West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 200 - It’s the 2021 Big Season Preview. Emphasis on ”BIG”

*NOTE: you may need to delete, then re-download the episode. The original version was not properly synced. Apologies for the error* -- **NOTE: we recorded before we found out Marcus Major was ineligible -- but it shouldn't really change anything we said** -- In the opening take, Lee recently learned a little something about Cover-2 from an expert on the subject. Then Grant joins to tell the story about how Florida fans attacked him on Twitter one time. Followed by a few thoughts on Andrew Raym being incredibly confident (11:45). Time for the "Big Season Preview" -- who will be OU's leading rusher in 2021? And aside from those two, who else will have the most impact at RB (16:00)? What about OU's leading pass catcher in 2021 (32:30)? Grant feels really good about DTY leading the team in tackles -- Lee disagrees (40:20). Nik Bonitto's probably gonna lead OU in sacks in 2021, so Grant wants to know if it's crazy wonder if the Sooners can get to 60 sacks as team (44:30)? The guys both cheat when picking the most important offensive player besides Spencer Rattler (52:15). Lee has an off the wall pick for most important defensive player (59:55). Let's talk sleeper impact players, beginning with the offense. And we're not allowed to pick any true freshmen (1:04:20). Lee builds up his sleeper impact defensive player before realizing he's thinking about a different category later in the show. But hey Lee's pretty confident in this sleeper pick, though (1:09:00). Mario Williams is the easy answer for true freshman offensive impact player (1:15:25). This has been the moment Lee's been teasing all show -- who will be the true freshman player who will have the most impact on defense (1:17:55). Grant says West Virginia could be a trap game on OU's schedule -- Lee agrees, but doesn't think OU has a true trap game. Grant thinks Nebraska could sneak up on the Sooners (1:24:30). Okay, time to get a little negative. What is the worst case scenario for OU football in 2021? If OU lost Rattler for an extended period of time, could Caleb Williams keep OU afloat (1:36:15)? Time to pull out the Crimson & Cream glasses as we give you realistic Best Case Scenarios for the Sooners (1:42:00). Lee has a boring take on OU's regular season record, while Grant swings for the fences (1:47:20). Grant says TCU will be better than people think. Lee is picking K-State as the Big 12's underrated team (1:52:45). Grant takes a lot of joy in telling us that Iowa State is overrated. Lee somewhat agrees, but thinks Texas is more overrated than ISU (1:58:30). Lee's going chalk for the Big 12 Championship Game -- Grant has a different pairing. Also Lee thinks Mike Gundy seems unusually happy and positive about his team (2:05:50). Let's look around college football for some overrated teams. The guys both agree Texas A&M is overvalued (2:09:15). Lee thinks a couple of Pac 12 teams are underrated. Meanwhile Grant says Iowa is really underrated (2:16:20). We try to make our Heisman predictions quick (2:22:45). Time to pick each Power 5 Conference Champ in this order -- Big 12, ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Pac 12. Grant loves Wisconsin, Lee doesn't. Alabama's schedule is a little trickier at the start than usual. Is UCLA potentially underrated? And somehow both guys picked the same team to win the Pac 12 (2:25:40). We make our College Football Playoff Predictions, and then Lee follows the rules of the podcast for his National Champion prediction. Grant goes a different direction (2:42:30). We finally wrap up this absurdly long podcast as we look towards to Week Zero and Tulane prep next week (2:50:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 199 - Practice Takeaways + News & Notes

In the opening take, Grant talks about how he spent the whole weekend watching games from OU's 1985 season. Then Lee joins to provide an update on what to expect from the next couple of episodes. Lee shares what he saw at practice Tuesday morning and we try to figure out how and why college football players these days are allowed to cut up their practice pants (9:00). More practice thoughts from Lee including his thoughts on Austin Stogner, Jaden Haselwood, and Mike Woods (13:45). The Sooners scrimmage Sunday night and Lincoln Riley tells us all about it (18:20). Riley said something about the offensive line that got Lee's attention -- so we dissect every word of it because this is an OU Football podcast. Also, everyone loves Perrion Winfrey (24:40). Danny Stutsman time. Let's hear what Brian Odom has to say about the true freshman (35:05). How quickly is Tre Bradford going to be able to contribute at RB? And DeMarco Murray calls Creed Humphrey the 3rd most athletic offensive lineman he's ever seen (39:00). Roy Manning provided a humorous update on Justin Harrington which leads to Grant questioning the honesty of the OU coaching staff. Who are the corners that are going to play this fall (42:25)? Why is Harrington playing corner when there seems to be more of a depth concern at safety (49:25)? Going to the "West of Everest" Facebook Page to talk about OU losing a recent commitment. Grant's got this one (57:00). Will Jalen Redmond start? And brief discussions about the secondary that we will expand on next show (1:03:00). Finally, we take a look at OU being No. 2 in the AP Poll and "The Athletic" puts out a comical preseason All-American team (1:08:15). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 198 - Fall Camp is Here and Bill Bedenbaugh is Very Happy

In the opening take, Lee thinks the national media will give OU the benefit of the doubt right now -- but that's not going to last long. Then Grant joins to talk about how he's way more excited for football than he was last season. Also Lee talks about going to OU practice Tuesday morning, and is it just us or has OU's social media been putting out way more videos than usual (4:05)? It looks like some guys are much bigger and the Sooners decided to put a very large person in No. 44 this year (13:15). Bill Bedenbaugh talks Andrew Raym -- and he might be really, really good. Plus, Bedenbaugh couldn't be more pleased with where is O-Line group is through 4 days of fall camp (16:35). Grant has a story about the 2008 OU football team being a National Championship contender that makes him think of the current team (25:50). More news and notes from the offensive line. Who's playing where (34:30)? Theo Wease, Jadon Haselwood, and Austin Stogner are all healthy and good to go (36:20). Grant liked what Marvin Mims had to say on Media Day about the depth of pass catchers on OU. Grant says the ceiling of this offense is absurd (40:15). Mike Woods is expected to be an immediate impact player (43:30). Alex Grinch's Media Day press conference was kind of boring, but he did say one thing that caught our attention. Get ready for a long talk about the "unique depth" on the Sooners' D-Line (45:40). Grant predicted when OU/Texas would officially announce they were heading to the SEC. And we begin with a listener question about OU's first opponent Tulane, and when the Sooners will "change the narrative" that they're not good enough for the SEC (53:55)? Another listener wants to know if OU fans will ever chant "SEC!" (1:01:10)? Another listener wants to know if the SEC will do Divisions or "Pods" when OU and Texas join? Grant wants A&M to be in the same pod as OU and Texas, but Lee understands why they may mix those teams up (1:05:55). At the end Lee mentions a recent story about "pausing" CFP expansion and Grant gets on his soap box about games being scheduled 20 years in the future (1:15:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 197 - The Most Interesting Storylines Entering OU Fall Camp

In the opening take, Grant says so much has changed about college football in the last year and he's more than ready to jump into another season. Then Lee joins as Grant gives him some knowledge about OU football from the early to mid 2010s (6:00). We jump into what we think are the most interesting Fall Camp storylines. If we could follow just one storyline from now until Week 1, which storyline would it be (10:35)? Honorable mention Fall Camp storylines as we talk running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs and more (23:30)! Next, we predict an unexpected player who will be receiving "buzz" from the coaching staff 3-4 weeks from now (36:35). The guys tell you which position group/player everybody will be watching the first time we're allowed to go to practice this fall (47:30). Which presumed starter would you be least surprised to see lose their job in Fall Camp? Lee also runs down some of his grades from his 2019 and 2020 DB rewatch (50:10). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 196 - OU Can Maximize its Football Program in the SEC

In the opening take, Lee says whenever Oklahoma joins the SEC the Sooners will be entering a new conference feeling like underdogs. Then Grant joins to briefly talk about our recent trip out West, before getting into what you all care about and that's the OU/Texas to the SEC news. Were we shocked? How did we find out? What are our initial thoughts on this news (7:30)? Grant is confident that OU and Texas will be playing in the SEC in 2022 (19:20). Grant says this has been one of the most entertainig sports stories of his lifetime and he's fired up that OU can potentially maximize its program in the SEC. We explain why this move is great for OU and we look back a little bit to when Texas A&M and Missouri jumped to the SEC (23:20). Sure, OU is gonna make more money in the SEC, but where does that money go? Grant has some ideas (34:40). More players from the SEC get drafted than any other conference. Lee looks back at how OU stacks up to the rest of the SEC in drafted players over the last 4 years. You think OU will recruit better and get more players drafted playing in the SEC (38:00)? Does Grant agree with Lee's opening take about OU entering the SEC feeling like underdogs? What is the national media saying about OU and Texas joining the SEC? Can OU continue offensive success in the SEC, and can they figure out defense in the SEC (44:00)? More on the national media's thoughts on this story. Grant says he's heard a lot of lazy takes (52:20). Jimbo Fisher and Eli Drinkwitz had comments about OU and Texas last week at SEC Media Days (59:35). Let's all pile on Dennis Dodd for his stupid comments at SEC Media Days, and Grant briefly mentions a puzzling Stew Mandel column. Plus if OU/Texas move to the SEC by 2022, does that signal that the Playoff will be expanded sooner than we think (1:03:00)? Grant goes over some potential downsides to OU/Texas moving to the SEC. Lee doesn't really see any downsides and he's excited to see OU finally play new teams (1:13:15). Going to the Facebook page for a listener comment/question about OU to the SEC. Is OU/Texas to the SEC a good move for college football overall? What's the next step for the Big 12 (1:26:00)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 195 - Another RB Dismissed Plus Preseason Big 12 Media Awards

In the opening take, Lee gives his thoughts on Mikey Henderson's dismissal and how that impacts the Sooners moving forward. Then Grant joins to provide his take on Henderson -- which is quite different from Lee (6:45). Will OU go into the season with only 4 scholarship running backs on the roster (17:00)? The guys take a look at the preseason Big 12 Media Poll. Lee's pretty much in agreement with the media, but Grant's way higher on TCU than anybody else and much lower on Iowa State and Texas (24:30). Switching over to what we liked and didn't like about the preseason All-Big 12 Team (43:00). Hey let's talk about all the NIL stuff, since it officially began after our last episode (54:50). Finally, CBS Sports ranked the Big 12 Football coaches and for some reason KU's new coach is in the Top 5 (1:05:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 194 - Is the NCAA’s Business Model Doomed?

In the opening take, Grant gives his initial thoughts on the recent Supreme Court ruling that found in favor of student/athletes against the NCAA. Then after Lee joins the show, Grant wants to clarify some of his comments from our last episode. He also has a philosophical question for Lee about why we have a podcast about OU football (5:45)? Sliding into the recent SCOTUS decision. Lee tries to explain what this is all about and what it means (14:00). Grant is afraid this SCOTUS decision could harm college sports, but Lee isn't all that concerned (17:45). The NCAA recently voted to suspend "amateurism rules" because in multiple states Name/Image/Likeness legislation is about to go into effect. How does this NIL stuff factor into the recent SCOTUS ruling (26:55)? Grant says the NCAA's business model is going down and he's worried that non-revenue sports are doomed. Lee doesn't believe non-revenue sports are in danger (32:30). When it comes to NIL going into effect, Lee is curious to see how players making money impacts the locker room (38:05)? A listener wants to talk about LSU transfer running back Tre Bradford (40:30). We haven't had a chance to talk about the details of the proposed 12-team Playoff. Sure, we like expansion but of course there are issues with the proposed model. At the end we have to criticize Bob Bowlsby for a couple of recent quotes that fired us up (46:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 193 - Encouraging Playoff Expansion News & Bookie Re-Watch Results

In the opening take, Lee says Josh Heupel and Roy Williams should already be in the College Football Hall of Fame. Then Grant joins to give his thoughts on the careers of Heupel, Williams, and Vince Young (6:10). An interesting report from Yahoo Sports says that a 12-team playoff model is gaining some traction. We're both surprised that 12 is the most likely number at this time (13:20). Why we think the idea of an 8 team playoff is not good enough. Also for those arguing against playoff expansion, are they actually arguing against more college football (23:45)? Brief talk on college football before the BCS era. Then Grant presents the main reason why he believes people like college football, whether they realize this is the reason or not (38:10). Grant wants to remind everybody what a 24-team playoff would have looked like a couple of years ago and the matchups we could have seen. (50:20). Grant mentions a story from Dennis Dodd, which then leads to Lee going off on one of Dodd's columns from 2020 (55:15). Lee goes over what a 12-team playoff would have looked like in 2020 (57:50). We've recently found out two of the first three OU games of the season will kickoff at 11 am. Lee tells you exactly how many 11 am kickoffs the Sooners have had in the Playoff era compared to other big time Playoff teams. Also do 11 am kickoffs really impact recruiting all that much (1:02:50)? Lee shares his final results from the "Bookie Re-Watch". We answer the question finally: will Bookie transferring help, hurt, or be indfferent for OU (1:19:20)? At the very end Grant says he's enjoying the Women's College World Series and everything Porter Moser has done since being hired at OU -- plus we totally forgot to pick an old OU game to re-watch for the podcast. Our bad (1:42:40). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 192 - ESPN Ranks OU No. 1 And We Make Depth Chart Projections

In the opening take, Grant gives you an update on the current state of the Sooners and tells you why he's optimistic heading into the summer. Then Lee joins to briefly talk about a ridiculous college football local news story in Minneapolis. After that, Grant gives his updated thoughts on Trejan Bridges and Seth McGowan. And since the football related aspects of this story have been resolved, Lee can finally give you his full take (4:00). ESPN released a post-spring Top 25 that had OU ranked No. 1. Lee shares his biggest concerns surrounding this poll. Grant isn't quite as worried. Plus they hit on some other teams in the top 25 that are interesting to talk about including Georgia, Texas A&M and North Carolina (13:15). Time to unveil our post-spring OU depth chart. We project what the depth chart will look like before Week 1 against Tulane. First up is the offense, beginning with the running back group and the H-Backs (30:40). The guys have a different order for wide receivers 1-through-6 (37:55). Switching to the offensive line going from left to right (44:15). Talking TEs and pass catchers (54:30). Over to the defense beginning with defensive line and a position that was occupied by Isaiah Thomas in 2020 (56:10). Nik Bonitto is going to start at the Rush LB spot. Who's going to be behind him? Plus we go through the rest of the LB positions and we decide that we're not even sure which position some guys technically play (1:05:00). Finally we get to the secondary where we agree on the starting corners. At safety and nickel is where it gets interesting (1:20:00). How many more years do we have left of Alex Grinch as OU's defensive coordinator? And when he leaves, will the Sooners hire from within (1:35:20)? Before we go, we both have to eat crow because Tre Norwood got drafted. Plus Creed Humphrey went to a great situation. We think Ronnie Perkins will be alright in New England, but we're not as excited about Rhamondre Stevenson's future with the Patriots (1:41:25). Trey Sermon was a 3rd round draft pick and he went to a great situation in San Francisco. Plus how did a random Iowa State running back get drafted ahead of Rhamondre (1:53:30)? Grant is trying to figure out what the Ravens are doing by drafting Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace? Are those WRs doomed to play in a poor passing offense (1:58:15)? Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 191 - Caleb Williams, Defense, Stand Out in Spring Finale

In the opening take, Lee tells you why Caleb Williams was impressive during OU's spring game. Then Grant joins to talk about going to the spring game and seeing the stadium for the first time since 2012 (2:55). Then Grant gives his take on Caleb Williams, plus Spencer Rattler was not sharp (7:10). Lee names the offensive players who stood out to him Saturday beginning with Eric Gray's first appearance in an OU uniform (17:00). Mario Williams got a lot of targets Saturday and Jadon Haselwood made the catch of the day (21:45). It would seem Andrew Raym is the top center for the Sooners heading into the summer (27:00). Switching over to the defense as Lee talks about being down on the field seeing some of the new players in person, including Billy Bowman (35:00). Grant loves DJ Graham and he's got a super hot take about Graham's future (38:30). Clayton Smith looked awesome close up and Lee's incredibly excited to see how the Sooners use him this fall (41:45). Let's talk about Caleb Kelly. He looks to be in great shape and it would be super cool if he stays healthy in 2021 (46:20). Grant wants to talk more in depth about the secondary group touching on Josh Eaton, Key Lawrence, Justin Harrington, and more (50:00). We talk about all the players who did not play. Lee was most disappointed to not see Jalen Redmond out there (58:00). There's always random players who stand out in the spring game who never do anything ever again (1:01:45). Wanya Morris started at LT for the first team offense Kennedy Brooks didn't do a lot, and OU gets Arkansas transfer Mike Woods. Good to see Austin Stogner active, plus can any of these 2019 5-star WRs catch a break (1:02:55)? Wrapping up the spring game and looking ahead to the summer and the fall, plus the NFL Draft is this week, and Orlando Brown gets traded to the Chiefs (1:11:10). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9