It has been a theme all week for OU and for SoonerScoop. After five straight weeks of games, everybody is sort of taking a deep breath.

The first of two bye weeks is here for head coach Brent Venables and Team 130. A chance to evaluate what has been. And a chance to try to predict what will be and what needs to change for OU to be successful moving forward.

It’s time for another edition of the Unofficial 40 podcast from SoonerScoop, taking stock of everything that is going on with OU football.

Stock up, stock down

The initial five games gave a lot of surprises. Maybe too many for most people. What we thought we knew, we don’t. Guys we didn’t think would matter much, well, they are. You get the picture.

Never is that more evident with the head-scratching snap counts and production from tight end. And, of course, Michael Hawkins Jr. taking over at quarterback.

That doesn’t mean it’s all bad, just means it has been incredibly different compared to what we all assumed would be the case going into October.

The rare bye week for both OU and Texas before the Red River Rivalry. Might that mean a few new wrinkles in Dallas next week?

And perhaps the Sooners are about to get a couple of names back into the fold? At least OU didn’t lose any guys following the win at Auburn.

Flip on the way

Recruiting editor Josh McCuistion planted the seeds a few weeks ago. Now the offer has been made to 2025 linebacker Kaleb Burns.

Committed to Baylor since the summer, OU extended the offer earlier this week. Have we now reached the point of when he flips to the Sooners, not if?

All that and all the banter you’ve come to expect from the Unofficial 40 podcast from SoonerScoop.

The Unofficial 40 is presented by SchwabMeat.com. Enter the code SOONERSCOOP and place an order of $75 or more and get free shipping on your next order. Schwab Meat. The official hot dog of Gamedays.

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