West Virginia

Just as we all thought, Big 12 title hopes run through Morgantown this week as the Sooners take on West Virginia. The winner stays in control of their destiny and loser is relegated to a mid-tier bowl, at best.

Moral dilemma. I broached the subject last week but now it's real. The Sooners are overrated. I think we will end the season with three losses. I'm sorry, but as good as the offense is (and it is elite), an 81st ranked defense has no business being in the top 10 nationally, much less the playoffs. It does not compute. Fun aside, while I was looking at defensive team stats; The Sooners are ranked 81st nationally. Five SEC teams are ranked lower. That conference's reputation is staked on two or three teams a year at best.

So, would you rather that third loss come against West Virgina or Oklahoma State? On the plus side the Sooners would be properly rated, play in a second tier bowl and likely dominate someone. There will be no anxiety heading into the bowl game and the Sooners end the season on a high note. I would obviously rather lose to West Virginny on the road than the Cowboys at home.

Or the Sooners win out and someone (likely others- plural) lose and the Sooners backdoor their way into the playoffs. Yay playoffs. Boo probable ass whipping.

If you have any pride and competitive spirit you would want to win out and get in the playoffs, right? This team just has no business being there. I'm torn.

OFFENSE

The Sooners haven't faced a defense this tough (at least statistically) since Ohio State. The Mountaineers haven't faced an offense this potent since Oklahoma State. What gives?

The recent emergence of additional receiving options for Baker Mayfield gives the Sooners a big time edge. Obviously the Secretary Dede Westbrook is playing video game level football right now but eventually a competent defense is going to come along and have a safety help out over the top, right? It's easier said than done if you start having to think about Geno Lewis and/or Nick Basquine and/or Mark Andrews (what's happened to him?) and/or Joe Mixon.

The Sooners are rounding into form at the right time. Receivers are stepping up. The backfield is at full strength. Baker is being Baker. And the O-Line personnel seems settled and looking tough. I just don't see the Mountaineers shutting it down. I lose my boner a little bit when I think about the Mountaineers playing at home, at night, on national TV though.

For my OPOG I'm going Joe Mixon.

DEFENSE

West Virginia does not have the playmakers of years past. Still, they average 30 points a game. Care to guess how many the Sooners Red Carpet averages giving up? Against inferior competition over the last month they have started to look better. Can this newfound confidence hold a better team under its scoring average, on the road, on Saturday night? My butthole is puckered.

I'd like to also point out that any talk about key players coming back and helping out can be put to rest. Charles Walker and Matt Dimon are both done as Sooners. So they aren't walking through that door. We are what we are.

For my DPOG I'll go Jordan Evans. He's playing like a guy who sees his collegiate career winding down and wants to go out on a high note. He's been playing really well.


SCORE

Get ready for a nail biter. The Sooners will be held below their scoring average and West Virginia won't. Playmakers are the difference for the Sooners and the nation will get to behold Baker, Joe, Samje and Dede in all their glory.

Sooners 38, West Virginia 35

Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.