Happy Monday, friends and fans!

The Oklahoma Sooners handled their business on the gridiron once again after taking down the UCLA Bruins 49-21 on Saturday. Up next is the rematch many fans have been eagerly waiting for. A winless Iowa State Cyclones squad that could be without its starting QB awaits in Ames, but as we wait for Saturday, let’s check out some links in the meantime.

First of all, with the unfortunate loss of Rodney Anderson, more of the offensive onus will be applied to the rest of the running backs and also the receivers. Perhaps most of all, Kyler Murray’s playmaking ability will be even more relied upon, but with that comes the opportunity to show the full extent of his value to the team.

Murray had another impressive performance in Oklahoma’s rout over UCLA, and for that he was named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week. Congrats, Kyler!

Additionally, the Heisman hype train is slowly starting to pick up steam. The guy obviously has a lot to work on — hitting guys in stride on intermediate routes, making the right reads, etc. — but he’ll have his opportunities to impress.

CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd likes Murray as his front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy through two weeks of the 2018 college football season, and now that the future Oakland A will be without one of his most dynamic weapons, the chance to keep this offense performing at an elite level in the face of real adversity has presented itself.

If he’s able to keep up the pace while making the necessary improvements, Oklahoma will go far as a team, and Murray should find himself sitting pretty come award season.

Now onto this week’s Monday edition of Hot Links! Adrian Peterson continues to climb in the NFL record books, OU men’s golf is taking names at the Gopher Invitational, Dez Bryant isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to his thoughts on the Cowboys and more!

OU Links

• The win over UCLA was great, but unfortunately the biggest takeaway from Saturday’s contest is the loss of Rodney Anderson. The star running back has already overcome two separate season-ending injuries to become one of the premier players in college football, but now he has to hit the reset button once again. If anybody can make a comeback from this, it’s Rodney. Get well soon, and come back stronger, 24.

• As far as this week’s opponent is concerned, there’s uncertainty at QB after Kyle Kempt sustained an injury during Iowa State’s loss to Iowa.

• On both sides of the ball, the Sooners displayed their immense depth across the board. The defense racked up sacks and tackles-for-loss all day long, and the offense churned out weapons like they grow on trees.
• If only it was ruled in-bounds, but wow, CeeDee Lamb looked like he was ready to pIay on Sundays on Saturday. I still think they should have reviewed it to make sure his toe tapped, but oh well. I’m sure we’ll see more of Lamb doing the amazing quite often this fall.

• Don’t accuse University of Oklahoma President Jim Gallogly of ever being all work and no play. After participating in the water balloon fight at the Champ U BBQ over the summer, the school prez was a RUF/NEK for a day. That’s pretty cool.

• Adrian Peterson had himself quite a day to open the 2018 NFL season. Not only did he score his first touchdown for Washington, he scored his 100th overall TD, and replaced Jim Brown for 10th on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaders list.

• It still blows my mind that these two played together for a season at Oklahoma. Dede Westbrook and Sterling Shepard were some of the best receivers at the college level in the last 15 years, easily, and now they’re both continuing to find success in the NFL.

• After two rounds at the Gopher Invitational in Minnesota, the Oklahoma Men’s Golf team is tied for first place and doing work.

Around the Sports World

• The battle for college football territory rages on. Check out how the nation is currently divided up after Week 2’s results.

• Also check out the early lines for college football’s Week 3. There are some intriguing non-conference matchups that could see a couple road teams as favorites.
• Dez Bryant feels like the Dallas Cowboys would have beaten the Carolina Panthers had they kept him and kicker Dan Bailey on the team. Ouch.

• The NFL is trying desperately to make the game safer, especially for QBs, but the new roughing-the-passer with body weight rule is absolutely nonsensical.
• UCO Bronchos sophomore DB Derek Loccident reportedly suffered a gruesome lower leg injury after attempting to crawl underneath a stopped train that suddenly started moving again.

Stick to Sports!

• Meteorologists are reporting that Hurricane Florence is rapidly intensifying and is inevitably going to reach the southeast coast of the U.S. later this week. North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have already declared a state of emergency. Beyond wind speeds that are already being recorded over 100 mph, heavy amounts rainfall poses the greatest initial threat.

Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!