Five Takeaways From the Sooner Football Loss to Texas

Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (98) and defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. (93) sack Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second quarter during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line Woes Are a HUGE Problem

Perhaps the victory over West Virginia was a harbinger of things to come: even though the Sooners beat the Mountaineers by 20 points, the offensive line gave up four sacks to the Mountaineers’ defense. And Oklahoma had an anemic rushing day, netting only 107 yards for a tepid 3.2 yards per rush.

Those alarmed by the offensive line struggles against West Virginia had good reason for fear: against a spirited Texas defense, Oklahoma managed only 67 yards rushing, for a woeful 1.8 yards per rush. And even though Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine had decent yards per rush (more on that coming up), quarterback Baker Mayfield was often stopped for negative yardage as he ran for his life to avoid getting sacked.

Speaking of sacks, an offensive line already incapable of opening up holes for Oklahoma’s talented running backs allowed six sacks. Even if offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley did not wish to emphasize the run game, wouldn’t extra blockers have helped contain the ferocious Texas pass rush?

Moving forward, the Sooners must address their offensive line woes, and fast. It is quite certain Big 12 opponents are chomping at the bit figuring out how to exploit this weakness in the trenches.

Next: Defense Fails to Adjust