Tag: Derek Oxford

Can the Oklahoma Sooners take advantage of Arkansas Razorbacks 3-point defense in Tulsa?

When the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Arkansas Razorbacks, they’ll have opportunities from three-point range. Can they take advantage?

Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves 8-0 for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. They have ripped through their competition, including wins over a USC Trojans team with multiple NBA-caliber players, a high-scoring Iowa team, and a Providence team that beat Wisconsin earlier in the year.

The Sooners still have a few non-conference foes left before they dive head-first into what will be one final grueling and challenging Big 12 slate before they depart for the SEC and its gauntlet next season.

One of their toughest nonconference opponents remaining is Eric Musselman’s Arkansas Razorbacks. The Sooners and Razorbacks will meet again at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. This is the rematch of last year’s game that went 88-78 in favor of the Hogs.

Much has changed from a personnel standpoint on both sides. Milos Uzan is the only starter returning for the Sooners. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks have no starters from that game this year, with the likelihood that projected first-round pick Trevon Brazile will be out after an ankle injury against Furman in their last game.

While only the Sooners come in ranked No. 22 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, this is a resume-building win for either team. It’s a game that could make a big difference when it’s time for the selection committee to evaluate teams pursuing an NCAA tournament bid.

Derek Oxford of Razorbacks Wire gave us time to share his thoughts on questions surrounding Arkansas as we head into this pivotal clash between future conference foes.

‘KJ (Jefferson) had a lot of success last year the last two years through the air against the Aggies.’ Aggies Wire goes ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ with Razorbacks Wire

Razorbacks Wire contributor Derek Oxford preview’s Texas A&M’s Saturday afternoon matchup with the 2-2 Arkansas Razorbacks.

Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) and head coach Jimbo Fisher, amid all the chaos surrounding starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s season-ending foot injury, is confident heading into their 11 a.m. matchup against Arkansas on Saturday, which will air on the SEC Network during the final day in September.

So, why the confidence after such a devastating prognosis? Backup quarterback Max Johnson, who has started 17 games in the SEC since transferring from LSU before the 2022 season, has already shown his incredible value after leading the Aggies in last week’s 27-10 win over Auburn, throwing for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including an absolute endzone dime to star WR Evan Stewart to further what was a 21-7 second-half advantage.

While Conner Wiegman’s promising sophomore campaign has been shelved until 2024, Aggie fans should feel grateful Johnson opted to stay this offseason, as the veteran has the experience and talent to start for nearly every other program in the SEC.

Heading back to Arlington, the annual Southwest classic vs. the 2-2 Razorbacks, the Aggies have only lost once in their series dating back to 2012, the first year they entered the conference, but don’t be fooled by Arkansas’s deceiving record, as senior quarterback K.J Jefferson and running back Rhaheim “Rockey” Sanders are absolutely nightmares to deal with on defense.

We went behind enemy lines with Razorbacks Wire’s Derek Oxford to get his valuable input on Arkansas’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of Saturday’s festivities.