Masterful Mateer milks the clock, giving Sooners 24-13 finish over Michigan
With 10 minutes left in the game and Oklahoma holding a 21-13 lead, Sooners fans were on edge that previous kicking game miscues might have end up spoiling an otherwise dominating over Michigan performance by quick footed QB John Mateer and a stifling defense.
What was needed was a long drive. One that milked the clock down — perhaps ending in points to put this game away.
What was delivered was exactly that.
It was a masterful drive lead by Mateer, starting on the Oklahoma 19 yard line. Moving the ball 78 yards. And more importantly taking 8:27 off the clock.
Also, it was masterful play calling by offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle (affectionately called Coach ‘Buck by his players), who dialed up a run-based drive — assisted by some ball-control asses from Mateer — in a display of time management we have not seen on Owen Field much since air raid offenses took over the college football landscape in the 1990s.
My heart doesn’t need a big time close game this early in the season
I am predicting a 21-17 Sooners victory over Michigan, thanks to a fourth quarter defensive touchdown. The Wolverines will lead at halftime 14-7, but a strong second half from the Sooners defense holds them in their only red zone incursion late in the third quarter and Michigan must settle for a field goal.
Or not.
Predicting this game seems so foolish. It is only the second game of the year. And while Michigan’s true freshman QB will face his first big-time hostile college football crowd, he wasn’t selected the top high school recruit because he is a cowardly bum.
Actually I hope my score prediction is wrong. I don’t need a tight ballgame this early in the season. The Sooners have enough real difficult matchups later in the year (playing 6 more Top 25 teams), and I only see my cardiologist once every six months.