Jim Ross is known to millions as the voice of WWE, but J.R. is also one of the biggest Oklahoma Sooner fans on the planet.
Today marks the first of his weekly "Ramblings" regarding the Sooners and their upcoming opponent.
1) If you’re worried about the Sooners offensive line, you can exhale. Much like the never ending tale of the late Michael Jackson this story has been thoroughly over analyzed. I know this…when the 1’s faced the 1’s in fall practice, the offensive line won their share of the battles against one of the best front 7’s in the country. If the O-Line plays against BYU as they have at times against their own defense then we Sooner Fanatics can all fixate on something else….like the price of a cold beverage in the new, Cowboys Stadium.
2) Brody Eldridge is government mule tough and will wear Jon Cooper’s #50 when the Sooner Captain moves from tight end to likely start at center. Eldridge, who is a fierce leader, has already made All Big 12 at Fullback. Eldridge could see time Saturday at Center, Tight End, and Fullback. Starting right guard Jarvis Jones, (#76) a transfer from LSU, has a pronounced mean streak IE he’s a large, assault weapon much like LT Trent Williams. Ironically, both these manglers are sociology majors.
3) This season look for Ryan Broyles to touch the pigskin in a variety of ways ala Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin. I’m not anointing OU’s #85 as the next Maclin but the Norman sophomore just may lead the Sooners in all purpose yards in 2009. If not Broyles, his Norman High teammate Mossis Madu could get that distinction.
4) JUCO transfer Cameron Kenney was the #3 rated JUCO receiver in the country last year while also averaging 47 yards per punt. Kenney could be the only punter in the nation to run a 4.4. All of OU’s kickers including Tress Way and Jimmy Stevens have impressed during fall camp. Way kicked a pressure packed 53 yard field goal into a strong, southerly wind at a fall practice recently that kept the entire squad from running gassers. Stevens also has had no issues kicking 50+ yarders in practice. Holder Carter Whitson has had to master holding for the right footed Stevens and the left footed Way. Whitson, a former outstanding QB at Shawnee, is one of OU’s unsung heroes and will likely make a terrific coach some day.
5) Who will average the most yards per carry against BYU? Murray, Brown, Clapp, Calhoun, Madu, or Broyles? The last two weren’t misprints and I’m Stone Cold sober.
6) Based on precedent, BYU will score against OU. BYU hasn’t been shutout in 28 years, 361 games, which is a NCAA record. BYU’s returning, 3 year starting QB, Max Hall, is the Mountain West Conference Pre-Season Offensive Player of the Year. He likes to throw to his tight end/ brother in law, #32 Dennis Pitta, who caught 83 passes in 2008 and at 6’5”-248, is a large target. BYU will be a sound, tough football team and how could they not with a coach named Bronco? Over the past 4 years, BYU has an impressive 38 victories. No “Big Love” jokes please.
7) Recently Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal, and Adrian Taylor, all roommates, came to J.R.’s Family BBQ in Norman for dinner. The most impressive moment of the evening was when these young men of great character took the time to say grace before they ate. Call me old school but that impressed me. The 2009 Oklahoma Sooner football team is going to be special and the good news is that we all get to go along on what could be a “Sooner Magical” journey.
Editor's Note: Jim “J.R.” Ross is a WWE Hall of Fame broadcaster who has also broadcast in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and the XFL on NBC and spent 20 seasons as a football official. J.R., with wife Jan, has penned two, best selling cookbooks and is the owner of J.R.’s Family BBQ in Norman. J.R.’s slow, hickory smoked “Q” is nationally known and located on the East side of I-35 at the Main Street Exit (109) in Norman and is open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. For tail gate packs, to go orders, catering, or any other info, call 405-360-4BBQ (4227).
