Stormin in Norman
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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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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners is hugged by teammates after stopping the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 23-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners is hugged by teammates after stopping the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 23-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Defense

There’s little question the Sooner defense is better than it was two seasons ago. The defense has made some big plays at critical times this season, but it is still having difficulty getting off the field on third down and preventing sustained offensive drives that take precious time off the clock and keep the OU offense on the sidelines.

The Sooners seem to be making the big plays when they need to (reference the second half against Texas on Saturday), but statistically, they are performing worse on defense than they did a year ago. The two areas where they appear to be doing equal or better than last season is in containing the run. OU ranks 11th in the nation in rushing defense; they finished ninth in that category last season. They are also putting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Sooners are tied for 17th nationally with 18 sacks in six games.

Pass defense is again a problem for Alex Grinch’s OU defense. The Sooner cornerbacks and safeties are still getting beat far too frequently on deep throws. Oklahoma ranks 108th in the country this season in passing yards allowed. Those numbers are alarmingly similar to the 2018 season, when the Sooners were 130th in pass defense. Grade: C

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