Five Things Oklahoma Football Must Do To Beat Auburn in Sugar Bowl
By Chip Rouse
Protect the Quarterback
The Oklahoma offensive line is young, but they have established continuity and have gotten stronger as the season has gone along. Although Baker Mayfield is about as good as it comes at scrambling and making something out of broken plays, it also creates increases the chances for a sack and/or strip of the ball from the quarterback or an errant throw that turns into an interception.
Defensively, Auburn is going to come after Mayfield with its big offensive front and try to put pressure and disrupt his passing rhythm or force his to release the ball earlier than he would like in the passing game. Mayfield is unquestionably the single most important player on the field as far as Oklahoma is concerned. For OU to win this game, the Sooner QB must remain upright as much as possible and avoid injury. The more time he is given to make his reads and lock in on an open receiver, the better are his and the Sooners’ chances of performing Air Raid magic.