The Sooners will be down three players due to health and safety protocols.
After a strong start consisting of a few quality wins, the Oklahoma Sooners open Big 12 play against the Kansas State Wildcats at the LNC. Unfortunately, per OU Athletics, the home squad will be without Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes due to health and safety protocols.
Radio: Sooner Sports Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Varsity Radio App) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing
Line: Oklahoma-8 (as of 6 p.m. CT Saturday)
About Kansas State
The Wildcats are 8-3 on the season, suffering losses to Arkansas, Illinois and Marquette — all big single digits. K-State has won its last three contests, including a 67-58 win at Nebraska on Dec. 19. Their most recent scheduled contest — Dec 29 vs. North Florida — was cancelled due to COVID absences in the UNF program.
K-State sits at No. 66 in KenPom’s team efficiency rankings, sitting at No. 131 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 38 in adjusted defensive efficiency. As usual, Kansas State operates at a slow pace, ranking No. 236 nationally in adjusted tempo.
The Wildcats are led in scoring by Nigel Pack, who is averaging 14.9 PPG while connecting on nearly 44 percent of his three-point attempts.
One Big Thing
OU will be without the services of Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes this evening due to health and safety protocols. Tanner, the elder Groves brother, leads the Sooners in scoring and rebounding at 14.2 and 6.0. respectively. The younger Groves has averaged 3.5 PPG in 13.3 minutes per outing, while Cortes has averaged 1.6 PPG and 1.3 AP in 9.6 MPG. The latter has served as the primary backup to Jordan Goldwire at PG as of late, so we’ll likely see a bit of true freshman Alston Mason this evening.
Prediction
Ins site of the absences, OU’s defensive intensity should win the day on its home court. This will likely be an ugly won, but a win in Big 12 play can’t be taken for granted.
OU quarterback Caleb Williams is mulling where he will play in 2022.
While the Oklahoma Sooners celebrated a season-ending win over the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl, freshman quarterback Caleb Williams’ comments about his future tempered some of the enthusiasm around the program.
Williams shined OU’s 47-32 win, completing 21-of-27 pass attempts for three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran the ball seven times for 36 yards and avoided some of the rookie mistakes we’ve seen during his first year in Norman. It was the kind of performance that helped paint a rosy picture of the Sooners’ future behind center if he sticks around.
It was easy to do because it was the right thing to do! I appreciate all of you guys accepting me. I promise you this is the place to be. @CoachVenables and @Coach_Leb will keep this thing rollin! Keep the hat for an NIL deal!! https://t.co/VAE9lEYaG2
While interim coach Bob Stoops and new head coach Brent Venables threw some not-so-subtle recruiting pitches his way, Williams made it clear after the game that is no sure thing. I won’t pretend to know Williams or that I have any inside information on what he will do, but let’s try to think through the implications of his decision.
What does Williams want?
Maybe more NIL money and a Heisman Trophy. Let’s just assume, though, that a future in the NFL is ultimately driving Williams’ decision. He picked OU so he could be schooled by the coach who tutored three NFL starting QBs in Jalen Hurts and top overall draft picks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Ironically, you could make a good case that Williams showed the most growth this season after Lincoln Riley left for USC. Even so, Riley’s departure is what has put Williams’ future at OU in doubt.
So Williams is going to USC?
Eh, signs point to “no.” Riley is facing a rebuild situation with the Trojans that doesn’t seem to fit with NFL aspirations. Playing behind a shoddy offensive line, for instance, won’t put Williams in position to showcase his talents.
Keep in mind that Riley’s reputation with NFL personnel departments may take a hit after the last two years, too. After three seasons under Riley, Spencer Rattler never really built on his prodigious talent. Meanwhile, Riley struggled in the second half of the season to put together an offense tailored to Williams’ strengths.
OK, what would the argument for staying at OU sound like?
First, Venables hired one of the best up-and-coming offensive tacticians in the country in Jeff Lebby. In his two seasons as Ole Miss offensive coordinator, the Rebels ranked 14th and 10th in Offensive SP+. In his one season as the offensive coordinator at Central Florida in 2019, the Knights ranked 14th. As quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss, Lebby oversaw the development of Matt Corral into one of the top prospects at the position in the upcoming NFL draft.
Second, Williams knows the offensive personnel at OU. He already has relationships with receivers like Mario Williams and Marvin Mims. Whatever the shortcomings of OU’s offensive line may have been this year, Williams probably understands what that unit could look like in the near term. Having that certainty eliminates some of the risk involved in switching programs.
Finally, OU has the makings of a strong squad in the coming seasons. The coaching change adds a variable, obviously, but the Sooners will likely enter Big 12 play in ‘22 as the favorites to win the conference. Venables is also inheriting enough young talent to think OU will field a competitive team when it presumably moves to the SEC in 2023.
There have to be some downsides to staying at OU, right?
Indeed. OU may have hired a sought-after offensive coordinator, but Venables is a defensive guy to the core. What will that mean for the identity of the program going forward? The Sooners won’t be a program built around star power at QB, which seemed to be the case with Riley at the helm. That doesn’t mean OU can’t continue to pump out great QBs, just that the vibe is about to change.
Second, Lebby has a short track record of QB development. On top of that, he has worked under other respected offensive coordinators and QB coaches in Lane Kiffin and Josh Heupel, which raises fair questions about who deserves credit for their successes on offense.
Where could Williams go?
I don’t know, but we should start by recognizing that despite Williams’ talent, plenty of programs around the country won’t pursue him in light of their QB situations. Some coaches also may not want to upset the dynamics in their locker rooms and on the recruiting trail.
Take Jim Harbaugh and Michigan, for example. Junior Cade McNamara has started all season, and Harbaugh has worked in touted freshman J.J. McCarthy during the year. Coach Khaki Pants has the NFL pedigree, but he may not want to upset the balance on his roster. Not to mention, Williams may not want to compete with two incumbents for playing time.
Come on, give us one name.
Fine – I’d keep an eye on Penn State. Coach James Franklin has a reputation as a dynamic recruiter, and State College is relatively close to Williams’ home base in the Washington, D.C. area. PSU isn’t known for prolific offenses, but the Nittany Lions do have a respected offensive coordinator in Mike Yurcich.
So how screwed is OU if Williams leaves?
Quit being so dramatic. Williams is a fantastic prospect, but the Sooners will have plenty of options in the transfer portal if he takes those talents elsewhere. Bear in mind that other players may hop in the portal once they see OU has an opening at QB.
The bigger concern may be the secondary effects if Williams transfers. Other offensive stars such as Mims may decide to look elsewhere as well. But let’s cross that bridge later.
It was a fun night in San Antonio for the Crimson & Cream.
On a festive Wednesday night, the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners handled the No. 14 Oregon Ducks (10-4) by a score of 47-32 in the 2021 Valero Alamo Bowl. With the win, OU wraps up the 2021 college football season with a final record of 11-2.
In Caleb Williams’ seventh start of the season, the true freshman put on a show against the Pac-12 runner-up. In total, he amassed 242 passing yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-27 attempts, including this 55-yard bomb to sophomore WR Marvin Mims. Additionally, CW also racked up 34 rushing yards on seven carries.
Redshirt senior DB Justin Broiles set the defensive tone early on the Ducks’ first drive of the night by securing an interception off a pass from Oregon’s Anthony Brown and returning it 12 yards to set up Oklahoma in plus territory. Nine plays later, redshirt junior RB Kennedy Brooks (Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP) scampered 16 yards to put the Sooners in the end zone and on the board first.
In the second quarter, redshirt junior Drake Stoops snagged a six-yard TD reception with his dad watching from the sideline to extend OU’s lead to double-digits.
Following a big fourth down stop by junior EDGE Marcus Stripling and the energetic Sooner defense, Brooks capped off an explosive first half with his second touchdown of the night, this time from 29 yards out. OU would go into the break leading 30-3.
In the second half, the offensive floodgates opened. Oregon took the third quarter’s opening drive the distance to cut into the sizable deficit, but Oklahoma answered right away with a six-yard connection between Williams and junior RB Eric Gray. The Ducks found pay dirt again on a 66-yard bomb from Brown to Dont’e Thornton, and once again, the Sooners responded five plays later thanks to an eight-yard TD run from Brooks. UO managed to score once more to keep the pendulum swinging, but at that point the mountain was truly too steep to overcome against a scorching hot OU offense.
With the ball to start the fourth quarter, Williams led a methodical, time-consuming drive that ultimately resulted in a 29-yard field goal from redshirt junior Gabe Brkic. Oregon crossed the goal line one final time late in the game, but that would be it for the Ducks.
It wasn’t the season Oklahoma was expected to have coming into 2021, but all things considered, it was a relatively strong close for a team that is now entering a new coaching era under Brent Venables. Still, 11 wins is 11 wins, and the cupboard is far from bare going into the offseason. It’ll be interesting to see what other moves are made in regards to this football program, but for now, enjoy this result and celebrate this group for an impressive performance to end the year.
As the Oklahoma Sooners face the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl, there is no shortage of storylines? Will interim Hall of Fame coach Bob Stoops be given a fitting sendoff complete with a Rock ‘N Roll Tequila bath? Will it be Caleb Williams’ final game in Crimson & Cream, or the first of many more to come? Will the shorthanded Ducks come out with a chip on their shoulder, or will they phone it in?
Take it away, Toby!
Tonight, the Hall of Famer who resurrected Oklahoma Football will once again lead the Crimson and Cream in to battle.@LandersChevyOK Scene Setter ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/oAfFOKNPf5
The Sooners can end the 2021 season on a relatively high note with a win over the disheveled Ducks.
After a turbulent turn of events over the last month, the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) are finally set to close out the year against the No. 14 Oregon Ducks (10-3) in the 2021 Valero Alamo Bowl. This marquee Big 12/Pac-12 matchup will be just the eighth all-time meeting between these two iconic college football brands and the first since the colossal onside kick debacle in ‘06. To make matters all the more unique this time around, both teams will undoubtedly look much different than they did during the regular season due to a laundry list of coaching moves and player attrition. Regardless, this game represents an opportunity for each program to enter the upcoming offseason with a modicum of momentum.
Speaking of coaching changes, Bob Stoops will be back on the sideline as OU’s interim head coach after Lincoln Riley accepted the job at USC. On the other side, Oregon’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon has also taken over on an interim basis following the departure of Mario Cristobal to Miami.
When you tune in to watch Oklahoma take on the Ducks, you won’t see WR Jadon Haselwood, QB Spencer Rattler or TE/H-back Austin Stogner inside the Alamo Dome as they’ve all officially found landing spots through the transfer portal. Additionally, OLB Brian Asamoah, EDGE Nik Bonitto, DE Isaiah Thomas and DT Perrion Winfrey have each opted out of the bowl game after declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. While that’s admittedly a lot of talent that won’t be suiting up for the Crimson & Cream, OU isn’t in too bad of shape after the recent coaching exodus nearly sent the program into a tailspin.
On the flip side, Oregon will reportedly be without more than 30 players for a number of reasons on top of the fact that the team will be without former head coach Mario Cristobal. On paper, Oklahoma certainly looks like the odds-on favorite with a significant advantage from a depth perspective alone, but this is college football, and strange things are known to happen.
What kind of energy will OU play with?
The bowl season is typically dictated by which teams want to be there more than their opponent, but in this matchup that’s difficult to determine from the outside looking in. Both squads had legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations deep into the season, and both saw those dreams dashed down the stretch. Plus, given the aforementioned coaching changes and player attrition, it wouldn’t be surprising if either group wasn’t overly excited about kicking this one off. Still, the game will be played, and a winner will be crowned as a result. If Stoops can galvanize his beloved Sooners in his temporary return, that could go a long way toward deciding the outcome of this contest.
How much will revenge factor into this game?
In short: it won’t play a factor at all. At least not for the players, although it would be mighty interesting to hear what Stoops would say off the record given he was on the receiving end of that absolutely atrocious call that ultimately decided that non-conference contest 15 years ago. Still, this game won’t be about revenge, but for the fans it’s been a fun side storyline that has only helped boost the intrigue of this matchup.
Caleb Williams still has a decision to make
True freshman phenom Caleb Williams has the potential to become the face of college football in the very near future. His ability is that elite, and that’s why his upcoming decision to stay in Norman or leave Oklahoma will be a game-changer, one way or another. For now, ‘Superman’ is doing all the things that a guy who intends on sticking around would do, and it’s a probably good sign that former five-star receiver Theo Wease removed himself from the transfer portal to announce that he’s staying at OU. Still, nothing is official until CW makes it official, and that likely won’t happen until some time after the Alamo Bowl.
Prediction
The combination of having Bob Stoops back in the saddle and Oregon’s depth issues will prove to be too much to overcome for the Ducks. Oklahoma feels like the team with more stability and energy coming into this game, and that should bode well for the Sooners who were once reeling to end the regular season. One thing is for sure, and it’s that Caleb Williams will be the best player on the field whenever his team has the ball, especially since UO star DE Kayvon Thibodeaux opted out to prepare for the draft. On the other side, expect to see a lot of relatively unfamiliar names for interim DC Brian Odom, as that’s the side of the ball that will have to replace the most starters for the Crimson & Cream. Because of this, I can see this game looking particularly sloppy in the early going, but in the end, I see OU holding onto a late lead for its first Alamo Bowl victory in school history.
