The Ugly: Oklahoma couldn’t match Baylor’s Physicality
The offense was pushed around by the Baylor Bears’ defense for much of this game. The Sooners couldn’t match Baylor’s physicality, whether it was at the point of attack in the running game or the top of the wide receivers’ routes.
Early on in the game, it was evident the officials would let the wide receivers and defensive backs battle it out. Several plays could have been called defensive pass interference against Baylor, but the officials kept the flag in their pockets.
But the wide receivers never adjusted to the physicality in the passing game. At the catch point and the top of their routes, OU’s receivers got bullied and failed to make contested catches when presented with an opportunity to make a play.
As much as Caleb Williams struggled in this game, the wide receivers didn’t help much either.
Iowa State is no slouch defensively, and after that, the Sooners will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Bedlam, likely for a chance to make the Big 12 championship game. Oklahoma’s offense needs to toughen up and show some fight if they’re going to defend their Big 12 title.
On the ground, the Oklahoma Sooners gave the ball to their running backs just 15 times. On those 15 attempts, the Sooners averaged just under four yards per carry. Caleb Williams added 15 yards on designed runs, but that was all the Sooners could muster on the ground.
The Oklahoma Sooners could have run the ball more to help conserve their defense in a game that was close through three quarters. Eight of Brooks’ 13 carries came in the first half. Eric Gray and Marvin Mims both carried the ball once in the first half, and neither carried the ball again the rest of the game.
So in the second half of the game, the Oklahoma Sooners only had five designed runs to their running backs. Again, it wasn’t like they were behind three scores. They were behind three in the third quarter and only 10 early in the fourth quarter.
The offensive line hasn’t been great running the football in 2021, but the offensive staff has to stay committed to the running game to help their young quarterback not feel like everything is on his shoulders.
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