Oklahoma In Must Win Situation Against Jayhawks

by ccmachine on Oct 20, 2009 8:27 PM CDT in Football Comment 7 comments

DeMarco Murray did had a great game receiving but couldn't manage any rushing yards against Texas.

As if I have to tell you, Bob Stoops, Landry Jones or anyone else that Saturday's game at Kansas is a must win situation for Oklahoma. The season is now officially on the verge of collapse for the Sooners and a loss in Lawrence Saturday would all but put the final nail in the crimson and cream coffin. For that reason alone OU needs to rock and sock the Jayhawks on Saturday but here are a couple of other reasons Oklahoma needs a victory as well.

Confidence
This is Landry Jones' team now and they need to learn to trust him to guide them to victory. For that to happen he's got to stop throwing interceptions like the one he threw in crunch time on Saturday. Texas had coverage both underneath and over the top but Jones still threw the ball without ever checking down to any other receivers. We've seen Landry Jones throw six touchdowns in one game but we've yet to see him lead Oklahoma on a fourth quarter game winning drive even though he's had three opportunities.

It's not just Landry who has something to prove on offense though. The linemen and receivers have left a lot to be desired this season as well. How about the Sooners just proving that they can block in general? Sam Bradford has been hurt twice now on a blitz and it was also a blitz that wasn't picked up that caused Landry Jones to fumble inside of his own 20 against Miami that set up the go ahead touchdown for the Hurricanes. I wish that I could stop at pass blocking but Oklahoma's run blocking on Saturday was atrocious as well. Texas has a very solid defense but Oklahoma did a lot to help the Longhorns hold Chris Brown to a 1.9 and DeMarco Murray to a -3 yards per carry average. Oklahoma couldn't run inside or outside but did find a way to run backwards.

Here's a question. If the game is on the line and Oklahoma either needed to catch a pass or kick a field goal to win which one would you choose? For me, I'm going with the field goal because I have absolutely no confidence in our receivers and I'm not sure that they have confidence in themselves. Winning their first game against a ranked team in their last five tries would be a good start to rebuilding the confidence of this offense.

National Perception
Right now the world is looking at the Sooners and calling them what they are, a .500 team with an 0-3 record against ranked opponents. A loss on Saturday would move them below .500 with an 0-4 record against ranked teams. It would also put OU out of the Top 25 for the first time since the 2005 season. However, a win at Kansas would at least give the perception that things are heading in the right direction and that the ship is still floating. It may not be sailing but at least it isn't sinking!

OU returns home the following Saturday (Oct 31) to play Kansas State. The Wildcats pasted Texas A&M on Saturday to the tune of 62-14 but the week before they were destroyed by Texas Tech, 66-14. In the friendly confines of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium I like OU's chances and it would put the Sooners on a two game winning streak heading to Lincoln on November 7th. A win there would have people talking about the turnaround going on in Norman but it all starts with a win this Saturday.

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Comments

I will always have more confidence in OU catching

A pass than in Jimmy Stevens.

by SoonerDutch on Oct 21, 2009 11:04 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I'm staying with Stevens

As long as it’s within 40 yards

by ccmachine on Oct 21, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotta go w/ Dutch

on this one. Stevens has been shaky since day one. Personally, I’m worried about every single extra point w/ him let alone any actual field goals.

by jtesooner on Oct 21, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a respectable 11/13 this season on field goals

by ccmachine on Oct 21, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stevens of course.

He may not be a Von Shaman, but has done better than the receiver corp this year. He still has some goofy kicks at times, but he is getting better. Receivers have not shown that, total inconsistency. Keep it under and 40 yards and Jimmy is the man

by scarab on Oct 21, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is a must win game to salvage anything out of ths season

but I am not betting or saying anything about a Sooner win until they do it. Which team is prepared and motivated to play lights out in this game? Both should be.

KU is relentlessly clawing it’s way in getting to the top of the North. This year they most likely feel they won’t have to score 65+ to beat OU. Their sad defense is salivating against playing our sad offense in Lawrence. OU’s D will be key and I think they can get some picks, sacks and a fumble. The D will not be a problem, they will hold. The offense..? Everyone, everywhere has said it all. Nothing can be added short of insulting players and coaches which is bad taste. I don’t think our offense can do a lot. They should have some success after all KU’s defense is bad, as bad as our offense.

Maybe our D will outscore their offense? Crazier things have happened in Lawrence.

by scarab on Oct 21, 2009 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stevens under 30 and if ou has the ball about 30 just go for it if under 4 th and 10.

The drops are frustrating, but the receivers just don’t seem to fight for the ball either or run crisp routes, you know lazy with shielding defenders etc.

by OU JJ on Oct 21, 2009 10:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs