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October 09How Oklahoma CAN win | Red River Shoutout | Sooner Smiths Live #56
Sooner Smiths Live #56 is a Red River preview. Chad Smith and Tierani Smith walk through the injury report, Texas’s third-down cliffs, OU’s scoring drought in the series, and the narrow path to an upset. Both lean Texas, but neither treats a close loss or a fluky OU win as impossible.
Show: How Oklahoma CAN win | Red River Shoutout | Sooner Smiths Live #56
Hosts: Tierani Smith and Chad Smith (OklahomaVOCFB)
Context: Makeup live (Chad had a motion to dismiss Monday). Presented by FanDuel. Six-month-old in the room. Xeno Zone picks at the end.
Injury report (just dropped, ~7:10 p.m.)
Out: Jacoby Johnson (big loss), Xavier Robinson, Trell Harris, Taylor Heim. Harris has an internal injury and could miss into November, possibly a medical redshirt. Heim is out for the year. Robinson is a tough out even if production hasn’t matched last year.

Doubtful: Trené Washington, Michael Fasusi. Fasusi not returning is the bigger hit. Hosts wanted the line to slide back to natural spots. Washington played vs. Georgia; unclear what happened in practice.

Questionable: Eddie Pierre-Louis (practice injury).

Probable: Jermichael Carter, Cole Sullivan, Michael Bogunowski, Owen Heinecke, Jack Van Dorselaer. Starting safety back, plus linebacker depth. Van Dorselaer has to play big with Washington out.
Fasusi being doubtful is why both hosts say this is the least excited they’ve been for Red River in a while (Chad’s low was the year Dylan couldn’t play).
Texas third-down and down-and-distance notes
Texas has not shown a broad defensive weakness. They get less dominant in specific spots.
Third-and-1 to 3 and third-and-4 to 6: 7-of-12 in both buckets (~58%).

Third-and-7+: 5-of-31 (16%).

Texas’s own offense: 16-of-17 on third-and-1 to 3 (94–96%), 7-of-16 on third-and-4 to 6, 6-of-25 on third-and-7+ (~24%).

On 57 snaps of second-and-7 or longer, Texas averaged about 7.5 yards per play; when they passed those snaps, about 9.6. Roughly 63% of those snaps still gained at least 5 yards. A short first-down run does not end the series.
OU’s defense held Georgia to about 3-of-15 on third down and Michigan to two conversions. Hosts still note one busted drive can decide it, and OU has already given the ball away too often.
Tennessee is the blueprint: 12 meaningful possessions, seven gained 5 yards or fewer, Texas punted seven times, 3-of-12 on third down, 262 yards, six sacks. Texas’s line is not world-beating either. Ted took heat for calling them a very beatable No. 1. Hosts agree the Ohio State win is the best in the country, but the offense has to pick up to win a title.
How Texas scores, and why that hurts OU
Vs. UTSA: 83 plays, ~400 yards, nearly 30 points, longest rush 20, longest completion 24.

Combined with Ohio State: 54 points across those two games with no offensive gain longer than 24 yards.

Texas wins a possession game, 4–8 yards at a time. OU is not good at that.

Texas State still rushed for 161 and converted 8-of-14 third downs in a blowout loss. Three drives totaled 215 yards and reached the Texas 17 or deeper; they produced 7 points and missed two field goals.
OU’s Red River offensive drought (SoonerStats credit)
1,095 days since an OU touchdown vs. Texas.

136 scrimmage plays without a touchdown (Texas’s longest drought is 104).

115 plays / 20 drives without a snap inside the Texas 20 (Texas’s longest was 85 plays / 16 drives).

101 dropbacks without a 30+ completion. Longest completion is 28 yards, Q2 of 2023.

72 rush attempts without a 15+ run. Longest OU run since is 11 yards, Q4 of 2023 (Gabriel).
2024 context: receivers were out. Hosts still call the product boring. They almost left the New Mexico game early. Defense is the only exciting unit. Fans are cheering the offense not to mess up, not to score. That mindset leaks onto the field.
Run game and the line
Texas has allowed about 397 rushing yards on 140 carries (2.84 YPC) against teams that can run, including Ohio State and a Tennessee line that was supposed to be elite. OU is at 2.9 YPC. Vs. New Mexico: 20 carries, 46 yards (2.3), and 60% of runs gained 3 or fewer.
Hosts push back on “just establish the run.” They want an average offense, not a great one. Rodney Anderson and Caleb Kelly blame injuries and bad luck and oppose firing Bill Bedenbaugh. Hosts ask why starter-level OL injuries hit OU every year, and cite Gabe on bad technique that never improves. Chat theories: too many blocking schemes, losing the strength battle even to New Mexico. Standards are low enough that a functional line might have kept Michigan and Georgia competitive.
Turnover and scoring math
Brent Venables is 19-20 when the defense doesn’t score, and about 24-2 when OU wins the turnover battle.

OU third downs: 13-of-26 (50%) in the two wins, 5-of-27 in the losses (Michigan and Georgia).

Texas opponents convert ~58% on third-and-6 or shorter and ~16% on third-and-7+.

Vs. New Mexico, OU was 7-of-15 on third down, but the average distance was about 7.3–7.5 yards, and they converted only 2 of the attempts that needed 7+.

About 87% of Texas offensive touchdowns have come from outside the red zone. Only about 40% of OU’s have come in the red zone.

OU has at least one 75-yard TD drive in all four games, then looks like it has never played football.

Last eight Red Rivers: winners 56-of-122 on third down (45.9%), losers 37-of-112 (33%). Winner was better on third down in 6 of 8.

OU pass defense: no opponent has reached 180 passing yards, one passing TD in four games, opponents completing 51.9%.
Historical reminder: 2002 OU was 2-2, beat Texas 45-40, then won out to finish 11-2. Another 1-2 OU team beat Texas 53-45 in 4OT and finished 9-2, winning seven straight after. A win here can flip a season. Spread is Texas -7.5. Hosts think that is low for No. 1 vs. an unranked team, and that Vegas is giving the OU defense real credit.
Arch Manning and Mateer
Arch is better than last year but not a No. 1 overall pick in a weak QB class. He still has throws that are hard to explain, but he does not have Mateer’s catastrophic turnovers. Passing and interception numbers are otherwise similar. Texas fans and one host’s Texas-fan boss call the offense the biggest disappointment in the sport. One good quarter vs. good teams (Ohio State) has been enough to win.
Texas has been beaten on the back end by a true WR1: Jeremiah Smith 8-164-1 (60% of Ohio State’s passing yards); Tennessee’s Mike Matthews 4-72-1 (~50% of Tennessee’s passing production). Isaiah Sategna (and Rocky Beers) have to test the weak link. Mateer has to stop playing scared. Hosts expect a turnover and say he should play free anyway. Venables called him “our starting quarterback,” which Tierani reads as starter, not necessarily finisher. If he puts them in a hole in the first half, he should sit. Colin Simmons is the problem on the edge. Texas plays a lot of bear with linebackers on the line. Someone has to hit them early. Hosts also want a tone-setting personal foul.
Injury-report skepticism
Some absences (Harris, Heim) are real game injuries. Others (Cole Sullivan in practice, Bogunowski in a game, Kip Lewis on punt/kickoff) feed the “who cursed us” feeling. No injury report after Georgia because of the bye, so some of this may have been sitting. Hosts wonder if OU over-reports compared with other teams. They say they toned down practice contact this year and still can’t stay healthy.
Keys to win (Cignetti frame)
No turnovers, especially no short-field gifts.

No special-teams disasters. Punts have to flip the field. Tate Sandell has missed two from bad spots. Hosts worry they broke his confidence. Last year’s punt return still stings.

Force Arch into third-and-long and turn him over, or get a defensive score, so the offense gets short fields.

No busted explosives. Texas can drive. They cannot be given a free one.

One undisciplined penalty is the bank. Texas helps with penalties (Simmons ejection).

Win first and second down so third downs stay at 6 or shorter. Do not try to prove a 200-yard rushing day.
Realistic path they sketch: defensive score, another turnover that becomes a Sandell field goal, one offensive touchdown. That is 17. Without that, they do not see two offensive touchdowns against this defense.
Picks
Chad: Texas 20-13. Hates picking Texas. Cannot see OU scoring more than two touchdowns against what may be the best defense they’ve faced, Georgia included.

Tierani: Heart OU 17-14, with 10 of those points from the defense. Head Texas 24-17, with 10 of Texas’s points off turnovers.

Xeno: Stays loyal and picks Oklahoma (he had picked Georgia previously). Other board: Indiana over Nebraska, Oregon over UCLA, Georgia over Alabama, and a UCF–Oklahoma State pick.

Chat leans Texas in the low-to-mid 20s. One Oklahoma win call is 27-9. Record mention: Xeno 16-9.

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54 min
October 05Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 222
Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 222 with Rob Fontenot and Roger Schilling is a Red River preview built around John Mateer, Ben Arbuckle’s play-calling, and whether a bye week can reset a 2-2 Sooners team before Texas.
Show setup
Open (about 0:32–2:10): Sunday-only technical mess. Intro swapped right before air, FanDuel bug missing, Auburn and Mississippi State setups blamed. They still plug FanDuel. Standing ask: post a shared schedule so Sunday 6:30 Oklahoma Sooners Live is locked.

Rob’s new mic gets a quick review; Roger likes it (about 2:13).

Chat names: Revolution, Special T, Jimmy Jam / Jimmy Satterfield, Sooners to Win, Corrections, Donut Man, Ryman Lemon, Jeff Spangler, Sooner Cowboy, Tyler.
SEC chaos and rankings (about 4:21–11:50)
Missouri beat Florida 45–17 at home. Hosts did not have Mizzou on the bingo card after Florida had looked tough.

Poll talk (hosts mixing coaches and AP): Florida around 15–16, Ole Miss 9 or 11 depending on the poll. “What have you done for me lately.” Ole Miss was on a bye.

Their AP snapshot: Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami 4, one-loss Ohio State (only loss to Texas), Alabama 6, Ole Miss 9, LSU 10, Texas Tech 11, Missouri 14, Tennessee 15, Florida 16, Mississippi State, then Oklahoma State ranked above OU. USC also above them.

Results they hit: Alabama 56–23 over Mississippi State; Tennessee over Auburn; USC 25–21 over Washington, with fans booing Lincoln Riley. Hosts reject any Riley-back-to-Norman talk.

Kentucky–South Carolina went to OT. South Carolina scored and kicked the extra point; Kentucky scored and went for two when it did not have to. Hosts like the guts, would not have done it.

Chat question: does this slate expose Mississippi State and make Florida less legit than OU’s schedule suggested? Answer: SEC is a conference of powerhouses, injuries on injuries, some staffs studying film and some not.
Oklahoma: Mateer, Arbuckle, the line (about 11:50–21:40)
Focus is the Red River rivalry. Rob still calls it the Shootout and blames the name change on political correctness.

Brent Venables doubled down earlier in the week: John Mateer is the quarterback. Hosts say he almost has to — “five million dollar man” — but the problems are real.

Diagnosis they share with chat (Special T, Revolution): play-calling plus Mateer losing confidence, plus turnovers climbing each game (interceptions, fumbles, muffs). Four interceptions cited. First weekend without a fumble gets a small cheer.

Rob’s line: better calls should help no matter how Mateer is playing; not turning it over is on Mateer. Punting is fine. They do not see a bench quarterback clearly better, and the offensive line is not keeping anyone clean. No coaching changes; internal fixes under OC Ben Arbuckle. Troy Blaylock expected in a larger role after some yards. Hosts are not sure a running back has a 10-plus yard run yet (Satania maybe).

Bye-week plan they heard: get healthy and self-scout (defense vs. offense as if it were an opponent). Clock is short — No. 1 rival and, in their framing, the No. 1 team in the country.

Historical note from an AI assist: OU has not beaten ranked Texas while unranked in the recent window they checked; Texas has beaten ranked OU while unranked. Dylan Gabriel overtime game mentioned.

Five fixes from a story they would not source: take play-calling from Arbuckle; get the backup ready; get healthy; solve the run game (Blaylock touches); stop acting like it fixes itself.

Tone check: not doom yet. 2-2 after 10-2 and a playoff last year. This time last year they did not score on Texas and still turned it. They are not claiming a 2000 title; they are claiming last year. Honest read: they do not see a real run, hope for bowl eligibility (Alamo preferred; Roger would go). Corrections: beat Texas, get Mateer’s confidence back, lean on the defense.
Line, defense, bye-week history (about 21:40–26:40)
FanDuel: Texas -8.5, total 40.5. Hosts think rivalry is the only reason it is that short; they would have it -14 or into the 20s.

Mateer vs. Arch Manning, from Roger’s sheet: passing yards close (Arch 862; Mateer’s number garbled on air), completion about 66% to 63.5%, passing TDs 8 to 7, interceptions 4 to 3, rushing 76 to 82. Hosts say the stat lines are closer than the records (Texas 4-0, OU 2-2) and that OU has the better defense.

Defense: 13.3 points per game, tied for first in the SEC.

OU off a bye: 2022 beat Iowa State 27–13; 2023 beat UCF 31–29; 2024 lost to Texas 34–3, then another bye and beat Alabama 24–3; 2025 bye and shut out Kent State 44–0, another bye and beat Alabama. “Bye weeks are good for OU.” Win and they want “bye week magic” shirts.

Texas played Tennessee the week before; hosts unsure who Texas played this week and float a Texas bye.
Red River upsets (about 25:40–27:10)
2015: Texas 1-4, OU undefeated and No. 10, favored by 14; Texas won 24–17 (score as said on air).

2013: OU favored by 13, No. 12; Texas won 36–20.

1958: Texas two-point conversion, 15–14, broke a Sooners era.

1963: Texas No. 2, OU No. 1, Texas 28–7.

1996, the one Rob loves: OU 0-4 after losses to TCU and Tulsa, 21-point underdogs, won 30–25 in overtime.

Chat: Corrections watching the game from a Tuscaloosa tailgate at Alabama–Georgia.
Iconic Sooners list (about 33:00–36:20)
Prompt: most iconic OU player. Chat lands on Billy Sims at No. 1.

List they read: 1 Billy Sims, 2 Baker Mayfield, 3 Adrian Peterson, 4 Sam Bradford, 5 Kyler Murray, 6 Steve Owens, 7 Billy Vessels, 8 Jason White, 9 Brian Bosworth, 10 Jalen Hurts.

Roger’s personal pick would have been J.C. Watts (obligation) or the Boz for the commercials. Outrage that the Selmon brothers, Josh Heupel, DeMarco Murray, and Spencer Tillman are off the list while Hurts is on it.
Mid-show threads (about 50:00–58:30)
Recruits at the Texas game: “good place to take them for a slaughter” — then they walk it back because of the defense.

Would they still be negative at 3-1 if they had beaten Michigan? Yes, because of the New Mexico / New Mexico State game. They should have put it on that team.

New Mexico since: beat UTEP 61–7, beat New Mexico State, beat Central Michigan 38–7, beat Mercyhurst 70–7, lost to OU, beat New Mexico State 42–18. Not a bad team; still should not have been that close.

USC 4-1 and getting booed under Riley as the comparison for impatient blue-blood fans.

Contract aside: imagine 2-10 in the year they extended Venables; they wonder about a winning-season buyout clause.

Mateer keys repeated: hold the ball, take a sack, a punt beats a fumble or a pick. OU has not scored a touchdown in the Texas game in a long time. Script they want: score or get a stop and score on the first drive so Texas feels a defense it has not seen.

Rob has Big Guy / Boomer Sooner stickers he cannot find.
Touchdown or Turnover
Rules: agree = touchdown, disagree = turnover. Chat can force overtime.
OU can win this game. Touchdown from Rob, Ryman Lemon, Tyler, Donut Man, Jimmy Jam. Case: defense plus no turnovers. Rivalry-week optimism. Rob works Saturday at 6; kick is 2:30, so he sees most of it.

How many turnovers before Mateer is pulled? Hosts: maybe three in the first half, and only if they are getting blown out. Sooners to Win: five and they still might not bench him. Hawk was the last QB they remember getting pulled for turnovers. Fifth game — do not want a five-turnover game.

Change QB if down big at half. Split. Rob: why leave him in to get hurt if you cannot score and you are down 28? Chat largely “won’t happen.”

Seats: high on the 50 vs. almost on the field behind the goalpost. Touchdown for the high 50 — you can see both scoreboards. Roger hated a Houston end-zone view.

Texas is your most hated team. Touchdown, two-point, and a recovery. Miami a close second for some.

OT: Can OU score 17 on Texas? Mostly touchdown; some turnover. Might have to be a defensive score.

2OT: Witt starts and tells no one until kickoff. Rob touchdown as a mind game; Roger turnover. They joke the clip is “Witt’s starting.”

3OT: Hot-seat talk ends with a win over Texas. Touchdown. A loss, especially a shutout, puts it right back.

4OT: Big guys drunk in a Leader House in Dallas. Turnover — Rob is working and does not get drunk. Side rule: if you are at the game, do not boo your own team.

5OT: Stopping Texas’ run game is the difference. Touchdown. Then Arch has to throw. Side bit: Colorado State defensive coordinator fired at halftime (they land on Jim Mora’s staff). Would never happen at OU.

Arbuckle: “worst play-caller in OU history”; they ask what he has on Venables. If they ever get Witt Neubauer in, do it against someone who will not wreck his confidence, or only up big in the fourth.

Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma did play Oregon there in 2021 with Bob Stoops coaching. Roger forgot it in the 2020–21 blur.
Close (about 1:15:00–1:27:20)
FanDuel plug again; they feel like the red-headed stepchildren of the network schedule.

No Saturday postgame from Rob. Sunday 6:30 recap is on. Smiths may be at the game. Grandmaster / Brad Nash floated as a fill-in.

Big Guy Posse origin: 1988 into 1989; friendship longer (about 42 years).

Shoutouts: Special T (Bucs and Sooners, Sean King fan), Tyler, Jimmy Dudley (Arizona since 10th grade), Ryman Lemon, Donut Man, Sooners to Win, Jimmy Jam, Jeff Spangler, Chris, White Boy Slick.

Sign-off: new-mic debut, class of ’84 Claremore Zebras, peace out. Celebration only if they win.

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1 hr 27 min
September 29NIGHTMARE in Oklahoma | Can the offense be fixed? | Sooner Smiths Live #55
Sooner Smiths Live #55 — NIGHTMARE in Oklahoma | Can the offense be fixed?
Hosts: Chad Smith & Tierney Smith | OklahomaVOCFB | Monday live (bye week after Georgia)
Presented by FanDuel. Super chats = Drake’s College Fund.
Show open / framing (00:01–00:03)
Awkward camera/handoff start; welcome to Monday 7 p.m. CT show.

Super chats open the show (“win two of the next three”).

Goal of the bye: don’t get anyone hurt at practice. Second goal: find John Mateer’s confidence if they’re keeping him.

Locker-room vibe on offense is negative. Defense played well. Bye week is either a reset or confirmation that the offense is what it is.
Georgia recap & offense identity (00:03–00:11)
Tierney: less hopeless than after New Mexico. There were competent, confident stretches vs. Georgia — then a lot of ugly.

O-line “better than it has been” in pass protection per All-22 watchers; run game still poor. Questions about handoff timing, RB consistency, and Mateer.

Chad: the offense isn’t broken on every snap. They moved it on Georgia. Kirby Smart even noted stretches of competence. The problem is scoreboard-changing turnovers — not just turnovers.

Mateer analogy: nuclear reactor / Chernobyl. High upside, then one meltdown that ends the game.

“Take away the turnovers and the stats look fine” is not a defense. Those plays flip games (Georgia example: one scoop-and-score is a 14-point swing).
Run game collapse (data) (00:09–00:11)
First down every 3.8 rush attempts in 2022.

4.0 (2023), 4.3 (2023/24 context), 5.1 (2024), 6.4 in 2026 through four games.

Sacks per game nearly doubled while defense improved.

Four starters back from last year’s playoff / undefeated November group — same talent, worse results. Chad frames that as coaching, development, and continuity.
Scheme / personnel / “players not plays” (00:11–00:14)
Can’t abandon the run and expect to win. Texas (and everyone else) will stack the box and dare Mateer to beat them with his arm.

Get the best skill players on the field every snap: Manny Choice, Satania, Rocky Beers, Elijah Thomas. Stop taking them off on critical downs.

Saban high-school story + Alabama headset story: in big moments, get the ball to your best players. Don’t outsmart yourselves. Gabe/Teddy breakdown of the fourth-down play — two best players not involved.

Rocky Beers fumble: annoying, Georgia punched it out, three points the other way. Not the game-killer compared with Mateer’s disasters. Beers has also scored and made splash plays.
Self-inflicted losses & QB as force multiplier (00:14–00:18)
They didn’t expect to beat Georgia early in the year. Frustration is beating themselves and handing the opponent 17 points.

Kirby: Oklahoma beat Oklahoma. Some forced turnovers, some gifts.

Talent is there. QB should be a force multiplier. Right now Mateer is making the team worse than its baseline. Contrast with Mississippi State’s QB.

Signetti / Josh Hoover point (repeated): teach a QB how not to lose games before you teach him to win them. Mateer loses games.

Fourth-down decision: the one thing you cannot do is fumble it there with no one behind the play. Just throw it.
Situational / clock / kicking mess (00:19–00:22)
Plays per game down (76 in 2022 → ~61 through four 2026 games). Third-down rate trending down into the mid-30s. Fewer possessions make turnovers more damning.

Late FG try / two-point try / clock management: players needed a win they could feel jogging off the field. Missed two-point after a false start / offside, then a bad QB run, then a rushed long FG. Cascading bad offense.

“We’ve broken Tate.” Extra points as confidence builders.
Bench Mateer? Confidence vs. recognition (00:22–00:25)
Don’t want to throw the backup (Witt) out vs. Texas cold. Also think they should have given him the two-minute drill at the end of the first half vs. Georgia — little downside at that point.

Fear that if Witt looks okay, the can of worms opens.

Bye-week diagnostic: is it recognition or conviction? Stoops clip (Twitter): he’s seeing it, waiting until it’s “good and open,” then it’s late. Double-clutch, late ball, picks, slips.

When he stops worrying about the turnover and just plays, he can move the ball (Georgia red-zone drive before the fumble was one of the best of the year).

Question: can that get fixed in one week — or at all?
Defense vs. offense disconnect (00:25–00:27)
Defense adjusted, stopped over-respecting Georgia speed. Dogs fan in chat: Georgia was actually struggling to move it; scoreboard lied.

Theory: Georgia used a no-risk game to practice against a top defense. Kirby was visibly unhappy with the offensive struggles.

Defense gets turnovers and gets zero points. Kip Lewis still hyping them like it’s close. Defense doesn’t quit; offense isn’t helping.
OC / Venables / staff rumors (later segment ~00:44)
Speculation they’re not fully running Ben Arbuckle’s system; control issues.

Rumor: OC hire was told he couldn’t bring his own guys → continuity problem.

If they hire another OC, he should be allowed to bring his staff the way Venables did on defense. Business, not friendship.
How you actually install an offense (Rodney Anderson / Lincoln Riley story) (~00:46)
Anderson: first 2.5–3 weeks under Lincoln they almost only ran the ball. Receivers (Shepard, Westbrook, etc.) were mad. Lincoln: if we can’t run it, we can’t run an offense.

Baseline concepts practiced until they were automatic; extras added later. Timing became so good they joked while running it.

Current issue: unclear jobs (RPO vs. fire off), Mateer keeping RPOs, not throwing when the read is there. Simplify: if he won’t throw it, just hand it off.
Mateer production drop (stats) (~00:53)
Washington State: 29 TDs on 347 attempts (8.4% TD rate), 7 INTs (~2%).

Oklahoma 2025 + first four 2026 games: 22 TDs on 506 attempts (4.35% TD rate), 15 INTs (2.96%).

TD rate roughly cut in half; INT rate up ~47%. Gunslinger style only works if you’re also scoring like Favre.
Texas / rest of season outlook
Texas offense not lighting the world on fire either (frustrating for them too).

Likely script if nothing changes: field-position game, a busted coverage TD, lose 17–6 / 20–6 type game.

Defense should be fine vs. Texas; they won’t see Georgia-level D-line talent across the board. Heal up this week.

If they get blown out again and don’t score, heat on Venables goes up.
Tickets, donors, product (~00:57–01:02)
License-fee sticker shock stories (family going from ~$35k + tickets/donations toward $250k for fewer seats).

Product on offense makes it hard to ask people to re-up. Defense guys (David Stone playing hurt, etc.) don’t deserve the backlash.

Oklahoma will never be comfortable as an 8–4 program. Either fix the offense or the financial/fan side starts to feel it.

Playoff last year is real; expectation was to be better this year. That’s the shock.
Zeno Zone + close (01:03–end)
Dog picks: Alabama–Mississippi State, UCF–Houston, Ohio State–Iowa, Marshall–JMU, Notre Dame–North Carolina. Zeno 12–8 on the year after a 2–3 week.

Merch: vocfb.com/shop (Zeno schooner / Baker flag designs).

Next Monday: Red River preview.

Dylan Stewart (South Carolina) suspended indefinitely — talent-only-gets-you-so-far aside.

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1 hr 12 min
September 28Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 221
Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 221 — Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling (OklahomaVOCFB)
Post-Georgia recap, Venables presser notes, Mateer/QB talk, remaining schedule, Touchdown/Turnover segment. Next week is a bye.
Open / vibe (0:00–1:15)
Welcome back. FanDuel. Rob + MCM (“the big guy posse”). Planting the flag shirt. Baker Mayfield injury mention. Next week is a bye — more time on last night.
Georgia game + first half (1:15–3:40)
First half was horrible. Defense “didn’t do too bad,” but offense put them in terrible spots (short fields: 11-yard, 20-yard, 3-yard situations).

First-half offense: two fumbles, one interception, two punts.

One fumble happened when a host briefly left the room; they didn’t see the exact play.
Venables press conference (3:40–14:00)
“Nothing impacts a game like turnovers.” Called one a 14-point swing (could have been 14-7 instead of 21-0).

Mateer holding the ball too long vs. Georgia QB getting it out. Confidence / indecision. Double-pump / looking one way and the ball slipping.

“Knowing when to take a loss and not put the ball in jeopardy.” Take the sack/loss of yards. Protect it. A 20-yard loss is better than a turnover.

“We have to get out of our own way.” Beating themselves. Haters don’t like hearing it.

Would they have beaten No. 2 Georgia straight up without the turnovers? Probably not, but you can’t gift a top team extra scores (scoop-and-score / pick-six type plays).

Discussed changing QBs at some point; didn’t. Hosts wonder what Arbuckle/staff said to keep Mateer in while they were down big.

Team should be “PO’d.” Mateer should be upset. Last time he took it harder than anyone — what did he actually change? Needs to play with discipline and know when to go down.

Honest conversations among players without fracturing the locker room (D vs. O pointing fingers). They’re grown men getting paid.

Defense kept them in it as long as it could. O-line not good; Fasusi still out. Bill Bedenbaugh has had years to get the line right.
Blame, QB change talk, Neubauer (8:00–16:00, 28:00–33:00)
Mateer’s INT cost them vs. Michigan. Three turnovers vs. New Mexico almost cost a game they should have won. Turnovers vs. Georgia hurt chances badly even if they might have lost anyway.

Jackson Arnold was benched after three first-half INTs in 2024. Why not Mateer?

Most fans want a change. Bye week is the time to give Whit Neubauer first-team reps. “If he was missing throws instead of turning it over, we wouldn’t be saying this.”

If Mateer turns it over twice vs. Texas, he’s gone at half. Backup doesn’t have to be great — just don’t turn it over. Get it to TEs/WRs. Running game isn’t there.

Mateer “too careless” — Venables’ own language. Doesn’t seem to feel his job is in danger. Progressions / panic / no confidence. Fans yelling “he’s open.”

Defense is being wasted. Short fields after turnovers are a lot to ask. They got an INT and a fumble recovery; still not enough.
Running game + box score (16:00–21:00)
Running game “pathetic.” LeVon ~1.1 ypc; team ~1.9. Two-point try failed.

Rushes: Avant 10-23, Hatton 5-14, Blaylock 3-10, Mateer 15-7, Satania 1-6, Xavier 1-5. Negative rushing at half because of sacks.

Longest rushes were single-digit. Multiple backs, no explosion.

Receiving: Rocky Beers 8-84-1 TD; Satania 8-81 (long 37). Tight ends/WRs trying. Backs trying when they get it.

Georgia outgained OU by only ~10 total yards. Mateer had more passing yards than Stockton. Short TD drives (3 yards, 11 yards) inflate Georgia’s score vs. actual drive length.

Chat: “Mateer is a turnover machine” — hosts 100% agree.
Record / remaining schedule (21:00–28:00)
Preseason hopes (some thought undefeated or 10-2) vs. reality. Could easily be 2-10 if it stays like this.

Venables pattern cited: 6-7, 10-2, 6-7, 10-2… so this year “should” be 6-7. Where do the extra wins come from?

Texas: don’t lose four in a row. Venables has to walk out with a win or “you can lose to anybody but you don’t lose to Texas.”

Hosts’ rough ranking of remaining:
Don’t expect wins at LSU, Florida, Ole Miss.

Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi State, A&M look like the more realistic targets. Missouri possible if they stop turning it over.

Path sketched toward 6–7 wins if they protect the ball + defense stays elite.

A&M called “our Super Bowl.” Don’t like A&M or Texas.

Recruiting will suffer if they keep losing to “bottom-tier” teams they should beat.

Texas-Tennessee was close (20-17). Shows Texas is beatable if OU doesn’t gift short fields.
Touchdown / Turnover segment (1:09–1:28)
Format: hosts throw a statement; chat + co-host vote TD (agree) or Turnover (disagree).
Three first-half Mateer turnovers vs. Texas → QB change at half.
Hosts: Touchdown. Chat mixed (some “staff is stubborn,” Chloe Turnover).

Need a QB change now; give the backup reps this bye week.
Hosts initially Turnover (unsure backup is better; Neubauer looked scared vs. UTEP). Chat: flood of Touchdowns.

Biggest reason for turnovers is no running game.
One host Turnover (it’s Mateer fumbling and throwing picks). Other host + much of chat Touchdown — if they could run it, QB wouldn’t feel he has to do everything.

Texas vs. Tennessee shows Texas is beatable for OU if they don’t turn it over.
Touchdown.
OT / double OT / triple OT extras from chat
Bill Bedenbaugh needs to go / OL playing musical chairs — Touchdowns.

If Mateer has 240 passing yards + 2 TDs (no turnovers) vs. Texas, do they win? Split. Hosts lean they still need more (run game, FGs, field position). Defense can win a low-scoring game if the offense just doesn’t give the ball away at the 3 and 11.

Florida better than Texas right now? Discussion.

OU beats Florida or A&M? A&M more likely; Florida no.
Fun facts (1:28–1:32)
Georgia outgained OU by only 10 yards.

Combined first-half points vs. Michigan + New Mexico + Georgia: 7.

Attendance at Georgia: 93,033.

Last OU QB with three first-half turnovers: Jackson Arnold, 2024 — he was benched.
Close (1:32–end)
Recruits / decommits? Facilities and SEC money still sell, but if the offense doesn’t change (Arbuckle), it could matter.

Incoming QBs mentioned (tall backup Whit Neubauer; 2028 Italian-name recruit Tagliaferri).

Hosts are two old Oklahoma guys who love doing the show. Appreciate chat (Jesse, Donut Man, Chloe, Dilly, Specialty, Jimmy Satterfield, Tyler, etc.).

Next Sunday 6:30 — no postgame this week (bye). Bring Texas questions and Touchdown/Turnovers.
Core thesis of the episode: Defense is good enough to keep them in most games. Offense (especially Mateer turnovers + no run game + OL) is beating the team. Bye week is the window to give Neubauer real reps. Protect the ball vs. Texas or the season slides further.

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1 hr 37 min
September 27NIGHTMARE| Oklahoma- Georgia Postgame LIVE
NIGHTMARE | Oklahoma–Georgia Postgame LIVE
OklahomaVOCFB | Hosts: MCM Raj, Rob Fontenot, Chad Smith & Tierani Smith (Sooner Smiths)
Georgia 41, Oklahoma 13. Hosts called it a nightmare / American Horror Story / Jekyll-and-Hyde performance: defense competitive against a top team, offense self-destructed via turnovers, indecision, and a non-existent run game.
Intro & Score Context
0:00–2:00 — Raj opens solo while waiting on Rob and the Smiths. Recalls last week’s FanDuel line (Georgia -14.5); he told people not to take OU + points. Final: 41–13. Group text during the game was ugly. Early note from Raj: “We suck.”

2:00–4:00 — Red-zone offense listed 136th nationally. Drives repeatedly died on fumbles, missed FGs, or INTs.
Key Stats Discussed
4:00–9:00 / 9:30–11:00 — Total yards close: OU 296, UGA 307. Rushing disaster: OU 65 yards on 35 carries (1.9 YPC) vs. Georgia 130. Third downs: 2-of-14. First-down plays: 28. Time of possession 35:00–24:00 in OU’s favor with almost nothing to show for it.

Passing: John Mateer 25-of-34, 231 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (passer rating ~144). Gunner Stockton 14-of-25, 171 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (~118). Hosts note Mateer’s raw numbers look better but Georgia’s defense scored for Stockton.

Turnovers: Multiple fumbles + INT. Hosts repeatedly say if you strip the ~17–21 points off turnovers (especially the scoop-and-score), the game is 21–20 or 24–13 range and completely different.
First-Half Collapse & Signature Plays
10:00–13:00 / 25:00–26:30 — Rob watching at work: 7–0, then 14–0, then the fumble at the 2-yard line returned for a TD → 21–0. Should have been 14–7. “Untimely turnovers and the severity.” Same pattern vs. New Mexico earlier; you cannot do it against Georgia.

29:00–30:30 — Best-looking drive of the season reaches the 2. Mateer loses the ball out of his hand on what should have been a score. Instant 14-point swing. Hosts describe the living-room reaction as disgust, anger, shock. After that play Mateer “looked like he’d lost all confidence / all testosterone.”

14:00–16:00 — Predicted the late, off-balance throw over the middle (same concept that worked vs. New Mexico’s poor safety). Against Georgia athletes it became the Jacob Jordan INT. “Never should make that throw.”
Quarterback Play — Central Theme
12:00–16:00 / 19:00–21:30 / 31:00–32:30 — Consensus: Mateer lost the game with turnovers and indecision. Double-pump on rhythm throws, cannot anticipate, sees receivers open then throws late. Flat concepts and fourth-down reads that “you learn in seventh grade” go unthrown. Wide-open guys (Elijah Thomas, tight end in the flat) unused.

Venables said they discussed a QB change at half and decided against it. Hosts wanted at least one series for Witt Neubauer at the end of the half as a “factory reset” / consequence. Fear of losing the locker room by pulling the starter permanently.

Broader point: last three games OU has 226 rushing yards on 96 attempts (2.3 YPC). Any QB would look similar behind this line, but Mateer’s specific mistakes (fumble out of hands, late throws) are on him.
Defense
13:00–14:00 / 22:00–24:00 / 46:00+ — Defense played at an elite, national-championship level given the positions the offense put them in. Held Georgia to 24 non-turnover points. First INT of the year + a fumble recovery. Physical until guys started pulling hamstrings from being on the field constantly. Kip Lewis still competing like it’s a title game. “If they weren’t a top-5 defense you give up 60.” One long TD run late; hosts say you’re lucky it was only one.
Coaching, Clock, and Situational Decisions
18:00–19:30 / 26:00–28:00 / 2:07–2:10 — Delay-of-game penalties and wasted timeouts (breaking huddle with 5 seconds, burning TO on 3rd-and-10 instead of just taking the 5 yards). Two-point conversion after first TD while down 21: ran it up the middle (the one place they cannot run vs. Georgia). Analytics vs. “vibe of the game.” Later extra-point attempt partly to let Tate Sandell see the ball go through the uprights after missed FGs. “We broke Tate.”

O-line: Better than recent weeks (Mateer sacked once) but still not good. Missing Michael Fasusi; players out of position. Bill Bedenbaugh likely gone after the year.
Run Game, Scheme, and Comparisons
16:30–18:00 / 2:12–2:16 — Committee approach at RB has produced nothing. Rodney Anderson (via One Oklahoma podcast) and Lincoln Riley-era standard: establish the run first, 2-to-1 carry ratio so line and backs get a feel. Riley practiced almost exclusively run early; current staff missing assignments on screens and jet sweeps that should be explosive. Florida averaged 12.5 YPC vs. Ole Miss the same day; Texas ran on Tennessee. “Arch Manning would look like Mateer in this offense.”

Four different OL combinations already; Fasusi’s return (hopefully for Texas) would let Foj at RT and stabilize the group.
Looking Ahead — Texas / Red River
23:30–25:00 / 2:17–2:21 — Defense will again play well and give up one offensive TD; offense cannot do “crap.” Texas is physical but not Georgia-level. Hosts expect Mateer to start; only a disaster would force a change. Season can still be good if they beat Texas and a couple more, but someone on offense needs a “come-to-Jesus” moment. Basic things still don’t work.
Closing Tone
2:21–2:23 — Two-and-a-half hours of venting. Defense = lot of good, little bad. Offense = opposite. Thanks for comments and trolls (engagement). “Boomer.” Be safe, Uber cheaper than a DUI.
Clip-friendly timestamps
10:00–11:30 — Fumble at the 2 / 21–0 swing

14:30–16:00 — Predicted INT throw vs. better athletes

19:00–21:00 — Indecision, double-pumps, open receivers

29:00–30:30 — Best drive of the year then ball slips out

13:00–14:00 / 22:00 — Defense praise vs. offense self-inflicted wounds
Core thesis from the room: Oklahoma’s defense is good enough to beat anyone, including Georgia and Texas, if the offense simply stops scoring for the other team. Right now it cannot.

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2 hr 24 min
September 22It's BAD for Oklahoma's Offense | Georgia Game Preview | Sooner Smiths Live #54
Sooner Smiths Live #54
It’s BAD for Oklahoma’s Offense | Georgia Game Preview
Hosts: Chad Smith & Tierani Smith
OklahomaVOCFB | Monday, ~7 p.m. CT
Intro & Housekeeping (0:01–4:00)
Chad and Tierani (“the Center Smiths”) welcome regulars (Sigo, Stacy, Mr. Dilligap, Drew, Trojan Fight, Brandon, Caden) and newcomers.

Show airs every Monday on the Voice of College Football Oklahoma channel. Presented by Vandal.

Plug: like, subscribe, jump to YouTube chat, members ($2.99), Drake’s college fund via Super Chats.

Light banter on spelling “Tierney,” late start, and merging OU/USC offenses and defenses.
Record & Immediate Context (4:00–6:30)
Oklahoma is 2-1 after beating New Mexico. “Nothing really to worry about… except you got arguably the best defense in the country.”

Next up: Georgia (Kirby Smart, two of last five natties, offense 2nd nationally in yards/points/yards per play). Georgia was Chad’s preseason natty pick.

The surprise is not Georgia being good — it’s Oklahoma’s offense looking this bad.
Core Problem: The Offense Cannot Run (6:30–10:00)
“We can’t run a foot. We can’t run the football.”

John Mateer is being asked to hide everything (“quarterbacks are deodorant”). Ole Miss’s run game is also mediocre; Trinidad Chambliss just elevates it.

Stats pulled from StatBroadcast after New Mexico:
Average third-down-to-gain: 3rd-and-7.

Third down every 3.9 plays (almost never converting early downs).

Longest run of the game: 9 yards. Zero runs of 10+.

66 rushing yards by RBs (61 of them behind the line of scrimmage).

Offense looks “discombobulated,” like spring ball with freshmen or a brand-new system every week. Cohesion and confidence seen vs. UTEP vanished after Michigan.
Staff Alignment & Play-Calling (10:00–15:30)
Multiple voices on offense: Ben Arbuckle (OC), Kevin Wilson, Daylon McColl, etc. “It looks like three different things going on at once.”

Chad’s suggested come-to-Jesus: Arbuckle should tell the room he will call his offense (the one that worked at Washington State) or get fired doing someone else’s. “It’s like having Mike Leach call the Wing-T.”

Two schematic options floated:
Slow it to a crawl — hold the ball, drain 5–6 minutes per drive, limit Georgia possessions (Army 2020-style clock control).

Go five-wide / spread / one-yard splits and live with the Air Raid. Risk: Mateer is currently struggling with anticipation, accuracy, and processing — the exact traits the Air Raid demands — against elite pass rushes (Colin Simmons next).

Tempo experiment vs. New Mexico (snaps every ~30 seconds) produced an INT and a punt.
New Mexico Game Film & Field Position (19:30–24:00)
OU outgained New Mexico 299–185 but New Mexico ran 28 plays in OU territory vs. OU’s 12 (2.3x more).

Offense and special teams repeatedly put the defense in short fields. That problem explodes against better athletes and coaching.

Kirby Smart on OU defense: elite talent + near-perfect technique + “want-to” + speed + intelligence. Same traits Georgia has on both sides.
O-Line & Personnel (25:00–32:00)
Line play is “bad.” Mateer was getting hit as he released a quick throw to Cetania.

Bill Bedenbaugh’s group has not produced at the expected level the last five years (post-Creed Humphrey era). Constant injuries, position shuffling, freshmen playing.

Hope: Fasusi returning to his natural right-side spot so other linemen can slide back to comfortable positions. “Brushing your teeth with your left hand” analogy.

Only four real practice days before Georgia.
Defense, Emotion, and Fan Reaction (32:00–43:00)
Defense is the only unit they trust. David Stone had a career-high 8 tackles after addressing personal issues and apologizing to the team.

Venables’ postgame “No. You watch the game” answer was praised — emotion from the top is needed.

Booing the offense is fine; indifference would be worse. Playing not-to-lose at the end of the half (then missing the FG) showed lack of trust.

Georgia will not drop the easy ones or lose fourth-and-1.
David Stone Injury Update (43:00–48:00 & 1:02)
Mid-show rumor: dislocated knee / possible ACL.

Later source update: initial fear was dislocation + possible ACL, but no structural damage. Could play Saturday; more likely rested until Red River.

Massive loss if he’s out — first-round/top-15 talent, arguably co-best DT in the country with Ole Miss’s Echols when healthy.
Staff Continuity & Identity (45:00–50:00)
Defensive staff is ~80% Clemson/OU holdovers from Venables. Offensive staff has almost none.

Continuity matters for teaching the tiny technique details that create edges.

“Find an identity and find it fast. You don’t have time. You’re playing No. 2 and No. 1.”
QB Context — Don’t Isolate Mateer (50:00–56:00)
Every great OU QB (Baker, Kyler, Jalen, Caleb, etc.) had NFL talent around him and a functional run game.

Washington State and Miami Cam Ward years featured multiple 4.5–7.4 YPC backs. OU is at 2.1 YPC as a team.

Lincoln Riley still the best QB developer; Maiava leading the nation in passing yards/efficiency at USC.

Michael Hawkins revisionism is unfair — he had his own accuracy issues at OU.

Putting Bo Bentley behind this line vs. Georgia/Texas would be “seeing ghosts.”
Running Back Rotation (56:30–1:00)
Rodney Anderson (One Oklahoma podcast) ripped the four-back committee. Lincoln’s rule was two series for the starter, one for the backup — timing and vision with the O-line require consistent reps.

Chad/Tierney: pick two bell-cows and live with it. If a guy isn’t healthy enough for more than a few snaps, he’s not healthy enough to play.
Closing Hope & XenoZone (1:00–end)
Fasusi + Fogey back in natural spots + simplified scheme = possible small confidence spark.

Defense needs a score or short fields for field goals.

XenoZone (dog) went 4-1 last week. This week’s slate: OU-Georgia, USC-Oregon, Texas-Tennessee, Penn State-Wisconsin, Missouri-Mississippi State. Zeno picks Georgia, Tennessee, etc. Chad would rather lose to Georgia than Texas.

Outro: like, comment, share, join Saturday postgame. Boomer.

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1 hr 9 min
September 21Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 220
Oklahoma Sooners LIVE #220 — Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling
OklahomaVOCFB | Day after the 14-6 win over New Mexico | Previewing @ No. 2 Georgia (Sat, Sept. 26, Sanford Stadium, ~2:30/3:30 p.m. ET)
Brought to you by FanDuel. Available on YouTube + Apple/Spotify/Amazon.
Opening & vibe (0:00–4:30)
Welcome back. Episode 220. Hawaiian-shirt banter; Rob plans to wear the “wife won’t let me wear it to church” flamingo shirt after the next OU win.

AP poll: Sooners out of the Top 25 (26th). Coaches poll: still 24th. Both hosts: rankings don’t matter if they lose to Georgia.

Mood after New Mexico: “An ugly win is still a win.” Venables called it ugly. Feels like a loss. Fireworks malfunctioned and shot toward the field/cheerleaders/band — real, not AI. Crowd was in it but booing (“boo birds”).
Silver linings vs. New Mexico (4:30–7:00)
Defense came through in the clutch — the only reason they didn’t lose. Run game and passing weren’t working.

They found a way to win ugly. Better effort vs. Michigan than vs. New Mexico in Rob’s view. Maybe just a bad game / setting (fireworks, crowd).
Chat: “Should our defense take us to a win against Georgia?”
What must be fixed before Georgia (7:00–19:00)
1. Offensive line protection
New Mexico looked like one of the best defenses in football. Mateer has no time. Same personnel but combinations keep changing (Beanball/Bedenbaugh shuffling). “You could put any other quarterback back there and they’re still going to struggle.” Wall of defenders on every handoff. Chat (Mark Wagner): coaches have lost the room; “cancer keeps going.” Need to find someone who can block.
2. Don’t lose the turnover battle
Three turnovers vs. New Mexico (two INTs + muffed/fumbled punt return). Georgia will score off them. Defense is the only hope if they don’t gift points.
3. Get in rhythm / help the defense
No more three-and-outs. Sustain drives even if they end in a punt or FG. Big D-linemen need rest. Georgia averages ~59.3 PPG and ~539 yards (hosts note the sample includes weaker teams). Time of possession and physical wear will kill OU if the offense stays on the sideline.
4. Convert third downs and make field goals
Get in FG range. Tate Sandell missed a 41-yarder at the half (uncharacteristic). Grayson Miller also shanked one but got the “Oklahoma roll.”
Other notes:
Better gains when they went under center — then they abandoned it. That’s coaching.

Venables: “Two things can be true” — thankful for the win, have to get better. Hosts interpret it as a message to Arbuckle and the offensive staff.

Some fans want a QB change (Hawkins Jr. mentioned in chat). Hosts: they’re paid millions; if you’re not performing, sit down.
Georgia preview & numbers (19:00–42:00)
Georgia D allowing ~211 yards/game. OU didn’t even have 300 vs. New Mexico.

Georgia vs. Arkansas: 45-17, 254 rushing yards, 7.4 yards per play, 7-of-11 on third down, 35:24 TOP. Nate Frazier left that game; Chauncey Bowens still there.

Sanford Stadium ranked as one of the hardest places to play (hosts list it No. 4 behind Tiger Stadium, Ohio State, Beaver Stadium).

OU already survived 100k+ at Michigan — that’s the one silver lining for the road environment.

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. (hosts like it; postgame show won’t be at 10 p.m.).

Mateer vs. New Mexico (hosts’ numbers): 16-of-21, 238 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT. Rushing: Avant 8-27, Mateer 10-17, Hatton 6-8, Blaylock 4-2. Sategna 6-101, Hansen 3-49. Several receivers (Robinson, Livingston, Beers, Hansen) caught every target.

Concern: which Mateer shows up? The one who can keep it close or the erratic one who stares down Sategna and leads with his eyes. Thumb injury lingering?
FanDuel / betting (42:00–46:00)
Georgia -13.5

OU moneyline +470

Total 43.5
Hosts lean under and wouldn’t bet OU either way. More likely 31-3 or 28-12 than covering. If they win, they see something like 21-19. Georgia scoring 59 PPG; OU has scored 10 (Michigan) and 14 (New Mexico).
Game-plan ideas & motivation (46:00–52:00)
Rob’s notes: Tempo. Max protection. Aggressive blitz packages. Embrace “nobody believes in us.” Chip on the shoulder after falling out of the AP poll.
Defense is 10th; offense 105th (was 81st last year). Early-season numbers vs. teams they should beat.

Chat heat: “doughboys” OL, “sold a pedigree and got a mutt,” “if we lose to Georgia and Texas there’s no point in playing Mateer.”

Hosts push PMA (positive mental attitude). Still 2-1. Don’t give up after one more loss. Playoff path still exists with the right losses + a win over Texas.
Touchdown or Turnover (55:00–1:00:00)
OU shocks the world in Athens → Turnover (but they’re willing it to be a TD)

Venables’ defense built for SEC physicality week-in, week-out → Touchdown

Winner of Red River gets a guaranteed playoff ticket → Turnover

Even after Michigan adjustments, offense lacks explosive playmakers to outscore SEC heavyweights → Turnover (prove it first)

Three-loss SEC team can still make the playoffs → Touchdown (who you lose to matters)
Close (1:00:00–end)
Shoutouts: Revolutional, Tyler, Chloe Schilling, Jay Jones, Clayton, Jimmy Satterfield, Tommy Johnson, Mark Wagner, Jonathan, etc.

“We’re just two old geezers” giving you all the OU content you can handle. Like, comment, subscribe. They reply to comments later.

Next: Saturday postgame after Georgia. Peace out.
Clip-worthy timestamps
Ugly-win mantra / fireworks / boos: ~1:55–6:30

OL “doughboys” + lost the room: ~8:00–12:00 and 28:00

Fixes list (protection, turnovers, rhythm, 3rd downs): 7:50–19:00

FanDuel numbers + 31-3 lean: 42:00

Game-plan / chip on shoulder: 46:50

Touchdown or Turnover: 55:30
Defense is keeping them alive. Offense (OL + Mateer consistency + play-calling) has to take a real step or Georgia will punish them in Athens. An ugly win is still a win — now they need something that doesn’t feel like one.

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1 hr 5 min
September 20Boo Birds Out In Norman ! OKLAHOMA-New Mexico Postgame LIVE
OklahomaVOCFB Postgame LIVE: Boo Birds Out in Norman — Oklahoma vs. New Mexico
Hosts: Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling
Sponsored by FanDuel
Ugly 2-1 win. Defense kept them alive. Offense and special teams did not. Crowd booed early and often.
00:00–05:30 — Immediate reaction: “Dude.”
Open: Welcome to Oklahoma Sooners live postgame vs. New Mexico. Boo Birds were out in Norman; Sooner Smiths said it was even louder in the stadium.

First series: two runs and a pick. Rob and Roger watching like “this is awful.”

Can’t force the ball to Isaiah Sategna. Second INT: announcers said Livingston was supposed to occupy the defender; Mateer still should have seen the white jersey.

Defense stopped New Mexico after the pick. “If we didn’t have a good defense we would have got destroyed.”

OU three turnovers (two INTs + return fumble) and still winning. Either the defense is that good or New Mexico is that limited.

Running game: less than 2 yards per carry. “Pathetic. Super pathetic.”

Xavier Hatton: supposed to be the physical “go after you” back. Looked timid, going backwards. Not the guy they described.
05:30–12:00 — Acceptance, OL, and early Boo Birds
Rob: moved from anger to acceptance. “We suck so bad that I’m not even mad.”

Kentucky beating Texas A&M noted as relevant later.

Tried to run it; can’t. Offensive line. Bill Bedenbaugh has had years.

First boos came after Hatton went backwards and Mateer got caught in the backfield. Grayson Miller shanked a kickoff (Oklahoma roll saved it).

Sategna fumbled a punt. Peyton Bowen nearly two interceptions + late sack. “Bowe and boys were on fire.”

Sooner Smiths: doesn’t matter who is at QB if the line isn’t blocking.

John Mateer last year was a run threat before the thumb. Tonight he couldn’t get away from anyone. New Mexico is not an elite defense.
12:00–20:00 — Stats, Hansen, tight ends, Arbuckle
First-half stats: 7-6 at half. Mateer 12-of-17, 124 yards, TD, 2 INTs. Avant 5-15, Sategna 3-33 + fumble. ~2.2 yards per rush. OU 4.5 yards per play, New Mexico 3.3.

Hayden Hansen drive: carried guys into the end zone. Announcers hyped. Tight ends are the offense right now. Hosts standing on the hill that Jaren Kanak / Witten group keeps rising if Ben Arbuckle doesn’t straighten up.

Rob texted during the game: Arbuckle needs to play some Tecmo Bowl and get new plays.

Dave Chappelle bit analogy: offense so bad it’s not even worth getting mad.

New Mexico inside the 10 a couple times; OU held them to two field goals.

Sategna 131 all-purpose but punt return -2; looked rattled after the fumble.
20:00–28:00 — Play-calling, field position, Georgia looming
Third-and-2 near midfield: just run it. Tate Sandell missed a field goal (uncharacteristic).

Good field position wasted. Penalties and stalled drives.

Hosts ask chat: how are you feeling after this?

FanDuel: 7.5 felt too low pregame; now they wouldn’t trust OU to cover either side vs. Georgia.

Tyler: last year they turned it on after Mateer was hurt. Hosts not feeling that optimism tonight.

Ronald Boyd in chat: this was the last win of the season; next two won’t be close. Hosts mostly agree on current form.

This win damaged confidence more than last week’s loss. Rob had joked he’d quit if they lost; he almost had to.
28:00–40:00 — SEC move, other scores, QB/OL talk
Chat question: was joining the SEC a mistake?
Rob: watching Big 12 games today he wished they’d stayed. Have to be really good in the SEC.

Roger: football-wise it makes the playoff path harder; big-picture (money, other sports, recruiting) it was not a mistake. Softball example of rising competition helping.

Ole Miss beating LSU and Kentucky beating A&M both noted. Makes the mid-October stretch (Georgia, Texas, then Kentucky) look worse.

Realistic remaining “gettable” games discussed: Florida, A&M, Missouri. Ole Miss feels out of reach right now.

Mateer not looking through progressions; first-read throws. Last year a weapon; this year not.

Under-center talk: they tried a little, still no run game. “Witty time” comments from chat.
40:00–1:00:00 — Defense standouts, chat dump, buyout talk
David Stone showed up (6-7 tackles). Big dude from Dell City.

Kip Lewis out again.

Defense “meh” in Rob’s group-text during the game; later they give it more credit because New Mexico kept hurting itself with penalties.

Chat running hot: “password is buyout,” fire Arbuckle, bench Mateer, recruit OL, play the other QB.

Hosts: they’re not benching Mateer vs. Georgia or Texas. Sometimes a benching wakes a starter up, but not this week.

Venables postgame: couldn’t name one good thing. Offense stinks. Special teams not helping.

Boo Birds: second series. Smiths said live crowd was louder than TV. Hosts think fans are booing play-calling and execution, not the whole roster. Tight ends they “love.”
1:00:00–1:20:00 — Georgia preview temperature, more comments
Expectation vs. New Mexico: Mateer should have 300 yards and 2-3 TDs against this level of opponent (like UTEP). Didn’t happen.

Hawkins last year came in and produced; some still think he should have started vs. Texas when Mateer couldn’t throw straight.

Play-calling consensus from hosts and chat: that’s been the problem all year.

Bedenbaugh “on the way out” if the line doesn’t improve.

Mateer underthrew the TD to Sategna; receiver had to wait.

Ugly win, 2-1, “be positive.” Feels like a loss.

Georgia spread talk: 14 already, could move to 21. Hosts don’t think OU covers either way. “Oklahoma can’t score 14.” Possible goose egg or 21-6 / 24-6 type game unless the defense scores.

Three games that would make people feel better (outside Texas): Florida, A&M, Missouri most attainable. Ole Miss would be the “feel-good” but they don’t see it.
1:20:00–end — Closing, tomorrow’s show, leftover steam
Defense might get exposed vs. Georgia if they haven’t played anyone good enough yet. Hosts still think the defense is better than last year, especially if Kip Lewis returns.

“Our team is cheeks.” Still only three games; not quitting. Positive: defense. Hope Venables tells Arbuckle to do his job.

Grandmaster in chat from the game: defense good, offense salty/mid, special teams no. Most boos were students; also said entire crowd. Grandmaster himself did not boo.

Blake Bell / Justin Fuente era jokes: even that offense was better.

High expectations make this worse than a “we knew they’d be 6-6” year.

Feinbaum “mostly correct” comment lands.

Bob Stoops visibly upset on the broadcast. When does GM Joe Castiglione / “Nagy” step in? Venables makes the hires.

Win total: started 7.5, went to 8 after they started the show, now 6.5. Over 6.5 -130.

Recruit the best OL they can find. Lost some good recruiter-coaches.

Sign-off: Big Guy Posse, Oklahoma Sooners live. Tomorrow 6:30 p.m. — Georgia series dive after a night to mull this one. Rob wearing the “good shirt.”
Core takeaways from the hosts
Defense and New Mexico penalties won the game.

Offense (line, run game, play-calling, Mateer’s decision-making) is not SEC-ready and not even Group-of-5 dominant.

Crowd turned on the product fast.

Georgia next week is treated as a likely blowout unless something changes immediately.

2-1 has never felt this negative.

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1 hr 40 min
September 15MAJOR PROBLEMS for Oklahoma | MICHIGAN LOSS | Sooner Smiths Live #53
SoonerSmiths Live #53 — Michigan Loss Recap
Hosts: Chad Smith & Tierani Smith | OklahomaVOCFB
Tone: Frustrated, even-keel, not “sunshine puppies.” They repeatedly say they are not bashing John Mateer as the sole problem and that the defense is not the issue. Core thesis: Oklahoma abandoned a working offensive identity from UTEP, overcomplicated things for Mateer, and did not play to personnel strengths against a legit Michigan defense.
Final: Michigan 17, Oklahoma 10.
Opening / Frame (~2:00–5:00)
Show delayed because Grammy had the living-room volume maxed while watching the baby.

Not a happy-go-lucky show. “What we saw Saturday is a potential 6-6, 5-7 team.”

Most worrying: “a little bit of front-running” on offense. Creative and heavy personnel vs teams they can line up and beat; reverts to “John Mateer do everything” vs real competition.

Michigan defense graded as upper-third SEC-level, not average.
The identity they built vs UTEP — then abandoned (~5:00–18:00, 46:00–1:02)
What worked Week 1: Heavy/full personnel, under-center play-action, tight ends creating strain, easy defined reads for Mateer, moving the ball side-to-side.
What happened vs Michigan:
Lloyd Avant 8 yards on the first play. Instead of another run (Urban Meyer standard: two first downs to start a big game), they throw a go-route RPO to Sategna.

Next series: another 6–7 yard run, then they leave the run.

12 personnel used some (~40%), but not in a way that created momentum or helped the tackles who were getting whipped.

No 4-tight / wing / short-yardage packages they showed vs UTEP.

“You work so hard to build an identity… and you kind of show the framework of it in game one, and you don’t build off that at all.”

Tornado-shelter analogy: they built the shelter all offseason, then sat on the porch when the first real storm hit.
Chad: Ben Arbuckle is the No. 1 fault. Scheme put players in bad spots. “How does a guy like Elijah Thomas… not get one target?” Spring/fall camp hype as “made in the lab,” Jeremiah Smith-type athlete — unused even from the 1-yard line.
Over-forcing Isaiah Sategna on 1-on-1 go/back-shoulder situations that are not his strength. One of Mateer’s few good throws hits Sategna in the chest/belly before he turns.
Rocky Beers called a legitimate weapon — best TE look since Mark Andrews through two games — not utilized enough.
Hashtag that stuck: HTBO / HCBO — “Hand the B off.” Gabe quote featured in chat.
John Mateer — limitations + scheme mismatch (~12:00–20:00, 1:05+)
Tierney (works with kids): KISS method. “Keep it simple, stupid.” Arbuckle appears to be running “keep it complicated.”

When given options, Mateer “almost always chooses the wrong option.” Give him defined reads (rollouts, play-action off the run, hurry-up so he doesn’t have to process as much).

Strength is mobility, not standing in and solving six problems on one snap. “You can’t make somebody something they’re not.”

Under pressure he reverts to bad habits.

He did not play well. Missed layup throws elite D1 QBs typically hit. One INT, several more turnover-worthy plays (they cite ~6 TWPs this game after 5 vs UTEP).

Vision example: failed to follow Pierre-Louis outside on what should have been a TD; instead ran into a safety.

Not the processor Baker/Kyler were, and he doesn’t have that supporting NFL talent around him.

They are not calling for a benching. Leash is long. Would take blowout losses to Georgia + Texas + Kentucky before Neubauer or anyone else sees meaningful snaps.
Randy in chat: don’t turn it into Mateer-bashing; watch the O-line one play at a time. Hosts agree the line is a real problem and they hadn’t even gotten to Mateer’s individual issues yet.
Offensive line & chemistry (~15:00–17:00, 22:00)
Tackles getting whipped. Best fix when tackles struggle: extra tight ends to help block. They didn’t commit.

Four different starting groups by Game 4. Last year they used nine combinations through 10 games. O-line is the most chemistry-dependent position group.

Fosuji return should help (can slide to guard; he played RT in high school, LT is a different animal).

Michigan’s two NFL-caliber ends (John Henry Daly and No. 8) made it worse.

“Wiping with the other hand” / “brushing teeth with the opposite hand” — flipping sides is awkward.
Need a “come to Jesus” meeting with Jason Witten, Coach McCullough, Kevin Wilson, Emmitt Jones, etc. Witten didn’t come to Norman so TEs would be underused; McCullough didn’t come so RBs averaging 6.5 YPC in the first half get five touches.
Defense — they push back on the criticism (~16:00, 55:00+)
Missed tackles exist and need fixing, but “utterly ridiculous” as the main talking point after this game.

Defense has been very hard to drive the field on. Give them short fields or a late pick and 30 yards is different.

Last year: pooch punts that pinned teams inside the 15 — those drives produced zero points in key games.

If offense doesn’t turn it over and can pin people, this defense can keep almost anyone in the 20s.

They walk through last year’s scores: 28 points from this offense would have won nearly every game on the 2025 schedule except Ole Miss (turnovers) and the playoff (pick-six inflated the opponent total).
Looking ahead (~27:00, 55:00–1:11)
New Mexico is not a bye. They scored 70 earlier (starting QB now injured). Oklahoma needs to send a message — 50+ is the bar they floated, how they score it matters more than the number.

Then No. 1 and No. 2 (Texas, Georgia). Same formula: don’t turn it over, run it, shorten the game, let the defense work.

“We are just as capable of beating Texas and Georgia as Oklahoma State was of beating Oregon.” Things change week to week.

Sweet-spot they want: 25–30 designed runs, Mateer 17–24 pass attempts. Limits TWPs, shortens games, plays to the kicker.

Talent is there. Most complete roster since 2008 if coaches figure it out. High-school offensive recruiting/development has been the weak side under Venables; defense starters are almost all BV recruits.
Venables “clean it up” comments: every team says that. Harder to diagnose when the offensive operation itself changes week to week (60%+ 12-personnel vs UTEP → ~40% vs Michigan). You can’t fix what you don’t consistently run.
Kevin Wilson rumors: they don’t think he’ll call plays, but expect more scheme/structure input after the raise to senior offensive analyst.
Fan / chat highlights they addressed
Michigan fan: don’t panic after one bad night; Oklahoma will surprise people and can beat Texas.

“We don’t need Mateer to be a hero, just a game manager.” Hosts 100% agree.

Recruiting/development critique on offense under BV — they concede the portal/transfer carousel has been heavier on that side.

Super chats and likes push throughout; merch plug (vocfb.com/shop), Baker planting the flag in the SEC logo shirt.
Zeno the pocket beagle picks (~1:08, 1:17)
Week 2: 2-3 (only Iowa and Missouri hit). Season 6-4.

They run the treat-bowl picks live. Chad did them late the night before and doesn’t remember the slate. Dog “has something against LSU.”
Close
Won’t do Saturday postgame (night home game + baby). Back next Monday 7 p.m. CT.

“Boomer.” Hope they’re happier after New Mexico. Talent is not the issue. Scheme, commitment to the run, and playing to strengths are.

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1 hr 22 min
September 14Oklahoma Sooners Live 219
Oklahoma Sooners Live #219 — Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling
OklahomaVOCFB | Day after Michigan loss | FanDuel presented
Tone: Frustrated but not quitting. Heavy recap of Michigan, then New Mexico keys and Touchdown or Turnover.
Open / vibe (0:00–4:00)
“This is the day after OU gets beat by Michigan.” Hits kept coming: OSU beat Oregon; Texas came back on Ohio State (Rob fell asleep at 23-3).

Rob: “reporting from my padded cell.” Mourning look — black yesterday, gray today. Double loss (OU + Tampa Bay). “Everybody we wanted to win lost.”

Crowd talk: 111k at the Big House. Hawaiian shirts as uniform. Chat: Craig in Atlanta bought Georgia tickets ($950).
Michigan recap — why it felt winnable (4:00–14:00)
Core question from chat (Corey): Can OU fix the offense and still beat Georgia and Texas?

Run game with Avant was working early; they abandoned it. “Keep going until they stop it.”

Stats trap: 3 YPC because they barely ran. First-half series:
5 plays, 13 yards

9 plays, 28 yards (extended by kicker penalty)

6 plays, 48 yards then Livingston fumble

3 plays, 3 yards

8 plays, 28 yards

Second half: two good drives (8 plays/90 yards FG; 83 yards) then collapse after INT. Last three series: 13 plays, 25 yards.

Mateer “helicopter” play + first-down point then laughing at the flag — no fire. Missing a “Baker-type” hype guy.

Forcing the ball to Satanga/Isaiah instead of RBs and TEs. Rocky Beers: 94 yards, 43-yard long — “BAMF.”

Michigan punted 7 times; OU did nothing with field position. Punters (Grayson 62-yard pin) decided the game more than they wanted.

“We should have scored at least 17… beat them 13-10 at minimum.” More first downs, fewer punts; turnovers (INT + fumble) flipped it. Michigan defense is legit, but execution and play-calling were the problem.
Coaching / identity (14:00–26:00)
No word on Stone (pass rush) — “not a touch on the quarterback.”

Play-calling odd: jet sweeps, handing to receivers when RBs exist.

Chat: Jason Witten as OC by Texas game if it doesn’t get fixed. Tight ends already look different.

Mateer under pressure: feet not set, short throws (Beers underthrown in double coverage; Thomas wide open across middle).

“I trust Brent.” Venables will get in the OC’s ear. Not “Big Game Brent” yet.

Long season. Last year they made the playoff after similar midseason doubt. “You never know.”

Kip Lewis injury status unknown for next week.
New Mexico preview (26:00–44:00)
Opponent: beat Mercyhurst and Central Michigan 38-7. 246 rushing YPG vs nobodies. Experts ~89.7% OU win; FanDuel -21.5, ML -2800.

Game: Saturday Sept. 6:30 p.m. ESPN2. Late postgame.

Keys they listed:
Establish the run. Hand it off. Third-and-3 is fine. Four plays to get 10.

Don’t force it to Isaiah/Satanga. Use TEs and other WRs.

Rocky Beers mismatch — “standout of the season.”

Get turnovers. Mateer: no INTs. Livingston: don’t fumble the one touch you get.

O-line consistency. Two different starting groups in two games; Noah Best center then RG. “Pick a group and leave it two games.” OG back at LT; Fasusi expected back.

Defense should force New Mexico into the run. Simulation had New Mexico scoring 0.

Rob: “If we lose to New Mexico I’ll quit the show.” (Roger refuses the resignation.)

Want starters to stay in longer than they did vs UTEP so they can work on things.
Touchdown or Turnover (44:00–1:00)
Presented by Pit Boss (Labor Day sale already over).
OU will be 2-3 after Week 5 (must beat Texas or Georgia) — Rob: Turnover (hasn’t seen them play well enough yet). Chat mixed.

This is the last week to fix the offense before Texas/Georgia — Turnover from Rob (“long season”); they still need it fixed before those games. Analogy: Astros fixed Kikuchi’s pitch mix midseason — coaches can adjust off Michigan film.

OU covers -21.5 vs New Mexico — Touchdown. Expect a UTEP-style blowout but with more run game and starters staying in.

If you could reverse one result, you’d flip Texas-Ohio State instead of OSU-Oregon — They would rather see Texas lose. Rooting for Tech felt dirty.

When they hit loss #4, do backups (Neubauer/Bentley) get a look? — Turnover. Would take a late-season collapse / 5-6 type year. Mateer is a package deal with the OC. Bowl eligibility still the floor.
Season math if 2-3 after the gauntlet: Kentucky, Miss State, South Carolina, Florida, Ole Miss, A&M, Missouri. 8-4 “pretty plausible” and they’d take it. 9 wins would be the happy number. 1-3 (i.e., lose to New Mexico) is the nightmare.
Closing / Venables talk / personal (1:00–end)
Pushback on “average / he ruined us.” First year was portal exodus (QB, RB, five WRs left with Lincoln Riley). Playoff last year. Two 6-7 seasons and no bowl wins are the knock; Navy/Kansas losses predate some of the current roster.

Indiana/Cignetti comparison — turning a basketball school into a football school + NIL management.

Rob: Sooners for life, “from a baby until 55.” Will be here unless they lose to New Mexico.

Cowboys-Giants tonight; Broncos tomorrow (watch former Sooners). Bet OU -21.5.

Sign-off: “For Roger, I’m Rob. Rob Bass, MCM, making cash money. Peace out.”
Clip-friendly timestamps
0:11 open + padded-cell bit

4:47 “Do I see a world where OU fixes the offense and beats Georgia and Texas?”

5:51 Mateer has to run / stop forcing Satanga

6:35–13:50 drive-by-drive + “we should have won”

11:24 Rocky Beers 94 yards

15:29 Witten-as-OC chatter

24:24 trust Brent / get the OC together

29:57–36:30 New Mexico keys (run, don’t force Isaiah, Beers, turnovers)

39:38 favorite plays (helicopter; Best’s knockout hit)

43:46 Touchdown or Turnover start

49:45 cover -21.5

1:03:50 “Sooners for life” close

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1 hr 6 min

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