Norman, Oklahoma USA

Category archive

Columns - page 9

Dave: Injuries raise questions about O-line play but defense is dominating

by

One would think a 51-3 drubbing would not be cause for any source of worry about the victorious team, no matter who the opponent. 

But a big concern for Oklahoma going into the season reared its ugly head last Friday night on Owen Field.  While the Sooners did indeed dismantle Temple to the tune of 51-3, the offensive line left more questions than answers. 

To be fair, Oklahoma was missing starting tackle Jake Taylor due to injury, and starting center Branson Hickman left with injury after just 10 snaps.  Depth was also an issue as guard Troy Everett was a no go with injury as well. 

So maybe we should not expect many answers until this unit heals and is able to work together at full strength.  But injuries are part of the game.  Next man up so to speak. 

So, it was disappointing to see the offensive line look so inconsistent.  I know that might sound overly critical when OU still rushed for 220 yards and averaged 6.1 yards a carry.  But the Sooners were also 1 for 12 on 3rd down conversion attempts, they lost the time of possession battle, and Arnold only threw for 140 yards and was sacked 3 times.  

Keep Reading

Sooners do the expected — blow Temple away 51-3

by

If there is any takeaway from Oklahoma’s 51-3 win over Temple on Saturday night it was that the defense — which grabbed six Owls turnovers — was everything as billed. But the offense has a ways to go.

“I loved how aggressive and confident our guys were moving around, flying to the ball and being aggressive and knocking the ball loose,” Coach Brent Venables said. “Fantastic job by the defense.”

The Sooners had fumbles recovered by Terry, senior safety Billy Bowman Jr. and junior safety Robert Spears-Jennings. 

Concern about the offense, which scored many points, but failed to convert on only one of 12 third downs and saw starting center Branson Hickman get injured (sprained ankle), was not relieved, despite the offense scoring 44 points. In addition Jalil Farooq’s season likely ended when he sustained a broken foot.

Farooq’s injury compounded a depth problem at wide receiver. Top returning receiver Nic Anderson was out for this game and Jayden Gibson suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice.

Keep Reading

Mike: My 2024 game-by-game expectation for Sooners

by

It is not an overstatement that the 2024 college football season is a pivotal year for the sport and certainly for the Oklahoma program.

Entering into the lion’s den that is labeled the SEC, the Sooners have their hands full, especially considering they bring a new quarterback and inexperience at the offensive line. 

And, the shape of the football landscape has changed in addition to this development. The Big 10 now has a more national appearance, grabbing Oregon and usually significant USC to their ranks, and the Big 12 has gobbled up the mountain time zone schools of Utah, Arizona and Colorado.

But for Oklahoma, it will be a one-week-at-a-time fight, with few easy weekends between the beginning game against Temple on Friday night, August 30 (6 pm ESPN), until the playoff committee in December announces the 12 teams (yes, that’s new too) to make the post season.

So, what should we expect from our Sooners this year?  Here is my game by game prognostication:

Keep Reading

1 … 7 8 9 10 11 … 62
Go to Top