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Boo Birds Out In Norman ! OKLAHOMA-New Mexico Postgame LIVE
Episode 193
Sunday, September 20, 2026 • Duration 01:39:09
OklahomaVOCFB Postgame LIVE: Boo Birds Out in Norman — Oklahoma vs. New Mexico
Hosts: Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling
Sponsored by FanDuel
Ugly 2-1 win. Defense kept them alive. Offense and special teams did not. Crowd booed early and often.
00:00–05:30 — Immediate reaction: “Dude.”
Open: Welcome to Oklahoma Sooners live postgame vs. New Mexico. Boo Birds were out in Norman; Sooner Smiths said it was even louder in the stadium.
First series: two runs and a pick. Rob and Roger watching like “this is awful.”
Can’t force the ball to Isaiah Sategna. Second INT: announcers said Livingston was supposed to occupy the defender; Mateer still should have seen the white jersey.
Defense stopped New Mexico after the pick. “If we didn’t have a good defense we would have got destroyed.”
OU three turnovers (two INTs + return fumble) and still winning. Either the defense is that good or New Mexico is that limited.
Running game: less than 2 yards per carry. “Pathetic. Super pathetic.”
Xavier Hatton: supposed to be the physical “go after you” back. Looked timid, going backwards. Not the guy they described.
05:30–12:00 — Acceptance, OL, and early Boo Birds
Rob: moved from anger to acceptance. “We suck so bad that I’m not even mad.”
Kentucky beating Texas A&M noted as relevant later.
Tried to run it; can’t. Offensive line. Bill Bedenbaugh has had years.
First boos came after Hatton went backwards and Mateer got caught in the backfield. Grayson Miller shanked a kickoff (Oklahoma roll saved it).
Sategna fumbled a punt. Peyton Bowen nearly two interceptions + late sack. “Bowe and boys were on fire.”
Sooner Smiths: doesn’t matter who is at QB if the line isn’t blocking.
John Mateer last year was a run threat before the thumb. Tonight he couldn’t get away from anyone. New Mexico is not an elite defense.
12:00–20:00 — Stats, Hansen, tight ends, Arbuckle
First-half stats: 7-6 at half. Mateer 12-of-17, 124 yards, TD, 2 INTs. Avant 5-15, Sategna 3-33 + fumble. ~2.2 yards per rush. OU 4.5 yards per play, New Mexico 3.3.
Hayden Hansen drive: carried guys into the end zone. Announcers hyped. Tight ends are the offense right now. Hosts standing on the hill that Jaren Kanak / Witten group keeps rising if Ben Arbuckle doesn’t straighten up.
Rob texted during the game: Arbuckle needs to play some Tecmo Bowl and get new plays.
Dave Chappelle bit analogy: offense so bad it’s not even worth getting mad.
New Mexico inside the 10 a couple times; OU held them to two field goals.
Sategna 131 all-purpose but punt return -2; looked rattled after the fumble.
20:00–28:00 — Play-calling, field position, Georgia looming
Third-and-2 near midfield: just run it. Tate Sandell missed a field goal (uncharacteristic).
Good field position wasted. Penalties and stalled drives.
Hosts ask chat: how are you feeling after this?
FanDuel: 7.5 felt too low pregame; now they wouldn’t trust OU to cover either side vs. Georgia.
Tyler: last year they turned it on after Mateer was hurt. Hosts not feeling that optimism tonight.
Ronald Boyd in chat: this was the last win of the season; next two won’t be close. Hosts mostly agree on current form.
This win damaged confidence more than last week’s loss. Rob had joked he’d quit if they lost; he almost had to.
28:00–40:00 — SEC move, other scores, QB/OL talk
Chat question: was joining the SEC a mistake?
Rob: watching Big 12 games today he wished they’d stayed. Have to be really good in the SEC.
Roger: football-wise it makes the playoff path harder; big-picture (money, other sports, recruiting) it was not a mistake. Softball example of rising competition helping.
Ole Miss beating LSU and Kentucky beating A&M both noted. Makes the mid-October stretch (Georgia, Texas, then Kentucky) look worse.
Realistic remaining “gettable” games discussed: Florida, A&M, Missouri. Ole Miss feels out of reach right now.
Mateer not looking through progressions; first-read throws. Last year a weapon; this year not.
Under-center talk: they tried a little, still no run game. “Witty time” comments from chat.
David Stone showed up (6-7 tackles). Big dude from Dell City.
Kip Lewis out again.
Defense “meh” in Rob’s group-text during the game; later they give it more credit because New Mexico kept hurting itself with penalties.
Chat running hot: “password is buyout,” fire Arbuckle, bench Mateer, recruit OL, play the other QB.
Hosts: they’re not benching Mateer vs. Georgia or Texas. Sometimes a benching wakes a starter up, but not this week.
Venables postgame: couldn’t name one good thing. Offense stinks. Special teams not helping.
Boo Birds: second series. Smiths said live crowd was louder than TV. Hosts think fans are booing play-calling and execution, not the whole roster. Tight ends they “love.”
1:00:00–1:20:00 — Georgia preview temperature, more comments
Expectation vs. New Mexico: Mateer should have 300 yards and 2-3 TDs against this level of opponent (like UTEP). Didn’t happen.
Hawkins last year came in and produced; some still think he should have started vs. Texas when Mateer couldn’t throw straight.
Play-calling consensus from hosts and chat: that’s been the problem all year.
Bedenbaugh “on the way out” if the line doesn’t improve.
Mateer underthrew the TD to Sategna; receiver had to wait.
Ugly win, 2-1, “be positive.” Feels like a loss.
Georgia spread talk: 14 already, could move to 21. Hosts don’t think OU covers either way. “Oklahoma can’t score 14.” Possible goose egg or 21-6 / 24-6 type game unless the defense scores.
Three games that would make people feel better (outside Texas): Florida, A&M, Missouri most attainable. Ole Miss would be the “feel-good” but they don’t see it.
Defense might get exposed vs. Georgia if they haven’t played anyone good enough yet. Hosts still think the defense is better than last year, especially if Kip Lewis returns.
“Our team is cheeks.” Still only three games; not quitting. Positive: defense. Hope Venables tells Arbuckle to do his job.
Grandmaster in chat from the game: defense good, offense salty/mid, special teams no. Most boos were students; also said entire crowd. Grandmaster himself did not boo.
Blake Bell / Justin Fuente era jokes: even that offense was better.
High expectations make this worse than a “we knew they’d be 6-6” year.
Feinbaum “mostly correct” comment lands.
Bob Stoops visibly upset on the broadcast. When does GM Joe Castiglione / “Nagy” step in? Venables makes the hires.
Win total: started 7.5, went to 8 after they started the show, now 6.5. Over 6.5 -130.
Recruit the best OL they can find. Lost some good recruiter-coaches.
Sign-off: Big Guy Posse, Oklahoma Sooners live. Tomorrow 6:30 p.m. — Georgia series dive after a night to mull this one. Rob wearing the “good shirt.”
Core takeaways from the hosts
Defense and New Mexico penalties won the game.
Offense (line, run game, play-calling, Mateer’s decision-making) is not SEC-ready and not even Group-of-5 dominant.
Crowd turned on the product fast.
Georgia next week is treated as a likely blowout unless something changes immediately.
2-1 has never felt this negative.
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MAJOR PROBLEMS for Oklahoma | MICHIGAN LOSS | Sooner Smiths Live #53
Episode 192
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 01:21:49
SoonerSmiths Live #53 — Michigan Loss Recap
Hosts: Chad Smith & Tierani Smith | OklahomaVOCFB
Tone: Frustrated, even-keel, not “sunshine puppies.” They repeatedly say they are not bashing John Mateer as the sole problem and that the defense is not the issue. Core thesis: Oklahoma abandoned a working offensive identity from UTEP, overcomplicated things for Mateer, and did not play to personnel strengths against a legit Michigan defense.
Final: Michigan 17, Oklahoma 10.
Opening / Frame (~2:00–5:00)
Show delayed because Grammy had the living-room volume maxed while watching the baby.
Not a happy-go-lucky show. “What we saw Saturday is a potential 6-6, 5-7 team.”
Most worrying: “a little bit of front-running” on offense. Creative and heavy personnel vs teams they can line up and beat; reverts to “John Mateer do everything” vs real competition.
Michigan defense graded as upper-third SEC-level, not average.
The identity they built vs UTEP — then abandoned (~5:00–18:00, 46:00–1:02)
What worked Week 1: Heavy/full personnel, under-center play-action, tight ends creating strain, easy defined reads for Mateer, moving the ball side-to-side.
What happened vs Michigan:
Lloyd Avant 8 yards on the first play. Instead of another run (Urban Meyer standard: two first downs to start a big game), they throw a go-route RPO to Sategna.
Next series: another 6–7 yard run, then they leave the run.
12 personnel used some (~40%), but not in a way that created momentum or helped the tackles who were getting whipped.
No 4-tight / wing / short-yardage packages they showed vs UTEP.
“You work so hard to build an identity… and you kind of show the framework of it in game one, and you don’t build off that at all.”
Tornado-shelter analogy: they built the shelter all offseason, then sat on the porch when the first real storm hit.
Chad: Ben Arbuckle is the No. 1 fault. Scheme put players in bad spots. “How does a guy like Elijah Thomas… not get one target?” Spring/fall camp hype as “made in the lab,” Jeremiah Smith-type athlete — unused even from the 1-yard line.
John Mateer — limitations + scheme mismatch (~12:00–20:00, 1:05+)
Offensive line & chemistry (~15:00–17:00, 22:00)
Defense — they push back on the criticism (~16:00, 55:00+)
Looking ahead (~27:00, 55:00–1:11)
Fan / chat highlights they addressed
Zeno the pocket beagle picks (~1:08, 1:17)
Close
Oklahoma Sooners Live 219
Episode 191
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 01:05:20
Oklahoma Sooners Live #219 — Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling
OklahomaVOCFB | Day after Michigan loss | FanDuel presented
Tone: Frustrated but not quitting. Heavy recap of Michigan, then New Mexico keys and Touchdown or Turnover.
Open / vibe (0:00–4:00)
“This is the day after OU gets beat by Michigan.” Hits kept coming: OSU beat Oregon; Texas came back on Ohio State (Rob fell asleep at 23-3).
Rob: “reporting from my padded cell.” Mourning look — black yesterday, gray today. Double loss (OU + Tampa Bay). “Everybody we wanted to win lost.”
Crowd talk: 111k at the Big House. Hawaiian shirts as uniform. Chat: Craig in Atlanta bought Georgia tickets ($950).
Michigan recap — why it felt winnable (4:00–14:00)
Core question from chat (Corey): Can OU fix the offense and still beat Georgia and Texas?
Run game with Avant was working early; they abandoned it. “Keep going until they stop it.”
Stats trap: 3 YPC because they barely ran. First-half series:
5 plays, 13 yards
9 plays, 28 yards (extended by kicker penalty)
6 plays, 48 yards then Livingston fumble
3 plays, 3 yards
8 plays, 28 yards
Second half: two good drives (8 plays/90 yards FG; 83 yards) then collapse after INT. Last three series: 13 plays, 25 yards.
Mateer “helicopter” play + first-down point then laughing at the flag — no fire. Missing a “Baker-type” hype guy.
Forcing the ball to Satanga/Isaiah instead of RBs and TEs. Rocky Beers: 94 yards, 43-yard long — “BAMF.”
Michigan punted 7 times; OU did nothing with field position. Punters (Grayson 62-yard pin) decided the game more than they wanted.
“We should have scored at least 17… beat them 13-10 at minimum.” More first downs, fewer punts; turnovers (INT + fumble) flipped it. Michigan defense is legit, but execution and play-calling were the problem.
Coaching / identity (14:00–26:00)
No word on Stone (pass rush) — “not a touch on the quarterback.”
Play-calling odd: jet sweeps, handing to receivers when RBs exist.
Chat: Jason Witten as OC by Texas game if it doesn’t get fixed. Tight ends already look different.
New Mexico preview (26:00–44:00)
Touchdown or Turnover (44:00–1:00)
Closing / Venables talk / personal (1:00–end)
Clip-friendly timestamps
OKLAHOMA - Michigan Postgame LIVE
Episode 190
Sunday, September 13, 2026 • Duration 01:58:25
OklahomaVOCFB Postgame LIVE — Oklahoma vs. Michigan
Hosts: Rob Fontenot, Roger Schilling, Chad Smith, Tierani Smith
Tone: Angry, frustrated, first-loss energy. Defense largely spared. Offense and play-calling take the bulk of the fire.
Opening / Thesis (0:00–8:00)
Show opens as a rant. Consensus: this is one of the worst losses of the Brent Venables era.
Core complaint: Avant was gashing Michigan (called 6.5 YPC, “Kennedy Brooks,” “prime Adrian Peterson”) and they abandoned the run after it worked.
“Run the ball until they stop it” is repeated by multiple hosts (Chad, Tierani, Rob).
Play-calling example that lands hardest: first-drive sequence of successful runs, then a 40-yard fade to Satania on a manageable down.
Defense is explicitly not blamed. “Anyone who says it’s the defense either doesn’t know football or is too dumb to have an opinion.” Time of possession (roughly 19–18 first half in Michigan’s favor) left the defense on the field too long — “2024 all over again.”
Venables’ OC hiring record framed as 0-4. Arbuckle questioned for failing to “see what’s working.”
Clip-worthy lines
“There is no worse loss in BV’s history.”
“I question whether Arbuckle will be back delivering food to someone’s front door in a couple years.”
“Run the ball until they can stop it.”
John Mateer (recurring, peaks ~13:00–25:00 and 21:00–24:00)
Looks the part; does not play the part. Pocket presence, back-foot throws, locking onto Satania, and late/out-breaking throws in the red zone or on their own side of the field.
Interception (or near pick-six) on a late throw over the middle called unforgivable in a close game.
Comparison: Mestemaker (Oregon) is the better pocket passer right now. Mateer described as a “practice-squad QB,” “Johnny Manziel without the production,” not an NFL arm.
Processing issue: pre-snap lock-on. Example — Elijah Thomas “wider than the Red Sea” ignored while throwing to a covered Satania (high and out of bounds).
Target distribution: Satania force-fed (one host notes 11 targets, 2 catches, 9 yards at one point).
Running game & play-calling (0:02–0:07, 0:25–0:27, later recap)
Defense, turnovers, special teams (0:09–0:13, 0:20)
Bigger picture / Venables / roster (0:16–0:18, 0:32–0:35)
Scheduling, Texas, Notre Dame, rest of CFB (1:29–1:45)
Closing mood (1:46–end)
Best short-form clip windows
Recurring phrases for headlines / thumbs
Oklahoma WINS | Michigan Preview | Sooner Smiths Live #51
Episode 189
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 01:00:31
Sooner Smiths Live #51 — Oklahoma 51-0 vs UTEP | Michigan Preview
Hosts: Chad & Tierani Smith | Guest: TJ Ronin (MichiganVOCFB)
Crossover setup so they could also appear on the Michigan VOCFB show with TJ.
0:00–3:00 | Open
Moved the usual Monday 7 p.m. CT slot earlier to do both shows. Baby is down; Grammy heading to Michigan. Sponsored by Fanduel. Pit Boss Labor Day grill promo mentioned (link in description).
3:00–16:00 | UTEP recap (51-0)
Tierani sandwich (pos/neg/pos)
Pos: Special teams continued last year’s form; younger kickers got reps. Coach Deacon on the postgame mic is a good sign.
Neg: UTEP moved the ball more than she liked even though the kicker missed three FGs. Venables clip of him going off on the defense — “it ain’t good enough” — is exactly the standard she wants.
Pos: 51 points and a real run game. John Mateer looked solid (not great, not bad) in his first game back.
Chad on offense
Ben Arbuckle lived in 12/13 personnel (52 of 57 snaps); first TD was 14 personnel (four TEs + FB). Exactly what fans were promised after camp.
Rocky Beers TD was the highlight; High Noon celebration spilled on the people in front of them.
Trené Washington at FB (also a TE). Isaiah Satania punt-return TD. John Mateer: calm feet, pre-snap recognition (back-shoulder to Elijah Thomas vs single-high). Still has “hero play” moments (2nd-and-long instead of checkdown).
Lloyd Avant topping the RB depth chart was expected from camp reports (consistent ~95 grade from McCullough).
Fasusi: 17 snaps, conflicting reports (Venables said fine; other talk of a few weeks for shoulder). Best OL if he’s out: Fojay LT, EPL LG, Mykula C, Noah Best RG, Marion Harris RT. Better to miss early non-con than Texas/Georgia.
Golf sidebar: Chad made an albatross (2 on a par-5) on the cliff hole at Dornick Hills. Typically scratch / +1.
21:00–52:00 | TJ Ronan joins — Michigan vs Western Michigan + OU preview
Clock / Hail Mary
Chad: Probably wasn’t a second left, but once the call is made you live with it. WMU still had to stop the Hail Mary. Biggest actual problem is TV clock not synced with official clock.
TJ: Evidence shows TV clock was ahead; Michigan likely got the correct call even if it looked bad. WMU coach was classy immediately after; later they flipped. Underwood launched it ~65 yards while getting hit; JJ Buchanan is a freak.
52:00–end | Score picks, POTG, close
Oklahoma Sooners Live 218
Episode 188
Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 57:56
Oklahoma Sooners Live 218 — OklahomaVOCFB
Host: Roger Schilling (Big Guy / MCM Raj) filling in for Rob Bass
Length: ~57 minutes
Rob Bass is in San Diego with a new grandbaby (also attended the San Diego State game). Roger runs the show solo.
0:00–5:30 — Open + Michigan vs Western Michigan
Roger welcomes the chat and jumps to Michigan’s last-second win over Western Michigan.
Official clock vs. TV replay clock discussion; extra second put on the board.
Western Michigan president: no harm, no foul, nothing malicious.
Bryce Underwood’s first throw went out of bounds; second throw was caught at the line with control. Michigan wins.
Roger’s read: Michigan did not look sharp. Underwood slipping into old throwing habits. “I don’t think we really got to see Michigan.”
Implication for OU: Underwood will be in trouble in Ann Arbor. OU’s defense should “annihilate” the Wolverines even if Venables called the UTEP first half sloppy. Western Michigan was all over Michigan.
Other Saturday/Sunday games noted in passing: Ohio State dumped Ball State; Oregon–Boise State closer than expected; Georgia, Texas, Indiana, LSU, Texas Tech, Alabama all handled business. Ole Miss–Louisville and Wisconsin–Notre Dame still going during the show.
5:30–8:00 — Health + setup for UTEP recap
Only real worry heading to Michigan: offensive line health. Fasusi has a right-arm injury; Roger expects him to travel as a leader even if he doesn’t play.
Then full UTEP recap for viewers who missed Friday night.
8:00–22:20 — First-half UTEP recap (OU 27–0)
Noah Best started at center (first OU starting center since 2012).
UTEP deferred. Isaiah Sategna good kickoff return.
Jovantae Barnes (Avant) opened 15-13-7 and scored the first TD of the season. 32 yards rushing on the first series. UTEP looked lost.
UTEP three-and-out. Sategna 88-yard punt-return TD. First special-teams score of the year. 14–0 fast.
Defense looked “confused and out of place” on UTEP’s second series (20-yard run allowed). Roger texted Rob during the game that something didn’t look right up front even with receivers covered downfield. Missed FG kept it 14–0.
OklahomaVOCFB Postgame LIVE — No. 10 Oklahoma 51, UTEP 0
Hosts: Roger Schilling & Rob Fontenot (MCM Raj)
Friday night opener, Norman | SEC Network+
Show length: ~37 minutes
Show open (0:00–2:20)
Hosts are live after the 51-0 shutout. Rob loved it the moment he saw freshman Noah starting at center — “putting a lot of trust in your young guys.” Offense scored at will. Both agree Week 1 sloppiness is allowed, but it has to clean up against better teams.
Chat already celebrating the shutout. Roger had 56-3; Special T predicted a shutout because of UTEP’s kicking. Hosts were sweating the Bass fumble in the red zone that almost ruined the zero.
John Mateer & the offense (2:20–6:10)
John Mateer: 11-of-17, 225 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs. Pulled late in the third.
Team passing: 231 yards. Rushing: 170 (Venables wanted 175).
Highlight reel they kept coming back to:
Lloyd Avant (Colorado State portal): first three carries ~30 yards, 1-yard TD to open scoring. Hosts immediately said he looked better than last year’s committee. Official: 15-79-1 TD.
Isaiah Sategna III: 88-yard punt-return TD (first OU punt-return score since 2023) plus a 34-yard receiving TD. 4-76 receiving, two total TDs.
Rocky Beers: 40-yard TD catch + the hurdle. “His last name is Beers and his first name is Rocky — come on.” Hosts want a “More Beers” shirt.
Tight ends already topped last year’s TE TD total (Beers + another TE score).
Trell Harris: 48-yard TD with a violent stiff-arm at the 10. 2-61-1 TD.
Under-center looks and downhill running backs were a talking point. Announcers sounded surprised; hosts said they had already previewed it.
Early defense & UTEP special teams (6:10–11:00)
First couple UTEP drives looked sloppy/confused — hosts’ first notes said “OU defense looks out of place.” UTEP had two decent early drives and missed both field goals. Later missed a third. Pre-game UTEP coach said they were good from 50; they shanked a 30-something.
Second-half turnovers & backups (11:00–21:00)
Depth chart notes & portal hits (21:00–26:30)
Score predictions & Week 1 champion (26:30–30:50)
Looking ahead: Michigan (30:50–end)
Clip-ready timestamps
Time
Moment
0:30
Freshman center starting — trust in young guys
3:20
Avant first three carries + opening TD
4:20
Sategna punt-return TD sideline-to-sideline
8:00
Rocky Beers hurdle + “beer salute”
9:00
UTEP kicker/punter roast
12:50
Wein fumble recovery → Sategna TD
14:00
Harris stiff-arm TD
16:30
Mateer under center / downhill run game
19:20
Bass fumble almost ruins shutout
24:30
Avant locked in as RB1
26:00
Beers hurdle photo / “More Beers” shirt
28:30
Special T 55-0 crowned Week 1 champ
33:30
Confidence vs Michigan; vanilla plan talk
35:30
Dream weekend: beat Michigan + OSU beats Texas
30-year DC "Oklahoma will be VERY good" | Sooner Smiths Live #49
Episode 186
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 01:23:15
Sooner Smiths Live #49
Host: Chad Smith | Guest: Coach Paul Smith (30-year coach, former OU staff)
OklahomaVOCFB | Week 1 game week vs. UTEP
Theme line: “Oklahoma will be VERY good.”
Quick snapshot
Chad opens solo after Stream Yard issues, then brings on his dad. They walk the new depth chart (Ryan Fogey at center), last year’s overachievement despite injuries, why the tight end room and run game are the 2026 swing factors, Mateer’s health/reads, a defense that should finally get turnovers, and a 10-win / title-run outlook if they stay healthy. FanDuel number: 7.5 wins. Both take the over.
1:00–6:40 | Open, tech issues, week-one setup
Stream Yard buffering keeps Coach Paul off initially. Chad solos.
Sponsor: FanDuel.
Week 1: UTEP. Chad notes UTEP had Texas 7-3 (or 7-14) late in the first half last meeting until a late score.
Mentions TROs / SEC legal news and something breaking Thursday — teases, does not unpack.
Most excited he’s been for a season in a long time; wants one episode that fans can take into arguments.
6:40–8:00 | Depth chart headline — Fogey at center
Official: Ryan Fogey starting center Week 1.
Caleb Nita was in the mix; Noah Best in play after Jake Mikula injury.
Chad: Fogey (true soph) has already played center, guard, and tackle — “nine different positions… patently insane.”
Clip: Fogey versatility (~6:45–7:30).
8:00–14:30 | Coach Paul intro + OU staff story
Chad: 30 years coaching every level except NFL; coached at Oklahoma; close with Steve Owens.
Paul background (his words):
Norman High (10+ years), then OU via Steve Owens.
Interviewed with Charlie North; family ties (Toby Wise / grandfather golfed with North).
Two years on staff — “unbelievable experience.”
14:30–17:30 | Last year’s team
17:00–21:30 | Why this offense can be different — tight ends
21:30–26:00 | Mateer, injury, coordinators attacking the hand
24:20–27:00 | Defense — secondary, front, linebackers
27:00–32:00 | Run game is the foundation
~55:00–58:10 | Weight room + turnovers
58:10–1:04:00 | Mateer “learn how not to lose”
1:04:00–1:11:30 | Peyton Manning Passing Academy + Gary Gibbs
1:11:30–1:16:00 | Favorite players coached
1:16:00–1:18:20 | Witten, Arbuckle, Venables, the number
1:18:20–end | Close
Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 217
Episode 185
Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 01:11:39
Oklahoma Sooners LIVE #217
Hosts: Rob Fontenot (Rob Bass / MCM) & Roger Schilling
Platform: OklahomaVOCFB
Sponsor: FanDuel
Length: ~1 hour 11 minutes
Focus: Week 1 preview vs. UTEP (Friday, 7 p.m. CT, Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, SEC Network+) plus Touchdown or Turnover and Fun Facts.
They plan a live postgame show Friday after the game. Michigan is next week.
Intro & Banter (0:00–4:40)
Roger surprises Rob in a matching Hawaiian shirt (bought at Sam’s). Big Eye Posse energy is high. Regulars in chat: Grandmaster H, Specialty / Special T, Mars, Jimmy Satterfield, Chloe Schilling, Bishop, and others.
Nicknames flying: Grandmaster H, Specialty, later Jimmy Jam / Jimmy Slick for Satterfield. They plug the Big Guys and Boomer Sooners Facebook page and VOCFB merch (circle-of-trust bit, coffee mug / BGP shirt ideas).
No one in the chat is worried about losing to UTEP. “We better not.”
UTEP Preview (4:40–23:20)
The opponent
2-10 last season (Conference USA); first year in the Mountain West.
New QB EJ Colson (Incarnate Word after a stop at UCF). Hosts note Incarnate Word is in San Antonio.
Must replace leading rusher, top four receivers, and most starters. Only four returning starters — all on defense (LB, DT, CB, S). Bottom of the country in returning starters.
2025 they hung around vs. Texas for a stretch (final 27-10; 14-3 at half in the clip Roger watched). Hosts still dismiss them.
Betting / history
OU favored by 41.5 (books around 40.5–42.5). Total 50.5.
Series: OU 5-0 vs. UTEP. Combined score 248-41 (~8 points per game allowed).
2022 meeting: OU 45, UTEP 13 (Venables’ first season as HC — they briefly debate Temple vs. UTEP as the true debut).
EA simulation had UTEP up 24 at half; hosts laugh it off. “UTEP is not good.”
Touchdown or Turnover (23:20–51:00)
Fun Facts (57:30–1:03:30)
Score Predictions (1:07:00–1:11:00)
Florida Preview! | SEC Tour | OKLAHOMA SOONERS | Sooner Smiths Live #49
Episode 184
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 01:09:50
Sooner Smiths Live #49 – Florida Preview | SEC Tour
Hosts: Chad Smith & Tierani Smith
Guest: David Soderquist (Hightop Sports / @hightop_dave)
Oklahoma VOCFB | Monday night live
Show Open & Technical Issues (0:01–3:40)
Streaming hiccups on the new/old platform; hosts get live after delays.
Tierani’s rough day: son not sleeping, no-show patients, stuck at work until 5.
Chad in better spirits. Dog is the real star of the show.
Welcome to Sooner Smiths Live (Mondays ~7 p.m. on Oklahoma VOCFB). Plug merch (vocfb.com/shop).
SEC Tour continues; last stop before next week’s guest Dimitri Flowers (Tierani out for church event with mom).
Intro guest David Soderquist after light banter about Florida beating Texas last year and the “sports car with the check-engine light” roster.
Guest Intro & How to Find Him (3:40–7:20)
David Soderquist of Hightop Sports (hightopsport.com, YouTube: Hightop Sports). Covers Florida + national. X: @hightop_dave / show @hightopsport.
Welcomes opposing fans (Georgia, Miami, etc.) into the chat. Fun, casual vibe.
Billy Napier Era & Why It Fell Apart (7:20–12:50)
2025 opener vs. Miami (home) was the tipping point for many fans — only 10 points against a defense that finished ~120th; Cam Ward carried Miami.
Followed by home blowout loss to Texas A&M. Fanbase already off the Napier train.
AD Scott Strickland publicly backed Napier for one more year → fan frenzy.
DJ Lagway’s late-2024 surge (8 wins, moxie, Heisman chatter) created hope heading into 2025, but shoulder injury (chose PT over surgery) limited him.
Core problems: Napier’s stubborn offensive philosophy, refusal to fully hand over play-calling, and resulting apathy. Napier finished with the worst win percentage at Florida since 1940.
Lane Kiffin rumors ran hot; LSU swooped in. Florida then hired John Sumrall (Tulane). Initial fan reaction: “Another G5 Louisiana guy?” Press conference flipped the room — direct, confident, “we’re going to win now” tone with a long-term plan. Refreshing after McElwain/Mullen/Napier styles.
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Over-forcing Isaiah Sategna on 1-on-1 go/back-shoulder situations that are not his strength. One of Mateer’s few good throws hits Sategna in the chest/belly before he turns.
Rocky Beers called a legitimate weapon — best TE look since Mark Andrews through two games — not utilized enough.
Hashtag that stuck: HTBO / HCBO — “Hand the B off.” Gabe quote featured in chat.
Tierney (works with kids): KISS method. “Keep it simple, stupid.” Arbuckle appears to be running “keep it complicated.”
When given options, Mateer “almost always chooses the wrong option.” Give him defined reads (rollouts, play-action off the run, hurry-up so he doesn’t have to process as much).
Strength is mobility, not standing in and solving six problems on one snap. “You can’t make somebody something they’re not.”
Under pressure he reverts to bad habits.
He did not play well. Missed layup throws elite D1 QBs typically hit. One INT, several more turnover-worthy plays (they cite ~6 TWPs this game after 5 vs UTEP).
Vision example: failed to follow Pierre-Louis outside on what should have been a TD; instead ran into a safety.
Not the processor Baker/Kyler were, and he doesn’t have that supporting NFL talent around him.
They are not calling for a benching. Leash is long. Would take blowout losses to Georgia + Texas + Kentucky before Neubauer or anyone else sees meaningful snaps.
Randy in chat: don’t turn it into Mateer-bashing; watch the O-line one play at a time. Hosts agree the line is a real problem and they hadn’t even gotten to Mateer’s individual issues yet.
Tackles getting whipped. Best fix when tackles struggle: extra tight ends to help block. They didn’t commit.
Four different starting groups by Game 4. Last year they used nine combinations through 10 games. O-line is the most chemistry-dependent position group.
Fosuji return should help (can slide to guard; he played RT in high school, LT is a different animal).
Michigan’s two NFL-caliber ends (John Henry Daly and No. 8) made it worse.
“Wiping with the other hand” / “brushing teeth with the opposite hand” — flipping sides is awkward.
Need a “come to Jesus” meeting with Jason Witten, Coach McCullough, Kevin Wilson, Emmitt Jones, etc. Witten didn’t come to Norman so TEs would be underused; McCullough didn’t come so RBs averaging 6.5 YPC in the first half get five touches.
Missed tackles exist and need fixing, but “utterly ridiculous” as the main talking point after this game.
Defense has been very hard to drive the field on. Give them short fields or a late pick and 30 yards is different.
Last year: pooch punts that pinned teams inside the 15 — those drives produced zero points in key games.
If offense doesn’t turn it over and can pin people, this defense can keep almost anyone in the 20s.
They walk through last year’s scores: 28 points from this offense would have won nearly every game on the 2025 schedule except Ole Miss (turnovers) and the playoff (pick-six inflated the opponent total).
New Mexico is not a bye. They scored 70 earlier (starting QB now injured). Oklahoma needs to send a message — 50+ is the bar they floated, how they score it matters more than the number.
Then No. 1 and No. 2 (Texas, Georgia). Same formula: don’t turn it over, run it, shorten the game, let the defense work.
“We are just as capable of beating Texas and Georgia as Oklahoma State was of beating Oregon.” Things change week to week.
Sweet-spot they want: 25–30 designed runs, Mateer 17–24 pass attempts. Limits TWPs, shortens games, plays to the kicker.
Talent is there. Most complete roster since 2008 if coaches figure it out. High-school offensive recruiting/development has been the weak side under Venables; defense starters are almost all BV recruits.
Venables “clean it up” comments: every team says that. Harder to diagnose when the offensive operation itself changes week to week (60%+ 12-personnel vs UTEP → ~40% vs Michigan). You can’t fix what you don’t consistently run.
Kevin Wilson rumors: they don’t think he’ll call plays, but expect more scheme/structure input after the raise to senior offensive analyst.
Michigan fan: don’t panic after one bad night; Oklahoma will surprise people and can beat Texas.
“We don’t need Mateer to be a hero, just a game manager.” Hosts 100% agree.
Recruiting/development critique on offense under BV — they concede the portal/transfer carousel has been heavier on that side.
Super chats and likes push throughout; merch plug (vocfb.com/shop), Baker planting the flag in the SEC logo shirt.
Week 2: 2-3 (only Iowa and Missouri hit). Season 6-4.
They run the treat-bowl picks live. Chad did them late the night before and doesn’t remember the slate. Dog “has something against LSU.”
Won’t do Saturday postgame (night home game + baby). Back next Monday 7 p.m. CT.
“Boomer.” Hope they’re happier after New Mexico. Talent is not the issue. Scheme, commitment to the run, and playing to strengths are.
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Mateer under pressure: feet not set, short throws (Beers underthrown in double coverage; Thomas wide open across middle).
“I trust Brent.” Venables will get in the OC’s ear. Not “Big Game Brent” yet.
Long season. Last year they made the playoff after similar midseason doubt. “You never know.”
Kip Lewis injury status unknown for next week.
Opponent: beat Mercyhurst and Central Michigan 38-7. 246 rushing YPG vs nobodies. Experts ~89.7% OU win; FanDuel -21.5, ML -2800.
Game: Saturday Sept. 6:30 p.m. ESPN2. Late postgame.
Keys they listed:
Establish the run. Hand it off. Third-and-3 is fine. Four plays to get 10.
Don’t force it to Isaiah/Satanga. Use TEs and other WRs.
Rocky Beers mismatch — “standout of the season.”
Get turnovers. Mateer: no INTs. Livingston: don’t fumble the one touch you get.
O-line consistency. Two different starting groups in two games; Noah Best center then RG. “Pick a group and leave it two games.” OG back at LT; Fasusi expected back.
Defense should force New Mexico into the run. Simulation had New Mexico scoring 0.
Rob: “If we lose to New Mexico I’ll quit the show.” (Roger refuses the resignation.)
Want starters to stay in longer than they did vs UTEP so they can work on things.
Presented by Pit Boss (Labor Day sale already over).
OU will be 2-3 after Week 5 (must beat Texas or Georgia) — Rob: Turnover (hasn’t seen them play well enough yet). Chat mixed.
This is the last week to fix the offense before Texas/Georgia — Turnover from Rob (“long season”); they still need it fixed before those games. Analogy: Astros fixed Kikuchi’s pitch mix midseason — coaches can adjust off Michigan film.
OU covers -21.5 vs New Mexico — Touchdown. Expect a UTEP-style blowout but with more run game and starters staying in.
If you could reverse one result, you’d flip Texas-Ohio State instead of OSU-Oregon — They would rather see Texas lose. Rooting for Tech felt dirty.
When they hit loss #4, do backups (Neubauer/Bentley) get a look? — Turnover. Would take a late-season collapse / 5-6 type year. Mateer is a package deal with the OC. Bowl eligibility still the floor.
Season math if 2-3 after the gauntlet: Kentucky, Miss State, South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, A&M, Missouri. 8-4 “pretty plausible” and they’d take it. 9 wins would be the happy number. 1-3 (i.e., lose to New Mexico) is the nightmare.
Pushback on “average / he ruined us.” First year was portal exodus (QB, RB, five WRs left with Lincoln Riley). Playoff last year. Two 6-7 seasons and no bowl wins are the knock; Navy/Kansas losses predate some of the current roster.
Indiana/Cignetti comparison — turning a basketball school into a football school + NIL management.
Rob: Sooners for life, “from a baby until 55.” Will be here unless they lose to New Mexico.
Cowboys-Giants tonight; Broncos tomorrow (watch former Sooners). Bet OU -21.5.
Sign-off: “For Roger, I’m Rob. Rob Bass, MCM, making cash money. Peace out.”
0:11 open + padded-cell bit
4:47 “Do I see a world where OU fixes the offense and beats Georgia and Texas?”
5:51 Mateer has to run / stop forcing Satanga
6:35–13:50 drive-by-drive + “we should have won”
11:24 Rocky Beers 94 yards
15:29 Witten-as-OC chatter
24:24 trust Brent / get the OC together
29:57–36:30 New Mexico keys (run, don’t force Isaiah, Beers, turnovers)
39:38 favorite plays (helicopter; Best’s knockout hit)
43:46 Touchdown or Turnover start
49:45 cover -21.5
1:03:50 “Sooners for life” close
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“Before you can win games at QB you have to learn how not to lose them” (Cignetti/Hoover quote applied to Mateer).
Hosts still say they’ll eat crow if he beats Georgia/Texas and they make a run. No shame in being wrong if the team wins.
Clip-worthy
“Glad you have an eight-pack, John. Learn to throw it eight yards or further.”
“He’s Russell Westbrook without the hype and the dunks.”
“I’d take Mestemaker over John right now.”
Avant proving he can get 6–9 yards; given the ball roughly once a series early.
“You’re allowed to run the ball two times in a row.” Chuck Long-era joke (run-run-pass or get 2nd-and-1 then throw a fade).
Suggestion: use Mateer as a designed runner to force the defense to account for something besides the one-run-then-pass script.
Rocky Beers called a difference-maker; without him Mateer’s numbers look even worse.
Parker Livingston fumble in scoring range. Livingston (ex-Texas deep threat) “non-existent.”
Elijah Thomas underused after a strong back-shoulder the prior week.
Not mad at the unit overall. Mad they had three chances at a turnover on one drive and came up empty (Peyton Bowen drop/INT opportunity, Owen Heineke failing to fall on a loose ball that Bryce Underwood recovered, third miss).
“An elite defense doesn’t give those up.”
Michigan’s punter kept pinning Oklahoma deep; Grayson Miller called first-half MVP — “pretty sad when your punter is the MVP.”
Officiating: 20 penalties mentioned; white-hat official mocked for TV time. Both sides flagged a lot.
Offensive line chemistry still missing. Fasusi (first-round talent LT) out with AC joint for the biggest game. “Another starting five every week.”
Kevin Wilson now senior offensive analyst for the run game — question of whether anyone talked to Arbuckle at halftime.
Injuries framed as either historic bad luck or a program-level issue.
Expectations cratered for some hosts (“pretty high to pretty low”). Others still say talent is there if the brains catch up.
National-title-or-bust preseason belief now looks foolish after one game.
Strong take: never again schedule a good OOC opponent. Stack FCS/weaker games. SEC schedule is already brutal. Indiana/Ohio State/Big Ten not doing Michigan-level OOC.
Clemson future game mentioned; skepticism it happens or that Clemson is currently dangerous.
Texas: unanimous “I want them to lose every game.” No “I hope they’re good so the OU-Texas win means more.” Want them out of the playoff. Historical program comparison (championships/Heismans) used to dunk on Texas fans in chat.
Arch Manning called average; Quinn Ewers called average. Same energy applied inward to Mateer.
Notre Dame: schedule-picking, “Play Like a Champion” sign theft joke, should be out of playoff conversation if they lose to Miami.
Other scores name-dropped (Arizona/BYU, Notre Dame-Rice, Indiana-Howard, etc.).
First loss always hurts most when you didn’t expect it. Texas loss still ranks as worse for some.
Defense still viewed as title-caliber. Offense has to “rinse and repeat what works.”
Hosts expect they’ll talk themselves back into optimism by next week.
High comment/viewership noted — “people come out after a loss.”
Sign-off: Boomer Sooner, Go Buckeyes (split allegiances on the panel), hope the next show is a win rant.
0:20–3:30 — opening Arbuckle/Avant rant
5:30–8:00 — “Ray Charles after the first series” + Mateer anxiety
13:00–15:30 — “one thing you cannot do” INT / high-and-right miss
21:00–22:30 — lock-on / Elijah Thomas wide open
25:00–26:30 — five things that lost the game (INT, fumble, not running Avant, penalties, forcing Satania)
1:39–1:42 — “never want Texas to win a game”
Run it until they stop it
2024 all over again
Not on the defense
Lock-on quarterback
First-loss hangover
OC 0-for-4
Notes stay faithful to the tape: raw, repetitive, and focused on process (run game + decision-making) more than any single player being “done.” Hosts leave the door open to look foolish if the offense fixes it against better SEC defenses.
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Michigan state of the program (TJ)
Extremely underwhelming Week 1. Looked worse under Whittingham than under Sherrone Moore so far — but it’s Week 1.
Fanbase already treating the season as over and calling for Underwood to be benched. TJ: premature. Circle the Iowa game at the end of September as the evaluation window. Don’t burn the bridge early (Dante Moore / Jayden Daniels examples).
Youngest starting unit in the Big Ten. OL not creating holes; Western Michigan (MAC champs, G5 CFP contender) out-physicaled them. Strength & conditioning under previous staff was poor; new staff (LSI) just getting started. Still identifying two guard spots. Harding (Utah) is one of the best OL coaches in the country.
Playbook was intentionally limited vs WMU so they wouldn’t show OU everything (some RPOs not live). Second half opened up more.
Positives: WR room deepest/talented since 2004-05 (two 5-star freshmen, Travis Johnson, JG Buchanan NFL-bound, Andrew Marsh). Defense: John Henry Daly (11.5 sacks last year), Dominic Nichols (2 sacks), Trey Pierce interior pressure. Corners physical but played off early.
Time of possession 41-19; defense kept them in it despite the offense.
TJ’s pick: Oklahoma. “I hate it… I’m not going to BS anybody.” Fanbase is “looking down from 40 feet.”
Hosts agree Michigan is too talented to completely write off, but one week isn’t enough for a huge jump with a young OL and new staff still evaluating.
Score predictions
Both hosts: Oklahoma 27–13 (or 27–9). Expect a run-heavy, quicker game.
TJ already on OU.
Player of the game ideas
John Mateer, Isaiah Satania (punt returns — remember the Alabama 40-yarder last year), Hayden Hanson.
Zeno Zone: 4-1 last week (lost only Clemson). Games listed: Oregon-Oklahoma State, Texas-Ohio State, OU-Michigan, Iowa State-Iowa, Missouri-Kansas.
Rob & Roger taking lead on most postgames; Chad & Tierani will join when it’s not a home night game. Merch plug (Baker flag-in-the-SEC shirt, Zeno Zone gear). See you Saturday postgame (away game) or next Monday 7 p.m. CT. Boomer.
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Mateer to Sategna 25 yards. Xavier (X) came in at RB; not as explosive as Barnes (minor injury the week before). Rocky Beers hurdle TD — “statement” play for the tight-end room and Jason Witten’s influence. Venables story: staff wasn’t sure Witten would take the job; Witten said heck yes.
End of first quarter: OU comfortably ahead while Michigan was 7–3 vs Western Michigan.
UTEP reverse caught OU off guard; next three downs OU tightened up. Missed 50-yard FG.
Barnes reception for first down. Hatton Jr., Hanson, Harris all moved the chains. Beers shaken up. Tate Sandell 33-yard FG → 24–0.
Defense still looked lost on QB keepers/RPOs, then Reggie Powers TFL on 3rd-and-4. UTEP shanked punt. OU ball at the 29.
21-yard run to the 8. Weird offsides/contact penalty wiped out a Mateer-to-Thomas TD. OPI next play. Sandell 32-yard FG → 27–0.
Personal foul on Boganowski; Venables visibly furious on the sideline for 20–30 seconds.
First sack of the season (Alolabo/Oluwafemi). Halftime 27–0.
First-half stats Roger cited:
Mateer 9-of-13, 143 yards. Barnes 51 rush. Beers 43 receiving. 229 total yards, 12 first downs (143 pass / 86 rush). Time of possession nearly even.
Biggest first-half takeaway: Venables told a reporter the defense looked sloppy. Roger agreed they were out of step at times.
FanDuel note: OU–UTEP over/under was 51.5; final 51–0. Under hit. Michigan line from last year (when Michigan came to Norman) was 5.5. New line not out yet. Chat: “Michigan by 10.” Specialty correctly predicted a shutout.
Voice of College Football merch plug. Pit Boss grills affiliate link on the YouTube channel and Facebook.
UTEP trick play for a first down, then fumble. Bowen forced, recovered. First turnover of the season (last year it took 4–5 games).
Sategna 35-yard TD catch → 34–0.
Secondary covering well; front still looked a step slow at times. Barnes 9-yard run. Mateer to Harris 48-yard TD → 41–0.
Oluwafemi and Stone collapse the pocket; Thomas sack. Sategna another 25-yard punt return. “Heck of a night.” Roger’s unofficial player of the game: Sategna.
Barnes two more good runs. 4th-and-3. Liam Evans 34-yard FG → 44–0.
UTEP new QB. Turnover on downs. Michael Neubauer in at QB. End of third: 44–0.
Noah Best big block for X. Neubauer 3-yard TD → 51–0.
Second-team defense, second fumble recovery (second takeaway of the game/season).
Bo Bentley and Andy Bass in. Grayson Miller punted (pregame “Touchdown or Turnover” question hit).
More sacks (Krell, Bathurst). UTEP kicker missed a third FG. McCreary big run. Game over.
Final team stats Roger pulled: 18 first downs, 401 total yards (231 pass, 170 rush).
Mateer played as much as he needed. One or two off-target throws. Good enough.
Michigan’s defense will not hold OU the whole game. First quarter will be tighter than UTEP (maybe 7–3 or 3–0 either way). After that OU should figure them out.
Keys: Barnes’ running, whether Michigan can cover Sategna and keep the tight ends in check.
Underwood’s Western Michigan tape was not good — first start of the year, new head coach, butterflies. Same excuses existed for OU (Venables extension, Mateer’s thumb, returning pieces). Roger still thinks OU should win “pretty handily.” Wants a defensive TD to pair with the special-teams score already in the bank.
Morning kick (11 a.m.) noted; OU historically mixed in morning games.
OU records a first-half sack on Underwood. Host + chat: Touchdown.
Venables will not be happy with first-half defensive performance no matter the score. Host + chat: Touchdown. (He wants absolute excellence.)
Michigan scores a defensive TD. Host + chat: Turnover. OU offense (Barnes, Harris, Sategna, Beers) is rolling.
Sandell stays perfect. Host + chat: Touchdown. Groza talk.
OT add-on: Mateer makes the Heisman watch list after Michigan. Host + chat: Touchdown. Legs, arm, weapons, tough schedule (only Arkansas maybe tougher).
Live score checks during this segment: Wisconsin–Notre Dame 3–3 late first; Louisville 3–0 on Ole Miss late first (Ole Miss driving). Roger wants to see Ole Miss QB because OU plays them later. Early Heisman chatter on that QB vs. Mateer’s 2025 start before the thumb injury.
Hopes for a Michigan postgame show depending on Rob’s schedule. Wants to visit the Big House and “boo Michigan in front of their stadium.” Fantasy football reminder (NFL opens Wednesday). College football is back.
Sign-off: MCM Raj for Rob Bass, Oklahoma Sooners Live, Voice of College Football.
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Punter/kicker roast is a long stretch of the show. First punt came back for Sategna’s TD; later shanks into the stands. Hosts: “High school kids can kick better than this.” Special T called the shutout because of the kicker.
Halftime: 27-0. OU 229 yards, 12 first downs, 143 pass / 86 rush. Time of possession nearly even (~15:47–14:13 first half).
Peyton Bowen forced fumble, Taylor Wein recovered → two plays later Mateer-to-Sategna 34-yard TD (34-0).
Mateer to Harris 48-yard TD after the stiff-arm (41-0).
Sack by Thomas (hosts thought David Stone was going to get it).
Backup kicker Liam Evans hits a FG (44-0).
Whitt Newbauer (6-6, 240) in at QB late; rushing TD. Hosts didn’t realize how big he is.
James Nesta fumble recovery.
Andy Bass fumble nearly gave UTEP a score; defenders tried to scoop-and-score instead of falling on it.
Line rotation late: Noah Best moved, got a big block while the freshman center got more snaps.
Punting: Grayson Miller 44 yards, Ulrich 42. Only two OU possessions that didn’t score — both with backups. Starters scored every time they touched it.
Final team: OU 401 yards (231 pass / 170 rush) vs. UTEP 198. UTEP 2 turnovers.
Avant is the starting RB. Hosts questioned the portal pickup beforehand; after this game they walk it back. “Sole possession.” Blalock did not play — assumed injured.
Colorado State pipeline: Avant and Beers. Avant wasn’t even CSU’s No. 1 last year. Beers “looks like an SEC tight end.”
Possible vanilla game plan / disguised looks for Michigan. Early defensive alignment looked different than last year’s base. Venables already called the defense sloppy. Hosts expect a Monday rip session.
Over/under was 50.5; OU scored 51.
Show predictions:
Mars 55-10
Rob 48-3 (got the 51 right)
Sup 60-0
Jimmy 51-6
Roger 56-3
Special T 55-0
Chloe 43-7
Bishop 56-3
Special T named Week 1 champion — four points off and picked the shutout.
Next: Michigan. Hosts think Michigan also has a cupcake, so film won’t tell the whole story. Confidence is high in the starting offense (Mateer, Harris, tight ends, Sategna, Avant). Defense “came around after the first couple series.”
Rob: not worried about beating Michigan; would be upset if they don’t. “Big House is not what it was a few years ago.”
Dream weekend scenario they keep returning to: OU beats Michigan + Ohio State beats Texas. Rob would accept one loss in the early gauntlet as long as it’s not Texas.
Broadcast note: Friday night on SEC+ was a pain to find. Rest of the schedule should be easier to watch.
Rob packing for a San Diego work trip (4 a.m. wakeup). Big Guys back Sunday; he’ll be on location.
Close: “Great victory for the Sooners. Boomer Sooner.”
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Film-breakdown story: Gary Gibbs sent him to find a way to break down defense off reel-to-reel / VHS. He and Daniel Gensley (no college, touch tablet) put scouting on computer → beta tapes → first time OU did digital-style breakdowns (3rd-and-5, red zone, etc.). Precursor to Huddle/sideline video.
Pride point: helping OU jump from analog to computer scouting.
Clip: Steve Owens hug at Heisman Park + Gensley/computer film story (~8:10–13:50).
Paul: They overachieved.
Didn’t think they’d make the playoffs once Mateer got hurt.
Gruden interview explained why Mateer threw the way he did — “he couldn’t help it.”
Injuries: Mateer, running backs, defense still the “mainstay.”
Kicker won games; punter flipped field position every week (one Alabama mistake aside).
Credit: Venables kept the locker room from making excuses. Leadership: Mateer, Heineke, Kip Lewis.
“25 was supposed to be the year” if healthy. This year is a different story.
Paul: Tools on offense they haven’t had in a while. Tight end coach is huge.
C-gap / 7-technique talk (best X clip in the show):
TE coach talking about protecting the C-gap — “he’s speaking my language.”
Vs. a 7-technique: watch the TE’s first step. Outside foot = defense comes inside; they can’t block it.
Old-school TE blocking will change the run game.
Multiple TEs force defenses to change structure, stay man more, and make blitzing harder.
Paul always loved playing teams without TEs — “blitzed the dog out of them.” Venables does the same.
Split TEs out, keep same personnel, go fast → defense can’t sub. Wear them down.
“Beers kid” called out as important for 12/same-personnel packages.
Chad: Difference between “pretty good” and national-title team is how much the TE room elevates. Returning QB, 4/5 OL starters, upgraded WR room (Elijah Thomas noise, Livingston from Texas).
Chad: Don’t rewrite 2025 as “he wasn’t that good.” He diced Michigan and a top-20 Auburn defense before the knee + throwing-hand issues.
Baker parallel: injured QBs get judged as if healthy.
Paul as a coordinator: yes, you attack the injured hand / limit. NFL staffs literally mark injury spots. Everyone knows.
You still game-plan “stop Mateer and stop Satania (Stania)” first.
Last year’s run game was so bad it put everything on a hurt QB. “That’s not going to happen this year.”
Bold: stay relatively injury-free and make a national-title run.
Clip: Attack the injured hand + “we’re going to be healthy” (~22:58–24:20).
Paul: DBs will be “unbelievable,” more mature.
Who do you throw at — Eli or Cortland? He’d throw away from Cortland.
Jaden Jackson was hurt last year — that’s why you didn’t see the freshman All-American version. When Jackson + “David” (Stone pairing context) are both in, that’s the best two.
Depth behind them will surprise.
Edge: Taylor Wynn — elite technique, can run. P.J. and others can rush.
LBs: everyone knows the two starters; Sullivan (Michigan transfer) is the surprise. Really have three-to-four.
Reggie Powers — unsung, breakout incoming. Hits so hard Chad jokes about targeting.
Defense was already good last year. It gets better because the offense will run the ball and score.
Clip: Jaden Jackson health + Sullivan / Powers (~25:10–26:30).
Chad: Educated fans still undersell how fundamental the run is. Lincoln Riley, Sark, Kiffin, Oregon-style OCs — great ones are run-first.
OU last year: missing edge blockers, TEs, healthy RBs.
Returning OL experience = timing (pulls, how close guard gets to center).
Marion Harris (Arkansas) addition; high-school coach at Harding says he’s loving OU.
If OU gets to ~30 points a game, offenses can’t max-protect and sit in the run. They have to throw. That opens pressures, timing disruption, INTs.
Paul: When you’re up 30–7/14, the whole defense knows what’s coming. Come after them. Last year they starved for turnovers; this year should be different. Turnovers + this schedule = the X-factor.
Record take: 10 wins if healthy, maybe 11. Never count them out at Georgia (may come down to a FG). Most worried about Florida on the road — thinks Florida is better than the public. Could also be 9-3 and still playoff-relevant given the slate. Michigan not automatically last year’s Michigan.
Chat (Boomer Center): turnovers have to be better. Six games without one last year; first was R. Mason Thomas strip vs. Kent State, Halton score.
Paul: you can’t think turnovers. Tackle, strip, get the QB off schedule, disguise coverage (look like 2-high, play 3; roll to run support/blitz). Venables was frustrated by the missed chances. Need them to get to 10 wins.
Chad cites Kirk (Ferentz-style) line: first thing you teach a QB is how not to lose — turnovers, special teams, assignment errors, dumb penalties.
Win on a play can be a safe sack, a throwaway, or 2nd-and-11 instead of a late ball over the middle.
Last year Mateer was the offense. He forced throws. Offseason: reached out to Sam Bradford, asked Venables for basic defensive picture (not the whole playbook), film room work.
High-school counting rules: numbers to a side = zone vs. man.
Game will slow down. Safety valves: Beers (~6-5) and the Florida TE (Hanson) as checkdowns.
Week 1 wish from Paul: run the ball. Inside/outside zone, TEs to the C-gap on cutback, let “X” (Satania) go. Mateer doesn’t even have to scramble.
Clip: “Learn how not to lose” + Bradford/Venables work (~58:30–1:01:30); Week 1 “just run it” (~1:03:00–1:03:25).
Personal color (good B-roll / human story, lighter football):
Chad at Manning Academy as a HS QB; wrong-year wristband; mom walked to the front of the line and got it fixed.
Threw with Eli; Andrew Luck snapped to him a full day; Kellen Moore won skills challenge; Peyton on the field (neck, didn’t throw).
Newspaper pic with Peyton.
Gary Gibbs: two people — all-business in the office (walk past you, analytical), warm in a restaurant. Staff around him: Lucious Selmon, Bobby Proctor, John Blake, Larry Coker.
OU memories: Virginia bowl; UCLA/Rose Bowl trip when they weren’t bowl-eligible the year prior — greens mowers on the field, shoes off, Kelly came in and they won. That roster sent a ton to the NFL. Kel Gundy as freshman → “became Kel Gundy.” Still likes him as a person after the OSU chapter.
Clip: Mom/wristband + Andrew Luck snapping (~1:04:50–1:06:00); Gibbs office vs. restaurant (~1:08:45–1:09:20).
Norman High / college: JT Thatcher, Patrick Fletcher (later OU safety/some QB in hard years — “good Christian kid”).
Didn’t directly coach Jermaine Gresham but he was on the team.
Best college LBs: two NAIA/D-II guys who were 4.45 / 230 and should have been D-I; one was Texas all-star MVP.
Best HS LBs: Marquise Booker (Missouri) and DeJuan Miles (Ardmore ~2005) — Miles “probably the best of all of them,” even over Gresham. Coaches froze watching them power clean.
Son Sean (“Chom”): hardest hitter — helmet-off shot on David Oku (No. 1 RB, Tennessee) in the Carl Albert game; goal-line stand-up vs. a 6-2/270; beat that kid in wrestling after only 1.5 years in the sport. Height was the only thing that blocked D-I.
Clip: Oku hit story (~1:13:59–1:14:24).
Ben Arbuckle on Jason Witten: Cowboys guy, 18 years at the highest level. Arbuckle told him — if you see a better scheme or wrinkle, tell me. Not egotistical. Witten already worked with Mateer on using TEs.
Paul: smart hire. Loves Venables’ passion even if they went 8-4 — wants continuity. Thinks 10 wins. Animated but under control; the “crazy” look is just getting the call in before the snap.
FanDuel: 7.5 wins. Both on the over.
Clip: Witten as a tool + over 7.5 (~1:16:25–1:18:15).
Congrats in chat (Headless Ace grandchild; birthday Morgan in Houston — “lobster brewing,” Venables already listening).
Brief aside they never fully covered: Clemson/LSU “pro players” noise — “ridiculous place we’re in.”
See you Friday at the game. UTEP: “I’m going to say we win” (repeated). Boomer.
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How they expect OU to play
Vanilla play-calling to hide things from Michigan.
Heavy run game once they get a lead. Five RBs available: Xavier Robinson (projected starter), Lloyd Avant, freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr., plus others. Roger is all-in on Hatton Watch — predicts 100 yards in the second half even if he doesn’t start, and at least one long explosive (50+).
Starters likely limited after a big first half. Health for Michigan is the priority. “Not a trap game like Kentucky.”
Defense should dominate a brand-new UTEP offense. Second-team defense may be better than UTEP’s first-team offense.
Common-opponent angle: beat UTEP worse than Michigan later does.
Chat lean: most think they cover easily (42-0, 52-0 type scores). Grandmaster H is the skeptic on the cover because of vanilla calling.
Twenty propositions. Hosts + chat vote TD or Turnover.
| # | Proposition | Consensus lean |
|---|-------------|----------------|
| 1 | OU covers 41.5 | Touchdown (Grandmaster H: Turnover) |
| 2 | Over 50.5 | Touchdown (Grandmaster: Turnover) |
| 3 | UTEP scores (even a FG) | Split — hosts expect at least a FG on a busted coverage / backup unit |
| 4 | Venables’ HC debut was vs. UTEP | Looked up mid-show; 2022 was 45-13 vs. UTEP |
| 5 | Gavin Freeman coming-out party | Mentioned; positive |
| 6 | OU defense scores a TD | Touchdown (pick-six or scoop-and-score; Kip Lewis comps) |
| 7 | Defense gets an INT | Touchdown (they starved for INTs early last year) |
| 8 | John Mateer 4 total TDs (pass + rush) | Split — hosts think run-heavy so maybe 3; could still hit 4 |
| 9 | Parker Livingstone 25+ yard catch | Touchdown (deep threat, play-action / RPO) |
| 10 | Team rushes for 100+ yards | Touchdown (easy; at least one back should have 100 himself) |
| 11 | Defense 3+ sacks | Touchdown (David Stone first-round talk; sack-fumble-score wish) |
| 12 | Jonathan Hatton Jr. plays | Touchdown |
| 13 | Mateer throws a pick | Turnover (hosts); some first-game rust votes TD |
| 14 | Mateer leads team in rushing | Turnover — a running back will |
| 15 | Last Friday season opener was also vs. UTEP | Unknown / Turnover (don’t Google) |
| 16 | Defense 2+ takeaways | Touchdown |
| 17 | Hatton scores the first OU rushing TD | Turnover — Xavier Robinson likely first |
| 18 | Go for it on 4th down 3+ times | Turnover (trust the kicker / blowout script) |
| 19 | Sandell more than 1.5 FGs | Touchdown (or they just keep scoring TDs) |
| 20 | All-crimson look / like the new Lane Kiffin Dr Pepper Fansville commercial | Visual / Touchdown on the commercial (Ferrari / “illegal lane change”) |
Roger add-on: Grayson Miller (punter) appears — Touchdown (they won’t score every drive).
Backup QB note: Whitt Newbauer won the No. 2 job over Bowe Bentley (Bentley is third).
OU returned only two kickoffs all last season — fewest in the country.
Defense: 7th in points allowed (15.5 PPG). Allowed only 13 TDs on 31 red-zone trips.
Offense: 35 red-zone trips, scored on 34 (97.1%).
2025 production: 2,884 passing yards, 1,540 rushing yards. Hosts want a featured back instead of a true committee — “Hatton Watch” continues.
Prediction they like: a 1,000-yard rusher (Hatton, Robinson, or the West Virginia transfer) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Isaiah Sategna was close last year despite Mateer’s mid-season injury).
Chat: Does OU have a top-20 offense? Hosts say yes if Mateer looks like early-2025 Heisman form.
Side topics: SEC/NCAA eligibility ruling allowing former pros back (Lane Kiffin “the devil”); John Gruden Norman visit / stadium gate story; cream-sicle Bucs unis vs. pewter.
Closest prediction gets a mailed sticker.
Mars: 55-10
Rob: 48-3
Sup: 60-0
Jimmy Satterfield: 51-6
Roger: 56-3
Specialty: 55-0
Chloe: 43-7 (also 350 rush yards, zero OU turnovers)
Bishop: 56-3
They sign off “Boomer Sooner” and tease Friday’s postgame show. Roger may be in San Diego Sunday and could do the next show from his phone.
Bottom line from the hosts: Treat it like a glorified preseason game. Establish the run, get Hatton and the backups meaningful snaps, let the defense feast, stay healthy for Michigan, and cover because UTEP simply does not have the pieces. Vanilla offense is expected; a 35-0 or 42-0 half is the script they keep coming back to.
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DC: Brad White (from Kentucky — maximized limited talent).
Transparent injury reports (new under Sumrall; Napier era was opaque).
Sumrall is “the real deal” — intense, down-to-earth, no BS. David spent time with him at a 40-yard-dash fundraiser and with brother Joe Sumrall; same straightforward personality off-mic. Compared favorably to Brent Venables’ authenticity.
DJ Lagway transferred to Baylor. Conversations (per Sumrall interviews and Joe Sumrall) centered on pay/competition expectations under new staff. Lagway later cited feeling isolated; David notes he was frequently visible on campus. Better fit at Baylor for him.
Today (show day): Sumrall named Aaron Philo the starter (Georgia Tech transfer, two years in Faulkner’s system). Not locked in 100% — Trammell Jones (dual-threat, ~21 mph, Napier recruit who stayed) is the clear backup and will play if Philo struggles. Sumrall has history of elevating lower-depth guys (e.g., Darian Mensah at Tulane).
Running backs (loaded)
Jaden Baugh: 1,170 yards last year, 5+ YPC, 266 vs. FSU, tied Tebow-era TD mark (5 total vs. Kentucky). Tackle-breaker.
Vernell Brown III: versatile, punt-return threat, high IQ, legacy.
Eric Singleton Jr. (Auburn transfer, track speed — high 4.2s).
Micah Mays: spring-game standout (~120–150 yards), flying under national radar.
Offensive line
Height/size still there (Napier loved tall 300-lb types); some transfers stayed.
Key pieces: Nigel Harris (most experienced), Harrison Moore (center), TJ Shanahan (Texas A&M transfer), Caden Jones still developing.
New OL coach Phil Troutwine (Penn State) already landing high-end recruits (5-star and multiple top-100 OL in class — rare recent success for Florida).
Still some unproven starters; early signs from spring/fall camp are positive. Warm-up games before Auburn (Week 3 road) will be key.
Overall: New coach + same talented skill roster + creative OC = legitimate optimism. OL and consistency at QB are the swing factors.
Secondary (biggest question mark)
Corners: Cormani McClain (practice interceptions, looking sharp), Javari Flowers (strong practice buzz; David spoke with dad), DeJohn Johnson (back to full health after injury), Ben Hanks (legacy, HS interception record holder — 12–13 picks). Depth is solid if healthy; injuries would force safety-to-corner moves.
Safeties: Bryce Thornton (standout), DJ Coleman (transfer, practice praise), Laganza Hayward (talent), Drake Stubbs (struggling some in camp). Talent is there; chemistry/health still sorting.
Linebackers
Miles Graham (son of Ernest Graham) the clear headliner and leader. Group viewed as solid/strength.
Defensive line & overall
Strong optimism on the front. Defense is the unit David is highest on. Florida’s defense was already talented last year; better offense should keep them fresher.
Discussion of former NFL players returning to college (LSU example, Jack Pyburn rumors). Double-edged: hate the precedent (once you leave for the League you’re done), but competitive reality means programs can’t unilaterally restrict themselves. Courts/injunctions currently limit what NCAA/SEC can enforce.
NIL: Players should get paid; amounts sometimes excessive, but that’s booster money. Old-school guys who left early never got the same opportunities.
Recruiting/NIL ranking sensitivity: kids now publicly push back on rating drops because it can hit their NIL value. High-school NIL now legal in Florida/Georgia (example: Jalen Brewster transferring to Buford for senior-year money while committed to Texas Tech).
Light Athens/Georgia speed-trap and player-discipline banter.
Hot take that will please OU fans: John Mateer has a real shot at the Heisman if healthy and the run game comes online. Oklahoma’s defense (15.5 ppg last year, lots returning, stacked D-line) is already elite. Full recovery from thumb injury + OL/RB improvement = four-digit passing and deep playoff run.
David is more worried about Oklahoma than Texas or Georgia on Florida’s schedule. Home Swamp advantage (humidity + noise — ears still ringing from past big plays) is real, but he currently leans Oklahoma by 1–2 possessions because of Florida’s QB inexperience. Revisit after early-season tape.
Bigger picture: Oklahoma is being slept on in the SEC title conversation. Defense is one of the league’s best; Mateer has the upside.
Find David: hightopsport.com, @hightop_dave, Hightop Sports YouTube (flying-pig logo, ~31.7k subs, targeting 40k). Tailgates planned for FAU/South Carolina/Oklahoma — reach out if attending.
Merch shop walkthrough (Zeno the pocket beagle shirts — schooner, touchdown, Baker flag plant in SEC logo; hats, polos, mugs, etc.). Zeno starts making picks Week 1.
Next week: Chad + Dimitri Flowers (Tierani out). Also upcoming: JP (OUI) episode and recent Biscuits & SEC appearance.
