West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 310 - Behind the Scenes Shake Ups & Revisiting 2023 Preseason Predictions

No opening take as Lee asks Grant if he'd heard the latest sports betting related news coming out of Ohio (1:40). OU's hiring a new Special Teams Analyst to replace Jay Nunez. How much does this matter (3:20)? OU's made some behind the scenes moves recently that involve recruiting and personnel decisions (13:10). The NCAA can't punish athletes or boosters for negotiating NIL deals when they're being recruited or in the portal. This is another sign that college sports continues to change and there's no going back (18:15). We got some CFP news this week as the new 12-team format is set with the Pac 12 out of the picture. Apparently they're talking about an expansion to 14 teams as well (30:35). We go back and look at some of things we were saying last August before the 2023 season began. Thoughts on OU's win total, early takes on the wide receiver group and the running back room. Grant had an early correct prediction about one defensive player (45:30). Revisiting our "unanswerable questions" from last August beginning with questioning the tempo of OU's offense in year 2 under Jeff Lebby (56:00). Questions on Jackson Arnold, OU's defense improving, and wondering if Venables would be better at in-game coaching (1:00:00)? Questions on the futures of Jeff Lebby, Ted Roof, and Brent Venables (1:06:05). We decided to ask a mean question about three veteran players and we finish up with a prompt about one Sooner playing like an All-American (1:19:20). Finishing up with some OU men's basketball talk the day after their buzzer beating win over OSU (1:30:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 309 - Winter SP+ Rankings & NCAA Football 25 is Out This Summer

The guys take a look at Bill Connelly's winter SP+ projections where OU comes in at No. 14. Seeing these rankings put into perspective why FanDuel has set the Sooners' season win total at 7.5 for 2024. Grant can make a case for why certain teams ahead of OU could falter. Doesn't this all come down to Jackson Arnold? This will be a theme of the entire offseason (2:20). Both guys are skeptical of Michigan and Florida State. Shoud Texas A&M fans be excited about the upcoming season (18:20)? OU very obviously must start the season 3-0 because after that it gets really hairy. And more Jackson Arnold thoughts (30:15). Should Drake Stoops have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine? This also includes a quick sidebar to talk about Lamar Jackson, Todd Monken, and the Ravens always falling short in the playoffs. Is this just a Patrick Mahomes thing (38:00)? NCAA Football 25 is scheduled to be released in July. Will this game get Lee to play video games again? Grant goes over what he sees could be a potential problem with the return of the popular video game. What will be in the game? Hopefully the presentation is excellent (46:45). We'll be the last people to talk about the Super Bowl. Grant thought the Chiefs defense had two of the best players in the game and Nick Bosa should have stayed home on one crucial play. Also the 49ers had some bad luck. Lee wants to talk about the decision of taking the ball in OT (1:09:45). We finish up with some OU men's basketball talk, if you care (1:28:35). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 308 - Oklahoma and NIL + OU’s Surprising 2024 Season Win Total

No opening take as the guys begin the show talking about the uncomfortable feeling of being sick. Lee has a possible remedy (01:10). The guys get into NIL and how it pertains to Oklahoma. We start with the background of NIL and how it works (04:30). What's the deal with all these NIL collectives? How do OU's collectives compare to other schools (09:50)? Gabe Ikard is directly involved with one of OU's collectives and he provided some interesting information about NIL in a recent podcast (21:10). Is it reasonable to ask fans to donate their money to these collectives even though they have no say where the money goes? The guys provide their overall thoughts on NIL at the moment (27:00). A recent interview shed some light on what happened with Cayden Green leaving OU. Grant hates that players can transfer without sitting out a year (35:00). Will we soon see college football transition to a model where the players are employees of the university (42:50)? Will all the top schools begin to get all the top players down the line because smaller schools choose that it's not worth it to spend money on NIL? Lee thinks the current model mixed with the expanded playoff will continue to lead to more parity in college football (53:20). FanDuel released 2024 season win totals for SEC teams and OU's number is lower than we expected (1:01:40). OU will reportedly need to find a new special teams coach (1:13:00). Grant goes into some returning production rankings for 2024 (1:15:20). We finish up with more comments from the WoE Facebook page relating to Toby Keith and the Super Bowl. The guys are split on their picks for the "Big Game" (1:19:20). Some very brief OU basketball talk as some of the stats for this team just don't make sense (1:36:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 307 - ”Way Too Early” Talk & Alex Grinch is On to Wisconsin

No opening take, as the guys jump into some Danny Stutsman talk. Chris Low's got Stutsman as an All-American for 2024 (2:45). Billy Bowman's not on Chris Low's list. Maybe OU won't have the best safety in the SEC. What other OU defensive player would you like see make an All-American team in 2024 (12:30)? Dillon Gabriel's listed as the 2nd team QB on Chris Low's list. What else stands out from this "way too early" team (21:50)? Zac Alley's bringing a friend with him from Jax State (31:20). Alex Grinch is headed to Wisconsin. We go over Grinch's time as a DC at OU and USC. We take a look at the defensive backs that Grinch brought in to OU-- and it's not good at all. But hey, we like Alex Grinch and we hope he figures it out at some point (33:20). Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan for the NFL. Grant says Michigan will take a step back and Lee tends to agree (49:40). Former LSU WR Kayshon Boutte is in a lot of trouble because of underage sports betting. Lee finds many aspects of this story interesting and entertaining (56:15). Some thoughts on Baker Mayfield's recent playoff game against the Bucs. We thought he played pretty well. And what was with the Bucs not calling a timeout when Detroit was taking knees at the end of the game (1:05:25)? Thoughts on the AFC & NFC Championship matchups. Are you sure you want to bet against Patrick Mahomes (1:17:20)? OU men's basketball is reeling after back-to-back home losses. Grant has many thoughts (1:22:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 306 - More on the OL & It’s Been a Long Time Since OU Won it All

No opening take, but Lee has a quick NBA take that may or may not be interesting. Then the guys jump into commenting on the length of time it's been since OU last won a National Championship and the fact that Sports Illustrated has been in the news this week (5:00). It's been 23+ years since OU beat Florida State, so Lee wanted to talk about some other things that happened in January of 2001. What was the most popular movie? Which songs were playing on the radio? And more (14:30)! Could anybody be the commissioner of the NFL? What would you think of Nick Saban being commissioner of NCAA Football (23:00)? We return to our discussion about the future of OU's offensive line. Grant responds to some concerns held by our friend Brady Trantham (28:00). We break down the NFL careers of recent OL draft picks from OU, Alabama, and Georgia (40:20). Brief thoughts on the 2025 recruiting class (59:00). Ted Roof has a new job. Caleb Williams declares for the NFL Draft. We talk about his NFL prospects and what he will be remembered for at OU (1:03:30). Some thoughts on the mass exodus from Alabama, and Grant thinks you could argue OU may have the best safety and the best LB in the SEC coming into 2024 (1:24:10). Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are set to take on the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round (1:28:00). We finish up with some brief thoughts on the basketball team after their road win at Cincinnati (1:33:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 305 - The TE Room is Already Better & Offensive Line Questions

No opening take today as the guys briefly talk about the sad state of affairs we are dealing with now that college football is over. Zac Alley has been officially announced as OU's new co-DC/LB coach (07:00). Trace Ford is coming back in 2024 (12:00). OU picks up TE Jake Roberts from Baylor and North Texas. Lee watched some of his tape and likes what he sees. Plus this could give OU an edge at recruiting Roberts' younger brother. OU's TE room is already much improved from 2023 (15:45). Casey Thompson is going to be OU's backup QB. Lee watched some Michael Hawkins highlights for the first time (27:00). The offensive line has been a popular topic of late. We go to the WoE Facebook page to read comments about the offensive line. Grant explains what he thinks may be the main gripe from those who are skeptical of OU's offensive line. Lee looks back at all the O-linemen who've been drafted since Bill Bedenbaugh's been at OU. We look ahead to 2024's o-line group (38:00). Will OU have a chance at any of the transfer players from Alabama and Washington? Grant calls Nick Saban's retirement an "earthquake" across college football. The guys agree Kalen DeBoer is an excellent hire for Alabama (1:01:30). Michigan wins the National Championship. Michael Penix did not play well. Grant's kind of jealous of Michigan fans. Why did OU always have to play awesome teams when the Sooners were vying for national titles? Was Washington's running back room somehow worse than OU's group (1:13:15)? Marcus Major is transferring to Minnesota. Will he do anything in the Twin Cities (1:34:25)? Lastly, the basketball team still can't win in Lawrence (1:38:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 304 - We Bid Farewell to the Roofer

In the opening take, Lee addresses the recent departure of OU Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof. Then Grant joins to give his thoughts on Roof being relieved of his duties. We then talk about the reported hire of Zac Alley (5:00). Woodi Washington recently announced he will return in 2024. We take a look at the cornerback room at the moment (20:45). Lee likes the addition of Miami OH DE Caiden Woullard, but can we get excited about another transfer DE after Rondell Bothroyd did not record a sack in 2023? Lee finds a troubling trend involving Brent Venables defensive ends over the last handful of years (26:20). OU picks up some offensive line depth and gets a new kicker from FSU (43:00). Thoughts on some of the bigger bowl games including Missouri's win over Ohio State. Will Howard is transferring to Ohio State (49:00). The Pop-Tarts Bowl ending was hilarious and you got to give credit to the Cheez-It mascot as well for providing some bowl season humor (53:40). Georgia's 60-point win over FSU was stupid and Grant wants to rant about players opting out of bowl games (57:45). Lee was happy to see Penn State lose to Ole Miss and takes this chance to rip on Penn State's offense (1:03:30). Lee wants to know if Liberty can compare to the 2006 Boise State team that beat OU? Grant says it's not close and is asks if it's a good idea for the new 12-team playoff to accept the top G5 team (1:06:55)? Grant praises Iowa for losing by 5 TDs and still hitting the under (1:10:00). Grant nailed both Playoff semifinal games (1:14:05). Both guys are on Washington to win the National Championship (1:28:20). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 303 - Turnovers Doom OU in Alamo Bowl Loss to Arizona

No opening take as the guys begin their look back at OU's 38-24 Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona (01:25). Let's start from the very beginning with OU's defense coming out in a 3-3-5 and almost immediately giving up a big pass play. The pass defense is still very much a concern, but credit to OU for shutting down Arizona's running game (03:30). Jackson Arnold's start was very underwhelming. There was a little good, but mostly bad as he threw a couple of interceptions (15:15). OU's offense started moving it on its 4th series which ended with a Gavin Sawchuk TD run (27:45). Kani Walker's interception didn't lead to anything because unfortunately OU turned the ball over immediately after in what was the start of a rough night for Jalil Farooq (30:20). It was good to see Sawchuk get out and run for 63 yards. This was the drive that ended with Nic Anderson's excellent TD catch (34:20). OU seemed to be figuring it out on defense. R Mason Thomas had a nice sack. The offense got a chance to score before the end of the first half but failed (40:05). OU's offense started the 2nd half with a bang. We saw some small parts of Arnold's game that we liked (47:40). We talk a little about Tawee Walker transferring to Wisconsin (51:20). Drake Stoops picked up a bunch of yards on 3rd down to extend OU's drive before the Sooners started to show signs of faltering in the red zone (53:40). This is the drive that changed everything. It started rough with Sawchuk tweaking his hamstring, and it ended with a flukey Arizona defensive TD. Arnold and the offense struggled the rest of the way, turning it over two more times, and that was the ballgame (1:00:50). Final stats, overall thoughts on the game and what it means (1:19:45). We read some of your "3 Word Reviews" (1:24:40). Lee gives his overall takeaways from Jackson Arnold's game, before Grant looks ahead to the offseason and would prefer not to drive away Farooq (1:31:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 302 - Extensive Alamo Bowl Preview & CFP Picks (and Complaints)

No opening take as the guys dive right into the Alamo Bowl matchup between OU and Arizona. We briefly discuss Arizona being favored by 2.5 points and talk about what the number would have been if Dillon Gabriel was playing (01:40). How good is Arizona? Where do they rank compared to the other teams OU have played this season (07:20)? Arizona's passing offense is really good and a large reason for that is their elite WR Tetairoa McMillan (14:00). With all the time since the TCU game, is it reasonable to expect OU's defense to look more like it did in the first 6-7 games of the season (19:20)? The Arizona offense has very few turnovers since Noah Fifita has been the starting QB. Will OU's defense force 2+ takeaways in the Alamo Bowl (27:45)? Arizona's running backs are really good and they're deep at the position (31:30). How does Arizona's defense compare to the other defenses the Sooners have seen this year (34:40)? Will Jackson Arnold be able to keep OU's offense on schedule? How will Arnold be utilized in the run game (42:00)? How will OU's running back rotation play out in the Alamo Bowl? Lee calls for a Kalib Hicks breakout game (56:00). The guys give their final thoughts on the game and present their gut feelings on what's going to happen in the Alamo Bowl (58:15). We finish up the show by talking about the CFP matchups. Lee hates the matchups in the Playoff, while Grant thinks they're great. We make our picks by beginning with the Rose Bowl between Michigan-Alabama (1:08:30). Texas is a 4.5 point favorite over Washington in the Sugar Bowl. Lee wishes these teams were not playing each other. Is the winner of this game the favorite to win it all (1:23:15)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 301 - Feeling Good About the Defense, SEC Schedule Release, and Bowl Season

In the opening take, Lee goes over the current state of OU's offensive line and talks about why he's not all that worried about that unit in the upcoming bowl game. After some brief bowl talk that includes a swipe at Mario Cristobal and Miami, the guys celebrate the return of Da'Jon Terry and Jacob Lacey and then do a deep dive into the current state of the defense as we look towards 2024 (08:30). Cayden Green's off to Missouri. We get Grant's perspective on the state of OU's offensive line (29:55). OU has picked up a tight end that Grant loves, as well as a running back who could be pretty good -- if DeMarco Murray lets him play (38:15). We've gotten some clarity on Tawee Walker's situation. How has OU not found a scholarship for this guy (42:30)? The guys give their thoughts on OU's 2024 signing class (48:55). Grant nailed his prediction for OU's 2024 schedule. We provide our thoughts on what will be one of the most difficult schedules in the nation (1:04:30). We have a live production meeting trying to decide on our next recording. Then we give our thoughts on bowl games featuring other Big 12 teams (1:11:20). Lee complains about New Mexico State and Marshall both losing their bowl games (1:18:40). We decide to pick some of the bigger upcoming bowl games. Lousiville-USC/Texas A&M-OSU/Missouri-Ohio State/Ole Miss-Penn State/Iowa-Tennessee. Come for the USC and OSU talk, Kyle McCord is mid and is transferring to Syracuse, and make sure you stay for Lee's hot takes about the Big Ten (1:27:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets