It's a big one, there's no way around it. The Ohio State Buckeyes come to town ranked #3 (or #4 depending on where you look) for a clash with the #14 Sooners. This is an opportunity for the Sooners to put their season goals back in front of them. A win would certainly get them back up in the rankings and back in the playoff discussion (albeit needing help). There was a time, roughly a dozen years ago, where the name Big Game Bob would be thrown about by the talking heads. A time where it wouldn't be shocking for this clash to turn into a laugher by half time with the Sooners high stepping to a 40 point demolition. Whoa, how those days have past. I read this week that no team in the nation has lost more games since 2009 when favored by double digits than the Sooners. Now, the Sooners aren't even favored, let alone by double digits in this one (the Sooners are a one point dog in this one). I do think that plays into the Sooners hands a bit.
I've talked at length about OU's woeful lack of preparation and inability to adjust in-game. Mostly this has come in games where historically the program OU is facing is much worse (see: Sooners vs. Houston et al, 2016). It also happens in big bowl games, or playoff games etc. Basically, Big Game Bob is now in the company of the Nebraska option offense and Notre Dame football. However, there is one area where the Sooners still show up from time to time. It's coming off a shitty loss, against a big time team, at home when nobody thinks they can win (wow, if that's the perfect storm needed to get them to prepare, good luck ever running the table again). Kind of, sort of, exactly like today.
Offense
I've not read a ton previewing today's game, but most of what I've read reduces this game down to Baker Mayfield vs. JT Barrett. Obviously, those two will play a big role (more on that in a minute) and have a major impact on the outcome, but if OU has any chance at all, they will need to run the ball very effectively throughout. Keeping that panty liner defense off of the field is crucial. I think Perine announces his national presence (again) and has a big day. Probably not in a highlight reel fashion, but I see more of a yeoman's work-like day with 25 carries, 90ish yards and a couple of scores. In other words, exactly what they need.
Defense
The Sooners defense has looked pretty terrible so far. Don't bring up any ULM game references, everyone knows that's bullshit. I read that opponents with mobile/hybrid QBs 3rd down conversion rate goes up to nearly 50% against OU defenses over the last several years (that's a solid fact if I've read one), opposed to 40% vs. pocket guys. This does not bode well. JT Barrett fits the mold perfectly of every quarterback that OU struggles with. Oh, and he's also excellent against the blitz (aka the only way the Sooners ever generate pressure). Once again, there's no pick here. Someone has to prove they are hard on this side of the ball. I will happily pick it when I see it, but I'm no longer going to pretend.
Score
This game has me so fired up. My biggest fear is that OU really shits the bed and nothing remains to cheer for after the 1st half. The Sooners will be pumped and ready I think. The non-student fans may actually bring the decibels up to something above a Starbucks level. But, in an era of ever-increasing parity across the college landscape, Ohio State is maybe the only team (besides Alabama) to year-in year-out obtain elite and superior talent. Make no mistake, Barrett is great and the perfect QB to dismantle the OU D, but they are loaded nearly everywhere else too. OU will be ready and this will be a good one. Ohio State has too much, Buckeyes 31-Sooners 27.
Prove me wrong.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner
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