Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: A look ahead at unfinished Sooner business

By John Makuch

Oklahoma's Eric Gray (0) spins past Texas Tech's Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (25) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.Ou Vc Texas Tech
Oklahoma's Eric Gray (0) spins past Texas Tech's Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (25) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.Ou Vc Texas Tech /
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November 13 @ Baylor

Dec 5, 2020; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ronnie Perkins (7) watches Baylor Bears quarterback Charlie Brewer (5) on the ground during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ronnie Perkins (7) watches Baylor Bears quarterback Charlie Brewer (5) on the ground during the first half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sooners head to Waco, Texas to take on the 7-2 Baylor Bears. Before its loss to TCU this past weekend, Baylor was a potential win on Oklahoma’s schedule over a quality opponent. The contest has lost some of its previous luster, but the Bears are still a ranked team, although falling to No. 18 from No. 12 in this week’s Associated Press rankings, and are still a very dangerous team.

The last time the Sooners were in Waco, they came from behind — down 28-3  at one point early in the game — for a miraculous victory, with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the charge, that kept their Playoff hopes alive with Jalen Hurts at the helm.

Baylor has been a nice surprise in the Big 12 this season after finishing 2-7 in 2020. Under second-year head coach Dave Aranda, the Bears have flipped that record to 7-2 and have aspirations of taking down top-dog Oklahoma.

The Baylor defense has had some solid outings, only giving up 20 points per game, which is good for the high-powered Big 12 offenses it goes up against every week.  And the Bears’ offense is nothing to sniff at either, with some talented playmakers, who can beat you on the ground and through the air.

When you average 36 points per game, you are going to win a lot of ball games, which Baylor has done this season.

What Baylor does well, though, Oklahoma does just a bit better, putting up 42.9 points per game. The big question is: Can the Sooner defense get enough stops to allow the OU offense to take control of the game.

Defensively, Oklahoma should have its hands full, especially with Baylor running back Abram Smith, who has rushed for over 1000 yards along with 11 touchdowns through nine games.

Waco also is not an easy place to play, making this a tough road test for an Oklahoma team that needs to come away with a win.

Undoubtedly, Baylor will come in with a big chip on its shoulder after last weekend’s loss to TCU. Playing before a home crowd  will provide some added fuel to their tank. A win over the Sooners will keep the Bears’ Big 12 title hopes alive and snap a seven-game Oklahoma winning streak against Baylor.

This serves as the first-step in the Sooners’ opportunity to prove the critics wrong and show that they are a legitimate playoff contender, but it will take a full 60-minute effort in what should be a close game.

Our prediction is for another Oklahoma close win, but this time over a quality opponent. The Sooners win 38-31 and improve to 10-0 with their 17th consecutive win.

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