West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

No opening take as the guys open their 300th episode with our swan song for Dillon Gabriel as he takes his talents to Oregon. Grant says if Oregon makes the Playoff and OU goes 6-6 next year then Venables could be in trouble. Lee is looking forward to seeing DG play in the Big Ten (01:30). We dive into all the roster news involving Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, Cayden Green, and more (16:10). OU picks up a transfer WR from Purdue who reminds Grant of a former Sooners receiver. The OU WR room is looking outstanding right now (31:00). OU got a transfer CB out of SDSU and what's going to happen with Woodi Washington (38:35)? What's going on with Tawee Walker? The guys once again provide a full throated defense of what was OU's best running back for most of the season (43:40). We go down the list of Sooners who've entered the portal and are likely gone (55:50). The guys would love to see a few key defensive players come back next season (1:07:30). We turn our attention to the Alamo Bowl (1:09:45). We haven't talked about the Playoff teams yet, so we do it now. We both think Washington got jobbed and the Committee made the wrong call. Rants ensue, including a homer call by Lee that is impossible to prove. We also complain about OU missing out on a NY6 bowl game (1:19:40). Lee thinks we are on a crash course for a Texas-Alabama rematch with Texas winning it all and we hate it (1:38:00). A little on Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman, what's going on at Texas A&M?, and the SEC is about to release the full 2024 schedule (1:41:25). Grant wants to show some love for OU's unbeaten men's basketball team (1:54:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

We play an old Brent Venables soundbite that feels appropriate to open the show. Then the guys jump right into the news that OU is hiring Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finey as Co-Offensive Coordinators (02:30). Jeff Lebby has left to become the head coach at Mississippi State (28:45). We read the "3 Word Reviews" from OU's 69-45 win over TCU, which gets us jumping around from topic to topic stemming from OU's regular season finale (49:00). Grant wants to rant about Oklahoma State beating BYU and playing in the Big 12 Title (1:34:00). We make our Conference Championship picks, which includes Lee amending his take on Iowa, plus even more Big Ten hate because why not (1:39:50)? We're annoyed by where OU's ranked and which bowl game they're likely to play in (2:00:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

In the opening take, Lee talks about what he saw after rewatching Jackson Arnold in the 2nd half of the BYU game. Then Grant joins to talk about the fact that OU's about to play its final Big 12 game. Will we miss the Big 12 (6:10)? Will Dillon Gabriel play against TCU? If not, what should we expect from Jackson Arnold (14:30)? Lee provides some reasons why you should be optimistic about OU's chances against TCU, but also points out where there's some concern. OU's defensive line is struggling to get sacks, and TCU is perfectly capable of throwing all over the Sooners. At least OU's been awesome at getting takeaways, and it would be great if Gentry Williams is back healthy (23:25). TCU QB Josh Hoover is on a pretty hot run right now and the Frogs have some playmakers who can give OU trouble. This matchup for OU's offense may be the inverse of the UCF game. Lee has a couple of things that the Sooners may do on offense that has worked against TCU this season. We beg Jeff Lebby not to run Jackson Arnold all game because we don't want to see Davis Beville take a meaningful snap (39:30). TCU is playing for bowl eligibility, while OU's playing to send seniors like Drake Stoops out on a high note. Grant laments OU losing a couple games in what he says has been an easy schedule this season. Both offensive coordinators are from the Art Briles tree (49:00). The last time a true freshman made his first career start at Owen Field, Caleb Williams led OU to a double-digit win over TCU in 2021 (53:00). We turn our attention to the Big 12 games that don't have much consequence this week. Lee talks about how many bowl teams the Big 12 could get (55:45). Grant continues to rip OSU for not being a good team as we talk about the Cowboys' upcoming matchup with BYU (59:55). Oddsmakers sure seem to be telling us to take K-State against Iowa State. Our discussion leads to a talk about the fake 2020 season and how that's the only time Lincoln Riley has won a bowl game. Grant lays out a scenario that could have gotten OU to the Playoff in 2020 (1:03:40). Grant wants to talk about how OU has underachieved this season (and last season) and Grant uses Louisville as an example to make a really good point (1:10:20). Grant brings up Danny Stutsman not being in the mix for the Butkus award (1:20:30). We go to the picks where Lee continues to be hot somehow. We begin with Iowa-Nebraska so Lee can complain about how bad Iowa is. Grant lays out how Nebraska is choking once again (1:25:00). Next up is Texas Tech-Texas where a Red Raiders win would help out OU. Has Quinn Ewers been mid (1:31:00)? To the Oregon State-Oregon Civil War (1:34:10). Ohio State-Michigan is the biggest game of the week. The guys are on opposite sides. Lee wants to talk about Marvin Harrison Jr. compared to other recent elite college WRs (1:37:20). We finish up with the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn. Can the Tigers please knock Alabama out of the Playoff race? Grant wants to know if Jayden Daniels will be considered for the top pick in the NFL Draft? And despite a lot of losses, Caleb Williams is surprisingly having a great statistical season (1:44:40). Hopefully OU wins Friday, but Grant can't help but be bothered by the fact that OU is probably going to let Texas win the Big 12 (1:52:15). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

The guys gather a few hours after OU beat BYU 31-24 in Provo. Lee's in a mood to complain, yet he's still happy the Sooners are 9-2. Grant's mostly happy the team won the game and still has a chance to reach 10 wins in the regular season. What was up with the defense (outside of the 3 takeaways)? This game was just more evidence that Oklahoma is still a ways away from where we want them to be. Lee was disappointed by Jackson Arnold's play, while Grant was encouraged by what he saw from JA. Gavin Sawchuk continued his strong play and Lee complains about the way the running back situation has been handled all season (again). We finish up the show by reading your "3 Word Reviews". | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets