Know Your Enemy: Keys to the Oklahoma Sooners

The rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is one-of-a-kind and this year’s chapter of the historic anthology, more so than many before it, is all about revenge for the Longhorns. No. 15 (4-1) Texas looks to move past last year’s 55-17 loss to now No. 13 (3-1) Oklahoma and also ease the… [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] sting of last week’s 48-45 loss to West Virginia. How bad was last year’s game against OU? The thought of it gives me this reaction:

Luckily for UT fans, 2012 represents a new hope. The 2012 Red River Rivalry may be the first time both teams have sat outside the Top 10 since 1999, but the game still has high stakes. The winner of the game stays alive in the round robin race for the Big 12 title, while the loser can pretty much kiss a chance at the conference championship goodbye. Can you say Holiday Bowl?

The season has brought plenty of unexpected turns for both teams. David Ash and the Texas offense have carried a much hyped defense that is fighting to stop the powerful offenses in the Big 12. Meanwhile, Landry Jones and the OU offense remain conspicuously absent from the statistical leaderboards but their defense has stepped up. Something’s got to give and Horns Illustrated will clue you in on the specifics. So, grab a fried Snickers for us on your way to Dallas. It’s time to “Know Your Enemy.”

Keeping Up with the Jones’

A year ago, Landry Jones was project as a top 10 NFL draft prospect. Now, many draft boards have him ranked outside the first three rounds, due in large part to his inconsistent play. Jones has only thrown for 7 TD’s on the year. Somebody should cue up an old Katy Perry track in honor of him, because he has been hot and cold. After the Sooners’ 24-19 loss to Kansas State this season, fans were calling for the fifth-year senior to be benched in favor of backup Blake Bell. Could we see a replay of the 2009 Red River Rivalry, where the newcomer Jones had to replace the incumbent Sam Bradford? We hope so, but it’s unlikely.

Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat should be able to upset the OU offensive line, which is giving up 2 sacks a game (71st worst in the nation), and get to Jones. The line is thin and should be even worse this week after losing left guard Nila Kasitati (who was splitting reps with Adam Shead) for the season due to an ACL tear. If we know anything, it’s that a pressured Landry Jones is a scary Landry Jones for Oklahoma, so let the fun begin.

On a side note, doesn’t it feel like Landry Jones has been playing for Oklahoma since 2005? He’s the quarterback equivalent of Quentin Griffin. Just saying.

Double Trouble

Texas’ run defense currently ranks 83rd in the nation, which Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is certainly aware of. Oklahoma rushers Damien Williams and Dominique Whaley should get the ball a ton, both to exploit the porous Texas run defense and to prevent the Texas pass rush from pinning their ears back in pursuit of Landry Jones.

If you’re looking for a game changer on OU’s offense, it’s Williams. The Arizona Western JUCO transfer running back is averaging 7.8 yards per carry and 12.8 yards per reception in his first year at Oklahoma. He’s already broken off an 89-yard touchdown run this season and continues the long line of Oklahoma running backs that have a dual threat capability. Here’s an example of that versatility:

Texas has given up over 150 yards on the ground in back-to-back games to single rushers. At this point, and this sounds weird to say, it might be more important to key on a first-year rusher than Jones, the veteran QB. We saw what happened last week when Manny Diaz and his boys in burnt orange sell out to stop the pass exclusively. West Virginia virtual unknown Andrew Buie blew up for 207 rushing yards and two scores.

In the ‘Still’ of the Night

Oklahoma definitely misses all-everything receiver Ryan Broyles but junior Kenny Stills can fill the void. Stills averages 6.5 receptions a game in Big 12 conference play and 11.5 yards per catch. When you watch Stills play, none of his intangibles really stand out. He’s not a speed demon and he doesn’t possess a huge size advantage over DB’s. Stills is just a player who exceeds his natural ability and has a knack for acrobatic plays.

Guys like that always seem to play for Oklahoma. Can Stills take over a game like this? We’re not so sure, as he plays better as a second receiver and not the go-to-guy.

Moving On Up

If you’ve watched the Red River Rivalry, you’re familiar with Tony Jefferson. He currently leads the Sooners’ pass defense, ranked ninth in the nation and the sensational junior safety is going to make some noise once he’s in the NFL. He is easily the defensive player I’m most concerned with this weel, since his versatility, great fundamentals, and quickness at the position make him a threat to stop the run and pass.

Texas’ offensive line has been outstanding against the pass rush this season and will have to keep an eye on Jefferson, since the Sooners will likely bring him off the edge with a safety blitz multiple times in the game.

To Protect and Serve

In the last two games between the two teams, Texas has turned the ball over seven times to Oklahoma’s single giveaway. It seems completely realistic to think that number shifts back the Longhorns’ way, as David Ash has been incredibly reliable in protecting the ball and Texas is ranked 13th nationally in turnover margin. Oklahoma is currently ranked 89th.

Both teams showed some promise on defense last week, as Oklahoma forced three turnovers against Texas Tech in Lubbock and the Longhorns sacked Geno Smith four times. That type of pressure could lead to some hurried passes for UT, which often result in interceptions.

The X-Factor

You don’t have to be Britney Spears to understand this; Texas’ biggest advantage against Oklahoma comes in its special teams play. But let’s take a look at some recent highlights in case you had forgotten.

Fozzy Whittaker’s touchdown return last year against OU was the biggest highlight of a game we would rather forget. And then there’s this little gem, courtesy of Jordan Shipley.

Shipley’s return in Texas’ 45-35 win is a perfect reminder of how much a big return can change a game, and Texas has two players, D.J. Monroe and Marquise Goodwin, capable of taking one to the house.

Since 2008, Texas has returned seven kickoffs for scores. Oklahoma hasn’t had one since DeMarco Murray did it in 2007. We’re going out on a limb and saying the edge goes to Texas. (Thanks to Berry Tramel for the stat.)

A Taste of Hunnicutt

There are a few pundits out there who argue that a solid kicking game doesn’t matter in the Big 12. That argument was proven wrong last week when Penn State transfer Anthony Fera missed a game-tying 41-yarder for Texas last week against West Virginia. Fera and his teammate Nick Jordan are a combined 4-of-9 on the year, while Oklahoma’s Michael Hunnicutt is 5-of-6 on the year. In a close game, Oklahoma has a decided advantage because they can trust Hunnicut from forty yards out on kicks. Texas doesn’t have that luxury and their offensive strategy could reflect that.

Adam Sweeney is a regular contributor for Horns Illustrated and Editor-in-chief of Playmaker Magazine. You can reach him on Twitter and talk all things UT and pop culture, because why not, right?

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