WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…
I’m Casey Mallon — and you are officially IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

The long, strange trip of the college football season is finally in the rearview mirror, a first-time national champion has been crowned, and the offseason storylines are already hitting at full throttle. But before we look ahead, this episode brings MASSIVE news for Oklahoma football — the kind of news that changes the entire trajectory of Team 132 and beyond.

THE ANCHORS ARE BACK.
Quarterback John Mateer — the engine of the offense — and linebacker Kip Lewis — the quarterback of the defense — are officially returning to Norman. That’s leadership. That’s continuity. That’s championship DNA. Mateer’s playoff run, Heisman-level start, and toughness through injury paired with Lewis’ dominance on one of the nation’s best defenses gives the Sooners a foundation every program in America envies.

And the good news doesn’t stop there…

We break down the growing list of Sooners choosing stability over the portal, including Isaiah Sategna, Tory Blaylock, Courtland Guillory, David Stone, Jayden Jackson, Ace Hodges, Ben Anderson — and the return of Ivan Carreon, a 6’6 weapon with serious upside who flashed big-game potential in the Armed Forces Bowl. We’ll dive even deeper into portal additions later this offseason, but today is about one thing: retention matters — and OU is winning that battle.

Plus, we recap the College Football National Championship as the Indiana Hoosiers complete a perfect 16-0 season, defeating Miami 27-21, and we react to the final AP Top 25. And yes… we’re already looking ahead to next year’s title game in Las Vegas — Sin City, the Death Roomba, and college football’s biggest stage colliding.

If you love Oklahoma Sooners football, college football chaos, roster news, portal breakdowns, playoff talk, and real fan-driven analysis — THIS IS YOUR HOME.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION!
I’m Casey Mallon, and you are officially IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

Before we dive in — SMASH that SUBSCRIBE button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, and YouTube so you never miss an episode. New OU football content, college football playoff breakdowns, and elite-level analysis every week.

Nine mile skid on a ten mile ride… nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile…

The Sooner State of Mind family is eating GOOD on this episode.

We kick things off with massive Oklahoma Sooners football news as OU officially hires Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten as the new tight ends coach, replacing Joe Jon Finley. We break down why this move matters, what Witten brings from an NFL résumé that speaks for itself, and how his leadership, character, and football IQ align perfectly with Brent Venables’ vision for the program. From player development to recruiting cachet, this hire has the potential to change the way OU uses the tight end position moving forward.

Then we shift to the College Football Playoff Semifinals recap, starting with an absolute Fiesta Bowl classic between Miami and Ole Miss. Four fourth-quarter lead changes, elite quarterback play, controversial officiating, explosive young stars, and a finish that came down to the final seconds — we break it ALL down. Was it pass interference? Did Ole Miss get robbed? And yes… we address the Lane Kiffin factor.

Next up — the Peach Bowl beatdown.

Indiana vs Oregon was not just a win… it was a statement. The Hoosiers looked like a fully operational machine, dominating from the opening pick-six to the final whistle. We talk Fernando Mendoza’s ridiculous playoff run, Curt Cignetti’s culture, Indiana’s NFL-level discipline, and why this team may be the most complete squad in college football right now.

All of that sets the stage for the College Football Playoff National Championship Preview:
Miami Hurricanes vs Indiana Hoosiers at the Hard Rock.

We break down the matchups, the Vegas spread, what Miami must do to pull the upset, and why Indiana looks like a team on an absolute mission. Physicality, execution, discipline — this game has it all. Plus, ticket prices, atmosphere, and why Monday night is going to be electric.

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Every team. Every topic. Everywhere.
And in case you forgot…

My name is Casey Mallon —
and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

SUBSCRIBE. LIKE. SHARE. BOOMER SOONER.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…

I’m Casey Mallon, and you are officially back in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

The portal is WIDE open, the NIL landscape is shifting under everyone’s feet, and Oklahoma football is at the center of it all. In this episode, we break down the 21 Sooners currently in the transfer portal, including a few names that absolutely raised eyebrows—and we dig into the uncomfortable but very real truth of today’s game: getting paid now means you have to earn it. The Sooners learned that lesson the hard way with the Jaydn Ott situation, and going forward, every NIL dollar is going to come with expectations and accountability.

We dive deep into OU’s biggest roster needs, starting with a tight end room that—let’s be honest—has been a liability for far too long. From the departure of Joe Jon Finley to the possibility of fresh blood (and fresh ideas) at the position, we talk about why tight end production—at least in blocking—is no longer optional in the SEC. And yes, we give flowers to Jaren Kanak, who somehow became the most productive tight end on the roster after starting the year at linebacker.

It’s also a big-picture episode. We zoom out and talk about Nagy’s first full offseason as GM, why this staff is better positioned than people realize, and why—despite a frustrating ending—this team overachieved against a brutal schedule. A broken-thumb quarterback weeks before Texas, 10 wins, a playoff game, and hosting postseason football in Norman? If you offered that in August, you’d take it every single time.

From there, we jump into the Rose Bowl recap, Indiana’s rise from “afterthought” to national title contender, and the absolute meltdown happening across college football fandom. Notre Dame tears, Texas flexing a Cheez-It Bowl, BYU outrage, playoff expansion chaos—it’s all on the table. And yes, we talk about why playoff byes should come with home-field advantage, because momentum matters.

This one’s passionate. It’s honest. It’s unfiltered. And it’s very, very Sooner.

Head over to BLEAV.com, search Sooner State of Mind, and you’re locked in.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Amazon Music.
Want the video version? Find us on YouTube at The Football Dudes.

And in case you forgot…
My name is Casey Mallon — and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND. ️

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