Rapid Reaction from OU/Ball State

OU blows out Ball State 62-6, but did OU alleviate our concerns from Missouri? 

1.  Tonight was great -- it's always nice to win by 56 points.  The offense was sharp.  Landry Jones, minus a few throws and a pick, was pretty damn good.  Landry finished with 425 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception.  Hard to complain about much with Landry.

2.  Dominique Whaley was, as usual, fantastic.  The balance and vision that Whaley has is simply outstanding.  The offensive line was opening holes and Whaley showed why Sooner fans love him so much.  Additionally, Whaley caught a few passes out of the backfield -- he can do it all.

3.  The WRs, particular Jaz Reynolds, were excellent.  Landry did a great job spreading the ball around and the WRs made some fantastic catches.  Ryan Broyles is the best WR in OU history.  Kenny Stills is special -- he's a #1 WR for 80% of the top 25 teams.

4.  Blake Bell and Brandon Williams sightings!  Is it just me or did Brandon Williams look like the fastest guy on the field?  That kid can flat out play.  He has so much potential and it was obvious tonight.  Williams, however, is raw and will need some time to develop.  I haven't seen a quicker first step since Demarco was a freshman.  Finch is quick, but I think Williams is quicker AND faster.  Furthermore, Williams has some weight on him and can take a pounding.  I am very excited about his future.  He looks fantastic.  If Williams makes some progress over the summer, he'll at least be the #3 RB behind Whaley and Clay, which means Finch is #4 and probably transfers.  Blake Bell, I'm glad I finally got to see you play.  Bell, like Williams, is definitely raw, but the kid can flat out play.  He's extremely mobile and athletic.  He has a cannon for an arm and reports from OU indicate he's smart.  That being said, Bell (understandably) had a little too much adrenaline tonight.  He overthrew an open WR and started to scramble when he was not facing any pressure.  Bell had a great pocket and then left... for no apparent reason other than the clock in his head said to run.  I think Bell overtakes Drew Allen for the #2 next year if Landry stays.  However, if Bell does not get ahead of Allen next year, I think he's transferring. 

5.  Tony Jefferson.  What a performance!  3 interceptions and almost a 4th.  TJ was absolutely excellent tonight.  This might have been his best game as a Sooner.

Let's get into some of the negatives after the jump.

6.  OU does not have a pass rush worth a damn.  Ball State had more sacks than OU.  Yes, you read that right; Ball State had more sacks than OU.  This, obviously, is unacceptable.  OU did not have a single sack all night.  Yes, you read that right.  OU, at home and against Ball freaking State, did not have a single sack.  OU simply cannot get any pressure on the QB by rushing only four.  I don't know where Ronnell Lewis was tonight.  Frank Alexander had some nice plays, but the DTs, once again, were rather underwhelming.  OU has serious, serious issues with the front 4 as it relates to getting pressure on the QB.  If OU doesn't get more pressure on the QB, Texass is going to make a few plays they shouldn't.  This is a sincere problem folks.

7.  Injuries - - Aaron Colvin sat out tonight (presumably for precautionary reasons) and Jamell Fleming was shaken up.  Our secondary may be beat up for Texass next week and that might cause some problems.  Brennan Clay took a nasty shot to the head and was seen on the sidelines without his shoulder pads and without a helmet.  Not sure if he suffered a concussion, stinger, or whatever, but OU definitely needs Colvin, Fleming, and Clay against Texass.

8.  Playing the starters.  Why the hell were the starters in the game so long?  Why did Travis Lewis play almost every snap tonight?!  Why was Javon Harris still in the game very late in the 4th?  Why the hell does Stoops do this?  What was his explanation going to be if Travis Lewis aggravated his toe?  What if Javon Harris suffered an injury?  What if Demontre Hurst gets hurt?  This makes no freaking sense and its bad form to leave your starters in for so long.  I don't know why Stoops does this and it drives me nuts.

9.  Special teams.  Broyles fumbled during a punt return.  The front 5 got caught sleeping on the opening kickoff.  Honnicutt missed a FG and made another after the ball clanked off the goal post.  The special teams was disappointing tonight.

Overall, great win by the Sooners and I'm very happy with the performance overall.  That being said, next week is going to be tougher than a lot of people originally thought.  Let's hope everyone for OU is healthy and ready to play.  We must be sharp to win.