Once again, the Sooners eeked out a spot in the playoffs. And this year, every media member and all but the most delusional of fans has OU as the one thing that is not like the others in the final four of football. What that "thing" happens to be is an elite football team. Yes, the Sooners are a solid team, but most anyone would agree that there are probably a couple of teams that didn't even get in that are better top to bottom. That's the luxury of playing outside of the most competitive conference, even if it sets up a yearly punishing that just leads to a chorus of "I-told-you-sos" from the southeastern quadrant of the lower 48.
OU is once again a joke on defense. The secondary is laughably bad, lacking even one decent cover corner. The difference in this team and the past two years--is that the offense--while excellent, no longer feels as though nothing can stop it--other than itself. LSU employs an outstanding defense, with multiple DBs slated to be drafted in the first round, and with only one OU receiver in the caliber to truly test them, this feels like an advantage for LSU. Another notable difference from the past two years is that this is the first time they are facing a truly dynamic passing attack, with no less than the Heisman winning QB leading it. Can you feel my optimism?
Offense
If OU is to even make this remotely competitive, I think they have to shift gears. I'm looking at the second half of the first Baylor matchup as a template. Announcers there mistakenly gave the OU defense a lot of credit for shutting down the Bears. In reality, a missing CeeDee Lamb effectively forced the Sooners to simply grind out drives, simultaneously burning clock and more importantly keeping their atrocious defense of the field. Hurts can pass, but realistically he is a giant RB. I think Kennedy Brooks is the guy today, I think Hurts gets his, but I think CeeDee will be nullified and if this is to be at all interesting for the Sooners, Brooks will have to grind it out.
Defense
My skin versus a tanning bed may be the only bigger mismatch that comes to mind when comparing our D to their O. LSU is multifaceted, and have not only the Heisman-winning QB, but an elite set of WR's and line. It's questionable whether their RB will start due to hamstring injury, but will this really matter? OU has not been able to stop the pass all season, and is doing an astounding job of being bad in almost all phases of pass defense, copious PI calls to extend drives, an unbelievable amount of completely blown coverages, and loads of missed tackles that turn dump-offs into big gains or scores. Couple that with the suspension of country music legend Ronnie Perkins (one of the 3 respectable defenders the Sooners employ) and things look grim. I'm going with Canadian Bacon today; he's got to make an impact in the pass rush as well contain burrow. Basically, the pass rush needs to force bad throws that lead to turnover, and create sacks to end drives; help me Neville Gallimore, you're our only hope.
Score
Perhaps the only thing OU really has going for it is the "nobody gave us a chance" theory. They can play loose, take chances, and come out with absolutely no pressure on them. If they somehow can get an early lead; grab a little momentum; and take the LSU faithful out of it early, maybe the Tigers tighten up a bit force some things and we can make this interesting. A long shot? Um, of the most ridiculous proportions. But, I will keep the faith and say OU somehow rekindles some of that long lost Sooner Magic of the 80s, OU pulls it off 24-21.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner
OU is once again a joke on defense. The secondary is laughably bad, lacking even one decent cover corner. The difference in this team and the past two years--is that the offense--while excellent, no longer feels as though nothing can stop it--other than itself. LSU employs an outstanding defense, with multiple DBs slated to be drafted in the first round, and with only one OU receiver in the caliber to truly test them, this feels like an advantage for LSU. Another notable difference from the past two years is that this is the first time they are facing a truly dynamic passing attack, with no less than the Heisman winning QB leading it. Can you feel my optimism?
Offense
If OU is to even make this remotely competitive, I think they have to shift gears. I'm looking at the second half of the first Baylor matchup as a template. Announcers there mistakenly gave the OU defense a lot of credit for shutting down the Bears. In reality, a missing CeeDee Lamb effectively forced the Sooners to simply grind out drives, simultaneously burning clock and more importantly keeping their atrocious defense of the field. Hurts can pass, but realistically he is a giant RB. I think Kennedy Brooks is the guy today, I think Hurts gets his, but I think CeeDee will be nullified and if this is to be at all interesting for the Sooners, Brooks will have to grind it out.
Defense
My skin versus a tanning bed may be the only bigger mismatch that comes to mind when comparing our D to their O. LSU is multifaceted, and have not only the Heisman-winning QB, but an elite set of WR's and line. It's questionable whether their RB will start due to hamstring injury, but will this really matter? OU has not been able to stop the pass all season, and is doing an astounding job of being bad in almost all phases of pass defense, copious PI calls to extend drives, an unbelievable amount of completely blown coverages, and loads of missed tackles that turn dump-offs into big gains or scores. Couple that with the suspension of country music legend Ronnie Perkins (one of the 3 respectable defenders the Sooners employ) and things look grim. I'm going with Canadian Bacon today; he's got to make an impact in the pass rush as well contain burrow. Basically, the pass rush needs to force bad throws that lead to turnover, and create sacks to end drives; help me Neville Gallimore, you're our only hope.
Score
Perhaps the only thing OU really has going for it is the "nobody gave us a chance" theory. They can play loose, take chances, and come out with absolutely no pressure on them. If they somehow can get an early lead; grab a little momentum; and take the LSU faithful out of it early, maybe the Tigers tighten up a bit force some things and we can make this interesting. A long shot? Um, of the most ridiculous proportions. But, I will keep the faith and say OU somehow rekindles some of that long lost Sooner Magic of the 80s, OU pulls it off 24-21.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin' Sooner
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