After a few weeks of feeling as if the CFP playoff rankings disrespected them, the Sooners laid a massive egg when presented with the opportunity to prove the committee wrong. Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Oklahoma Sooners fell to the Baylor Bears 27-14, ending their November winning streak at 23 games.
The Sooners looked disorganized and overwhelmed, especially on offense. Caleb Williams was in limbo from the first snap as he and his offensive teammates were knocked back for consecutive negative plays leading to a punt from Oklahoma to start the game.
The Oklahoma defense largely came to play. The numbers and stats won’t support it, but they played well enough for this team to win the game. However, the offense’s lack of success ultimately undid the team as Baylor’s offense made a few more plays.
Quarterback Caleb Williams struggled. He often held the ball too long, looked confused in the pocket, and largely looked out of it. In the third quarter, Caleb Williams would eventually be replaced by Spencer Rattler, who also struggled in his brief relief performance.
The Sooners hung tough, entering the half tied at 7-7 despite missed scoring opportunities by Baylor and missed opportunities by the Sooners in the form of two missed Gabe Brkic field goals. Each team both threw interceptions in the first half as well. Despite that, the Sooners never came out of the half with any sense of urgency. The Baylor Bears took a 10-7 lead in the third quarter and never looked back. The Sooners were outscored 20-7 in the second half of the football game.
Running back Abram Smith and quarterback Gerry Bohanon led the Bears’ offensive attack combining for 255 yards rushing.
Kennedy Brooks led the Sooners in rushing with 13 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown while Mike Woods paced the Sooners in receiving with four catches for 53 yards. The Sooners offense could only muster 260 total yards.
The Oklahoma Sooners couldn’t hang with the Bears on this day and now have some work to do to rebound to finish the 2021 season on a high note.
The Sooners return home to Norman for their last home game of the year to take on the Iowa State Cyclones. The Bears travel to Manhattan, Kansas, next to take on the Kansas State Wildcats.
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