Oklahoma is playing the type of football we played in the first half of the season—dominant, relentless, suffocating, aggressive, and physical football. We used it to pummel WVU. Let's use it to pummel the last of the new Big 12 members that OU faces this year, BYU. Once again, for all recaps/previews in the future, I (Chris Knight) am writing the offensive excerpts, and blog admin/my brother Sam Knight is writing the defensive excerpts.
Oklahoma
The Sooners are coming off a dominant 59-20 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers. The offense and the defense played a complete game, knocking the Mountaineers out of the Big 12 title race. See the graphic above for a list of OU's statistical leaders this season.
Oklahoma's offense had hit a rough patch after the Texas game, finding little offensive success against Kansas or Oklahoma State. They regained their offensive momentum against a solid West Virginia defense. The BYU defense is by no definition elite. They're the second worst in the Big 12. They have a nice enough pass defense but not a good run defense. I'm expecting OU to utilize Gavin Sawchuck quite a bit. Ever since becoming fully healthy, Sawchuck has been nearly unstoppable. The threat of him with Tawee Walker will make the BYU defense play extra conservative. I predict OU will run the ball for roughly 60% of their offensive plays. This might not be another 59-point offensive clinic, but we will have no trouble running the ball.
Oklahoma's defense will face a BYU offense that has been outscored 117-26 during its last three games. The Sooners' front seven should expect to embody its reputation of a run-stuffing defense this week. BYU's passing game leaves a great amount to be desired, with Kedon Slovis throwing for a little more than half the amount of yardage Dillon Gabriel has thrown this year, and an equal ratio of touchdown passes. The BYU offense lives and dies by the run, and it will be up to Coe, Terry, Stutsman and company to ensure the BYU offense is kept one-dimensional, thus creating plenty of opportunities for turnovers in what is being called the Sooners' no-fly zone.
BYU
The Cougars are coming off a 45-13 dismantling by Iowa State. The last time BYU won a game or scored more than 20 points was when they played Texas Tech almost a month ago. See the graphic above for a list of this season's statistical leaders for BYU.
BYU has been struggling as of late on offense. Through the air, they have 340 yards in their last two games (170 passing yards per game average). They've done a little bit better on the ground, getting 255 rushing yards in their past two games (127.5 rushing yards per game). I'm expecting them to stick to a run-heavy game plan. The air attack hasn't worked well for them all season. Their defense is going up against an offense that is #4 in the country in points per game (stat courtesy of NCAA.com). BYU will approach this game with an offensive philosophy of holding onto the ball as long as possible. Oklahoma's offense can't score if they're not on the field. I predict to see 70-75% of BYU's plays to be runs. Given how well Oklahoma's secondary has played this year (allowing only 10 touchdown passes and intercepting 17 passes, all across a 10-game span), any passes they make will be short, quick passes.
The Cougar defense will face an Oklahoma offense that rebounded last week, coming one point shy of hanging 60 on West Virginia. Dillon Gabriel and Drake Stoops led the way last week, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Such a large spread coming into a game (24.5 in favor of OU against BYU) can often bring some nerves of a potential trap game, especially late in the season. However, given the Cougars’ inability stop much of anything by air or land, I don’t expect this week to be much different for OU than the West Virginia game. What hope BYU has defensively will hinge on their ability to subdue Drake Stoops, and prevent the legs of Dillon Gabriel and Gavin Sawchuk from becoming a factor.
Prediction
BYU's passing defense could prove to be a slight issue for OU. But Oklahoma is a tough team that can make plays at any moment. It's time for the Sooners to get revenge for their 2009 loss to BYU.
Score Prediction: Oklahoma 42, BYU 6.
Oklahoma Yardage:
Passing Yards: 280-350
Rushing Yards: 150-210
Total Yards: 430-560
BYU Yardage:
Passing Yards: 140-180
Rushing Yards: 90-110
Total Yards: 230-290
This game has all the makings of a trap game, but if the Sooners go in and play their brand of football, this game should be a cakewalk. We're not out of the Big 12 title race yet. Let's not eliminate ourselves this weekend. Boomer Sooner!
All stats above courtesy of ESPN.
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