Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: The honeymoon is over for Alex Grinch

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones catches a pass for a touchdown against safety Pat Fields #10 of the Oklahoma Sooners to trail by only the point after touchdown in the last minute of the game on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Cyclones failed on a two point attempt giving the Sooners the 42-41 win. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Tight end Charlie Kolar #88 of the Iowa State Cyclones catches a pass for a touchdown against safety Pat Fields #10 of the Oklahoma Sooners to trail by only the point after touchdown in the last minute of the game on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Cyclones failed on a two point attempt giving the Sooners the 42-41 win. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Now that the new car smell has worn off the Sooner defense, we get to find out how much value there really is underneath the hood.

The honeymoon phase of a marriage is a great time, where everything is still new and an adventure and spouses count down the minutes to be back in each other’s company, but honeymoons don’t last forever.

The real test of a marriage is how it holds up once the shininess has worn off and the grind of real life begins. When two partners have to bear down and face bills and responsibilities. Strong marriages aren’t made in the honeymoon phase. They are forged through the fires of tribulations.

Much like a marriage, a coach usually gets a honeymoon phase. Alex Grinch enjoyed his honeymoon with the Oklahoma fans all the way until a trip to Manhatten three weeks ago.

Couple a 48-41 loss on the road with a 42-41 survival in which his defense gave up four second-half touchdowns and all of a sudden any residual goodwill Sooner fans had for the new defensive coordinator is gone.

Now, facing adversity and a trip to Waco to take on an undefeated Baylor team, we start to find out what the next phase of the Alex Grinch era is going to be.

Opposing offensive coordinators have enough tape on Grinch’s group to find some cracks and fissures. His defense is beaten up, losing standout Kenneth Mann for the season, its pride is hurt after giving up 89 points in two games and the Sooners’ backs are against the wall with the College Football Playoff Committee showing the team little respect.

Grinch brought up a lack of emotional stability on the road at Kansas State. One could argue we saw the same problem two weeks later as fans began to exit the stadium in the third quarter.

It’s up to the defensive staff to turn things around and get going the right direction.

The honeymoon time is long gone and Saturday starts a new phase of the Alex Grinch era in Norman. Will his team show the kind of resolve needed to build a strong union or is this thing headed in the wrong direction?

Next. Oklahoma football: There’s no defending OU’s defensive lapses. dark

We’ll all find out together in prime time.

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