What will be our takeaways from this first game?

This is the final installment of three preseason roundtable sessions pertaining to the 2021 Oklahoma Sooners. After covering the offense and the defense, we enter the miscellaneous category.

I think we all know who we’re picking to win the Big 12 in 2021, but who finishes second?

Allen: TCU, but I’ve picked the Horned Frogs to finish second for five straight years now.

Stephen: Iowa State. They have the experience and the coach to do it all over again.

Seth: Kansas State, just so Lincoln Riley can even the score against Chris Klieman.

Jack: Texas. I think beating Texas twice in one season would be neat.

In an attempt to predict the future, what do you think will be your main takeaway following the season opener versus Tulane?

Allen: The Sooners will look sharp and build enough of a first-half lead to pull the starters for the second half. Even if the Green Wave put a few scores on the board late, there shouldn’t be any of the questions about “killer instinct” that dogged OU a season ago.

Stephen: Oklahoma looks the part of a national championship contender. Alex Grinch’s most complete defense yet. Oklahoma’s offense looks improved and someone will suggest Caleb Williams should be QB1 moving forward.

Seth: Defense. Defense. Defense. Specifically the D-line. I expect that group to live up to their lofty projections and put on a show from start to finish. I’m talking pass breakups, forced fumbles, multiple sacks and tackles-for-loss for multiple players. The whole nine.

Jack: Rattler impresses by distributing the rock fairly evenly amongst his targets. The defense looked solid after some busted plays in the early going. The newcomers (Mike Woods, Eric Gray, Mario Williams, Billy Bowman) stand out the most.

The current line for OU-Tulane is -31.5. Do the Sooners cover?

Allen: Tulane will sneak in the back door for a late cover.

Stephen: Oklahoma covers. I think Lincoln will want to see what he has offensively which means he won’t take the foot off the pedal.

Seth: I definitely see OU covering, and I don’t think it’ll be all that close. It would honestly shock me if the Sooners win this by only four touchdowns. I’m actually predicting the final margin to be in the neighborhood of 35-42 points.

Jack: I’ll go with an OU cover, as I think the depth of this team — particularly on defense — will keep that intact in the second half.

Which college football pundit is going to irritate you the most in 2021?

Allen: Kirk Herbstreit. He’s actually a fine analyst, but with his kids playing at Clemson, he has an obvious conflict of interest. He has basically turned into a Dabo Swinney hype man.

Stephen: Not sure I have one specific. I’ll say anyone that suggests it was Oklahoma’s decision to move to the SEC is bad for college football but fails to recognize Bowlsby’s ineptitude to keep a P5 conference together. I’ll also go with Joey Galloway since he doesn’t watch much football.

Seth: Whenever Jim Mora Jr. is on my screen, I lose brain cells. I don’t know if he’s still employed by ESPN or if he’s somewhere else, but wherever he is, I hope his mic is turned off. Also, I really, really hope Tim Brando is never assigned to call another OU game for as long as I shall live.

Jack: Tommy Tuberville is now in the US Senate, so my first choice is gone.

Does OU win Natty No. 8 this year?

Allen: Yes.

Stephen: Yes.

Seth: Yes.

Jack: At the risk of allowing myself to be hurt again… yes.

BONUS: What’s your favorite thing about New Orleans? (Note: Can answer even if you haven’t been)

Allen: I love everything about New Orleans, but my favorite thing is Port of Call on Esplanade.

Stephen: I’ve never been to New Orleans, but will be making my first trip there next spring. I plan on asking Trevor Knight where he got whatever voodoo magic he used against Alabama. Also heard beignets are good.

Seth: I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting NOLA, but I do fancy Cajun cuisine. So whenever I do make the trip, my favorite part will probably be the food.

Jack: The food is superb (shout-out to the Court of Two Sisters). Live music at places like Tipitinas is an experience to put on the bucket list. The to-go drink situation is obviously nice, but you’ll actually be able to do that on game day in Norman this year. The historical significance of the town is endless. It’s really difficult to pick one thing.

DOUBLE BONUS: Once OU joins the SEC, which fan base within the conference will you despise the most?

Allen: Alabama. It’s more the guys in the stands with pom-poms… er, “shakers.”

Stephen: Hard to pick between Texas A&M and LSU. I’ll go with A&M though.

Seth: During football season – probably Auburn fans. During softball season – definitely ‘Bama fans.

Jack: Arkansas fans are already under the impression that OU is their rival, so this is just going to add fuel to that inferiority complex. I love Hog fans, but my word… their delusion knows no bounds.

Head on down to the comments section to give us your thoughts on the game and everything else throughout the day!

With Hurricane Ida displacing most of Southeast Louisiana and moving this weekend’s contest to Norman, the Oklahoma Sooners and Tulane Green Wave are set for an unconventional event in which Willie Fritz’s program will officially be the home team. The fact that this is even taking place is a testament to each of these two athletic departments, and they each deserve an emphatic tip of the cap for their efforts.

Before we go any further, I wanted to share a link to The Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Hurricane Ida Relief Fund, which is the charity Tulane endorses.

Time & TV: Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. CT on ABV

Commentary: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Tom Luginbill

Streaming: WatchESPN

Line: Oklahoma -31.5 (as of Friday at 11:30 p.m. CT)

O/U: 68

OU-Tulane Preview Podcast with Fear the Wave

Gambling Picks from Allen & the Skinny

2021 Game Day Polices & Procedures

Lincoln Riley Week One Presser Notes

OU Depth Chart Against Tulane

Five Big Questions: Offense

Five Big Questions: Defense

My Week 1 Gambling Picks

Oklahoma -31.5 vs. Tulana

Wisconsin -5.5 vs. Penn State

Kansas State -3.5 vs. Stanford

Miami +19.5 vs. Alabama in Atlanta

Indiana +4 at Iowa

West Virginia -2.5 at Maryland

Texas -9.0 vs. Louisiana

Houston -1.5 vs. Texas Tech at NRG Stadium

Clemson -3 vs. Georgia in Charlotte

Notre Dame -7 at Florida State

No Hand Grenades on Bourbon Street. No beers at The Boot. No live music on Frenchmen Street. No burgers at Port of Call. No bad decisions (or at least fewer bad decisions). No bachelor party in New Orleans for yours truly.

We might not be enjoying the opening of football season down in New Orleans, but I’m as excited for this game as any in quite some time. OU fans are getting a true “Party at the Palace” for the first time since November of 2019, and I’m sure as hell not taking that for granted.

Happy game day, Sooner Nation!

Are you ready for some football?

After one of the most interesting offseasons in recent memory, the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners are finally on the doorstep of the 2021 college football campaign. To officially kick-off the regular season, OU is set to host the Tulane Green Wave inside the Palace on the Prairie this Saturday morning.

As many are already aware, this season opening game was originally scheduled to be played in New Orleans, but due to the effects of Hurricane Ida, both sides agreed to move this contest to Norman. Speaking of which, here is Tulane’s preferred relief fund if you’d like to help out.

Check out this awesome gesture from Oklahoma’s athletics field crew. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Tulane faithful and all of those who have been directly impacted by this devastating storm in the Southeast Louisiana area.

Date, Time & TV: Saturday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. CT on ABC

Line: Oklahoma -31.5 (as of Friday at 3 p.m. CT)

O/U: 69

OU-Tulane Preview Podcast with Fear the Wave

Gambling Picks from Allen & the Skinny

2021 Game Day Polices & Procedures

Lincoln Riley Week One Presser Notes

OU Depth Chart Against Tulane

2021 OU Team Captains — redshirt senior H-back Jeremiah Hall, redshirt senior LB Caleb Kelly, redshirt sophomore QB Spencer Rattler, senior S Patrick Fields

Major Storylines for 2021

Will Oklahoma pick up where it left off in 2020?

After a shocking 1-2 start to last season, Oklahoma rebounded in a big way by winning its final eight games of the season, including a sixth consecutive Big 12 title over Iowa State and a victory over Florida in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Now entering 2021, expectations for Lincoln Riley’s ballyhooed squad couldn’t be higher. Of course, even with a win, nothing definitive will be answered this Saturday as far as the Sooners’ overall goals are concerned, but it’ll be important to start off on the right foot with the spotlight as bright as it currently is.

Will the Sooners’ defense dominate as expected?

Alex Grinch took over as OU’s defensive coordinator in 2019, and in just two seasons, he has completely transformed the confidence and culture on that side of the ball. ‘Speed D’ is a very real thing, and it’s obvious to anyone that his players have totally bought into that mantra. Nevertheless, the real test will come against playoff caliber competition and only then, but in order to earn that opportunity, the Sooners must first take care of business week to week, starting this Saturday.

Will a third running back option emerge?

Right now, Oklahoma’s running back depth chart looks like Kennedy Brooks, Eric Gray, and a whole lot of questions marks. This offseason wasn’t too kind to DeMarco Murray’s group, with several defections for a multitude of reasons. Still, as the old adage states, it’s simply the next man up. So who will step up as the third back for Riley’s offense? Will it be Jaden ‘Weatherman J’ Knowles, or possibly Todd Hudson? Could someone who normally plays a different position emerge as a viable option (possibly WR Brian Darby)? What happens this weekend against Tulane could go a long way in answering those questions, but for now, the situation remains a shaky mystery.

Can this team show a killer instinct?

Far too often, Oklahoma has built a lead only to see it threatened or even erased completely. That tendency cost them against Kansas State and ISU last season, and it very nearly cost them again against Texas and in the Big 12 Championship Game. If this team wants to prove its worth among college football’s elites, it will be up to Lincoln Riley and the leaders on this team to make sure any late-game or second half lead is maintained through 60 minutes. Saturday might not be the best barometer, mind you.

Is Spencer Rattler ready to lead OU back to the playoffs?

No player is coming into the 2021 college football season with more expectations than second-year starter Spencer Rattler. He’s the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, he’s on every QB award watch list, and he’s been projected to become the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Plus, for the last two months, he’s taken full advantage of his newly granted NIL rights. Needless to say, Rattler is the big man on campus, and considering how strong his play was to close last season, the ceiling is the roof (it’s a reference, look it up) for this young man. If he has indeed made improvements to his game since his last live game rep, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have his Sooners back in the CFP competing for a national championship.

Prediction

I predict the Sooners will come out fast right away in the first quarter, both offensively and defensively. Rattler will pick apart the Green Wave’s defense with surgeon-like precision, while Nik Bonitto and company will overwhelm Willie Fritz’s O-line with an unrelenting pass rush. Truthfully, I don’t see Tulane finding the end zone at all, but they’ll manage to get into decent field goal range a few times. Meanwhile, the balance that Oklahoma will display on offense will be a spectacle to behold. Expect half-a-hundred points for the Crimson & Cream, and don’t be surprised if you see a little more.

Oklahoma 52, Tulane 9

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There’s depth across the board, and OU fans are excited.

Other than Nik Bonitto or Perrion Winfrey, which defensive Sooner is most likely to bring home first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021?

Allen: Isaiah Thomas. I’ll take the low-hanging fruit here. Thomas broke out last season with 8.5 sacks in 11 sacks, the third-highest total in the conference. He had a total of 13 tackles for loss, putting him in the top five in the Big 12. I’d argue the biggest threat to his bid for all-conference honors would be the fact that OU might rotate upwards of 14 players on the defensive line this year.

Stephen: I’m going to go with Brian Asamoah here. He led the team in tackles last season and recorded the same amount of tackles-for-loss as Perrion Winfrey. He was flying around the field towards the latter half of last season and I think he’s shown a lot of improvement as far as playing in space. With another year under Brian Odom, I think he’ll certainly be in the conversation of one of the best linebackers in the Big 12.

Seth: I see Jalen Redmond emerging as an All-Big 12 first teamer by season’s end. After opting out of the 2020 season, I predict he’ll pick up where he last left off as one of the most athletically gifted D-linemen in the conference. As long as he remains available, I don’t see how he doesn’t work his way into All-Big 12 honors following the regular season. The depth up front is just stupid at OU right now, and Redmond is a big part of that.

Jack: I’ll go with Woodi Washington, who plays the ball better than any OU CB we’ve seen in years. Yes, that’s a depressingly low bar, but the guy embodies Alex Grinch’s vision for the position and is a stark departure from what we would see from this group during the Mike Stoops/Kerry Cooks era. Corners from the past regime were often physically outmatched by large receivers and were hesitant to turn around and look for the ball. Fortunately, this is no longer a concern.

Which off-the-radar name should OU fans keep in mind as the season begins?

Allen: Justin Harrington. It has to go down as an upset that Harrington hasn’t moved to safety or nickel with his size (6-3, 217 pounds), all signs still continue to point to him playing cornerback. That means Harrington will have plenty of competition for snaps versus other candidates like DJ Graham, Woodi Washington and Jaden Davis. Clearly, however, Alex Grinch likes Harrington’s potential as a cover man.

Stephen: Keyshawn Lawrence. There was probably some expectation that Lawrence would transfer in as a plug-and-play guy, but he’s only had one season of college football under his belt and a covid season at that. He didn’t necessarily shine during the spring as it took time to learn Grinch’s system and caused some of that hype to fade. Oklahoma hasn’t had a physical freak like Lawrence in the defensive backfield in some time. A 6’1, 210-pound DB that is running somewhere in the 4.4’s can be an absolute monster in Grinch’s system. If what’s coming out of fall camp is indeed true, Lawrence will be a factor for Oklahoma this season.

Seth: Look out for sophomore OLB Brynden Walker. He saw a decent amount of time in his first collegiate season last fall, and I expect his production to increase in year two. Currently, he’s being used in that Bonitto, EDGE/RUSH role, and at 6’2, 243, he has the size (and physicality) to make a notable impact at this level.

Jack: In-state product Jordan Kelley is my pick here, as Perrion Winfrey’s backup at nose tackle seems poised to play a pivotal role on the defensive front. With injuries in the rearview mirror, his physically-imposing nature should ensure that OU doesn’t see much of a drop-off in disruption when Winfrey needs a breather.

In your opinion, is this the year in which OU’s defense is finally good enough to put OU in the legitimate running for a national championship?

Allen: That’s kind of a loaded question because the Sooners had a legitimate shot at a national title in 2017. That defense was far worse than what I’m expecting we’ll see on the field this fall.

In other words, yes. My biggest concern for the postseason is drawing a team with a more physical running game to take advantage of a DL built for disruption.

Stephen: Alex Grinch has transformed this Oklahoma defense in a short period of time. A lot of talk is about the personnel and body types, but I think there isn’t enough credit given to how much the culture has changed. These players and coaches come out of the tunnel with an edge and the mentality that they can go out and beat anybody. A stark difference than going out and “surviving” enough for the offense. So I’ll go with yes.

Seth: In short, yes. I do believe this OU defense is good enough to contend for a national title. The powers that be have done an impressive job at hiring tenacious recruiters who can also develop said recruits into the caliber of player that can win a championship. Right now, it appears the defensive front is further along than the secondary, but neither unit is where they were two or three years ago. Still, the true test will only come in the playoffs, where the Sooners have yet to have a respectable defensive showing.

Jack: Absolutely, and this is the first time I’ve felt this way in over a decade. The 2013 and 2015 defenses put forth respectable efforts, but those groups didn’t have the depth, the athletes or the coaching to really compete with the country’s more physical rosters. The fact that Grinch has been able to fix these issues in such a short amount of time is both a testament to his expertise and an indictment of past leadership. At any rate, it’s a breath of fresh air for OU fans, who now become legitimately excited to see their defense take the field.

Who is your favorite position coach on the defensive side of the ball? (Note: Can include Alex Grinch)

Allen: Calvin Thibodeaux. I like all of them, honestly, but I love Thibodeaux’s story. His coaching resume is all about grinding. Before OU: grad assistant to junior college to Dartmouth to Tulsa to Kansas.

After a couple disappointing seasons for OU’s DL early in Thibodeaux’s tenure, Lincoln Riley’s faith in him looks pretty smart now.

Stephen: I’ll go with Jamar Cain. Cain has been an outstanding compliment to Calvin Thibodeaux on the field. As a recruiter, he may be the most underrated on Oklahoma’s staff. His early resume consists of being the primary recruiter for Clayton Smith, Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, and Ethan Downs. He also played the part of secondary recruiter for 4-star DL, Kelvin Gilliam in 2021. Looking at 2022, Cain has a verbal commitment from 4-star DL, Derrick Moore and has put Oklahoma in the conversation for one of the top pass rushers in the country in Marvin Jones Jr.

Seth: A couple years ago, Kenneth Murray’s praise of Brian Odom completely sold me on the inside linebackers coach, and while I can find a dozen great things to say about any of OU’s coaches, Odom strikes me as a guy who fully stands for everything this program is about. He’s from the state of Oklahoma, he won a national championship with the Sooners, and he understands the standard that the past greats established before him.

Jack: I could really go with any of them, but mine might be Roy Manning. A lot of people doubted him when the hire was made, but his group has improved as much as any over the past two years. He’s recruiting at a high level, and the enthusiasm he brings to the table is palpable. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to play for the guy.

Which past defensive Sooner from the past decade or so would you have loved to see in Alex Grinch’s system?

Allen: Easy – Eric Striker. Grinch could have used a chaos agent like Striker in so many ways. It just seems like a perfect fit.

Stephen: Obo Okoronkwo would have been a lot of fun to watch. Also can’t help but think what Addison Gumbs could have become given the current staff’s ability to develop.

Seth: Tony Jefferson. Personally, he’ll always be one of my favorite Sooner DBs, and I would have loved the chance to see how his leadership could have affected this team. Plus, the dude just balled out.

Jack: I’ll follow Allen’s lead and go with Striker. He was an insanely disruptive force from 2013-15, but could you imagine how dangerous he would’ve been with a front seven like this to take some of the pressure off of him? Offensive schemes were focused so heavily on him, and if guys like Perrion Winfrey or Jalen Redmond were around to command some of the attention, he could’ve done even more damage.

BONUS: What’s your go-to pregame beverage?

Allen: Bud Heavy, although I’m not above a hard seltzer before the temps drop in November.

Stephen: If it’s an 11 am kickoff, I’ll go with a spicy bloody mary. Other kickoff times: Pacifico

Seth: As the resident non-drinker, I’ll have a sprite.

Jack: For these hot early games, I’ll go with ranch water, which is basically just blanco tequila with seltzer water, lime juice and sea salt. Cold games call for Hot Damn 100.

DOUBLE BONUS: Who is your pick to win the Super Bowl this year?

Allen: Chiefs. No doubt.

Stephen: Chiefs. Fixed a lot of their issues along the offensive line this offseason.

Seth: Browns, and they’ll cover the spread, too.

Jack: My Kansas City Chiefs, of course! I suffered for a long time, and I’m now basking in the glow of consistent success.

Allen and The Skinny give their picks against the spread for Georgia vs. Clemson, Wisconsin vs. Penn State, UCLA vs. LSU and others.

Blatant Homerism Podcast host Allen Kenney and his brother The Skinny are back for their annual college football handicapping contest. First, they talk about the big summer news regarding Oklahoma’s upcoming move from the Big 12 to the SEC. Then, each give their five favorite plays on the week’s card, including Georgia-Clemson, Wisconsin-Penn State and UCLA–LSU. They close up discussing the Oklahoma Sooners’ matchup with the Tulane Green Wave.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice! We’re now on ITunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher. If you enjoy the podcast, make sure to give us a five-star rating on ITunes, as it will help it reach more listeners. You can also catch the episodes live each week on Facebook and Twitter.

Offensive personnel storylines stand out in the lead-up to the Tulane game.

With the Oklahoma Sooners’ season opener versus the Tulane Green Wave moved to Norman due to the impact of Hurricane Ida, head coach Lincoln Riley and others met with the media to preview the matchup and the early storylines of the 2021 season.

Here are a few of the notable tidbits:

Tyrese Robinson will start at right tackle. Center and left tackle still up for grabs.

While 23 of Robinson’s 25 career starts have come at right guard, he does have two starts at right tackle under his belt (Texas Tech and Kansas in 2020). Still, fans who were hoping to see Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris bookend Bill Bedenbaugh’s group are disappointed — at least for the time being. Harrison, Morris and seasoned veteran Erik Swenson are all in the mix at left tackle according to Riley, and all three will surely get a crack at things in the early stages of the season. For now, Chris Murray will hold Robinson’s old spot at right guard.

One would assume that Andrew Raym seizes the center spot and doesn’t let go, but Robert Congel will get a fair shake in the first few games, as well. If Raym struggles early, the door could be open for the Arizona transfer.

No move to running back for Brian Darby just yet.

Following the untimely departure of LSU transfer (and presumed future LSU player) Tre Bradford, Riley says the Sooners are sticking with walk-ons Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson behind Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray. He did, however, leave the door open for other contributors to be utilized in the future.

“You know us — we’ve got several other different skill sets on this football team, and we’ll keep trying to figure out the best way to use everybody”, added Riley after complimenting the current group in the running back room.

One player who could potentially get a chance down the road is reserve wide receiver Brian Darby, whose name has been mentioned frequently in this conversation even before OU’s most recent string of attrition. Riley’s quote came from a specific question about Darby, so credit to The Athletic’s Jason Kersey for that bit of insight.

Caleb Kelly rightfully a team captain.

In case you missed it, OU’s 2021 captains are QB Spencer Rattler, H-Back Jeremiah Hall, safety Pat Fields and sixth-year senior LB Caleb Kelly. As one would image, Riley had glowing remarks about one of the leaders of Alex Grinch’s defense.

Riley, of course, wasn’t the only person to take questions Tuesday. Grinch had some good things to say about his defense, as well.

Kelly will get game reps at RUSH LB.

Grinch’s sentiments on Kelly mirror those of Lincoln Riley, but OU’s DC also offered up how he would most likely be utilized this season.

“Looking at him at the RUSH linebacker spot, I think there’s reps for him there. Game reps. Quality reps that we feel confident that he’ll have on Saturdays. Just watching him there — it’s one of those things where you ask him one day “Hey, we can always move you back”, and I think he really took to it. From a confidence standpoint, I think he feels comfortable”.

More from today’s media availability

Eric Gray

Spencer Rattler

Marvin Mims

Delarrin Turner-Yell

Lincoln Riley

Alex Grinch