West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 65 - FAU Did Not Belong on the Same Field as OU. Period.

In the opening take, Lee explains how Kyler Murray showed him exactly what he was hoping to see on Saturday. Then Grant joins to talk about what it's like to catch flack for being so worried about FAU and what he saw from Kyler Murray (6:20). OU's offense was pretty awesome on Saturday (13:25). Grant was impressed with the offensive line, and the guys are not on the same page about a random Kyler Murray rushing play (20:30). Lee loved the play design on Anderson's second TD run and he explains why during "Film Time w/Lee" (27:10). Wrapping up the offensive talk with Austin Kendall's injury before providing a final offensive grade (30:40). Lee saw one potentially worrisome thing from the defense that has not changed since 2017 (35:45). OU slowed down Devin Singletary along with the rest of FAU's offense and we're trying not to get too excited (39:35). The Sooners' defensive line played well, particularly Ronnie Perkins (41:15). Curtis Bolton got the start at WILL, while Caleb Kelly also played significant snaps. Meanwhile, Kenneth Murray did not record one tackle Saturday, but Lee thought Murray looked okay (47:00). OU played nickel along with its base 3-4 against FAU. A lot of players switched in and out in the secondary -- but Bookie stayed on the field at all times (51:20). Both guys give their overall defensive grades (57:40). Lee saw Delarrin Turner-Yell pregame in street clothes with a big brace on his leg, and Mike Stoops said some kind of funny stuff in the postgame presser (59:00). Shane Beamer is immediately noticed on special teams (1:01:40). Grant explains how he watched the OU-FAU game in Amsterdam (1:04:20). The guys finish up by sharing their thoughts on the rest of Week 1 of college football (1:08:05). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 64 - Beware of the Owls

In the opening take, Grant has an important message for Sooners fans who are taking FAU lightly. Then Lee joins to get an update on Grant's European honeymoon (5:30). We're recording Tuesday, so at this time there still isn't an OU depth chart. Will the Sooners even release one (9:20)? Covering the rest of the news and notes from Lincoln Riley's Monday presser including Justin Broiles being a student of the game and one depth chart question has already been answered (13:30). Is FAU really a top 20-25 team in the nation (20:35)? FAU has a new offensive coordinator and some key pieces returning on offense including one of the best RBs in the nation (22:35). FAU needs to replace three starting offensive linemen, plus the Owls still have an ongoing QB competition (28:40). FAU's 2017 offense reminds the guys of what Chip Kelly used to do with Oregon (34:40). Lee goes over what he's seen on film from FAU's offense (35:55). Grant thinks FAU's offense will try and attack Kenneth Murray plus Grant busts out all the offensive S&P numbers (39:05). A listener wants to know if FAU's big offensive numbers are mostly a result of playing bad competition in 2017 (43:25)? Grant thinks the Sooners need to run blitz against FAU, while Lee provides other ways to attack this Owls offense (47:10). FAU has a new defensive coordinator, so we're not sure if the 2017 film is very useful. Plus Grant dives into FAU's S&P defensive numbers (53:45). Can a Southern Miss game from 2017 give us any clues on what to expect from FAU's defense Saturday (57:20)? Grant found some stats that may support the theory OU's going to be able to run the ball at will (59:55). Lee didn't see much on tape from FAU's best defensive player (1:03:40). The guys explain what they *want* to see from OU in this game against FAU (1:07:30). The guys tell us what *will* happen on Saturday and they each give us a score prediction (1:16:10). Quickly going through some of the Big 12 games worth watching this week (1:21:10). Josh Heupel makes his debut at UCF on Thursday, Lee is already dogging Penn State, and the guys discuss some other interesting Week 1 matchups (1:24:15). Finally, we make our Week 1 picks against the spread (1:27:55). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 63 - It’s Finally Game Week. Let’s Make Some Predictions

**BIG SEASON PREVIEW PODCAST** In the opening take, Lee provides a primer on what to expect from this episode. Then Grant joins to reminisce about some of last year's predictions (3:00) before jumping into the individual player predictions beginning with OU's leading receiver in 2018 (5:30). The guys play it safe with their prediction for OU's leading tackler (9:30). It's difficult to predict OU's sacks leader (11:35). Predicting OU's most important offensive player (16:30). Kenneth Murray is discussed quite a bit as the guys predict the most important defensive player (20:40). Lee picks a RS-Freshman and Grant takes an unusual route when talking about OU's sleeper offensive player (28:05). Grant backs his main man for the sleeper defensive player, while Lee cheats on his pick (31:45). Time to talk impact freshmen on offense (37:00) and then on defense (41:45). Let's talk about the Sooners' schedule beginning with the trap game (or games) for 2018 (43:00). Finishing up schedule talk by predicting OU's final regular season record (48:50). Time to talk Big 12 teams beginning with an underrated team (53:00), and a huge disagreement on the overrated team (55:30). Predicting the teams who will play in the Big 12 Championship Game (58:45). Grant is way down on a perennial powerhouse as the guys begin to discuss national overrated teams (1:00:00). Lee realizes he's not ready to predict an underrated national team, while Grant picks up the slack and eventually complains about Alabama's easy schedule (1:04:25). Lee still doesn't care much about the Heisman Trophy, yet the guys still make a prediction on who will win the award (1:12:00). The guys have changed their Final 4 predictions, but their National Champion has not (1:14:30). Finally, discussing some college football storylines that we just don't get (1:21:25). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 62 - Austin Kendall Could Really Win This Thing

In the opening take, Lee runs through the history of QB competitions in Lincoln Riley's career. Then Lee explains how this episode is different from previous editions of the show. After that, Lee jumps into his QB competition theory (8:00). Did Riley hint at when he's going to make a decision on the starting QB (16:00)? Is Lee Morris going to play some tight end this season (19:50)? Riley is really excited and interested in the starting center competition (22:40). Drake Stoops is getting run with the first team offense and it sounds like he's having a great fall camp (27:05). Lee's not sure he would be a very good college football recruiter (35:20). Marcelias Sutton has emerged as the No. 3 running back (38:15). The OU defense played well in the scrimmage Saturday and Riley has thoughts on a lot of the players on that side of the ball (39:40). Lee answers some listener questions about Justin Broiles and Robert Barnes (42:20) and the young potential impact players on defense (45:20). Lee's got some quick takes on some of the over and underrated teams ranked in the AP Top 25 (48:05). Finally, does it really matter that zero OU players are on the preseason AP All-American team (54:45)? | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 61 - The Starting Defense is Beginning to Take Shape

In the opening take, Lee provides an update on what to expect from the show in the coming weeks. Then, Grant joins to explain why he would never get married during football season (5:25). Grant thinks this has been a very secretive OU Fall Camp (7:20). A "West of Everest" source has info from the Sooners first scrimmage which leads into a discussion about Austin Kendall's legitimate chances of starting Week 1 (10:15). Moving to the linebackers where Caleb Kelly and Kenneth don't have starting spots locked in (16:15). The guys go off on a random sidebar about Delarrin Turner-Yell (18:05). Back to the linebackers where Grant refuses to believe Murray and Kelly are in danger of losing their jobs (21:45). It sounds like Justin Broiles is the leader for the FS job (24:20). The guys update their predictions on who will start for the defense on Day 1 (27:25). A listener asks the age old question about Big 12 offenses vs SEC defenses (45:10). Is Kansas State a team who could actually be good this season (54:50)? Lee is still very nervous about the Iowa State game (59:00). Baker Mayfield looked really good in his NFL Preseason debut, and Grant brings up a pretty legendary QB when he's discussing Baker (1:02:15). Lee contends the Vikings defense got embarrassed last season in the NFC Championship, and Grant doesn't think it's fair to rag on the Vikes. It's a pretty random sidebar for an OU football podcast (1:06:45). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 60 - We’ve Got Theories on Kyler Murray and Trey Sermon

In the opening take, Grant outlines the main position battles you need to pay attention to at Sooners fall camp. Then Lee joins to talk about Nate Hybl and the 2002 Big 12 Champoinship game (8:55). Kyler Murray and Lincoln Riley don't seem to be on the same page as Murray's agent (11:55). Lee has a possibly crazy theory as to why OU is not publicly saying this is Murray's final year playing football (19:15). Starrland Baldwin will miss the season (23:00). Rodney Anderson and a couple other notable players were limited Monday at practice, but this doesn't seem to be a big deal (25:10). Lee was at practice Monday and he offers a few observations that stood out to him (28:35). It's weird that we're all kind of overlooking Trey Sermon, and Grant has a super interesting theory about Sermon's possible role this year (30:15). The guys discuss the center position battle because they disagree on who will win the job (34:20). Quick sidebar to talk about Orlando Brown's nice performance in the Hall of Fame Game (36:15). Lee got a chance to talk with Cody Ford on Monday and asked him about that rotation with Bobby Evans, and Ford's transition from guard to tackle (37:50). Grant triggers Lee by mispronouncing Bill Bedenbaugh's name which leads to Lee ranting about people getting Marcus Mariota's name wrong (43:30). Twitter is telling Grant that Drake Stoops looks impressive and the guys breakdown a video tweeted by OU Football (46:45). Due to technical difficulties, Lee explains why we had to cut the show short today (49:00). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 59 - Early Position Battles and Playoff Predictions

In the opening take, Lee has an update on the OU secondary position battles heading into fall camp and brings up one question that hasn't fully been answered yet. Then, Grant joins to talk briefly about Baker Mayfield's positive training camp so far with the Browns (6:10). Grant describes an unfortunate story that dominated OU's "ChampU BBQ" over the weekend (9:50). Shifting back to the Sooners' secondary as Lee explains why he's not thrilled about the idea of a base Nickel defense. Grant tells us how a Nickel defense could be a good thing (18:30). Grant is puzzled by the strong safety position battle, while Lee tries to provide a little context (24:05). Lee isn't concerned about the safety positions because DBs switch positions all the time and OU's got a lot of talent back there (28:00). What about the cornerbacks? Kerry Cooks says something that all OU fans probably thought last year and Grant loves himself some Tre Brown (30:40). Bill Bedenbaugh provides some clarity on Bobby Evans and Cody Ford's roles at each tackle position (32:50). So, when is Bill Bedenbaugh going to get a head coaching job offer (38:50)? Calvin Thibodeaux has some very honest words about Neville Gallimore and the guys talk more about the defensive line as a whole (40:00). Tim Kish confirms that Curtis Bolton is definitely competing for a starting job and more linebackers talk (46:50). We begin the "Listener Question" segment with an inquiry about Marcelias Sutton's role on this team (51:30). The guys give reasons why the defense could be better than last year (55:40). Is Bookie a better player at CB or at safety (59:45)? Any threat that Austin Kendall transfers if/when Murray wins the starting QB job (1:01:30)? Going over the best case and worst case scenarios for OU's 2018 season (1:04:30). We do an early CFP prediction and Grant has a surprising pick (1:12:45). Finally, the guys discuss whether this is a do or die season for Mike Stoops (1:21:40)? | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 58 - Is This Quarterback Competition Actually a Real Thing?

In the opening take, Grant believes he's detected an ongoing theme surrounding OU football as the Sooners prepare for the beginning of fall camp. Then Lee joins to talk about the overall theme of the Sooners during 2017's fall camp (6:30). The topic shifts to the best game OU played during the 2017 season (8:15). After the small talk, the guys shift to an injury update covering Jalen Redmond, Chanse Sylvie, Nick Basquine, and others (10:20). The discussion shifts to the QB competition as a few of the players give their takes on Murray v Kendall. Also, the guys debate whether the coaches are telling the players what to say, or do the OU players just see Murray and Kendall very close during workouts? (20:00). Kyler Murray gives his thoughts on the QB competition (29:00). Austin Kendall provides a very intriguing soundbite regarding his relationship with Kyler Murray (31:15). Grant is starting to believe that Lee is rooting for Austin Kendall to win the job (35:00). Kyler talks about being super hungry for the upcoming season and his teammates reaction to him being a millionaire now (39:05). Lee clarifies his position on the quarterback competition (44:15). The guys talk about Cody Ford and how it seems like he could turn out to be a pretty important member of the OL this year (46:00). Finishing up the offensive discussion with some news and notes including Rodney Anderson's thoughts on the offensive capabilities in 2018 (51:20). Should we be surprised that Caleb Kelly will be competing for the starting WILL LB spot (55:00)? Jordan Parker has been getting reps at safety this summer (1:03:00). Surprise, surprise, Bookie comes up and Mike Stoops has some nice things to say about the freshman (1:05:35). Talking linebacker depth and significant improvements on the defensive line since last year (1:08:40). Grant is starting to talk himself into the Kenneth Murray sophomore bounce back year (1:14:45). | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 57 - There’s Something About Kenneth Murray

In the opening take, Lee talks about the most interesting thing he heard while attending Big 12 Football Media Days at the Star in Frisco. Then Grant joins to explain why we didn't use a DeMarco Murray play in the intro (5:00). Shifting to the OU QB competition. Lee has a theory that Austin Kendall may actually be the best person to start for the Sooners (8:15). Grant buys Lee some time while he pulls up Riley's soundbite about offensive leadership (21:10). Grant is worried that Jonathan Alvarez is mentioned among the offensive line (24:00). Is it troublesome that Riley did not mention Bobby Evans individually as one of the OL leaders (28:25)? Kenneth Murray is the "heart of the defense" according to Riley (34:55). Lincoln Riley explains what OU needs to do to improve its defense (40:40). Kenneth Murray reacts to zero Sooners being named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Defensive Team (50:10). Lee asked Murray about the media... and let's just say the sophomore linebacker isn't thrilled with a lot of the things said about him (53:10). The legend of "Bookie" grows as Murray has some really nice things to say about the true freshman (58:00). Touching briefly on the Jalen Redmond situation (1:03:00). Taking a look at the rest of Media Days, particularly Tom Herman's odd showing at the podium (1:07:30). Lee is way higher on Iowa State than anybody else and the guys talk OSU QBs as they react to the preseason Big 12 Media Poll (1:17:10). The guys talk about the preseason All-Big 12 team and eventually rag on the selections in the secondary (1:23:50). **NOTE: Around the 1:30:00 mark Grant's microphone audio gets wonky. We apologize for the lowered quality and will work to make sure the problem does not persist in future shows** | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

Ep. 56 - Mayfield vs Cowherd Makes Great TV

In the opening take, Grant dissects a recent quote by Lincoln Riley that may partly explain the deficiencies in the OU defense last season. Then Lee joins to explore what the OU offense will look like this fall with Kyler Murray at QB (7:30). A lot of NFL coaches are picking Lincoln Riley's brain this summer, and where does Riley stand on coaching in the NFL (31:40)? Turning our attention to SI's egregious list of the top 100 players in college football (47:30). Finally, the guys go over their favorite parts of the Mayfield-Colin Cowherd interview and wonder if Cowherd has changed his opinion at all about Mayfield (1:11:50)? | Email the show: westofeverest@gmail.com | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9