Oklahoma football: What to watch for when Oklahoma takes the field vs. FAU

We are less than 24 hours from the kickoff to the Sooners football season and Oklahoma vs. FAU.

Oklahoma vs. Florida Atlantic University is the only week one matchup between two reigning Division I conference champions. It’s the first-ever meeting between Lane Kiffin and Lincoln Riley, two of the brightest young offensive minds in college football today.

Here’s what to watch for when the Sooners take the field against the Owls.

Defense, defense defense

An infusion of young talent like DaShaun White, Ronnie Perkins and Brenden Radley-Hiles along with the maturation of Kenneth Murray, Caleb Kelly, Tre Norwood, Tyreece Lott and Parnell Motley has people in Norman buzzing this could be the year the Sooners turn the corner. Now it’s time to show that on the field and turn fans’ cautious optimism into genuine enthusiasm.

The Sooners’ defense is looking for some style points against Kiffin’s high-powered attack. Here’s the grading criteria:

Can Kenneth Mann, Neville Gallimorre and Amani Bledsoe establish the line of scrimmage and hold it the entire game against what should be an overpowered Owls o-line? On passing downs can the Sooners generate a disciplined rush against a mobile stable of Florida Atlantic quarterbacks? Can the secondary take a step forward and turn last year’s deflections and near-misses into game-changing interceptions? Can Oklahoma linebackers show discipline in their pursuit angles against FAU’s Devin Singletary and keep him from busting long runs? Will the secondary be able to come up and make tackles in open space to save six yard runs from becoming 20?

What does the offense look like?

We’ve seen the highlight tapes and got a taste of what to expect last year, but what exactly does a Kyler Murray-led Oklahoma offense look like?

Look for Riley to use his big offensive line led by experienced Dru Samia, Ben Powers, Bobby Evans and Cody Ford to lean on a smaller Owls defensive front. Oklahoma will have to use misdirection and double-team combo blocks to neutralize talented Florida Atlantic middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who Riley compared to Georgia’s Roquan Smith.

First and second downs should be standard fare for the Sooners. Lots of RPOs, counters, pop passes and a few downfield shots. Third and long situations will be the litmus test for Murray and this passing game. Can the redishirt junior quarterback keep Oklahoma on the field with his arm when the passing windows shrink?

Fast start

Two years ago the Sooners stumbled out of the gate, falling to Houston 33-23 in the season opener. It was a loss that came back to haunt Oklahoma in the battle for a College Football Playoff spot.

Since then the Sooners have changed training camp strategy in an effort to get out to a faster start. It paid off last year as Oklahoma went to Columbus week two and knocked off Ohio State 31-16, but this is a new, younger team and it will be crucial for them to have all their ducks in a row come kickoff time.

The Sooners will be the more talented team against FAU, but must avoid penalties that kill drives on offense and give new life to the Owls when on defense.

Turnovers, special teams gaffes and missed assignments are all ways to find yourself in trouble against a team that is more than capable of pulling off an upset.

Weather will be a factor

The Sooners are saddled with several 11 a.m. kickoffs to start the year and anyone who has spent time in Norman in early September can tell you that it will be plenty warm down on the field come Saturday.

The Sooners’ depth and conditioning will both be tested. How many players do the Sooners roll out at key positions in important minutes? How does this young team respond mentally when it is tired?