Some say it was unimpressive but I say it was just methodic. Regardless the Oklahoma Sooners pounded the Baylor Bears 52-21 in Norman Saturday night with the electrifying play of DeMarco Murray and precision passing of Sam Bradford.
The win moved Oklahoma's record to 9-1 and placed the Sooners just one win away from back-to-back Big 12 South division titles. If OU wins in Lubbock Saturday night then they will have punched their ticket for San Antonio but the Bears may have given the Sooners a scare heading into the final two games, at Texas Tech and home against Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma's defense gave up 450 total net yards to the Bears including long scoring plays of 46, 75, and 42 yards. Texas Tech and Oklahoma State won't be the most talented teams that OU plays this year but with the Sooners traveling to Lubbock where literally anything is possible and the same true of Bedlam both games provide potential mishaps for OU if the defense remains susceptible to the big play.
The Good
Sam Bradford - Completed 80% of his passes for 353 yards and touchdowns of 51, 60, and 14 yards. Bradford made one mistake that cost him a pick when he tried to force a throw into the end zone but other than that he had the perfect night.
DeMarco Murray - Tied Adrian Peterson's record for touchdowns in a season by an OU freshman (15) and became the first freshman at Oklahoma to score at least three touchdowns in a game on three different occasions. Murray scored on runs of 25 and 21 yards and on a 91 yard kickoff return.
DeMarco Murray's performance was electrifying but Sooner fans have seen it before.photo NewsOK.com
Manuel Johnson - Had by far his best game this season with 4 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Pass Protection - 25 pass attempts and Sam Bradford was never touched.
Curtis Lofton - 11 total tackles, 1 for loss.
The Bad
All three of these should be concerns for OU based on the fact that the level of athletes will greatly increase from Baylor to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
Pass Rush - Austin English was definitely missed Saturday night. The Sooners managed 5 quarterback hits but no sacks. Get well soon Austin!
Pass Defense - The middle was susceptible once a again and Baylor exploited it for touchdown passes of 75 and 42 yards.
Sooner defenders being in the wrong place allowed Whitaker to use his
speed to gain 103 yards on just two carries. photo NewsOK.com
Misalignment - Brandon Whitaker had a 57 yard run and a 46 yard touchdown run because Sooner defenders were out of place.