It was nice to see such a dominate performance from Oklahoma in their last game, even if it was just Texas Tech.
Tech can still toss the ball around. But the return of some key defensive players certainly helped keep the Red Raiders under control which allowed the Sooner offense plenty of chances to run up the score on a beautiful day in Norman.
Jalen Redmond, D.J. Graham and Delarrin Turner-Yell were all back to full strength and it showed. Redmond create havoc on his own, but that also helped Isaiah Thomas to have his own party from the outside.
But perhaps the biggest difference was Turner-Yell back at strong safety which allowed Tennessee transfer Key Lawrence to move to cornerback.
Lawrence shined with several pass break ups and blanket coverage. And that in turn, in my opinion, allowed Grinch to have the confidence to play his defense backs much tighter against the opposing receivers.
There were no longer the eight and nine-yard cushions that were prevalent earlier in the season. The defense challenged Tech rather than let Tech challenge them. They were aggressive and it showed.
In the meantime the Caleb Williams show got back on track after a little bit of a hiccup against Kansas.
Williams threw for six touchdowns and over 400 yards. Just another day at the office for the true freshman who is quickly becoming a Heisman candidate.
It was somewhat concerning that Oklahoma was unable to run the ball against the Red Raiders. But sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you. And the Sooners took plenty in the end for a 52-21 route.
Spencer Rattler even go into the act with a 42-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.
Championship November, as it has come to be called, begins this Saturday in Waco against the upstart Baylor Bears.
Dave Aranda has the Bears at 7-2 after an upset loss to TCU last week in Fort Worth.
They have a very good offense and defense. If you average both units against the Sooner’s offense and defense, these teams seem very even, with Baylor having a little bit better defense and OU having a little bit better offense.
Baylor is very balanced in the run and pass. OU is much the same.
The last three games in Waco have been down to the wire, with Oklahoma winning all three.
In fact the Sooners have only lost to Baylor three times against 28 wins. But again, recent history has been full of close games that could have gone either way.
It took OU until the fourth quarter last year to pull away at home.
The Sooners have basically started their playoff run.
The way the CFP committee is treating us this year, every game from here on out is “win or go home” when it comes down to National Championship hopes because there is virtually no scenario where a one-loss Oklahoma makes the final four.
Hell, some people think an undefeated Oklahoma doesn’t make it.
So it’s no surprise that the Worry Meter is at 85% this week.
As is usually the case, Oklahoma is the better team, and should beat Baylor Saturday.
But you have to show it on the field. With all that being said….BOOMER!!
— Dave
Worry Meter: 85 percent.
Saturday kickoff 11 am. Waco, Texas. TV: FOX
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