Game Preview: Ohio State at Oklahoma
Shannon Sommers via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
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Ohio State Buckeyes @ Oklahoma Sooners – Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 7:30 PM EST
When Ohio State methodically destroyed Bowling Green they looked like an offensive juggernaut. Last week when they faced off against Tulsa during the first half the Buckeyes looked stagnant with some confusion. The young offensive team was making some mistakes with blocking assignments, read option reads, along with a fumble that almost resulted in a touchdown. The defense stepped up huge in the first half keeping the Golden Hurricane offense from scoring on the one-yard-line plus they had two key interceptions resulting in pick six. The Buckeye went into the locker room up 20-3. After the weather delay which allowed the teams to stay in the locker rooms longer than usual the Buckeyes came out in the second half and executed the way they will need to against Oklahoma this Saturday.
Oklahoma having lost their first week against the Tom Herman lead Houston Cougars, came back to Norman with a victory against the mighty Lousiana-Monroe Warhawks. Their Week 1 loss showed that their secondary – the strength of the team – can make mistakes by giving up a couple key plays. Some mistakes were still made in the Warhawk matchup which leads Oklahoma in a slight state of concern with that unit this weekend.
Ohio State goes into Norman as the higher seed for this matchup which normally can build up pressure for a young team. Oklahoma is actually the team with all of the pressure on them right now. The Sooners find themselves in a must-win situation if they want to make a return trip to the playoffs. Before the season arrived many felt this game would be a loss for a young inexperienced Ohio State team. Never did anyone really think the Sooners post-season possibilities would be hanging in the balance this early.
The Intangibles
TV: Fox (Gus Johnson, Joel Katt, Shannon Spoake)
Radio:
Ohio State IMG Radio Network/97.1 WBNS (Paul Keels/Jim Lachey/Matt Andrews)
Online:
Fox Sports Go App I
Fox Sports Listen I NEW
Fox Sports VR I
97.1 WBNS (Audio)
Social Media:
@OhioStAthletics I
@OU_Athletics
Series Record: 1-1
Previewing the Oklahoma Sooner
Oklahoma is led by the head coach who has been in charge of the football team since 1999. Bob Stoops has won a National Championship along with being the only coach to win the quartet of the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange Bowls. Last season Stoops team went 11-2, making the playoffs for the first time losing to Clemson.
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
The quarterback, Baker Mayfield, is a Brett Farve type of gunslinger. Mayfield just missed out on a trip to New York City last season like J.T. Barrett did in 2014. Last season Mayfield had a passing completion rate of 68.1 percent. He threw for 36 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. Currently, for this season he is tossing the pigskin at 71.7 percent with five touchdowns and zero interception.
One of Baker Mayfield’s best targets is redshirt sophomore TE Mark Andrews (6-5, 244) this season. Andrews is averaging 30 yards per reception so far this early season. Being a very good deep threat for the Sooners he has touchdowns of 25, 39 and 64 yards. Another receiver to really watch is Dede Westbrook, currently he is averaging six receptions with 8.6 yards per reception. Westbrook production is currently down from the 16.2 yards per catch from last season, he hasn’t been able to grab a pass in the end-zone yet in his career.
In the backfield for the Sooners, Samje Perine made himself a household name by breaking the FBS rushing record with 427 yards and five touchdowns against Kansas last year. Perine is a prototypical battering ram type of back, wears down the defensive front as the game wears on. Samje isn’t leading the Sooners in rushing though this season, that distinction goes to Joe Mixon. Mixon currently is averaging 8.3 yards a carry on 19 attempts for 168 yards (Perine has 16 carries for 93 yards).
Oklahoma’s offensive line is anchored by Orlando Brown who has started all 13 games in 2015 along with the first two this year. Being the right tackle protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side is something Brown has really excelled at. Last season he earned second-team All- Big 12 honors plus being a freshman All-American. Brown is an elite NFL tackle prospect standing at 6-8 and weighing 337-pounds. At the right tackle spot is Dru Samia who is listed as 8-4, 299-lbs, he played 12 games (9 starts) last season as a true freshman.
Junior Johnathan Alverez is the center, having started 10 games last season (nine at left guard, one at center). On each side of Alverez is a pair of four-star recruits. Cody Ford is a redshirt freshman listed at 6-3 and 317-pounds. Ford is the left guard, redshirt sophomore Alex Dalton is the right guard. Dalton played in seven games before being sidelined by a knee injury.
The Sooners run a 3-4 defensive scheme but honestly it is more of a 4-2-5. Along with the three-man defensive line they like to line up a linebacker at the line along with having a nickle package in place.
Their defensive line has a strong rotation with eight guys playing either defensive end or defensive tackle. Senior Matt Dimon started all 13 games last year playing the left defensive end position. The 6-7, 275-pound end had seven tackles for a loss along with 2.5 sacks last year. In the middle starting at the defensive tackle spot is redshirt senior Jordan Wade. Redshirt junior Charles Walker had ten tackles for loss last season and six sacks in a backup role behind current Dallas Cowboy Charles Tapper. The Sooners defensive line helped the defense give up just 161 yards rushing last season which was second in the conference.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The linebackers for Oklahoma are more of a question this season than last year. Having lost three linebackers to the NFL they have senior Jordan Evans who is the lone starter from a year ago. Evans earned All-Big 12 Second Team Honors last year. He has the size and speed to more than likely lead the team in tackles this season. Redshirt junior Ogbonnia (the g is silent) Okoronkwo is an outside linebacker that possesses the rare gift of strength and speed that makes him an outstanding outside pass rusher. Redshirt sophomore Tay Evans is the inside linebacker starter this season. He has seen action in ten games last year.
The secondary was to be the strength of this defense in 2016. Having given up some key plays in the first two games means there is still work to be done. They lost some key players in their defensive backfield from the 2015 season but they felt confident the talent they have will become the strength they envision. Cornerback Jordan Thomas along with safety Steven Parker were second-team All-Big 12 last season. Safety Ahmad Thomas and corner Dakota Austin are the other two starters lack a lot of experience. True freshman Parrish Cobb has made his presence felt earning playing time but has made true freshman mistakes which have allowed big plays to happen.
Previewing the Buckeyes
Buckeyes are led by head coach Urban Meyer who has won three national championships (one with the Buckeyes in 2014) along with countless bowl games throughout his career. Urban is currently 52-4 during his tenure leading the scarlet and gray.
J.T. Barrett is the starter at quarterback this season, no more controversy for the Buckeyes like the 2015 campaign. Barrett who looked like a possible Heisman candidate that many are predicting in the game against Bowling Green. Barrett seemed to take a step back in the matchup against Tulsa this past weekend. J.T. looked like he was struggling with the read-option at times along with making some poor throws. He and Mike Weber messed up an exchange of the ball causing a turnover. Barrett did look a lot better in the second half making better decisions along with his execution.
(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Mike Weber the starter at running back. Weber has been close to getting his 100-yard game under his belt against Tulsa, he did get into the end-zone for his first NCAA career touchdown. Curtis Samuel really plays more of the hybrid back since he is such a dynamic weapon. The Buckeyes use him as the running back at times which he shows bursts of speed and can gain some serious yardage along with putting him in the slot where he makes great catches. When Samuel catches the ball usually he is adding a bunch of yards after the catch.
The wide receiver group for the Buckeyes looked good in the Bowling Green game. Separating themselves from the defenders, making some good blocks at key times. Urban Meyer however, didn’t feel they did enough, he even called out Corey Smith for his play stating it was subpar. The Tulsa game the wideouts known at Zone 6 couldn’t get any separation from the Tulsa defenders which caused problems for Barrett plus they were missing key blocks which just basically stalled the offense in the first half. When they came out in the second half they seemed to play better. Noah Brown, Parris Cambell, KJ Hill along with Dontre Wilson are just some of the names that really need to step up their game more in order to take this team to the elite level.
The offensive line which only has Pat Elfien along with Billy Price as the only returning starters from last season, is seeing some growing pains as expected. Jamraco Jones has been solid so far at left tackle along with Michael Jordan the true freshman starting at left guard. Isaiah Prince starting at the right guard spot. The Tulsa game in the first half they seemed stagnant at times with failing to open many holes for the running game. Again in the second half they were asserting their dominance as they did in the Bowling Green game.
Buckeyes defensive line lost a lot of talent last season but, they do have plenty still on the team. Sam Hubbard was really starting to show how he can take over games with his speed against Tulsa. Losing Tracy Sprinkle a defensive tackle for the year during the Bowling Green game was a big hit but his leadership is still there since he is in the meeting room with the defensive line helping them get better. True freshman Nick Bosa is already showing glimpses of how great he can become. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis and defensive tackle Michael Hill have both been making great plays. This defensive front has helped the Ohio State defense only allow 68 yards a game rushing against them this season.
Ohio State linebacker group has an NFL talent in Raekwon McMillan as the inside linebacker that is proving that opposing team have their hands full trying to account for him. He has the exact traits and talent to play in the NFL now which isn’t surprising when he came to Columbus the buzz that surrounded him. Dante Booker missed last week and is listed as doubtful for this week with a mild MCL strain. That puts Joe Berger who came up big for the Buckeyes Saturday with a goal-line stop, helping the Buckeyes defense preserve not having surrendered a touchdown through eight quarters. Jerome Baker will start in place of Booker along with Chris Worley on the other side.
The Buckeye front seven look like a force so far through two games.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Buckeyes secondary had to rebuild after losing three of its members to the NFL. Malik Hooker who has flourished so far this season has three interceptions with two being pick sixes. Marshon Lattimore has two inceptions one being a pick six. Gareon Conley the leader and lone starter from last season is becoming a lock down corner. What has been thought to be a weakness going into the 2016 campaign currently is a strength. Having seven interceptions already in two games is really amazing in this young season.
The major negative currently for the young Bucks is that they are averaging 9 penalties a game.
Three Key Matchups
- Perine/Mixon vs. Buckeyes Front Seven: Ohio State travels to Norman sporting a rushing defense that has only given up an average of 68 yards a game to go with zero touchdowns. The Sooners are currently averaging 179 yards a game. They are carrying the rock for an average of 5 yards a carry. Ohio State hasn’t faced a rushing attack like this yet this season. Can the Buckeye defensive line create holes for the linebackers to slip through and prevent the Sooner rushing attack from becoming a problem. Having Raekwon McMillan is a great advantage for Ohio State in this battle, will he lead the young Bucks up from to Silver Bullet status.
- Baker Mayfield vs. Ohio State Secondary: Mayfield has an outstanding tall target in Mark Andrews. Can the Buckeyes secondary continue their dominance they have displayed by not allowing the big plays to happen. Malik Hooker has shown he isn’t afraid to hit anyone especially pancaking a huge offensive lineman. Lattimore and Conley are responsible for their island coverage of their targets, they play the receiver and the ball very well causing some great breakups. Mayfield is the gunslinger type that can really put the ball on target. Does his accuracy of 71.7 percent win out over this young secondary.
- Curtis Samuel vs Sooner defense: Samuel is the most dynamic player on the field, he can change the momentum of games. How do the Sooners account for Samuel when he is out there? Any time Samuel touches the ball a big play can happen which tells you he will have at least 20 or more touches Saturday. His speed and field awareness is second to none.
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