Looking back on Saturday afternoon, one of the hottest in the stands I can remember, there was
improvement with the offense. Of course, there is still room for a lot more improvement.
The rushing game produced a respectable 182 yards. The concern with that is almost 100 of those yards came from Jackson Arnold. I know that a quarterback run game can be a useful weapon. But if we must continue to rely on Arnold to do the bulk of the rushing, he is going to get his head knocked off one day.
I would be very surprised if OU vs. Tennessee does not go down to the wire and is anyone’s contest in the last few minutes….
They have to find ways to get the running backs room to roam to help the passing game, which is still
somewhat anemic when compared to recent years.
After three outings, Arnold has yet to crack 200 yards passing in a game. Fingers crossed; help is on the way.
From everything coming out of the Palace on the Prairie this week, I would be surprised if Nic Anderson doesn’t suit up for the big game Saturday night. In fact, he is listed as probable in this week’s injury report. If he can go, it would be his first game of the season and it will take time for him and Arnold to get the timing down.
But every little bit will help. And we will need everything we can get when the Tennessee Vols come to town for Oklahoma’s first SEC contest as a new member. And leading them is our very own Josh Heupel. The man who quarterbacked the Sooners to their last National Championship almost 25 years ago.
There has been a lot in the media about Josh’s return and the way he was let go as OU’s offensive coordinator in 2015. Does he harbor ill will against Oklahoma? Is he gunning for us? Will this give his team extra juice for the contest?
The truth is none of that matters. Both teams will be up for this game, and they don’t need any extra motivation. All that stuff is for sports talk shows.
And I don’t think anyone is thinking about that anyway. Heupel has always said he holds no grudges against Oklahoma and will always look back on his time at OU with fondness.
Josh will always be a Sooner and he will always be loved by Oklahoma as a big part of a great tradition. Just not Saturday. Tennessee sure does look the part of SEC and possible National Title contender. All the offensive and defensive measurables are in the top five or close to it. They have speed to burn.
However, look who they have played. And they have a freshman quarterback who is playing his first game on the road…at OKLAHOMA.
I know Tennessee fans are excited and are already chalking this game up as a win. Some of them even think this is going to be a win in blow-out fashion. But again, this isn’t Kent State. This is OKLAHOMA.
In our house. We have the athletes to match up with the Vols. Brent will have the Sooners ready to play. I understand we are the underdog according to the odds makers. But a blow out? I would be very surprised if this game does not go down to the wire and is anyone’s contest in the last few minutes.
The only way this game is a blow out is if one of the teams gives up. And with these coaches, I don’t see that happening.
Since I do think this will be a nail biter, the Worry Meter is at 85% this week. But remember the last time
Oklahoma was a near touchdown underdog? I bet texas does.
With all that being said….BOOMER!!!
-Dave
Oklahoma vs. Tennessee — kickoff: 6:30 pm, Saturday, September 21, 2024 6:30 pm (ABC)
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