No. 10 Oklahoma versus No. 13 Baylor.
Playoff aspirations are on the line in Waco, Texas this weekend.
OKLAHOMA WINS IF…
… Jalen Hurts does Jalen Hurts things. Last week, Hurts did not look like himself, throwing a, interception on a throw that even a freshman high school quarterback probably would not have forced. This week should be different. An atmosphere as similar to an SEC game as a Big 12 game can get and with implications that Hurts is familiar with, Hurts should be comfortable in the spotlight. Against Iowa State, Hurts was caught off guard with the pressure. If Hurts knows the stakes coming into a game, history favors him playing well.
… they run the ball. It sounds simple but it has been such a problem for the Sooners recently. Establishing the run with an offensive line that has been somewhat subpar so far this season will have to be a necessity Saturday night. With Trey Sermon out for the season and Rhamondre Stevenson limping around the field last week, Oklahoma’s running backs room is wounded but not all the way out. Running the ball with players other than Jalen Hurts will have to happen if the Sooners want to walk away with the win.
… the defense steps up. I know, I know I’m beating a dead horse. But the Oklahoma defense has to show some signs of life following two straight games of nearly flatlining. It will be a tall task but the defense has an opportunity to show the nation that the Sooners should still have a shot at making the playoff.
OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…
… Jalen Hurts lays an egg. Although Hurts has played in regular season games with similar postseason implications, Waco at night is different. Baylor will play with nothing to lose unlike teams Hurts faced while at Alabama. With the Bears lined up across from him, the chances Hurts folds are just as high as him deciding to run on a pass play.
… Lincoln Riley fails to establish the run. Bad things can happen and happen quickly if the offense cannot gain decent yardage on the ground.
… Alex Grinch’s defense fails to make the trip to Waco. If the Sooners look anything like they did the past two games on the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma may be in trouble.
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