Oklahoma
Final thoughts as the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners prepare to face Kent State
A 6 p.m. CT kickoff supplies a unbelievable alternative to look at an amazing day of soccer as we prepare for Oklahoma’s week two matchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes.
The Sooners come into this sport as heavy favorites and will come away with one other decisive victory to start out the season.
It was a dominant efficiency towards UTEP, however there have been nonetheless some areas that the Oklahoma Sooners wanted to enhance as they ready for week two. Our Ben Dackiw checked out 5 issues the Sooners wanted to work on this week forward of their matchup with Kent State.
Surrounding the sport, the Sooners can be internet hosting a number of prospects from the 2023 recruiting class and past. Gamers like Cayden Inexperienced and Heath Ozaeta, who’ve dedicated, and four-star line of defense goal Jordan Renaud. Our Bryant Crews outlines the prospects confirmed to be in attendance Saturday night time.
There are a number of gamers on each the offensive and defensive sides of the ball that we’ll be watching in Oklahoma’s matchup with Kent State.
And as you prepare for tonight’s matchup, check out how we see this one enjoying out with our Sooners Wire workers predictions.
Open up the Passing Recreation
Sep 3, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws throughout the first half towards the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Oklahoma Sooners didn’t want Dillon Gabriel to throw the soccer a lot of their win over UTEP. And that probably gained’t be the case this week towards Kent State. Although they gained’t must, Kent State supplies a unbelievable alternative to get extra reside passing sport reps in earlier than your highway journey to Nebraska subsequent weekend.
Attempt to get Dillon Gabriel to 30 cross makes an attempt simply to assist the passing offense discover a higher rhythm. Give the offensive line a bit extra work in cross units and permit the large receivers to get extra alternatives within the deep passing sport.
Gabriel was simply 1 of 5 on passes 20 yards down the sector final week. For the Sooners passing assault to be a risk downfield, it’s going to have to be extra environment friendly than that.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. threw for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns towards Kent State every week in the past. There can be alternatives to take some photographs down the sector and Oklahoma must take them.
Jalen Redmond breakout sport incoming
Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond (31) chases UTEP’s Gavin Hardison (2) throughout a school soccer sport between the College of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma gained 45-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Kent State quarterback Colin Schee was below strain on 13 of his 27 dropbacks of their week one loss to Washington. That’s almost 50% of his dropbacks.
In week one, the Sooners created strain on simply 14 of UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison’s 49 dropbacks. It was a strong sport from the cross rush, however this week has the prospect for a fair larger influence. Specifically from defensive deal with Jalen Redmond.
Redmond had three pressures towards UTEP. He had Hardison in his grasp a number of occasions however couldn’t deliver down the massive quarterback. His skill to hurry the passer is Redmond’s biggest energy, and because the Sooners try and get strain with simply their entrance 4, Redmond will have to be on the middle of that effort.
Redmond has flashed at occasions all through his Oklahoma profession. He led the Sooners in sacks in 2019 and had some unbelievable moments final yr regardless of accidents taking a toll.
So shut a number of occasions to creating a play in week one, Redmond is the Oklahoma Sooner that finishes Saturday’s sport with a number of sacks.
Run it again in a Main means
Sep 3, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners operating again Marcus Main (24) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) after scoring a landing throughout the second half towards the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
Eric Grey is the beginning operating again for this workforce. Of that there’s little doubt. On the similar time, let’s see a bit extra Marcus Main this week.
Main ran arduous within the season opener on his option to 57 yards and two touchdowns. He solely carried the ball seven occasions. He gained’t overtake Grey after the lead again ran for 102 yards and added 33 yards by means of the air, however that doesn’t imply Main shouldn’t see some extra work.
His power and physicality soar off the display and may be tone-setters for a workforce that wishes to be bodily. Get Main to 10 carries on this sport and provides him some work on the second drive to assist set up Oklahoma’s bodily presence.
Lower down on the penalties
Head coach Brent Venables of the Oklahoma Sooners walks arm in arm together with his workforce earlier than a sport towards the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 3, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Brian Bahr/Getty Photos
Penalties may be drive-killers for an offense, particularly one that wishes to play quick because the Oklahoma Sooners do. Defensively, it could possibly result in factors prefer it did final week towards UTEP.
The Oklahoma Sooners had seven penalties for 59 yards on the day. Oklahoma was adequate to beat them final weekend, and even when they’ve extra penalties and yards towards Kent State, they’ll be adequate to take action once more Saturday night. Nevertheless, they will not be as lucky after they face more durable competitors sooner or later.
Defensive cross interference penalties are going to occur. That’s simply a part of the sport, however they’ve to chop down on the false begin penalties, particularly in an offense predicated on tempo and much more so once you’re enjoying at house.
Last Tune Up
Sep 3, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables sings the college track together with his workforce after the sport towards the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
This can be a actual sport, and it issues. The primary precedence is successful the sport. Moreover, this sport permits Oklahoma to work out sure issues earlier than they prepare for his or her highway journey to face Nebraska and their Huge 12 schedule.
Each week will present alternatives to grasp the depth chart higher. Nonetheless, towards a lesser opponent like Kent State, the Sooners ought to have the ability to play lots of gamers like they did final week after they performed greater than 60 gamers on their roster.
They nonetheless must work out how they’ll large receiver rotation will work past Marvin Mims and Theo Wease. With their defensive deal with group enjoying so effectively towards UTEP, it seems to be like they’ve a deep rotation there too. However this week supplies one other alternative for the highest 4 guys, Jeffery Johnson, Isaiah Coe, Jalen Redmond, and Jordan Kelley, to additional solidify the rotation.
This week supplies one other alternative for the Oklahoma Sooners to reply any lingering questions as they head into the meat of their schedule.
Surroundings
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables shakes palms with followers after Saturday’s 45-13 victory over UTEP in Norman. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
There was lots of speak in regards to the crowd for the season opener vs. the UTEP Miners. It was an extremely scorching day at kickoff, forcing some to search out protection from the solar, significantly within the scholar part. That gained’t be the case Saturday night when the Sooners host Kent State.
There’s nothing like an evening school soccer sport. Loss of life Vally in Baton Rouge or an evening sport in Lubbock supplies unimaginable backdrops for a soccer sport. Oklahoma has the potential to search out that gear as effectively, with a passionate fan base.
On a workforce that wishes to create elite defenses, crowd noise could be a enormous issue. On essential third downs, when the opponent is backed into their very own finish zone and when the opposite workforce is lining as much as kick could make for alternatives for the followers in attendance to have an effect. A raucous, noisy atmosphere can create communication points and play a job in disrupting timing.
There can be higher retention this week as the sport goes alongside. The temperature can be 87 levels at kickoff and 77 levels by halftime. The climate gained’t hinder folks from staying within the stands.
With key video games at house this season towards Kansas State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State, the gang can be a key issue within the end result of the sport.
Let’s go, Sooner Nation!
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Story initially appeared on Sooners Wire