West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 280 - OU Improves to 2-0 Despite Uneven Performance vs. SMU

The guys recap what was an uneven performance by the Sooners in their 28-11 Week 2 win over SMU. Was the offense bad vs. SMU? What's going on with the running backs situation? The explosive passing game was non-existent. We both do not like the Jackson Arnold package. Did we learn anything new about Andrel Anthony? Hey! How about that TD catch by Jalil Farooq (1:00)!? Over to the defense, which played well for the most part. The Sooners held SMU to 4 of 16 on 3rd down and allowed just 4.6 yard/play. Danny Stutsman was all over the field and Kip Lewis continues to emerge. We praise OU for staying disciplined all night. There were some highlights by the secondary including big plays by Kani Walker and Peyton Bowen. Despite sacks and TFLs being down, the defense seems better (20:20). We read your "3 Word Reviews" and finish up with some brief comments about the day in college football (37:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 279 - OU Gets a Real Early Season Test Against SMU

In the opening take, Lee tells you what he'll be watching for Saturday night when OU hosts SMU. Then Grant joins to talk more about how good the Sooners looked against Ark State (4:00). We go over the injury updates provided by Brent Venable, plus good news for Gavin Sawchuk and R Mason Thomas (14:00). SMU's offense will present a nice challenge for OU. Preston Stone is a good player, but the Sooners should have some chances to get him uncomfortable (17:25). SMU's defense had a ton of success against La Tech, but it turns out that La Tech has a horrible offense. This could be a good chance for OU's D-Line to show their stuff, plus Lee hopes the secondary shows out (31:40). We both think OU will win the game, but we're not going to guess a score. We go over more things that we want to see Saturday night (37:50). We go around the Big 12 slate and give our thoughts on a littany of matchups this week. What's Ok State going to be this year (49:15)? Our picks were not very good last week, but we're back at it with 5 more selections including Colorado-Nebraska/Ole Miss-Tulane/Texas A&M-Miami/Texas-Alabama/Oregon-Texas Tech (1:04:45). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 278 - OU Posts Near Flawless Victory to Open 2023 Season

OU opened the season with an impressive 73-0 win over Arkansas State. Lee says he's incredibly pleased with the way the Sooners played. Dillon Gabriel played the best game of his career, and it was nice to see an extended appearance from Jackson Arnold (1:25). The OU pass catchers showed a lot of promise (9:00). Tawee Walker looked like OU's best running back on a day when that group was overall just fine (12:50). Gavin Freeman's punt return TD was fantastic and we hope that leads to more impressive special teams plays (19:40). Grant wants to praise a couple of the young TEs for some nice plays, and Lee has some positive words for Jeff Lebby (22:50). The defense pitched a shutout in what was a steady, albeit non-flashy performance (26:30). We read your "3 Word Reviews" (36:35). We're going to learn a lot more about OU next week against SMU (51:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 277 - 2023 Big Season Preview | Part 2

No opening take as the "Big Season Preview" continues. We start by taking some national negative narratives surrounding OU, but argue the positive side of why that narrative isn't correct. The first topic includes Ted Roof and his history of mediocre, to bad defenses (1:35). CBS Sports can't pick the Sooners to do well because they want to see Brent Venables prove he can coach. Why are these experts wrong (6:30)? Everyone is picking Texas to win the Big 12, but Sark's first two seasons haven't been anything special. Why does Brent Venables have to prove himself, but Sark is not being questioned (10:40)? If OU goes 12-0 in the regular season, how did that happen? Plus we make our official predictions on what we think OU's record is going to be (14:50). We don't talk recruiting much, but obviously getting David Stone is a big deal. Winning will hopefully get more of these types of blue chippers (22:40). We take a quick step away from OU to talk about the gambling stories involving Iowa and Iowa State players. Feel free to skip ahead if you don't care (26:10). Grant's talked himself into Iowa State as a sleeper team in the Big 12 (35:35). Of the new Big 12 teams, UCF could be the most interesting, right? Lee asks why Houston's win total is so low (39:20)? As much as we hate to admit it, Texas seems to be the obvious favorite to win the Big 12 (41:40). Can Texas Tech really threaten to win the conference (45:15)? Lee thinks conference realignment looks interesting beginning in 2024. Grant is worried that college football is changing for the worse (49:00). We take a look at the Week 1 Big 12 slate (56:10). Finally, we make our Week 1 picks. Games include Florida-Utah/Colorado-TCU/UTSA-Houston/North Carolina-South Carolina/LSU-FSU (1:00:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 276 - It’s Time for the 2023 Big Season Preview | Part 1

In the opening take, Grant is fully pumped for football season. Then Lee joins to try and remember the last time they watched an OU game together. We're not buying that Marcus Major and Justin Harrington will be atop the depth chart all season long (5:45). We look back at what turned out to be a prescient season preview show from 2022 (20:45). Our "Big Season Preview" for 2023 includes a bunch of unanswerable questions, beginning with OU's up tempo offense (30:35). Will Jackson Arnold play significant snaps in 2023 (37:35)? Will OU's defense improve (44:50)? Will the Sooners be a better team after halftime (48:40)? Will we know by the end of the season if Jeff Lebby is the right guy for OC (53:20)? Will Ted Roof make it through the season (59:40)? Will we know by the end of the season if Brent Venables is the right man for the job (1:04:50)? We decide to be jerks and debate which 3 veteran players will be more of a non-factor throughout the season (1:08:20). There's been positive developments on the Jayden Gibson front (1:15:00). Which player's All-American season can lead OU to 10 wins in the regular season? We answer, plus we read listener picks from the WoE Facebook (1:17:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonTweets

Ep. 275 - A Wait and See Approach to OU Football in 2023

In the opening take, Lee explains why he's skeptical about OU's chances of having a successful season in 2023. Then Grant joins to provide his thoughts on the current makeup of the team. As of now, the guys both anticipate OU finishing under 9.5 wins. What are some things you saw last year that you hope OU can keep up in 2023? What about some things that absolutely have to be different (7:45)? We spend a large amount of time breaking down each position group, beginning with the offense (45:30). Lee has thoughts on players changing numbers, then the guys play "wow, that guy's still on the team?!" We finish up by reading comments/questions from the WoE Facebook page (1:36:40). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 274 - Something’s Off About the 2023 Schedule + Grab Bag Topics

In the opening take, Lee says something seemed off about OU's 2023 schedule release. Then Grant joins as the guys try to decide if there's something shady happening with the schedule behind the scenes? OU's home slate is not very exciting. Is Kansas going to be a "trap game" (4:10)? Lee goes into his grab bag for a topic. David Ugwoegbu is transferring to Houston and will play DE. What does this mean (13:10)? Grant blames OU's previous coaching staff for putting Ugwoegbu in a bad spot from the beginning (20:05). Let's take a look at OU's linebacker room (23:15). Apparently Jeff Lebby is a possible candidate for the open OC job at Alabama (27:55). Back to transfer portal news. Joshua Eaton is off to Texas State. It sure seems like the previous coaching staff could not identify talent on defense (32:40). We go over all the players OU's added out of the portal since our last show. Grant likes DE Rondell Bothroyd, a tackle from Stanford will probably start day one, and can a former Michigan player bolster OU's thin WR room (36:30)? OU brought in a new WR coach since our last show. Jackson Arnold won the Gatorade National Player of the Year over a couple of big names, and OU officially has a top-5 signing class (47:00). We've got a date for the Spring Game. What's our early read on attendance (52:40)? Lee has some troubling stats that show just how bad of a year Brent Venables had compared to other first-year head coaches in college football (55:40). Then Grant shares even more troubling evidence about Venables that should scare the heck out of you (1:03:20). Grant has some more thoughts on OU's projected offensive line and Dillon Gabriel (1:10:35). We finish up with some brief thoughts on the OU men's basketball team before they play Bedlam Wednesday (1:14:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 273 - Sawchuk Shines as OU Ends 2022 With Another Close Loss

The guys are back at the mics to discuss OU's close Cheez-It Bowl loss to Florida State. They open the show by briefly discussing the road-like atmosphere for the Sooners in Orlando, while praising the bowl game for making a second-tier bowl feel pretty important (:40). OU should have won despite being 10-point underdogs. The game sure seemed to play out similar to a lot of other OU losses this season. Grant liked the way OU's offensive line played despite missing multiple starters (3:05). Let's talk about the game, beginning with C.J. Coldon's missed opportunity on the game's first series (12:00). Dillon Gabriel was terrific on OU's first offensive series that gave the Sooners an early 7-3 lead (14:30). Kudos to the OU defensive line stopping FSU on 3rd-1 and 4th-1 in the 1st Quarter. Grant says Jeffery Johnson had maybe his best game of the season. The defense played well for the majority of the game, even though FSU WR Johnny Wilson torched the Sooners (18:40). The guys were impressed with FSU QB Jordan Travis. Why didn't they run him more (23:40)? Danny Stutsman looked really good and fast when he chased down Travis for a sack (26:05). Back to discussing the game. OU's offense took a 14-3 after DG scored on a clever zone read design (28:20). We jump ahead to Marvin Mims' first awesome sideline catch, which was followed up by a Gavin Sawchuck TD run called back due to penalty. This was a huge sequence in the game (30:50). Grant's number 1 takeaway from the Cheez-It Bowl is that Sawchuck is a star in the making. Where has he been all year? Lee's not as high on Jovantae Barnes as everybody else (33:45)? Brent Venables told his team to not "play to the scoreboard" against FSU. Lee can't imagine saying that to a team as a coach, while Grant doesn't think it's a big deal (41:50). Grant says the difference in the bowl game was the Sawchuck fumble and the Savion Byrd holding penalty. Grant is ultimately encouraged by what he saw from OU vs. FSU (44:40). Lee's got more criticism for Venables. It was unacceptable to call timeout on defense in the 2nd half of a one-score game. OU cost itself :22 seconds at the end of the game. Poor game management yet again (46:45). Grant reminds us that the current coaching staff looks to be elite at recruiting and Grant doeesn't think people who thought OU would get blown out should be able to criticize Venables today (50:25). Lee lays out the two (maybe three) different types of OU fans that exist right now. Plus more Gavin Sawchuck and Jovantae Barnes talk (54:00). We cover a bunch extra Cheez-It Bowl topics and beyond as we check in on your "3-Word Reviews" from the WoE Facebook page and Twitter (59:20). One listener reminds us that Texas still sucks. Lee gives a brief update on what to expect from the show coming up in the offseason. Grant brings up Trace Ford transferring to OU (1:27:30). We wrap things up by talking about who we think will win the National Championship (1:32:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 272 - OU Secures Elite Class Ahead of Cheez-It Bowl vs. FSU

The guys are back at the mics after a Merry Christmas gathering in Oklahoma City. While we are days away from OU playing FSU in the Cheez-It Bowl, Lee & Grant open the show by congratulating Brent Venbales on securing the Number 5 recruiting class in 2023. We've now seen plenty of evidence Venables and this staff can recruit -- but, can they *coach* (2:15)? Grant was highly entertained by the Peyton Bowen saga last week. Lee is already guarding against Bowen's bust potential as a 5-star safety (9:10). Lee has some brief thoughts on Jackson Arnold, particularly Arnold's size. Grant thinks P. Bowen looks terrific on tape, and Grant provides more quick thoughts on some of the members of OU's 2023 class (19:45). Lee hopes Jacobe Johnson turns into an elite CB and once again Lee's probably going to get sucked into thinking OU can have awesome DBs (24:40). OU's picked up some new transfers since our last show, which includes one of Indiana's best young defensive players and one Texas Tech DB who Sooners fans will recognize (27:50). It appears Trace Ford has interest in coming to OU. Are we interested? We also dive a little into OU's ability to get TFLs this past season (36:45). The guys think OU needs to pick up an impact WR in the transfer portal. Lee has a funny feeling that Marvin Mims won't be on the roster in 2023. Could D.J. Graham stay at OU and become a viable WR (44:15)? Let's talk Cheez-It Bowl. OU are big underdogs against a FSU team who seems to be fully invested in winning this game. How good is FSU? Should the Seminoles really be favored by this much (48:10)? Florida put up a lot of points and yards against FSU a month ago, is that a sign the Sooners will score? What other factors make you feel good about OU's chances? FSU QB Jordan Travis can be devastating with his legs (1:00:15). FSU's offense has the most explosive plays in all of college football. Meanwhile, OU's defense has defended more snaps than any other team in college football (1:09:40). What if OU tries to move on from Dillon Gabriel after the bowl game? Would Spencer Sanders be a better option than DG in 2023? Where does Jackson Arnold fit in in 2023 (1:13:30)? We take a couple of comments from the WoE Facebook page. Will this be the weirdest spring in recent OU memory? What's the "best case" and "worst case" scenarios for the Cheez-It Bowl (1:28:15)? Finally, Lee wants to compare the current OU team to the 2008 OU team. Stick around for some surprising "3 & out" numbers (1:32:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 271 - Early Cheez-It Bowl Thoughts & Transfer Portal Madness

Oklahoma will play Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl. Grant thought OU would play Iowa. Lee wanted the Sooners to play Wisconsin. Are the Sooners walking into a buzz saw (:45)? A lot of players have entered the transfer portal. If you thought OU had a lot of roster turnover last season, well you haven't seen anything yet (8:40). Austin Stogner is coming back to OU -- what? There are some talented players in the portal who hold OU offers, including a future NFL receiver (21:00). We read your comments and questions from the WoE Facebook page. If Clemson defensive players want to transfer to OU, will Venables take them? Grant tries to start talking himself into OU beating FSU (30:30). Will former OSU players transfer to OU (39:30)? Is it possible Malcolm Kelly could take over as OU's wide receivers coach (41:20)? Should we cut Brent Venables some slack after going 6-6 in the reg. season (43:50)? How did TCU lose to K-State in the Big 12 Title? Grant thinks there's a reality in which TCU beats Michigan. The Playoff matchups are actually pretty interesting (48:25). Deion Sanders going to Colorado is interesting and entertaining. At first it was reported Mike Zimmer was going to be his DC, but then actually that was wrong (53:10). Caleb Williams is probably going to win the Heisman, but he's become very unlikable of late. Lee has thoughts about quarterbacks crying (58:10). We're recording in the middle of Baker Mayfield's debut with the Rams. Lee admits he was wrong about Jalen Hurts. OU-FSU plays right before Texas plays Washington in the Alamo Bowl (1:02:35). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9