Oklahoma’s starting quarterbacks the last two seasons won Heisman trophies. Each were transfers who sat out one season to comply with the NCAA’s archaic “year in residence” rule.
Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, both assumed to be the eventual starter when they became eligible, had to earn the job. Mayfield beat out Trevor Knight, who was coming off a scintillating effort in leading the Sooners past Alabama in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Knight transferred to A&M. Murray, who transferred from A&M, was chosen the starter over Austin Kendall, who has transferred to West Virginia and will likely be the Mountaineers starter this season. Those close to the program claim that the Murray-over-Kendall race was a photo finish.
OU’s starter this season is assumed to be Jalen Hurts, a graduate transfer from Alabama. He played in 42 games for the Crimson Tide, including two national championship games, and had a 26-2 record in games he started. Two rookies – redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai and freshman Spencer Rattler – are competing with Hurts. Or so says coach Lincoln Riley.
“It’s one of those things that when you know, you know,” Riley said last week. “We evaluate stats, but it’s off a feel. It’s more than just the numbers. It’s the feel of the guy that’s gonna not only produce and play the best but also lead the best as well.
“I’m not super experienced, but I’m experienced enough to know I’m darn sure not nailing it down right now. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
At Big 12 media days last month, sophomore center Creed Humphrey displayed future coaching chops. Asked about what he’s seen of Hurts, Humphrey pivoted to the political answer.
“We’ve got three great guys at that position,” he said. “They all bring different strengths to the table. It’s gonna be a great competition.”
Rattler was the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class, but he wasn’t on campus for spring ball. With practices underway, he has the opportunity this month to win the job.
“We’re not just gonna throw a true freshman in there just because,” Riley said. “But we are going to give him enough reps to see if he’s ready to factor in this thing right now. If he is, we’ll adjust, and if he’s not, then we’ll adjust. You want to have reps with the big boys and you want a big chunk of reps, then come out here and prove it.”
If you believe the Wise Guys who set the odds, Riley is delaying the inevitable. An offshore sports book has Hurts as 1/15 odds to be the starter. They tell me that means to win $1 you must bet $15 on Hurts. Rattler is listed at 5/1 and Mordecai is 8/1. So, the odds don’t favor either freshman being the starting QB when the Sooners open against Houston on Sept. 1.
Poll dance
Let’s be honest about college football polls.
- The preseason rankings are simply a best guess.
- The coaches’ poll is largely a joke because the coaches who vote have better things to do with their time.
- The media poll might be less of a joke because those who vote have at least researched their best guesses. But with so many newspapers contracting staff and coverage, veteran scribes have been replaced and the voters in The Associated Press poll are, quite frankly, suspect. (But at least their weekly votes are available for snark.)
- Both the coaches’ and the media polls are meaningless. The College Football Playoff committee is aware of the rankings as the season progresses. While the final four might reflect the top four in the polls, that’s more happenstance.
Which brings us to the coaches’ preseason poll that was announced last week. (The poll has a corporate sponsor; Google it if you care.)
Texas is ranked 10th and Texas A&M 11th. That proximity is juicy for the Hook Ems and the Gig Ems.
For the Longhorns, it’s the first time cracking the top 10 in either the coaches or media polls since 2010. UT, coming off a loss to Alabama in the BCS title game, was ranked No. 4. Little did anyone know then it was the high point of the decade.
The Aggies are ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2014 when they started at No. 20. Their last top 10 appearance was No. 6 in 2013.
For what it’s worth and to satisfy your curiosity, the AP preseason poll will be published on Aug. 19.
Talking tickets, travel
If you’ve got an extra $36,000 and want to buy four second-row Touchdown Club seats for the LSU-Texas game on Sept. 7, a visit to TicketCity.com with a valid credit card could make them yours.
The Tigers’ visit to Austin in Week Two is one of the most anticipated September games. According to TicketCity, the cheapest get-in price for LSU-UT is $386.
The same day, Texas A&M visits Clemson in another Big Game. The get-in price for that game ranges from $239 to $1,639.
The Longhorns and the Aggies each open the season with tomato can opponents. Tickets for Texas A&M’s opener against Texas State on Aug. 29 can be had for as low as $9. Texas plays Louisiana Tech on Aug. 31 with the cheapest ticket currently available for $20.
Fans who travel to follow their teams are familiar with hotels in college towns raising room rates, especially for a game that is generating as much interest as the Aggies versus the Tigers. Room rates in most hotels in Clemson are going for $700 with a two-night minimum.
Many A&M fans planning to make the trip who started making plans last season found delicious rates – between $130 and $170 – at the Clemson Courtyard Marriott. But rooms booked early disappeared when the hotel informed dozens of fans that their reservations had been cancelled. The low rates, which the hotel failed to jack up ahead of time, resulted in about 60 more reservations than rooms available.
Audible
North Carolina and former Texas coach Mack Brown on the Paul Finebaum show about his return to the sidelines:
“I used to worry more about when kids got in trouble but now I realize: it’s their problem. If we make a rule, there’s a consequence, and that’s the way it is. I’m gonna enjoy things more and focus less on what made me miserable before.”