Tag: 2023 Oklahoma Sooners

The Voice of Iowa State talks about why the Cyclones have had recent success vs. the Oklahoma Sooners

Iowa State is one of the few teams that has had success vs. OU recently. The Voice of the Cyclones might have the reason for that.

Since [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] Head Coach [autotag]Matt Campbell[/autotag] took over in 2016, the Cyclones are one of the few teams in the Big 12 that have given Oklahoma fits. Whether that’s knocking off the Sooners in 2017 and 2020 in the regular season or playing them to one-score games in 2019, [autotag]2020 Big 12 championship[/autotag] or 2021.

In fact, the largest margin of victory for the Sooners during that time frame was 14 points just last season. It’s not just been in Ames, either. The Cyclones have had success in Norman as well. Campbell’s teams have made a trip to Norman three times. The margin of victory is +1 in Oklahoma’s favor.

The Voice of the Cyclones, John Walters, joined us on my podcast, Eat. Sleep. Bedlam. to talk about why that might be.

“In the history of this series, if you can avoid turnovers and playing your way right into Oklahoma’s hand and make them earn things offensively, which they’re good at doing, but make them earn it, don’t just hand them stuff, then I think you give yourself a chance,” Walter said. “That’s what Iowa State teams had a hard time doing for a lot of years. Matt’s always been about that detail-oriented stuff, the hidden yards just like how Kansas State tries to win.”

That last line is the key one because it’s not a coincidence the two toughest teams for Oklahoma in the last few years have been Iowa State and Kansas State. It’s because they play similar styles.

Will this year be any different, though?

Iowa State has struggled, especially on offense, for most of 2023. However, they’ve been great defensively. Then came last week against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Iowa State’s offense woke up, but the defense struggled.

“They feel like they have something in Rocco Becht,” Walters said. “He’s still just a redshirt freshman. He’s a very young player who played just a handful of snaps just a year ago, but I think they feel they have something there. But they’ve been trying to slowly bring him along and not put too much on his plate. Maybe add a little bit more each week. Last week they added a significant amount, and he handled it well. He had three touchdown passes, no interceptions, and wasn’t sacked.”

Becht looked very good in the win vs. Oklahoma State. Now, was that because of Oklahoma State or because of Becht? Who knows. But he still had to make the plays that were there to make, and he did. But with a young quarterback, doing that consistently is the key. So, we’ll see if he can carry over that performance to this week against the Sooners.

Ultimately, this is a game many assume Oklahoma will roll because they believe Iowa State isn’t a very good football team. But if recent history has told us anything, this will be a lot closer than many believe.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

5 keys to an Oklahoma Sooners win in Week 4 vs. the Cincinnati Bearcats

From run defense to passing offense, here are the keys to a Sooner victory vs. the Bearcats.

The Oklahoma Sooners are headed to Cincinnati, Ohio for their one and only meeting as conference foes against the Bearcats. The Sooners are 2-0 against all-time and [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] was a part of both wins.

This will be their first trip to Nippert Stadium. The 2010 game was played at Paul Brown Stadium, now Paycor Stadium, which is the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Sooners will have their work cut out for them as the Bearcats are fresh off an overtime upset loss to in-state rival the Miami (OH) Redhawks.

The Bearcats would love nothing more than to play spoiler to the Sooners’ undefeated season, and they have the players to do that. For the Sooners, they want to right the wrongs of a season ago, losing their first three conference games.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at what needs to take place for the Oklahoma Sooners to leave Ohio with a win.

‘I’m excited for it’: Gavin Sawchuk ready for Cincinnati challenge

The Sooners will face their toughest test this weekend in Cincinnati and Gavin Sawchuk can’t wait for the challenge.

The one negative for the [autotag]2023 Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] so far has been the running game. A season ago, this was a top-10 rushing offense in the country.

Through three games in 2023, it’s fallen all the way to a tie for 50th. The Sooners have yet to figure out who their lead back is this season and it looks like we’re heading toward a “hot hand” approach.

Early in the year, it was a combination of [autotag]Tawee Walker[/autotag] and [autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag]. That was partly due to the injuries of [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] this offseason.

In this past game vs. the [autotag]Tulsa Golden Hurricane[/autotag], Barnes and Sawchuk got the majority of the load but don’t look fully healthy just yet. Sawchuk told reporters he’s happy to be back playing.

“Glad to be back from it now,” Sawchuk said. “Glad to be back and start getting into a rhythm.”

Sawchuk said he’s 100% now and ready to go. But of course, you could tell he’s still playing his way back into shape, understandably so. They are going to need him and Barnes to get back to what they were a season ago, especially this week, because of the great defensive line they’ll be going against.

“They’ve got a great defense in general, not just the defensive line but everybody in general,” Sawchuk said. “All games are won at the line of scrimmage. Those guys are the most important on the field, blocking up front and creating holes for everybody else. I’m excited for it. It’s going to be a great game, a great challenge, a great team. Excited to go up there and be in their town and really be in their environment but excited for that.”

It’s been a trend under [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] where the running game kind of struggles early in the season before really finding its footing as the season goes along. The hope is this year is no different, and they figure it out sooner than rather later.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Dillon Gabriel a top 10 quarterback heading into Week 4 per On3 Sports

Dillon Gabriel has been playing unbelievable this year which has landed him in On3 Sports’ top 10 heading into Week 4.

The [autotag]2023 Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag]’ offense has been playing really good football to start the season. They’re averaging 55 points per game and have been explosive on offense.

They are No. 1 on third downs as well. A big reason for that success is the man behind the center, [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag]. Gabriel is completing 82.5% of his passes for 905 yards, 11 touchdowns and only one interception.

Now, it’s unrealistic to think he will stay at that level because those are historic-type numbers, but there’s no doubt he’s off to a great start. Those numbers have put him in On3 Sports’ top 10 quarterbacks so far this season.

Maybe I’m a little biased, but I’m fine with Gabriel being behind the top four on that list. But you can’t tell me [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag], [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag], [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] and [autotag]J.J. McCarthy[/autotag] are having better seasons than Gabriel to date. I understand the schedule argument, but that hasn’t changed the way Gabriel has played this season.

You could maybe argue Hartman, but Allar has four total touchdowns, and McCarthy has seven touchdowns but three interceptions. Neither of the two have come close to Gabriel in yards, either. And Michigan’s schedule has been just as friendly, if not friendlier, than the Sooners.

Gabriel has a higher passer rating, completion percentage,  more yards, and touchdowns than Nix as well. I think overall, what Gabriel is doing is being taken for granted. He has total command of the Sooners’ offense.

He looks comfortable. He’s finding the open guys while also not forcing too many throws. Again, it’s unrealistic to think he will keep up this play for the season, but for now, he’s playing like a top five quarterback.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

5 players to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners and the Cincinnati Bearcats

There will be plenty of talent on the field for the Sooners and the Bearcats but here are the five who will make the biggest impact.

[autotag]Big 12[/autotag] play is finally here for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners went 3-0 in nonconference play for the second year in a row under Brent Venables.

But if people remember last season, this is when the wheels fell off. The Sooners went on to win three games the rest of the way and started the conference slate with a three-game losing streak.

This year feels different for the Sooners, but you can’t help but see some similarities in this game vs. the [autotag]Cincinnati Bearcats[/autotag] and last season vs. the [autotag]Kansas State Wildcats[/autotag]. The Wildcats were coming off of a loss to a Group of Five team. The Bearcats are coming off a loss to a Group of Five team.

Kansas State’s strength was their play in the trenches. Cincinnati’s strength is their play in the trenches. Kansas State brought in a running quarterback. Cincinnati brings in a running quarterback.

There are a lot of similarities in this game, but on paper, Cincinnati isn’t nearly as talented as that Kansas State team. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have any talent.

Let’s take a look at five players to watch for both teams for this Week 4 game.

Oklahoma Sooners a top-15 in the USA TODAY Sports 1-133 re-rank

After re-ranking every team based on just this season alone, the Sooners fall into familiar territory.

The USA TODAY Sports coaches poll came out on Sunday, and the Oklahoma Sooners continue to climb, coming in at No. 14. The Sooners also made a move up in the AP Poll, ranking No. 16 this week.

USA TODAY Sports re-ranks each of the Football Bowl Subdivision’s 133 teams. It’s important to note previous seasons have no bearing on what happens this season.

While the re-rank does not keep extensive records of historic rankings dating to its inception in 2010, choosing instead to live in the moment instead of dwelling in the past. – Paul Myerberg USA TODAY Sports

That is in reference to the Alabama Crimson Tide being ranked No. 28 in this week’s re-rank because of what they’ve shown on the field this season. The Sooners, however, didn’t move much.

Instead, they stayed in familiar territory for this season, coming in at No. 16. While the Sooners have been dominant thus far, it is fair to say the schedule hasn’t been that tough.

However, if this was a team not coming into the season with a ton of question marks, I’m not sure they would be as lowly ranked. But winning takes care of everything. If the Sooners continue to win and continue to stack impressive performances, you can bet they will see themselves start to creep into the top 10 on everyone’s ranking.

As Al Davis once said, “Win baby win.”

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

‘That’s what the team needs me to do’: Jayden Gibson relishing in his role

Jayden Gibson continues to make plays for a wide receiver room that’s been a pleasant surprise so far this season.

One of the biggest questions coming into the 2023 season was the wide receiver room. So far that hasn’t been an issue at all.

No, a star hasn’t emerged but several guys have shown they are able to make plays when called upon. One of those guys is former four-star wide out [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag].

Gibson was a highly-touted recruit in the 2022 class but struggled with drops in his first season. This season, Gibson has had three balls thrown his way and he’s caught all three. All three have been spectacular competitive catches, I might add.

He talked to reporters after practice Tuesday about those catches.

“That’s what the team needs me to do,” Gibson said. “Go out there and make big plays. Be a guy that doesn’t really need to warm up. Can just go out there and make a big play off the rip. On the third down, red zone, whatever it be. Glad to have that role this year and how it’s shaping up and coaches trusting me more and more.”

That trust can go a long way for a player. Last year it looked like Gibson didn’t have any confidence, which was resulting in those drops. That’s something he’s admitted to this offseason.

This season he looks confident and he’s becoming the player many in Norman hoped he would.

Now as the Sooners enter Big 12 play, the hope is he continues to make big plays when called upon.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Oklahoma OL Cayden Green ready for the challenge of learning a new position

Cayden Green was thrown into the fire on Saturday but says he’s up for the challenge of playing a new position.

It is no secret, that the offensive line has not lived up to expectations, in particular in the run game. The Oklahoma Sooners once again did not average at least five yards per carry something they have said is a goal.

During the win against Tulsa, starting left guard [autotag]Savion Byrd[/autotag] went out with an injury. It’s still unclear what that injury is and how long he will be out for. True freshman [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag] Troy Everett filled in for Byrd.

Green has primarily been playing left tackle but with Jacob Sexton returning to action, Green moved to guard.

Green said he was made aware of the change early last week.

“I got called in for a meeting with Coach B (Bedenbaugh), and I didn’t really know what it was about, and then he told me Monday. And I was kind of like, ‘Oh okay,” Green said. “As soon as I left the meeting, I had just gotten out of class so I went straight to work.”

Green performed fairly well in his first action at left guard. He’s someone I thought could be in for a move to guard if all went well.

Green said there are some differences with the position switch. “I think schematically they’re about the same,” Green said. “But I think technique-wise and speed of the game-wise, everything happens a lot faster closer to you.”

While it will be a challenge for Green to learn a new position during the season, if he’s able to handle it, it could pay big dividends for the Sooners going forward.

The unfortunate thing for Green is his second game playing a new position will be against one of the best defensive tackles in the nation, Dontay Corleone.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Sooners DT Gracen Halton taking advantage of every opportunity

A pleasant surprise for the Sooners this year as been the emergence of Gracen Halton. Someone taking advantage of his opportunities.

Much has been made about how well the defensive line has been playing, especially against the run. The Oklahoma Sooners currently rank No. 15 in the nation in run defense.

That in itself is a massive improvement from a season ago. One guy on that defensive line who isn’t getting talked about enough is [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag]. Halton has arguably played the best of any of them and constantly flashes when he’s in the game.

Halton told reporters after practice on Monday he has improved from a year ago.

“I won’t say that I’m there but I’ve got a lot of work to do but I’m way better than I was last year,” Halton said. “Technique-wise and everything else, so I’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m definitely better than last year.”

Halton has been playing as a role player rather than a starter, but he said the starters have really helped him get to where he is today. “I’m just learning from them,” Halton said. “They’re more experienced than me so every opportunity that I get, I’m just trying to go all in. That’s what I’m trying to display and show on TV and for the people watching.”

While his stats aren’t eye-popping, he is second on the team in tackles for loss with 2.5. But it’s the plays he makes consistently that don’t show up on the stat sheet like beating his guy and forcing the runner to cut back right into another tackler.

Stuff like that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but it’s stuff that will show up on film. Which will ultimately lead to more playing time for the one they call “G Baby.”

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Oklahoma Sooners offensive line looking to regain dominant form

The Oklahoma Sooners offensive line is looking to build off a strong Week 1.

It was just one game with this current offensive line unit, but it was impressive. [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag], [autotag]Savion Byrd[/autotag] and [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag] put on a dominant display up front.

They played mean and physical, and while the offensive lines have been good almost every year under Bill Bedenbaugh, they looked like the 2017 and 2018 offensive lines.

That doesn’t mean they are going to be that dominant or win the Joe Moore Award, but the aggression and physicality they played with were very reminiscent.

Andrew Raym told reporters, that the work isn’t done. They have to build off of that performance.

The big focus is details,” Raym said. “I saw an o-line that was finishing. They were trying to get after people’s butts. We have a group of guys who just want to dominate this year. We just got to keep working on the small things, the details and all of that.”

It’s felt like that “dominate” mentality just hasn’t been there in the past few years. But if Saturday is any indicator, it’s back.

The Sooners were dominant in both the run and pass game, accumulating more than 640 yards of total offense. There also weren’t as many penalties as we’ve seen in years past. Especially the sloppy and untimely penalties that plagued this team a year ago.

Again it’s just Week 1, so this offensive line still has a ways to go, but it was a great start to the season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.