“Our game against these guys was competitive in the second half, and we can learn from that, and so were the other games that we played a year ago”. These stats will come down somewhat as Baylor gets into Big 12 games, but they are very telling, nonetheless. If it weren’t for this fact, I would rate this game behind both West Virginia and Texas in terms of importance this season.
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“I always think it’s just a combination of things that happen in the game of football”, Edsall said.
Here is how we rank the Sooners’ Big 12 schedule in terms of nearly certain wins, 50/50 games depending on home or away, and better be playing at your best or suffer the consequences in an overall hard schedule.
Last year’s devastating defeat to the Cowboys, in a game OU had all but locked up until the now infamous “punt over” occurred with dagger-to-the-heart-like results, left a bitter taste in the mouths of Sooner fans and players. The Mountaineers rolled up 778 yards against Oklahoma in 2012, with the Sooners winning 50-49 only because quarterback Landry Jones threw a school-record six touchdown passes. Oklahoma won another shootout in the 2014 game, prevailing 45-33 even though West Virginia had 513 yards of offense. Junior quarterback Skyler Howard is averaging 334.7 yards per game passing, completing 69 percent of his pass attempts and throwing for nine touchdowns. “Like I said, too, the week before, at Tennessee, we won a different way (31-24 in two overtimes)”. The Mountaineers like to spread you out and get their speedy receivers in space in the open field. “I reflect back – I have often – I said it (Monday) on my radio show, I reflected back to the bowl game with Michigan State and Baylor (last season). It’s challenging. You’ve gotta hold serve and you’ve gotta find ways to win as a team”.
Oklahoma defensive back Steven Parker said the Sooners’ secondary received a wake-up call during a 52-38 win over Tulsa on September 19, which he thinks will help them focus going forward. Still, I’ve been slightly more impressed with the Mountaineers, who now lead the nation in scoring defense and turnover margin. “It kind of let us see what we’re going to be facing and give us a few practice against that type of offense”. The all-time series between the two teams is tied 36-36-1, with Baylor winning the last four meetings.
“It’s a really good group, like you said, led by [Karl] Joseph, their great safety”.
We thought the Cowboys’ defense could be the best of the Mike Gundy era, and the unit is living up to those preseason expectations.
Perine’s performance against the Mountaineers a year ago introduced him to the national football audience.
West Virginia is holding opponents to 154 passing yards per game but have yet to see an offense like Oklahoma’s, which is averaging 371 yards through the air.
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The first full week of conference play takes place on October 3 with all 10 teams in action.
