Episode Details

Sooner Smiths Live #49 Host: Chad Smith | Guest: Coach Paul Smith (30-year coach, former OU staff) OklahomaVOCFB | Week 1 game week vs. UTEP Theme line: “Oklahoma will be VERY good.”

Quick snapshot

Chad opens solo after Stream Yard issues, then brings on his dad. They walk the new depth chart (Ryan Fogey at center), last year’s overachievement despite injuries, why the tight end room and run game are the 2026 swing factors, Mateer’s health/reads, a defense that should finally get turnovers, and a 10-win / title-run outlook if they stay healthy. FanDuel number: 7.5 wins. Both take the over.

1:00–6:40 | Open, tech issues, week-one setup

• Stream Yard buffering keeps Coach Paul off initially. Chad solos.
• Sponsor: FanDuel.
• Week 1: UTEP. Chad notes UTEP had Texas 7-3 (or 7-14) late in the first half last meeting until a late score.
• Mentions TROs / SEC legal news and something breaking Thursday — teases, does not unpack.
• Most excited he’s been for a season in a long time; wants one episode that fans can take into arguments.

Clip: Chad’s “most excited I’ve been” + UTEP/Texas note (~5:50–6:15).

6:40–8:00 | Depth chart headline — Fogey at center

• Official: Ryan Fogey starting center Week 1.
• Caleb Nita was in the mix; Noah Best in play after Jake Mikula injury.
• Chad: Fogey (true soph) has already played center, guard, and tackle — “nine different positions… patently insane.”

Clip: Fogey versatility (~6:45–7:30).

8:00–14:30 | Coach Paul intro + OU staff story

Chad: 30 years coaching every level except NFL; coached at Oklahoma; close with Steve Owens.

Paul background (his words):

• Norman High (10+ years), then OU via Steve Owens.
• Interviewed with Charlie North; family ties (Toby Wise / grandfather golfed with North).
• Two years on staff — “unbelievable experience.”
• Film-breakdown story: Gary Gibbs sent him to find a way to break down defense off reel-to-reel / VHS. He and Daniel Gensley (no college, touch tablet) put scouting on computer → beta tapes → first time OU did digital-style breakdowns (3rd-and-5, red zone, etc.). Precursor to Huddle/sideline video.
• Pride point: helping OU jump from analog to computer scouting.

Clip: Steve Owens hug at Heisman Park + Gensley/computer film story (~8:10–13:50).

14:30–17:30 | Last year’s team

Paul: They overachieved.

• Didn’t think they’d make the playoffs once Mateer got hurt.
• Gruden interview explained why Mateer threw the way he did — “he couldn’t help it.”
• Injuries: Mateer, running backs, defense still the “mainstay.”
• Kicker won games; punter flipped field position every week (one Alabama mistake aside).
• Credit: Venables kept the locker room from making excuses. Leadership: Mateer, Heineke, Kip Lewis.
• “25 was supposed to be the year” if healthy. This year is a different story.

Clip: “They overachieved” + Gruden/Mateer throw explanation (~15:00–16:40).

17:00–21:30 | Why this offense can be different — tight ends

Paul: Tools on offense they haven’t had in a while. Tight end coach is huge.

C-gap / 7-technique talk (best X clip in the show):

• TE coach talking about protecting the C-gap — “he’s speaking my language.”
• Vs. a 7-technique: watch the TE’s first step. Outside foot = defense comes inside; they can’t block it.
• Old-school TE blocking will change the run game.
• Multiple TEs force defenses to change structure, stay man more, and make blitzing harder.
• Paul always l