West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 435 - OU’s Offense Fails in 17-10 Loss at Michigan
Oklahoma went to Ann Arbor with a chance to make a national statement. Instead, the Sooners left Michigan with a 17-10 loss and a lot of familiar questions about the offense.
Lee and Grant react to Oklahoma’s disappointing road loss at Michigan and read your “3-Word Reviews”.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Oklahoma makes West of Everest look stupid 04:16 — Oklahoma’s offense was bad again05:16 — Grant: the game exposed offseason concerns 09:31 — The offensive sequencing felt weird from the opening drive13:20 — Offensive line injuries mattered13:44 — Fodje and the tackles struggled with Michigan’s edge rushers 18:56 — Empty 12 personnel was the failed new wrinkle 22:46 — Mateer had too many misses that should not be missed24:58 — OU still had a chance despite the offensive mess 27:00 — The standard for Oklahoma’s defense is extremely high 29:12 — Pass rush concerns and lack of disruption 30:57 — Kip Lewis’ non-contact injury  36:24 — Mateer remains the key to Oklahoma’s season36:40 — Grant: good teams can lose that game, really good teams do not 38:42 — Could OU still bounce back against Georgia and Texas?40:54 — Three-word reviews begin 42:22 — “Nice extension, Denny” 43:40 — End-of-half time management failure 46:45 — Michigan’s offensive coordinator knew Underwood’s limitations 48:12 — Was Elijah Thomas open for a touchdown?48:50 — Michigan took away Sategna and Beers in high-leverage moments49:22 — JJ Buchanan’s third-and-long explosive still bothers Grant50:32 — Running backs are mid and not dynamic51:05 — Fans pile on the offense, Venables and the extension  56:23 — Grant: year five at Oklahoma should not look like this 59:45 — Michigan fumbled twice on the same series and OU recovered neither01:00:22 — OU forces zero takeaways after Western Michigan forced three 01:04:60 — Lee still did not expect Oklahoma to lose 01:06:38 — Grant: this was the perfect script for Michigan to win 01:07:06 — OU failed to punch Michigan in the mouth early
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Ep. 434 - OU-Michigan Preview: Is Michigan Really That Bad?
The show opens with leftover thoughts from OU’s win over UTEP, followed by the latest injury news involving key offensive linemen.
Later, the guys begin their OU-Michigan preview by talking about how the Wolverines should be 0-1. Grant compares Michigan’s offense to Oklahoma’s 2024 offense, while Lee explains why Michigan’s heavy sixth-offensive-lineman “Rhino” package may play right into the strength of Oklahoma’s defense.
The guys discuss Bryce Underwood, Michigan’s struggling run game, Kyle Whittingham’s rocky start, and why OU’s defense should be eager for this matchup.
On the other side, Lee and Grant discuss what Oklahoma’s offense must show against Michigan’s defense.
The episode closes with Week 2 picks against the spread: Missouri at Kansas, Alabama at Kentucky, Mississippi State at Minnesota, Iowa State at Iowa, and Ohio State at Texas.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening take: OU’s a 12 personnel team 04:13 — Leftover thoughts from the UTEP win 05:30 — OU used 12 personnel on 82.7 percent of snaps 09:30 — Danny Saili’s size and role on the defensive line09:59 — Grant still thinks Saili looks undersized13:02 — Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje trending toward a return13:29 — Michael Fasusi availability becomes the major concern14:00 — What does OU’s offensive line look like without Fasusi?  24:23 — Michigan should be 0-1 after Western Michigan24:41 — Kyle Whittingham’s rough start at Michigan25:22 — Bryce Underwood remains Michigan’s starter “right now”26:01 — Underwood’s awkward response to Whittingham’s comments26:25 — Michigan’s offense, Jason Beck and the Wolverines’ main weapons27:01 — Western Michigan ending controversy28:01 — Grant: Michigan’s offense looked like 2024 Oklahoma 31:16 — Why Western Michigan may have a real gripe36:50 — Back to Michigan being a dumpster fire37:09 — What Oklahoma’s defense needs to do against Bryce Underwood38:31 — Michigan’s “Rhino” package plays into OU’s hands40:04 — Why using a sixth offensive lineman only works if those linemen can block42:40 — Stop the run and put Michigan in obvious passing situations43:24 — JJ Buchanan may be Michigan’s only scary skill player45:35 — Lee wants three takeaways from Oklahoma’s defense47:57 — Grant: Michigan may improve, but the offense is not good 52:18 — Michigan’s yards per play and time-of-possession context53:39 — What Oklahoma’s offense needs to show against Michigan 56:26 — Grant’s No. 1 offensive key: play a clean game57:17 — Michigan’s penalty issues against Western Michigan59:54 — John Mateer needs to keep building off Week 1 01:03:31 — Get the ball to Sategna, Trell Harris and Rocky Beers01:05:56 — Lloyd Avant can keep Oklahoma on schedule01:06:20 — Grant’s prediction 01:08:48 — Lee’s prediction  01:15:13 — OU needs to punch Michigan in the mouth early01:16:15 — Programming note: Lee on 107.7 The Franchise postgame show01:18:42 — Around college football and Week 2 setup01:20:02 — Tennessee-Georgia Tech, Auburn and Gavin Freeman thoughts01:22:12 — Ole Miss-Louisville and LSU-Clemson thoughts 01:25:24 — Oregon-Boise State and Boise as a G6 contender01:26:21 — Week 2 picks begin01:26:54 — Missouri at Kansas 01:29:26 — Alabama at Kentucky 01:31:25 — Mississippi State at Minnesota01:35:38 — Iowa State at Iowa01:36:51 — Ohio State at Texas 01:38:50 — Final thoughts before OU-Michigan weekend
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Ep. 433 - OU’s Offense Actually Looks Different in 51-0 Shutout Of UTEP
The Sooners opened the 2026 season by shutting out UTEP 51-0 Friday night at Owen Field. The guys discuss their likes and dislikes from the game and read your 3-Word Reviews!
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Oklahoma opens the season with a 51-0 shutout03:44 — Tight end usage was not just offseason talk04:37 — Grant: 12 personnel looked like OU’s base offense08:05 — John Mateer looked comfortable and the offense looked balanced10:31 — Easy explosive plays in the passing game11:04 — Rocky Beers looks like a real weapon11:56 — Mateer looked like his pre-injury version12:48 — Noah Best starts at center as a true freshman14:58 — Likes on Offense -- Isaiah Sategna looked like the best player on the team18:15 — Lee liked Lloyd Avant’s debut19:47 — Grant liked the easy downfield passing game20:44 — Ben Arbuckle deserves credit for adjusting the offense21:15 — Jonathan Hatton flashes on his second carry 22:53 — John Mateer’s efficiency and Hayden Hansen’s catch26:21 — Elijah Thomas gets involved early 28:10 — Trell Harris wins immediately against zero coverage28:40 — Dislikes on offense 35:53 — Overall offensive verdict: good, but run-game explosiveness remains a question36:06 — Likes on defense37:24 — OU pitched a shutout and people still had defensive complaints42:15 — Taylor Wein and P.J. Adebawore stood out 45:15 — Wyatt Gilmore and Cole Sullivan stand out47:17 — OU forces two takeaways in Week 147:56 — Dislikes on defense  55:56 — 3-word reviews 01:07:17 — Final verdict: OU looked like a good team01:07:39 — Mateer’s yards per attempt and deep passing encouragement01:08:08 — Why Jake Maikkula is needed for Michigan01:08:34 — Encouraging signs on Maikkula’s status
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Ep. 432 – OU-UTEP Preview: What The Sooners Must Show in Week 1
The show begins with the latest injury news on Oklahoma’s offensive line. Just when Jake Maikkula appeared to be the main injury concern at center, Ryan Fodje — listed as the top center on OU’s Week 1 depth chart — suffered a lower-body injury. The good news: reports indicate Fodje’s MRI was negative, and Jake Maikkula is progressing well.
Lee and Grant also break down Oklahoma’s Week 1 depth chart, revisit their pre-fall camp “unanswerable questions” and ask which ones actually got answered.
Then Lee and Grant preview Oklahoma vs. UTEP. They discuss UTEP quarterback EJ Colson, the Miners’ new-look offensive line, UTEP’s defensive strengths, and what OU’s defense should do against an overmatched opponent. For Oklahoma, the big questions are mostly on offense: can the Sooners run the ball consistently, can the tight ends help in the run game, will Ben Arbuckle show more 12 personnel and 13 personnel, and can John Mateer push the ball downfield while staying healthy?
The episode ends with the return of the weekly picks segment. Lee and Grant pick five Week 1 games against the spread: Coastal Carolina at West Virginia, Baylor vs. Auburn, Clemson at LSU, Louisville vs. Ole Miss, and SMU at Florida State.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take: Football is finally here 02:58 — Kickoff weather at Owen Field and a hot Friday night vs. UTEP03:19 — OU, UTEP and the 2000 season opener comparison05:07 — Lee’s OU hat falls, and Grant has thoughts on the old OU logo06:22 — Ryan Fodje and Jake Maikkula injury updates09:32 — Is OU telling us Caleb Nitta just isn’t very good? 12:40 — Maikkula’s MCL timeline and possible Michigan return15:16 — Week 1 depth chart nuggets begin15:38 — Parker Livingstone or Elijah Thomas at X receiver 19:44 — Running back depth chart: Lloyd Avant or Xavier Robinson20:33 — Tory Blaylock injury status and Jonathan Hatton’s opportunity 24:14 — Defensive depth chart lists 12 positions25:09 — Wyatt Gilmore backing up Taylor Wein26:47 — Tank Carrington fourth on the depth chart despite strong buzz27:10 — Bishop Thomas, Nigel Smith and interior defensive line depth28:21 — LeBron Bauer shows up at cheetah28:56 — Tristan Haynes vs. Dakota Fields as the fourth corner battle29:49 — Omarion Robinson’s flexibility at both safety spots31:15 — Revisiting the pre-fall camp unanswerable questions31:53 — Trell Harris makes it through Fall Camp healthy 35:42 — Is the running back room healthy going into Week 1?37:02 — Did Bo Bentley win the backup quarterback job? 40:09 — Elijah Thomas becomes the obvious fall camp riser40:49 — Did OU’s offense ever have its way with the defense?44:02 — OU vs. UTEP preview begins44:36 — Line update: Oklahoma favored by 40.545:38 — UTEP’s move to the Mountain West and EJ Colson’s path47:05 — Colson’s 2025 production at Incarnate Word47:31 — UTEP’s new offensive line and veteran defense48:21 — UTEP’s sack production and healthy receiver additions50:28 — Grant’s No. 1 defensive goal: no explosives51:38 — OU’s run defense opener history under Brent Venables52:37 — EJ Colson’s mobility and potential broken-play threat53:20 — Can OU completely strangle UTEP’s offense?54:24 — Can OU pitch a shutout or hold UTEP to one score?54:49 — Defensive players to watch: Tank Carrington, PJ Adebawore and Cole Sullivan55:47 — Wyatt Gilmore, Jake Kreul, Danny Okoye and Michael Boganowski56:49 — What Oklahoma’s offense needs to show57:29 — Hayden Hansen says OU is not one-dimensional anymore58:03 — How much 12 personnel and 13 personnel will OU actually use?58:26 — Grant wants to see whether the run scheme has really changed59:20 — OU needs to impose its will in the run game59:57 — Grant wants John Mateer to push the ball downfield01:01:09 — Lee wants OU to average at least six yards per carry01:01:55 — Why last year’s opener showed OU could not run consistently01:03:42 — Grant’s No. 1 offensive goal: stay healthy01:04:06 — OU-UTEP predictions 01:08:10 — Other Week 1 games worth monitoring01:12:01 — Coastal Carolina at West Virginia pick 01:14:53 — Baylor vs. Auburn in Atlanta 01:16:58 — Clemson at LSU preview and pick 01:21:40 — Louisville vs. Ole Miss in Nashville01:23:21 — SMU at Florida State on Monday night01:25:10 — Last year’s picks records and Week 1 context 01:27:08 — Football is back and Grant is going to Minnesota’s opener
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Ep. 431 - The Big Season Preview Is Back!
Game week is finally here, and the Big Season Preview is back!
But first, Grant can’t believe a stat he just learned about a SEC team from the 70’s, the guys discuss the ongoing battle for the starting center spot, and acknowledge that OU recently announced its 2026 team captains.
Then, it’s time for the Big Season Preview as Lee and Grant go through five preseason prompts built around certainty, cautious optimism, skepticism, crazy-but-possible outcomes, and things they may not want to say too loudly. Topics include Oklahoma’s dominant run defense, whether OU will force more takeaways, whether the Sooners could have the best defense in college football, whether Deland McCullough fixes the running back room, whether John Mateer becomes OU’s most dynamic runner, whether the 12 personnel and under-center buzz is real, Elijah Thomas and Jonathan Hatton hype, PJ Adebawore’s NFL upside, the possibility of a 1,000-yard rusher, whether OU could produce two 800-yard receivers, and the uncomfortable possibility that Oklahoma could still finish 7-5 or worse.
The guys also include predictions from the West of Everest community, including thoughts on Mateer, Ben Arbuckle, the tight end room, Danny Okoye, OU’s turnover total, Brent Venables’ contract extension and the Sooners’ 2026 floor.
Finally, Lee and Grant revisit their past preseason predictions from 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 before making their final 2026 record picks. The show closes with quick Week Zero thoughts on TCU, Memphis, Jackson Arnold, CJ Bailey, USC, Lincoln Riley, Gary Patterson and the arrival of real college football.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take - Oklahoma’s goal: three takeaways per game04:20 — Grant reacts to the 1970 Tennessee takeaway record 08:43 — West of Everest moves to two episodes per week during the season09:27 — Center position remains the biggest pre-UTEP storyline10:08 — Ryan Fodje may be leading the center battle16:48 — Oklahoma names nine captains17:29 — Big season preview begins and the show is about to get better because the offseason content machine is almost over 22:02 — Prompt 1: “I am so certain of this that I haven’t even considered an alternative”28:20 — Prompt 2: “I’m pretty sure this will happen, but I’m not ready to commit”36:50 — Prompt 3: “I’m hearing the positive talk, but I still need to see it” 44:06 — Prompt 4: “That’s crazy, but it could happen” 59:28 — Grant’s boldest prediction01:00:51 — Prompt 5: “I’m just going to keep my thoughts to myself”01:02:29 — Predictions from the West of Everest community 01:11:03 — OU’s floor should be higher with a great defense and returning QB 01:12:46 — Looking back at West of Everest preseason predictions01:13:19 — 2024 prediction review: Lee 9-3, Grant 8-4, OU finished 6-601:14:23 — 2023 prediction review: both picked 9-3, OU finished 10-201:16:47 — 2022 prediction review and maybe Grant’s worst take ever 01:20:55 — 2021 prediction review: Lee 11-1, Grant 12-0, OU finished 10-201:23:46 — Lee clarifies criticism of Venables is not an endorsement of Riley01:24:44 — Final 2026 OU record picks 01:29:05 — Quick national college football thoughts from Week Zero01:30:20 — TCU, Jaden Craig and Josh Hoover’s value01:31:21 — Memphis, Jackson Arnold and pressure issues01:32:33 — CJ Bailey, Virginia and the offseason quarterback hype machine01:33:46 — USC, San Jose State and another Lincoln Riley-style game 01:35:39 — Looking ahead to UTEP
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Ep. 430 - OU Makes Big Bet On Brent Venables Before Massive 2026 Season
OU and Brent Venables agreed to a new six-year contract that reportedly pays Venables an average of $10.5 million per year. Did OU have to make this move now?
The guys also discuss the latest on Jake Maikkula’s injury and the plan at center moving forward. The latest news out of fall camp includes Reggie Powers’ growth at cheetah, OU’s run-game talk, and more under-center work for John Mateer.
Later, Brady Trantham from Oklahoma Sooners on SI and Through the Keyhole joins the show to give his perspective from fall camp. Brady discusses the center situation, Xavier Robinson, Jonathan Hatton, OU’s wide receiver questions, the tight end room, Tank Carrington, the defensive line, and the bigger-picture debate over Venables’ contract extension and Oklahoma’s standard in the SEC.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – Brent Venables gets a new contract 06:21 — Jake Maikkula injury clarity and the plan at center in the short term 17:27 — Reggie Powers buzz from fall camp 20:42 — Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke and linebacker rotation questions 23:57 — Bigger bodies, tight ends and more command in the run game24:19 — Tight ends as extra blockers in Oklahoma’s offense  27:06 — John Mateer talks under-center work and more 12 personnel discussion34:16 — Brent Venables contract discussion begins35:46 — Venables now reportedly among the top 10 highest-paid coaches 37:52 — Grant’s opening reaction: why do this right now? 40:39 — Lee: why not wait and see what happens in 2026? 46:01 — Oklahoma’s bet on front-office structure, Venables and development 49:41 — Listener question for Grant: did OU do enough to improve the offense?50:57 — Grant’s answer: year five should mean national-level expectations 54:47 — Brady Trantham joins to talk fall camp58:14 — Brady’s biggest fall camp takeaway outside Venables and Maikkula  01:02:19 — Brady on the Jake Maikkula injury and center options  01:06:00 — Is Ryan Fodje at center a real option or emergency planning?   01:12:10 — Tory Blaylock hamstring concern01:12:48 — Xavier Robinson, Jonathan Hatton and Lloyd Avant as the healthy trio 01:14:05 — Jonathan Hatton’s physical tools and Adrian Peterson/Joe Mixon comparisons   01:19:00 — Elijah Thomas buzz and whether OU has a real playmaker emerging 01:24:00 — Tight end room talk: Hayden Hansen, Rocky Beers and Jack Van Dorselaer01:26:00 — Can Jason Witten and Deland McCullough change OU’s offensive identity? 01:30:16 — Tank Carrington hype keeps growing 01:33:06 — Brady reacts to the Brent Venables contract extension 01:38:43 — Brady puts stock in the 2025 playoff season and the challenge of SEC play 01:41:01 — Grant’s concern: OU thought things were fine before 2024 too 01:43:25 — When should Oklahoma expect more than “good”?01:44:11 — Should OU be a national title contender in year five?01:45:44 — Comparing Venables’ path to Bob Stoops and the old Big 12/Big Eight reality 01:49:52 — How the SEC exposes your flaws01:53:37 — The glass-half-full case for Oklahoma’s bet on Venables 01:58:37 — Whether the extension looks good depends on what you think 2026 will be02:00:02 — What is the eject button for Venables?  02:10:46 — What if OU goes 9-3 but makes real offensive and defensive jumps?02:14:59 — Georgia expectations and when OU should expect 11-1 or 12-0 again02:16:34 — Where to find Brady Trantham’s work02:17:32 — Closing: follow West of Everest
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Ep. 429 – A Potentially Crushing Injury Overshadows a Good Week of Practice
Lee and Grant react to the report that Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula was injured during the Sooners’ first full scrimmage of fall camp. The guys discuss what Maikkula means to the offensive line, why center is such a difficult position to replace, and what Caleb Nitta and true freshman Noah Best could bring if Oklahoma must adjust up front.
There was actually a lot of good news this week as there’s suddenly Elijah Thomas buzz coming out of practice, Trell Harris appears to be practicing in full, Tank Carrington has a trait shared by Jayden Jackson, and OU adds Arkansas transfer Danny Saili to the defensive line room.
Later, the guys answer listener questions about Oklahoma’s offensive line, the run game, the running back room, how much better John Mateer really needs to be, what Ben Arbuckle must prove in year two, whether OU’s secondary can be considered the strength of the team, and which Sooners could get drafted after the 2026 season.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – A good week ends with bad news03:59 — Brandon Drumm reports Jake Maikkula was injured in Saturday’s scrimmage09:03 — Noah Best hype and whether he could factor into the center battle 12:15 — Why losing Maikkula would be a significant downgrade16:35 — Elijah Thomas suddenly becomes a major name to watch22:18 — Trell Harris appears to be practicing in full and making plays28:27 — James “Tank” Carrington hype keeps growing 30:27 — Comparing Carrington’s block recognition to Jayden Jackson as a freshman35:19 — Oklahoma adds Arkansas transfer Danny Saili38:40 — Todd Bates’ credibility and why the defensive staff gets benefit of the doubt39:31 — Listener poll: if OU has the best defense, how good must the offense be? 41:08 — West of Everest YouTube subscriber update and community growth41:57 — Why total offense can be misleading42:23 — Does OU need a top-10 offense to win a national title?45:28 — Listener Questions lead to O-line talk about Michael Fasusi and Heath Ozaeta47:22 — Why the offensive line should improve, but may not be elite yet 50:50 — 12 personnel, offensive philosophy and how OU may build its offense 55:38 — Under-center run game discussion 59:18 — Hunter asks about run blocking and run game health59:32 — Shane asks if any running back is emerging as the top guy01:00:42 — Why Xavier Robinson’s quick return suggests the early injury may not be severe01:01:48 — Grant’s concerns about Tory Blaylock as a top-two running back01:04:33 — What offensive success against OU’s defense would mean in camp01:06:00 — John Mateer listener question: how much better does he really need to be?01:06:55 — Did upgraded personnel change the standard for Mateer?01:07:50 — Why a small statistical improvement may not be enough01:08:17 — Mateer’s injury prevented OU from learning how much he could improve last season 01:12:48 — What a realistic Mateer statistical improvement could look like01:14:02 — Can Mateer improve pocket movement, reads and timing? 01:16:23 — Jeff asks what Ben Arbuckle must do to help the offense thrive01:16:44 — Arbuckle has to be intentional with personnel and play-calling01:18:29 — How the offense can thrive in the SEC01:20:21 — James asks whether the secondary could be the strength of the defense01:23:29 — Peyton Bowen, Reggie Powers, Omarion Robinson and safety depth  01:28:11 — Big defensive package possibilities01:31:07 — Final listener question: how many Sooners get drafted? 01:34:42 — What double-digit draft picks would mean for Oklahoma’s season 01:36:09 — Looking ahead to season preview content and show close
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Ep. 428 - John Mateer’s Championship Chance and Fall Camp is Here!
John Mateer’s got an incredible opportunity to win a National Championship this season. He’s got the defense, but what must he and the offense do in order for the Sooners to win Number 8?
The guys react to early Fall Camp video and practice buzz. Topics include Courtland Guillory’s impressive clips, David Stone’s dominance, Trent Wilson’s development, defensive line depth, PJ Adebawore’s role, Michael Boganowski becoming more technical, safety depth concerns and the possibility that OU’s defense may be even better in 2026.
On offense, the conversation shifts to Deland McCullough and the running back room. We liked his comments about yards after contact. Thoughts on Tory Blaylock and Trell Harris, a possible surprise wide receiver may break out, and will Jason Witten influence Ben Arbuckle’s offense so much that the style changes?
Plus brief thoughts on the Coaches Poll, the new five-year eligibility ruling, Taylor Tatum’s departure from Michigan, and more hot Lincoln Riley/Brent Venables talk!
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – John Mateer’s massive opportunity05:03 — Week Zero is getting close 07:12 — Fall Camp practice videos, a lot has stood out to Grant08:10 — Deacon Schmitt may be ready to play early08:31 — Manny Choice looks the part physically09:00 — Cole Sullivan’s length and Austin Stogner flashbacks09:34 — Courtland Guillory’s aura and defensive back clips11:00 — Deland McCullough’s running back drill philosophy12:38 — Why “yards after contact” matters for OU’s run game15:07 — Tight ends, receivers and who looks comfortable in practice clips17:04 — Running back talk begins with Lloyd Avant and Xavier Robinson19:00 — Lee declares he’s not concerned with the D-line depth21:00 — Trent Wilson as a potential breakout defensive lineman25:00 — Defensive tackle depth and the benefit of the doubt for OU’s defensive staff26:13 — Jayden Jackson and the question of durability 30:00 — Venables downplaying defensive line strength30:56 — Edge rusher questions behind the defensive line hype32:00 — PJ Adebawore entering a huge season35:00 — Defensive front possibilities and pressure packages36:00 — Michael Boganowski becoming more technical37:00 — Safety play, deep passing concerns and OU’s secondary44:00 — Peyton Bowen, Reggie Powers and young safety depth46:00 — Linebacker depth behind Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke51:00 — Length on the edge and disrupting screens54:41 — YouTube community poll: which offensive position group worries fans most?56:00 — Tory Blaylock not available for Practice number 357:00 — Lloyd Avant appears to be RB1 if the game were tomorrow01:00:00 — Lloyd Avant’s experience at Tulsa and Colorado State01:01:00 — Avant’s wiggle, burst and potential fit at Oklahoma01:03:00 — Xavier Robinson’s instant impact when healthy01:04:00 — Deland McCullough compares Lloyd Avant to Damien Williams 01:06:00 — Trell Harris participates in individual drills with cameras present 01:10:10 — John Mateer says Manny Choice has grown a lot  01:15:07 — Tight end room discussion begins01:15:28 — Hayden Hansen as a massive blocking presence01:15:48 — Gabe Ikard’s interest in OU running out of 12 personnel01:17:06 — Jason Witten’s influence on Oklahoma’s tight ends01:19:47 — Ben Arbuckle’s Washington State personnel usage01:23:32 — Is Arbuckle’s run scheme good enough?  01:28:54 — Offensive line thoughts and remaining offensive questions01:30:11 — Grant’s frustration with OU’s transfer portal approach01:31:58 — Oklahoma ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll 01:32:58 — Five-year eligibility ruling and possible roster impacts01:34:49 — Would Jaren Kanak help OU if he could return?01:35:36 — Taylor Tatum no longer with Michigan01:37:14 — Responding to Brady Trantham’s rebuttal to the Venables/Lincoln Riley debate 01:40:25 — Why that debate still matters today
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Ep. 427 - OU Fall Camp Questions & the Brent Venables Reality Check
Our Fall Camp preview poses unanswerable questions at this time. Will Trell Harris make it through fall camp healthy? Can OU’s RB room get to Week 1 without a wave of injuries? Which position group could produce a surprise camp star, and more!
Later, we take a deeper look at Brent Venables through four seasons at Oklahoma. How does Venables compare historically to other first-time head coaches? Is there a realistic national championship blueprint for Venables based on college football history?
The episode closes with a detailed conversation about the idea that Lincoln Riley “left the cupboard bare” when he departed Oklahoma. Lee and Grant revisit the 2022 roster, including Dillon Gabriel, Eric Gray, Marvin Mims, Brayden Willis, Anton Harrison, Tyler Guyton, Wanya Morris and others, and debate whether OU’s 6-7 season in Venables’ first year was really about talent, culture, coaching, injuries, or all of the above.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – Fall Camp is upon us 06:05 — Will Trell Harris make it through fall camp healthy?12:29 — What makes a true No. 1 wide receiver?15:14 — National title expectations vs. where OU actually is17:48 — Can Oklahoma get to UTEP with a healthy running back room? 21:25 — Which position group could produce a surprise camp superstar? 29:25 — Could Bowe Bentley win the backup quarterback job? 33:16 — If Mateer gets hurt again, can OU trust its QB2?35:04 — Remembering backup quarterbacks from the Lincoln Riley era 41:17 — Side quest to talk about Lincoln Riley at Big Ten Media Days43:05 — Will OU’s offense ever have its way with the defense in fall camp?46:41 — Health is still the No. 1 fall camp priority48:28 — Brent Venables first four seasons at OU in perspective 53:01 — Comparing first-time OU head coaches through four seasons57:12 — Is there a national championship blueprint for Venables?01:02:08 — Where Venables ranks among first-time head coaches historically 01:05:01 — Random detour: Charlie Weis, Notre Dame and college football YouTube rabbit holes01:08:43 — Revisiting Lee and Grant’s initial reaction to Venables being hired 01:10:44 — OU’s 2022 floor should have been higher than 6-7 01:14:52 — Did Lincoln Riley really gut the program?01:23:19 — Why the 2022 offense was the most functional part of the team 01:25:37 — Comparing OU’s 2021 offensive personnel to the 2022 offense01:28:24 — Defensive roster comparison from 2021 to 202201:29:54 — What “cupboard was bare” may actually mean  01:34:00 — Offensive red flags heading into 2026
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Ep. 426 - OU Has 3 Future NFL Tight Ends?
SEC Media Days have come and gone, and one of the most interesting comments of the week came from Sooners general manager Jim Nagy. Does OU really have three tight ends on the roster who will be playing on Sundays?
Lee and Grant also react to Brent Venables’ correctly acknowledging OU’s flaws from 2025 and mentioning that nine offensive linemen can play winning football. The guys answer listener questions about the effectiveness of Tory Blaylock, and whether their opinions have changed on Brent Venables.
Later, Brady Trantham of Oklahoma Sooners on SI and Through the Keyhole joins the show to give his boots-on-the-ground perspective from SEC Media Days in Tampa. Brady discusses what actually mattered from Media Days, Brent Venables’ confidence in the tight end room, Oklahoma’s offensive questions, Trell Harris, the difficulty of adjusting to the SEC, Greg Sankey’s comments about the future of college football, the possibility of the SEC and Big Ten reshaping the sport, and more!
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – Jim Nagy’s Bold Claim at SEC Media Days06:50 — Could OU really have three future NFL tight ends?10:12 — Can better tight ends actually fix Oklahoma’s run game?19:26 — Brent Venables correctly identifies OU’s biggest 2025 problems21:41 — Receiver room changes and Trell Harris questions 25:14 — Venables says OU has nine offensive linemen who can play winning football25:32 — Who are Oklahoma’s offensive line depth pieces? 28:36 — Listener question: Why does Grant not like Tory Blaylock?35:33 — Listener question: Has your view of Brent Venables changed?42:48 — Brady Trantham joins the show to talk SEC Media Days 48:49 — Brent Venables’ confidence in OU’s tight end room 01:03:36 — Greg Sankey, OU hate watching, and what a SEC breakaway looks like  01:06:33 — The case for a 35-to-45 team highest level of college football 01:13:03 — Bedlam, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and the future “big boy table” 01:15:31 — Is college football trying to grow like the NFL or NBA? 01:17:48 — Why the Big 12 did not make Oklahoma better for the playoff 01:25:04 — Mid-majors, expensive football and who belongs in a playoff01:28:55 — Could some programs eventually stop playing major football? 01:33:26 — OU’s Big 12 years, playoff failures and defensive depth issues 01:38:06 — Why beating bad Big 12 teams became an unhealthy fan experience 01:42:04 — Why a softer league can hide flaws 01:43:47 — SEC Preseason Poll and no defensive players on First Team All-SEC
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