The Oklahoma Sooners will play their first game against a fellow Power Four opponent this season, when they host the Houston Cougars on Saturday night. It’s also the only Power Four opponent outside of the [autotag]Southeastern Conference[/autotag] that OU will see in 2024.
The Cougars are in their second season in the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] and are also the only new member of the conference that OU didn’t play in 2023. As the Sooners enter their first year in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag], Houston is far from the most daunting opponent on the schedule. The Cougars fell at the hands of UNLV by a score of 27-7 last week, while Oklahoma defeated Temple 51-3. That being said, anything can happen in college football and OU needs to improve in a couple of areas as league play approaches.
Saturday Down South staff writer Connor O’Gara gave his early thoughts on each SEC matchup as we head into the second week of the season. Oklahoma vs. Houston is far from the most notable matchup on the docket, but there will be a few things to watch for.
Oklahoma’s first-team offense was 0-for-10 on 3rd down in the blowout win against Temple. That was the bizarre stat of the night for a Sooners offense that showed promise with [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], but left plenty of opportunities on the board. A depleted group of receivers could’ve played a part in that, but against a defensive-minded coach in Willie Fritz, Oklahoma isn’t guaranteed to figure that out just because the Cougars couldn’t stop UNLV. Oklahoma OC [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] would like to find that identity before the gauntlet really begins. – O’Gara, Saturday Down South
Converting on third downs is something that Oklahoma will have to improve before conference games begin. However, Saturday’s game against Houston is another solid opportunity before tougher opponents come to town.
First-year head coach Willie Fritz is an excellent coach who has moved up a level in competition from Tulane to Houston. Though he doesn’t have the highest level of overall talent on his roster yet, he’ll still be an intriguing matchup of wits on third downs against Seth Littrell.
Oklahoma and head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] didn’t get many breaks when it came to the SEC schedule in 2024. However, one break they do get is that their first big-time game isn’t until week four on September 21st. Having three non-conference games to break in new starters and new coordinators before Tennessee comes knocking is a situation that the Sooners need to take advantage of. That began on Friday against Temple, in a game that showed what OU needs to improve. It needs to continue on Saturday against Houston, beginning with an improved conversion rate on third downs from the offensive starters.
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