Recapping the Sooners’ domination of Temple
The Sooners did what they were supposed to do last Saturday morning when they dominated outmatched Temple to the tune of 42-3.
With the Owls gaining just over 100 yards against a swarming Oklahoma defense, they never stood a chance. Mateer continued his torrid pace with another 282 yards passing and a touchdown along with a
51-yard rushing touchdown.
The running game was churning with 228 total yards highlighted by Tory Blaylock gaining 100 yards at over 7 yards a clip. However, there were a couple of concerns that came out of this game which will directly affect the upcoming contest with Auburn.
R. Mason Thomas will miss the first half Saturday, due to a targeting penalty against the Owl’s quarterback. The other being the injury suffered by Keontez Lewis.
However, this week’s SEC availability report listed Lewis as probable for the Auburn game.
Injury report not good news
The availability report had other concerning news though. It seems that last year’s injury plague that decimated the wide receiver room, has migrated to the offensive line this season. At least five offensive linemen are listed either as questionable or out this week due to various injuries.
This does not bode well for a running game still trying to find consistency, especially against a very good Auburn defensive line.
On the other side of the ball, the defense will line up against a familiar face when Jackson Arnold returns to Owen Field, this time on the opposing sideline. Arnold has played clean ball for the undefeated Tigers this year with no interceptions or fumbles lost. And he has established himself as one of the best running quarterbacks in college football this season.
However, he does not throw the deep ball especially well. Even though he has pro-caliber wide outs at his disposal. And he hasn’t played a defense as good as what he is going to see against Oklahoma.
Venables’ defense brings optimism — so should we be worried?
Historically, when a Brent Venables defense has an opportunity to key in on one aspect of an offense because the opponent is not very proficient at the other aspect, they feast.
And with our coaching staff being very familiar with Arnold’s game, it will be that much more difficult
for Auburn to generate offense.
I think the Sooners will try to force Arnold to throw the ball. And we have all seen that if he throws too much, the mistakes will come.
Alternatively, if OU can keep Mateer clean, he has a chance to carve up a weak Auburn secondary.
For all these reasons, I am somewhat confident about this game. Of course, that’s what worries me.
It’s the beginning of SEC play for OU and the Worry Meter is at 65%. Time to see if Oklahoma is deserving of being labeled as a legitimate threat for an SEC title this season. With all that being said….BOOMER!!!
— Dave
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