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Oklahoma football: Midseason Sooners’ snapshot, performance grades

By Chip Rouse

Oct 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is tackled from behind by Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) during the first quarter of the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is tackled from behind by Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) during the first quarter of the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks (26) runs for the game-winning touchdown the Red River Showdown college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Oklahoma won 55-48.Ou Vs Texas
Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks (26) runs for the game-winning touchdown the Red River Showdown college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Oklahoma won 55-48.Ou Vs Texas /

Offense

The Oklahoma offense has had flashes of brilliance in the first six games, but as a whole it has underperformed what was expected given the talent level the Sooners are able to put on the field and the creative play-calling that we have come to expect from Riley. Opponents are taking away the explosive big plays that have been such a big part of OU’s prolific attack in the past, and Spencer Rattler has had difficulty adjusting to the need for longer, sustained drives and taking what the defense gives you.

The Sooners’ offensive struggles have been further compounded by an offensive line that hasn’t been as good as hoped and has been prone to mental mistakes (translation: penalties and missed blocks). Rattler has been forced out of the pocket too many times and he has a tendency to hold on to the ball too long and favor certain receiving targets over other open options.

With the exception of the Texas game, the Sooners haven’t been able to run the ball as effectively as they’d like to in order to set up more play action and run-pass option plays.  Grade: C+

Oct 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

The Oklahoma offense is a quarterback-driven offense. Spencer Rattler, now in his second season as the Sooner starter, looked sharp over the Sooners’ final eight games a year ago, and got better as the season progressed. That’s why the expectations for him for so high coming into the 2021 season.

But he hasn’t looked the same this season as last. He doesn’t seem that comfortable, although Lincoln Riley says Rattler is brimming with confidence. He’s already thrown five interceptions through six game this season compared with seven all of last season. And he hasn’t had much success or even the inclination to attempt passes 20 yards or longer downfield.  According to Pro Football Focus, Rattler has completed just 5 of 15 passes longer than 20 yards this season. His backup, Caleb Williams, completed three of five such passes in one half alone on Saturday.

Rattler ranked 17th in the country in 2020 in passing yards per game (276.5). This season he ranks 46th in that category (228.5).

We could be looking at a changing of the guard at quarterback for the Sooners in the second half. Grade: C-

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