Happy Tuesday, friends and fans!
Heather Dinich, Jonathan Vilma and Jim Mora discussed Oklahoma’s close win over TCU and even Baylor’s total domination over Texas, yet their commentary couldn’t be any less accurate. OU’s defense was not at all the reason last weekend’s game was close, and the Bears had annihilated the Longhorns by a score of 24-3 before giving up a completely meaningless garbage-time TD in the final seconds.
Shout-out to Kegan Reneau for sharing these clips from ESPN’s Championship Drive.
Was up late last night and ended up seeing this segment discussing Baylor and Oklahoma between Heather Dinich, Jonathan Vilma and Jim Mora (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Q8xzYtSjmz
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) November 26, 2019
The worst part about this conversation Dinich, Vilma and Mora are propagating is that it further feeds this incredibly false narrative about Oklahoma and the Big 12 as a whole, and with their platform it’s conversations like this that really harm ESPN’s reputation as a credible media entity. It’s clear that none of these “analysts” even paid any actual attention to these games while they were being played, and they also didn’t even bother to do their homework by at least reading what others who actually cover these teams had to say. It’s ridiculous. It’s lazy. It’s infuriating. It’s wrong. I mean... AT LEAST look at a box score!
Then this is where it just goes off the rails. I mean, are they watching the same games we are watching?
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) November 26, 2019
Also, Baylor dominated Texas, but I’m sure no one on this set will still laud LSU for the win in Austin at the beginning of the year: pic.twitter.com/mIFkM9HmI8
As Jack pointed out on Twitter, Mora is somehow a bigger failure in broadcasting than he was in the coaching profession. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Vilma played for the 2000 Miami Hurricanes and has always had an axe to grind when it comes to the Sooners. It’s kind of pathetic.
Now on to today’s Hot Links! Mike Gundy breaks down Jalen Hurts’ gaudy rushing figures, Hollywood Brown shines bright in L.A., Carmelo is back and more!
- On Monday, Oklahoma Sooners QB Jalen Hurts was named a finalist for both the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards. Hurts could become the fourth Sooner to win the Maxwell — awarded to the nation’s top all-around player — joining Tommy McDonald, Jason White and Baker Mayfield. If he wins the O’Brien — an honor reserved for the season’s top QB — he’ll join Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray as the only Oklahoma signal callers to take home the hardware.
Finalist for both the @MaxwellFootball and @DaveyOBrien awards.@JalenHurts #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/E5C2fAvuZC
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 25, 2019
- CeeDee Lamb was also named an award finalist on Monday. The Biletnikoff is an annual honor given to the best wide receiver in the nation. If he wins the vote, he’ll become just the second OU WR to ever hoist this trophy, with Dede Westbrook being the first. The winners for all three of these honors and more will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12. Live coverage from the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame begins at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
1️⃣ of 3️⃣ finalists for the @biletnikoffawrd for the nation's top receiver.@_CeeDeeThree #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/iikq6AabWf
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 25, 2019
- Mike Gundy dusted off the Oklahoma record books during his Monday presser, and he came away even more impressed with what Jalen Hurts is doing in the Sooners’ offense — specifically with his legs. And no, when he calls OU’s offense a “one-man-show,” he doesn’t mean it as a slight, though I wouldn’t have a problem if the team took it as such.
Mike Gundy today when asked about Jalen Hurts is quite the answer (and history lesson): #Sooners
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) November 25, 2019
(credit: Oklahoma State Athletics) pic.twitter.com/EvunipaVGv
- Speaking of Hurts, the OU QB slips to No. 4 in this week’s ESPN Heisman Watch, while Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard sits at No. 5. Depending on what happens between the Sooners and Cowboys in Stillwater, one or both of these players could see a significant boost to their resume going into conference championship weekend.
- OU Insider’s RJ Young explains how Oklahoma’s defense has made great strides in shoring up its deficiencies compared to seasons past. It’s by no means a finished product, but the improvement is real.
- Grant Calcaterra has retired from playing football, but his future remains bright because of his mature perspective on the important things in life. Recently, he opened up to the media to further expound on his plans and goals. OU Daily’s George Stoia has more.
- Former Sooner and current Baltimore Ravens rookie Marquise Brown aka ‘Hollywood’ had himself a game on Monday night, hauling in five catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Check out this dart right on the money from his QB, Lamar Jackson. This team is scary good.
HOLLYWOOD ✖️ 2.@Lj_Era8 finds @Primetime_jet for another TOUCHDOWN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/MT2oZvgWdM
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 26, 2019
Around the Sports World
- Apparently Carmelo Anthony stepped into a time machine when he signed a deal with the Portland Trailblazers because he looked like vintage ‘Melo in a win against the Chicago Bulls. Check out these highlights from his 25-point night.
@carmeloanthony pours in a season-high 25 PTS in the @trailblazers win! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/boxaZ2DJWF
— NBA (@NBA) November 26, 2019
- The Virginia Tech Hokies stunned the college basketball world on Monday when they upset the third-ranked Michigan State Spartans at the Maui Invitational.
- The New Mexico Lobos and head coach Bob Davie are parting ways after eight seasons. In that span, the NM football program went 35-63 under Davie’s guidance.
- Neymar will not start for Paris Saint-Germain against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League match. The Brazilian superstar is still on the mend from a previous injury and according to his coach is not properly conditioned enough to return to this level of play.
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