A quick look at the final score in Oklahoma's 2024 season opener against Temple and you would think little went wrong for the Sooners in a 48-point win.
For the most part, you would be right. The Sooners were never in danger of losing the Friday night contest -- nor were they expected to be as a 43-point favorite -- but they weren't really at their best either in putting the game in the win column.
The Sooners did manage to cash in on their first five offensive possessions and six of the first eight and operated with a short field for much of the contest. Because of that, the offensive numbers, especially in the passing game, were not as big as they might have been.
Despite totaling 378 yards of offense and putting 51 points on the scoreboard, the OU offense was disturbingly inefficient in converting third downs. Through the first three quarters, the Sooners had failed to gain a third down on 10 consecutive third-down conversion attempts. And that was with the first-team offense.
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The only third down the Sooners successfully converted came late in the game, and instead of becoming a first down ended up as a touchdown on an eight-yard run by true freshman Taylor Tatum. Oklahoma ended up going a pathetic 1 for 12 third-down tries. This is a very concerning stat for a team that ranked seventh in the nation in third-down efficiency just a year ago with a 49 percent success rate.
There are a couple of major differences, however, between last season's offensive unit and the one that took the field on Friday night against Temple. The offensive line situation is still unsettled and further complicated by injuries after having to replace all five starters from the 2023 season. The Sooners also have a new starting quarterback in Jackson Arnold.
Both of these factors were contributors to Oklahoma's inability to convert on third down against Temple. It should also be pointed out that while unsuccessful in 11 of 12 third-down tries, the Sooners were successful in all three of their fourth-down conversions.
What makes this situation particularly troublesome, though, is that Temple is among the lowest ranked teams at the FBS level and is projected to finish last in the American Athletic Conference for the second straight season.
"We had a few issues getting into a good rhythm at times on offense." head coach Brent Venables said in his postgame press conference. "I thought Jackson (Arnold) played really efficiently. There's a few decisions (in run-pass-option plays) whether you keep it or throw it we've got to get cleaned up."
Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell echoed his head coach's comments, adding, "(We) had some inopportune penalties that set us back behind the chains, had some drops that were really hurtful and just didn't get back in a rhythm (like we started the game). We just have to make sure we maintain that energy we had throughout the first couple of drives throughout the entire game."
Finding success on third down when the offense is on the field is definitely an area the Sooners are going to have to get cleaned up. With the difficult schedule they have coming up as part of the SEC, if they can't find a way to stay on the field on third down and sustain drives, it could be a very long and disappointing season for Oklahoma Team 130.