Another bad start from the Sooners and more questions at quarterback. Let’s be honest – OU would have been in severe trouble with that effort Saturday playing anyone but Kansas.
The good
Lacoltan Bester’s pass
Bester’s toss to Jalen Saunders probably saved the game for OU by retaking the lead and all the momentum.
Running game
The offensive line and rushing attack in the fourth quarter sealed away the game with a dominant, 11-play touchdown drive that consisted exclusively on runs.
Three quarters of the defense
After being gashed for more than 100 yards rushing in the first quarter, the defense manned up to stopp the run and shut down all hints of a Jayhawk passing game. That included a stretch in which the defense had five three-and-outs. If not for a blocked punt, it’s likely that KU would never have scored after the first frame.
Roy Finch
Finch’s return off the safety free kick and his big-time option runs in the fourth quarter were offensive highlights.
The bad
Passing game
Bester’s pass is, to date, the best long-range completion of the season.
Run defense
OU’s depth at defensive tackle is hurting the Sooners’ ability to stop the run. OU is down to Jordan Wade at DT right now. Stopping any team with a competent running game has to be a real concern.
The ugly
Special teams
Special teams execution was bad in general for both teams. OU gave up a horrible blocked punt, which could have led KU back into the game. Michael Hunnicutt also missed an extra point. Jay Boulware has a lot of issues to get fixed.
The offensive execution and game plan
Sure, OU scored four touchdown and kicked a red zone FG. But the Sooners got one TD by a WR pass. Two calls for pass interference set up other TDs in the red zone. There was also a TD purely based on the ground game.
The huge questions surrounding OU’s offense from the UT game remain.
Blake Bell is still not improving in his passing game reads and accuracy. His pocket confidence continues to be shaky at best. The receivers are consistently open, and Bell is not delivering the football. Any kind of 3rd-and-long situation effectively means OU is punting.
Defending OU right now is child’s play for a defensive coordinator who has any kind of talent up front.
The unknown
The quarterback situation
OU’s starting QB cannot execute the “Landry Jones” offense. On the other hand, the coaches indicate that he can’t run the zone-read offense that the Sooners were running in the first two games.
Can Josh Heupel find – and stick with – a power QB running game similar to what Kansas State has used? Where will OU be able to find the 30-plus points a game likely needed to beat Texas Tech, KSU, Baylor and Oklahoma State.
-Atlantasooner