OKLAHOMA PASS OFFENSE VS TEXAS PASS DEFENSE – Baker Mayfield has been really good in passing game through five games. Overall, the Sooners haven’t been as explosive as they were season ago, but when you lose a player the caliber of Dede Westbrook, that’s to be expected. Tight end Mark Andrews has taken on a bigger role and fullback Dimitri Flowers has been critical with pop passes over the middle. With the other guys, it’s still a big question mark and the Sooners are still waiting for others to step up. Receiver Jeff Badet hasn’t been the player that everyone expected and wasn’t even on the field of last possession against Iowa State. The coaches are still looking for go-to guys and right now, it’s pretty much been Andrews and Flowers or bust – the tight end and fullback have been the leading receivers the last two games. Freshman CeeDee lamb hasn’t practiced the first few days of this week, but Oklahoma hasn’t ruled him out. There’s some thought that he may be a game-time decision. Even without a lot of help from his receivers, Mayfield is by far the most efficient passer in the Big 12 and he’s averaging 327 passing yards per game.
Edge – Oklahoma **
OKLAHOMA RUN OFFENSE VS TEXAS RUN DEFENSE – The Sooners’ ground game has been pretty good behind very good offensive line play. OU ranks fourth in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game and averages a very healthy 5.6 yards per carry. One key injury to watch out for is running back Abdul Adams. He’s emerged as the number one guy in OU’s ground game, but he went down in the first quarter against Iowa State and eventually came back out to the field with a walking boot. If Adams is limited or can’t go, OU will turn to Trey Sermon and Marcelias Sutton. Sutton is kind of a change of pace guy at just 5-8 and Sermon has stepped into a role kind of similar to what Samaje Perine brought as a tough runner. Sermon actually leads the team in rushing, largely due to his efforts against Baylor, where he rushed for 148 yards, all in the fourth quarter.
Edge – Texas **
OKLAHOMA OFFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE – Oklahoma’s offensive line has been very good overall this year. In fact, when you look at the OU offense’s success, most would tell you it starts with the linemen up front. This group was touted as one of the better units in the country going into the season and while it’s been very good, it has had some lapses the past couple weeks. Left tackle Orlando Brown gets all the accolades, but right tackle Bobby Evans is actually playing better through the first five games. On the inside, Cody Ford came back last week after missing the Baylor game. Ben Powers can play left guard or right guard depending on what Ford is doing. Guard Dru Samia didn’t play against last week but he’s supposed to be progressing towards working his way back. If he’s healthy, that gives OU three good guard options
Edge – Oklahoma **
OKLAHOMA PASS DEFENSE VS TEXAS PASS OFFENSE – In a word, this group has been porous. The secondary just hasn’t been good and has been giving up chunk plays all over the field. Texas should try to target OU deep several times, especially with some of UT’s larger receivers if they’re matched up with Jordan Thomas. An all-Big 12 guy, Thomas has really struggled this year. He’s been in position to make plays at times but has only one pass break up on the season. He’s been a weak link and has given up big play after big play. That’ll be a big matchup to watch to see if Texas tries to exploit his struggles. Safety Steven Parker was nicked up against Iowa State but has gone through practice this week and should be ready. OU has kind of been having to piece things together with its DBs. Robert Barnes is playing some as a freshman and safeties Chanse Sylvie and Kahlil Haughton are inexperienced players being forced to play. One bright spot on defense has been corner Parnell Motley. He has four PBUs and has been a pleasant surprise for OU’s defense, but has been overshadowed by other guys.
Edge – Texas **
OKLAHOMA RUN DEFENSE VS TEXAS RUN OFFENSE – The Sooners have been good against the run and rank third in the Big 12 behind only TCU and Texas in rush defense. Outside of what David Montgomery did last week, OU has held its own in this category. The Sooners really haven’t been gashed by the run as much … most of their struggles have come through the defending the pass.
Edge – Oklahoma **
OKLAHOMA DEFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE – Up until last week and the poor tackling OU displayed, the defensive line had been one of the team’s better units. The Sooners were able to get one of their more promising guys, Amani Bledsoe, back on the field. Neville Gallimore is the team leader in quarterback pressures and DE/LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo leads the team with 5 sacks. Du’Vonta Lampkin is coming off what is probably the best games of his career against ISU. The Sooners might be without Matt Romar at the nose tackle position.
Edge – OU **
SPECIAL TEAMS – OU is kind of in the same boat as Texas with its special teams in that it has a bit bit of a kicking problem. The punting has been solid, but placekicking has been an issue. Austin Seibert had a big miss last week in the fourth quarter and he hasn’t been very reliable overall, hitting on just 2-of-4 attempts with a long of 35 yards. The Sooners have been okay in the return game and the coverage teams have been solid.
Edge – Texas *
