A rested and motivated staff ought to board the bus to move to Waco from Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners come off their bye in prime place to make a nationwide splash. A win in opposition to a top-25 foe might help change the narrative about who Oklahoma is thus far.
It is not going to be straightforward. The Baylor Bears symbolize the most effective opponent Oklahoma has performed so far. They’ve equally sturdy models offensively and defensively. Defensively, Baylor ranks No. 81 nationally in passing protection. There are performs to be made there. Nonetheless, there are just a few keys to this recreation that in the end resolve how Oklahoma’s offense will look and carry out come Saturday.
Lincoln Riley has to point out up
What’s about to be stated sounds loopy, however give it some thought: Lincoln Riley has to point out up Saturday. As in, the wizard play-caller Lincoln Riley. Riley has been stymied by a protection with Aranda’s fingerprints on it just a few occasions.
The Peach Bowl when the Sooners confronted LSU was one instance and final 12 months’s recreation in Norman was one other. Sure, Ron Roberts is the defensive coordinator, however there’s no cause to consider Aranda doesn’t have enter.
Baylor has discovered methods to stress Oklahoma quarterbacks and confuse them with protection seems to be. Riley comes right into a raucous surroundings with a real freshman. Making issues straightforward and crafting a recreation plan that retains him out of conditions the place he needs to be Superman each play is essential.
That falls on Riley’s shoulders. We’ll see how the pinnacle coach responds.
Cool Hand Caleb
For those who’ve by no means seen the film “Cool Hand Luke,” go watch it. It’s among the finest movies ever.
The explanation it’s introduced up right here is easy. Williams must develop into his personal model of Cool Hand Luke. Within the movie, the principle character refuses to undergo the order and the stress of the world he’s thrust into. He navigates his method by and has the final snicker.
The Sooners will want their true freshman to do the identical. This isn’t Kansas. This can be a very motivated and extremely disruptive Baylor staff with a preventing probability to go to the Huge 12 championship recreation.
The spark plug that galvanized Oklahoma’s season should play as near mistake-free soccer as doable and lead his staff in a hostile surroundings. Failures to speak between quarterback and his offense condemn the Sooners to a protracted afternoon.
Offensive Line should take possession
It’s protected to say the Oklahoma Sooners have an abundance of playmakers. Mike Woods returns to a receiver room oozing with confidence.
Nonetheless, the inspiration of this offense is its offensive line. There’s a whole lot of begins on this line amongst left guard Marquis Hayes, proper sort out Tyrese Robinson and proper guard Chris Murray.
All three have began no less than two years value of Energy 5 soccer video games. Andrew Raym stays essentially the most unseasoned of the Sooner starters. This offensive line might want to play its finest recreation in opposition to among the finest defensive entrance sevens within the nation to assist out its quarterback.
If Williams has to bail from the pocket each go try or the Sooners aren’t capable of run the ball, this recreation may get bizarre within the worst method very quick. The management and veteran presence of the skilled linemen is the place Oklahoma should win the sport.
If these guys present up and proceed performing on the degree they’ve been, Oklahoma can put collectively some drives and win this recreation.
There’s a really seen path Oklahoma can take to win this recreation. Championship November is right here and gamers and coaches alike for Oklahoma want to boost their recreation if the Sooners are going to win the month.
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