Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 224

**Oklahoma Sooners LIVE Episode 224** **Hosts:** Rob Fontenot & Roger Schilling **Aired on:** OklahomaVOCFB **Focus:** Kentucky loss recap, Mississippi State preview, keys to victory, Touchdown or Turnover, and team outlook ### Intro & Opening Banter (00:00:11–~00:02:00) - Episode 224. Roger is on the road (unusual travel for him these two weekends). - Pre-show chat comment: “Wasted defense, poor play calling, and poor quarterback.” Both hosts agree. - Arch Manning and John Mateer described as having turned out overrated. - Light banter about the show schedule feeling quick and the full crew expected for the upcoming away game. ### Kentucky Loss Recap (21-13) (~00:02:08–~00:08:00) - OU lost 21-13. Mateer threw 3 interceptions; OU had 4 turnovers total vs. Kentucky’s 0. - Hosts criticize the trick plays (including a flea-flicker-style and a fake field goal/jump pass by the holder). None worked. Rob notes OU outgained Kentucky and questions why they were so desperate to run them. - Kentucky did little after their first drive until Mateer’s interceptions flipped the game. Hosts say “we beat ourselves.” - Field-position and decision points discussed (e.g., Kentucky going for it on 4th-and-goal instead of taking a field goal; OU’s own missed field-goal opportunities). - Opportunistic plays noted from other games (interceptions, blocked punt) as a contrast to the offensive struggles. - Red-zone offense called “awful”; Mississippi State’s red-zone numbers viewed as better. ### Mississippi State Preview (~00:02:52–~00:07:00 and ongoing) - Next up: Mississippi State on SEC Network at 2:30. Postgame show expected around 7. - Records: Oklahoma 3-3 (favored by 2.5), Mississippi State 4-2. - Statistical comparison: - OU scoring offense: 113th; MSU: 48th. - OU scoring defense: 30th; MSU: 111th. - OU total offense: ~311 yards/game; MSU: ~454 yards/game (22nd nationally). - Mateer: 9 turnovers in 6 games — must be fixed. - MSU quarterback (referred to as Jeff Levy / Mario Taylor in discussion; injury status uncertain). MSU scored big in earlier wins (e.g., 62, 38, 41) and beat Missouri 31-24, but lost 31-0 to LSU without the QB. Hosts see a potential advantage for OU if the QB is out. - Hosts note MSU hasn’t faced a defense like Oklahoma’s and that turnovers must be eliminated for any chance. ### Keys to Victory & Offensive Issues (~00:08:00–~00:16:00 and ~00:11:23–~00:15:00) Hosts’ stated keys: 1. **No turnovers.** 2. **No trick plays** — just run the ball. 3. **Take the points** (don’t get cute in scoring position; fake FG criticized). 4. **Run the ball and use the tight ends.** 5. Defense must create turnovers and possibly a score (as in the Texas game), because the offense has been unreliable. Additional discussion: - Offense has “no identity.” Defense has done its job repeatedly only for the offense to stall or turn it over, which is described as disheartening. - Mateer viewed as no longer a dual-threat; he “doesn’t think fast enough” and is “easily rattled.” Hosts and chat discuss whether he should be sat down. - Punting/field position: OU often starts with long fields; need better pinning. - Portal concerns raised — hard to recruit to this offensive situation. - Comparison of Lincoln Riley years (offense) vs. Brent Venables years (defense). Hosts prefer having a functional offense. - Venables and the team described as looking subdued/not hungry after the Texas win. Fans have lost trust; “no one will drink his Kool-Aid again.” ### Touchdown or Turnover Segment (~00:29:00–~00:38:00) Viewer-driven segment (with hosts and chat picks). Examples discussed: - OU can bounce back and win vs. Mississippi State (especially if MSU QB is out) — mixed. - Mateer throws 3 more picks and is done — strong lean toward eventual benching. - Offense can handle cowbells on the road — mixed (some say no, given home struggles). - Hosts/viewers won’t get mad if OU loses — mostly “turnover” (they will still be mad). - Force 3+ turnovers and run for 100+ yards — mixed faith. - Mateer gets benched sometime this season — near-unanimous “touchdown” (it will happen). Consensus themes: season is effectively over for the playoff; bowl games matter less; still want wins for momentum and to avoid total collapse. ### Fun Facts on Mississippi State (~00:38:40–~00:43:00) - Davis Wade Stadium (built 1914) is the second-oldest FBS stadium (clue given: SEC team; answer Georgia’s Sanford Stadium). - First live mascot (Bully One) is buried under the 50-yard line. - Cowbell tradition traced to a Jersey cow wandering onto the field during a 1930s win over Ole Miss. - First meeting as SEC opponents. - MSU historical win percentage: .488. - Dak Prescott and related MSU offensive history briefly noted. ### Closing Thoughts (~00:43:00–end) - Season viewed as over for playoff purposes. Realistic goal is simply winning enough to reach 6 wins. - Hosts still get angry at losses but are adjusting expectations. - Roger traveling/working; hopes to be home for the Saturday postgame. Sooner Smiths expected on the postgame show. - Light banter about a backup QB sparking the offense and fans saying “we told you so.” - Outro and thanks to viewers. Sponsored by FanDuel (odds discussion earlier: OU -2.5). **Overall Tone:** Frustrated but still engaged. Heavy focus on self-inflicted losses, Mateer’s turnovers, lack of offensive identity, and the need for basic execution (protect the ball, run the ball, take points, stop trick plays) against Mississippi State. Playoff hopes are gone; the conversation has shifted to salvaging the rest of the season and longer-term program questions under Venables. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.