WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION — YOU’RE OFFICIALLY IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

This episode is an emotional roller coaster, a reality check, and a shot of optimism all wrapped into one wild Sooner night. We open with an instant classic (and near-disaster) in OU men’s hoops, snapping a brutal 9-game losing streak in the most Oklahoma way possible — panic, hope, dread, relief, and just enough chaos to leave your heart rate spiked. Is it too late for Porter Moser? What does “winning” even look like in today’s fully transactional college basketball landscape? We don’t dodge the tough questions — and we don’t sugarcoat the answers.

From there, we pivot straight into major Oklahoma football news that every Sooner fan needs to understand. The NCAA’s baffling denial of Owen Heinecke’s eligibility appeal sparks a bigger conversation about fairness, loopholes, and the broken system governing college athletics. We break down what this means for OU, for players across the country, and why this situation perfectly captures everything that’s gone sideways with eligibility rules.

Then comes the staff shake-up — Jay Valai heads to the NFL, opening one of the most coveted defensive coaching jobs in the country. Is OU worried? Short answer: no. The talent pipeline is loaded, recruiting momentum remains strong, and the Sooners are positioned to reload, not rebuild.

And finally… the big picture win. Oklahoma makes a forward-thinking, future-proof hire at Athletic Director, signaling once again that this program is ahead of the curve. With legal minds, business minds, NFL connections, NIL strategy, and long-term vision all aligning, the Sooners are building something bigger than just next season. Add in new NFL-tied staff hires, Super Bowl Sooner representation, and a program that continues to mirror the pro model — and yeah… there’s plenty to be excited about.

This is real talk, deep analysis, and pure Sooner passion — no fluff, no hot takes for clicks, just the truth from someone who lives it.

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Because whether it’s chaos, controversy, or championships —
I’m Casey Mallon… and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…
I’m Casey Mallon — and you are officially IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

The long, strange trip of the college football season is finally in the rearview mirror, a first-time national champion has been crowned, and the offseason storylines are already hitting at full throttle. But before we look ahead, this episode brings MASSIVE news for Oklahoma football — the kind of news that changes the entire trajectory of Team 132 and beyond.

THE ANCHORS ARE BACK.
Quarterback John Mateer — the engine of the offense — and linebacker Kip Lewis — the quarterback of the defense — are officially returning to Norman. That’s leadership. That’s continuity. That’s championship DNA. Mateer’s playoff run, Heisman-level start, and toughness through injury paired with Lewis’ dominance on one of the nation’s best defenses gives the Sooners a foundation every program in America envies.

And the good news doesn’t stop there…

We break down the growing list of Sooners choosing stability over the portal, including Isaiah Sategna, Tory Blaylock, Courtland Guillory, David Stone, Jayden Jackson, Ace Hodges, Ben Anderson — and the return of Ivan Carreon, a 6’6 weapon with serious upside who flashed big-game potential in the Armed Forces Bowl. We’ll dive even deeper into portal additions later this offseason, but today is about one thing: retention matters — and OU is winning that battle.

Plus, we recap the College Football National Championship as the Indiana Hoosiers complete a perfect 16-0 season, defeating Miami 27-21, and we react to the final AP Top 25. And yes… we’re already looking ahead to next year’s title game in Las Vegas — Sin City, the Death Roomba, and college football’s biggest stage colliding.

If you love Oklahoma Sooners football, college football chaos, roster news, portal breakdowns, playoff talk, and real fan-driven analysis — THIS IS YOUR HOME.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION!
I’m Casey Mallon, and you are officially IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

Before we dive in — SMASH that SUBSCRIBE button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, and YouTube so you never miss an episode. New OU football content, college football playoff breakdowns, and elite-level analysis every week.

Nine mile skid on a ten mile ride… nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile…

The Sooner State of Mind family is eating GOOD on this episode.

We kick things off with massive Oklahoma Sooners football news as OU officially hires Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten as the new tight ends coach, replacing Joe Jon Finley. We break down why this move matters, what Witten brings from an NFL résumé that speaks for itself, and how his leadership, character, and football IQ align perfectly with Brent Venables’ vision for the program. From player development to recruiting cachet, this hire has the potential to change the way OU uses the tight end position moving forward.

Then we shift to the College Football Playoff Semifinals recap, starting with an absolute Fiesta Bowl classic between Miami and Ole Miss. Four fourth-quarter lead changes, elite quarterback play, controversial officiating, explosive young stars, and a finish that came down to the final seconds — we break it ALL down. Was it pass interference? Did Ole Miss get robbed? And yes… we address the Lane Kiffin factor.

Next up — the Peach Bowl beatdown.

Indiana vs Oregon was not just a win… it was a statement. The Hoosiers looked like a fully operational machine, dominating from the opening pick-six to the final whistle. We talk Fernando Mendoza’s ridiculous playoff run, Curt Cignetti’s culture, Indiana’s NFL-level discipline, and why this team may be the most complete squad in college football right now.

All of that sets the stage for the College Football Playoff National Championship Preview:
Miami Hurricanes vs Indiana Hoosiers at the Hard Rock.

We break down the matchups, the Vegas spread, what Miami must do to pull the upset, and why Indiana looks like a team on an absolute mission. Physicality, execution, discipline — this game has it all. Plus, ticket prices, atmosphere, and why Monday night is going to be electric.

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Every team. Every topic. Everywhere.
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My name is Casey Mallon —
and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

SUBSCRIBE. LIKE. SHARE. BOOMER SOONER.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…

I’m Casey Mallon, and you are officially back in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

The portal is WIDE open, the NIL landscape is shifting under everyone’s feet, and Oklahoma football is at the center of it all. In this episode, we break down the 21 Sooners currently in the transfer portal, including a few names that absolutely raised eyebrows—and we dig into the uncomfortable but very real truth of today’s game: getting paid now means you have to earn it. The Sooners learned that lesson the hard way with the Jaydn Ott situation, and going forward, every NIL dollar is going to come with expectations and accountability.

We dive deep into OU’s biggest roster needs, starting with a tight end room that—let’s be honest—has been a liability for far too long. From the departure of Joe Jon Finley to the possibility of fresh blood (and fresh ideas) at the position, we talk about why tight end production—at least in blocking—is no longer optional in the SEC. And yes, we give flowers to Jaren Kanak, who somehow became the most productive tight end on the roster after starting the year at linebacker.

It’s also a big-picture episode. We zoom out and talk about Nagy’s first full offseason as GM, why this staff is better positioned than people realize, and why—despite a frustrating ending—this team overachieved against a brutal schedule. A broken-thumb quarterback weeks before Texas, 10 wins, a playoff game, and hosting postseason football in Norman? If you offered that in August, you’d take it every single time.

From there, we jump into the Rose Bowl recap, Indiana’s rise from “afterthought” to national title contender, and the absolute meltdown happening across college football fandom. Notre Dame tears, Texas flexing a Cheez-It Bowl, BYU outrage, playoff expansion chaos—it’s all on the table. And yes, we talk about why playoff byes should come with home-field advantage, because momentum matters.

This one’s passionate. It’s honest. It’s unfiltered. And it’s very, very Sooner.

Head over to BLEAV.com, search Sooner State of Mind, and you’re locked in.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Amazon Music.
Want the video version? Find us on YouTube at The Football Dudes.

And in case you forgot…
My name is Casey Mallon — and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND. ️

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…
I’m Casey Mallon, and you are now in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

In this episode of Sooner State of Mind, we break down one of the most heartbreaking, gut-punch losses of the season as Oklahoma lets a golden opportunity slip away against Alabama — not because of effort, not because of heart, but because of a brutal series of catastrophic mistakes at the worst possible moments.

The Sooners jumped out early, controlled the game, and had everything right in front of them — but a dropped touchdown, a muffed punt, missed kicks, miscommunication, and a pick-six flipped the script in a matter of minutes. What started as a dominant OU performance turned into a night where special teams betrayed one of the team’s biggest strengths, momentum vanished, and a championship-caliber defense was put in impossible positions.

We talk through:

The exact moment the game changed

The sequence of mistakes that compounded into disaster

Questionable officiating that didn’t help — but wasn’t the reason

Why this loss hurts more than most

How this season still shattered preseason expectations

Why Oklahoma proved the “experts” wrong all year long

What the transfer portal means for the Sooners’ 2026 outlook

The reality of the current College Football Playoff format — and why expansion is inevitable

Despite the heartbreak, this team fought. They got off the mat all season long. They battled through injuries, a brutal schedule, and relentless doubt — and that matters. Ride or die means ride or die, and this program is still trending in the right direction.

We also hit the national picture from the weekend, the flawed playoff structure, and why better teams are being left out — setting the stage for major changes ahead in college football.

If you live and breathe Oklahoma football, this is an episode you do NOT want to miss.

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and I’m ALWAYS in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

Boomer.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION?!
I’m Casey Mallon, and you are officially locked into a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

We are five days away from Oklahoma playoff football, and the hype is REAL. In this must-listen episode, we set the table for a massive College Football Playoff first-round showdown as the #8 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) host the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-3) on Friday, December 19th in Norman. The Tide may be slight favorites, but don’t forget — OU already walked into Tuscaloosa in Red November and walked out with a 23–21 win, snapping Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak.

Before we dive headfirst into OU vs Bama, we take care of some big-time Sooner business:

“Tate the Great” Sandell brings home the Lou Groza Award, capping one of the greatest kicking seasons in Oklahoma history

A look at Sandell’s clutch kicks vs Michigan, Tennessee, and Alabama — distance and moment matter

Brent Venables calling Sandell the MVP of the Tennessee win — and he wasn’t wrong

We also touch on the wider college football landscape:

The increasingly tragic Michigan situation and what it means for the program, the portal, and Bryce Underwood’s future

Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy, becoming Indiana’s first-ever winner and leading the Hoosiers to the CFP as the No. 1 seed

Could Oklahoma see Mendoza and Indiana in Pasadena? One step at a time…

Then it’s full focus on Oklahoma vs Alabama:

Why Alabama’s recent play (Georgia loss, offensive struggles) matters — but why you can never sleep on the Tide

Ty Simpson’s numbers since the OU game and why yards don’t win games — points do

Brent Venables is 4–0 in same-season rematches as a defensive play-caller, including the legendary Clemson vs Notre Dame shutdown in 2020

As OU head coach, BV is 2–0 vs Alabama, outscoring them 47–24 with six turnovers and two pick-sixes

We break down the injury report and what it means:

Gentry Williams and Kendel Dolby out

Jayden Jackson questionable

R Mason Thomas still uncertain — and why getting him back would be a massive boost

On the offensive side, we get real:

The national slander of OU’s offense vs the reality of winning football

What we liked from the LSU game

Why Mateer’s footwork is everything

The importance of establishing any run-game consistency

Why Kanak needs more targets and why checkdowns are free money

Plus:

A bold idea for a “Best of the Rest” postseason tournament

Why the expanded playoff still isn’t perfect

And why this season still has national championship potential

This episode is about belief, data, defense, and the Sooners doing things the hard way — and doing them right.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The moment couldn’t be bigger. The vibes couldn’t be stronger.
Sooner Nation, it’s time to lock in.

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My name is Casey Mallon — and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

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WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION…
I AM CASEY MALLON — AND YOU ARE NOW IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND!

Buckle up, fam… because LSU came into Norman and tried to turn Saturday into pure SEC chaos — wind swirling, refs doing SEC-ref things, turnovers flying, momentum swinging like crazy — and yet again, these Sooners refused to break.

In this episode, we dive deep into OU’s gritty, gutsy showdown against LSU:
Peyton Bowen’s massive end-zone INT — Billy Bowman energy.
David Stone barking pre-snap like a field general.
Sategna making RIDICULOUS grabs.
Mateer’s roller-coaster afternoon — the good, the bad, the “WHY GOD,” and the clutch.
OU’s defense keeping the Sooners alive again and again.
And the elite trait the nation still underestimates: this team’s character under pressure.

We break down every possession, every momentum swing, every officiating meltdown (SEC refs… we need a word), and what this game really says about OU heading into the final playoff race.

Plus…
Why Texas fans continue to embarrass themselves
Why OU’s résumé already outshines most of the country
Why being battle-tested actually matters
What the playoff committee can’t afford to ignore
And how the coaching carousel — Golesh, Silverfield, Sumrall, Weis Jr., Golding & Kiffin — ties into postseason chaos

And of course…
SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts & Amazon Music so you never miss an episode.

Head over to BLEAV.com → Shows → Sooner State of Mind for more OU content.
Watch the show on YouTube by searching The Football Dudes.

Because at the end of the day…
My name is Casey Mallon —
And I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

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WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION?!
I am Casey Mallon, and YOU are now in a Sooner State of Mind, the place where passion meets playoff dreams and Brent Venables’ defense hits like a midnight flyer rolling straight out of Birmingham.

OU walked into last weekend with two teams between them and the College Football Playoff. After handling business in Norman against Mizzou, that number is down to ONE. The Sooners took punches, dealt plenty back, battled SEC refs straight outta cartoon villain school, and still slammed the door shut with another dominant defensive performance. Now it’s time to look ahead as OU prepares for a season-defining showdown with LSU — and absolutely everything the Sooners want is still right in front of them.

From Mateer’s clutch legs to Sategna’s speed kills moment, from Peyton Bowen’s blocked kick to Big Wein sack celebrations, this episode has the full breakdown of OU vs. Missouri, the latest CFP Top 25 drama, and why LSU might be walking straight into a defensive buzzsaw in Norman.

Hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music, because the road to the postseason runs THROUGH the Sooner State of Mind.

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WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION — you are now in a Sooner State of Mind!

In this episode, Casey breaks down the Sooners’ massive win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, including the turning-point moments, standout performances, and what this victory means for Oklahoma’s SEC trajectory. We roll through the new Top 25, react to the latest College Football Playoff rankings, and talk through which teams are rising, which are slipping, and how OU’s postseason path is shaping up.

Then we look ahead to this weekend as Oklahoma returns home to Norman to host the Missouri Tigers in a matchup loaded with stakes, swagger, and serious implications for the SEC race. We dive into key players, matchups to watch, and what the Sooners must do to keep the momentum rolling.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music — and stay locked into the only place where passion meets precision: SOONER STATE OF MIND.

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What’s up, Sooner Nation! Casey Mallon here, and you are now in a Sooner State of Mind! After a much-needed bye week, Oklahoma heads to Tuscaloosa for a massive showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide — a clash of college football blue bloods with College Football Playoff stakes on the line. The Sooners sit at No. 11 and have history on their side, winning four of the last five against Bama, including last year’s dominant 24-3 win in Norman.

In this episode, Casey breaks down the Sooners’ path to the playoff, what Brent Venables and Ben Arbuckle need to dial up to keep the offense humming, and how OU’s defense can handle the Tide’s physicality in Bryant-Denny. Plus, we look at the newly released playoff schedule, key matchups across the SEC, and what this weekend means for the national picture.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or Amazon Music — and don’t forget to catch the video version on YouTube under The Football Dudes.

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