Happy Thursday, friends and fans!

FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt doesn’t think the Oklahoma Sooners can get over the hump and win a national title until Lincoln Riley transitions towards more of a CEO-type of role instead of continuing to call plays.

I like Klatt, and I think most Sooners fans that have watched and listened to him over the years would agree with me in that because he sticks up for the Big 12 regularly and typically carries a level head. And I sort of hear what he’s saying here, but one thing is for absolute certain — the offense at OU has never, ever been the problem since Oklahoma first made the CFP in 2015. That’s just a fact.

To counter an already devil’s advocate-sounding argument, the truth is no coach gets it done in the same way. While Riley is typically more focused on offense because of his role as play caller, the fact that he went through with the changes on the defensive portion of the coaching staff shows that he clearly understands more attention is needed on that side of the ball. This take seems a couple of years too early to me, at best. If after the 2020 season Oklahoma has shown next to no improvement whatsoever on D, then addressing Riley’s method of operations would hold more merit. Until then — relax, my guy.

Now for today’s Hot Links! Jalen Hurts feels honored after being named a team captain, Bob Stoops is also chosen as an honorary captain, Aaron Rodgers would make Ben Stiller proud and more!

OU Links

• Oklahoma finally released its Week 1 depth chart on Thursday, and to no one’s surprise, the word ‘or’ is featured prominently throughout the two and three-deep. Still, it’s something relatively substantial to go off of at least. Check it out!
• In case you missed it, make sure to check out the latest episode of the Oklahoma Breakdown Podcast with Jack and Kamiar! It’s the first game preview of the 2019 season, and for this week’s ‘sode the guys welcome Sam and Dustin from the Scott & Holman Pawdcast to discuss Sunday night’s season opener between OU and the Houston Cougars. As usual, be aware that the pod does contain some NSFW language.

• Jalen Hurts said being named a team captain at Oklahoma for his final collegiate season ranks at the top of things he’s experienced since coming to Norman.

• Alex Grinch plans to call the defense from the sidelines, not upstairs. The players have spoken about how he can get after them if they fail to meet his expectations, and that’s exactly what they want from him.
• On the northern end outside the football stadium, the newly rebranded ‘Party at the Palace’ pregame festivities will begin three and a half hours before every home game this season. There will be food, music and of course thousands of Sooner fans just like you!

• Former Iowa Hawkeyes safety Bob Stoops will join his alma mater this weekend as an honorary captain against Miami (OH). Oklahoma’s all-time winningest head coach played under the legendary Hayden Fry at UI.

• Don’t forget to check out this week’s edition of the Blatant Homerism Podcast with Allen Kenney and his brother aka “The Skinny” as they make their gambling picks for this weekend’s most intriguing betting matchups in college football.

Around the Sports World

• Florida State and Boise State are moving their season opener up from 7 p.m. ET to noon ET, and also changing the location from Jacksonville to Tallahassee due to the expected path of Hurricane Dorian.
• New Orleans Pelicans small forward Darius Miller underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon, but will indeed miss the 2019-20 NBA season.
• Baltimore Orioles pitcher Richard Bleier and infield coach Jose Flores used their words when the four-year majors vet was pulled, but something tells me some fighting words were sprinkled in the mix. Not a good look.

• The Green Bay Packers held their annual ‘Welcome Back Luncheon’, and the tradition of the team’s QBs dressing up was kept alive. This year’s theme was a tribute to the cult classic Adam Sandler film ‘Happy Gilmore’, and let’s just say, Aaron Rodgers wins again. All around, great work fellas.

Stick to Sports!

• Matthew McConaughey is set to take over sole instruction duties for a ‘Script to Screen’ acting course at the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2015, the A-list actor has co-taught the course as a guest instructor, but now the gig is all his. I’ve had writing professors that joined the teaching game late after being authors full-time, and their unique experience gave me a refreshing perspective on my own work. Maybe this will become trendy. Then again, maybe Texas isn’t back.

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