West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 161 - Grading Preseason Predictions and Terrible Takes

No opening take for this episode because we are continuing on from the last episode. Back in August we made a bunch of preseason predictions after Florida played Miami. This leads Grant to making a very early hot take (1:35). We jump into all of our preseason OU predictions beginning with the running backs and then realizing we both whiffed on a freshman WR (4:05). Grant went outside the box for OU's leading tackler, and he was pretty close (6:55). Lee is obsessed with the theory that OU "goosed" tackle stats in 2018, and he's got some numbers to back it up (8:00). Without looking, who do you think led OU in sacks in 2019 (11:35)? Was this our worst predicition of the preseason (12:45)? Lee thinks he got the "sleeper offensive impact player" correct and we finally realize that Nik Bonitto was the "sleeper defensive impact player" (15:20). We've found Grant's best preseason prediction (20:05). Predicting OU's "trap game" didn't go well for us (21:20). OU's "worst case scenario" predictions from August make us realize a lot of that stuff happened in 2019 (23:05)? On the flip side, some of the "best case scenarios" also played out in 2019 (24:30). Lee nailed the Big 12's most underrated and overrated teams in the preseason (26:40). Looking at the national scene, Grant didn't understand why Oregon was getting a lot of preseason love and Lee was totally wrong about Ohio State (29:40). Pretty crazy neither Tua nor Trevor Lawrence were Heisman finalists. And we found a quote Joe Burrow related quote from Grant (31:25). Lee goes over some of his worst takes including Robert Barnes and JaMarcus Russell (34:00). Grant's turn as he brings up Baker Mayfield and the 2000 OU football team (35:10). Grant wants to talk about the most ridiculous current sports take in his mind: Eli Manning is a hall of famer (38:15). Lee remembers Rob Parker had a Peyton Manning take back in 2012 that was horrible at the time and looks even worse today (49:40). We go to Facebook and Twitter and read off some bad takes from listeners (53:25). Lee misses watching this Oklahoma City Thunder team play basketball and he looks back at his worst Thunder-related take (55:50). Thank God the NFL did not delay free agency, although Grant doesn't seem to think Tom Brady leaving NE was as big of a deal as expected (58:30). Was the Texans-Cardinals trade the most lopsided deal you've ever seen? And when will the NFL learn to stop paying running backs (1:02:00)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 160 - ”Spring Football”, Caleb Williams, and Some TV

In the opening take, Lee admits he's found a new appreciation for the sports world. Then Grant joins to briefly discuss this weird, new world we are living in (4:15). Robert Barnes and Jamal Morris have moved to linebacker. We talk mostly about Barnes, and then hear from Alex Grinch (8:40). Lincoln Riley says Theo Howard could be available for the 2020 season (15:00). At least Riley won't have to pretend all spring that OU has a real QB competition, which leads us to talk more in depth about Spencer Rattler's high level attributes (16:25). Alex Grinch continues to be horrified by OU's lack of takeaways in 2019 (22:00). Grinch provided an update on what the defensive line looks like (25:20). With Parnell Motley gone, did Grinch give us a hint on who will take over for him in 2020 (28:10)? Grant describes what it was like for him on March 11 when everything seemed to change (32:35). OU has a great shot at 2021 top QB Caleb Williams, so the guys talk about what they've seen from his tape so far (34:20). Trey Sermon is gone and we both think he should make a big impact at Ohio State (43:00). Grant wants some feedback over something that could be a future segment on the show (50:40). A listener wants us to talk about OU basketball. Lee laments the loss of March Madness, while Grant provides more detailed thought about Lon Kruger's team (54:00). Unfortunately we have not seen "Tiger King" on NetFlix, so instead we talk about other TV shows we really love including "Parks & Rec", "Breaking Bad", and "Better Call Saul" (1:04:15). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 159 - New Coaches, Recruiting Rants, & Biggest Concerns

In the opening take, Grant's feeling much better after taking a lot of time off from the podcast and he's ready to figure out how OU can finally win the national championship yet again. Then Lee joins to talk briefly about OU's spring practice schedule and the possibility of another night spring game (6:00). Ruffin McNeill is no longer with the program and that's probably for the best (8:20). Jay Boulware is off to Texas and the guys have somewhat differing views of what happened (11:20). DeMarco Murray's job is to bring elite running backs to OU (14:25). We like Jamar Cain's resume and are hopeful that he can bring in some elite LBs and D-linemen (24:25). We take a deep dive into 2020 CB Joshua Eaton and decide he's a project player (29:45). Grant rants about how OU's done a bad job of developing defensive players of late (37:25). 2020 DE Reggie Grimes may be a project as well, but at least he's pretty big (40:25) plus more ranting about how OU is not recruiting the best defensive players (44:00). Inevitably the Peach Bowl domination comes up again (47:00). Lee thinks the biggest concern for OU right now is the secondary. It's like things never change (49:30). Grant is way more concerned about the defensive line (53:30). Time to get to the thing that we're not concerned about: the offense (1:04:15). Spencer Rattler is obviously the key to everything that involves OU being a team that's worth paying attention to or not (1:06:40). What happens if Rattler is as good as Tua was in his first full year as a starter (1:11:10)? Grant bums everybody out (1:14:20). Is it realistic to expect OU to win the national championship in the next 4 years (1:17:20)? We finish up with a couple of listener questions about Charleston Rambo (1:18:30) and the XFL (1:22:25). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 158 - Rattler vs. Mordecai & the Disastrous 2017 Defensive Class

In the opening take, Lee thinks LSU's time at the top will be short. Plus he talks about another year of Lincoln Riley NFL rumors. Then Grant joins to give some his thoughts on Lee's opening take and Dak Prescott. For some reason we talk about Prescott for longer than we should (8:00). Time to talk about Spencer Rattler vs. Tanner Mordecai from many different angles (13:00). Some brief thoughts on Brock Vandagriff decommitting (28:00). Some more defensive players are in the transfer portal so Grant wants to look back at what's turned out to be a disastrous 2017 defensive recruiting class (31:00). Where does OU need to improve in order to compete with the elite teams in college football (37:15)? Our initial thoughts on 2020 include Lee not feeling too positive, while Grant believes the ceiling will be extremely high on offense (45:40). More thoughts on Joe Brady leaving LSU and what that could mean for the Panthers (54:20). Dave Aranda to Baylor (59:30). Grant says the image of OBJ giving cash to Justin Jefferson is one of the funniest images he's ever seen in sports. Plus there's some random talk about cheating and paying players in college sports (1:01:20). Grant's not very high on OU's basketball team, plus we explain our plans for future shows (1:10:25). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 157 - Peach Bowl ”What Ifs” and Reflecting on Hurts’ OU Career

In the opening take, Grant is glad we took an extended "cool down period" before recording the latest episode and he's finally figured out LSU's Joe Burrow. Then Lee joins in time for Grant to call the Peach Bowl his least favorite OU game of all time and we try to pinpoint why we just really hate the LSU football program right now (6:00). Lee re-watched the Peach Bowl up until the game wasn't competitive anymore and took a lot of notes (16:00). There was one play very early in the game that showed us Jalen Hurts just didn't have it (19:05). Parnell Motley had a chance to make a potentially game-changing play when the score was 7-7 in the 1st quarter (23:45). Lee got a little bit of insight from Dusty Dvoracek after the Peach Bowl (25:40) and after re-watching it was confirmed to Lee that the Sooners played the same style of defense against LSU that OU had played all season (26:20). Another example of Jalen Hurts limiting OU's offense in the Peach Bowl (32:15). Down 14-7, Jaden Haselwood was pulled down, yet the flag didn't come out. This was the part of the game when Grant began to lose his cool (34:15). Lee has to give his thoughts on the idiotic Brendan Radley-Hiles play, before Grant comes back to that 3rd down play where Burrow throws up a prayer that was answered (36:00). There was one more "what if" play Lee noticed on the re-watch that could have resulted in an OU touchdown (41:30). Yeah we've got a lot of sour grapes, but hats off to LSU for being awesome (43:20). A listener has some thoughts on Jalen Hurts' tenure at OU, which leads to the guys giving their overall thoughts on Hurts' one season with the Sooners (45:10). We have a brief on air production meeting to figure out if we can record another podcast later this weekend (58:40). Lastly, we give some quick thoughts on Monday's National Championship Game (1:01:15). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 156 - Here’s How The Sooners Beat LSU

In the opening take, Lee admits he was wrong about Clyde Edwards-Helaire's impact on the LSU offense. Then the guys jump in to the massive Peach Bowl preview with Grant's thoughts on losing DTY (6:50) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire's injury (11:20). Everything you could want to know about LSU's offense taking on OU's defense (15:00). OU's offense vs. LSU's defense beginning with Patrick Queen's comments from Thursday (36:00). The guys tell you what they *want* to see happen in the Peach Bowl (54:10). Grant is up first telling us what *will* happen when the Sooners take on LSU Saturday (1:07:30). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 155 - The Sooners’ Slim Chances Are Somehow Even Slimmer Now

In the opening take, Lee knew OU didn't have a great chance to beat LSU at the start -- and somehow now the Sooners' chances are even worse. Then Lee jumps into the news of LSU's starting running back getting hurt this week (5:50). Next, we toss it to Grant who gives his thoughts on the news that three players will be suspended for the Peach Bowl. Grant also thinks losing Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be a massive blow for LSU (7:35). Lee responds to Grant's comments. Touching on Kenneth Murray's role in the Peach Bowl and the importance of Edwards-Helaire in LSU's offense (19:10). There are reports out there that Delarrin Turner-Yell will miss the Peach Bowl (22:20). Lee gives some brief National Signing Day thoughts on Jase McClellan and he also has minor thoughts on OU's recruiting class (24:35). Meanwhile, Grant has more extensive thoughts on the offensive players OU signed in the Class of 2020 (28:00). With Ronnie Perkins out for the Peach Bowl, who's going to play DE against LSU (34:10)? Lee asked Jalen Hurts and Creed Humphrey some questions Wednesday... and it didn't really go anywhere (38:20). Let's go back to National Signing Day for Grant's take on the defensive players OU signed Wednesday (40:50). Lee's watched the LSU-Florida game and he begins with how the Florida defense attacked LSU, and what the Sooners can take away from the Gators' performance (48:30)? Florida gave OU a solid amount of ideas on how to attack LSU's defense. Lee goes through the x's and o's of each clever concept he saw (58:00). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 154 - Can We Take Anything From That Early LSU-Texas Game?

In the opening take, Lee wants to make sure everybody is on the same page before we begin this episode of "West of Everest". Then Grant joins to give his thoughts on some of the rumors and gossip that have gone around message boards and OU websites of the past 48 hours (4:55). Grant didn't pay attention to any of the Heisman stuff this weekend because the show is just boring at this point and there wasn't much of a reason to watch if you like OU football (14:35). Should we care that some people didn't vote Joe Burrow for the Heisman? And one guy actually gave Tua a First Place vote (18:30). Chase Young got the second most 1st place votes and Lee can't in good conscious think he's the best player in college football (21:00). The guys start breaking down September's LSU-Texas game, beginning with asking the question: how much can we really take from this game since it was so long ago (23:50)? LSU's defense is playing much better now, but what did the Tigers do against Texas back then (26:40)? It looks like LSU's defensive strength is its secondary (29:45). Lee discovered some spots in LSU's defense that OU could attack. Grant also has some ideas (32:00). What concerns you the most about OU's offense going up against LSU's defense -- based on what we've seen from the LSU-Texas tape (39:45). Grant told us last time that LSU doesn't motion and move a lot pre-snap. Is that what we saw against Texas (44:40)? Joe Burrow was fantastic against Texas. Grant gets super angry because he thinks it's crazy that Burrow has gotten so much better compared to 2018 (48:15). LSU's offense never huddles, a lot of tempo, and LSU is almost exclusively in 11 personnel (57:40). LSU loved 3x1 sets against Texas. Lee was searching for tendencies, but LSU does a great job of making different plays all look the same based on formation (1:02:20). It looks like Burrow will try to attack perceived weaknesses in coverage. Will OU be able to disguise its looks (1:07:20)? We're all done with LSU talk, so Grant wants to talk about Baker Mayfield's 2019 season. If you want to hear us talk about Mayfield and the Browns for a while, this part is for you (1:16:15). Naturally the discussion shifts to Lamar Jackson. Will we be wrong about him in the long run (1:32:30)? Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 153 - OU’s Back in the Playoff After Another Baylor Brawl

No opening take today because the guys spent all their time late Saturday and early Sunday rewatching OU's second win over Baylor this season. Lee takes a bow for his thoughts on the Playoff Rankings over the past 4-5 weeks. And the guys briefly talk about how this is already a successful season for the Sooners (3:15). Punch up the OU-Baylor game and follow along as we go through the whole game in detail (9:25). Our first mention of Kenneth Murray, who played the best game of his OU career (14:00). CeeDee Lamb is back (15:00). The one and only time we talk about Parnell Motley (17:50). A play that worked early in the game for Baylor's offense is destroyed later by Pat Fields (23:30). After Charlie Brewer knocked Bookie out of the game briefly, Kenneth Murray blows up a Brewer run (28:00). Things have been going well up to this point... and then OU turns the ball over for the first time (30:10). Another horrible turnover set up Baylor for what would be the Bears first TD of the game (38:20). Lee rants about the blown coverage on Baylor's TD that tied the game at 10 (41:05). We dive into the 2nd half. OU's defense plays well with the exception of a couple of horrible plays that Lee rants on again, Jalen Hurts makes his best throw of the day, Reeves Mundschau had a great punt and we had OT in Arlington (48:55). A Baylor penalty helps out OU in overtime, Rhamondre Stevenson scores, and the defense dominates to win the game (1:20:15). "3-word reviews" (1:28:45), and some final thoughts about OU's upcoming game vs LSU (1:40:45). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 152 - One Final Chance to Impress the Playoff Committee

In the opening take, Grant lays the case OU vs Utah. Then Lee jumps in to explain that he's not too concerned about CeeDee Lamb's body language (7:15). Riley talked a little bit about the GT Counter play that we all love (9:35). Lee plays audio from Alex Grinch as he explains what he's seen from his defense over the last few weeks (10:50). The All-Big 12 Awards came out Wednesday, and Grant thinks there were a bunch of questionable selections (15:55). The guys separately give their thoughts on the matchup between OU's offense vs Baylor's defense (24:00). Lee looks back at Alex Grinch's history to help his case that OU's defense should be prepared against Baylor's offense (32:55). Grant gives his take on OU's defense vs Baylor's offense (37:25). Grant tells you what he *wants* to see happen when OU plays Baylor in the Big 12 Title (42:00) followed by what Lee *wants* to see (44:35). Lee's starting to believe in this team again as he tells you what *will* happen Saturday in Arlington (47:05). Grant's not as optimistic as Lee, but he's still feeling good about what *will* happen vs Baylor (51:10). Finally, Grant has some further thoughts about the College Football Playoff committee and how he feels about the current ranking (53:25). Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9