West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

By Lee and Grant BensonSports

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West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast episodes

October 25 Ep. 446 - John Mateer’s Best Game at OU? Sooners Beat Mississippi State
Ep. 446 - Mateer’s Best Game at OU? Sooners Beat Mississippi State
OU’s back in the win column and the offense actually looked pretty good for a full game. Lee and Grant break down John Mateer’s best performance as OU’s quarterback, the season-high 467 yards, a much-improved running game and whether Ben Arbuckle finally found a version of the offense that can work.
The guys also discuss the impact of Michael Fasusi’s return at left tackle, strong performances from Isaiah Sategna, Rocky Beers, Tory Blaylock and Lloyd Avant, and the dramatic difference between Mateer’s conservative first half and much more aggressive second half. They also debate the controversial Beers no-touchdown call and why Oklahoma still failed to turn a dominant statistical performance into a comfortable blowout.
The defense was great again, OU dominated, but still only won by 8 points. Plus, listener three-word reviews, Tate Sandell’s rough day, Oklahoma’s bizarre win-loss pattern and an early look toward South Carolina.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — OU beats Mississippi State 23-15
05:21 — Was this John Mateer’s best game at Oklahoma?
07:06 — A tale of two halves for Mateer and the offense
10:13 — Oklahoma finally establishes a running game
11:07 — Michael Fasusi’s return changes the offensive line
15:59 — Mateer’s first-half vs. second-half numbers
20:14 — OU dominated, so why was the game still close?
24:39 — Is there finally something for the offense to build on?
29:23 — Isaiah Sategna, Rocky Beers and OU’s top pass catchers
30:06 — Was Rocky Beers’ end-zone play actually a touchdown?
38:30 — Defensive standouts against Mississippi State
45:20 — Three-word reviews and what the win really means
53:17 — What’s going on with Tate Sandell?
55:44 — Is Oklahoma’s defense still elite?
1:04:03 — OU’s bizarre win-loss-win-loss streak
1:05:19 — Early look at South Carolina
1:09:05 — Could Oklahoma still reach the SEC Championship Game?
1:26:10 — Final thoughts and looking ahead
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1 hr 28 min
October 22 Ep. 445 - What Would It Take To Bench John Mateer? + Mississippi State Preview
Ep. 445 - What Would It Take To Bench John Mateer? + Mississippi State Preview
What does it mean to remain invested in Oklahoma football when you no longer believe in the people leading the program? Grant tackles that question in his opening take.
Then Lee and Grant turn to Oklahoma’s broken offense. John Mateer will remain the starting quarterback against Mississippi State, we hear from Ben Arbuckle and would making a change actually matter?
The guys also react to Arbuckle’s explanation for why Ryan Fodje remained on the field for many snaps after injuring his foot against Kentucky. What does this say about the coordination and leadership of Oklahoma’s offense. Then it’s a preview of OU-Mississippi State, including the uncertain status of Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor, Oklahoma’s depleted offensive line, what the defense needs to do and whether the Sooners can simply avoid enough mistakes to win in Starkville.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take: What happens when a fan stops believing?
05:50 — Brent Venables misses the weekly press conference
06:58 — Ben Arbuckle explains why Mateer is still QB1
09:29 — Why a quarterback change probably won’t fix OU
11:01 — The strongest argument for trying Whit Neubauer
11:52 — Do you trust OU’s quarterback evaluation?
15:15 — Should Ben Arbuckle be worried about his job?
18:07 — What if Whit Neubauer actually looked better?
19:02 — Comparing Oklahoma’s QB situation with Texas
20:34 — What would it take to bench Mateer?
21:56 — Ben Arbuckle explains why Fodje stayed in the game
22:41 — Grant: the Fodje situation symbolizes the bigger problem
23:28 — Why Arbuckle’s explanation is a bad look
27:01 — Leadership and communication breakdowns
29:42 — Oklahoma’s offensive-line outlook vs. Mississippi State
30:09 — Could Michael Fasusi finally return?
31:10 — What OU’s offensive line may look like
34:30 — Oklahoma-Mississippi State preview begins
35:16 — Will Kamario Taylor play?
39:05 — Why OU should win if Mississippi State starts its backup QB
40:31 — How Venables may defend Jeff Lebby’s offense
41:38 — What Oklahoma’s defense needs to show
42:56 — Can OU generate more organic pass rush?
45:20 — What Oklahoma’s offense needs to show
45:30 — Can OU simply finish drives and avoid turnovers?
46:39 — Breaking down Mississippi State’s defense
47:46 — The simple formula: don’t turn it over
48:10 — Score prediction discussion
51:18 — Weekly picks against the spread
52:20 — Indiana at Michigan, Tennessee-SC, Iowa-Minn, Ole Miss-Texas
59:16 — USC at Wisconsin
1:00:14 — Picks recap
1:00:49 — Final thoughts on Starkville
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1 hr 2 min
October 18 Ep. 444 - OU Flops Following Texas Win, Loses to Kentucky at Home
Ep. 444 - OU Flops Following Texas Win, Loses to Kentucky at Home
OU followed its emotional win over Texas with a 21-13 home loss to Kentucky, falling to 3-3 overall and effectively ending any realistic College Football Playoff hopes. Despite showing signs of life early, OU’s offense reverted back to their usual selves when it mattered most.
The guys also examine the larger coaching picture. Kentucky looked like the more buttoned-up team under first-year head coach Will Stein, while Oklahoma continues to struggle with many of the same problems that have followed Brent Venables throughout his tenure. They discuss Venables’ newly revealed buyout, why the recent contract extension matters so much and whether Oklahoma has financially boxed itself into a difficult spot.
Plus, Lee & Grant talk about Ryan Fodje’s injury and what all went into that sequence of events. Stick around for listener “3-word reviews”.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — OU loses and the same problems keep showing up
03:17 — Grant’s first reaction to the loss
08:22 — Why coaching makes players look better or worse
10:27 — Mateer was playing well — until the interception
14:23 — Mateer’s turnover problem in perspective
18:37 — Venables’ contract extension and the bigger picture
21:23 — Why we thought Oklahoma would beat Kentucky
22:48 — OU’s turnover numbers are among the worst in college football
26:30 — Venables’ $51.67 million buyout
30:23 — Can Venables ever fix the offense?
34:35 — The Ryan Fodje injury situation was crazy
40:59 — Reconstructing the Fodje timeline
44:49 — The Mateer turnover changes everything
46:36 — Why was Fodje still on the field?
56:03 — Kentucky scores only 14 offensive points and still wins
56:41 — Three-word reviews begin
59:27 — “Numb to losses” and more fan reaction
1:00:54 — Should OU just eat the buyout now?
1:02:00 — Can a new offensive staff actually save this?
1:04:26 — Venables’ postgame explanation of the Fodje situation
1:07:10 — More fan reaction: “John Blake bad”
1:08:20 — Revisiting the fake field goal
1:10:29 — Injuries and another frustrating pattern
1:12:38 — What expectations should be for the rest of the season
1:13:14 — Kentucky’s rebuild makes OU’s situation look worse
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
1 hr 15 min
October 15 Ep. 443 - Did Beating Texas Save OU’s Season? + Kentucky Preview
Ep. 443 - Did Beating Texas Save OU’s Season? + Kentucky Preview
Did OU’s emotional 27-24 win over Texas change the direction of the Sooners’ season? Lee and Grant run through several reasons for optimism, followed by realistic reasons why it’s fair to be skeptical.
What expectations should we have for OU over the final seven games?
Then it’s a full Oklahoma-Kentucky preview. The guys break down the latest injury report, Will Stein’s Kentucky offense, Kenny Minchey, Kentucky’s offensive line, OU’s matchup advantages on defense and whether Ben Arbuckle can finally get more out of Oklahoma’s offense against one of the weaker defenses the Sooners have faced. The show closes with score predictions and the weekly college football picks against the spread.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take: Did beating Texas save Oklahoma’s season?
07:15 — Did beating Texas prove OU can beat anybody?
11:11 — Did OU finally find something in the run game?
11:28 — Mateer: OU is 5-1 when he doesn’t turn it over
13:13 — The biggest reason for optimism: the remaining schedule
17:04 — Why an unranked OU is favored over No. 15 Kentucky
18:12 — Peyton Bowen’s leadership: meaningful or overrated?
20:06 — Oklahoma’s defense remains the biggest reason for hope
24:18 — Can OU repeat last year’s backs-against-the-wall run?
30:05 — Oklahoma has the worst offense in the Power Four
33:20 — One Mateer turnover changes everything
34:22 — The difficult offenses still ahead on OU’s schedule
36:00 — What should Oklahoma’s expectations be now?
41:05 — Oklahoma-Kentucky preview begins
42:18 — Latest OU injury report
43:14 — Eli Bowen, Michael Fasusi and offensive-line concerns
45:36 — How injuries could reshape Oklahoma’s lineup
49:00 — Breaking down Kentucky’s offense
54:19 — Why Kentucky’s offense knows exactly what it wants to be
55:25 — Is Kentucky’s offensive line really the best OU has faced?
59:58 — Kentucky’s creative use of tight ends
1:04:00 — How Will Stein schemes easy throws
1:08:10 — Kenny Minchey’s strengths and limitations
1:09:43 — Can OU’s offense take advantage of Kentucky’s defense?
1:13:54 — What OU’s defense must do against Kentucky
1:15:16 — Third downs and Oklahoma’s pass defense
1:16:49 — What OU’s offense needs to show
1:18:59 — Oklahoma-Kentucky score predictions
1:22:57 — Around college football
1:27:59 — Ohio State at Indiana
1:29:26 — Alabama at Tennessee
1:30:58 — Missouri at Ole Miss
1:34:00 — Wisconsin at UCLA
1:35:49 — Nebraska at Oregon
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
1 hr 44 min
October 11 Ep. 442 - OU Shocks No. 1 Texas on Sandell's Walk-Off Field Goal
Ep. 442 - OU Shocks No. 1 Texas on Sandell's Walk-Off Field Goal
Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas 27-24 in the Cotton Bowl, and Lee and Grant break down how the Sooners found the narrow path to a massive Red River win.
The guys evaluate John Mateer’s performance and whether Ben Arbuckle may finally be finding a more manageable formula for the OU offense. They also dig into Lloyd Avant’s breakout third quarter.
On defense, Oklahoma made Arch Manning uncomfortable, forced seven three-and-outs and got major performances from Peyton Bowen, Courtland Guillory, Tristan Haynes, David Stone and others. The guys also read your “3-word reviews”!
Chapters/Timecodes
01:40 — Grant begins the Texas victory lap
03:03 — Texas blinked under the bright lights
07:49 — Oklahoma followed the exact upset recipe
09:42 — OU finally finds something in the run game
11:09 — Why OU made the winning plays and Texas didn’t
12:13 — John Mateer: not great, but good enough
18:17 — OU finally gets some turnover luck
19:27 — Courtland Guillory’s interception and Venables’ pressure call
20:12 — Trystan Haynes shines in a huge spot
22:59 — OU finally makes Arch Manning uncomfortable
23:35 — Seven three-and-outs from the Oklahoma defense
25:23 — Lloyd Avant and the third-quarter run-game breakthrough
29:18 — Can Oklahoma build on the running game?
34:00 — The new offensive formula: just manage the game
34:57 — David Stone continues his breakout
36:18 — Jayden Jackson and OU’s defensive front
39:36 — Owen Heinecke, Danny Okoye and defensive standouts
42:09 — Was Texas finally due to lay an egg?
49:10 — Three-word reviews begin
49:59 — The frustrating side of the John Mateer experience
51:48 — Arbuckle’s play-calling and the failed trick play
56:03 — Peyton Bowen talks about the pick-six
57:22 — Tate Sandell’s walk-off field goal
1:00:04 — More three-word reviews: Sategna, Avant and the heroes
1:01:03 — Did this win change Oklahoma’s season?
1:05:21 — How strong is the SEC this season?
1:07:26 — Is there an elite team in college football this year?
1:10:33 — More fan reaction: Golden Hat back
1:12:25 — Celebrate now, but skepticism remains
1:12:53 — Why Kentucky still matters enormously
1:18:27 — Should Sark have kicked the late field goal?
1:23:01 — Sategna’s final catch and the OU sideline reaction
1:25:26 — Closing thoughts: enjoy beating Texas
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
1 hr 28 min
October 08 Ep. 441 - Does OU’s Season Hinge on What Happens vs. Texas?
Ep. 441 - Does OU’s Season Hinge on What Happens vs. Texas?
Oklahoma needs a win to change the direction of its season. Lee and Grant break down whether the Sooners have a realistic path to upsetting No. 1 Texas.
The guys also react to Brent Venables’ strong comments about the instability and development problems inside the offensive line room. Has the time finally come for a change with Bill Bedenbaugh?
Then it’s a full OU-Texas preview: the latest SEC injury report, Arch Manning and the Texas offense, Oklahoma’s only realistic upset formula, whether Texas is truly as vulnerable as its raw offensive numbers suggest, and score predictions. The show closes with a look around college football and the weekly picks against the spread.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take: Is Texas the most beatable No. 1 team in years?
02:40 — OU-Texas week: the greatest atmosphere in college football
04:09 — Lee and Grant’s favorite Red River memories
05:43 — Could 2009 provide the blueprint for this year?
07:48 — OU-Texas history and why this rivalry is so unpredictable
10:49 — Why Texas usually brings its best against Oklahoma
14:13 — The one thing Texas hasn’t done poorly in this rivalry
16:38 — Brent Venables’ comments on the offensive line
18:54 — Was Venables calling out Bill Bedenbaugh?
27:17 — OU’s last elite high-school-developed offensive lineman
31:15 — Comparing OU’s offensive line development to Texas
33:03 — Oklahoma’s recent O-line recruiting misses
36:34 — Is this the beginning of the end for Bedenbaugh at OU?
38:18 — Final thoughts on the offensive line
40:15 — OU-Texas preview begins
40:52 — SEC injury report: who’s out for Oklahoma?
50:13 — The upset formula: shorten the game and protect the football
52:49 — If Mateer avoids turnovers, can OU win?
53:43 — Can Venables finally get the better of Sark?
1:04:40 — OU’s defense vs. Texas’ offense
1:06:15 — What Oklahoma needs from both sides of the ball
1:08:24 — Could this game change the rest of OU’s season?
1:13:39 — Score predictions: can Oklahoma keep it close?
1:16:07 — Who has more pressure: Oklahoma or Texas?
1:17:37 — Final OU-Texas picks
1:18:45 — Around college football
1:22:22 — Iowa-Washington and other national games
1:29:47 — Texas A&M at Missouri
1:32:14 — Indiana at Nebraska
1:35:00 — UCLA at Oregon
1:37:00 — USC at Penn State
1:38:19 — Georgia at Alabama
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
1 hr 43 min
October 01 Ep. 440 - OU Fans Still Support Brent Venables. But for How Long?
Ep. 440 - OU Fans Still Support Brent Venables. But for How Long?
Even after OU’s 2-2 start, a new fan survey says that more than 60% of Oklahoma fans still do not want a change at head coach. Lee and Grant react to the poll, compare it with the West of Everest audience results and discuss whether expectations around Oklahoma football have changed under Brent Venables.
Should Oklahoma stick with John Mateer, or is it time to see what Whitt Newbauer can do?
Later, Lee and Grant answer a Spotify listener question about possible future offensive coordinators, react to the huge response to Grant’s OU coaching hot board. The show closes with a look around college football and this week’s picks against the spread.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take - OU fan polls reveal two very different views of Brent Venables
04:05 — More than 62% of fans still don’t want a coaching change
08:48 — West of Everest poll: 53% checked out on the Venables era
10:50 — Have Oklahoma’s standards changed?
15:37 — 72% want a quarterback change
21:39 — The best argument for trying Newbauer
23:39 — What do you actually want from Oklahoma football?
24:49 — Venables says John Mateer is still QB1
30:00 — Everest Club update and listener engagement
31:55 — Listener question: Chip Kelly or Hue Jackson at OC?
33:16 — If Venables stays, does the entire offensive staff have to go?
37:28 — Making the playoff should be the expectation at Oklahoma
39:21 — Grant’s coaching hot board blew up on YouTube
41:05 — Viewer reactions to the coaching hot board
41:26 — Is it time to move on from Bill Bedenbaugh?
43:20 — New OC, new O-line coach — or a full offensive reset?
45:23 — Why some fans still aren’t ready to move on from Venables
47:24 — “One more chance” for Venables?
48:00 — Is hiring great assistants the most important head-coach skill?
51:55 — More coaching candidates: Kalani Sitake, Jamie Chadwell and others
52:43 — Grant adds Blake Baker to the hot board
53:32 — Jim Harbaugh? Make the call anyway
58:41 — Does Venables get too much benefit of the doubt?
59:57 — The bigger concern: Oklahoma’s administration
1:02:08 — Buster Faulkner rises on Grant’s coaching hot board
1:03:07 — Jon Gruden? Absolutely not
1:04:41 — Around college football and Lee wants no part of James Franklin
1:07:04 — Miami-Clemson and the Week 5 slate
1:09:08 — Last week’s picks and Lincoln Riley fallout
1:13:31 — Alabama at Mississippi State
1:17:10 — Missouri vs. Florida
1:19:13 — Minnesota vs. Michigan
1:21:37 — Iowa vs. Ohio State
1:24:29 — Washington at USC
1:26:42 — Picks recap
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.

1 hr 29 min
September 28 Ep. 439 - Georgia Blows Out OU. Where Do We Go From Here?
Ep. 439 - Georgia Blows Out OU. Where Do We Go From Here?
Oklahoma is 2-2 after a 41-13 loss at Georgia, and Lee and Grant break down another disastrous offensive performance for the Sooners. John Mateer committed three turnovers and made several game-changing mistakes, but the problems go far beyond the quarterback.
The guys discuss whether benching Mateer would actually solve anything, Ben Arbuckle’s role in the offensive failures, Oklahoma’s quarterback evaluation and development issues, and why the same problems continue to surface under Brent Venables. They also revisit Venables’ recent contract extension, the expectations for Oklahoma football and whether the people responsible for the program’s biggest decisions can be trusted if another coaching change eventually becomes necessary.
The guys also read your “3-word reviews”.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Georgia exposes the same problems of the Venables era
04:35 — John Mateer’s catastrophic mistakes
08:55 — Grant: the entire offensive culture is rotten
09:26 — Should Oklahoma bench John Mateer?
10:08 — OU’s history after starting 2-2
12:00 — Where can this season realistically go?
14:32 — Offensive line injuries and another major disappointment
16:50 — Has apathy started to set in again?
20:13 — Are 8-4 and 9-3 expectations already too low for Oklahoma?
20:49 — Why the latest contract extension matters so much
24:23 — Can Oklahoma’s leadership be trusted with the next hire?
25:34 — What should the standard be for Oklahoma football?
28:17 — Roger Denny and the Brent Venables extension
31:20 — A few positives from the Georgia loss
31:36 — David Stone surprisingly plays and looks healthy
32:30 — Kip Lewis stands out against Georgia
34:10 — Film room: breaking down Georgia’s explosive touchdown pass
39:19 — Oklahoma has become Lincoln Riley-era OU in reverse
41:42 — Looking ahead to Texas
43:45 — Mateer showed flashes despite the turnovers
46:04 — Could the offense improve against weaker defenses?
49:04 — Three-word reviews begin
50:13 — Has Venables turned OU into a “laughing stock”?
51:52 — Is Ben Arbuckle gone after this season?
52:19 — Venables closes in on Gary Gibbs’ loss total
54:34 — “Pay the buyout” and Nebraska comparisons
55:33 — NIL spending and Oklahoma’s roster problems
56:57 — Who could play quarterback for OU next season?
59:47 — Financial questions around the program
01:05:42 — The human side of Mateer, Arbuckle and Venables struggling
01:08:04 — Oklahoma isn’t the only major program struggling
01:09:37 — “It’s a circus”
01:11:04 — “I am done” and “extend him again”
01:13:15 — Watching other fan bases have fun again
01:14:27 — Everest Club reaches its first two members
01:16:12 — Plans for the bye-week episode
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Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
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1 hr 20 min
September 23 Ep. 438 - What Would it Take For OU to Shock Georgia?
Ep. 438 - What Would it Take For OU to Shock Georgia?
Lee and Grant open the show by discussing the latest David Stone injury news, the conflicting reports surrounding how he was injured, and what his availability could mean for an already banged-up Oklahoma defense. Then the conversation turns back to OU’s offensive problems, including missed assignments, poor execution and questions about how well Ben Arbuckle, Bill Bedenbaugh, Kevin Wilson and the rest of the offensive staff are fitting together.
Then the guys break down OU’s path to victory as a 14-point dog at Georgia.
Finally, Grant answers a listener question about who Oklahoma should consider if it eventually moved on from Brent Venables? The show closes with OU-Georgia score predictions and the weekly college football picks against the spread.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Another OU injury and a trip to No. 2 Georgia
02:02 — David Stone injury news and conflicting reports
08:14 — John Hoover’s report and clarification
12:49 — What is Oklahoma’s path to upsetting Georgia?
13:29 — West of Everest launches the Everest Club on YouTube
16:22 — OU-Georgia preview begins
17:06 — What Georgia has done well through three games
18:36 — Can Oklahoma stop Georgia’s run game?
19:28 — The upset formula: turnovers, defense and shortening the game
20:31 — OU desperately needs takeaways
24:52 — Could OU’s offense somehow match up better with Georgia?
25:32 — Venables points out busted tight end blocks against New Mexico
27:58 — Does Oklahoma’s offensive staff have too many cooks?
30:53 — What exactly is Kevin Wilson’s role?
31:33 — Remember when OU had “no chance” against Alabama?
33:19 — John Mateer vs. Arch Manning comparisons
34:55 — What Lee wants to see from OU’s defense
36:27 — Grant’s defensive key: make Gunner Stockton uncomfortable
38:51 — Oklahoma is a rare two-touchdown underdog
43:44 — What does Oklahoma need from the offense?
46:35 — Grant wants to see 2024 John Mateer again
48:38 — OU-Georgia score predictions
50:09 — Listener question: if Venables is out, who replaces him?
51:58 — The dream-candidate tier
54:34 — Coordinator candidates for Oklahoma
57:56 — Grant’s head-coaching candidate list begins
01:03:24 — Grant’s top four candidates
01:09:25 — Weekly college football picks begin
01:09:43 — Texas at Tennessee
01:11:16 — Ole Miss at Florida
01:12:10 — Michigan at Iowa
01:13:38 — Oregon at USC
01:14:11 — Missouri at Mississippi State
01:15:48 — Picks recap
Subscribe to the West of Everest YouTube channel
Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
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1 hr 17 min
September 20 Ep. 437 - OU Wins, But This All Feels Way Too Familiar
Ep. 437 - OU Wins, But This All Feels Way Too Familiar
The guys are back after OU tops New Mexico 14-6. Although the Sooners just played a game, the most interesting topic is OU’s future. What happens next?
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — OU survives New Mexico 14-6, but the offense sputters again
01:09 — Grant reaches his breaking point with the Brent Venables era
02:02 — What would it take to hit the “eject button” on this regime?
03:07 — The Michigan loss exposed the offseason optimism
04:03 — New Mexico’s undersized defense still controlled OU’s offense
04:30 — Grant: “I’m out” on the current Oklahoma regime
05:02 — Revisiting the frustration of the 2024 season
06:07 — Why OU’s offense still looks broken
06:45 — Tight ends and offensive line fail to create a run game
08:03 — The SEC schedule will expose every offensive weakness
08:46 — OU returns to 12 personnel but still can’t execute
09:40 — Has John Mateer actually gotten worse?
10:15 — Grant: Oklahoma doesn’t understand its offensive problems
11:09 — OU’s running back room has no punch
11:38 — Is Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line room the biggest disappointment?
12:00 — Grant: changing one offensive coach won’t fix this
12:45 — Questions about Oklahoma’s leadership and future hires
13:29 — OU’s reported roster spending raises another red flag
14:29 — Why did Oklahoma extend Brent Venables?
15:29 — Venables admits there’s nothing to hang your hat on offensively
15:51 — Why didn’t the staff see the offensive problems coming?
17:11 — The danger of buying into offseason optimism
17:33 — Could OU miss a bowl game?
17:51 — “Mediocrity is a choice”
18:18 — Grant: the program is “rotten to the core”
18:34 — OU’s defense looks elite while the offense sinks again
19:07 — Oklahoma’s brutal remaining schedule
19:50 — Grant plants his flag: Venables isn’t taking OU where it wants to go
20:13 — What would college football fans outside Oklahoma think of this program?
21:22 — Oklahoma is back to being one-sided — just reversed from Lincoln Riley
22:10 — Why are we talking about the future of the program before Georgia week?
22:52 — Grant explains his breaking point during the New Mexico game
23:20 — ESPN’s incorrect timeout graphic changes the end-of-half discussion
24:19 — Jonathan Hatton and OU’s lack of juice at running back
25:23 — Three-word reviews begin
26:16 — Michael Hawkins is thriving at West Virginia — and coaching matters
27:16 — Peyton Bowen’s dropped interceptions and OU’s takeaway problem
28:14 — More listener reactions: “2024. Not again.”
28:39 — Could Jason Eck eventually become an OU coaching candidate?
29:27 — Could Oklahoma actually fire Venables after extending him?
30:33 — The defense may have to carry the entire season
31:01 — Could a strong defense save a mediocre season?
31:40 — David Stone finally flashes dominance
32:12 — OU still doesn’t have the offensive athletes other SEC teams have
33:12 — Programming note and Georgia preview schedule
34:02 — The Venables extension looks increasingly unnecessary
34:37 — How much influence does Joe Harroz have over Oklahoma football?
35:51 — What could the Venables buyout look like?
36:39 — Looking ahead: Georgia week becomes a bigger-picture program discussion
37:09 — Closing thoughts
Subscribe to the West of Everest YouTube channel
Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
Follow West of Everest on X, Instagram and Facebook.
38 min