Episode Details

Spring Football Is NEAR! | Oklahoma Sooners LIVE 206

Episode 161 Published 1 month, 1 week ago

Josh greeted Sooners and college football fans, apologized for the one-day delay due to Oklahoma baseball duties (he covers the team and encouraged following @RealJoshMahler on X).
Strong call-to-action: like, subscribe, join as a member ($2.99/month for perks), and engage in live chat/super chats.
Rant against April Fool's Day — called it "immoral" and centered on lying/tricking; urged skipping it to avoid wasting one of 365 days. Promised no pranks — "We're not fooling you tonight."

Reflected on 2025 as a "rebuild" year after a 6-win 2024. Expectations were ~8 wins nationally, but the Sooners delivered 10 wins on a tough schedule — a huge success.
2026 outlook: Most projections expect Oklahoma to match or exceed 2025. High excitement, but tempered ("don't get hopes too high — it's college football").
Full spring game confirmed (true game format, not just scrimmage). Part of a fun "Super Sooner Weekend" with baseball/softball overlap — potential to hit multiple events in one day.

Not "pointless" — valuable for evaluating energy, scheme evolution, and individual development.
Caution advised: Coaches are extra conservative early (weeks 1-2). Injuries often lead to precautionary sit-outs that wouldn't happen in fall.
Brent Venables praised high-energy practices with strong carryover from 2025 and the offseason.

Josh repeatedly urged calm — it's early, and teams are cautious. Key notes:

Wide Receiver Room (biggest concern): Jer’Michael Carter and Elijah Thomas seen with crutches/boots. Parker Livingstone (Texas transfer) limited (sideline attention, missed some 1-on-1s). Trell Harris (Virginia transfer) also sidelined (pre-existing issue requiring cleanup; expected short-term).
Running Backs: Xavier Robinson in a boot (tweaked ankle). Torrey Blaylock handled carefully (positive reports). Ryan Fodje (Fodje) sidelined. PJ Adebawore out (offseason foot surgery).
Others ruled out for spring: Jayden Jackson, David Stone. Safety Markel Ford unavailable (depth concerns at the position).
Overall: Long list, but early-spring context matters. Many are likely precautionary. Medical staff keeps details close.

Coaches (especially Ben Arbuckle and Bill Biedenboe) sound genuinely bullish — "feeling it" beyond coach-speak.
Early practice lineup (with Ryan Fodje out): Michael Fasusi (LT), Eddy Pierre-Louis (LG), Jake Maikkula (C), Hito Zeta/Ozaeta (RG), Imarion/E’Marion Harris (transfer from Arkansas, RT?).
Biedenboe being hard on young Fasusi (true freshman starter in 2025 with 676 snaps) seen as a great sign — player handles tough coaching well.
Potential flexibility: Harris at tackle could shift Fodje inside to guard (his more natural spot). Excitement for depth and improvement.

Ben Arbuckle: Focused on evolving the offense — new formations, better player utilization, deeper rotation (especially if WR room gets healthy).
Run Game Priority: Venables and Arbuckle both stressing a bigger, more versatile run attack. 2025 ranked ~50th in SP+ offense with only ~3.5 yards per carry — needs balance for a truly effective attack.
New tight end room/coach (Jason Witten) getting heavy attention — Witten deeply involved in drills; Venables watching closely. Seen as a potential boost for run game and overall versatility.
Experimental looks: Transfer Lloyd Avant (Colorado State) and freshman Jahsiear Rogers