At the tailgate before the Western Carolina game, someone asked the group what did we expect to learn from the game that night.
My good buddy Mike said, “If we learn anything at all, it won’t be good.”
And he was absolutely right. There really is nothing to be learned from a 76-0 beat down in a really unfair contest. The only thing we could have learned would have been really bad. That might have been the worst team to visit Owen Field in the past 25 years.
Oklahoma did what they were supposed to do. Let the starters run up the score in the first half and turn it over to the second string for the second half. Rattler looked more comfortable, but how could he not when he had 5 or so minutes in the pocket to pick and choose his targets. If I wanted to be really picky he still seems to be a touch off on some throws, turning his receivers around a few times.
But again, the Sooners played the scrimmage almost flawlessly. Gabe Brkic even added another 50 plus field goal early in the game.
And that right there is something else to pick at. Why the heck wasn’t the offense able to score a touchdown on that drive? To be frank, it’s kind of embarrassing they didn’t given the opponent.
Anyway, we didn’t learn anything. But we will this week. A storied rivalry is renewed this Saturday morning at Owen Field when the Nebraska Cornhuskers come to town for the first time since 2008 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the “Game of the Century”.
I remember growing up with OU vs. Nebraska always being the biggest game of the year. Even more so than the shorthorn game. Because it usually always decided who won the old Big 8 and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
I remember storming the field and getting hit by oranges after we beat the Huskers in 1985 on our way to the National Championship. That was the Keith Jackson tight end reverse game. That was the second game of a four game win streak against them.
Oh have times have changed. Nebraska exited for the Big 10 and the rivalry died. Since then Oklahoma has continued to dominate the Big 12 and Nebraska has, well… has not done anything in
the Big 10. Scott Frost is on the hot seat in his fourth year and nothing would help him better than a road win against their old nemesis.
If (Martinez) is allowed to roam free, it could be an early end to the Sooner’s National Title hopes.
After an opening week loss to Illinois to start the season, the Huskers have righted the ship and are standing at 2-1. Nebraska’s quarterback, Adrian Martinez is the key to this game.
He is what the Sooners historically have had fits against:
A mobile quarterback.
Oklahoma will have to contain him to make sure the Huskers don’t pull the big upset. Martinez is not a great thrower and makes mistakes. But if he has room to run, the Sooners could be in trouble.
To be sure, Nebraska’s defense is stout, but I still see the Sooners at least getting into the 30’s. So again, it will come down to the Nebraska quarterback. If we can contain him, this game should be a relatively easy win for Oklahoma.
If he is allowed to roam free, it could be an early end to the Sooner’s National Title hopes.
As such the Worry Meter is at about 65% this week.
With all that being said….BOOMER!!!
— Dave
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