Saturday’s game against UTEP wasn’t exactly a barn burner, but that’s a good thing. This time last year the Sooners were almost upset by Tulane, a team that went on to win a total of two games last season. It’s more than just a thrashing of UTEP that should get Sooner fans excited, though. It was the dominance on both sides of the ball that should have Sooner fans rejoicing.
Have the Sooners Found Their Lost Identity?
I grew up in Oklahoma, and Sooner football was a way of life. That really took off when Bob Stoops took over the program and helped turn it into an juggernaut in the BIG 12. If we’re being honest, though, that identity left with Stoops. Lincoln Riley took over in 2017 and subsequently lost 3 straight bowl games. That’s not to say that it’s entirely his fault, but the Sooners just didn’t feel the same anymore. On Saturday, though, the Sooners did exactly what was expected of them. Eight minutes into the game and it looked like UTEP was confused about what sport they were on the field to play.
Brent Venables or Bob Stoops?
No one will ever replace Bob Stoops, let’s be fair. Very few coaches have done for a program what Stoops has done for Oklahoma University. That being said, can Brent Venables be the long-term answer for Sooner Nation? Not only can he, but he should be. It’s not uncommon these days to see a coach that understands the game and can put the pieces in place – Riley was fine at that. Yet, something glaring always seemed to be missing from the coach. Passion. I’m sure Riley has a passion for football, but he didn’t have Sooner passion for football. Venables does, and Sooner Nation should take notice. Venables sees it this way, too.
At the end of the day, it was going to be about Oklahoma re-establishing the soul and the spirit of this program.
Brent Venables
That’s exactly what Sooner fans have prided themselves on for over two decades. We’re okay with not getting the five star recruits that teams like Georgia or Alabama get. One thing is for certain, the Sooners are going to make you earn every yard, every win, every tiny victory on the field. We’re a proud program, and we finally have a coach that is proud to be here, too.
How Did the Team Actually Look?
https://twitter.com/OOSSports/status/1566212602728005633?s=20&t=EGL8D7qsqY6X7Yf115f72Q
UTEP felt that they improved after the 21-0 onslaught, holding the rest of the game to a 24-13 score. Apparently UTEP celebrates the little victories. Even if those victories come from OU letting off the throttle. Junior QB Dillion Gabriel looked fine – not great, but fine. Give him some time to get into a rhythm and he could find himself atop the BIG 12 QBs. The running game looked good, which is what you want to see when you’re up big. If the Sooners maintain the ground game throughout the season and can control teams at the point of attack, they’ll likely find themselves in the CFP running.
More analysis on the game by Logan Jones here.
Yeah, We’re Back
We’re not talking about just having a successful season. We’re not talking about a nice 9 or 10 wins. Oklahoma has rediscovered itself, and Brent Venables lead the charge. The Sooners are going back to their roots of smash mouth, in your face football. The Oklahoma way of playing football. Welcome to Sooner Nation, coach.
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