I was thinking of trying something a bit different this week for Bedlam. Instead of posting all of my thoughts in one preview post, I thought we might try a running dialog in separate threads that look at particular aspects of the game. For example, we could have one on Oklahoma DL vs Oklahoma State OL. This first one would be a simple overview. If you have suggestions for separate thread discussions, please let me know here and I will open up one.
As we get ready for the back and forth, here are some opening thoughts.
1) Super seniors and more liberal transfer rules have dramatically altered college football. Both teams come into this game as major beneficiaries of those things, but at this point it has given Oklahoma State a sizeable advantage in veteran performances.
For the Cowboys, the return of Malcolm Rodriguez, Devin Harper, Christian Holmes, Josh Sills, Logan Carter, LD Brown, and Tay Martin were transformational. The defensive story on OSU is simply not written without those two experienced linebackers. Christian Holmes' return has allowed the defense to be more aggressive in man coverage and to not be in a position of throwing high reps on inexperienced players. Josh Sills provided a veteran leader on the field and off. Remember how the offense looked when the rash of injuries hit the position at the start of the season? Imagine what things would have looked like without Tay Martin! Adding in Danny Godlevske and Jaylen Warren as graduate transfers solidified the only offensive weaknesses. The Cowboys got incredible returns from those players taking advantage of the extra Covid year.
The Sooners benefited as well from their Super Seniors, but not at the same level as the Cowboys. Erik Swenson was the real prize for them. He has anchored the line from his tackle spot. LaRon Stokes, Brian Mead, and Caleb Kelly also returned to provide leadership, but for their on-field contributions have not come close to those of OSU's Super Seniors. When it comes to the transfer portal though, Oklahoma continues to show itself as one of the better beneficiaries of the system. OC Robert Congel (Arizona) and P Michael Turk (Arizona State-Sr) transferred in for their bonus years, but the Sooners were able to get immediate contributions from guys in the portal: DB Key Lawrence (Tennessee-So), RB Eric Gray (Tennessee-Jr), OG Chris Murray (UCLA-Sr), and WR Michael Woods (Arkansas-Sr). QB Micah Bowens (Penn St-Fr RS) and OT Wanya Morris (Tennessee-Jr) also arrived, but have yet to play.
Both teams have lots of seniors who are contributing in a significant way who will retain the right to return for their extra year. It will be interesting to see how the schools and players handle those decisions. For Oklahoma State that list includes: DT Israel Antwine, DT Bredon Evers, DT Sione Asi, DE Brock Martin, DE Tyren Irby, S Tre Sterling, S Tanner McCalister, S Kolby Harvel-Peel, CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, RB Dezmon Jackson, WR Braydon Johnson, and QB Ethan Bullock. How many of those defenders will return?
Oklahoma has seniors like: NB Justin Broiles, S Pat Fields, FB Jeremiah Hall, OG Marquis Hayes, OT Tyrese Robinson, DT Isaiah Thomas, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, LB DeShaun White, NT Perrion Winfrey, and FB Brayden Willis who all retain their extra year. Like the Cowboys, OU's safeties could all return, but with Super Senior scholarships counting against the limit, what will the staff desire?
2) Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are trending in opposite directions, not from a success and perception aspect, but from a schematic approach. They Cowboys made an intentional effort to shift how they played the game, because the staff wanted to compete for championships. Growing defensively and playing complementary football was an expressed goal that required adjustment in scholarship allocation, types of players recruited, support staffing, practice plans, etc. Over the past couple of years, things have trended positively on the defensive side of the ball, but no one could have predicted the true dynamics of the jump this season. The shortcomings on the offensive line have been one of the bigger stumbling blocks, and it appears as though things have finally begun to turn a corner in recruiting and development. Coach Gundy is discovering an identity for OSU football in which he has great confidence, and it is having a positive impact throughout the program. The offense has steadily improved as the season has moved along, and it will continue to evolve with more maturation. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is having to deal simultaneously with the struggles that come from an inexperienced quarterback and an offense that has become thoroughly studied and scouted to the point defenses are beginning to catch up. The defensive culture at Oklahoma is behind OSU in terms of development, and that is not only a difficultly for bedlam and this season, but moving forward.
3) Oklahoma State has much to play for, but does not have the pressure of needing to win the game in order to reach goals and have a successful season while Oklahoma's season will be considered a massive disappointment with a loss in Stillwater and not appearing in the Big 12 championship game. Remember, this was supposed to be a national championship contending year. Clemson and Alabama had to reload/rebuild. Spencer Rattler was supposed to be a Heisman front runner. The Sooners were looking to win the conference, extend their dominance, and set out for the SEC for more worthy challenges. Now, there has been a quarterback change, a season of underwhelming performances, and the extensive rumors of losing their golden child head coach (the QB whisperer). That is a big fall. Everything tumbles if Bedlam is lost. The pressure is on Oklahoma. How will they respond? Did their road game struggles earlier give any indications?
As we get ready for the back and forth, here are some opening thoughts.
1) Super seniors and more liberal transfer rules have dramatically altered college football. Both teams come into this game as major beneficiaries of those things, but at this point it has given Oklahoma State a sizeable advantage in veteran performances.
For the Cowboys, the return of Malcolm Rodriguez, Devin Harper, Christian Holmes, Josh Sills, Logan Carter, LD Brown, and Tay Martin were transformational. The defensive story on OSU is simply not written without those two experienced linebackers. Christian Holmes' return has allowed the defense to be more aggressive in man coverage and to not be in a position of throwing high reps on inexperienced players. Josh Sills provided a veteran leader on the field and off. Remember how the offense looked when the rash of injuries hit the position at the start of the season? Imagine what things would have looked like without Tay Martin! Adding in Danny Godlevske and Jaylen Warren as graduate transfers solidified the only offensive weaknesses. The Cowboys got incredible returns from those players taking advantage of the extra Covid year.
The Sooners benefited as well from their Super Seniors, but not at the same level as the Cowboys. Erik Swenson was the real prize for them. He has anchored the line from his tackle spot. LaRon Stokes, Brian Mead, and Caleb Kelly also returned to provide leadership, but for their on-field contributions have not come close to those of OSU's Super Seniors. When it comes to the transfer portal though, Oklahoma continues to show itself as one of the better beneficiaries of the system. OC Robert Congel (Arizona) and P Michael Turk (Arizona State-Sr) transferred in for their bonus years, but the Sooners were able to get immediate contributions from guys in the portal: DB Key Lawrence (Tennessee-So), RB Eric Gray (Tennessee-Jr), OG Chris Murray (UCLA-Sr), and WR Michael Woods (Arkansas-Sr). QB Micah Bowens (Penn St-Fr RS) and OT Wanya Morris (Tennessee-Jr) also arrived, but have yet to play.
Both teams have lots of seniors who are contributing in a significant way who will retain the right to return for their extra year. It will be interesting to see how the schools and players handle those decisions. For Oklahoma State that list includes: DT Israel Antwine, DT Bredon Evers, DT Sione Asi, DE Brock Martin, DE Tyren Irby, S Tre Sterling, S Tanner McCalister, S Kolby Harvel-Peel, CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, RB Dezmon Jackson, WR Braydon Johnson, and QB Ethan Bullock. How many of those defenders will return?
Oklahoma has seniors like: NB Justin Broiles, S Pat Fields, FB Jeremiah Hall, OG Marquis Hayes, OT Tyrese Robinson, DT Isaiah Thomas, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, LB DeShaun White, NT Perrion Winfrey, and FB Brayden Willis who all retain their extra year. Like the Cowboys, OU's safeties could all return, but with Super Senior scholarships counting against the limit, what will the staff desire?
2) Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are trending in opposite directions, not from a success and perception aspect, but from a schematic approach. They Cowboys made an intentional effort to shift how they played the game, because the staff wanted to compete for championships. Growing defensively and playing complementary football was an expressed goal that required adjustment in scholarship allocation, types of players recruited, support staffing, practice plans, etc. Over the past couple of years, things have trended positively on the defensive side of the ball, but no one could have predicted the true dynamics of the jump this season. The shortcomings on the offensive line have been one of the bigger stumbling blocks, and it appears as though things have finally begun to turn a corner in recruiting and development. Coach Gundy is discovering an identity for OSU football in which he has great confidence, and it is having a positive impact throughout the program. The offense has steadily improved as the season has moved along, and it will continue to evolve with more maturation. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is having to deal simultaneously with the struggles that come from an inexperienced quarterback and an offense that has become thoroughly studied and scouted to the point defenses are beginning to catch up. The defensive culture at Oklahoma is behind OSU in terms of development, and that is not only a difficultly for bedlam and this season, but moving forward.
3) Oklahoma State has much to play for, but does not have the pressure of needing to win the game in order to reach goals and have a successful season while Oklahoma's season will be considered a massive disappointment with a loss in Stillwater and not appearing in the Big 12 championship game. Remember, this was supposed to be a national championship contending year. Clemson and Alabama had to reload/rebuild. Spencer Rattler was supposed to be a Heisman front runner. The Sooners were looking to win the conference, extend their dominance, and set out for the SEC for more worthy challenges. Now, there has been a quarterback change, a season of underwhelming performances, and the extensive rumors of losing their golden child head coach (the QB whisperer). That is a big fall. Everything tumbles if Bedlam is lost. The pressure is on Oklahoma. How will they respond? Did their road game struggles earlier give any indications?
