Oklahoma enters the one hundred and twentieth version of the Crimson River Showdown as an enormous underdog. The primary matchup as a part of the SEC boasts the No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs. the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners.
Texas appears like the perfect crew within the nation, coasting to a 5-0 report even with out beginning quarterback Quinn Ewers for the final two video games. Oklahoma has had their difficulties attending to 4-1, which is why most aren’t giving the Sooners an opportunity on this recreation.
Joel Klatt of Fox Sports activities and the “Joel Klatt Present: A Faculty Soccer Podcast” shared his ideas on OU-Texas this week and has questions concerning the Sooners offense heading into the highest 25 matchup.
“This is my query for this recreation,” Klatt stated. “Is Oklahoma’s offense going to have the ability to hold tempo in any respect? The reply to that’s no. Texas’ protection is manner too good. So, OU’s not going to have the ability to simply roll on the market and rating a bunch of factors.”
The offense for the Oklahoma Sooners has been inconsistent by 5 video games. They’ve created huge performs and are 4-1, nevertheless it hasn’t been in a position to maintain drives with a lot regularity. Klatt went on to speak concerning the Sooners protection, giving them reward for what they’re doing this 12 months, however finally, it comes again to OU’s offense.
“I do know the Sooners protection is fourth within the nation,” Klatt stated. “We’re speaking about Steve Sarkisian and Texas. They are going to come on the market on hearth. He at all times has an amazing gameplan for these huge video games and I imagine Texas goes to have the ability to transfer the soccer and they’ll be capable of go and rating some factors. I do not belief Oklahoma to go and do the identical. This isn’t an offense that I belief. Protection is excellent, fourth within the nation. Offense, nope, 121st within the nation in complete offense they usually’re dealing with a protection in Texas that has allowed three touchdowns in 5 video games.”
But it surely’s this closing assertion that has me curious.
Klatt stated, “You are not going to have the ability to go flip Texas over sufficient such as you did towards Auburn.”
Klatt already talked about that the Sooners pressured three turnovers in final 12 months’s recreation. Quinn Ewers threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball, they usually had been huge moments within the recreation. The Longhorns have had their turnover issues this season, averaging 1.4 giveaways a recreation. Oklahoma’s protection is averaging 2.6 takeaways this season.
The Sooners solely pressured one turnover towards Auburn, nevertheless it was the most important play of the sport, a pick-six by Kip Lewis.
You possibly can’t depend on turnovers to turn out to be a consider a soccer recreation. There’s an ebb and move of it. A protection can also’t go on the market making an attempt to pressure it. What’s made Oklahoma’s protection so good is their means to play sound defensive soccer. If they’ll proceed to try this, they might pressure Texas into some unhealthy spots.
However Klatt’s not off. The offense must take an enormous step on this recreation for the Sooners to win the soccer recreation. However they will not need to go rating 40 factors to win. The Sooners protection ought to be capable of hold the Texas offense within the 20s, which is able to give OU an opportunity.
Michael Hawkins Jr. has now had three full weeks with the first-team offense. The offensive line is the healthiest it has been all 12 months. If there is a concern past that, it is one other week with out Deion Burks. If he can proceed the best way he is performed and enhance the Sooners passing assault, OU ought to transfer the ball higher transferring ahead.
So what was Klatt’s closing prediction for OU-Texas? “I like Texas on this recreation. Texas 34-17,” Klatt stated.
We’ll discover out tomorrow afternoon within the best rivalry recreation in school soccer.
Contact/Observe us @SoonersWire on X, and like our web page on Fb to observe ongoing protection of Oklahoma information, notes, and opinions. You may as well observe John on X @john9williams.
This text initially appeared on Sooners Wire: Joel Klatt reveals prediction for Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns
