Oklahoma prediction: What will a Brent Venables-led Oklahoma team look like?

When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaylord Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.

Data: Oklahoma (0-0, 0-0); UTEP (0-1, 0-1)

Final assembly: Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7 on Sept. 2, 2017, in Norman.

TV: FOX

The Sooners memo all through the low season has been “Staff #128″. It’s additionally Staff No.1 for brand new head coach Brent Venables as a head coach.

Oklahoma takes the sector on Saturday for the primary time in a very long time with a head coach that was not inside to this system.

They loaded up throughout the low season, buying key hires to the teaching workers, poaches from the switch portal and a handful of freshmen which are anticipated to play instantly.

The Sooners and Miners have met 4 instances and all 4 have been convincing Oklahoma wins. The newest was a 329-yard, three landing efficiency from quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2017.

Jeff Lebby makes his return to Massive 12 play for the primary time since his 2008-2016 tenure at Baylor. His offense might be headed by a reunion with quarterback Dillon Gabriel being his sign caller, whereas they have been collectively at UCF in 2019.

Gabriel is coming off three-years beginning with the Knights, throwing for over 8,000+ complete yards and 70 passing touchdowns. Earlier than his season-ending damage final 12 months, he threw for 814 yards and 9 touchdowns in three video games.

The Sooners’ operating assault might be led by senior Eric Grey. After transferring from Tennessee final 12 months, Grey anticipated to make a leap in manufacturing, however was overshadowed by Kennedy Brooks.

His move catching means makes him one of the vital versatile backs within the convention and may get fairly a couple of touches on this recreation.

Oklahoma usually makes use of 2-3 operating backs a recreation, so anticipate fellow veteran Marcus Main to get carries, alongside extremely touted freshman duo Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes getting carries within the second half.

Marvin Mims and Drake Stoops are the lone constant gamers out large, and Stoops is the back-up on the Sooners depth chart that was launched Monday. Theo Wease is in his fourth season at Oklahoma however struggled to seek out the sector and when he did, lacked consistency in manufacturing.

Sophomore Jahlil Farooq is anticipated to be a playmaker and will get a variety of seems to be in opposition to the Miners. Freshman Jaydon Gibson might be one other title to control, as he stands 6-5 and had a 95-yard touchdown within the Spring Sport.

Of their week one matchup in opposition to North Texas, the Miners struggled severely at operating the soccer, with 107 yards on 30 carries.

They went away from the bottom recreation within the second half in an try to get again within the recreation, with junior quarterback Gavin Hardison ending with 48 move makes an attempt. It didn’t lead to many finish zone throws, as he completed with one landing and a 43.7% completion share.

The gunslinger had two essential targets of their season-opener, with sophomore large receiver Tyrin Smith and senior Reynaldo Flores combining for 15 catches, 249 yards and a landing.

I might anticipate UTEP to not abandon the run recreation so shortly and depend on operating backs sophomore Deion Hankins and senior Ronald Awatt to steer the dashing assault.

The Miners’ move protection was not ideally suited final week, giving up three touchdowns to North Texas’ quarterback Austin Aune. With Gabriel getting settled in, I anticipate him and Lebby to overwhelm the Miners.

With Venables coming in, I anticipate a stingy protection that has a solidified playmaker at each degree of the sector. Jalen Redmond being a backup on the depth chart shouldn’t be a fear, with the Sooners having depth up entrance and veterans within the secondary.

I believe the Miners run recreation can have some success early, with Oklahoma breaking in a brand new linebacking core, however not sufficient to make this recreation shut. The Sooners roll in recreation one underneath Venables and deal with the Miners with relative ease.

Rating: Oklahoma 55, UTEP 10

+++

Discover extra Oklahoma protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.