SOONERS DROP TO NO. 2 IN AP POLL
In the AP “It Doesn’t Mean a Lot” Top 25 Poll the Sooners dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 after a sputtering 38-28 win over Missouri.
But, before every one gets further down on the Sooners, its important to remember this same Tiger team defeated the Sooners last year. In fact, this year’s Tigers were heralded pre-season as the top defense in the Big 12. The Sooners totaled 592 yards against them on Saturday night.
Some bright spots from the OU-MU game:
— Frank Alexander showed that he will be a top NFL draft pick, keeping Mizzou QB in check for much of the second half and dragging down Tiger runners from behind.
— Tom Wort, whom I’ve always said was out of place and too small to play linebacker, proved me wrong. He played another excellent game.
— Javon Harris, wearing No. 12, had six solo tackles and was in on another four more.
— Landry Jones, who some sports columnists and even some fans still doubt, did throw two interceptions, but that didn’t shake him one bit on his way to 448 yards in 35 completions for three touchdown passes. He even ran for one touchdown. (It’s funny how Jones can throw for 448 yards and the Oklahoma sports media says he had an off night, but OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden can throw for 438 yards on the same day and they call it a record-setting phenomenal performance.)
— Dom Whaley is a tight-rope walking superman at running back.
— Ryan Broyles was, well, Ryan Broyles. A phenomenal 13 catches for 154 yards.
— Playing without Kenny Stills (concussion), the Sooners relied on Jaz Reynolds (5-93 yds) as the second go-to receiver. After an initial drop, Reynolds stepped up and played very well.
— Offensive coordinator Josh Heupel unleashed a myriad of new offensive plays which were effective, especially the Roy Finch in motion plays, including one where he is handed the ball Reggie Bush-style.
— Two of Patrick O’Hara’s seven kickoffs were for touchbacks (despite a no-wind-assistance night). A big improvement in the kicking game.
Still, the inconsistent play on defense that allowed Missouri to score too easily and put Oklahoma down 14-3 in the 1st quarter left everyone with a bad taste in the mouth.
It’s fortunate that we won. We shouldn’t have won that game. They outplayed us. Our offense carried us. We played good for two quarters, but the first and fourth looked like a totally different defense.” — Travis Lewis.
And, no one took it more seriously than Senior LB Travis Lewis — the leader and voice of this team:
“It’s fortunate that we won. We shouldn’t have won that game. They outplayed us. Our offense carried us. We played good for two quarters, but the first and fourth looked like a totally different defense,” Lewis said during his post-game interview.
Lewis saw the same lack of intensity — at least on defense — as did most of the Sooner crowd, particularly early in the game, and then again in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve got to pound it in their heads that when you’re off a little bit and you’re the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, everybody’s giving you their best. Maybe some guys weren’t ready for that. Some guys were feeling like they played great last week and they’re going to do it every week. They learned the hard way today.”
Lewis said the Sooner defense, which gave up 530 yards total offense, wasn’t physical enough.
“I thought we were better than that. I watched just as much film this week as I did last week. I’ll watch just as much film this week for Ball State. I’ll try to set an example. I don’t know. It’s very disappointing,” he said..
“Everything leading up to the game was disappointing. I’m disappointed in myself. I’m disappointed in my teammates. It was an all-around bad game for the defense. The offense saved us tonight.”
Although LSU leaped the Sooners to top the AP Poll, it’s interesting to note the LSU defense gave up more yardage Saturday night (533 to West Virginia) than did Oklahoma.
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