OU dilemma: How to beat the Longhorns
Here’s OU’s dilemma against Texas. The best way to beat the Longhorns — run the ball and control the clock — is in the hands of a beleaguered offensive line. With no Brian Simmons, the OU line is really down to one veteran, Trent Williams. That means Ben Habern, Tavaris Jeffries, Stephen Good, Jarvis Jones and Cory Brandon could determine the Sooners’ fate.
That’s why I picked Texas, even though I believe it will be a close game. OU’s O-line will have to play above its established performance to win.
I believe OU’s defense will play well. I don’t think Colt McCoy will get shut out, but there will be no repeat of 2008. No 38 offensive points for the Longhorns. OU’s cornerbacks are too good, OU’s front four won’t be pushed around and the Sooner linebackers are solid. So if the safeties play well, OU’s defense has a chance to really shine.
But I think OU’s offense could struggle, even with Sam Bradford. The pass receivers have to catch the ball. The line has to protect Bradford, which won’t be easy against Sergio Kindle and Co. And OU has to run.
DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, really both of them, have to have big games. At least 150 yards, I’d say, and 200 wouldn’t hurt. In fact, let’s put parameters to it. If OU rushes for 150 yards, it wins. If OU rushes for less than 125, it loses. In between, we’ll see.
I think 150 is a tall order for this line, which frankly has not played well until Baylor. And even then, the O-line wasn’t dominant against an opponent you would think it could dominate.
All told, that’s why I’m picking Texas, 22-21.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
Yup, Murry and Brown have not been much this year and the receivers….well, “Oklahoma receiver,” is an oxymoron. Bradford is still not himself. The OL can’t block or protect and the Defense isn’t as advertised.
Yup…. OU 35 – TX 7.
I think that Colt McCoy knows our schematic weakness on defense–linebackers trying to cover receivers over the middle. We have not yet demonstrated that we have fixed that problem. He picked us apart there last year, and I imagine he remembers how he did it.
I’d love to be wrong.
I’m not sure what defense you’ve been watching, Berry… Even though they only gave up 7 points to Baylor, that was on about 300 yds passing. I thought they got picked apart by a 3rd string QB. Seriously…they had receivers open all day long. The D line did a great job of generating pressure, but they continued to complete passes…
On paper, this has all the makings of a Texas victory…and we all know that the one who wins on paper, wins on the field. (yea right)
Miami RB ran 150 yard up the middle of this
defense. Texas is better than Miami. Looks
like a better job of recruiting linemen 2 and
3 yeas ago could have been done. They have
some good ones coming next year. Goode was a
5 star recruit. Last years very experienced
line did not firm up until after the Texas
game. Bring back John Blake. He belongs at OU
in some capacity.An excellent recruiter.
Texas Tech threw the ball for 400+ yards against UT and 3 TDs. Yes, OU’s passing game has struggled and WRs have dropped passes, but UT is vulnerable against the pass. I wouldn’t say that 150 yds rushing is a requirement. Instead the best hope OU has is to remain balanced. Throwing or running in predictable situations will make Saturday a long day for the Sooners. If OU can limit the penalties (especially the false starts), win the turnover battle and remain balanced they have a good chance to win this one. I was surprised to see all the writers pick UT to win. I have to believe that if OU was undefeated, which could very well have been the case with a healthy Bradford, that the writers would have completely switched their picks.
Come on Berry, you know that OU can’t score three touchdowns and no field goals. Unfortunately I think its going to a Texas win, 24-20.