Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Offensive Line is Embracing a Faster Tempo and a New Mentality

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s tradition shift isn’t simply restricted to the protection.
Although Jeff Lebby is the one new face on the offensive teaching employees, the extent of aggression can be cranked up greater in 2022.
“I can see his mentality positively so far as eager to assault,” offensive guard Chris Murray stated on Wednesday. “… He’s at all times saying we’re going to be aggressive. Wanting to go away 60 (factors) on their head. He’s a really aggressive offensive coordinator. He’s a really sensible offensive coordinator.”
OU’s offense goes to run at a breakneck tempo underneath Lebby, there’s little question. However the stage of physicality gained’t be sacrificed simply so the Sooners can snap the ball shortly.
Lebby intends to make use of a dominant speeding assault to pair with the quick tempo.
“We’re going to run the ball,” Murray stated. “He’s not shy from that. And he’s instilled that in us that that must be one thing that’s certainly one of our instruments.”
Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator hasn’t modified the mentality on his personal.
Returning power coach Jerry Schmidt has bee a key cog in serving to the offensive line proceed their growth this offseason.
Not solely has Schmidt been laborious at work making certain the offensive line can be in situation to run the performs on the tempo Lebby wishes, however he’s helped the unit develop stronger since they final stepped foot on the sector in San Antonio.
“There’s been a really massive emphasis on working the group and working issues via the entrance,” Murray stated. “Like (Schmidt) says, it’s gonna begin up entrance. He harps on us. Setting the tone. Simply being these individuals up entrance who’re setting the tone for the day.”
Heart Andrew Raym stated he linked instantly with Schmidt, as he’s somebody who has labored day after day to convey one of the best out of the fellows who battle on the road of scrimmage.
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“I really feel like Schmidty is extra of an O-line/D-line sort of man,” Raym stated. “… He’s obtained each of the O-line teams and it’s been nice as a result of we’re transferring weight over there, pushing ourselves and transferring extra weight than we ever have.
“No day off, there’s no sitting there consuming water for greater than 5 seconds. You’ve obtained to get rolling and also you’ve obtained to get transferring weight. It’s nice. Being with Schmidty is superior.”
A sooner tempo additionally doesn’t imply an easier offense.
Invoice Bedenbaugh’s unit will nonetheless be one charged with the entire psychological challenges he throws at his unit. However as a substitute of getting loads of time to digest the look the protection is displaying pre-snap, every particular person offensive lineman can be answerable for figuring out the decision.
“It calls us simply to be extra educated of our performs,” Murray stated. “We at all times needs to be college students of the sport and know every part that we anticipated coming to the sector. This yr, you really want to have a base data of what you’re doing as a result of we’re going so quick.
“… Somebody’s at all times going to echo the calls… Generally, we gained’t be capable of say every part and that’s why all 5 have to know what they’re doing.”
Loads of place battles are nonetheless to be sifted via between now and Oklahoma’s season opener subsequent fall, however with Lebby, Bedenbaugh and Schmidt in tow, the offensive line feels they’ll be up for the problem.
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Oklahoma
Drone intercepts Oklahoma tornado

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Oklahoma
Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume

A month ago, it was fair to turn and look away from Oklahoma State baseball.
The Cowboys looked nothing like themselves. Losses piled up. The offense struggled. The pitching was worse.
Sitting below .500, the belief was that OSU would miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Josh Holliday.
My, how things can change.
There are few teams hotter than the Pokes entering conference tournament week. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of Arizona State. They’ve won 9 of 10 games.
OSU is suddenly back in the NCAA Tournament picture, too.
The Cowboys enter the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed. They’ll face Baylor at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.
Here is what to know about OSU entering the postseason:
Oklahoma State baseball resume
- Record: 27-22 (15-12 Big 12, 7th)
- RPI: 45th (through May 18 games)
- Projected seed: USA TODAY: No. 3 seed in Chapel Hill Regional (last four in); D1Baseball: No. 3 seed in Corvallis Regional
- Notable: The Cowboys’ mid-season struggles and cancellation of several Big 12 games can be overlooked in part to a tough schedule. OSU’s strength of schedule ranks No. 11 in the country, according to D1Baseball.com’s RPI.
OSU baseball Big 12 Tournament preview
Never count out the Cowboys in this tournament.
The format is different — an increase to 12 teams and a change to single elimination — but the talent is just the same under Holliday.
The Cowboys get a boost by opening with Baylor, a team they took two of three from and nearly swept on the road less than two weeks ago.
But this is no easy field. Eight teams are ranked in the top 50 RPI and all 12 are in the top 90.
Should the Cowboys win, they face No. 2-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks swept OSU in late March, signaling the downturn of OSU’s season. Another win could mean a date with No. 3 TCU.
Though that appears daunting, the Cowboys have won this tournament four times, including last season.
Why Oklahoma State baseball can make a run in NCAA Tournament
First, the Cowboys have to get in.
Though projections are favorable — Baseball America and D1Baseball.com both have OSU in as of Tuesday — a win or two in Arlington will go a long way to make them feel safe.
But get in and the Cowboys face significantly less pressure than the past three seasons. There will be no home regional, which OSU has lost each year at O’Brate Stadium since 2022.
Getting away from Stillwater could be a positive.
Plus, it helps that OSU has a bona fide ace in left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, who leads the league with 10 wins and is tied for second with a 2.43 ERA.
Mario Pesca and Hunter Watkins have also become reliable starters in the rotation.
And don’t forget about the Cowboys’ offense that can overwhelm opponents.
Slugger Nolan Schubart is third in the conference with 17 home runs after a slow start. Colin Brueggemann is not far behind with 14. And Brayden Smith has become a lightning bolt for the Cowboys’ lineup.
OSU has outscored its opponents 80-27 over the last 10 games.
Why OSU baseball can’t make a run in NCAA Tournament
Even though getting away from O’Brate Stadium might make some OSU fans who remember the past all too well feel a little better, it shouldn’t.
OSU is 18-12 at home and 5-12 in true road games.
That’s far from ideal.
So, which bullpen will show up? The one that has been rock solid in the final month or the one that was a total disaster in March?
Legendary pitching coach Rob Walton has worked his magic turning the staff around before he enters retirement. But things can turn in an instant for any college pitcher.
And though the Cowboys can slug, there are issues with the lineup. Schubart and Brueggemann are prone to strikeouts. And facing a team with strong lefties can neutralize the duo.
Oklahoma
What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025

3 scariest SEC baseball teams to face in the 2025 conference tournament
The Montgomery Advertiser’s Adam Cole breaks down why Auburn, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the toughest teams to play in the 2025 SEC baseball tournament.
Kentucky baseball is set to begin postseason play this afternoon against Oklahoma.
The 13th-seeded Wildcats (29-23, 13-17 SEC) will face the 12th-seeded Sooners (33-19, 14-16) in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.
Kentucky will attempt to replicate its magical postseason last year, when it reached the College World Series.
This is the fourth time the Wildcats are playing the Sooners this season; Kentucky won the previous three matchups.
Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s first game in the SEC Tournament, including bracket, schedule, seeding and more:
- Date: Tuesday, May 20
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Texas (42-11)
- Arkansas (43-12)
- LSU (42-13)
- Vanderbilt (39-16)
- Georgia (42-14)
- Auburn (38-17)
- Ole Miss (37-18)
- Tennessee (41-15)
- Alabama (40-15)
- Florida (37-19)
- Mississippi State (34-20)
- Oklahoma (33-19)
- Kentucky (29-23)
- Texas A&M (28-25)
- South Carolina (28-28)
- Missouri (16-38)
All times Eastern.
First round: Tuesday, May 20
- Game 1: No. 9 seed Alabama vs. No. 16 seed Missouri | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Second round: Wednesday, May 21
- Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Game 1 winner | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Game 4 winner | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 22
- Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Game 5 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Friday, May 23
- Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Game 7 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Semifinals: Saturday, May 24
- Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 4:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Championship: Sunday, May 25
- Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.
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