Oklahoma 38, Baylor 24
The Oklahoma Sooners and the Baylor Bears have played some tough games over the last couple of years. In each of the last two games, the Bears defense has allowed just 10 points to the Sooners in the first half. Oklahoma was able to broke out for 24 points in the second half in 2019, led by Jalen Hurts three touchdown passes. Last year, Spencer Rattler and the Sooners scored 17 in the second to put it away.
The Bears boast a tough defense again in 2021 and will use their running game led by Abram Smith and Tristan Ebner to control the pace of the game and keep Caleb Williams and the Oklahoma offense off the field.
Kansas State and Kansas provided a first-half blueprint for how to beat the Oklahoma Sooners. The question is can Baylor recreate it?
The Oklahoma defense is getting healthier and there’s a good chance the Sooners get Woodi Washington back. Even if he isn’t the transition of Key Lawrence from safety to cornerback buys them some time until Washington’s full strength.
The Oklahoma Sooners will have to slow the Bears’ rushing attack. They can’t get gashed on first and second down because they haven’t been very good on third and fourth down this season.
Ultimately, Williams continues to be the difference for this team. Chandler Morris exposed some things that the Sooners’ true freshman should be able to take advantage of. Like Morris did last week, Williams should be able to attack the Bear down the sideline and with run-pass option (RPO) play designs.
Williams has shown that he’s equally adept as both a passer and a runner and will put a lot of tension on Baylor’s defense with play-action, read-option runs, and RPO’s.
Baylor will keep it close through the first half, but look for Oklahoma to blow it open in the second.
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