West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 170 - The Sooners Are Set Up To Run the Table

In the opening take, Lee tells you why OU could run the table and finish the regular season 8-2. Then Grant joins to provide a minor correction from last week's show, which leads to Grant thinking about recanting his earlier season thoughts on K-State's Deuce Vaughn (3:40). Everybody is tired of the story about the three suspended players and of course we're not sure if they're gonna be back this week (7:55). We get to the "3-word reviews" from the TCU win, which leads to us complimenting Perrion Winfrey and the defensive line (10:10). What was with OU allowing TCU to gain yards late in the 2nd quarter, which gave TCU a FG attempt (15:00)? Are we sure Woodi Washington should have been called for PI (18:00)? What was with Gary Patterson calling timeouts late in the 4th quarter after the game was basically over (19:45)? Gabe Brkic bounced back quite nicely after his horrible miss vs. Texas (23:15). Spencer Rattler made some questionable decisions in the run game (25:15). Time for us to gush over Marvin Mims (27:20). Grant liked OU's offensive game plan when it came to Spencer Rattler's willingness to take shots down the field (35:15). We get to our regularly scheduled discussion about Bookie. Plus Grant is annoyed that a former OU player criticized Bookie on social media (39:05). OU's defense prevented Max Duggan from beating them with his legs, and Grant loved Winfrey's "scream & flex" moment (49:20). Unfortunately, OU's running game continued to underwhelm in what should have been a game in which they excelled (54:00). Charleston Rambo continues to struggle and Grant is disappointed (1:01:15). The rest of the show we preview the Texas Tech game, beginning with Henry Colombi -- Tech's brand new starting quarterback (1:07:00). Tech's offense is different than in the past and it looks like they'll force OU's DBs and LBs to tackle in space (1:11:30). Tech has the worst defense in the Big 12, so OU's offense will have zero excuses if it doesn't put up a lot of points (1:21:05). If Rhamondre Stevenson plays and gets a lot of carries that should lead to a lot of rushing yards for the Sooners (1:24:30). Lee's running late so he wants to know if OU's gonna win (1:28:25)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 169 - All the Ingredients For a Breakout Game vs. TCU

No opening take today, but the guys jump right into asking the question: will Rhamondre Stevenson, Trejan Bridges, and Ronnie Perkins play vs. TCU (2:35)? If all three of those players are available to play, which would have the biggest impact in the game (8:10)? How often will Chris Murray play? And it sounds like Lincoln Riley's starting to get more of a full roster at practice (13:15). Grant's really excited about the defensive line and that's the thing he likes the most about OU through four games (14:40). Lee likes that we're seeing the early stages of what "Speed D" could actually be down the line (21:00). It's possible OU's secondary played against the best collection of weapons college football has ever seen vs LSU (24:40). Running backs, safeties, discipline, and mentality are all the things we don't really like about OU through four games (27:25). We shift over to the OU-TCU preview. This game is set up perfectly for OU's running game to break out (36:30). Lee's got some crazy stats about TCU's defense and allowing explosive plays (46:30). Talking TCU's defense against Sam Ehlinger and Grant finally saw what Lee's been seeing in Ehlinger all this time (51:00). Will OU bring back the pop pass? And will the Sooners be able to attack TCU's defense over the middle of the field (54:10)? Max Duggan makes TCU's offense go -- if OU contains him, the Sooners' defense should have their way (55:55). Touching on some of TCU's playmakers outside of Duggan (1:04:40). Hopefully Gabe Brkic is all good Saturday (1:06:30). The guys go over what they *want* to see happen vs. TCU. First time we've really mentioned Spencer Rattler and his mistakes (1:08:00). Grant's not very happy in hindsight that OU played Missouri State. And what would have OU-Tennessee looked like (1:17:10)? Back to OU-TCU as the guys tell you what *will* happen Saturday (1:19:35). We make some wishy washy predictions for the game. We know, we're lame. Also we talk about Kennedy Brooks and Justin Harrington being gone (1:21:20). Is OU's record preventing us from being as engaged with the rest of college football (1:24:15)? Grant goes on the record with another take about LSU's offense and its offensive coordinator (1:26:30). The Big Ten gets going this weekend and Grant is excited to watch his Gophers, plus Grant is super pumped for the Pac 12 eventually playing 9am games (1:29:40). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 168 - Sooners Finally Beat Texas After Blowing Another Late Lead

In the opening take, Lee tells you what he was thinking throughout Saturday's crazy win over Texas. Then Grant joins to briefly talk about his appearance on another OU football podcast (5:50). Lee thought re-watching that game was exhausting. Grant defends re-watching old OU games (7:00). We get into the game. Horrible start for OU, but then out of nowhere the Sooners got a takeaway. OU really shut down the Texas run game (10:25). The OL and the running backs played their best game, particularly T.J. Pledger (14:05). The offense struggled punching it in from short yardage early in the game (18:25). Tre Brown got an interception wiped off the board. Was it really a bad call? Lee's worried that OU's coaches could be reinforcing bad habits (21:10). Marcus Major had his best run as a Sooner and was aided by some nice blocking on the perimeter (25:00). Lee breaks down the x's and o's of Spencer Rattler's touchdown pass to Marvin Mims (28:20). Grant wants to talk a little about Linconl Riley's play calling philosophy (33:15). Spencer Rattler's interception was absolutely horrible (36:45). OU's defense holds Texas to a field goal, but Lee saw another example of Alex Grinch's high risk/high reward scheme that burned the Sooners (38:35). Rattler's turns it over again (42:00). If OU was 3-0, would Riley have put Mordecai into the game? And Pledger fumbles on his best run of the year (46:40). Nik Bonitto made a great 3rd down play on Ehlinger, which led to David Ugwoegbu blocking the punt. Grant would like OU to stop getting celebration penalties (50:20). Lee's glad that Mordecai got his shot, but unfortunately two plays really stood out showing that Mordecai is not ready for primetime (59:45). Isaiah Thomas was fantastic and he's been a bright spot for OU (1:10:15). Marvin Mims needs to touch the ball more. He sets OU up for its first touchdown of the 3rd quarter, followed by that super long 8+ minute TD drive (1:12:10). Defense gets a 3 & out, offense takes over with a 14 point lead, and that's when the play calling gets indefensible (1:17:00). OU's defense kept getting Texas off the field, but the offense couldn't put the game away (1:25:00). Woodi Washington picks off Ehlinger, which should have finally been the nail in Texas' coffin. It wasn't (1:31:50). Rattler almost gives the ball back to Texas, and we both didn't have a problem with OU passing the ball on 3rd & 9 (1:38:40). Grant was really frustrated with Lincoln Riley in the 4th quarter (1:43:35). Of course Texas goese down and ties the game, aided by a couple of penalties by Pat Fields (1:45:30). Rattler to Stogner in OT was beautiful(1:49:20). It wouldn't be an OU-Texas game if Texas didn't get away with a blatant penalty that led to a touchdown (1:55:05). How cool was it to see OU block a field goal (1:57:00)? Never trust college kickers unless you absolutely have to. And Grant makes a really good argument for why you don't kick Brkic when they did (1:59:30). Drake Stoops scored a touchdown and Tre Brown ended that horribly long game (2:07:10). Lee has some startling stats about penalties by secondary players (2:08:35). We play a soundbite from Alex Grinch and say some nice things about the OU defense (2:15:00). We find out live on the show that Nick Saban has Covid (2:29:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 167 - Are the Sooners a Bad Football Team?

In the opening take, Grant tries to put into perspective this 1-2 start to the season for the OU football team. Then Lee joins to explain why his thoughts on this team hasn't changed at all from this time last week (6:15). Grant doesn't have a doom and gloom outlook right now and he references a few other down OU seasons that may be similar to 2020 (9:05). What should the expectations be for this OU team (12:00)? The guys really don't think the offensive line is playing that bad, and we don't think Lincoln Riley thinks that either (17:50). Here's why we think the current running backs aren't getting the job done (23:55). Why did Lincoln Riley decide to kick a FG on that first drive (33:00)? Let's talk OU defense. The front 7 looked good, but of course tackling was horrible (37:40). Lee looked back at Alex Grinch's second season at Wasington State through the first three games -- the stats are somewhat similar. Does that mean anything (42:30)? OU's secondary continues to give up big plays through the air and they can't buy a turnover to save their lives (44:30). Should we just accept that OU has down seasons sometimes (50:50)? We are learning more and more about "Speed D" being a high risk/high reward scheme that puts a lot of pressure on the secondary. Is that sustainable in the Big 12 (58:00)? What's the reason for the 4th quarter defensive collapses (1:01:35)? OU's offense leaving points on the field all night was a problem (1:07:10). Spencer Rattler is the least of OU's problems right now. And Brock Purdy hasn't gotten any better since his freshman year (1:08:30). Stogner and Hall have been fantastic, while the wide receivers have not been as good as we would have liked (1:11:15). Let's go over some positives, which includes one of the RBs, and we think Obi should have been credited with a TD (1:15:00). Gabe Brkic continues to be awesome and he started what turned out to be the best sequence of the game for OU (1:19:45). But what followed was a big kickoff return and the rest of the game was bad (1:22:45). OU and Texas plays in a few days and Texas looks exactly like it has for the last 10 years (1:24:00). Remember that 3rd & 11 conversion from Rattler to Stogner? Plus Rattler's mobility was great vs. Iowa State (1:30:50). Grant has an ultra hot take about the running backs and more evidence from Saturday (1:35:50). Lee saw Iowa State using motion to set themselves up for advantageous plays against OU. Will Texas see this on film (1:41:15)? OU's defense dominated Texas last season, yet Texas was in the game the whole way. And will Ronnie Perkins play (1:44:00)? Do OU fans think the Sooners will win this weekend? Also, we both don't think OU will win Saturday (1:46:30). Listener questions about playing different players in the secondary and which food we would deep fry at the Texas State fair. We also wax poetic about the cool atmosphere of OU-Texas (1:48:40). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 166 - How Much Do You Care About That K-State Disaster?

In the opening take, Lee presents his mea culpa for his horrible predictions last week and also wonders about the general interest of college football across the nation. Then Grant joins to take his licks about his Deuce Vaughn takes from last week (7:00). It doesn't take much time into getting into how stupid and dumb that K-State game was (8:10). Lee wants Grant to react a little bit about opening take (11:00). OU's lost a lot of these types of games since 2009 (14:55). What's the deal with OU's offense late in close home games? Also, has OU just been really lucky in recent years (20:15)? What's the deal with OU's defense giving up explosive plays to Kansas State (25:00)? Lee tries to explain in detail what happened schematically on a few of those K-State explosive plays, which leads to a bunch of ranting about the defense (31:15). OU's defense dominated nearly every single snap of the game -- but 5-6 snaps did enough to help K-State win the game (37:30). A little bit of Skylar Thompson talk, which leads to Grant making up a meaning for a word that already exists. Also, it would be great if OU's defensive players just did their jobs individually and should the defense make some changes (40:50)? Okay, so we have to at least touch on Bryan Mead (45:25). OU's defensive line is really missing Ronnie Perkins and Jalen Redmond, plus should OU move DTY to linebacker? Yeah, we're throwing it all against the wall (47:40). Is OU still lacking talent on defense? Lee just wants them to be better with communication (51:30). What should be our expectations for this OU football team (56:30)? Lee didn't think the offensive line played as bad as everybody says they did. Grant sort of agrees, plus he's not sure why OU threw bubble screens to Charleston Rambo (1:01:30). This offense really misses Stevenson, Brooks, and Sermon at RB (1:05:00). Did OU get all of its bad luck out of the way (1:11:00)? Outside of a few plays, Spencer Rattler was really good against K-State (1:15:00). Lee thinks the team will have less pressure now that they've already lost a game (1:20:05). We read your "3 word reviews" from Facebook and Twitter (1:26:20). DaShaun White played really well (1:32:00). K-State was missing a lot of players and a bunch of unexpected people killed OU (1:33:40). OU plays Iowa State this Saturday and we have no clue what to expect (1:38:05). Lee has a very important question regarding OU's defense when it comes to playing against Iowa State (1:44:40). Grant shifts to the NFL as he admits he's changed his mind about Buffalo QB Josh Allen (1:47:10). Should Grant go to the Iowa State game (1:55:25)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 165 - K-State Doesn’t Look Good... But That Didn’t Matter Last Year, Did It?

In the opening take, Lee laments everything that Houston's football team has had to go through since the beginning of September. Then Lee talks a little bit about the possibility of Saturday's game against K-State getting postponed before bringing Grant in for his thoughts (4:30). Just how short-handed was K-State in its season opener against Arkansas State (12:05)? We may have gotten a little ahead of ourselves last episode inferring that other programs may not take contact tracing as seriously as others (21:45). It seems like OU's roster should be a lot more full this Saturday (26:20). We look ahead to K-State, beginning with the Wildcats' defensive line and what we know about Wyatt Hubert, the best way to attack this defense, and a little info on K-State's new defensive coordinator (30:10). Grant wants to marvel over Spencer Rattler (42:10). Lee's interested to see how Rattler reacts to K-State's defense on 3rd down, plus a K-State linebacker expects his team to win this Saturday (46:40). Ark State had one WR go for three TDs against K-State. What will OU's WR group do against this secondary (50:45)? K-State's offensive line looks really bad (54:20). Does K-State have any good running backs this year (1:02:55)? K-State has a couple of pretty good WRs, but will we see the normal Skylar Thompson who's not very good, or the Thompson who beat OU last year (1:06:20)? Grant's a little more skeptical about this game, while Lee is pretty confident OU is going to win by a lot of points (1:14:25). Lincoln Riley doesn't seem to think the three suspended players will have their penalties reduced (1:24:45). Does Grant feel like spiking the ball when it comes to his Oklahoma State season prediction? And Lee doesn't really get why OSU's backup quarterback wasn't pulled from the game earlier (1:31:35)? OSU plays West Virginia this week which is a super interesting game (1:39:55). The SEC is back this weekend and Lee thinks contact tracing won't be as much of an issue with that conference (1:42:25). Sports just aren't as fun in 2020 (1:44:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 164 - Missouri State Wrap, Contact Tracing Trouble, and the Big Ten

In the opening take, Grant has some advice for us as we look ahead to the remainder of the 2020 college football season. Then Lee joins to ask Grant for his hot takes, and we start with Spencer Rattler talk (4:40). Lee comes in with a hot take about Marvin Mims, which leads Grant to go into his full fledged defense of Charleston Rambo (17:20). Okay now let's talk about Mims (24:05). Rattler sounds like he's matured quite a bit since he arrived in Norman (28:20). If you're going to criticize any part of OU from Saturday it would be the running game (31:45). Seth McGowan looked great Saturday, while Marcus Major left a lot to be desired (39:45). We go over all the offensive players who were not available to play Saturday (50:20). The guys talk about the Nebraska game from 2008, which makes Lee feel like one of those jerks who only talks about old football seasons (54:20). The OU defense looked more than ready to hit somebody else (58:50). David Ugwoegbu looked like he ate CeeDee Lamb (1:05:20). Lincoln Riley liked what he saw from Reggie Grimes and we definitely have to credit DTY for the way he played (1:08:30). We go over all the defensive players who missed the game, plus two of OU's important specialists (1:10:30). We think we know a little more now about the three players who are suspended and a better idea of when they'll be back. We think (1:18:45). Lincoln Riley provided a brief update on transfer Chris Murray, which Grant has been waiting for (1:25:35). Turns out the NCAA has a uniform standard when it comes to Covid-19 contact tracing. This whole thing could be a major issue this fall (1:30:45). Do the current guidelines incentivize players to get Covid-19? (1:37:20). We lament that Covid-19 in college football has seemingly been politicized (1:44:00). The Big Ten is coming back in late October. Grant thinks this entire story has been incredibly entertaining and we try to get to the bottom of it (1:49:30). We agree that the Big Ten should admit they made a mistake, and at the same time the other conferences can show grace by allowing the Big Ten back in (2:01:35). The Big Ten's statement Wednesday put health at the forefront of its decision, which really bugs us (2:06:35). Lee asks the Big Ten 'what has changed in the last month that led you to make this decision?' (2:12:50). Grant leaves us with a heartfelt thought on why college football is important and why it means so much to him (2:16:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 163 - We’re Back For a Mega Pod. Let’s Talk OU Football.

In the opening take, Lee feels bad for all the college football players who won't be playing this fall. Then Grant joins to discuss our excitement level for the upcoming college football season (7:10). We go over what will be different about the show moving forward (12:40). OU released its first depth chart earlier today and begin at the top with Spencer Rattler (15:10). Our discussion shifts from Rattler to the H-Back position where we believe the Sooners are loaded (32:45). Charleston Rambo and Marvin Mims are at the Z receiver spot (38:30). Random Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield digression (45:55). We go over the guys who are taking over CeeDee Lamb's old receiver spot (47:10). Will we know anything new about the appeals on the suspensions? So we complain about the NCAA for a while (54:35). We finish up with Obi Obialo at the Y spot(1:01:00). Are the running backs interesting to talk about? Well of course. Kennedy Brooks is gone, but the rest of the guys should be fine behind this offensive line (1:03:20). OU's gonna have a true freshman starting at LT (1:06:50). Over to the defense as we talk about this intriguing defensive line with Ronnie Perkins' availability in question and Jalen Redmond gone (1:14:10). More on Redmond's opt out plus more angst about the other conferences not playing this fall (1:19:00). We go to the linebackers (1:24:40). The OU secondary is in really good shape and we begin with Bookie talking about the aftermath of that LSU game plus Grant defends Bookie's play from 2019 (1:31:20). Tre Brown is the most experienced guy in the secondary and it sounds like Alex Grinch has seen a lot of improvement (1:39:20). It's the OU defense so of course we have to talk about takeaways (1:43:00). Grant asks Lee to give his opinion on Barry Switzer (1:47:50). Lincoln Riley tells us the standard hasn't changed at OU -- then the guys go over their expectations for the Sooners and the college football season (1:51:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 162 - Let’s Watch the 2013 OU-Notre Dame Game (2nd Half)

We continue our viewing of the 2013 OU-Notre Dame game beginning with the Irish starting the 3rd quarter with a bang and Grant talking about weddings during game days. Grant saw Kerry Cooks on the Notre Dame sidelines and Brady details his experience watching the OU-Georgia Rose Bowl. Also discussed are the squib kick and Jake Fromme (4:30). For some reason we talk about Dak Prescott and then Sam Bradford. Yep, we're all over the place (13:15). Blake Bell has to leave the game with a minor injury, so we talk about that time Baker Mayfield pretended to pull his hamstring against Ohio State in 2017 (15:20). Could Lincoln Riley have used Kyler Murray more in the Rose Bowl? That leads to a Baker vs. Kyler debate (16:10). Time for more Mike Stoops talk, which includes that horrible Army game from 2018 (27:55). Sterling Shepard makes a play (37:50). Grant figures out what was happening on this day in college football back in 2013 (41:00). Adrian Peterson is still playing football, but also doing local commercials. Speaking of AD makes Brady think back to the 2006 OU-Oregon game (43:00). We all decide that if we had the power to go back and change the 2008 OU-Florida game we would (49:00). OU beats Notre Dame and the guys provide their final thoughts (52:35). Grant has some thoughts on Brandon Everage before we wrap up this podcast (57:05). | YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrN6xWharg&list=PLgT-IQCnl5OHOrA3rbpSrp1nFeVN0J4pl&index=4 | Credit: LASooner | YouTube game action time code (9:28-37:09), (47:12-1:12:39), (1:24:25-2:04:02), (2:21:39-end) | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 162 - Let’s Watch the 2013 OU-Notre Dame Game (First Half)

In the opening take, Lee gives some advice to a prominent ESPN personality. Then, Grant joins the show along with Brady Trantham of "The Franchise" and many OU and OKC Thunder podcasts to talk about how we are ripping him off with this podcast (6:10). Landry Jones comes up, so does the 2012 OU-Notre Dame game, which leads to James Harden being mentioned (10:00). We begin watching the 2013 OU-Notre Dame, which includes some early big plays by the defense (13:45). OU's offense comes out on the field for the first time and has no trouble moving down the field. This leads to a debate about Damien Williams' credentials for Super Bowl MVP (21:20). Lee wants to know if OU went on to win the National Championship this season (25:55)? Trevor Knight and Blake Bell talk (26:30). There's a lull in the game so let's talk about 2008 OU-Texas (32:45). This Notre Dame offense had a lot of future NFL players (34:40). Apparently OU has always had problems with backup quarterbacks (37:00). Brady talks a little about Mike Stoops and the OU defense (38:40). Brady figures out his favorite most obscure OU football player, which is De'Mond Parker (42:00). The second quarter begins with Brady discussing OU's history against Notre Dame (44:00). So, what's the proper way to count National Championships? That inevitably leads to us trying to fix the College Football Playoff (46:30). Brady goes back to the 2000 K-State game as he talks about his first memorable OU sports moment (1:01:00). Lee goes back to the Howard Schnellenberger era to describe his first OU memory (1:04:15). Grant used to be super excited about OU going under center, plus LaColtan Bester scores a TD to close out the first half (1:07:30) | YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrN6xWharg&list=PLgT-IQCnl5OHOrA3rbpSrp1nFeVN0J4pl&index=4 | Credit: LASooner | YouTube game action time code (9:28-37:09), (47:12-1:12:39), (1:24:25-2:04:02), (2:21:39-end) | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9