Oklahoma football: What 3 defenses will give Sooners most fits?
By Chip Rouse
In a conference replete with stellar quarterback play and high-powered offenses, defense almost seems to be an afterthought. There are several Big 12 teams that do play some defense, however, which gives them the best chance of derailing the Oklahoma football championship express.
There is an old-school saying in football that great defense trumps great offense. If that is indeed true, there are at least three teams on the Big 12 schedule that could pose particular problems for Oklahoma.
The Sooners have won four consecutive Big 12 championships and six of the last 10, largely because their offense was superior to any of the defensive units they came up against. Oklahoma has lost two conference games in as many years –to Iowa State in 2017 and Texas last season — and both times it was because the opponent matched OU offensively, while getting enough defensive stops to disrupt the Sooners offensive rhythm and hold them below their season scoring average.
If strong defense is the kryptonite for explosive, high-scoring offenses like Lincoln Riley’s OU Air Raid attack, the three teams that have the best chance of knocking off the Sooners this season are Texas, Iowa State and TCU.
Texas Longhorns — Oct. 12 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas
Texas was third in the Big 12 in 2018 in total defense, allowing 393 yards per game, and second in turnover margin at plus-nine, including 12 interceptions. The Longhorns return only three starters on defense from last season, but they have recruited high talent on that side of the ball the last couple of years. You know that head coach Tom Herman and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando will have the defense well prepared, hungry and ready to play, especially when the emotion is running sky high and with all that is always at stake in the annual Red River Showdown with archrival Oklahoma.
Something to keep in mind: Tom Herman and Todd Orlando were in the same roles at Houston when the Cougars upset third-ranked Oklahoma, 33-23, to open the 2016 season.
Iowa State Cyclones — Nov. 9 @ Oklahoma
Iowa State is probably the best defensive team in the Big 12 entering the 2019 season. The Cyclones are picked to finish third in the league in the Big 12 Preseason Media Poll, largely because they are solid on offense and are especially sound defensively. Iowa State led the conference last season in scoring defense (22.9 points per game) and rushing defense (115 ypg) and was second in pass defense (234.2 ypg) and total defense (349.2 ypg). Eight starters from that group return this season, including four players named to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team.
Something to keep in mind: The last time Iowa State traveled to Norman, in 2017, the Cyclones beat the Sooners, 38-31, snapping an 18 game losing streak against OU, despite Oklahoma rolling up 513 yards of offense.
TCU Horned Frogs — Nov. 23 @ Oklahoma
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of TCU teams coached by Gary Patterson is a group that plays outstanding defense. What has elevated the Horned Frogs in the Big 12 standings and among the league contenders the past four to five seasons is they have added an offensive strength that positively complements the defense. That balance has produced three seasons of 11 wins or more out of the last five. Despite the fact that TCU returns only 5 starters on defense and loses seven of its eight tacklers from last season, that the Horned Frogs could be just as good defensively as they were in 2018, when they led the conference in total defense (338.2 yards per game) and pass defense (199.6 ypg) and was second in scoring defense (23.1 points per game).
Something to keep in mind: As long as Gary Patterson is head coach at TCU, you can expect a defense that is extremely disciplined, sound fundamentally and doesn’t give up yards easily. The Horned Frogs make you work for every yard gained. Three of the last five regular-season games between OU and TCU have been decided by six points or less.