That ’77 game wasn’t just a big game, it was the big game. Needless to say, there’s a lot of hype (and justifiably so) for Saturday night’s contest. If that is basic, I don’t want to know what advanced is. That will be the difference in the game as the Sooners show up angry and ready to play. Oklahoma travels to TCU on October 1, followed by the neutral site matchup against Texas on October 8.
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For Oklahoma, it’s not often that a game in the third week of the season enters must-win territory, but this is as close as it gets. Or is Bob Stoops’ team headed for a 9-3 type of season?
Riding the play of a confident, explosive offense, Ohio State will overwhelm Oklahoma and sink their hopes of returning to the CFP. However, this isn’t a new concern for the Sooners. Ohio State will occasionally go to their “Rushmen” package that allows all the Buckeyes’ pass rushers to get on the field at the same time. Perine and Mixon are absolute chores to bring down and shoulder much of the load on offense.
Every Ohio State fan knows it. He’s also a return man. Samuel is just one cog in a talented, but young group of playmakers for coach Urban Meyer. Bottle up the running back duo of Mixon and Perine and limit their big plays.
With a victory, Texas A&M will have started 3-0 in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 1939-41. Following this game, the Ohio State they will come home and host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Indiana Hoosiers.
Oklahoma has forged its identity on the ability to run the football.
Over a long offseason, overly simple narratives develop about the nation’s top teams and programs. Can the Buckeyes exploit this one-on-one battle just like Houston?
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield past year threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns with just seven interceptions, and rushed for 405 yards and seven scores. “There were perimeter plays with him before, now they’re starting to run him up inside”. He has caught 14 passes for just shy of 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. Can the Sooners’ offensive line provide enough protection for Mayfield to stay in the pocket and attack downfield? The Sooners have an opportunity to redeem themselves at home against Ohio State.
Heisman Trophy candidate J.T. Barrett leads things off at quarterback and is playing like his healthy, 2014-self again. Mayfield already has five touchdowns with no interceptions on the season, and that is without playing the second half against Louisiana Monroe.
Ohio State-Oklahoma actually has some bulletin board material, and it came from a surprising source. Take a look at the gameplan against Houston. Both teams need the win-especially the Sooners. After Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Kansas State all failed to rise to their respective challenges, I’m officially deserting the conference as a likely playoff contender.
This game was circled all offseason as one of the best matchups for 2016 and it shouldn’t disappoint.
Oklahoma game on live stream and television is anticipated to be one of the top college football games to watch on Sunday. There is moving parts in all of this, but I would not be surprised if Ohio State tried to exploit the corners opposite of Jordan Thomas. Neither Herman – now in his second year as coach at Houston – nor Meyer had seen him throw a football in person. This one is tough to call.
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Amazingly, this defense could get better.
