Sooner State of Mind

It's Oklahoma vs. Texas. It's the Red River Rivalry. And for the Sooners, EVERYTHING is on the line!

On this episode of Sooner State of Mind, host Casey Mallon breaks down the biggest game of Oklahoma's season and the burning questions surrounding Brent Venables and the Sooners.

John Mateer remains QB1, but can he eliminate the catastrophic turnovers, settle into the offense, and deliver when Oklahoma needs him most? With an injury-riddled offensive line, a struggling running game, and an offense plagued by costly mistakes, the pressure is mounting. Did Brent Venables make the right decision sticking with Mateer, and how long will his leash be if things go south against Texas?

Meanwhile, Oklahoma's defense has shown flashes of greatness, but can it dominate the line of scrimmage, pressure the quarterback, and keep the Sooners in the fight? With injuries mounting on both sides of the rivalry, execution, toughness, and the will to win could determine everything.

We're talking Red River hatred, quarterback controversy, offensive struggles, defensive dominance, critical injuries, and the possibility of a little SOONER MAGIC!

Because here's the thing about the Red River Rivalry: Throw out the records. Forget the rankings. Nothing that happened before Saturday matters once these two teams step onto the field.

The Sooners have been counted out before. Remember the legendary comeback capped by Kennedy Brooks? Anything can happen when Oklahoma and Texas collide.

One win could change the entire trajectory of this season. One loss could send it spiraling.

Can Brent Venables rally his Sooners? Can John Mateer silence his critics? Can Oklahoma shock Texas and reclaim its season?

The story hasn't been written. And Sooner Nation isn't ready to close the book!

️ This is SOONER STATE OF MIND — where it's always BOOMER SOONER!

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BOOMER SOONER! BEAT TEXAS!

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Sooner Nation, how much longer can Oklahoma’s defense carry the load? Casey Mallon digs into a frustrating showing against Georgia, John Mateer’s disappointing play and costly errors, and a Sooners rushing attack that still can’t find its footing. The defense continues to deliver—but critical mistakes keep undermining its hard work.

Subscribe to Sooner State of Mind on your favorite podcast platform, and join Casey for passionate, honest Oklahoma football talk. BOOMER SOONER!

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The Oklahoma Sooners got the win over New Mexico…but somehow it felt a whole lot more like a loss.

On this episode of Sooner State of Mind, Casey breaks down another brutal offensive performance from Oklahoma, including a rushing attack that managed just 61 yards, continued inconsistency from John Mateer, and an offense that still seems completely devoid of rhythm, identity, and reliable playmaking. Meanwhile, the Sooners defense once again came to the rescue, with David Stone, Owen Heinecke, PJ Adebawore, the Bowen brothers and company delivering another monster performance.

But how long can the defense keep carrying this team?

With undefeated #2 Georgia waiting in Athens, Casey asks whether it’s time for drastic measures. Should Kevin Wilson take over the play-calling? Is Ben Arbuckle officially on the hot seat? And if the offensive struggles continue, should Oklahoma reopen the quarterback competition? The Sooners are still 2-1 and everything they hoped to accomplish this season is technically still in front of them — but something has to change quickly.

Plus, we look around a wild weekend of college football, preview a loaded Week 4 slate, and get ready for Oklahoma’s first-ever trip to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Sooners survived New Mexico. Now comes the real test.

Can Oklahoma’s defense keep them alive long enough for the offense to finally wake up?

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Sooner Nation, it’s time for a BIG one.

The Oklahoma Sooners are heading into the Big House for a massive showdown with the Michigan Wolverines, and on this episode of Sooner State of Mind, Casey Mallon is breaking down everything you need to know before kickoff.

Joining the show is Jared Stormer, host of Out of the Blue: A Michigan Sports Podcast, to give us the Wolverines’ perspective. We dive into the beginning of the Kyle Whittingham era at Michigan, the Wolverines’ wild 13-12 season-opening escape, a defense that held Western Michigan to just 221 total yards, and the major questions surrounding Bryce Underwood and Michigan’s struggling offense.

Could Whittingham actually make a quarterback change if Underwood struggles? Who are the Michigan defenders Oklahoma fans need to know? And after last year’s battle between these two programs, how does Jared see Saturday playing out?

Then it’s all Sooners.

We’ve got encouraging news along the offensive line with Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje back at full speed, but concern remains surrounding Michael Fasusi’s availability. Casey explains why Oklahoma needs to establish the running game, why we could see more of John Mateer’s legs, and how a fast start could turn the Big House into the Big Quiet House.

The Sooners dropped to No. 11 despite a 51-0 win — maybe that’s exactly the motivation this team needs.

We also hit some of Saturday’s biggest games, including Missouri-Kansas, Oregon-Oklahoma State, Arizona State-Texas A&M, Iowa State-Iowa, and Ohio State-Texas.

And finally, some love for one of the most beloved Sooners ever: Baker Mayfield just got PAID, signing a massive three-year, $165 million extension. Baker now has 165 million reasons to be completely gruntled.

Michigan. Oklahoma. The Big House. A huge early-season test.

Play clean Sooner football, silence 100,000-plus Wolverines fans, and come home 2-0.

BOOMER SOONER!

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Oklahoma Sooners football is officially back, and the stoke levels are OFF THE CHARTS. Casey Mallon gets you ready for OU’s Friday night season opener against UTEP, breaking down the matchup, what Brent Venables’ defense could unleash on Miners quarterback EJ Colson Jr., and why this could be a huge night for the Sooners to make an early statement.

We dive into the biggest things to watch: can Oklahoma establish a dominant running game, will the offensive line find its rhythm with Ryan Fodje starting at center, how much 12 personnel will we see from Jason Witten’s revamped tight end room, and can John Mateer command the offense without giving too much away before bigger tests against Michigan and Georgia?

Plus, we look at UTEP’s inspiring Code Blue tradition honoring Luke Laufenberg, take a few shots at the empty seats across town at USC, and preview a glorious FIVE STRAIGHT DAYS of college football featuring Boise State-Oregon, Clemson-LSU, Wisconsin-Notre Dame, Louisville-Ole Miss and more.

Football is back. Norman is about to be rocking. The Sooners are ready to roll.

UTEP vs. Oklahoma. Friday night. Let’s ride.

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Sooner football is almost HERE, and the stoke levels are officially rising! With Oklahoma less than two weeks away from kicking off the 2026 season under the Friday night lights against UTEP, Casey dives into why the future of this program might be brighter than ever.

We break down the impact of Jim Nagy and the NFL-style front office he’s building in Norman — a model that’s now getting national attention and could become the blueprint for the future of college football. From roster retention and managing the new world of college football to identifying the right players and allowing Brent Venables to focus on what he does best, Nagy’s influence is being felt throughout the entire program.

Plus, John Mateer enters 2026 with huge expectations after battling through a broken thumb last season and still helping Oklahoma reach the College Football Playoff. If Mateer is healthy and takes the next step, could the Sooners become one of college football’s biggest dark horses?

And Oklahoma is betting big on continuity. Brent Venables has a new six-year contract, Jim Nagy has been locked up through 2030, the Sooners are coming off one of the nation’s best defensive seasons, recruiting is rolling, and BV continues building a program focused on developing players both on and off the field.

Some people will look only at the wins and losses. We’re looking at what’s being built.

Great things are on the horizon in Norman. Believe that.

The 2026 journey is about to begin.

BOOMER SOONER!

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Fall camp is officially rolling in Norman, and Oklahoma football is just 26 days away! The stoke levels are rising as Casey Mallon dives into everything coming out of OU Media Day and what we’re learning about a Sooners offense that could be ready to make a major leap in 2026.

We break down Jason Witten’s immediate impact on the tight end room, Bill Bedenbaugh’s confidence in a bigger, stronger and battle-tested offensive line, and what new running backs coach Deland McCullough is bringing to a loaded backfield featuring Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, Lloyd Avant and more. Plus, could Daniel Odom and Oklahoma’s young receivers force their way onto the field alongside Isaiah Sategna and Trell Harris?

And everything ultimately comes back to John Mateer and Ben Arbuckle. After battling through a broken thumb and the enormous transition into SEC football last season, Mateer enters Year 2 more experienced, more prepared and more comfortable with the expectations that come with playing quarterback at Oklahoma. Add increased involvement from Sooner legend Sam Bradford and the experience of Kevin Wilson, and there are plenty of reasons to believe this offense can take a significant step forward.

Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff last season despite injuries, inexperience and offensive inconsistency. If the offense takes the leap this coaching staff believes it can, how high is the ceiling for the 2026 Sooners?

Football is almost here. Stoke levels are rising. And as the Sooners rise… we all rise.

️ Subscribe to Sooner State of Mind on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Watch the show on YouTube by searching The Football Dudes.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION!

On this episode of Sooner State of Mind, Casey Mallon is back after a finger-safe Fourth of July weekend and ready to turn the page toward what really matters: Oklahoma Sooners football is less than two months away.

Casey reacts to OU’s season opener against UTEP being moved to Friday night, September 4th, giving the Sooners a primetime home opener and one extra day to prepare for a huge early-season trip to the Big House against Michigan. With Georgia and Texas looming soon after, the 2026 schedule is coming fast — and the stoke level is rising.

Plus, the Sooners land a major quarterback commitment as Trey Tagliaferri out of Bergen Catholic flips from Notre Dame to Oklahoma. Casey breaks down why this pickup matters, what it says about Jim Nagy, Brent Venables, and the direction of the program, and why OU continues to build something special in Norman.

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WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION — the boys are back in a championship state of mind!

On this episode of Sooner State of Mind, we recap Oklahoma Baseball bringing home the National Championship and what this title means for the Sooners’ athletic dominance across the board. Then we jump into Austin Reaves landing a massive new contract and why the former Sooner continues to prove everybody wrong at the next level.

We also sound off on Brandon Sorsby getting overlooked by the NFL conversation, break down the latest around the USMNT, and look ahead to the World Cup as soccer takes center stage. From diamonds to dollars, snubs to stars, and Sooners making noise everywhere — this one has it all.

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WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION… Casey Mallon is back with a MASSIVE breakdown of why the 2026 Oklahoma offense might be ready to explode under John Mateer and Ben Arbuckle. From Mateer’s wild playmaking ability at Washington State to the loaded Sooners tight end and receiver rooms, this episode dives deep into the film, the stats, the swagger, and the reasons Sooner fans should believe this offense could become one of the most dangerous attacks in college football.

Casey breaks down Mateer game-by-game, analyzing the arm strength, toughness, clutch moments, rushing upside, and the “Mateer Magic” that made OU go all-in on him. Plus: why the Washington State film reveals major concerns about last year’s offensive line play, why the Sooners skill talent is a complete 180 from 2025, Tebow/Baker-style comparisons, Jason Witten’s impact on the TE room, and why the stoke levels in Norman are officially rising.

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