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As we wind down from analyzing a jam packed contest between our beloved Volunteers and the formidable Falcons, here are some quick hits on the Oklahoma Sooners.
Manipulating the Rushing Statistics
I have a disclaimer for this portion of the blog. I am manipulating data, and it may not mean anything. Or it could be something. I’ll let you decide.
In 2014, the Oklahoma Sooners rushed for 3,395 yards in 13 games, which works out to 6.1 yards per carry and 261 yards per game. Any writer trying to downplay the run game ability of the Sooners is being disingenuous. However, if we peak behind the curtain, the Sooners’ rush attack moves from seemingly unstoppable to merely very good.
Oklahoma played 9 bowl teams, leaving only 4 games against teams with losing records. When you look at the Sooners’ rush numbers through this lens, a very distinct dichotomy becomes clear.
In the Sooners’ four games against non-bowl teams, they rushed 176 times for 1,665 yards (9.5 yards per carry). Versus the 9 bowl teams? 361 rushes for 1,730 yards (4.8 yards per carry). You read that correctly – nearly half of the Sooners’ rush yards came in four games against bad teams. Those teams? Kansas, Tulsa, Iowa State, and Texas Tech. Another surprising find is that Oklahoma’s three worst rushing games came against (in order from worst to third worst) Texas, TCU, and your Tennessee Volunteers. In 2014’s clash, the Sooners averaged 4.3 yards per carry – a strong number, but nowhere near the 6.1 they averaged over the season.
Sooners’ Seniors?
Butch Jones has made numerous mentions in regards to the lack of experience Team 119 possesses. While accurate, the Sooners are similarly young coming into this battle.
The Sooners only have 10 seniors in the 2-deep depth chart at this point in the season. For comparison, the Vols have 9. The Sooners also have six true freshmen in the 2-deep, while the Vols have 8 (or 25 depending on the depth chart).
Will the lack of experience hurt the Sooners in a very hostile and bloodthirsty environment?
Speaking of Lacking Experience
0 – 0 – 14 – 13 – 0
These numbers would be a horrible (and impossible) Powerball ticket. They are also the number of starts for each Oklahoma starting offensive lineman coming into this season (from LT to RT in order).
Nila Kasitati (#54) at right guard started 6 games last season en route to an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team nod. Kasitati looks to make the next step as a senior, but can he overcome inconsistency issues? Ty Darlington (#56) at center is another experienced player and enters his second season as a starter.
Outside of those two veterans, the starting experience is nil. In fact, the left side of the line, Orlando Brown (#78) and Jonathan Alvarez (#68) have played in zero games prior to 2015. Plop them into a noisy environment against one of the best pass rushers in America? Seems fair. And the right tackle? Josiah St. John (#55) played in 7 games last season and started none.
That Defense Though
As good as the Volunteers’ offense looked on Saturday, the level of competition doesn’t just get tougher. The script gets completely flipped.
While Eric Striker gets most of the spotlight, one of the key players for Saturday is defensive end Charles Tapper (#91). Tapper isn’t an elite rush end, but instead is the steady stalwart as the contain end. Tapper made the All-Big 12 Team last year as an Honorable Mention, but was 1st Team in 2013. Tapper will make the correct decisions on read option plays more often than not. His experience allows him to play without overthinking, and Tennessee will have their hands full running to his side.
Of course, Eric Striker. He made his name against Tennessee, but wreaked havoc all season long. He finished with 17 tackles for loss and was voted 3rd Team All American. Oh, and his backup, Devante Bond, is expected to follow in his footsteps.
The Sooners also have elite juniors manning their other two linebacker spots. Dominique Alexander (#1) and Jordan Evans (#26) combined for 200 tackles while allowing Striker to do Eric Striker things. The Sooners’ linebackers might be the best collective unit the Vols face all year.
All out of studs? Nope. At cornerback, the Sooners trot out a 1st Team All Big 12 talent in Zack Sanchez (#15), he the beneficiary of a touchdown pass going through the hands of Jason Croom. Sanchez, just a junior, has started every game since arriving on campus in 2013, and he has been nothing short of stellar. The Sooners don’t rush him often, but his 6 picks will ensure teams don’t throw his way much in 2015. Free safety Ahmad Thomas (#13) isn’t a bad talent and was 3rd in tackles on last year’s Sooners squad.
As much promise as Tennessee’s offense showed in week 1, they will need every bit of talent and grit to score on this team.
Quick Outs
– The Sooners return game is strong. Shepherd at punt returner is solid but not gamebreaking. Alex Ross at kick returner can win a game, however.
– At corner opposite of Sanchez is true freshman P.J. Mbanasor. Will he hold up in Neyland against very physical an and gritty receivers?
– Both defensive tackles (Romar and Dimon) are new starters and don’t incite much fear.
– Both the kicking and punting duties are hand[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]