Happy Hump Day, friends and fans!

We all know college football is big business, at least at the Power 5 level. Since the beginning of the modern era, the Oklahoma Sooners have long been considered among the elite of the elites, a perennial blue-blood if you will. Now Forbes has quantified where Oklahoma ranks nationally in regards to its revenue and profit.

According to the list, from 2014-2016, Oklahoma brought in $118 million in revenue for sixth most in the nation, and tied for fourth in profit with $72 million over that same span. Texas and Texas Tech were the only other Big 12 schools to make the top 25, and surprisingly, annual playoff contender Clemson failed to even make the cut.

I think it’s safe to say Oklahoma Football (and really Oklahoma Athletics in general) is in about as great of shape as it’s ever been. AD Joe Castiglione deserves a heap of credit for the department’s level of excellence, as well as the coaching staffs employed across all sports.

Now for some Hump Day Hot Links! Marcelias Sutton is ready to step up in the backfield, Sooner Softball is coming back to Marita Hynes, several college football games have already been affected by Hurricane Florence and more!

OU Links

• In case you missed it, check out Allen Kenney’s assessment of Iowa State’s defense, how it has changed, how it’s different, and what Oklahoma’s offense can expect to face this Saturday in Ames.
• Also, you can check out what I wrote regarding Kyler Murray and his drive to be better. Through two games he’s been sensational, but he’s also been open about the level he knows he can play at.
• Are you a diehard fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and need a new wallpaper for your smart device? Then check these backgrounds out, because they’re pretty dope if you ask me.

• Oklahoma has won a nation-leading 16 straight true road games (which obviously doesn’t include the Houston game at NRG Stadium). The last time the Sooners lost on an opponent’s home turf was at TCU in 2014, also known as the day when Katy Perry cursed Trevor Knight.
• Kenneth Murray didn’t record a single tackle in Oklahoma’s season opener against FAU (not that it was a big deal), but turned around to make nine tackles and a team-leading 2.5 stops-for-loss. Meanwhile, fellow linebacker Curtis Bolton has played well through two games, but is more focused on eliminating the bad plays than he is reveling in the good ones.
• Speaking of Bolton, he was just named Oklahoma’s breakout player up to this point in the season by ESPN’s Jake Trotter.
• Marcelias Sutton looks primed to emerge as a reliable option (and quite possibly start) in the backfield now that there are more carries to go around with the loss of Rodney Anderson. Sutton is eager for the opportunity, but at the same time, he’s a team-first guy, and is willing to play whatever role the coaches ask of him in the name of helping the team.

• Mike Stoops says after what happened last year when Iowa State came to Norman, there ought to be plenty of motivation for the team — especially for the defense. Also, tackle Bobby Evans is grading well so far on the offensive line.
• The Oklahoma Sooners are returning to the softball diamond this fall and have released their eight-game schedule, including five home games. This slate of contests is separate from the regular season that starts in the spring, but it provides some opportunities for fans to catch the team.

Around the Sports World

• Hurricane Florence has yet to reach land along the Carolina coast, but has already impacted the college football world in a major way, forcing the cancellation or postponement of three FBS games, including West Virginia’s trip to NC State. School officials are seeking to find a way to make up the games elsewhere on the schedule, but that might not be possible.
• The TCU Horned Frogs will square off against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in one of the marquee games of Week 3. It’ll be a classic battle of a speedy underdog versus the powerful favorite.
• After two weeks of college football, how have teams’ projected win totals changed? Some have climbed significantly, while others’ have dipped equally as much.
• Michigan State’s starting punter has been ruled out for injury and is expected to miss considerable time. So who are the Spartans calling on for punts in the meantime? Well none other than the backup quarterback. Seriously.
• The USMNT defeated Mexico 1-0 in a friendly match on Tuesday night, but perhaps the highlight of the game was when 6’4” Matt Miazga got heated with 5’6” Diego Lainez. Don’t do the man like that, Miazga. Well too late, he did.

Stick to Sports!

• If you’ve been in Norman in the last month, you’ve probably seen these scooters popping up all over town. These scooters, provided by Bird Rides, have been a cheap alternative for those looking to make small trips in a convenient manner. Now the city of Norman has issued a statement, telling Bird Rides, Inc. it has until 10 p.m. Wednesday night to remove the scooters, citing a lack of permit. Just when you thought this might have been a good thing, it gets shut down, but probably only temporarily if the budding scooter company equips itself with the proper documentation.

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