Oklahoma gets set to kick off its 2022 campaign against the UTEP Miners on Saturday afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma. Sooner Nation has been itching to see their team play in meaningful action for the first time under new head coach Brent Venables. While Venables is far from new to roaming the Owen Field sidelines, the game against UTEP marks his first time as head coach.
His team is the more talented team, but that doesn’t mean anything if they don’t come out and execute. UTEP has a few players that could be potential thorns in Oklahoma’s side, and if the Sooners don’t execute, they could find themselves a little anxious while UTEP hangs around.
Here are three keys for the Oklahoma Sooners to start the season off 1-0.
Settle in early
It goes without saying, Oklahoma has to relax. They can’t come out pressing and trying to prove something by forcing plays that aren’t there.
The team has to execute within their defined roles. If that happens, the talent will take over, and the rest will work out the way most people believe it will against UTEP.
Some quick passes for Dillon Gabriel, a few touches for starting running back Eric Gray, an early stop on defense, or a few early first downs on offense would be monumental in Oklahoma getting settled in and getting their own emotions in check.