Early Look at Oklahoma: Elite defense, sputtering offense

The Longhorns bye week is in the rearview mirror and their sights are set on Oklahoma. UT will travel to the State Fair of Texas this weekend to face off in the Red River Rivalry. It’s one of the most historic and most unpredictable games every season in college football. Last season, Texas walked in with two losses, including an SEC road loss. This time around, it’s the Sooners who limp in, following losses to Michigan at Georgia.

Here’s how the Sooners stack up walking into the Cotton Bowl:

Oklahoma Sooners Offense

It’s been well-documented but the Oklahoma offense has been terrible this season. They’ve topped 17 points one time this season, against UTEP in the opener. They sit 110th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 22 PPG. John Mateer has totaled 8 passing TDs and 4 INTs, one in each of the last three weeks. He added two fumbles to his tally last weekend against Georgia, both leading the Bulldawg TDs. It’s an offense that has little to hang their hat on early in the season.

The rushing offense is struggling mightily, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. Mateer’s legs have been a non-factor and Lloyd Avant is the one RB producing at any consistent level. In the receiving game, it’s Isaiah Sategan and TE Rocky Beers carrying the majority of the weight(522 of 889 receiving yards). To put it simply, the Sooner offense is one of the worst offenses in the Power Four.

Oklahoma Sooners Defense

As bad as the Oklahoma offense is, the Oklahoma defense is equally as good. They rank 24th in the country, allowing just 15.8 points per game through four games. Georgia put up 41 points vs. the Sooners but the offense scored just 34, aided by short fields on multiple scoring drives. They’ve been able to shut down offenses just like Brent Venables defenses have.

The Sooners are especially difficult to pass the ball against, ranking 4th in the country in pass defense(122.5 yards allowed/game). They are slightly more susceptible on the ground, ranking 42nd in the country(115.5 yards allowed/game). The DL, led by David Stone and Taylor Wein, is downright elite. The linebacker group is loaded with NFL players, Owen Heinecke, Kip Lewis and more. The secondary, led by the Bowen brothers, is one of the best in the country. Once again simply put, the Sooner defense is one of the best in the Power Four.

Oklahoma Sooners Overall

This is far from the best Oklahoma team to enter Dallas. It’s far from the best Brent Venables has led into this game. That being said, they are still dangerous. The defense is elite and can take over this game, delivering the struggling Sooner offense advantageous situations all game. Despite Mateer’s struggles, he’s still a dangerous playmaker with his legs and can be a difference maker if the Texas defense lets him.

This game goes beyond reason. On paper, Texas should be able to win a defensive battle. In practice, this game rarely fits neatly into the boxes it should. The Longhorns have to keep their focus and execute at a high level to win this game but it seems the challenge is easier than past seasons.

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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Early Look at Oklahoma: Elite defense, sputtering offense