(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Saturday Spotlight
(12) Oklahoma Sooners at (3) Texas Longhorns
Oklahoma: 2022 was that adjustment period for them. Let me explain something about new Head Coaches in our sport. Recruiting is so important because you need to be able to find players that fit your scheme. I loved Brent Venables when he was the Defensive Coordinator for Cabo Swinney at Clemson and I often referred to him as the best defensive minded guy in the country. I also remember saying that I couldn’t wait for him to get his own opportunity to coach because I think he’d be a good one. A year later, look at him now. He took over a team that really needed an identity change on the defensive side of the football. One question the Oklahoma Sooners had was at Wide Receiver. This is where Brent made some off-season additions such as adding former Michigan Wide Receiver, Andrel Anthony who leads the team with 387 receiving yards. Some things just won’t change these days and in Norman, offense is always going to be the strength of this football team. Under Lincoln Riley, they always had one of the best offenses in the nation and this was to be expected. This year, the Sooners are averaging 47 points per game with Dillion Gabriel who’s a dark horse Heisman Candidate. I always said if this program could play as consistently on the defensive side as they do on offense, more people would take them seriously. It appears that Brent’s additions and tutelage of the defense has them trending in the right direction because last season, the defense allowed almost 30 points per game. This year, they’ve held their opponents to ten points per contest and I love it! Coaching matters, but most importantly, having the right pieces around you is what’s more important. Today, they will partake in the Red River Rivalry for the final time as a member of the Big-12.
Texas: This is the best I’ve seen them look since 2009 and who remembers what happened that year? They made it to the National Title game where they fell short to the Alabama Crimson Tide. I think this team has a bit more upside though than that one group I just mentioned. Are they back? This appears to be an annual debate with Steve Sarkisian’s group since taking the Head Coaching job. They’re off to a 5-0 start and have a win against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. Realistically, we should be talking about them beating Alabama twice but Quinn Ewers got hurt and was knocked out the game. The difference this year was Quinn for a full 60 minutes. The Longhorns have steadily built up to this point under Sark and they have one of the best Offensive Lines in all of college football and they have an electric group of weapons with Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Tight End, Ja’Tavion Sanders which gives Quinn a versatile set of pass catchers. Either one of those guys I listed can hurt your defense. I remember watching them against Alabama in week two and noticing how fast and punishing they were as a defense. This is by far the best defense in the Big 12. They give up 12 points per game and they’ve shown that they can get after the Quarterback with consistent activity in the trenches. They have recorded 13 sacks on the season up to this point. I’ve enjoyed watching this team and if Texas keeps this up, Sark will be in the drivers seat for Coach of the Year. They will look for their second consecutive win today against their biggest rivals.
Oklahoma X-Factor: Danny Stutsman– Last season, he led the entire conference in tackles with 125. Danny is a tackling machine that propels himself to the football. He has excellent close in speed where he angles himself to bring down the ball-carrier. Watching some tape on him, he gets where he wants and he’s so tough to block in the open field because of how quick he is. I look for him to have his share of tackles today against Texas.
Texas X-Factor: Jonathon Brooks– Replacing Bijan Robinson was no easy feat. He was everything for this Longhorns offense a year ago. They’ve been able to keep consistency at Running Back with Jonathan Brooks. Jonathan has become such a dominant force for this offense and he adds balance. In Texas’ last three games, he’s averaged 162 yards per game and had himself a big game last weekend against Kansas. If you’re too aggressive, that’s where Jonathan will capitalize.
Three Things I’m Watching
1. Revenge– This isn’t the same Oklahoma team from last year. They were flat and so undisciplined all 2022 and finished Brent’s first year as Head Coach with a 6-7 record. Now, the Sooners are 5-0, bak on track and have outscored their opponents 237-54. In last season’s 2022 battle with Texas, the Sooners were dominated in every aspect of the game and lost by a score of 49-0. Dillion Gabriel didn’t play in that game due to an injury. You’ll see the difference today.
2. Finale– I’ve always known these two to always battle in the Big-12. This battle will mark the finale of the Red River Rivalry in the Big-12 and both teams will be playing football in the SEC next year. Thankfully, we’ll still get this matchup. I remember previewing this battle for the first time in 2018 and this is my fourth time breaking it down once again. I have a feeling this will be a memorable game.
3. Longhorns Receivers vs Oklahoma Secondary– This will be must see tv. The versatility of the Longhorns receivers lining up against this improved Sooners defense. Texas has two guys that can consistently create down the field in Worthy and Mitchell while Sanders creates many of the mismatches underneath. The Oklahoma defense will have their hands full in this one along with trying to pressure Ewers.
Final Thoughts: There’s nothing like a rivalry game and we should be in for fireworks today! I don’t think we’ll see a one sided competition as we did last year because both teams are more evenly matched this time around. First, I’m watching this Quarterback matchup. Quinn Ewers and Dillion Gabriel. Both of these Quarterbacks will have plenty of opportunities to make big plays. The key for Oklahoma’s turnaround defensively has been their ability to generate pressure with the front seven. However, they’ll have a challenge today against a great Offensive Line. Pressuring Ewers in the pocket will be a big key for the Sooners. Oklahoma will also have a challenge converting on third down as Texas is one of the best at limiting opponents from moving the chains. Watch the Texas secondary today as well. They have four seniors that can shut down passing lanes and limit big plays down the field. Texas has too many playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. They also have the advantage in the secondary and on third down which will help propel the Longhorns to another victory over their rivals.
Prediction: Texas 35, Oklahoma 31
