The Oklahoma Sooners are heading into Saturday’s matchup with South Carolina still searching for something more than a better record. Both teams sit at 4-3, and a win would put either one in position for a stronger finish down the stretch.
For Oklahoma, the bigger question remains identity - and that starts on offense. The Sooners have struggled to find consistency on that side of the ball, and one of the main reasons is that they haven’t fully settled on whether they want to lean on the run or the pass. Even after making the ground game a point of emphasis this offseason, Oklahoma has not committed heavily to it for most of the year.
There was at least a glimpse of what that version of the offense could look like against Mississippi State. Oklahoma ran the ball 41 times for a season-high 184 yards, and it marked the first game this season in which two running backs each carried it at least 12 times.
Brent Venables said that process of sorting out who a team is never happens overnight.
"Every single season I've ever coached, it's every team has an identity that you figure out the players, as you know, it's a player's game," Venables said."So, you start to figure out what those identities are. You know, what you can quote unquote hang your hat on."
That outing against Mississippi State may have given Oklahoma a workable direction. A stronger commitment to the run helped produce the Sooners’ best rushing numbers of the season and eased some of the load on quarterback John Mateer. If the offensive line continues to improve as injured players return, spreading carries around multiple backs could help the offense settle into a steadier rhythm and become less easy to predict.
In Other News...
Oklahoma May Need Caleb Nitta Sooner Than Anyone Expected
Oklahomas injury situation has quickly turned the lead-up to South Carolina into a test of depth, especially up front. The availability report lists 15 Sooners, and with Ryan Fodje and Eddy Pierre-Louis ruled out while Heath Ozaeta is expected back, the attention has shifted to the center spot, where Jake Maikkula is questionable after getting hurt.
If Maikkula cant go, Caleb Nitta could be called on earlier than the Sooners would like, and the staff seems comfortable with what they have behind him. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has praised Nittas preparation and intelligence, the sort of trust that matters most when the offensive line is being reshuffled on short notice. For a team already juggling injuries, the biggest concern now is whether Oklahoma can keep the middle of the line steady enough to avoid forcing even more adjustments. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Heads Into South Carolina With Key Spots Still In Flux
Oklahomas depth chart still has a few moving parts heading into Saturdays 3:15 p.m. matchup with South Carolina, with three starters listed as questionable on the latest SEC availability report. Jake Maikkula, Peyton Bowen and Eli Bowen all remain in flux, leaving the Sooners with some uncertainty in the lineup as they prepare for a conference road test on SEC Network.
The report also showed several other Oklahoma players spread across the out, doubtful and probable categories, adding another layer of uncertainty for a team trying to get settled before kickoff. With key spots still up in the air, the Sooners will be watching the availability list closely right up until game time. [Read more 🡒]
Bixby Gets Its Biggest Test Yet With District Title On The Line
Undefeated Bixby and undefeated Broken Arrow are set to meet Friday in a showdown that should feel like more than just a district game. The winner takes the District 6AI-1 title, and with both teams sitting inside the top three of the High School On SI Oklahoma Top 25, the matchup has the kind of weight that usually comes with playoff football in November, not a regular-season finale.
Broken Arrow brings a dangerous offense led by quarterback Shamar Banner, a University of Tulsa commit, while Bixby answers with a roster that includes several Division I commitments of its own. For the Spartans, this is a chance to protect their No. 1 spot and add another statement win to a season that has rolled along without a blemish, but Broken Arrow has every reason to believe it belongs on the same stage. [Read more 🡒]