Jo Jon Finley’s play calling was more creative
Whether it was the new play caller or a new starting quarterback, the offense finally showed some life
against Ole Miss last Saturday. The offensive line opened holes for Javonte Barnes to have one of the
better games of his career, and Jackson Arnold was efficient, avoided turnovers and threw two
touchdown passes.
Jo Jon Finley’s play calling was more creative and I believe put his players in a better position to make plays. Especially Arnold, who was rolled out several times for passes to compensate for the offensive line’s struggles to protect against the Rebels pass rush.
All in all, it was a pretty good first half that saw the Sooners take a 14-10 lead into the locker room. Unfortunately, there was still a second half to be played.
And whatever worked in the first thirty minutes of the game, failed miserably in the second thirty minutes. Oklahoma was unable to score in the last two quarters and Ole Miss prevailed 26-14.
In my mind, one of a couple of things happened. Our coaching staff failed to adjust to the Rebel’s halftime adjustments. Or they tried to make those adjustments, but just don’t have the personal due to continuing injuries to implement them.
Oklahoma was able to run the ball for 125 yards through the first two quarters. However, only managed 12 rushing yards the rest of the game.
So, once Ole Miss tightened down on run defense, the Sooners couldn’t take advantage of them putting extra men in the box by attacking them through the air. And of course, that relates directly to our entire first-string wide receiver core still being kept off the field with injuries.
Until we can get more offensive playmakers on the field, it will be a struggle to score no matter who is calling the plays or throwing the ball.
There really shouldn’t be any trouble scoring this Saturday however, as the Maine fighting Black Bears football team travel to Norman for an afternoon contest with the Sooners. Kind of strange having a no name non-conference game this late in the season. But the SEC has been doing it for years, and I don’t have any complaints this season because we could use an easy victory. (Knock on wood…).
Don’t really know anything about Maine except they are 4-4 overall on the year and 2-3 in Colonial Athletic Association, having just been beat by Rhode Island last week. That’s good for 11th place in the 16-team league.
Oklahoma enters as a 35-point favorite. So, the Worry Meter gets to relax this week at a cool 5%.
If this is a game deep into the second half, Brent may have really lost the team. I don’t think that is the case. There is still a bowl game to play for. And anything can happen. With all that being said…BOOMER!!!
-Dave
Kickoff: Oklahoma vs. Maine – 1:30 pm Norman
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