This is basically Lincoln Riley’s first recruiting class that he owned from start to finish. Now, I think he was a driving force for Sooner recruiting before taking over as HC but since he has things have really taken off. He’s a strong recruiter with a good grasp of the art of leveraging Oklahoma’s prestige … [Read more…]
Alex Grinch is the newest coordinator to venture into the DC graveyard that is the Big 12. The number of top line DCs that came to the Big 12 with fanfare only to find themselves on the receiving end of some knockout punches is extensive. Todd Orlando at Texas is one of the most recent … [Read more…]
Over at SB Nation I have a piece up on Jalen Hurts and his fit within the Oklahoma offense in 2019. Overall I think this was a nice addition by Lincoln Riley and further evidence that they are establishing Norman as a destination for top skill talent and QBs. There’s definitely going to be some … [Read more…]
Players are zipping in and out of the transfer portal and ending up all over the place. Nowadays QB transfers are a major, defining feature of the college game and there have been some big ones that will shape the 2019 season. Oklahoma wins the “biggest free agent in college football history” Jalen Hurts’ dad … [Read more…]
Over at Football Outsiders I’ve got the stats breakdowns and some thoughts on every bowl game (eventually, with the most recent post breaking down the playoff semi-finals. Over there you can read about how I’m picking an Alabama vs Notre Dame finale, which will probably disappointingly feature a 20 point spread for the Tide. This … [Read more…]
Week 11 was fun, Oklahoma State came within a missed extra point or converted two point conversion of beating Oklahoma and then Texas Tech raced back from a 34-17 deficit to force a game-winning drive from Texas. The RRS rematch is still in play. Here’s Max Olson’s helpful breakdown of the B12 from here: I … [Read more…]
It was a solid performance overall by the Sooners but it came against a TCU team that was evidently ready to fall apart rather than to rally and make a statement win. Here is a snapshot of the sorts of solutions that Ruffin McNeil had on offer in this game:
I got this comment on my post the other day explaining my “ranking” of the Big 12 and what I’m watching for in terms of figuring out who can win the title: Ian, I understand where your loyalties lie but my impression is that you are not a Lincoln Riley believer at this point. Is … [Read more…]
I caught a few words with Lincoln Riley during B12 media days, transcribed here. Coach what went into the decision to move Caleb Kelly inside? Just thought it was the right time, kinda had an opening there with Emmanuel Beal graduating. It’s gonna allow us to keep Caleb on the field a little bit more … [Read more…]
Okay, hang on though… As a Texas guy who’s watched the Longhorns languish the entire decade due to self-made problems while the league’s reputation and leverage across the sport has declined, I’ve got a fairly good view of what exactly the Big 12 is and what it isn’t. It isn’t the SEC, the passion level … [Read more…]