Oklahoma released its depth chart, for Saturday’s season, opener on Tuesday. Since there are already a ton of thoughts and opinions going around, I’ll keep mine brief.
- I’m shocked that Marcus Major and Tawee Walker are the top two running backs on the depth chart and Jovantae Barnes Gavin Sawchuk are the bottom two backs listed. I’ve been pulling for Marcus Major for quite a while now and perhaps this is finally his chance. Then again, perhaps it’s a little gamesmanship, because we’ve all seen what Barnes and Sawchuk can do. You know what they say about squeezing the toothpaste out of the tube and then not being able to put it back in. That could describe the situation with these younger backs.
- Brenen Thompson isn’t listed anywhere on the depth chart. I’m not saying that he isn’t a starter. I’m saying that he isn’t on the depth chart. Now, the good news is that the speedy transfer from Texas is still on the roster, he just isn’t on the depth chart. That leaves the door open to any number of possibilities, ranging from injury to motivational tactics, to everything in between.
- I absolutely love the fact that there isn’t an “or” listed for any of the offensive line positions, at any depth. The are four positions on the offense that have an “or” but none of them have to do with the offensive line. That means Bill Bedenbaugh has his five set, and it’s probably been that way for a while.
- Rondell Bothroyd’s fantastic spring must have continued through the summer. The former Wake Forest standout isn’t just listed as a starting defensive end, he’s the only defensive end with a secured starting spot. Opposite of him will be either Ethan Downs or Trace Ford.
- Not counting Ford or Reggie Pearson (free safety), because they are listed as an “or”, there are four new defensive starters for the season opener. Bothroyd, Jaren Kanak (middle linebacker), Justin Harrington (Cheetah), and Gentry Williams (Corner).
Quotes From Oklahoma Head Coach Brent Venables
“He’s been really consistent, physical, available. He’s been a guy that you can count on. … Does a lot of little things right. He plays really strong.” – On walk-on running back Tawee Walker being listed as a co-starter
“Sure, no doubt. This is a players’ game. Players make plays. My job is to recruit and have the best, strongest roster we can put together. Anytime you can recruit an elite player … you celebrate hard, you just don’t celebrate long.” – On if he still celebrates recruiting victories
“Again, consistency. His work ethic. He’s a vocal leader, competes at an incredibly high level. He’s been consistent with his body of work and his commitment to understanding the details and consistently has made plays since we started.” – On Justin Harrington being listed as the starter at the Cheetah position
“He’s a confident guy in his ability but humble for the process that it takes to play at the right level. … He’s earned his opportunity every step of the way. When he has been given some opportunity he made the most of those small windows like you want all your players to do.” – On Oklahoma State transfer Trace Ford
Quotes From Arkansas State Head Coach Butch Jones
“Obviously very excited to get going. Getting to go on the road and play a football program on national television, first game out of College Gameday, playing the University of Oklahoma, it’s going to be a great challenge for us. A really good football team, a top-25 football team, a top-25 football program.” – Thoughts on the game and what he’s looking forward to
“I like where we’re at, but we’ll know a little bit more. When you play a quality opponent like Oklahoma, everything that you do can be exposed. What I mean is fundamentals, details, simple things like your hand placement, the violence or mentality that you play with, your style of play, the discipline to execute play-in and play-out, the ability to handle the clutter and distractions of the crowd noise.” – On where this team is in the rebuilding process coming out of fall camp
“Exciting time of year, getting football season started. I think it takes, usually, three to four games to really define your identity and it’s constantly evolving as the season goes. But when you look at first games, it’s always the games of the unknown.” – On his team’s identity
Game Notes
- The game will be televised by ESPN with Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones and Taylor McGregor announcing.
- Oklahoma is 99-23-6 all-time in season openers and has won its last six such contests and 12 of its last 13.
- Since moving to FBS status in 1992, the Red Wolves have posted a 8-23 record in season openers.
- This marks the 24th straight season the Sooners have been ranked in the preseason AP poll and, at No. 20, this is their lowest preseason position during that stretch.
- The Red Wolves play a Big 12 foe for the first time since defeating Kansas State 35-31 on Sept. 12, 2020. A-State has won two of its last three against Big 12 foes, including an 18-14 win over Texas A&M in 2008 at Kyle Field.
- After winning its first three games and reaching No. 6 in the AP poll under first-year head coach Brent Venables, the 2022 Sooners finished 6-6 in the regular season and dropped a 35-32 Cheez-It Bowl contest to No. 13 Florida State.
- Arkansas State and Oklahoma meet for the third time, first since traveling to Norman in 2000. The Red Wolves also played Oklahoma in 1992, A-State’s first year in FBS.
- The Red Wolves return nine starters, three on offense and six on defense.
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