Oklahoma’s offense keeps moving the ball, but the drive stops short far too often, and Ben Arbuckle knows that has to change.
The Sooners have spent much of this season near the bottom of the statistical pile, and the problem has shown up most clearly once they get close. Oklahoma’s red zone offense is No. 120 in college football, a blunt sign of how often possessions are ending without points that match the yardage gained. Through 17 red zone trips, the Sooners have come away with just six touchdowns and seven field goals.
That issue has been especially painful over the last two weeks.
Against Mississippi State, Oklahoma crossed into Bulldogs territory eight times and still only managed two touchdowns. The rest of those possessions produced six field goals, with three chances coming up empty.
A week later against Kentucky, the Sooners reached Wildcats territory five times and found the end zone only once. They added two field goals and also turned it over twice, including on a fake field goal.
Arbuckle made it plain what Oklahoma needs to do better.
"Touchdowns win in this league," Arbuckle said." They do.
And we have to not be okay with, okay, we move the ball down the field a little bit. Awesome.
Okay, we don't need to settle for field goals. We need to put the ball in the end zone.
We had a few opportunities the other day. We didn't execute in some of those moments.
And so again, I want Tate Sandell kicking PATs, not field goals."
With SEC opponents offering little margin for error, those wasted trips inside the 20 are a growing problem. Oklahoma’s upcoming games will show whether Arbuckle’s message turns into cleaner execution, because scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goals would take pressure off the defense and give the Sooners a much better shot in tight games.
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 🡒]