Oklahoma
Oklahoma Football: 5 things to watch on defense against TCU
We’re altering issues up a bit this week. As an alternative of 5 gamers, we’re 5 issues to observe on protection.
Why?
The Sooners’ protection towards Kasnas State was a non-factor, to place it kindly. They allowed practically 300 speeding yards towards Kansas State’s offense and have been fully helpless towards choice performs.
If the Sooners need to come out of Fort Value with a win, the protection must play higher than they did in week 4. The Sooners’ entrance seven was dominated by KSU’s offensive line, plain and easy.
Will Jaren Kanak get defensive snaps?
Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Jaren Kanak (7) chases Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) in the course of the first half at Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
After enjoying each defensive snap after Dashaun White’s ejection towards Nebraska, it was stunning to not see Jaren Kanak in any respect towards Kansas State. It’s not just like the gamers forward of him on the depth chart have been having good video games.
Kanak was on particular groups towards Kansas State, in order that’s one thing. If the protection will get off to a different poor begin, Brent Venables may herald his freshman linebacker.
Can the D-Line bounce again?
Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond (31) bats a move from Kansas State’s Adrian Martinez (9) throughout a school soccer sport between the College of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Household – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Kansas State gained 41-34. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The defensive position seemed out of types towards Kansas State. They have been gradual to get set on the road of scrimmage and so they didn’t disrupt the Wildcats’ speeding assault, save for a play right here and there.
Deuce Vaugn seemingly had a mess of operating lanes to select from.
After enjoying so effectively to start out the season, the OU move rush didn’t report a sack towards Kansas State. Control that this week after TCU QB Max Duggan was sacked 5 instances by SMU.
Can the tackling get higher?
Sept. 10, 2022; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu (2) rejoice in the course of the first half towards the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
The tackling seemed barely worse towards Nebraska than it did towards Kent State. It was downright dreadful towards Ok-State.
There was a whole lot of flopping on the bottom grabbing air and a whole lot of hitting with out precise tackling. For the Oklahoma Sooners to have a rebound efficiency this week towards the Horned Frogs, the tackling has to enhance.
Will the offense assist the protection?
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 3: Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby works with quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners earlier than a sport towards the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 3, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photograph by Brian Bahr/Getty Photos)
Jeff Lebby didn’t name sport in week 4.
When the protection is getting dominated within the run sport, you want to management the clock. The Sooners didn’t. Dropping the time of possession battle by ten minutes, which has been a theme to this point this season. That isn’t going to work.
The protection seemed drained within the fourth quarter. Whereas it will be straightforward responsible that on conditioning, I don’t suppose that’s the issue. Even one of the best conditioned athletes would have a tough time with as many performs because the Wildcats ran final week.
Oklahoma can play quick and nonetheless take time without work the clock. Simply don’t substitute between performs.
Can the protection get some turnovers?
Sept. 10, 2022; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners defensive again Billy Bowman (5) reacts after recovering a fumble in the course of the second half towards the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Sooners and Horned Frogs each take superb care of the soccer. Neither workforce has thrown an interception this 12 months and each groups have a constructive turnover differential.
Assuming the Sooners proceed to maintain the ball, the protection might win the sport by forcing a fumble or grabbing an interception.
All of it begins with the move rush having extra success. If the D-Line can get to the QB, issues will fall into place from there.
The response to a foul loss must be good. Brent Venables and his coaches have gone on about how they’re constructing a brand new tradition and the way effectively the gamers have responded to it.
Time to indicate it.
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Story initially appeared on Sooners Wire