Tag: Trace Ford

Oklahoma Sooners going all-in to improve defense for 2023

The Oklahoma Sooners are going all-in via the transfer portal to fix a defense that was one of the worst in the country in 2022.

The transfer portal has created a bit of a chaotic element in the world of college football. Players that coaches expect to be around for three to five years may depart after just one season with the immediate eligibility transfer rule.

At the same time, there’s beauty in the transfer portal as well. A team like the Oklahoma Sooners, coming off its worst season since 1998, isn’t forced to stand pat and wait on its players to develop.

After the 2022 season, in which the defense ranked in the bottom 30 of college football and allowed 30 points per game, the Sooners are aggressively improving the talent on the defensive roster for 2023.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Oklahoma Sooners have added six players on the defensive side through the transfer portal. And that doesn’t include [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], who they brought in as a junior college addition through the 2023 recruiting class. So far, they’ve earned transfer commitments from:

  • [autotag]Jacob Lacey[/autotag], DT from Notre Dame
  • [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], Edge/LB from Indiana
  • [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], S from Texas Tech
  • [autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE from Oklahoma State
  • [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag], DL from Wake Forest
  • [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag], DT from Texas State

That’s a lot of experience and a lot of production at the collegiate level to add to the defensive depth chart for 2023.

Rondell Bothroyd brings 14 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons to Norman. Dasan McCullough had a standout season as a true freshman for the Hoosiers and was an ESPN true freshman All-American. We were witnesses to the thunderous tackling ability that Reggie Pearson brings to the Sooners’ secondary in Oklahoma’s loss to Texas Tech in 2022. Jacob Lacey didn’t play much for Notre Dame in 2022, but he was effective in the three games played.

Trace Ford has battled injuries in Stillwater but has been productive when he played. In his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, Ford procured 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss as a true freshman and sophomore. Davon Sears has taken the winding road to the Power Five after spending time at Ellsworth Community College and Texas State. He was an effective interior defensive line presence for the Bobcats, even if the numbers aren’t eye-popping.

The Sooners have some defensive building blocks to work with, including [autotag]Ethan Downs,[/autotag] [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag].

They have some young guys from the 2022 recruiting class that will have a chance to be impact players in 2023, such as [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Rowe[/autotag]. The Sooners have signed arguably the best defensive recruiting class they’ve had in years.

However, Venables and his coaching staff aren’t waiting around. After a 6-7 season, they felt the mandate to make significant additions to the roster to improve the talent, and they’ve done that. It doesn’t mean Oklahoma will contend for the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff, but they’re not sitting back to see if the young talent will take the steps this offseason to be the difference makers the Sooners’ defense needs to make significant strides in 2023.

They’ll have a lot to prove when they get into the Big 12 part of their schedule next season. Nonconference play will not give us much of an indication of where this defense is next season. However, with what they’ve done in the transfer portal, the defense should be on an upward trajectory.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff are doing everything they can to fix the defense, and their work in the transfer portal is indicative of those efforts.

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Bedlam Transfer: Sooners add Oklahoma State transfer DE Trace Ford

Continuing to add to their EDGE depth, the Oklahoma Sooners got a commitment from Oklahoma State DE transfer Trace Ford.

Modern day college football provides multiple opportunities to add talent. After pulling together a top five recruiting class, the Oklahoma Sooners continued their strong start in the 2022-2023 transfer portal with the addition of Oklahoma State defensive end Trace Ford.

Ford, who was one of the highly sought defensive line options considered other Power Five schools, such as USC. He opted to stay in-state to play with Bedlam rival Oklahoma. The Edmond Santa Fe graduate was considered the No. 3 player in the state of Oklahoma and a four-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting cycle by 247Sports.

In Ford’s freshman and sophomore seasons in Stillwater, he recorded 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss before sitting out 2021 due to injury. He wasn’t as productive in 2022, recording one sack and three tackles for loss in nine games. He played the fewest snaps of his collegiate career, finishing fifth among Cowboys edge players in snaps in 2022.

Ford provides a productive depth option for the Sooners to go along with Ethan Downs, Reggie Grimes, Marcus Stripling, Dasan McCullough, R Mason Thomas, Adepoju Adebawore and Taylor Wein.

Just as Brent Venables and his staff has done since the close of the regular season, the Sooners have worked to address the depth across the team. With Ford, the Sooners found a guy looking to rediscover his early career production.

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Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

Latest lines and betting preview for the Oklahoma Sooners’ in-state matchup with Oklahoma State. From @john9williams

The Oklahoma Sooners play host to the No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds, and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.

The game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on ABC.

In their loss last week against West Virginia, Oklahoma failed to cover a spread yet again, falling to 3-7 on the season. In inclement weather,  the two sides played a low-scoring affair that also failed to hit the over and fell to 4-5-1 against the point total.

Despite having a worse record, Oklahoma is more than a touchdown favorite at home against their in-state rivals. While the all-time series record heavily favors the Sooners and Spencer Sanders may be limited, it’s hard to fathom Oklahoma being that big of a favorite with the season they’ve had.

Let’s take a look at the betting lines from BetMGM.

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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM.

  • Point spread: Oklahoma minus-7.5
  • Money line: Oklahoma minus-300 / Oklahoma State plus-230
  • Over-Under: 66

Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], S: Questionable (Knee)

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Shoulder)

[autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Thomas Harper[/autotag], S: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Blaine Green[/autotag], WR: Questionable (Wrist)

[autotag]Tyler Lacy[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Garret Rangel[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Undisclosed)

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Advice and prediction

It’s expected to be 40 degrees at kickoff, and at the moment, there isn’t any moisture or wind in the forecast. Still, by halftime, the temperature will be at or below freezing in Norman. That could play a factor in Oklahoma’s ability to find a rhythm offensively.

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the best part of the Oklahoma offense is their running game led by [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag]. Oklahoma State’s run defense is a little bit better than Oklahoma’s, but the Cowboys still allow 163 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. Gray is second among Power Five runners with at least 150 carries on the season at 6.7 yard per carry.

On what will be a cold night, Oklahoma should continue to lean on the ground game to take the pressure off of a passing attack that’s been inconsistent in recent weeks.

In this game, the big question comes down to how healthy is [autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag]. He’s expected to play and will be a threat, but after missing the Kansas game and being limited against Iowa State, there’s no clear expectation on how much he’ll be able to do. Still, he’s a threat with his legs and that’s caused Oklahoma a lot of trouble in 2022. Expect that to keep the Sooners off balance, even if Sanders isn’t at full strength throwing the ball.

The Sooners have struggled to cover spreads in 2022, and I don’t think they will here. With the chilly temps and Oklahoma State’s excellent third-down defense (ninth in the nation at 28.8%), the Sooners will struggle to score a ton of points in this game. Take the under.

Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 23

Record against the spread and O/U in 2022: 11-8-1.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys: Stream, injury report, broadcast info

Trying to figure out where to find Bedlam on Saturday? Here’s how to watch, stream or listen to Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State. From @john9williams

Oklahoma (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) will face Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) on Saturday night in Bedlam, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to end their two-game skid against in-state rival Oklahoma State, who’s been playing some up-and-down football after a 5-0 start. The Cowboys are 2-3 over their last five, and starting quarterback Spencer Sanders has been dealing with a shoulder injury that’s limited him over the last three weeks.

This game has Big 12 title implications for Oklahoma State, who can stay alive with a win over the Sooners. Oklahoma is looking to crack bowl eligibility with a win to avoid missing out on bowl season for the first time since 1998.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)
  • Listen: Streaming on the Varsity App

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Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], S: Questionable (Knee)

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Shoulder)

[autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Thomas Harper[/autotag], S: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Blaine Green[/autotag], WR: Questionable (Wrist)

[autotag]Tyler Lacy[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Garret Rangel[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Undisclosed)

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Players to watch:

Oklahoma

[autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], QB: 63.9% for 2,217 yards, 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. 33 carries, 304 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] WR: 42 receptions for 776 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], TE: 25 receptions for 347 yards and 5 touchdowns.

[autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], RB: 165 carries for 1,113 yards, 10 touchdowns at 6.7 yards per carry. 28 receptions for 189 yards and 0 touchdowns.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], WR: 28 receptions for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns. 12 carries for 113 yards, 0 touchdowns at 9.4 yards per carry. 10 kickoff returns for 242 yards at 24.4 yards per return.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], LB: 91 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended.

[autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], LB: 83 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

[autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag], LB: 68 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 5 passes defended.

[autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], DE: 30 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended.

[autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag], DT: 19 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 passes defended.

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: 58.5% for 2,261 yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 interceptions. 60 carries, 386 yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns.

[autotag]Bryson Green[/autotag], WR: 35 receptions for 573 yards and 5 touchdowns.

[autotag]Brennan Pressley[/autotag], WR: 47 receptions for 544 yards and 2 touchdowns.

[autotag]John Paul Richardson[/autotag], WR: 37 receptions for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Dominic Richardson[/autotag], RB: 149 carries for 543 yards, 8 touchdowns at 3.9 yards per carry.

[autotag]Collin Oliver[/autotag], DT: 21 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks.

[autotag]Mason Cobb[/autotag], LB: 77 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

*Quarterback rushing numbers compiled from Pro Football Focus that doesn’t take away sack yardage from QB rushing totals.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.