course, I don't leave them hanging. "SOOOOOOO-NERRRRRR!!!"

We party and smack talk to the point we have to wonder if our escort or cabbie will take us safely back to OUr Sooner HQ, or drive us off a tall, Texas bridge. ;) We retire for a game I know you've ALL played during OU/TX weekend... Drunkytown football!!! Never could playing catch with a pigskin bring up more conversation topics than at this hour... and a half... and a quarter. Eventually you run out of steam, or like me... your date tells you to save your fun for the game. Dammit, don't ya hate it when they're right?

Saturday morning consists of the longest damn wait for breakfast, and for us... the drawing of which two lucky Sooners go into the game whilst the rest of OUr group finds it on TV somewhere inside the fair. That's OUr tradition, I've won twice, and bought my own tickets last minute thrice (yeah, SWEAR I'm never doing that again :(). You check out the new cars, eat corny dogs and other deep-fried coronaries-to-be, you watch your back if you're momentarily by yourself around angry whoren types. :eek:

Then it happens... ESPN heads show up, local media sit comfy in their little booth to predict the sky is falling, fans begin to separate in a way that only the RRS can divide them... red... orange. Here comes the bus... OMG!!! WHICH ONE IS IT!?! I DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT DEAD CHEERING FOR THEIR TEAM!!! :eek: All goes well and usually at least two drunken fans begin to smack talk themselves into a fight, quickly hushed by those cops on clydesdales (horsey pigs :D).

The stadium fills, right down the 50 as always... truly an amazing sight, even if you hate puke-orange or beautiful crimson and cream (you like that, don't you?) "BOOMER-SOONER" and "TEXAS FIGHT" are echoed by their counterparts "BOOMER-LOSER" and "TEXAS-SUCKS/BITES." For some strange reason, "I've Been Working on the Railroad" begins to play. :confused:

;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

When the infamous "... home of the SOONERS!!!" :mad: echoes throughout the entire fairgrounds, there's not a confident soul inside the old Cotton Bowl. Arrogant? Maybe... Stupid? Definitely. Heh, my $.02 is we reserved a section opposite the tunnel for them; but that's just me. :)

Aight, here goes... the first time in a decade that the Red River Shootout ends in a margin of single-digits. Colt McCoy and the Longhorns show up early in the 1st and it seems as though a whooping is in store. A gutsy early deep pass sets up a UT score. Bob Stoops follows up with another gutsy call and OU turns the ball over inside the 25. UT manages a FG. Oklahoma tries desperately to respond, Garrett Hartley erases two scoreless possessions with a FG. 10-3, yuck side.

Texas again drives the ball effectively, this time the running game is held in check using the "prevent D." You guessed it... 17-3, yuck side.

Sooner fans are :mad: at this point and some even utter they "might leave early." The first quarter ends and the 2nd is a rather boring defensive battle... lot's of "OHHHHHHHs" and almosts. Mack Brown's troops begin to show their youth and inexperience by falling asleep and allowing a late burst by the Sooners. Reggie Smith sets OU up inside the UT 40, and Bobby Stoops gambles... 2nd and 1, play-action to Malcom Kelly... 1st and goal... 2:30 remains in the half. Allen Patrick gets two, CB gets one and we're 3rd and goal at the 2. DeMarco checks in on 3rd down and a bootleg, QB-keeper makes it 17-10.

Texass fans heckle us at the half. Hey, we'd do the same... so whatever. Sooner fans remember the Fiesta, and hold onto hope for a little Sooner Magic. We don't want to "make it respectable," we want to win. The wild crowd erupts on the opening kickoff to start the third. Murray!!! Fifteen, ten, five, TOUCHDOWN OKLAHOMA!!! The instant replay sends the Texas side into shock, but everyone in the stadium agrees... amazing return.

17-17... Texas grabs a short kick by Hartley and Lewis Baker pancakes a frustrated Jamaal Charles. Colt McCoy is ACTUALLY PRESSURED by the OU defense! Alonzo Dotson forces Colt to throw it away... right into Nic Harris's hands for a pick-6. 24-17, good guys.

So much for momentum, as Charles escpaes a whiff tackle on the next and makes his way deep into OU territory. Whorns manage a FG; 24-20, good guys.

Another fantastic return, this time by Reggie is wasted... 3 and out. No apology necessary, the defense takes the field... sorta. Ugly tackling and foolish penalties look to be the death of us. McCoy finds himself inside the ten and fumbles on a keeper. OU ball at the 4. Patrick stuffed, Brown stuffed... 3rd and 13 from the 1.

In the frustrating absence of the run, Wilson opens it up and hits Jermaine Gresham for another miraculous 1st and 10 that exactly mirrors his BIG 12 Championship save from last December. Delayed draw to Murray and we go from the OU 25 to the Texas 15. Play action to Patrick and a TD to Iglesias down the middle. 31-20, good guys.

In an entire 4th quarter, Colt McCoy and Sweed get dangerously close, but never taste the endzone. :mack: settles for 3 inside the 3 yard-line and costs his team the late loss by relying on Hail Marys as the struggling Oklahoma defense luckily manages to outlast Texass, 31-23.


Hey, I'm at home all Lortabbed out still... get off me!!! :les:

[Zing]

Friday night you venture to the west end of Downtown Dallas. There is NOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUCH THINGGGGG as a quiet restaurant. For me and my crew, every three seconds of silence in Spaghetti Warehouse is decorated with another "BOOOOOOOOO-MERRRRRR!!!"

... of course, I don't leave them hanging. "SOOOOOOO-NERRRRRR!!!"

I've actually never been to a dallas restaurant the night before the RRS. Are most really like that? Awesome.

[goingoneight]

Every place in the DFW area will have someone screaming fight chants if yiou stay and listen long enough. Last year I heard 'Boomer Sooner' at Shell, Wal-Mart, Spaghetti Warehouse, inside the tram, and inside the fair expo on Thursday. NTM at the game and fair.