An exciting time is upon Sooner nation. Our beloved Crimson-clad football team finds itself in the college football playoff for the first time in its current iteration. I made a remark before the LSU game to Mitch that I simply wanted the Sooners in, everything else is gravy. Which are the words of a fan expecting little going into the season and at the time on the cusp of the postseason. But that was then, now I of course want more.
After beating the aforementioned LSU tigers and all but sealing a trip to the postseason, in my head I mostly decided I just didn’t want to play anyone we’d played before, specifically Alabama. And in spite of my wish of them losing to Georgia coming true, they somehow got in with 3 losses. This is called Horseshit, if you’re groping for the technical term.
In the first meeting, as sweet as it was, all but the most delusional Sooner fan I think would agree that OU got lucky. The D was excellent, the O was dreadful and the turnover battle was the difference. A pick six and 2 other turnovers were the difference. Assuming the offense and play-calling are still dreadful (no real reason to think otherwise given the total lack of adjustment during the season), it would almost require replicating that same performance. This seems, um, unlikely.
Offense
What a disaster this part of the team has been. And what irony that when the Sooners finally put together a really good defense, they can’t score. Mateer has mostly been bad all year. I won’t dig into my opinions as to why, but it’s maddening at the end of the day. And yet, the scoring lives and dies with him. I’ve tried to pick RBs but none of them have done much in the sparing opportunities they’ve had. So I am going with Mateer. I think/hope the extra time has allowed him to reset, rest and get his head right. I think he plays well, limits turnovers and puts some points on the board.
Defense
So many good players on this side of the ball. The front is going to have to really dominate this game for the Sooners to have a chance. Ty Simpson needs to get acquainted with the turf early and often. But I think that while the front is tying up the Alabama line, Owen Heinecke is flying around and making plays. I like him for a ton of tackles and one takeaway.
Score
If you can’t tell, I’m nervous. Alabama has the advantage of a chip on their shoulder and the confidence knowing they should’ve won the first time. Yet the Sooners faithful will be out in force and making it a tough road environment. Additionally, the fact that they beat the Tide on the road and are still home dogs has to be lighting a fire. This all put together with a little vintage Sooner Magic has the good guys winning. Sooners escape, 24-23.
Boomer to the Motherfuckin’ Sooner
