OU Pregame: Irish offense should be no problem for Oklahoma

Oct. 6, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) is pressured by Miami Hurricanes defensive end Shayon Green (51) in the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE

This weekend the Sooners face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. After three consecutive routs in October, Oklahoma takes a break from the Big 12 and host the fifth-ranked team in the country.

The Irish’s defense has not allowed too many points this season, but the offense has not exactly been lighting up the scoreboard.

Everett Golson will start at quarterback for Notre Dame, but who knows how long he will last. Tommy Rees has seen plenty of time on the field as a backup, and it would not be surprising to see him enter the game in Norman.

And midway through the season, this should be great news for Sooner fans. The Irish lacking an identity at quarterback should and will pose problems with a Sooner defense play its best football all season.

The secondary has been stellar, and it would take a huge breakout for Golson or Rees to really do damage against an All-American caliber safety in Tony Jefferson, along with Aaron Colvin, Javon Harris, and Gabe Lynn.

The defensive line gets a boost with Stacy McGee’s suspension lifted this week. Also, the linebacker situation has vastly improved with Tom Wort getting back to his regular self.

Notre Dame may be able to pound the ball. The Sooners run defense has not been great this season, but they seemed a lot better last week not allowing James Sims to make the game competitive for Kansas.

The Irish have Theo Riddick, who put up big numbers last week against Brigham Young. Riddick leads the Irish with 451 rushing yards, but not far behind him is Cierre Wood with 393 rushing yards.

We’ll have to wait and see how Oklahoma deals with the large 6-6 tight end Tyler Eifert as a receiving threat. Also, TJ Jones is right up there with Notre Dame’s leading receiver.

While the Irish have some talent on offense, it should not pose any problems for the Sooners. Notre Dame has not faced a defense like Oklahoma’s this season and if their issues resume at quarterback, then the Sooners should be able to shut down the Irish.