Oklahoma
Oklahoma-Nebraska GameDay: X-Factors
John Hoover: Mickey Joseph
When a coach is fired midseason, there’s virtually at all times a right away uptick. Assume again to 2018, when Mike Stoops was fired. For the subsequent few weeks, gamers expressed how comfortable they have been, how various things have been, and the product on the sphere mirrored their new perspective. The protection was higher. However by the tip of the season, Ruffin McNeill’s protection was as unhealthy because it ever was beneath Stoops. That’ll occur Saturday in Lincoln, too. Nebraska gamers really feel wounded proper now, they usually’ll struggle to defend their honor and the honour of their new coach, interim Mickey Joseph. Will it’s sufficient? We’ll know Saturday afternoon. However for a Nebraska crew determined to show issues round, it’s a very good begin. As athletic director Trev Albert stated, “We needed to do one thing.” Watch how laborious the Cornhuskers play.
Ryan Chapman: Dealing with the Noise
Nebraska gained’t be the perfect protection the Sooners have confronted this yr, however Memorial Stadium will pose the most important check. The brand new offense beneath offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was spectacular within the first quarter in opposition to UTEP and the third quarter in opposition to Kent State, nevertheless it has proven the power to sputter. Now, the offense might be thrown in entrance of 90,000 rabid followers who haven’t hosted OU since 2009. Communication might be key to maintain the offense working at a quick tempo.
Gabriel is assured the Sooners might be up for the problem, although the 90,000 followers in Lincoln would be the most away followers the UCF switch has ever performed in entrance of.
“The way in which we put together and the best way we follow form of will get us prepared for it simply as quick as we play, the noise at follow,” Gabriel stated on Tuesday. “It’s troublesome to copy a recreation ambiance however I feel we do a very good job at attempting to get it as shut as we will.”
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Josh Callaway: Containing Casey Thompson
Casey Thompson is a stable school quarterback. Is he a future NFL starter? Seemingly not. Is he ok to beat a top-10 crew on his personal? Most likely not that both. However, he is athletic, could make issues occur, and has already performed properly in opposition to Oklahoma as soon as – albeit beneath the earlier OU defensive regime. If the Sooners need to hold the nice instances rolling on the defensive aspect of the ball this week, they cannot let Thompson prolong performs and wreak havoc together with his legs. Whether or not which means scrambling for yardage and even simply giving his guys sufficient time to get free down the sphere – that’s how this recreation may get furry for the Sooners. Man-to-man, talent-to-talent, Oklahoma ought to win this recreation handily. But when Thompson begins ad-libbing with nice success, that’s the place issues may get dicey fast for OU.
Ross Lovelace: Early Offense
Oklahoma struggled to attain in opposition to Kent State out of the gates, and the Golden Flashes gave the Sooners a primary half scare. Due to a really late rating, Oklahoma held a 7-3 lead at half time. In Lincoln, with 90,000 followers ready to grab the momentum and run with it, the Sooners can’t afford an identical begin. The offense should click on early for Oklahoma to discover a rhythm, and for that to occur, the bottom recreation should be established. Fortunately, the Sooners return beginning lineman Wanya Morris to the lineup, which ought to solely assist the offense as a complete. Marcus Main and Eric Grey ought to each get loads of touches on Saturday.