Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-1)
Oklahoma Sooners (2-0, 1-0)
The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in Norman Saturday at 11:00 A.M. The biggest question on the mind of Sooner fans is how will Blake Bell do in his first official start. The Sooner offense has proven two things in the first two games of the 2013 campaign. First, they can run. The Sooners have averaged over 300 yards per game thus far. Second, the passing game that has been the hallmark of recent OU teams apparently went to Pittsburgh with Landry Jones.
The lack of a passing attack would render the Sooners one dimensional. One dimensional offenses have a tendency to make an average defense drool. Tulsa would qualify as an average defense. The Golden Hurricane have been less than stellar in two games this season suffering an opening week loss to Bowling Green 34-7 and escaping at home last week against Colorado state 30-27, kicking a field goal with no time remaining.
On paper and in Norman, this game should be a blowout win for OU. However, with a huge question mark at quarterback and the anticipated continued progress of the renewed Sooner defense, this could be a very low scoring affair. Oklahoma clearly wins at every position in this contest even with the question at quarterback. But, a weak defense will look good if the opposing offense struggles to move the ball. OU will need to score to win the game.
There is good news. It is my contention that Trevor Knight struggled in the passing game due to a lack of experience in real time college football. The speed of defenses in the college game is far superior to the defenses he faced in high school and, frankly, at practice the last two years. While Knight practiced against the number one Sooner defense he was still in a blue jersey. It's just not the same as real time game speed facing a defense that has, as it's sole purpose, stopping you. Blake Bell has that game experience and not just in mop up roles. The Bell Dozer package was used a lot, and against some of the best defenses in the FBS. Bell excelled in that package and was effective moving the ball. But, can he pass effectively. We'll find out on Saturday.
All questions aside, the reality is this, Oklahoma has better athletes. The Sooners are bigger, faster and deeper than Tulsa. Oklahoma has better coaching, better facilities and a stronger tradition. OU should win this game and they should win going away. At the very least, the Sooner defense will make it very difficult for Tulsa to move the ball effectively and should apply more pressure on the skill players than The Golden Hurricane have seen this year. Points for Tulsa will be hard to come by.
I predict Blake Bell will be fine. He might start slow but once he gets in a rhythm, I have confidence that he will move the offense on the ground and in the air. At the end of the day, the Sooners will score and the defense will do their job. Oklahoma wins 31-7.
BUSTER UPDATE: The Destiny Christian Wildcat football team scored a 74-40 victory over the OKC Patriots on Friday night. Buster, the DCS quarterback, continued his torrid senior season passing for 339 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, The game ended on a somber note with a serious injury to a Patriot player. Prayers for a positive outcome and speedy recovery are in order and would certainly be appreciated.
AP Top 25:
7. Miami (FL)
23. Michigan
2. Florida State
