Notebook: All eyes go to QB for OU early-season opponents

Preseason camps are wrapping up across the country, with the non-conference opponents for OU being no exception.

It’s just about time to begin focusing on game preparation. At the same time, you’re hoping to start finding the answers to your questions.

Here’s a look at some of the news and notes for OU’s first three opponents.

Temple (Aug. 30)

*Start at quarterback because, well, that’s what you do in college football. It has been a tight three-man race. But if you read between the lines? It sounds like nobody is taking ahold of the top spot. Someone will be named the guy, obviously, but not sure anybody will have flat-out won the battle when it shows up at OU.

*If you’re a track fan, you might recognize the name Ashton Allen . He was a star runner at USC before bolting from the Trojans to come to Temple to play football. He has definitely turned some heads, and it will be interesting how quickly he can make an impact.

Houston (Sept. 7)

*Biggest news for the Cougars has nothing to do with football. The university hired Eddie Nunez to be its athletic director last week. It’s the Nunez- Willie Fritz Era in Houston.

*Cougars have been hit hard by the injury bug. You practice physical, and it’s going to happen. Houston will be without running backs Tony Mathis and Steven Polk for the season. And redshirt quarterback Caleb McMickle is also missing the season because of injury.

*Because of that, well, Fritz is attempting to be careful with quarterback Donovan Smith . The Cougars have been limiting his reps. Smith is coming off shoulder surgery in the offseason. Healthy? As dynamic as they come, showed that multiple times in 2023.

Tulane (Sept. 14)

*Let’s go to offseason honors for the Green Wave. Wide receiver Dontae Fleming and cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant have drawn rave reviews from the staff. Should be an electric skill group, including very familiar name Mario Williams in the mix as well.

*Another three-man battle at quarterback here. But this sounds like a real one, with guys pushing each other every day. You have Ty Thompson and Kai Horton and now Darian Mensah all vying for the spot. Mensah is a new addition to this race as it appears the redshirt freshman has been too good to deny.

*Fritz built something really special at Tulane. Jon Sumrall was a very popular pick to take over, and we’ll see if he can bring his Troy success to the Green Wave as well.

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