The Most Important Assistant Coaching Hire in College Football for 2019

College football gambling season is here, with the real season not too far away. With just a short number of Saturdays remaining before Week Zero kick, it's important to know new faces in new places.

On The Action Network Podcast, Stuckey and I were joined by college football insider Brett McMurphy. With McMurphy at the Big 12 Media Days, the focus of the discussion quickly turned to Oklahoma. The Sooners are listed at +225 to make the College Football Playoff at Westgate.

Most of the hype in Norman centers around Alabama transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts. But on the podcast, we dove deep into Oklahoma hiring former Ohio State and Washington State defensive assistant Alex Grinch, who will take over as defensive coordinator. He'll be one of the most impactful hires in college football for 2019.

Listen here, or read the transcript below.

Wilson: “The hiring of Alex Grinch cannot be stated enough and its the reason I have money on OU to make the Playoff and it's the reason why I've got money in various places on Oklahoma.

It's because he (Grinch) will get guys in the right places, he's not about scheme and stunts, it's about getting helmets to the football. He wants every helmet around the football during the tackle, Grinch will have them lined up correctly.

The scheme he does run is very familiar with Air Raid offenses, which are prevalent through the Big 12. This was Mike Leach's defense coordinator at Washington State. Alex Grinch was able to produce a great defense and was a havoc defense.

Grinch was never able to do his own thing at Ohio State because there were too many cooks in the kitchen."

McMurphy: “Yeah, I agree 100%. Also, if you look at the schedule the toughest road game it is hard to pick one out. At Baylor? Maybe at Oklahoma State? They get Iowa State in Norman, obviously Iowa State upset them last time in Norman. I think if Oklahoma doesn't get to the College Football Playoff and win the Big 12 Championship, I'm not saying its as big a shock as Clemson and Alabama both do not make it, but it is fairly close based on what they have coming back and the way the schedule sets up."

Stuckey, myself and McMurphy agree that Oklahoma to make the playoff has value at plus money. A 2018 Sooners defense that was 119th in Success Rate should have vast improvement with the hiring of Alex Grinch.

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There's already plenty of discussion around the College Football Playoff and some of our early win total plays.