OU-Ohio State delayed until 8:10 p.m. CST because of a weather delay. Run the ball and stop the run – and create disruption and deception for Barrett when the Buckeyes are on offense – will be primary elements of the Oklahoma game plan and paramount if the Sooners are to win.
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What am I looking for out of this game? They’re challenging and they’re great competition that you’re going against. Somehow the Buckeyes will find a way to escape Norman with a 31-27 victory. Ohio State won 24-14 in Norman, Oklahoma, in 1983. They haven’t really played anybody, but they’ve nonetheless looked sharp as they’ve worked in tons of new contributors after last year’s NFL Draft exodus. The defensive efforts by both teams will be the single best determinant of the outcome ofSaturday’s game.
The defense has also been one of the best in the nation.
The offense of Houston has had more success statistically than OSU, racking up 1,427 yards as compared to OSU’s 1,193. Vegas sees the game as a virtual pick ’em with the Buckeyes entering the contest as a one point favorite. Despite the Buckeyes being on the road, they’ll come into the matchup expected to win. “Their base defense they want to install is to negate the run, and so we’re going to have to be very balanced”.
Christian McCaffrey – Although Stanford had a bye last week, I’m keeping McCaffrey here because his performance was good enough to remain No. 1. He ran for 405 yards and seven touchdowns last season. This position has been a glaring weakness for the Sooner defense through two games, and to the extent Ohio State thinks it has a mismatch against the defense, it’s probably at this spot. He faces Missouri this week, which has been a sieve for opposing running games, giving up over 200 yards per game on the ground.
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In other games, No. 5 Clemson will play South Carolina State, looking to deliver a better performance from the opening two weeks, No. 4 MI will host Colorado, No. 17 Texas A&M and Auburn will battle in a must-see encounter, while No. 11 Texas goes on the road to play California.
