What’s up, everybody?
The folks over at the SEC Network have also been covering the Orange Bowl matchup since the game was announced, and since yesterday’s hot topic was the absence of Kyler Murray during the morning media availability, the Heisman Trophy winner’s appearance at Thursday’s Orange Bowl Media Day was highlighted. Unfortunately, somebody didn’t do enough homework to realize that this is, in fact, not Kyler Murray.
The SEC Network had trouble locating Kyler Murray this morning. pic.twitter.com/YjfuphqUNl
— Joe Buettner (@ByJoeBuettner) December 27, 2018
They may wear the same jersey number, but rest assured, Jordan Parker and Kyler Murray are not one in the same. Seriously though, did the cameraperson not have someone in his or her ear yelling “Yo, this ain’t the guy you’re looking for. Hello?”. Having said that, the production folks couldn’t have been much help anyway, as it’s clear that they were also confused here. Luckily, OU alum Dari Nowknah was there to set everyone straight.
Now for some Hot Links! Kyler Murray is back, Pete Golding says he hasn’t talked with Oklahoma about becoming the future DC, the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl was an instant classic (?) and more!
OU Links
- During the 15 minutes the media was allowed to observe the Oklahoma Sooners’ practice on Wednesday, Brown was seen practicing, although nobody was going quite full speed. Still, it was a positive to see one of the most explosive athletes in the country dressed out and on the field going through warmups.
#Sooners WR Marquise Brown going thru practice pic.twitter.com/KuzMXRFIhp
— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) December 26, 2018
- On Thursday, Brown spoke with the media and addressed questions about his injury status. For now, it does appear that Brown will suit up and play this Saturday, but the extent of his capabilities remains unknown. If anything, his presence alone is enough to draw attention from Alabama’s secondary, and that could be enough. Sooner Nation would rather see him at 100%, but any amount of Hollywood is better than none.
Marquise Brown says he anticipates playing. #Sooners pic.twitter.com/1TqNduCpXg
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) December 27, 2018
- In all seriousness, Murray did show up for media day, and one of the first questions he was asked was if he believes Oklahoma’s offense can continue to put up points against Alabama’s defense. K1 kept it short and sweet.
Kyler Murray getting straight to the point with the questions at #OrangeBowl media day.#CFBPlayoff | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/GIyjFfqUNm
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) December 27, 2018
- When Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa finally go head-to-head, it will mark one of the first times two QBs this explosive have gone against each other at the collegiate level. Matchups like these are what make college football so great, even though it’s rarely ever been achieved in history.
- Austin Seibert is the media darling of the Orange Bowl, but one has to wonder if all the fame and attention will get to his head.
When you’re at a party and nobody wants to talk to you.... pic.twitter.com/JGbSbmx1aM
— BigSeib43 (@austinseibert1) December 26, 2018
Bombarded yet again at media day
— BigSeib43 (@austinseibert1) December 27, 2018
“Crickets Chirping” pic.twitter.com/oXwhMCvYAi
- Trey Sermon is a Georgia native, and his style of running is tough and downhill. Now he says he feels the healthiest he’s been all season, so that should give Oklahoma’s offense an added dimension of physicality.
- Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa is still recovering from ankle surgery, but on Wednesday and Thursday he provided updates on where he feels his progress is at.
Tua says he is felling good and is already at 80% pic.twitter.com/ePkmOqDWUr
— Jamal N. Williams (@JWilliamsWDEF) December 26, 2018
Will Tua Tagovailoa be ready to go in Saturday's #OrangeBowl?
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 27, 2018
"I believe so," Alabama's star QB says. pic.twitter.com/Sl2ycW3MJa
- Crimson Tide starting running back Damien Harris doesn’t buy into the talk of Oklahoma’s sub-par defense. He says Alabama is preparing to play one of the top four teams in the nation, so overlooking one side of the ball is not part of the plan.
- Pete Golding, Alabama’s co-defensive coordinator, says he has not spoken with Oklahoma to discuss the Sooners’ DC opening, but I’d take this with a grain of salt. Golding is considered a rising candidate and would be one of the top targets Oklahoma could potentially hire. If he has spoken with OU at any point, he obviously isn’t going to divulge that.
Pete Golding says he has not talked with Oklahoma and is looking forward to this weekend’s matchup with the #Sooners pic.twitter.com/HtVGmoxjht
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) December 27, 2018
- Trae Young knows what time it is. If he says it’ll be done, I won’t argue against it. I just hope he’s a prophet on this one!
Why will @OU_Football leave #CFBPlayoff as national champs?@ATLHawks' @TheTraeYoung makes the pitch for #BoomerSooner. pic.twitter.com/sh3F3XYCic
— FOX Sports South (@FOXSportsSouth) December 26, 2018
- Grad transfer Miles Reynolds was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after helping the Sooners defeat Creighton and Northwestern. Way to go, Miles!
.@MilesReyRey2 was in OU's 2️⃣-0️⃣ week, earning him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors.
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) December 26, 2018
https://t.co/YBQLxTP8UP pic.twitter.com/XtLsAQNF3f
- Talking trash like Baker Mayfield does is one thing, but saying you’d voluntarily take a fine just so you can illegally hit a guy late to send a message is another. What a joke.
"If I was a defensive player on any team, I would take a fine. I would hit him so late on purpose, like shut up."
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 26, 2018
T.J. Houshmandzadeh explains how he would handle Baker Mayfield's trash talking pic.twitter.com/Kqs1grSN2S
- This year’s Orange Bowl semifinal will be Merv Johnson’s 500th game with the Sooners in one capacity of another. Oklahoma football wouldn’t be the same without his voice and his contributions. Congratulations, Coach Merv!
Half-a-hundred? How about half-a-thousand? Saturday will be Merv Johnson's 500th straight game with the #Sooners.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 27, 2018
Full story https://t.co/Vj9EGhEj4c pic.twitter.com/eXhpKR1bfA
- In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out Crimson & Cream Machine’s Q&A with Erik Evans of Roll ‘Bama Roll. It’s a very in-depth, insightful interview that I highly recommend catching yourself up on before the big game this weekend.
Around the Sports World
- The TCU Horned Frogs survived the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl by outlasting Cal in OT to win, 10-7. It was a game that featured nine total interceptions, but for some strange reason the awful offense was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen this bowl season.
It was one heck of a night here in downtown Phoenix. Here’s to our champs @TCUFootball!
— Cheez-It® Bowl (@CheezItBowl) December 27, 2018
Until next year. We’re out. ✌️ #CheezeItBowl pic.twitter.com/8WLLxTVZFF
- The Pittsburgh Steeler need the Cleveland Browns to defeat the Baltimore Ravens this weekend to secure a spot in the playoffs, so Antonio Brown has some custom jerseys ready just for the occasion.
who else has their #84 @browns jersey ready for Sunday? pic.twitter.com/09WIfhCKPM
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) December 27, 2018
- Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson is electing to transfer after graduating, and his 6’7”, 245 pound frame is sure to intrigue a number of Power Five programs.
- Old Dominion QB Blake LaRussa has announced his intention to leave school and enter seminary. LaRussa is the quarterback who led the Monarchs’ epic upset victory over Virginia Tech this season.
- M-V-P chants for Derrick Rose back in his old stomping grounds of Chicago. The guy has been through a lot during his career, so this was an especially sweet moment to watch.
This return to Chicago was special for D-Rose pic.twitter.com/ffu6iPSots
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 27, 2018
Stick to Sports!
- The popular Netflix series ‘Black Mirror’ is returning to the forefront of the streaming service in a big way with a ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’. There have been rumors of a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ episode, and while it remains to be seen if this is that rumor fulfilled or simply a feature length movie, Bandersnatch looks to be just as complex and riveting as past installments. From the makers, “In 1984, a young programmer begins to question reality as he adapts a sprawling fantasy novel into a video game and soon faces a mind-mangling challenge. Welcome back.”
Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!