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

Football feels pretty trivial at a time like this.

On this Monday evening, as the Oklahoma Sooners prepare to open the 2021 college football season against the Tulane Green Wave, we here at Crimson & Cream Machine want to extend our thoughts and well wishes to the people living in Southeast Louisiana and neighboring areas that are being impacted by Hurricane Ida. Whether you’re from the heart of Tornado Alley or the edge of the Gulf, history has shown us that devastation does not discriminate.

If you or someone you know would like to help those who have been affected or displaced in the wake of Hurricane Ida, the American National Red Cross Organization is currently accepting donations for a Disaster Relief Fund.

Now onto this week’s Monday edition of Hot Links! Tanner Mordecai is a starter, Baker Mayfield gears up for the regular season as the preseason comes to an end, the Lions cut a veteran wideout and more!

OU Links

• As you’ve likely heard by now, the Tulane Green Wave will travel up to Norman to face the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend. Time and TV details remain unchanged. TU will also remain the home team (as it should) and receive the game’s ticket revenue (as it also should). OU’s season ticket holders will have first dibs amongst the crimson contingent, with remaining tickets going on sale to the general public on Friday. It’s also worth mentioning that OU and Tulane are working to arrange a return trip to New Orleans (most likely in 2024 when Tulane was set to come to Norman).

• On Sunday, former Oklahoma QB Tanner Mordecai was named the starter for the SMU Mustangs entering the 2021 season. The ex-Sooner has three years of eligibility remaining. The Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt has more.
• A panel of writers from ESPN have offered up their takes on which player they feel will win the Heisman Trophy, which team will win the national championship and more, and Spencer Rattler and OU emerged as some of the favorite picks for each category, respectively.
• In a 19-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield saw some preseason action for the Cleveland Browns. During his run, he dropped this absolutely gorgeous dime on WR KhaDarel Hodge. That pass was a thing of beauty.

• Rhamondre Stevenson has continued to star for the New England Patriots during the NFL Preseason. On Sunday, he scored on this play from nine yards out in a 22-20 win over the New York Giants.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has reached an agreement to team up with Eastbay and its line of athletic gear. Stay tuned for a line of products featuring the ‘untamed’ and ‘rare breed’ mantras of the former Alabama-turned-Oklahoma signal caller.

Around the Sports World

• The Texas Longhorns are going with redshirt freshman QB Hudson Card as the Week One starter against the No. 23 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, but head coach Steve Sarkisian is on record in stating that redshirt junior QB Casey Thompson will be rotated into the game at some point.
• Over the weekend, Alabama Crimson Tide redshirt freshman LB Quandarrius Robinson was arrested for DUI after his involvement with a multi-car accident.
• New York Mets pitcher Noah Snydergaard has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 after he was set to begin rehab following Tommy John surgery.
• Minnesota Vikings starting TE Irv Smith Jr. is expected to miss at least the start of the 2021 NFL season after recently suffering a meniscus injury.
• On Monday, the Detroit Lions made the decision to release veteran wide receiver and former first round pick Breshad Perriman.

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Damage from Hurricane Ida forced the Sooners and Green Wave to move their season opener to OU’s home field.

The impact of Hurricane Ida on the city of New Orleans has forced the Oklahoma Sooners and Tulane Green Wave to move Saturday’s game to Norman.

Tulane athletic director Troy Dannen announced the change Monday. The game remains scheduled for an 11 AM CT kickoff and will be nationally televised on ABC.

According to details provided by the OU athletic department, the Green Wave will be the designated home team for the game and will receive the net proceeds from ticket sales. OU is handling ticket sales, which are being sold separately from season ticket packages. OU is only opening seating in the lower bowl of Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium.

Tickets purchased through Tulane will not be honored. Dannen indicated fans who purchased tickets through Tulane will have an opportunity to donate the value of the tickets to hurricane relief in lieu of requesting refunds.

The Tulane players and coaches left campus last week for Birmingham, Alabama, in advance of the storm, which hit Louisiana and Mississippi Sunday. They will remain based out of Birmingham “until it is safe to return to New Orleans,” Dannen said in a statement.

For Sooner fans who were looking forward to a road trip to New Orleans, OU said the schools are working on scheduling a future game between the teams at Tulane.

The change of venue means the Sooners will open the season with four straight home games before traveling to Kansas State on Oct. 2.