OU PASS OFFENSE vs TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler has taken a lot of heat because of OU’s record of 1-2 and because he’s had a couple costly turnovers, but he’s still playing pretty well as a whole. Rattler ranks seventh nationally in both passing yards and quarterback rating. He’s thrown for 10 touchdowns against four interceptions on the year. There’s been criticism of him because OU fans are ridiculously spoiled when it comes to QB success, but he’s been pretty solid and the issues with Rattler are down the list of what’s been plaguing Oklahoma. He’s working with a wide receiver unit that’s pretty inexperienced, and you’ve seen quite a few guys get into the action as pass catchers. H-back Austin Stogner has been fantastic and freshman Marvin Mims has been very good as well. Junior Charleston Rambo leads the team with 13 receptions.
Edge – OU ***
OU RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
Freshman Seth McGowan has played well and brings a burst to the offense. He’s averaging over 5 yards per carry, although Iowa State was able to keep him in check. McGowan is a bit of a change of pace guy who can get out in the flat and catch passes for yards as well. T.J. Pledger was a bit of an unknowns in his first couple years, but he’s getting a lot of action now. The run game is a definite work in progress and the numbers are down from what we’re used to seeing. OU’s the opposite of Texas in that it hasn’t been able to run the ball in the second half very well.
Edge – Texas **
OU OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
OU returns four starters on its line but this group has been curiously inconsistent, including on the interior where it has experience in Creed Humphrey, Marquis Hayes and Tyrese Robinson. Spencer Rattler has been running for his life a bit the past couple weeks so we’ll see if Texas can continue to apply that pressure. The line has had some key penalties that have been costly as well … not what you expect to see from an experienced group under Bill Bedenbaugh.
Edge – Texas **
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE vs OU PASS DEFENSE
Out of everything that’s gone wrong for Oklahoma in dropping two straight, it’s been the secondary that has maybe been the biggest back-breaker. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch also coaches the safeties, similar to Chris Ash. OU has lots of experience there, but they’ve been maybe the worst unit on the field for the Sooners. Lots of mistakes in penalties and missed tackles, and it’s the oldest players in the program making the biggest mistakes. One person I talked to this week thought there’s a possibility we could see some young guys this week like Bryson Washington or Joshua Eaton this week if Grinch wants to throw caution to the wind and maybe deliver a wake-up call to the upperclassmen. The DBs have had chances to make plays, but haven’t been able to finish them. OU has actually given up fewer passing yards than Texas has, but the Sooners’ opponents’ QBR is 144 vs 117 for UT.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE vs OU RUN DEFENSE
Oklahoma has had issued in tackling overall, like Texas, and the Sooners were atrocious in that area last week. That being said, the Sooners have actually defended the run pretty well, giving up just 3.1 yards per carry on the season. Grinch can probably live with what they’ve done with their run defense with linebackers Brian Asamoah and DaShaaun White leading the way. The Sooners have given up a couple big plays on the ground but overall have played pretty well.
Edge – OU **
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE vs OU DEFENSIVE LINE
Oklahoma may get defensive end Ronnie Perkins back this week, which would be a big boost. The Sooners haven’t been able to generate a ton of pass rush up front, often times because they’ve been rushing three. Nose tackle Perrion Winfrey has been disruptive at times, but the line hasn’t taken over games in the absence of Perkins. The Sooners will rotate several guys in here.
Edge – Oklahoma *
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Gabe Brkic was in COVID protocol the first week, but he’s back now. He missed the first kick of his career last week but it was a 50+-yard attempt. OU did have a punt blocked against K-State and gave up big kick return to Iowa State last week. It feels like special teams could play a huge role this week.
Edge – Texas *
Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler has taken a lot of heat because of OU’s record of 1-2 and because he’s had a couple costly turnovers, but he’s still playing pretty well as a whole. Rattler ranks seventh nationally in both passing yards and quarterback rating. He’s thrown for 10 touchdowns against four interceptions on the year. There’s been criticism of him because OU fans are ridiculously spoiled when it comes to QB success, but he’s been pretty solid and the issues with Rattler are down the list of what’s been plaguing Oklahoma. He’s working with a wide receiver unit that’s pretty inexperienced, and you’ve seen quite a few guys get into the action as pass catchers. H-back Austin Stogner has been fantastic and freshman Marvin Mims has been very good as well. Junior Charleston Rambo leads the team with 13 receptions.
Edge – OU ***
OU RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
Freshman Seth McGowan has played well and brings a burst to the offense. He’s averaging over 5 yards per carry, although Iowa State was able to keep him in check. McGowan is a bit of a change of pace guy who can get out in the flat and catch passes for yards as well. T.J. Pledger was a bit of an unknowns in his first couple years, but he’s getting a lot of action now. The run game is a definite work in progress and the numbers are down from what we’re used to seeing. OU’s the opposite of Texas in that it hasn’t been able to run the ball in the second half very well.
Edge – Texas **
OU OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
OU returns four starters on its line but this group has been curiously inconsistent, including on the interior where it has experience in Creed Humphrey, Marquis Hayes and Tyrese Robinson. Spencer Rattler has been running for his life a bit the past couple weeks so we’ll see if Texas can continue to apply that pressure. The line has had some key penalties that have been costly as well … not what you expect to see from an experienced group under Bill Bedenbaugh.
Edge – Texas **
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE vs OU PASS DEFENSE
Out of everything that’s gone wrong for Oklahoma in dropping two straight, it’s been the secondary that has maybe been the biggest back-breaker. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch also coaches the safeties, similar to Chris Ash. OU has lots of experience there, but they’ve been maybe the worst unit on the field for the Sooners. Lots of mistakes in penalties and missed tackles, and it’s the oldest players in the program making the biggest mistakes. One person I talked to this week thought there’s a possibility we could see some young guys this week like Bryson Washington or Joshua Eaton this week if Grinch wants to throw caution to the wind and maybe deliver a wake-up call to the upperclassmen. The DBs have had chances to make plays, but haven’t been able to finish them. OU has actually given up fewer passing yards than Texas has, but the Sooners’ opponents’ QBR is 144 vs 117 for UT.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE vs OU RUN DEFENSE
Oklahoma has had issued in tackling overall, like Texas, and the Sooners were atrocious in that area last week. That being said, the Sooners have actually defended the run pretty well, giving up just 3.1 yards per carry on the season. Grinch can probably live with what they’ve done with their run defense with linebackers Brian Asamoah and DaShaaun White leading the way. The Sooners have given up a couple big plays on the ground but overall have played pretty well.
Edge – OU **
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE vs OU DEFENSIVE LINE
Oklahoma may get defensive end Ronnie Perkins back this week, which would be a big boost. The Sooners haven’t been able to generate a ton of pass rush up front, often times because they’ve been rushing three. Nose tackle Perrion Winfrey has been disruptive at times, but the line hasn’t taken over games in the absence of Perkins. The Sooners will rotate several guys in here.
Edge – Oklahoma *
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Gabe Brkic was in COVID protocol the first week, but he’s back now. He missed the first kick of his career last week but it was a 50+-yard attempt. OU did have a punt blocked against K-State and gave up big kick return to Iowa State last week. It feels like special teams could play a huge role this week.
Edge – Texas *
