West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 84 - OU’s Indefensible Defensive Game Plan

In the opening take we hear from Lincoln Riley after Bedlam, then Lee admits his outlook on the rest of the season has changed. Following that, Grant joins and the guys immediately question OU's defensive game plan against OSU. It just did not make any sense (4:45). Grant makes a really good point about OU's continued incompetence in defensive game planning (12:55). We start looking ahead to the offseason and possible changes for the defensive coaching staff (16:25) before we go in on the terrible play by the secondary (18:00). For some reason OU felt like playing a base 4-3 with Caleb Kelly on the field predominantly was a good idea (20:45). Lee thinks people making Mike Stoops related jokes are losers (22:45). Quickly Lee praises Neville Gallimore's play in Bedlam (25:00). Then it gets serious as we wonder if Lincoln Riley will ultimately make the right decision when hiring a defensive coordinator (26:10)? It turns out the "keep it simple" approach by Ruffin McNeill has some drawbacks (30:55). WHY DOES OU KEEP DROPPING 8, IT DOESN'T WORK (35:40). OSU committing a false start actually helped them late in the game because OU's defense is so bad (45:55). The offense was awesome again and the terrible defense is forcing Kyler and co. to be perfect (47:20). Time for "3 Word Reviews" and we kick things off by talking about OSU's failed 2-point conversion attempt where the Sooners got very lucky (56:00). In a weird way, is it actually better to be a fan of OU compared to a fan of Alabama (1:15:50)? Virginia Tech got embarrassed by Pitt and more random college football talk to close things out (1:20:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 83 - Everything is Terrible. (And OU Should Win Bedlam)

In the opening take, Grant says this college football season has been pretty terrible -- and he's got plenty of evidence. Then Lee joins to talk about Grant's opening take and read a couple listener thoughts on the state of the 2018 college football season (6:35). A listener pointed out that it looked like Cody Ford got spit on during the Tech game, which prompted that punch (13:30). We wonder if Bookie will play this Saturday (18:30)? OSU's offense has been incredibly inconsistent this season, but if OU's game plan is similar to Tech it play right into OSU's hands (20:35). Grant explains how he'd like to see OU defend the Cowboys (24:00) and then Lee breaks down the play of Taylor Cornelius (25:15). Grant thinks Tylan Wallace is awesome and clearly OSU's best player (29:50). It looks like OSU's offensive line isn't very good and that's made it difficult for Justice Hill, who recently talked trash on Instagram (31:30). Watch out for Chuba Hubbard and also Cornelius running the ball (36:30). Which OSU offense are we going to see this Saturday (40:40)? OSU has a new defensive coordinator this season, but the Pokes defense still isn't very good (41:40). OSU uses Jordan Brailford in a bunch of clever ways on defense (45:00). The Sooners should be able to find success running the ball against OSU (48:20). Is blitzing Kyler Murray the best way to slow him down (50:50)? The guys say what they want to see this Saturday (51:40) and then make their predictions for Bedlam (54:00). We respond to a listener comment about all the stuff happening at Maryland and Grant is not happy at all about this story (56:45). Briefly touching on the Big 12 games this week (1:12:40). We're thinking that "Cross 'em Off" is dead (1:14:35) and Lee isn't all that interested in the CFP Rankings right now (1:16:00). Finally, we see if Grant can follow up his 4-1 week with more winners as we make picks against the spread (1:20:50). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 82 - OU Wins a Garbage Football Game in Lubbock

In the opening take, Lee realized something Saturday evening while watching college football. Then Grant joins to talk about the biggest headlines from OU's win over Texas Tech and it seems that Grant is more optimistic than Lee (4:00). Kyler Murray's bizarre early interceptions put the defense in horrible spots (11:30). OU's defensive line was tremendous against Tech and Lee thinks the DL is now the strength of the Sooners' defense (14:30). Grant says nothing has changed for OU as far as the Sooners outlook on the season (20:00), but Lee is just disappointed in the defensive game plan (21:50). Grant wants to talk offense, and he's actually pretty critical about Lincoln Riley's play calling in the 2nd half (24:20). The offensive line and the running game continues to absolutely dominate (30:15). Back to another clever Tech TD play which leads into a discussion about the awful officiating (31:20). Cody Ford should have been ejected in the 1st quarter and we wonder if the Big 12 will levy some sort of punishment this week (36:15)? Going over all the positive offensive performances including Lee Morris and bad luck Grant Calcaterra (38:15). Was that CeeDee Lamb's worst game as a Sooner (41:15)? The only thing that stops OU's offense is Oklahoma (42:20). We got a lot of really good "3 Word Reviews" sent to us on Twitter and Facebook (48:15). Grant wants to give Lee crap about LSU's offense and they discuss other random college football topics including OU's path to the CFP, and are we on the way to yet another lame Alabama-Clemson National Title Game (1:00:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 81 - Championship November Begins in Lubbock

In the opening take, Grant looks back on that fateful October night in 2016 where Oklahoma and Texas Tech played one of the more bonkers college football games in history. Then Lee joins to talk about the Browns, Lincoln Riley, and why all Sooners fans should not be worried at all about Riley's status at OU (7:30). Kenneth Murray continues to point to new simple approach to the defensive game plans (17:10). Grant's got four reasons why this Texas Tech offense will be the most difficult test of the season for the OU defense (21:50). Lee's seen on tape some potential ways to bait Alan Bowman into throwing an interception (30:45). It doesn't seem like Tech doesn't try to push the ball down the field as much as you may think (32:40). Will Bookie play Saturday (36:25)? We looked for some defensive advantages for the Sooners and Lee thinks OU has an edge in the trenches (39:30). Tech's offense is very clever and you'll be impressed by their play design if you watch closely (41:30). How many points allowed by the OU defense would be considered a successful performance (45:10)? Everybody is saying Tech's defense is better this season -- but is it really (49:40)? The guys say what they *want* to see this Saturday (58:25) and also what *will* happen when OU plays Tech in Lubbock (1:00:50). Listeners sound off on what they're confident will happen and what they're concerned about this Saturday (1:06:00). The guys are confused by the Iowa State-Kansas point spread and they talk about the rest of the Big 12 slate (1:10:05). Briefly touching on the first CFP rankings (1:13:15) before making our picks for the week (1:16:40). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 80 - OU’s Best Defensive Performance of the Season

In the opening take, Lee provides a couple concrete examples as to why coaching matters so much in the game of football. Then Grant joins to perhaps throw some cold water on Lee's extremely positive feelings about the defense (8:00). OU's defensive line played extremely well and it's great to see the even front working out well since the Sooners made the move to the 1-gap scheme (11:55). Does OU's defense play that well if Mike Stoops was still the DC (14:15)? You can tell Lincoln Riley is trying not to compare the current defense to Stoops' defense publicly (18:40). Lee gloats about being correct for predicting the tackling would immediately get better after the DC change was made, plus Robert Barnes played very well Saturday (24:00). Grant found it interesting that OU ran some base 4-3 for the first time in a long time (30:00) and Jalen Redmond flashed in his second game of the year (31:30). Not everything was perfect for the defense (35:10). You could probably convince us the Sooners offense this season is better than it was in 2017 (40:20). A listener wants to know if Creed Humphrey has been the key to OU's offensive line beginnng to gel (55:10)? Lee puts the long CeeDee Lamb TD catch in the spot light in a mini version of "Film Time w/Lee" (59:00) then Lee points out a sequence in the game that shows masterful scheming and playcalling by Riley (1:02:20). We give out our "3 word reviews" and also read listener reviews from the win over K-State (1:06:50). Texas loses to OSU, Lee is not high on the Big Ten, and other random thoughts about college football (1:13:45). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 79 - A Playoff Contender Should Whack the Wildcats

In the opening take, Grant reminds us all that college football will forever be unpredictable. Then Lee joins to talk injuries (7:00), before debating who's got the worse arm between Alex Delton and Alex Hornibook (9:30)? K-State's offense has been playing some of its best football of the season and Lee thinks this will be a bigger test than TCU (12:40). What are the odds OU's defense is more prepared for K-State's offense this season (15:25)? We both think this situation is perfect for Ruffin McNeill's simplistic approach (22:30). Grant brings up one thing about KSU's offense that gives him concerns (25:45). The guys like Ruffin McNeill's overly simplistic game planning method... for now (31:00). What are the odds K-State's defense holds OU to just one TD in the first half like last year, and it seems like a bad time for K-State to be facing this OU offense (38:00). The guys go over what they *want* to see Saturday and what *will happen* in Saturday's game (48:25). Taking a look at the other Big 12 games this week (58:30). Time to "Cross 'em Off" and we decide if we'd like to "Uncross off" any teams (1:05:25). Grant brings a good argument to the question "Is Alabama good for college football?" while Lee slowly realizes that he doesn't have a very good argument either way (1:16:15). Finally the guys like a decent amount of games this week as they make their picks against the spread (1:31:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 78 - The Defense Takes a Step Forward in Fort Worth

In the opening take, Lee was happy to be reminded of Kyler Murray's brilliance on Saturday. Then Grant joins to talk about what was a pretty positive showing by the Sooners against TCU (4:55). Pointing out the things that stood out to us about the OU defense on Saturday (7:00). Delarrin Turner-Yell and Jalen Redmond both played their first snaps of the season (10:30) and it looked like the secondary didn't make any egregious mistakes (11:15). Tackling was better, but still needs work. Plus OU showed good discipline at times at keeping contain (15:45). How much of the success can we attribute to TCU's offense just being bad (17:15)? Bookie and Haughton each dropped each interceptions and as a former defensive back Lee comes to their defense (20:40). Grant liked what he saw from the defensive line that four man front (23:50). It looks like Bookie may now be put in better positions to succeed moving forward (29:00) and Lee saw one interesting wrinkle on defense that he's never seen before (30:20). We finally get into all the wacky stuff that went on in the 2nd quarter that allowed TCU to get back into the game (35:20). Both of us were not happy about that unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Brown and Lamb, plus there were other nitpick penalties against OU (40:00). Moving over to the offense and we are just enamored by Kyler Murray's play (45:20). Lincoln Riley, you are awesome, but Grant hated your time management decision at the end of the first half (50:45). Kennedy Brooks breaks out and leads OU in rushing while the offensive line played well yet again (54:30). Marquise Brown took a nasty hit to his leg and we hope it's not too serious (1:00:35). OU plays well against TCU and Ohio State loses to Purdue -- let's do this college football (1:02:05). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 77 - So Long Insane Bye Week, It’s Time for TCU

In the opening take, Grant says there's only one way OU can reach the College Football Playoff. Then Lee joins to disagree with Grant's opening take (6:50). After that, the guys attempt to lay out everything that's happened in the days since Mike Stoops was fired, separating facts and other information that has not been corroborated. Did Lincoln Riley get pressured into the firing, was there a fight in the locker room, and did Stoops offer his resignation after the game (16:45)? Both guys think the OU defense can immediately improve under Ruffin McNeill and the Football Brainiacs have reported some interesting position changes (37:20). Lee sees a path to the Sooners' tackling improving right away (49:50). Taking a look at TCU's turnover prone offense (52:30). We've been ignoring the OU offense for the past few weeks because all the defensive drama. Let's talk about how well the Sooners ran the ball against Texas (1:06:00). TCU's defense doesn't jump off the screen to Grant as much as the Frogs did last year (1:12:00). Time to say what we *want* to see happen in the OU-TCU game (1:18:45). The guys tell you what will happen Saturday (1:25:00). A listener wants to know if OU should go out and get Iowa State's defensive coordinator (1:27:45)? Grant's got a fun team he wants to "cross off" today (1:33:00). Finally, the guys make their weekly picks against the spread (1:42:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 76 - ”Fire Mike Stoops” Becomes Reality

In this special emergency podcast Lee digs deep into the numbers to paint a picture of Mike Stoops' coaching career. Then Grant joins to cover all the aspects of Mike Stoops' firing. Plus Lincoln Riley explains how difficult the past couple of days have been and whether or not firing Stoops was his decision. | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 75 - OU’s Defense Embarrasses Itself at the Cotton Bowl

*NOTE: This episode was recorded BEFORE we learned that Mike Stoops had been fired. Look for an emergency podcast to be released soon.* In the opening take, Lee explains that we've seen more than enough evidence that it's time for OU to make a change on defense. Then Grant joins to question Oklahoma's football program (8:50), Lee starts ranting about random defensive stuff and his horrible prediction for that game (11:20). OU's defense is so bad that we don't even know what they should have done differently because we don't know what good defense looks like anymore (13:45)? Grant begins unpacking all the mistakes OU's defense made vs. Texas (17:25) before Lee starts ranting again (19:30). Grant tries to figure out why OU's defense always looks confused, while opposing offenses never look confused (24:25). I think we can say after six games it's clear that Bookie is playing out of position (29:40). The entire OU defense can't tackle it would seem (33:20), Grant says the Sooners are really bad at safety (34:15), and it's very difficult to tell if the players are bad or it's all scheme (35:00). Kyler Murray loses the first game that he started and finished since he was a small child (39:15), Grant brings up an innocuous play that actually summed up this game (41:35), plus OU's offense was tremendous (43:25). If Brent Venables was still at OU things would be lit (43:45). We finish up with some listener comments from Facebook and we're convinced that Texas has never missed a field goal against OU (47:20). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9