Only Sooners mistakes kept Wolverines in the game
That was a big game for the Oklahoma program. And everyone knew it.
After Mateer took a knee to run out the clock, the players of course celebrated. But it was a little different than your average non-conference home game win celebration.
I saw a player fall to the ground and make an imaginary snow angel. I saw a player doing a back flip. And I saw a player take a knee and look around as if to just take it all in.
The players even lifted Venables on their shoulders for a few moments in the excitement of it all. Brent said he understood why they did it, but was embarrassed by it, of course because this win was not the goal of the whole season. But he did understand that it was big.
If Oklahoma plays clean, they might have won by 30 points. But 30 points or 11, it doesn’t really matter as a win is a win is a win.
The players and the coaches knew what everyone was saying outside the walls of their meeting rooms and offices. They would have to win this game to prove that they are back to what Oklahoma football should be.
A team that should be in the conversation for conference and national championships.
And after the clock struck zero, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off their collective shoulders. With this win, this season is full of possibilities. An offense led by a Heisman caliber quarterback in John Mateer to complement a ferocious defense for the first time in what seems like forever.
Coming into the contest, there was quite a bit of talk about Michigan’s five-star, eleven-million-dollar quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Just a true freshman, but the hype on this guy was off the charts. He was going to roll into Norman and start his legacy. A legacy that he himself said would include two Heisman trophies and at least one natty.
He also said a few weeks ago when reacting to the fact he is just a true freshman: “They haven’t seen a freshman like me.” I actually do like the confidence. But he is going to learn that you must eventually back those words up with actions.
And whether it was him or the coaches or the other players, that check wasn’t cashed this week.
I do see that he is receiving the benefit of the doubt from Michigan fans, as the vocal ones anyway are saying that the loss was due to the lousy play calling, not letting Underwood utilize his talents. Another familiar refrain was “we beat ourselves”.
I for one like to think the Sooner defense had something to do with Michigan’s loss. But that’s just me.
If anyone “beat themselves” it was Oklahoma. Three unforced turnovers by the Sooners are what made this game as close as it was.
If Oklahoma plays clean, they might have won by 30 points. But 30 points or 11, it doesn’t really matter as a win is a win is a win. But again, this was big one.
Sooners must be read for a trap
Moving on from this victory, the Sooners face their first road test of the season when they take on the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 11:00am Saturday morning.
This is the true definition of a “trap” game if ever there was one. The small school you are favored by over three touchdowns to beat, on the road after you win one of the biggest games in recent years against a true blueblood, and the game before you start your second SEC conference campaign.
Temple is not the Temple of last year the Sooners destroyed 51-3 in Norman. New head coach K.C. Keeler has a reputation for program building while being the only head coach to win two FCS titles at two different schools.
The Owls are 2-0 having beaten their opponents by a combined 75 points. No matter what the caliber of competition, they know how to play.
And Oklahoma needs to not take them, or anyone else lightly the rest of the season. The Sooners have too much talent to lose this game if they play to their abilities.
So, the Worry Meter is only at 25% this week. Take care of business and get ready for the conference season. With all that being said…BOOMER!!!
— Dave
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