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: The Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers 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: The Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 23-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

2021 Second-half outlook

In the second half at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, I think the Sooners have uncovered something that can change the course of the Oklahoma football season. Backup quarterback Caleb Williams provided a spark and dimension of the Oklahoma offense that has been missing for most of the season.

One game does not a season make, but if Williams gets the chance to start on Saturday against TCU and is able to deliver the same kind of performance he did in 37 minutes of action against Texas, I’d say things are looking up for the Sooners as they head into the most difficult stretch of the season.

The Sooners have proven they can win close games. Five of them, to be exact. Five of Oklahoma’s six wins this season haven’t been by more than seven points. That is not a healthy sign going forward. Sooner or later it catches up with you.

If the Sooners can get their offense operating at higher efficiency and consistency — and I think they will — that should fire up the defense to play better and get more stops.

This is too talented a team to just be squeaking by in the win column.

Oklahoma should be 9-0 by the time the calendar turns to November, the month that the Sooners historically play their best football.

OU has won 23 consecutive games in the month of November, dating back to the 2014 season, and 26 of the past 27. They will need all of that karma and more as they finish off the regular season in November with a three-game gauntlet that includes road contests at Baylor and Oklahoma State and a home finale against Iowa State.

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