Oklahoma Sooners: Bye Week By the Numbers

Oklahoma snapped its three-game dropping streak towards Kansas final week, which means the Sooners carried a modicum of momentum into their bye week.

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel dazzled in his return towards the Jayhawks, serving to OU put 701 complete yards and 52 factors on the scoreboard whereas delivering Brent Venables his first Huge 12 victory as a head coach.

The shortage of an opponent this weekend didn’t cease the work in Norman, as there’s nonetheless a lot Oklahoma wants to wash up headed into the house stretch of the season.

Although an look within the Huge 12 Championship sport seems to be an extended shot with three convention losses already, there’s nonetheless a lot for OU to play for throughout its last 5 common season video games in 2022.

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Protection is Venables’ specialty, which makes the efficiency of Oklahoma protection that rather more maddening for the Sooners.

After a powerful exhibiting throughout the non-conference slate, OU regressed in a significant approach as Kansas State, TCU and Texas shredded the Sooner protection.

With seven video games performed, Oklahoma ranks No. 120 total within the nation in speeding protection, permitting 207.4 yards per sport.

Not solely are the Sooners the worst speeding protection within the Huge 12, there are solely 10 faculties who’ve fared worse within the FBS.

OU felt the losses of Isaiah Thomas, Perrion Winfrey, Nik Bonitto and Brian Asamoah to the NFL, however Venables and Ted Roof’s insistence on sticking with the three-man entrance alongside the line of defense has additionally completed the Sooners no favors.

Venables maintains that he’s not going to simplify the protection as a result of it’s the system the Sooners need to run, however the actuality of this season is that OU has had little to no success outdoors of the Nebraska sport containing the run sport out of their odd entrance.

The four-man look was thrown again onto the sphere towards Kansas, and OU was a lot improved towards an impact Jayhawk speeding assault.

KU solely ran for 166 yards final Saturday, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.

The personnel can’t change at this level within the season, so the Sooners must make do with what they’ve received as they return to motion in Ames subsequent weekend.

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A significant query mark coming into the season, the offensive line has been a constant performer all yr lengthy for the Sooners.

Operating again Eric Grey has had gaping holes to run by means of the previous couple of weeks, and OU’s function again is working with confidence and placing in his greatest performances in an Oklahoma uniform consequently.

However Invoice Bedenbaugh’s line can nonetheless assist stop unfavorable performs within the passing sport.

The Sooners have allowed 16 sacks this yr, which ranks eighty fifth within the nation.

Early on, a very good portion of these sacks could possibly be attributed to Gabriel holding on to the soccer for too lengthy, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an space the place OU can enhance.

Over the following 4 weeks, Oklahoma will line up throughout from Iowa State star Will McDonald IV, the huge inside of Baylor’s line of defense, West Virginia playmaker Dante Stills and Oklahoma State’s secure of influence go rushers.

If Gabriel and the OU offense are going to proceed to outscore their opponents, the offensive line must maintain the proficient lefty clear within the pocket.

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Up till the Kansas sport, Oklahoma’s starters on offense had completed a superb job caring for the soccer.

Davis Beville was answerable for a fumble in mop-up obligation towards Nebraska, however in any other case, vast receiver Marvin Mims’ fumble towards TCU was one of many few unfavorable performs.

Grey threw an interception towards Texas, nevertheless it’s unlikely he would have ever been put in that place had Gabriel been wholesome.

However the turnover bug hit Gabriel towards Kansas.

The Sooners’ quarterback was held answerable for a pair of fumbles and an interception towards the Jayhawks, one thing that must stay a one-game aberration for Oklahoma to have success down the stretch.

Regardless of caring for the soccer for a lot of the season, the Sooners nonetheless solely have a plus-one in turnover margin, which is tied for 66th within the nation.

OU’s protection has once more struggled to pressure turnovers, and if that continues to be unchanged the offense can’t give away any further possessions. 

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