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Oklahoma football: 2023 season preview – Arkansas State Red Wolves

By Brandon Self

Sep 17, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves running back Johnnie Lang (right) reacts with Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback James Blackman (1) after a touchdown during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves running back Johnnie Lang (right) reacts with Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback James Blackman (1) after a touchdown during the second half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma football program kicks off their second season of the Brent Venables era on Saturday, September 2nd in Norman. The opponent? The Arkansas State Red Wolves. Kickoff time is 11 a.m. CST from the Palace on the Prairie.

So who are the Red Wolves? What are they about? This is the 2023 Oklahoma football schedule opponent preview presented by Stormin’ in Norman.

Red Wolves 2022 recap

Oct 7, 2021; Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Butch Jones gestures during the first half against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Centennial Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2021; Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Butch Jones gestures during the first half against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Centennial Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Red Wolves, led by second-year head coach Butch Jones, finished their 2022 campaign with a 3-9 overall record, finishing 1-7 in Sun Belt conference play. The Red Wolves’ three wins came against FCS Grambling, UL Monroe, and UMASS. Interesting stat? The Red Wolves lost every away game they played in 2022. In fact, since 2020, the Red Wolves are 2-16 on the road, with their lone set of wins coming against Kansas State and UL Monroe.

Red Wolves Offense

Nov 11, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback J.T. Shrout (5) reacts after being called for intentional grounding during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback J.T. Shrout (5) reacts after being called for intentional grounding during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

First up is the transfer quarterback, J.T. Shrout. The Colorado transfer is slated as the preseason starter, and for a good reason, this kid can play. His first stop was Tennessee, and his second was CU. Last year as a Buff, Shrout completed 90 passes for over 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns. The rest of the offense is new. The Red Wolves look like they’ll start only three returning starters from last year; two on the offensive line and one at tight end. Outside of that, the Red Wolves offense will be making their first starts in Norman, Oklahoma, in front of 85-thousand screaming Sooner fans.

Overall the Arkansas State offense has an experienced transfer QB. This receiving core isn’t afraid to mix it up with anyone, and they have a decent option at tight end. The much improved Sooner defensive front will get it is first “let’s see what they can do” against this offensive line.

Red Wolves Defense

Sep 17, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Melique Straker (21) reacts after a tackle for loss during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Melique Straker (21) reacts after a tackle for loss during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2022, the Red Wolves’ defense gave up over 400 yards and 31.5 points per game. This defense is slated to return 5 of those starters, three in the defensive backfield and 2 backers. Their defensive line is all new. Not all bad for them; they return their top-5 tacklers, including their lone NFL prospect Melique Straker. The Red Wolves defense is very young and will struggle in Norman.

Overall Outlook

Arkansas State will win the Sun Belt with Butch Jones… eventually. They’ve had the best recruiting classes in the Sun Belt in the last two seasons. The problem with Sun Belt recruiting/production is most talent doesn’t stay anymore because of the transfer portal. Jones has proved himself a decent recruiter and an experienced head coach. Arkansas State played in Columbus, Ohio, last year, and they’re no stranger to loud stadiums. As awesome as Norman is… it won’t shake these guys. They play a big boy every year.

September 10, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) is tackled by Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Melique Straker (21) and Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Kivon Bennett (5) during the second half of Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus DispatchOsu22asu Bjp
September 10, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) is tackled by Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Melique Straker (21) and Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Kivon Bennett (5) during the second half of Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium.Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus DispatchOsu22asu Bjp /

They are severely outgunned, however. The Oklahoma defensive line should dominate this offensive line for the Red Wolves. It’ll be a bad sign if the Sooners aren’t flirting with 7+ sacks. It should be an excellent game to get started for the Sooners. They’re fighting the kid in the cafeteria who stands up to bullies… but still gets beat up. They’re not scared of the Sooners, and they have no problem swinging first and swinging often.

Sooner Nation needs not to focus on the score. Instead, Sooner Nation’s eyes need to focus on three big things in game #1. First, Can the Sooner’s defensive line get pressure… by themselves? The Red Wolves Offensive line is inexperienced and less talented… and on the road. The Sooners’ defensive line should annihilate the Red Wolves O-Line on paper.

Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Isaiah Coe (94) during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Isaiah Coe (94) during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Second, Does OU have a WR1 yet? There will be plenty of chances for a dominant air attack from Gabriel. Will he spread it out or find a new WR1?

Lastly, Is Gabriel more aggressive, or does he look a little better than last year? If he’s allowed to open up the ground game and be a more aggressive runner, I’d have high hopes for a scary Big-12 run. If he has to remain conservative, it’ll be a coin flip.

I know; it’s game one. But the Sooners don’t have a lot of time to prepare. They are in their second year under Venables, and the taste of the 22′ season is still in Sooner Nation’s mouth. I’d look for the Sooners to come out aggressive and attack the Arkansas State squad with their entire roster.
It’s almost time, Sooner Nation. The Summer preview season is here. Stay with Stormin’ in Norman for the other 11 previews as the Sooners look to close out their Big 12 lives with a conference title and birth in the College Football Playoff.

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