There has been an exponential rise to Spencer Rattler’s game ever since he was was benched in the OU-Texas game.
Reasons can be pointed to for that: Progression, maturity, understanding of the offense. But the most important one? The pass protection in front of him.
It was clear that he was uncomfortable in the Kansas State game due to defenders getting to him in the backfield. It was sort of the same in the Iowa State game, but not to that extent.
And it’s something that Oklahoma can feel, too.
“I would say it’s more everybody is really taking their time to continue studying outside of this facility a lot,” said Creed Humphrey in regards to the tick up in pass protection. “Everybody’s taking it upon themselves to really dive in deep into the film so we know exactly what’s going to be happening, everything that they run things like that. So credit to all the guys they’ve done a great job and it’s definitely helped us improve for sure.”
The more success in pass protection has been led by veteran Humphrey. The running backs have done a good job in it as well.
It’s a been a cohesive effort from all involved.
“Just a little bit of everybody,” said Lincoln Riley during the bye week. “It’s kind of like the question about the pass rush on the defense. It takes all. I mean, we’re playing cleaner ball. We still had a couple mistakes the other day that we obviously hadn’t been making as much in the previous games, but other than that, we were pretty clean.
“Yeah, I just thinks backs have been a little bit better in it, we’ve been able to win our one-on-ones and been on the same page more pass pro-wise. I think Spencer’s getting a better feel for what we’re doing and when we need to get the ball out, when we can hang onto it a little bit and let things develop. So yeah, I don’t know that it was one area or just one glaring weakness. I just think it’s everybody taking the steps they needed to take and everybody playing a little bit cleaner and being on the same page more and more and we’ve continued to progress that way.”
And it’s obviously led to the rapid development of Rattler.
“In some ways—it helps,” Riley said about the pass protection being mutually exclusive to Rattler’s development. “No doubt. Obviously being able to protect those guys and let ‘em be comfortable is an important deal, and one of the biggest jobs of an offensive line — and backs, and whoever else is involved in the protection. So it has certainly helped. And then his progression has helped the protection, too. So it certainly goes both ways.”
Oklahoma’s development in pass protection now meets an immovable force in Oklahoma State’s pressure-packed defense.
The Cowboys are top-10 in the country in sacks and is No. 11 in tackles for loss. They will try to get after Oklahoma as much as they possibly can. Not because that’s the smart thing to do, but that’s because what Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles does.
Whenever there is a passing down, you bet that the Cowboys are bringing the heat or are at least trying to confuse the quarterback. These are from three of the last five games.
They’ll stunt and twist and do everything they can possibly imagine to get pressure on the quarterback in passing situations.
The development of Oklahoma’s pass protection is not only important, it is vital. Here is how the Sooners have responded after the first half of the Texas game in these situations.
If Oklahoma State can’t get home, things like this can happen where Texas catches them for a touchdown.
This is an important area that Rattler needs to excel in. Recognize the pressure, where it is coming from, how the offensive line is blocking it and where he needs to go to avoid getting sacked.
It’s a big conversation in Saturday’s game and one that could be the ultimate decider between the Cowboys winning or losing.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are scheduled to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT.
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