Oklahoma Sooners Unofficial 40

The entire crew has plenty to break down from the hour long Brent Venables press conference on Tuesday. And with Maine coming to town, it's a perfect week to work on this offense. What have we liked from Joe Jon Finley and Kevin Johns after the Ole Miss game? And how does OU hold things together on the roster and the recruiting trail while Brent Venables makes the OC hire that will determine if he survives as OU's head coach. Have we been surprised or did the move to the SEC just confirm what we thought? Injuries are still ravaging the OU roster but the goal ahead has to be building even more depth. Plenty of people have had their say in Bill Bedenbaugh's future, but Venables defended him quite staunchly yesterday. How do we see his future in Norman? And how much are the Sooners willing to spend on a new OC? Josh gives us an update on the recruiting trail and we also talk a lot about the tight end position and the clamoring to see Davon Mitchell out on the field.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40! It’s Maine Week and the excitement is through the roof for Oklahoma football

19:20 - Brent Venables Maine Week Press Conference was a marathon 

29:00 - Bill Bedenbaugh’s future in question? 

38:00 - Everything is tied to who they hire at OC … they’re ready to spend $$$

53:00 - Expectations offensively/defensively vs. Maine

1:08:00 - Recruiting 

1:13:00 - Circling back to Jackson Arnold and Oklahoma/Brent Venables Tuesday comments

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On this episode of the Unofficial 40 we're getting ready for the Sooners to take on Ole Miss. How much hope do Sooner fans have that OU can actually win a tough game this season? Has all hope been lost? We have plenty of opinions on how OU should handle the offensive line situation moving forward. Jacob Jordan was impressive last week. But how bad has some of the OU receiver production been this season? We take a look at some numbers. And those numbers are not fun to look at. How does the administration feel about everything that has transpired? How secure is Brent Venables' job right now? And how much difference can someone like Kevin Johns make with this offense moving forward. Plenty of ups and downs in the season and just as many in this episode as Carey starts to hope again but everyone else is not willing to join him.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40! 

7:00 - Brent Venables talks young OL on the SEC Teleconference 

20:00 - Danny Stutsman leading the defense

29:00 - Big Money Donors concern with trajectory of program under Brent Venables? 

34:00 - Brent’s message to recruits/commits resonate? 

47:00 - Can Kevin Johns realistically help things, specifically at QB? 

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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The Sooners are at a crossroads as South Carolina heads to town. The offense is full of mistakes and Brent Venables is finally talking about it. The future of the quarterback position may depend on Michael Hawkins Jr.'s performance against the Gamecocks. How do we see Saturday breaking down for the QBs? Brent Venables held his weekly press conference and Josh and Carey had a chance to weigh in on what was said. It wasn't all bad. The Sooners had a true freshman shine on the defensive side of the ball. And we breakdown the future of the offensive line and what things look like moving forward there. How about injured receivers. What's the latest on their return? Josh gives us a wrap on everything recruiting, including some visitors incoming.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40! Things are hard right now offensively. It’s offensively offensive. 

16:00 - Is there a QB controversy? 

28:00 - Josh thoughts on BV’s presser; Brent’s involvement in helping the offense 

35:00 - Frosh CB Eli Bowen has a role in this defense

43:00 - Perhaps some WRs return to the mix in coming weeks

47:00 - OL lessons from the past 

50:00 - Josh went and saw 2025 OT commit Ryan Fodje

1:06:00 - Sooners hosting pair of big time visitors this weekend

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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It's OU-TX in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Quinn Ewers expected to return. OU's defense expected to be there. Michael Hawkins Jr., becomes the first true freshman to lead the Sooners into this battle with just six other redshirt freshman doing it before. What weapons will Hawkins have available? Will he have to carry the Sooners on his shoulders? And will Ewers be rusty at all? Can the OU defense continue to hold up? Has Texas played a team like the Sooners? Or are they just a default No. 1 right now? So many questions to be answered. We go over everything we can think to go over. Josh is here to talk about the recruits who should be taking in the game from the stands as well. We also talk about the transfer portal and signing day and how this is all changing right now. And we look over some of the other teams in the SEC and abroad. It's a huge weekend for the Sooners. It's a huge weekend for all of us. Why not get ready with your best friends from the Unofficial 40. We'll help keep you entertained until the butterflies take over just before kickoff.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40! It’s OU-Texas Week, friends. 

7:00 - Josh is trying to bring down the OU program 

24:00 - Quinn Ewers returns to QB1 for the Horns

31:00 - Josh’s opinion on OU OL + Texas DL

50:13 - Sooners are the home team and will be ‘hosting’ visitors

1:05:00 - National Letter of Intent has been murdered

1:15:00 - Good ol fashion CFB talk

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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It's a bye week in Norman so on this week's Unofficial 40 we start out talking a little recruiting with Josh McCuistion. Have the Sooners made a mistake not putting together a bigger push for tight end Dakotah Terrell from Pocola? We also breakdown what's going on with the tight end position in recruiting as well as a potential new commit at the linebacker position. With Texas coming up and Michael Hawkins Jr., establishing himself as QB1 coming out of Auburn, how would a big performance against Texas affect the future of Jackson Arnold in Norman. We're going hypothetical. Brent Venables actually answered George's injury questions without wanting to kill him on the SEC teleconference. What we're hearing on the injury front heading into Texas. Texas is off. OU is off. We should have a relatively healthy couple of teams in the Cotton Bowl next week.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40! We sort of stan the bye week; OU-Texas next

4:00 - Let’s start with recruiting talk. In depth TE talk 

17:15 - Josh has logged a new RPM for 2025 Cy Falls LB Kaleb Burns

22:30 - QB recruiting hypothetical 

30:00 - Michael Hawkins impressions

39:00 - Injury updates from SEC Teleconference; Offensive line most healthy they’ve been

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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SEC firsts haven't gone well for Oklahoma. After a 25-15 loss to Tennessee in their SEC home opener, the Sooners travel to Auburn, Ala., for their SEC road opener. In this episode we talk about the QB change from Jackson Arnold to Michael Hawkins Jr. We also breakdown the position coaches on offense. Who is pulling their weight? Anyone? Blocking has become a massive issue for this offense. Turnovers at the worst time as well. Can Hawkins step up and fill the void against a stiff Auburn defense? How will the defense replace Kendel Dolby at the cheetah position? Trace Ford did it a week ago, but this Auburn offense has had interception issues. And we loved hearing from Brent Venables this week during his weekly press conference. He was direct and honest about the issues plaguing his team and in particular, his offense. Trying to diagnose the injury situation has become a full-time affair and we're trying to figure that out with Andrel Anthony and Nic Anderson.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Unofficial40 

20:00 - Offensive problems 

29:00 - Could a playcaller change come with the BYE week?

49:50 - OL issues have not been solved 

57:33 - What’s going on with Nic Anderson and Andrel Anthony? 

1:02:00 - UNLV QB Matthew Sluka making some headlines

1:12:00 - Recruiting Tennessee Weekend Recap

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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Usually during game weeks, you get a little worn out talking about the same things over and over. But not this week. This is the week you love to try and figure out exactly what we could see happen in the biggest matchup in college football this weekend. Or at least what everyone thinks is going to be the biggest matchup. OU's offense line? Uggh. Can it hold up? Can it protect Jackson Arnold? Can it help the run game? Who will be back? What will guys like Nic Anderson look like coming back? Will he be rusty? Should we temper our expectations? Is Branson Hickman going to be back? And will he hold up? Can the defense and the crowd get to Tennessee's young gun, Nico Iamaleava? Josh is here to update us on the recruiting weekend as well as what has been happening with Cortez Mills and Floyd Boucard, who recently decommitted. It's a huge weekend in Norman. Let us get you ready from the Campus Corner studios. And plenty of insight and talk about Josh Heupel and why Bob Stoops is wanting to sit out all media requests this week. How are things going between those two?

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the U40! BIG week in Norman. Josh Heupel’s return and College Gameday coming to town

13:50 - Tennessee defense as advertised? Can Oklahoma find itself offensively?

19:00 - Who’s in, who’s out on the OL? How does OU DL match-up? 

35:00 - OU running back talk

42:00- Special teams 

47:00 - 2000 natty memories

56:00 - Thoughts on Bob Stoops not speaking this week

1:07:00 - Massive recruiting weekend

1:10:00 - What happened with Floyd Bouchard? 

1:20:00 - CFB whiparound

*The Oklahoma Zoological Society's 16th annual ZOObrew presented by Byron's Liquor Warehouse is at the OKC Zoo Friday September 27. Get your tickets now before they sell out at https://ozsgiving.org for details. AND THEY WILL SELL OUT!

*Download the Gametime app and redeem code On3 for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply) at: https://www.gametime.co

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It's Wednesday. There may be some hope in the air after everyone has gotten the doom and gloom out of their system. At least the people inside the Scoop offices. We've heard from players and Brent Venables. We've watched Internet breakdowns of what went wrong schematically Our friends and families have aired their grievances in our direction. And of course, we've seen what you've been saying on the Crimson Corner, X and the YouTube comments section. And now it's Wednesday and we all have different perspectives Carey, Josh, Eddie and George have gathered to talk about what we've learned this week and where the Sooners are heading as they get ready to take on Tulane. What's the latest on the injury front? Who could we see back this week? And how is the defense holding up? Josh also has the latest in recruiting on Cortez Mills and whether he is still an OU commitment or not. All that and more on this week's edition of the Unofficial 40.

0:00 - Welcome back to the U40! Good news: OU is 2-0. Bad news: Everything else

15:00 - George gives an update The Bachelor

16:00 - Problem with OL start at center?

21:45 - Nic Anderson back practicing. Injury frustrations.

31:00 - How far can the defense take this team?

43:00 - OU Def vs. Tulane and Darian Mensah 

52:00 - Recruiting - ’25 WR commit Cortez Mills visited Nebraska

57:00 - 2025 Omaha (Neb.) LB Christian Jones commits to Nebraska

*The Oklahoma Zoological Society's 16th annual ZOObrew presented by Byron's Liquor Warehouse is at the OKC Zoo Friday September 27. Get your tickets now before they sell out at https://ozsgiving.org for details. AND THEY WILL SELL OUT!

*Download the Gametime app and redeem code On3 for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply) at: https://www.gametime.co

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Is the Scoop staff at war with each other over the offensive line situation? Maybe. But mainly we're all just trying to figure out who the hell is going to be the starting center Saturday against Houston. Injuries have ravaged the interior of the OU offensive line and even Brent Venables seemed a bit put off by answering questions about it this week at his weekly press conference. (George did it). And we really dig deep into who could be the youngsters to step up at the receiver position. But then the good happens. We start talking about the defense and the depth and talent that is being developed by Brent Venables in Norman. The Sooners are legitimately two-deep at a lot of positions. And we liked a lot of what we saw from the defensive line last weekend. But again, it's only one game and it was against a pretty bad Temple team. Josh is here to hit on some recruiting as the Tennessee weekend is looking like one to watch for all you recruitniks. The latest with Cortez Mills and Andrew Babalola as well. We also take a look around at college football and the teams that have been duds so far in the early season. Florida State and Florida? We're looking at you.

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the U40! What’s going on at center?

17:00 - Wide receiver; who steps up? 

30:00 - Defense. Defense. Defense. 

33:50 - Any concern about PJ Adebawore

47:20 - Linebacker 

49:00 - Recruiting - Cortez Mills update

1:05:00 - Visits starting up; Tennessee still a major weekend

1:09:00 - College Football Roundtable

*The Oklahoma Zoological Society's 16th annual ZOObrew presented by Byron's Liquor Warehouse is at the OKC Zoo Friday September 27. Get your tickets now before they sell out at https://ozsgiving.org for details. AND THEY WILL SELL OUT!

*Download the Gametime app and redeem code On3 for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply) at: https://www.gametime.co

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So many developments this week as the Sooners get ready to take on Temple inside Gaylor Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Friday night. We talk about some of our player access this week along with George's excellent profile on Jackson Arnold finally getting to the point where it's his time to shine. We also try and decipher where David Stone really sits on the defensive line when this is all said and done. Is Jayden Jackson the difference maker we all feel he is being made out to be? Or is this depth chart deception that has us taking a deeper dive into what this all means? We're really getting in the weeds with the depth chart. And what about guys like Deion Burks? Guys we talked about and drooled over all spring? He's just kind of flown under the radar. Temple appears to be a bad football team. If OU is dominating at halftime then will anyone but backups play after halftime. And what is this offensive line going to look like on the first offensive snap of the game? Who will be out there? Josh is here for a little bit of recruiting talk and we're really getting prepared to see some football. Can't Wait!!!

THE FULL RUNDOWN FOLLOWS BELOW:

0:00 - Welcome back to the U40! It’s game week in Norman, Oklahoma

3:00 - DeMarco Murray suspended for a game in 2024 

12:30 - George dropped a 4,000 word feature on Jackson Arnold

29:00 - Is frosh DT Jayden Jackson ready to make history? 

43:33 - Deion Burks leading the pack at WR? 

50:00 - OL talk for Temple game

57:00 - Recruiting focus shifting to 2026

*The Oklahoma Zoological Society's 16th annual ZOObrew presented by Byron's Liquor Warehouse is at the OKC Zoo Friday September 27. Get your tickets now before they sell out at https://ozsgiving.org for details. AND THEY WILL SELL OUT!

*Download the Gametime app and redeem code On3 for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply) at: https://www.gametime.co

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