Game 1—Oklahoma

[ZippyRulz]

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=210305281

The stage is set to dash the hopes of 82,000+ in person, a few million more via tv and radio. Go Zips!!

[timkromer]

I saw a couple of you guys were heading out there for the game. Are any of you planning on setting up your own tailgate? I'm driving our tailgating stuff out there, but I'm not sure where we should plan on parking.

Are there any specific spots you guys are looking at? Reaves park looks like it would be a good spot to set up shop (south-southwest of the stadium).

[AKSportsFan]

Pound for Pound on the starting offensive line we are only 41 pounds lighter than them and on the defensive side we are 34 pounds heavier. Height wise we have a 3 inch advantage on defense and they have a 5 inch advantage on offense. For all intensive purposes we match up extremely well with neither side having a clear advantage in terms of shear size. For the blatant dismissal of our team over on their board I think we have the making of the greatest upsets in Zips history and of all the games Saturday.

The answers for what offense OK should run on Saturday by their posters and I can't help but smile when they say "we shouldn't need an offensive game plan..." or "Run a little throw a little win by 5 touchdowns"... Of course there is some aspect of sarcasm but if this is any indication of their attitude that we aren't even considered the lightest threat to score let alone be in this game, then I think we might just catch them with their pants down.

[zipsoutsider]

I eyeballed the size match-ups and overall, not too bad. They are, in general, taller, but it was not as big if a mismatch as I anticipated. They are very tall at LT (6‘ 8") and they have one taller receiver, but other than that I don't see dramatic differences.

However, according to this article, the left side of the OL is inexperienced. https://trove.com/a/10-Thoughts-on-the-Sooners-Depth-Chart.vZNvs?utm_campaign=hosted&utm_medium=twitter&ts=1441111001&utm_source=sns&nocrawl=1

[pphilfran]

Reaves Park Is excellent. Big area. A little walk to the stadium but it is solid wall of tailgating all the way to the stadium.

Prior to getting to Reaves you will pass a large parking area on the left (west) side of the road. You can't park there, it is a donor parking area.

[pphilfran]

I eyeballed the size match-ups and overall, not too bad. They are, in general, taller, but it was not as big if a mismatch as I anticipated. They are very tall at LT (6‘ 8") and they have one taller receiver, but other than that I don't see dramatic differences.

However, according to this article, the left side of the OL is inexperienced. https://trove.com/a/10-Thoughts-on-the-Sooners-Depth-Chart.vZNvs?utm_campaign=hosted&utm_medium=twitter&ts=1441111001&utm_source=sns&nocrawl=1

Sonners lost three o line starters from last year. The revamped line is a concern. The big backs should still find some room to run. Perine has great vision and see small openings and he isn't going to be arm tackled. Mixon is going to be special. This is his coming out party.

He could have played last year but he was involved in an altercation with a drunk and he ended up punching HER out. Charges were dropped but the school took away his football privileges. Ther is video but has never been shown public. Leaks say she was drunk and giving him crap and spit in him. Still no excuse to deck a woman. He has been quite and not said or texted a peep about anything.

[Zipgrad01]

I saw a couple of you guys were heading out there for the game. Are any of you planning on setting up your own tailgate? I'm driving our tailgating stuff out there, but I'm not sure where we should plan on parking.

Are there any specific spots you guys are looking at? Reaves park looks like it would be a good spot to set up shop (south-southwest of the stadium).

We are going to tailgate, but we haven't picked a location.

[pphilfran]

You are getting lucky on weather. High of 90. Light south wind. Toasty but not unbearable.

[Dr Z]

You are getting lucky on weather. High of 90. Light south wind. Toasty but not unbearable.

Akron has been practicing indoors with the fans off trying to emulate the possible heat conditions (per coach Bowdens weekly presser).

PS Can you (pphilfran) stop back after the game to give your take on the game at some point? Many of our members (including myself) enjoy reading from a different perspective.

[pphilfran]

Can do.

[K92]

Will Air Raid Offense Put OU Ground Game on the Back Burner?

[RowdyZip]

I don't know if it's been announced officially, but Johnny J's in the valley will have the game. Zips FB video passed me the info via twitter. I might try Dr. Z's idea with my chromecast...

[zippy_ua_00]

I can't wait to shut most the sooner fans mouths on Saturday. I bet the team isn t taking us as lightly as the fans are.

[LZIp]

I can't wait to shut most the sooner fans mouths on Saturday. I bet the team isn t taking us as lightly as the fans are.

I hope the team is. They could easily be looking past us with Tenn the following week (sexy SEC East pick this year).

[zippy_ua_00]

I hope they are as well, but I don't see stoops letting that happen

[zipsoutsider]

I hope they are as well, but I don't see stoops letting that happen

I thought the same thing, but he didn't seem incredibly focused on us in his presser or what they needed to do this week. It could have been because it was the first one if the season, but after he acknowledged the game and TB, he never really cane back to it. They might feel forced to look ahead to TN more than they are looking at Akron. He did mention the win over Pitt, but I am not sure Pitt is held in any higher regard than Akron.

[AKSportsFan]

zippy_ua_00 with the troll of the year with the score prediction of "Akron runs the statue of liberty play every down and wins 34-21" ...surely they get the reference. I lol'd.

[zippy_ua_00]

zippy_ua_00 with the troll of the year with the score prediction of "Akron runs the statue of liberty play every down and wins 34-21" ...surely they get the reference. I lol'd.

Haha I do what I can. I'm sure they got the refrence. I've been posting on that forum for about 2 months now.

[LoyalZIP]

Not many think the Zips have any shot to win in the comment section of this post on Hustle Belt.

[pphilfran]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ousportsextra/blog/ou-sports-you-ve-been-warned----construction/article_70a7157d-c915-5652-911c-b33f6a41a3c1.htmlNORMAN – Seriously, this might be the most important thing you read all week relating to Oklahoma’s football opener against Akron Saturday night. It’s a traffic advisory from the university, and it's hairy.

As I understand it, they’re doing preliminary construction work on Lindsey Street in Norman to get it ready for a major redesign. I believe that starts next spring.

The stuff they’re doing now might be a warm-up to the rebuild, but it’s still a major inconvenience. It has been for weeks (trust me, I live just a few blocks south of Lindsey).

The worst part is it’s going to continue.

Here’s the OU press release on what to expect this coming football season:

“With construction taking place in Norman on I-35, Lindsey Street and Highway 9, University of Oklahoma officials want to give fans alternate travel options to get to Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium on game days.

“All I-35 exits will remain open, but construction will continue on the Lindsey and Highway 9 exits throughout the football season, causing possible heavy congestion in those areas.”

OK. Read that again, substituting “definite” for the word “possible.” Good gracious what a mess.

Back to the release: “Alternate/secondary routes coming from the north include Exit 112 (south on Highway 77/Flood Street) or Exit 113 (east or west on Tecumseh Road, then south into Norman via 36th Avenue from the west or Highway 77/Flood or Sooner Road from the east).

“Although Highway 9 will remain open, fans traveling to Norman from the south can also exit south of town in Noble and head east to Sooner Road, then travel north.”

My advice, especially to my friends headed into town from Tulsa Saturday: leave about an hour earlier than you normally would. Also, pay close attention to travel/stadium updates on SoonerSports.com or via the @OU_Gameday Twitter feed.

We’ll do our best to keep you advised here on the blog, but you might as well get the latest info from the source. You’re going to need it this season, I’m afraid.

[SteveDavisRIP]

Not many think the Zips have any shot to win in the comment section of this post on Hustle Belt.

Why would anyone think the Zips have a chance?

[SoonerDude]

Looking forward to a great weekend. Hope everyone traveling in has a blast. BOOMER!!!

[LosAngelesZipFan]

OK State at CMU and Mich State at WMU are great home games for MAC schools.... (off the hustle belt article)

[Dr Z]

Why would anyone think the Zips have a chance?

Since Coach Bowden has been here, he has had his team ready to play the big payday team. This is probably his best team since he's been here. Our defense is good and getting better, and we anticipate a different philosophy on offense. Oklahoma should win, but we are still excited and hopeful for an upset. Good luck, and....

Go Zips!

[zipsoutsider]

I have to say that after perusing the OK boards, I am not impressed. Biggest bunch of ___________ I have seen in a while. Can't wait until our D shuts their traps. I am glad a couple of the more reasonable fans stopped by over here to show us you aren't all like that. Penn State fans were nothing but courteous and I found them quite complimentary during the game.