BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
Familiar faces stay in the conversation as the favorites to win yet another championship, building upon what is already considered historical dynasties within the past decade. It used to be Alabama and everyone else, but Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers have overthrown Nick Saban and his Alabama team as the top dog of Division I football.
Last year’s 44-16 win against the Tide in the College Football Playoff Championship, brought to light a blueprint on how to dominate in all categories against Nick Saban and his staff. The only way to beat Alabama in any setting is to have the mindset of wanting it more than your opponent lined up across from you. Easier said than done right?
Well not really, if you are fortunate enough to play against the greats like Alabama and Clemson, opposing teams need to have dynamic game changers on both sides of the ball. Underdogs such as Oklahoma, stay within sight, but can’t gain ground due to lacking what all great teams have, stout defense.
Lincoln Riley and his Oklahoma Sooners thought they had a solution to all their problems by just out scoring everyone, but the desire to improve on the defensive side is still lacking. Even with back-to-back Heisman trophy winners, Oklahoma has failed to get past the semifinal game of the College Football Playoff.
In 2015, Baker Mayfield led his team to an 11-1 season, sending them to the Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers in Miami, Florida. A fast start seemed promising for Mayfield and his high powered offense, but the Tigers defense smothered any remaining hopes. Oklahoma missed the playoffs the following year due to sluggish starts against Houston and Ohio State, but the third year starter at quarterback was promising. Assuming that the football program was ready for a change at head coach, Bob Stoops decided to hand over the keys to the castle.
Lincoln Riley, who was previously hired for his expertise on the offensive side of the ball, is now in command of one of the most coveted universities in college football. High powered offenses such as Riley’s, produce NFL ready talent, but isn’t typically backed by complementary football on the defensive side of the ball. Baker’s senior tour was capped off with hoisting the Heisman trophy, then going on to lose a gut wrenching game in overtime against Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. Within the last decade, Oklahoma’s Achilles heel has been the defense and losing a double digit lead against the Bulldogs, opened the possibility of firing defensive coach, Mike Stoops. Lack of aggression and scheme had uprooted any chances of the Sooners being crowned champions, but the program decided to keep Mike Stoops as coordinator, even with the performance against Georgia in the Rose Bowl.
Eventually, Oklahoma decided to part ways with coach Stoops after a porous performance during the 2018 Red River Rivalry, against the Texas Longhorns. The Sooners played in the semifinals yet again, behind the speedy Kyler Murray. The Oklahoma defense had no chance at stopping Tua Tagovailoa, so the Sooners yet again had their backs against the wall.
Alabama’s fast start, 28-0 sent the Sooners home packing yet again: same story, different defensive coordinator. During the off-season, Oklahoma decided to bring in a new hire by the name of Alex Grinch, from the University of Ohio State. Oklahoma’s defense since his appearance has made leaps and bounds from where they were sitting during previous seasons. A defense, led by a ball hawk with the name of Kennith Murray, has the Sooners ranked 41st in the nation. A solidifying win this past Saturday against the Texas Longhorns, put into perspective how hungry and determined this speed defense is.
Now the big question that still remains is, can the Oklahoma offense and defense play complementary football for the remainder of the season. Based on an evaluation during the first six games, the defense is only getting better and they are even sitting with a few players out due to undisclosed injuries. On the other hand, Lincoln Riley’s wizardry with play calling will always have the Sooners ready to go, especially with the Alabama transfer, Jalen Hurts under center. So, yes the Oklahoma defense has finally responded after weighing down the program from reaching its fullest potential for years.
Up ahead:
Oklahoma will host the 3-3 West Virginia Mountaineers, which stand at an overall record of 0-7 vs OU, since entering the Big12 conference. Back in 2012, when the Oklahoma Sooners and West Virginia met for the first time as in conference foes, Landry Jones and Geno Smith were at the helm. West Virginias, Tavon Austinhad a historical night, but Jones went on to lead the Sooners on a game winning drive with a goal line pass to the now NFL wide receiver, Kenny Stills. The newly developed rivalry has blossomed into high scoring affairs for both teams, but Oklahoma is in great position to change that narrative.
Early morning kickoff for this year’s matchup raises concern for a potential trap game for the undefeated Sooners, after coming off an adrenaline pumping game against the rival Texas Longhorns, 34-27. It’s important for the defense to play a complete game against the Mountaineers and not fall asleep on this gutsy West Virginia offense. Quarterback transfer, Austin Kendall will get a chance to knock off his former team from playoff contention, after being snubbed yet again by an incoming transfer at quarterback, so tempers could flare for both teams.
-Oklahoma still has Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State remaining after this week.
Prediction:
Oklahoma’s chances of reaching the playoffs for a fourth time has risen since knocking off the only Big 12 team that matched up in physicality. Although the Baylor Bears sit undefeated, they haven’t been tested to the extent of the Sooners. Oklahoma goes into Waco Texas, November 16th and the chances that Baylor is still undefeated at that time is minimal. (The Bears go into Stillwater this weekend to face off with Mike Gundy and his Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2).) Best case scenario, Baylor and Oklahoma both stay undefeated for mid Novembers matchup, and Oklahoma would be in a great position to make their case on a big stage.
With high hopes of finishing 12-0, I predict Oklahoma will go head-to-head against either Baylor or Texas for the Big 12 conference championship game. Two of Oklahoma’s remaining matchups against Baylor and Oklahoma State won’t come easy. But as of right now, there’s not a single team within the conference that has the capability of constantly stopping Jalen Hurts and Lincoln Rileys offensive scheme. So I have OU as a lock to play in Dallas for a second year in a row.
Outcomes: Big 12 championship game
- Oklahoma vs Texas
- Oklahoma vs Baylor
Winner: Oklahoma
Predicted final Big 12 rankings:
- Oklahoma
- Baylor or Texas
- Baylor or Texas
- Iowa State
- TCU
- Oklahoma State
- Kansas State
- Texas Tech
- West Virginia
- Kansas
Oklahoma has a lot to be proud of on both sides of the ball for the first half of the season, but they shouldn’t hang their hats just yet. All the hype and noise that surrounds the program can only be problematic for a trending team such as the Sooners. So it is crucial for Jalen Hurts to continue with developing into the offense. Assuming that Alex Grinch continues to put Oklahoma in a great position to win with the personnel they have available, Oklahoma will be in great position at the end of the season.