Time for talking is almost over as it is game week for Oklahoma. Head coach Lincoln Riley was back addressing the media and here are the biggest takeaways.
Game 1: vs. Houston (6:30, Sunday)
Take No. 1: No depth chart finalized
It’s never set in stone, but it has become accepted that the Monday of the initial game week is when the first depth chart of the season is released.
That hasn’t been the case the last few seasons with the Sooners and that continued to be the case again Monday.
There’s a lot of strategy, a lot of paranoia in college football, but Riley said this really had nothing to do about any of that.
“Not strategic. This is a big week for us,” Riley said. “We still have some position battles going on. We have some spots where we will have multiple guys play. We haven't made some decisions yet on starters.
“Even in a couple of positions, we have as many as three guys that can play and play a majority of the game. It gives us, as coaches, a better chance to evaluate it and hopefully give you guys something a little more accurate midweek.”
So as we wait for OU’s chart, first-year Houston coach Dana Holgorsen had his own take on what’s going down.
Take No. 2: Grinch down on the field
It’s a feel thing. When it comes to having your assistant coaches on the field or up in the press box, there is no one size fits all answer.
The Sooners have had Mike Stoops and Ruffin McNeill up in the box in recent years, but first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is set to be on the sidelines with Riley.
Riley is fine with that.
“It’s one, it’s the staff you have around you and do you have people up top that you know can get you the information that you need, because that’s critical,” Riley said. “You have to have that to be able to make adjustments, or if something’s hurting you, you know where it’s at, or if you have a leak, you know how to plug it. We feel like the staff sets up that way.
“And then going back to the mentality thing, because of how important we believe that is, Alex being on the field in those moments, to be able to look our guys in the eye is extremely important.”
Take No. 3: Defensive bond is tight
Looking around the OU defensive room, there feels like an established set of leaders. Whether it’s someone like Neville Gallimore anchoring the defensive line or Kenneth Murray doing the same at linebacker, accountability shouldn’t be an issue in 2019.
It’s just one more reason Riley is so excited to see the defensive group take the field against the Cougars on Sunday evening.
“There’s a sense of a brotherhood on that side of the ball this year,” Riley said. “I’m not saying it was missing the last few years, but I feel like maybe that group might be bonded a little bit tighter this year. That’s always a great thing.
“I’m excited to see how that translates in our play and how that gives us leadership and camaraderie this year. It is a long, tough demanding year. I like where the group’s head is at right now. Certainly, excited to see them play. I like where we’re headed.”
Plus one: Don’t worry about the running back room
In Riley’s time, the OU running back room has seen Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon together. Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon. Sermon and Kennedy Brooks. Some incredibly potent names.
But the quintet on campus right now? Might have Riley more excited than any other he has had.
“I don’t know if we’ve had depth at running back like we have with this current team, which is a great situation to be in. We like the skill level in there. There are easily four or five guys in that room that we’d have no problem giving a good share of carries to at any point this season.”
Between Sermon, Brooks, T.J. Pledger and 2019 class members Rhamondre Stevenson and Marcus Major, the Sooners should be a force in the running game as usual.
