He won the starting job at Oklahoma last season in a preseason battle with Trevor Knight and quickly proved himself capable. I don’t care how.
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“They’ve got good players at every spot and they’re coached well, which is obvious”, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said this week.
It’s not as if Oklahoma took a swing and missed on Barrett five or six years ago when he was playing for Rider High School in Wichita Falls. So if either Ohio State or Michigan State – both considered CFP contenders to start the season – lost, it wouldn’t necessarily completely torpedo their seasons.
Defense, defense, defense: Keep laying the wood and smack them in the mouth early. Despite the Buckeyes being on the road, they’ll come into the matchup expected to win.
Mix it up: Take risks on offense but mix it up. Picking against Oklahoma ain’t broke, so I certainly ain’t fixing it. Multiple touches for five different players besides J.T. and Samuel should do the trick. “We just have to compete and be competitive and play with a lot of energy”.
The Buckeyes know that Baker Mayfield will pose a threat not only as a passer but a runner as well.
Sometimes the simplest defense is the most effective because it lets great athletes like the ones Urban Meyer has recruited relax and play fast. Those of us who are contributors at Scarlet And Game will share our takes on how the game will play out and our predictions for the final score. Show some swagger. Show some emotion. That’s what will carry them to a W this week, being “in” the game, and letting it all hang out. This weekend the “D” must step up. This is a great opportunity for Urban Meyer’s team.
“J.T. Barrett, I think, is just exceptional in everything that he does”, Stoops said. It isn’t enough that he’s from near Ohio State’s campus, either; he’s also the son of an Ohio State coach. “I was confident I’d make that kick”.
There isn’t much room for error on Saturday, and that’ll bode well for the opportunistic Buckeyes.
Shut down D: I want to see the defense continue to shut down opposing offenses. What we don’t know is who will be playing cornerback on the other side. We need to pressure Baker Mayfield and make sure he stays in the pocket, as when he gets outside of it he is a unsafe playmaker. Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon will be the keys to this game.
LINCOLN, Neb. – The first game of Nebraska’s home-and-home series with No. 22 OR is today at Memorial Stadium, and Coach Mike Riley said he’s excited about it – maybe because he figures he can be more competitive now that he’s at Nebraska. The first half was hard to watch offensively and a start like that against Oklahoma could spell trouble from the outset.
Against the Falcons Barrett overcome a forced throw, that ended up as a pick-six, early on and rallied to have a huge day going 21-for-31 for 349-yards and six touchdowns.
The offense that can execute a more balanced attack should win this contest.
Alex Yoder: I think this will somewhat of a high scoring game, as well as a close one.
Chances are good OSU winning that game will require Barrett to make plays with his arm and his feet.
“It makes the competition fun, but I’ve just got to focus in on my job”, Mayfield said. In receiving, Samuel posted 62 yards in 5 receptions while Dontre Wilson added 38 yards in 3 catches. Sooner Babb Taylor recovered the ball, and the Sooners’ offensive unit returned to the field, needing at least a field goal to win.
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If Oklahoma can’t get pressure with it’s primary group of four, then it will have to be very careful in it’s blitzes as it will leave Parrish Cobb and/or Michiah Quick in compromised situations. But junior transfer Danny Etling replaced Brandon Harris last week when the Tigers were struggling again, this time against Jacksonville State.
