Zack Sanchez played defensive back for three seasons at OU, leading the Big 12 with seven interceptions in 2015. He spent part of the 2016 NFL season with the Carolina Panthers. Sanchez joins me on this episode of In the Trenches to discuss the many facets of the name, image and likeness, the transfer portal and the sacrifices student-athletes have to make.

Who should these athletes be loyal to? Their families who helped them get to this point? The coaches who brought them onto campus? The boosters who are paying them through NIL? Zack and I talked about our perspectives as former college athletes on the polarizing topic that is taking over college athletics.

Other topics covered include:

*Passionate fan bases and social media (09:29)
*Expectations and criticism of college athletes (12:09)
*OU's transition to the SEC (14:10)
*OU's chances in the SEC and national championship predictions (19:46)

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove
Creative Director: Michael Lane

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Is this the most important offseason in Oklahoma football history?

Today on “In the Trenches” I explain why it is imperative to the Sooners’ SEC success that the work starts now. Oklahoma can’t wait to start becoming SEC-ready.  It needs to start with bowl season. 

Other topics include:

*For the first time in 40-50 years Oklahoma will not have far and away the most talented roster or maybe even a top 3 roster in its conference;

*Sooner coaches and administration are feeling the pressure of moving to a new conference, but will the players? Will they attack this offseason with the urgency needed to contend in Year One?

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove, Michael Martin

Creative Director: Michael Lane

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Former five-star recruit and Oklahoma State Cowboy quarterback Bobby Reid joins me on this episode of “In the Trenches” to discuss all angles of recruiting — from facilities and coaches to education and available playing time to NIL and the transfer portal.

Among other topics covered:

Reid teaches and coaches junior varsity football at Lake Dallas High School. Together we preview the Cowboys’ Big 12 title game matchup with Texas.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove 

Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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Everyone thinks they have the secret recipe for the perfect way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. Travis Clark joined Sam Mayes on “In the Trenches” to discuss his process of making a Thanksgiving turkey, the best sides to compliment it and a great dessert to cap off your holiday meal.

Among the topics covered:
- How Travis got started with his business along with how it has continued to grow
- What makes Clark Crew BBQ special
- How to make the perfect Thanksgiving turkey
- The best Thanksgiving desserts
- What are their favorite Thanksgiving sides?
- Travis’ fandom of Nebraska football
- More Thanksgiving traditions and fun

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove
Creative Director: Michael Lane

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Every year in college football there are countless ups and downs that all of the teams will experience throughout a season. The 2023-2024 Sooners and Cowboys are no exception to this rule and have had their fair share this season with highs of winning a massive rivalry game and also losing on the road to a much less talented opponent that makes you question how good the OU and OSU truly are.

Guerin Emig joins Sam Mayes on this episode of In the Trenches to discuss if OU and OSU are closer to being the teams that we saw at their best in the biggest moments against a rival or the teams we saw lose in upsets on the road to Kansas and Central Florida? Are they good? Great? Good teams capable of playing great? All this and more on In the Trenches with Sam Mayes.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove
Creative Director: Michael Lane

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Who would have guessed that the Cowboys would be here? After the debacle that was the South Alabama game where OSU lost to a Sun Belt Conference squad 33-7, the world was caving in for Stillwater. Many people wondered if the Cowboys would win another game this season. Fast forward to November and OSU has not only turned their season around, they have conquered the final bedlam and are in a prime position to compete for a Big 12 title. How did we get here? I break it all down.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove 
Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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Oklahoma’s offense this season has been extremely effective at times, but noticeably in many big moments this season its has lacked an identity. In back-to-back games that lack of an identity has haunted the Sooners and cost them a potential undefeated season. I’m joined on "In the Trenches" by former Sooners fullback Dimitri Flowers to discuss why this offense is lacking an identity coming out of the Bedlam weekend.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove 

Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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My guest is Desirae Ford, the mother of former Oklahoma State Cowboy and current Oklahoma Sooner, Trace Ford. Desirae shares her remarkable journey of raising a Division I athlete during the early years and provides insights into the challenges and joys of supporting her son's dreams.

Desirae also opens up about the tough decision to leave Oklahoma State and head south to the University of Oklahoma, a move that brought about both excitement and controversy. She reflects on the negative backlash they faced on social media and the resilience it took to stay focused on their goals.

Desirae also provides an intimate look into what it will feel like returning to Stillwater for the final Bedlam match, this time as visitors. 

Producers: Jacquelyn Musgrove and Michael Martin 
Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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“It's hard to get in and even harder to stay in,” said J.R. Conrad, a former Oklahoma lineman and the founder of Trench Mafia, an invitation-only football academy that  has produced over 40 collegiate players including Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey. Conrad joins me to  discuss his program’s impact on the big guys upfront.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove 

Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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Former Big 12 champion and Oklahoma State offensive lineman Evan Epstein joins me to discuss what the (last?) Bedlam game on Nov. 4 means and the confidence the 2011 OSU Cowboys entered every game with.

Among the topics covered:

*The 2023 Cowboys’ offensive line play

*Ollie Gordon as an elite running back

*What winning this (last?) Bedlam game can do for OSU.

Producer: Jacquelyn Musgrove 

Creative Director: Michael Lane 

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