Stormin in Norman
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Five Things Bob Stoops’ Sooners Must Do to Win at Houston

By Chip Rouse

Oct 3, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the second quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks to pass against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the second quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) in the third quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) in the third quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Baker Mayfield Needs to Have a Good, If Not Great, Game

Beginning his second season in Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense, Baker Mayfield needs to play a relatively error-free game and keep the chains moving and the Oklahoma offense on the field as much as possible. That is the best way to defend against Houston’s equally high-powered offense: by keeping Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. on the sidelines for long stretches.

Mayfield needs to live up to his Heisman candidacy. He will be working with a new set of primary receivers and by keeping the defense guessing as to which receiver the ball is going to should open up multiple pass options and opportunities for the Sooners. Mayfield completed 67 percent of his pass attempts last season, and he should have even more weapons on the receiving end this season than in 2015.

The Texas Tech transfer is just the right fit for Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense, and his ability to get the ball out quick on pass plays and get the Sooners out of bad or broken plays makes Mayfield all the more dangerous leading the OU offense.

The fact that he has perhaps the best backfield in college football behind him in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon – both players dynamic rushers as well as receiving targets out of the backfield – makes it difficult to defend the balance Oklahoma throws at you on offense, with Mayfield leading the parade.

Next: Don't Let the Dual-Threat Houston QB Beat You

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