3 overlooked observations from Oklahoma's ugly win over LSU

It was the kind of ugly victory Oklahoma fans should be used to by now, but the No. 8 Sooners got past LSU 17-13 on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff.

Here are three observations that might have went unnoticed during the chaos and celebration that followed.

OU defense used first two downs for third-down success

The Tigers were 2-for-14 on third down against the Sooners and didn't convert a single third down in the first half. However, most of that success came because of what the Sooners accomplished the first two downs. Of those 14 third-down conversions, half needed more than five yards to convert, making things a lot easier for the Sooners when it mattered.

No matter the combo, O-line can't be blamed for Sooners' offensive struggles

Thanks to a long list of injuries, the Sooners were forced to completely reshuffle their offensive line. However, unlike last season, it didn't seem to matter, even if OU struggled offensively.

The Sooners were without starting center Jake Maikkula and left guard Heath Ozaeta, who has made seven starts this season. That made Bill Bedenbaugh move right guard Febechi Nwaiwu to center. Right tackle Ryan Fodje slid over to right guard. Derek Simmons, who had lost his starting job to Fodje, got his role back at right tackle. Eddy Pierre-Louis made his fifth start at left guard.

Despite over half the line being out of place or filling in, though, no one along the front actually seemed out of order. It wasn't perfect as the Sooners averaged just 2.7 yards a rush, but quarterback John Mateer was never sacked and had wide pockets throughout the game. Things were definitely expected to be worse, and certainly were last season, when the front five had starters missing and shuffled around.

Tate Sandell again saved the day

OU kicker Tate Sandell was once again the hero, but this time it wasn't with his monster leg as his biggest contribution might have went unnoticed.

With the Sooners clinging to a 17-13 lead they just got with 4:16 left, LSU's Barion Brown returned the kickoff for 47 yards to LSU's 49-yard line and likely would have went all the way to the end zone if not for Sandell being the first to actually get hands on Brown and slow him down before he was finally pushed out. Ultimately, the Sooners stopped the Tigers on fourth down to win the game instead of needing a desperate game-winning drive had Brown scored.

Sandell also contributed with his leg with a 38-yard field goal and a pair of PATs.