Happy Saturday, Sooner fans from rainy OKC. The Sooners take on the Gamecocks in Columbia, SC today, fresh off their stinging defeat to the reviled Texas Longhorns. This one could be make or break for the Sooners as 6-1 heading into the gauntlet feels much better than 5-2. Before the season, 100 out of 100 Sooner fans would take 6-1 with Ole Miss coming to town.
Last week what once was maybe suspected was definitely confirmed. The OU offensive line is the weakest unit on this football team. Their inability to create a pocket or play with the physicality required to create a push has resulted in a weak rushing attack and has likely led to a 1:1 TD to INT ratio for a quarterback who already has reckless tendencies. This is not winning football.
OFFENSE
This one relies on John Mateer. He has to have a bounceback game. He has to make smart decisions with the ball. When you are already fighting for every inch, you can't be giving the other team miles firing 8 yard laser beams that bounce off receivers. And you damn sure can't heave prayers in the end zone going into half time when you are in field goal range.
I don't necessarily pin the INT going into half against the Longhorns on Mateer. It was a moronic decision, yes, but equally stupid was the coaching decision to have the offense on the field in first place. Kick the fucking field goal. Get some points where you can going into half.
One of the hallmarks of the BV era is end of half ineptitude. It's a real problem that's been documented in this space very often.
Anyhow, John Mateer is my OPOG.
DEFENSE
This group, with the exception of not being able to get off the field in the third quarter last week, played pretty well and showed some pride.
Today, they have to get some turnovers. There's no way around the fact that they need to do all they can to give the offense some kind of advantage. Turnovers that result in a short field is the dream come true.
For DPOG I'll go with Eli Bowen. Hopefully Lanorris Sellers can be pressured into making a dumb throw or two and someone in the back, like EB, can take advantage.
THE SCORE
I'm not optimistic. South Carolina, at home, in a disappointing season, can really use a boost so they'll be highly motivated. They know from last year they can beat us so we'll be confident.
Today it's about how do the Sooners react after last week. They need to show some pride, grit and character. The offensive line should take what they saw last week on tape very personal. They have to hear the criticism. Show some fucking pride.
If they rise to the challenge they can obviously beat SC. I think they can go 24-17. Let's get this one before it starts getting for real, for real.
Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner.
