Tag: 2021 Week 6

Week 6 Rooting Guide: Who Cowboys fans need to cheer for besides Dallas

The goal is always to win the next game, but other factors are in play when it comes to pursuing ultimate goals. Here’s a look at important games on the Wk 6 slate that don’t involve Dallas. | From @KDDrummondNFL

It can’t be that time of the year already, can it? In seasons past, the rooting guide has served as a second-half of the schedule assistant as the Dallas Cowboys search for a spot in the playoffs. While that’s certainly part of the plan for the 2021 season, a 4-1 record allows fans and members of the team to start expanding on their visions of future success.

Even wide receiver Amari Cooper admitted to it earlier in the week, the chemistry of this team should have them starting to center the idea that they are contenders for the biggest accolade of all, Super Bowl champions. It will take a lot of work to get there and each week that starts and finishes with one edict, win the game next on the calendar.

But outside of that, there’s always room for help. Dallas will more than likely stub their toe along the way, play down to the wrong opponent on the wrong day or simply face off against a team just as talented as they are. Going 16-1 is not something likely to happen for this club and in that vein, they’ll need other teams to lose a game here or there as well in order to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

With the addition of a seventh seed in each conference, there’s only one bye week now and everyone should know the data behind how that week of rest and the full home-field advantage that goes with it normally translates into a championship game appearance.

Dallas should want that, regardless of the franchise’s performances with the honor in the more recent past. Those teams have nothing to do with this team.

So each week, we’ll give a glimpse into the rest of the NFL schedule, to clear up any doubt about which teams need to lose to best help Dallas in their goal to achieve the top spot. Here’s a look at the Week 6 slate of action.

‘Glue guys’ seal the deal for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Texas Longhorns

The Oklahoma Sooners got incredible contributions from their star players, but they don’t win without contributions from their “glue guys.”

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Every team has them. They’re the guys that championship teams can’t live without. They aren’t always your best players, but they’re the players that show up in the big moments and make the big plays. Or they’re the guys that quietly go about their business and simply do their job in a big moment.

They’re called “glue guys.” They’re the guys on the roster that hold the team together.

Late in the fourth quarter of the Sooners thrilling comeback win over the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma’s glue guys came through in big ways.

Af Oklahoma scored to make it 41-39, Spencer Rattler found Drake Stoops at the front of the end zone to complete the two-point conversion attempt and tie the score for the first time since it was 0-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oklahoma’s leader, the elder statesman, Caleb Kelly came up with arguably the play of the game. As Xavier Worthy, who’d been killing the Sooners all day, was fighting through tacklers to gain extra yards, Kelly smartly went after the football and ripped it away from the dynamic freshman receiver. Nobody knew what happened, but Kelly had the ball and immediately went over to the Sooners’ fanbase to celebrate the turnover. After replay review confirmed it, OU was set up with fantastic field position with a chance to take the lead.

On Oklahoma’s ensuing drive, Kennedy Brooks was able to take the direct snap and work his way through the Texas defense to give the Oklahoma Sooners their first lead of the game. How was he able to do it? Behind fantastic blocking from his offensive line and glue guys Brayden Willis, Drake Stoops, and Jadon Haselwood.

The Sooners were able to win the game on the exact same play, run the same direction, with the same guys out front leading Kennedy Brooks to the end zone for the 55-48 lead.

The Sooners star players showed up in Saturday’s win, but that game isn’t won without the contributions of other guys on the roster making big-time plays for the Oklahoma Sooners.

While it’s the Caleb Williams’ or Marvin Mims’ of the world that will get all of the attention, the work that guys like Jadon Haselwood, Drake Stoops, Brayden Willis and Caleb Kelly put in shouldn’t go unnoticed. They were fantastic on Saturday and will continue to feature prominently in the Oklahoma Sooners’ success.

Caleb Williams to Marvin Mims TD Pro Football Focus’ ‘Game Changer of the Week’

In a game with many highlights, this throw and catch stood out as Pro Football Focus’ “Game Changer of the Week.”

In Oklahoma’s incredible come from behind win over the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, the Sooners got some outstanding plays from several players to get them back into the game and help them pull off the win.

Kennedy Brooks and the running game’s work on the touchdowns that gave Oklahoma its first and last leads of the game come to mind. However, this Caleb Williams’ bomb to Marvin Mims turned the heads of the sporting world.

It was so good that even former Sooners Kyler Murray and Kenneth Murray had fantastic reactions to the play.

In Pro Football Focus’ weekly awards, Anthony Treash highlighted the Williams to Mims connection as the “Game-changing moment of the week.”

Oklahoma pivoted to true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams with Spencer Rattler struggling, and Williams wasted no time showing why he was a part of the exclusive five-star club.

Williams has the arm strength, athleticism in the ground game and the ability to make off-platform throws. He showed all three on his fourth-quarter strike to true sophomore receiver Marvin Mims, who made an incredible catch to give Oklahoma the biggest game-changing moment of the week. -Treash

Treash outlined Oklahoma’s win probability before and after the incredible catch and throw from Caleb Williams to Marvin Mims. Their win probability went from 14.1% before the third and 19 throw to 44.3% after it was ruled a touchdown and 53.6% when they converted the two-point try.

The poise Caleb Williams showed on the play to sit back and patiently wait for something to open up as the Texas Longhorns dropped seven into coverage was impressive. He navigated the pocket smartly and found room to step up and throw the ball. On the run, Williams launched the football 55 yards in the air to allow Marvin Mims to make a play. Not only did he make the play, but that might go down as one of the greatest catches in the history of college football.

While it didn’t win them the game, it was the play that gave the team the hope they could win the game. To overcome a third and 19 and score a touchdown was an incredible feat that completely turned the outlook of that football game.

If the Sooners don’t convert that play, even for just a first down, then they’re punting back to Texas, who could run a ton of time off the clock. Instead, the Sooners tied the game and went on to win on Kennedy Brooks’ two touchdown runs in the final moments of the game.

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3 Sooners named player of the week for their performance vs. the Texas Longhorns

For their performances in the Red River Showdown win over the Texas Longhorns, three Sooners were named Big 12 player of the week.

The Oklahoma Sooners got a total team effort erasing a 21 point first-half deficit to beat the Texas Longhorns in the 117th matchup between the two rivals.

In particular, Caleb Williams was a catalyst, engineering Oklahoma’s offensive explosion as he and the Sooners outscored the Longhorns 38-13 after he replaced Spencer Rattler in the lineup.

For his efforts, Williams was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. Kennedy Brooks joins Williams as the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Week, and Gabe Brkic was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.

All three players were instrumental in the Oklahoma Sooners’ incredible comeback win over the Texas Longhorns.

Caleb Williams came in for Spencer Rattler and completed 16 of 25 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Williams also ran four times for 88 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown run on 4th and 1 that helped keep the Oklahoma Sooners in the game.

Kennedy Brooks was incredible. He carried the ball 25 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.7 yards per attempt and 7.08 yards after contact per attempt. Brooks forced eight missed tackles and scored the touchdown to give the Sooners their first lead of the game at 48-41 and the game-winning touchdown with three seconds left in the game.

Gabe Brkic was a perfect four for four on the day on field goal attempts and five for five on extra points, totaling 17 points. Brkic is now 15 of 17 on the season and continues to establish himself as one of the best kickers in college football.

Together with Marvin Mims, these three had a huge hand in the Oklahoma Sooners come from behind win over the Texas Longhorns. Hopefully, these performances serve as building blocks for the rest of the Oklahoma Sooners season.

Who’s on the move in the latest Big 12 Power Rankings after Week 6?

There wasn’t much movement with just three contests on the Big 12 slate this weekend, but two teams made impressions in their blowout wins.

It was a fascinating slate of Big 12 games that served as a measuring stick for the six teams that played on Saturday. There were just three games, leaving four teams idle for Week 6.

Oklahoma and Texas played one of the all-time classic Red River Showdowns in the 117 game history of the rivalry. TCU blew out Texas Tech under the lights in Lubbock, and Baylor dominated West Virginia in Waco.

The four teams on bye weeks made this week’s power rankings a bit more difficult, but what I landed on was a team on a bye couldn’t move up. For instance, Iowa State didn’t move past Texas this week, because they didn’t play and provide us any evidence that they’re a better team than the Longhorns.

Baylor on the other hand moved up one spot in the power rankings. As things stand, the Bears’ only loss on the season came to the No. 2 team in our Big 12 power rankings, Oklahoma State. Similarly, we’re not punishing Texas for its loss to our No. 1 team in the power rankings.

TCU gets a bump for winning on the road in Lubbock, which is a tough place to play at night.

Though we’re just a few games into the Big 12 schedule, a couple of things have become clear.

Kansas and West Virginia are the two worst teams in the conference. Neither can sustain consistent offense, and Kansas can’t stop anybody.

Texas Tech could join them if it doesn’t find an answer defensively.

Teams one through seven, however, will provide intrigue in Big 12 play this year. The conference looks to have a ton of depth in the top seven this week. It will be fascinating to see how they match up as the season goes along.

RECAP: Oklahoma Sooners beat Texas Longhorns 55-48 in All-Time Red River Showdown

The Oklahoma Sooners overcame a 21 point deficit to beat the Texas Longhorns in an instant classic Red River Showdown.

The Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns finished an absolute shootout and all-time Red River Showdown ending with the Sooners winning 55-48. The game had so many ups and downs for both teams the winning probability chart most certainly looked like a roller coaster.

ESPN Win Probability Chart

Texas would get the ball first and would score on their first play from scrimmage as Casey Thompson threw a bubble screen to freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Worthy would finish with nine catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma’s ensuing possession ended with a third-down sack due to a missed blitz pickup. Oklahoma would attempt to punt but Michael Turk’s attempt was tipped and Texas recovered on the Oklahoma two-yard line. Two plays later the 14 point lead.

The Sooners eventually overcame a 21-point deficit, matching the second-largest comeback in program history. Replacing Spencer Rattler in the second quarter after the starting quarterback’s second turnover of the game, Caleb Williams completed 15 of 24 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Rattler’s turnovers led to led to Texas touchdowns. Caleb Williams also ran 66 yards for the Sooners second touchdown of the game.

Kennedy Brooks was at the forefront of the Sooners comeback as he ran for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 3 seconds left.

Marvin Mims led the Sooners in receiving for the second straight week posting five catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Longhorns quarterback Casey Thompson went 20 of 34 for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Bijan Robinson ran 20 times for 137 yards and one early touchdown.

Oklahoma moves on to 6-0 with TCU next on the agenda. Texas will drop to 4-2 and will move on to a home showdown with the other Big 12 school from Oklahoma in Oklahoma State.

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How do Oklahoma and Texas stack up statistically heading into the Red River Showdown?

As the two teams get set to face off for the 117th time, how do Oklahoma and Texas stack up statistically heading into the Red River Showdown?

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will meet for the 117th time this Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Red River Showdown is one of the great rivalries in all of sports. The atmosphere, the history, the accomplishments of the two sides, and the back and forth nature of the rivalry makes the build-up and excitement to this game second to none.

Both teams are coming in off of big wins on the road. Texas outlasted their nemesis TCU in Fort Worth and the Sooners avenged two straight losses to Kansas State in Manhattan.

This season hasn’t been without adversity for either side. The Longhorns suffered a defeat at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks and switched starting quarterbacks in the process. The Sooners, though 5-0, have had to scratch and claw to stay undefeated.

In order to get you ready for OU-Texas, we’ve put together a little statistical tale of the tape to look at how the two sides matchup heading into this weekend’s Red River Rivalry game.

ESPN College Gameday heading to the Cotton Bowl for OU-Texas

ESPN College Gameday will be joining the Oklahoma Sooners & Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl for the 117th meeting in the storied rivalry.

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One of the great rivalries in all of college football will commence again this week for the 117th time in the history of the two programs next Saturday as the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will meet at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.

The Sooners and Longhorns will play host to another great tradition in college football when ESPN’s College Gameday joins them at the State Fair of Texas for the Red River Showdown.

The Oklahoma Sooners have won three games in a row against Texas, including the 2018 Big 12 Championship. The last time the Longhorns took home the “W” was the 2018 Red River Rivalry game.

In that game, Oklahoma was down 21 points entering the fourth quarter before Kyler Murray led them on a furious comeback that helped them to tie the game with just over two minutes remaining. That was more than enough time for Sam Ehlinger to lead Texas into field goal range for Michael Dicker’s game-winning field goal as time expired.

Last year’s game played out similarly, but it was Texas coming back from 14 points down in the last four minutes of the game to tie it and send it to overtime. Oklahoma would eventually win in the fourth overtime period after a 25-yard scoring strike from Rattler to Drake Stoops and sealed by a Woodi Washington interception in the end zone.

That game marked a turning point in the career of Spencer Rattler at Oklahoma. Rattler had entered the Red River Rivalry game with four interceptions in three games and had thrown another one before halftime against Texas. From the start of the second half through the rest of the 2020 season, Rattler threw just two interceptions.

Interestingly, through the first five games of the 2021 season, Spencer Rattler has thrown four interceptions. His interception against Kansas State was a “throw it up and hope your guy makes a play” type of throw that amounted to nothing more than a punt on third and long.

With a win this week, the Oklahoma Sooners can match the longest win streak in the Red River Rivalry game since 2010 at three.

It will be a raucous atmosphere as it always is and ESPN College Gameday will bring another level of fun and excitement to the Red River Rivalry this Saturday at the Cotton Bowl.

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