OU face best running QB of the season against South Carolina
As crazy as it sounds, Oklahoma is one play away from being tied for first place in the SEC football standings.
Had they just kicked a short gimme field goal against Kentucky, rather than going for an ill-advised trick play, they probably go on to win that game as Mateer would be protecting a lead at the end rather than desperately trying to score with less than two minutes left leading to a pick six.
One play and OU is tied with Georgia for first place. This to me tells us two things. The is no clear front runner in the SEC as
they are beating up on each other, and there is a razor thin line between winning and losing most games in this league.
As bad as the offense has been, the Sooners have been in, and had a chance to win, every game they played this year outside of Georgia.
The formula is simple, hold onto the ball and Oklahoma likely prevails. Turn the ball over, and there is almost no chance for the offense to make up for it. However, at Mississippi State, we saw glimmers of hope the offense is finding a little bit of a rhythm
they can build on.
They say it’s a team sport and one player can’t win a game on their own. But the return of Michael Fasusi on the offensive line has given that unit a big boost of confidence. They played their best game all year with 184 yards rushing at 4.5 yards a clip.
This of course took pressure off Mateer who had two touchdown passes (it should have been three) and no interceptions on the day. That’s how you win games in this league. Ball control and play a clean game.
Of course, it did help that Mississippi State’s starting quarterback re-aggravated his turf toe early in the first quarter and never returned. The Sooners will get a much stiffer challenge when South Carolina comes to town for a late afternoon Halloween match-up.
The Gamecocks run an offense that’s basically a carbon copy of Mississippi State’s. They both run a version of Art Briles’ old
“Veer and Shoot” high tempo system.
Only this time, OU will be facing a healthy LaNorris Sellers at quarterback. This offense relies heavily on the run- pass option, and Sellers orchestrates it with cold efficiency averaging 73 yards a game rushing by himself
at six yards a carry.
If anything gives Oklahoma’s defense an issue, it’s a mobile running quarterback. And Sellers is the best one the Sooners will see all year.
On the other side of the ball, South Carolina has a great defensive end in Dylan Stewart that Oklahoma needs to watch out for. But outside of that, their D isn’t crazy good.
The Sooner offense will hopefully be able to build on last Saturday’s success and put some points on the board. They will need them. The Worry Meter is high yet again this week, sitting at a spooky 75%.
Believe it or not, there is still a path for the Sooners to get into the playoffs. A lot of things would have to go their way and there is no more margin for error. But as the coaches like to say, we must concentrate on just going 1-0 this week.
Happy Halloween everyone! With all that being said….BOOMER!!!
— Dave
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