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Oklahoma Football Weekend Wrap: What's Next for the Sooners?
An Oklahoma football season that started with so much promise – and a No. 3 ranking – is quickly careening off the rails as the Sooners suffered a second troublesome defeat on Saturday.
This one wasn’t even close as the Ohio State Buckeyes stormed into Norman and decisively dispatched the home team. A raucous crowd eager to witness one of the most anticipated home matchups in years was quickly deflated by a ruthlessly efficient Ohio State team that was just better than the host team.
Unless something radical happens quickly, this season may end up as one to remember…for all the wrong reasons.
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A general view of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. Oklahoma won 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Playoff Dreams Are Over
The Sooners’ playoff dreams took a beating after the loss to Houston, but still had a pulse coming into the Ohio State game.
Well, the Buckeye beatdown officially put those playoff dreams to rest. There would have to be an epic and unprecedented confluence of events for Oklahoma to have any kind of shot at the 2016 College Football Playoff.
Ohio State, in spite of the fact that the Buckeyes returned only six starters from last year’s team, was simply better. If anything, this game highlighted the uncomfortable fact that Oklahoma is simply not playing at an elite level right now and does not have the same talent level as the Buckeyes.
If the Sooners have any hope of capturing Bob Stoops’ elusive second title, they must figure out a way to play with today’s elite squads. Otherwise, future seasons will prove to be as frustrating as this one is shaping up to be.
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Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety Steven Parker (10) tackles Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) during the first half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Woes Continue
As on Sept. 20, the Sooners sit at No. 79 in total defense nationwide, tied with Auburn and a couple of spots ahead of Florida State, who got eviscerated by conference rival Louisville 63-20 (yes, someone else had a worse day than the Sooners). Not exactly great company to keep defensively, and a stark indicator of what ails Oklahoma this season.
Case in point: Buckeye receiver Noah Brown caught five passes for 72 yards against the Sooner secondary. Unfortunately, four of those catches went for touchdowns. Didn’t matter whether Parrish Cobb or Michiah Quick was defending; the Buckeyes abused the young Oklahoma defensive backs.
No Ezekiel Elliott? No problem: Ohio State rolled up 291 rushing yards against the Oklahoma defense. Both Curtis Samuel (11 rushes for 98 yards and a score) and Mike Weber (18 rushes for 123 yards) proved more than up to the task of filling Elliott’s considerable shoes.
While Oklahoma’s playoff ambitions are done, the Big 12 title is certainly an attainable goal. But, it won’t happen unless the Sooner defense radically improves. Mike Stoops’ befuddled press conference, unfortunately, gave few Sooner fans any indication that help is on the way.
Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Is Officially Regressing
What to make of Baker Mayfield? The confident magician of 2015, who frequently created something out of nothing and extend plays with improvisation – has turned into a befuddled ball hog who holds on to the ball far too long and stalls drives instead of extending them. There’s no two ways about it: if Baker’s game goes south, the entire Sooner offense will stall.
Part of the problem is no one has stepped up to fill the void left by Sterling Shepard’s departure to the NFL. Through three games – and excluding the glorified scrimmage against Louisiana Monroe – Sooner receivers have only accounted for four touchdowns. Dede Westbrook and Geno Lewis so far have zero TD’s; one or both of these seniors was widely expected to become Mayfield’s go-to target, but so far they have been glaringly absent (especially Lewis).
On a brighter note, Mark Andrews is so far having a monster season: the 6-foot. 5-inch, 250-pound receiver and defensive coordinator nightmare has 211 yards and four TDs through three games, averaging a monster 23 yards per catch. Andrews is built like a tight end but runs and catches like a speedy wideout. Hopefully, Lincoln Riley will continue to get him involved in the offense, although he took quite a physical beating in the Ohio State game.
At the end of the day, Mayfield needs to step his game up against tougher competition. It’s one thing to feast on lesser opponents, but when the lights shine brightest, Mayfield must play better. Moving forward, Lincoln Riley must figure out how to restore his quarterback’s confidence and get the old Mayfield back if the Sooners hope to right the ship.
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops in the third quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
What’s Next For Oklahoma?
This week, the Sooners have a bye, and it couldn’t come at a better time. This team is reeling and getting the train back on track is job number one. The disastrous losses to Houston and Ohio State are now in the past, and the damage to lofty playoff ambitions has been done. So, where do the Sooners go from here?
First and foremost, Oklahoma must win at TCU on Oct. 1 and open Big 12 play on a winning note. Then the Sooners have to figure out a way to beat a Texas Longhorn team that, in spite of the shootout loss to California, is much improved. Freshman phenom Shane Buechele has thrown for 720 yards and seven touchdowns through three games for the Longhorns and must be licking his chops at the prospect of padding his stats against the Sooners’ flailing secondary.
Games against Kansas State and Texas Tech will be somewhat of a relief, but that’s depends on how much the Sooners improve against TCU and Texas.
If Oklahoma wins those games, the prospects for another Big 12 title will definitely improve. But, if the Sooners come into the Oct. 15 matchup against Kansas State with one or two more losses, the team’s confidence may be shattered beyond repair. In that scenario, a losing and bowl-less season may become a distinct possibility.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
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