West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

In the opening take, Lee likes that Brent Venables has added a healthy amount of analysts to his support staff so far. Then Grant joins to talk about Marvin Mims still being on the OU roster, but could he still leave at some point (5:30)? We take a look at OU's wide receivers and the outlook for 2022 (19:10). Grant got some criticism for his initial Dillon Gabriel take on the podcast. Has he changed his mind at all? Lee also wasn't all that excited about Gabriel when he first committed. Lee tells you the perceived strengths and weaknesses he sees in Gabriel (26:00). Grant is still very worried that OU will not be very good in 2022. He also does not expect the defense to be good in 2022. Lee disagrees (52:30). We transition to OU's interest in Jaxson Dart. Lee goes over what he's seen from Dart on tape. Lee thinks there's a good chance OU gets Dart, while Grant doesn't think it's going to happen. This part gets a bit heated when they debate the stability of OU's program. How will Dillon Gabriel being at OU impact Jaxson Dart's decision (59:00)? Mario Williams and Latrell McCutchin are going to USC (1:15:30). Grant tries to explain why he's playing Devil's Advocate on OU's 2022 season (1:19:35). Roy Manning's back to coaching linebackers at USC. Jay Valai gets Gentry Williams locked down plus Lee praises Valai's Alabama corners vs. Georgia (1:30:30). OU's brought in a lot of transfer players lately. Todd Bates is doing work. Lee's more excited about the transfers than Grant. Keeping with the theme of the podcast. We also talk about OU's new defensive staff vs. OU's previous defensive staff (1:36:20). Caleb Williams still has not decided. What if he randomly comes back to OU? Wisconsin is a possibility? Really? Will we know more about Williams' decision by Friday (1:49:00)? | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Grant fears the Caleb Williams transfer portal fallout could lead the Sooners into a very difficult time. Then Lee joins to talk all about Caleb Williams' decision to enter the transfer portal. Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables released a statement. Lee continues to drink the Venables kool-aid, which has him looking at everything in an optimistic way (5:50). Where is Caleb Williams looking to go? It sounds like he's looking for the best place to prep him for the NFL. More on this whole situation not sitting well with Grant (24:40). Was Year 1 with Brent Venables always supposed to be a year without high expectations? Lee always kind of expected to give Venables a pass no matter what (33:00). We find out in the middle of recording that Dillon Gabriel has flipped his commitment from UCLA and has committed to OU. Plenty of immediate reaction to this news (37:40). Okay, should we be concerned by Ole Miss's offensive performance against Baylor (48:20)? Todd Bates is coming to OU which is a massive hire for the Sooners. Also it sounds like OU will be getting Alabama cornerbacks coach Jay Valai (49:50). OU picked up another running back for the 2022 class (54:50). Now we wait to see who else is going to enter the transfer portal (58:15). Grant says this may be the most down in the dumps he's ever been in regards to OU football. And we end with a comment from a listener in regards to our last episode (1:01:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Grant fears the Caleb Williams transfer portal fallout could lead the Sooners into a very difficult time. Then Lee joins to talk all about Caleb Williams' decision to enter the transfer portal. Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables released a statement. Lee continues to drink the Venables kool-aid, which has him looking at everything in an optimistic way (5:50). Where is Caleb Williams looking to go? It sounds like he's looking for the best place to prep him for the NFL. More on this whole situation not sitting well with Grant (24:40). Was Year 1 with Brent Venables always supposed to be a year without high expectations? Lee always kind of expected to give Venables a pass no matter what (33:00). We find out in the middle of recording that Dillon Gabriel has flipped his commitment from UCLA and has committed to OU. Plenty of immediate reaction to this news (37:40). Okay, should we be concerned by Ole Miss's offensive performance against Baylor (48:20)? Todd Bates is coming to OU which is a massive hire for the Sooners. Also it sounds like OU will be getting Alabama cornerbacks coach Jay Valai (49:50). OU picked up another running back for the 2022 class (54:50). Now we wait to see who else is going to enter the transfer portal (58:15). Grant says this may be the most down in the dumps he's ever been in regards to OU football. And we end with a comment from a listener in regards to our last episode (1:01:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Grant fears the Caleb Williams transfer portal fallout could lead the Sooners into a very difficult time. Then Lee joins to talk all about Caleb Williams' decision to enter the transfer portal. Joe Castiglione and Brent Venables released a statement. Lee continues to drink the Venables kool-aid, which has him looking at everything in an optimistic way (5:50). Where is Caleb Williams looking to go? It sounds like he's looking for the best place to prep him for the NFL. More on this whole situation not sitting well with Grant (24:40). Was Year 1 with Brent Venables always supposed to be a year without high expectations? Lee always kind of expected to give Venables a pass no matter what (33:00). We find out in the middle of recording that Dillon Gabriel has flipped his commitment from UCLA and has committed to OU. Plenty of immediate reaction to this news (37:40). Okay, should we be concerned by Ole Miss's offensive performance against Baylor (48:20)? Todd Bates is coming to OU which is a massive hire for the Sooners. Also it sounds like OU will be getting Alabama cornerbacks coach Jay Valai (49:50). OU picked up another running back for the 2022 class (54:50). Now we wait to see who else is going to enter the transfer portal (58:15). Grant says this may be the most down in the dumps he's ever been in regards to OU football. And we end with a comment from a listener in regards to our last episode (1:01:30). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee regrets a bet he didn't make. Then Grant joins to briefly talk Alabama-Cincinnati as that game kicks off during this recording. Total crossfire on how they think the game will go. Then we get into how cool it was to see Bob Stoops coaching in the Alamo Bowl. Was that the most prepared OU has looked for a game all year? OU ran the ball well and Cale Gundy called a heck of a game (10:30). Kennedy Brooks had a great game. What kind of NFL career will he have? Marvin Mims caught a long TD, Drake Stoops caught a TD and had a cool moment with his dad (21:35). Mario Williams had a TD taken off the board, Eric Gray was very involved. We take this time to rip on Lincoln Riley (29:30). Grant says Caleb Williams was very good and there were some areas that he clearly worked on the last month. Jalil Farooq looked pretty darn good and we take more time to rip Lincoln Riley by talking about Charleston Rambo at Miami (35:40). Grant doesn't think the defense played well at all. We hit on some of the players who stood out. Ultimately we are happy the defense will get a total overhaul under Brent Venables (42:15). Okay let's talk Caleb Williams and his future. Is he gonna leave? Grant's super concerned. Lee's not too worried. They have a spirited discussion (51:10). We share your "3 Word Reviews" from Twitter and Facebook. Topics include players committing to schools based off of coaches vs. the actual school, Stoops handing off his visor to Venables, OU getting revenge on Oregon, Taco Bell, no penalties for players transferring, and wrapping up a super weird OU season (1:20:00). Final thoughts on bowl season so far, Grant's super fired up about mayonnaise, and when our next podcast episode will be (1:40:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee regrets a bet he didn't make. Then Grant joins to briefly talk Alabama-Cincinnati as that game kicks off during this recording. Total crossfire on how they think the game will go. Then we get into how cool it was to see Bob Stoops coaching in the Alamo Bowl. Was that the most prepared OU has looked for a game all year? OU ran the ball well and Cale Gundy called a heck of a game (10:30). Kennedy Brooks had a great game. What kind of NFL career will he have? Marvin Mims caught a long TD, Drake Stoops caught a TD and had a cool moment with his dad (21:35). Mario Williams had a TD taken off the board, Eric Gray was very involved. We take this time to rip on Lincoln Riley (29:30). Grant says Caleb Williams was very good and there were some areas that he clearly worked on the last month. Jalil Farooq looked pretty darn good and we take more time to rip Lincoln Riley by talking about Charleston Rambo at Miami (35:40). Grant doesn't think the defense played well at all. We hit on some of the players who stood out. Ultimately we are happy the defense will get a total overhaul under Brent Venables (42:15). Okay let's talk Caleb Williams and his future. Is he gonna leave? Grant's super concerned. Lee's not too worried. They have a spirited discussion (51:10). We share your "3 Word Reviews" from Twitter and Facebook. Topics include players committing to schools based off of coaches vs. the actual school, Stoops handing off his visor to Venables, OU getting revenge on Oregon, Taco Bell, no penalties for players transferring, and wrapping up a super weird OU season (1:20:00). Final thoughts on bowl season so far, Grant's super fired up about mayonnaise, and when our next podcast episode will be (1:40:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee regrets a bet he didn't make. Then Grant joins to briefly talk Alabama-Cincinnati as that game kicks off during this recording. Total crossfire on how they think the game will go. Then we get into how cool it was to see Bob Stoops coaching in the Alamo Bowl. Was that the most prepared OU has looked for a game all year? OU ran the ball well and Cale Gundy called a heck of a game (10:30). Kennedy Brooks had a great game. What kind of NFL career will he have? Marvin Mims caught a long TD, Drake Stoops caught a TD and had a cool moment with his dad (21:35). Mario Williams had a TD taken off the board, Eric Gray was very involved. We take this time to rip on Lincoln Riley (29:30). Grant says Caleb Williams was very good and there were some areas that he clearly worked on the last month. Jalil Farooq looked pretty darn good and we take more time to rip Lincoln Riley by talking about Charleston Rambo at Miami (35:40). Grant doesn't think the defense played well at all. We hit on some of the players who stood out. Ultimately we are happy the defense will get a total overhaul under Brent Venables (42:15). Okay let's talk Caleb Williams and his future. Is he gonna leave? Grant's super concerned. Lee's not too worried. They have a spirited discussion (51:10). We share your "3 Word Reviews" from Twitter and Facebook. Topics include players committing to schools based off of coaches vs. the actual school, Stoops handing off his visor to Venables, OU getting revenge on Oregon, Taco Bell, no penalties for players transferring, and wrapping up a super weird OU season (1:20:00). Final thoughts on bowl season so far, Grant's super fired up about mayonnaise, and when our next podcast episode will be (1:40:00). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee explains why he hopes a decision about Caleb Williams' future comes soon. Then Grant joins to briefly talk about Grant's favorite NFL team the Indianapolis Colts. Since nobody cares about that, we move on to looking back at the OU-Oregon onside kick debacle. We've never talked in depth about this on the show. It's incredible looking back how bad this was (7:40). It's fascinating that the TV broadcast did not think to ask "who recovered the football"? Lee goes back and watches the onside kick and comments on the refs in real time. Grant provides more perspective on what was going through Sooners' fans minds back in 2006 (15:15). Replay review later missed another call that went against OU. Lee rips the officials 15 years later (25:30). What does it say about the Alamo Bowl that the Oregon stuff is the most interesting storyline (28:05)? What's the deal with Caleb Williams? Lee's heard that he still has not made up his mind (34:00). What would Caleb Williams try to accomplish if he transferred? Ohio State and Alabama wouldn't make sense. Sure, he could still go to USC. What about Georgia (37:30)? Grant thinks Williams has to be leaning in some direction at this point. Is Williams holding the team hostage (48:40)? Both OU and Oregon have multiples players out for the Alamo Bowl. We're both pretty comfortable with OU's roster, despite the opt outs and transfers. We're both interested to see how Brian Odom calls the defense and how Cale Gundy calls the offense (59:25). Lee thinks Oregon's interim head coach could be distracted. Meanwhile Bob Stoops is here to win a football game (1:08:30). We share our gut feelings about the Alamo Bowl result (1:16:00). It appears that Jaren Kanak is enrolled at OU. Plus we go over some other possible players who've been rumored to be OU targets (1:18:55). Finally, the guys spotted a WR out of Texas who has zero stars and zero D1 offers. And they don't get it at all. Please someone explain recruiting to us (1:26:05). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee explains why he hopes a decision about Caleb Williams' future comes soon. Then Grant joins to briefly talk about Grant's favorite NFL team the Indianapolis Colts. Since nobody cares about that, we move on to looking back at the OU-Oregon onside kick debacle. We've never talked in depth about this on the show. It's incredible looking back how bad this was (7:40). It's fascinating that the TV broadcast did not think to ask "who recovered the football"? Lee goes back and watches the onside kick and comments on the refs in real time. Grant provides more perspective on what was going through Sooners' fans minds back in 2006 (15:15). Replay review later missed another call that went against OU. Lee rips the officials 15 years later (25:30). What does it say about the Alamo Bowl that the Oregon stuff is the most interesting storyline (28:05)? What's the deal with Caleb Williams? Lee's heard that he still has not made up his mind (34:00). What would Caleb Williams try to accomplish if he transferred? Ohio State and Alabama wouldn't make sense. Sure, he could still go to USC. What about Georgia (37:30)? Grant thinks Williams has to be leaning in some direction at this point. Is Williams holding the team hostage (48:40)? Both OU and Oregon have multiples players out for the Alamo Bowl. We're both pretty comfortable with OU's roster, despite the opt outs and transfers. We're both interested to see how Brian Odom calls the defense and how Cale Gundy calls the offense (59:25). Lee thinks Oregon's interim head coach could be distracted. Meanwhile Bob Stoops is here to win a football game (1:08:30). We share our gut feelings about the Alamo Bowl result (1:16:00). It appears that Jaren Kanak is enrolled at OU. Plus we go over some other possible players who've been rumored to be OU targets (1:18:55). Finally, the guys spotted a WR out of Texas who has zero stars and zero D1 offers. And they don't get it at all. Please someone explain recruiting to us (1:26:05). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9

In the opening take, Lee explains why he hopes a decision about Caleb Williams' future comes soon. Then Grant joins to briefly talk about Grant's favorite NFL team the Indianapolis Colts. Since nobody cares about that, we move on to looking back at the OU-Oregon onside kick debacle. We've never talked in depth about this on the show. It's incredible looking back how bad this was (7:40). It's fascinating that the TV broadcast did not think to ask "who recovered the football"? Lee goes back and watches the onside kick and comments on the refs in real time. Grant provides more perspective on what was going through Sooners' fans minds back in 2006 (15:15). Replay review later missed another call that went against OU. Lee rips the officials 15 years later (25:30). What does it say about the Alamo Bowl that the Oregon stuff is the most interesting storyline (28:05)? What's the deal with Caleb Williams? Lee's heard that he still has not made up his mind (34:00). What would Caleb Williams try to accomplish if he transferred? Ohio State and Alabama wouldn't make sense. Sure, he could still go to USC. What about Georgia (37:30)? Grant thinks Williams has to be leaning in some direction at this point. Is Williams holding the team hostage (48:40)? Both OU and Oregon have multiples players out for the Alamo Bowl. We're both pretty comfortable with OU's roster, despite the opt outs and transfers. We're both interested to see how Brian Odom calls the defense and how Cale Gundy calls the offense (59:25). Lee thinks Oregon's interim head coach could be distracted. Meanwhile Bob Stoops is here to win a football game (1:08:30). We share our gut feelings about the Alamo Bowl result (1:16:00). It appears that Jaren Kanak is enrolled at OU. Plus we go over some other possible players who've been rumored to be OU targets (1:18:55). Finally, the guys spotted a WR out of Texas who has zero stars and zero D1 offers. And they don't get it at all. Please someone explain recruiting to us (1:26:05). | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter: @LeeBensonNews9