The Sooners were better last Saturday against the
Ole Miss Rebels …
THE FIRST HALF …
Reason for Optimism - Defense: After giving up a touchdown on the Rebels opening drive, the OU defense seemed to settle down. Yes, the Rebels were still able to move the ball, but the OU defense made some critical stops on 3rd and 4th down. The “bend but don’t break” defensive effort was enough to hold the high-powered Rebels offense to only a field goal through the remainder of the first half.
Reason for Caution: More than once the Rebels had receivers running uncovered through the OU secondary, only to have Ole Miss QB Jaxon Dart, normally a very accurate passer, miss the mark. To think that would continue would be unrealistic at best.
Reason for Optimism - Offense: On offense, the play calling looked to be improved. Interim OC, Joe Jon Finley, was creative in finding ways to put QB Jackson Arnold in a position to be effective with both his arm and his feet. While still not good, the offensive line was at least able to occasionally open some nice running lanes. RB Jovante Barnes was effective both on the ground (12 carries for 53 yards) and as a receiver out of the backfield (3 catches for 38 yards). Hell, the junior from Las Vegas even broke a couple tackles … What next? An OU tight end catching the ball? Well, actually, yes. OU tight end, Bauer Sharp had 4 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, all in the first quarter. It was a combination that culminated in the Sooners offense putting together three impressive first half drives, two of which resulted in points and another that ended on downs inside the Ole Miss 5-yard line. The most notable of the three was a 13-play 92-yard drive in the final 2:36 of the first half. Not only was the drive the most impressive one of the year it also enabled the Sooners to go to the locker room with a 14-10 lead.
Reason for Caution: 3-Ole Miss personal foul penalties extended two OU scoring drives while also allowing the Sooners to overcome 2 holding penalties and three sacks. The Sooners also converted 7 of 9 first down attempts - which doesn't seem sustainable since OU came into the game 129th in the country in 3rd down conversion percentage.
First Half: It marked the first time since week 3 vs. Tulane that the Sooners had led at intermission. Yes, the sky was blue, the birds were singing, and there wasn’t a single piece of outdoor furniture holding its breath in the deep end of my pool … Could the Sooners, who came into the game as 20.5-point underdogs, really pull this off? Well, …
Yes, the Sooners were better last Saturday against the Ole Miss Rebels … and then the second half started.
THE SECOND HALF
In the second half, the Rebels started executing, the Sooners lost starting left tackle Jacob Sexton to injury, and the OU offense quickly reverted back to the inept 2024 version of themselves. It was a combination that resulted in things getting very ugly, very quickly. When I say ugly, I mean … Steve Buscemi ugly, fat girl in a leotard ugly, dare I say … a sack full of anuses ugly.
The Sooners first four offensive possessions of the second half were the definition of futility. In their first 15 plays the Sooners had two penalties, gave up a sack, and witnessed their TE lose his mind and 8-yards on a screen play. Unfortunately, it was a stretch of ineptness not solely owned by the offense.
On defense, the Sooner defensive backs mixed up their coverage scheme by alternating between Busted Coverage, Cover Burnt Deep, Cover Hold or Interfere, and my personal favorite, Man-on-No-Man. The result? Ole Miss receivers were like a Waffle House – Easy to Find & Always Open. Last but not least, we witnessed yet another poor in game decision – or in this case, indecision, from the head coach. Using a valuable timeout so you can decide you’re going to punt is indefensible. That would be like me pouring out a bottle of whiskey so I could decided not to drink.
But there was a sign of life on the Sooners fifth drive, which started from their own 1-yard line. 10-plays and another Rebels personal foul penalty later, the Sooners found themselves with first and 10 at the Ole Miss 13-yard line. A touchdown – and the Sooners would be back in the ballgame.
Instead, the Sooners ran what might arguably be the worst 4-play sequence by an OU offense in last quarter century. On 1st down – the Sooners ran a poorly designed, slow to develop gadget play that resulted in TE Bauer Sharp being sacked for a 1-yard loss. Sadly, it would turn out to be the best play of the four. The next three plays, including 4th and a cab ride – all ended the same … with Jackson Arnold and the football under a mass of Rebels somewhere behind the line of scrimmage. Three of a kind is a sack-trick. Four sacks in a row - is a Golden Sombrero. 4-plays, 4-sacks, made by 4-different Rebels. OU’s chance to pull off the upset while wearing a Golden Sombrero? 4-get about it.
On Saturday, Jackson Arnold was sacked a mind dumbing 7 times in the second half, and 10 times overall. For those keeping score at home, the Sooners o-line has now given up 24 sacks in the last three games and 39 sacks through the first 8-games this season – a pace which would have them allowing 55 sacks this season. Sadly, that number might actually be conservative considering the competition that lies ahead on the Sooners schedule. To put this sack saga in perspective, in 2023, Dillon Gabriel was sacked 17 times all year. There is just no sugar coating it – the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line is historically horrible.
The Sooners are now 4-4 on the season, and 1-4 in conference play, which is 13th in the SEC. They have Maine up next, which it wouldn’t be a stretch to say is their last realistic chance at a win (maybe a shot at winning at Missouri?) … Like I said last week, this might get worse before it gets better.
Yes, for one half of football in the SIP on Saturday, the Sooners were better. But the problem is … at Oklahoma, you’re not measured by deceptive halftime leads or improved play in a half of football. At the University of Oklahoma, you are measure by championships and victories … none of which are of the moral variety.
Just the Opinion of One Mildly Interest Guy
Buddy Putty
The Overweight Armchair Sooner
