Roy Finch Gives Oklahoma An X-Factor

Not too long after the top-ranked Sooners left the field after thrashing Tulsa 47-14 Oklahoma football fans were scratching their heads at what they had just seen. Walk-on running back Dominique Whaley had just averaged 7.2 yards per carry while rushing for 130 yards and four touchdowns. The Oklahoma offense had taken their foot off the gas after gaining a 30-0 lead late in the second quarter. The end result would be 663 total yards of offense over the course of 100 plays for an average of 6.6 yards per offensive play. The statistics were completely staggering and yet the only thing Oklahoma fans want to know was where Roy Finch was.  

He was clearly in the game, at first as a slot receiver and then a running back but he wasn't a big enough part of the offense for anyone's satisfaction. In fact, he only had five touches all night and ended with a very pedestrian 22 yards rushing. Knowing that he's capable of much more than that his defined role in the 2011 Oklahoma offense still remains a mystery. You also get the feeling that's the way Oklahoma's coaches wanted it to be.

After rushing for 398 yards on 85 carries as a freshman in 2010 (4.7 yards per carry), Finch was counted on to be an explosive piece to Oklahoma's offensive puzzle in 2011. The problem is figuring out where he goes. He runs stronger than his 5-7/166 frame would lead you to believe. He one of those running backs who wants to punish the defender trying to tackle him. His speed and elusiveness make him dangerous once he gets the ball in space which is why the Sooners will put him in the slot from time to time. Still, he's a runner though and that's where he should leave his mark on the game. I believe that's exactly what's going to happen. 

The coaches know right where they want Finch in this offense but the problem was that they couldn't use him against Tulsa they way they really want to without tipping their hands to Florida State. You see, its not just you and I who are struggling with trying to figure out where Finch is going to be in this offense. There's an entire coaching staff in Tallahassee that has no idea either. 

Are we going to see him in the slot? Yep, and their going to do more with him there than just let him catch a screen pass. He'll go out on routes and will also go in motion which will give defenses fits. Imagine adjusting to FInch in motion! Who goes with him? How much does it take away from the attention giving to the other running backs or even the tight ends?What about running a sweep to him in motion? There are so many possibilities!

Are we going to see him in the backfield? Yep, in the Pro Set, I-Formation and even from the triangle diamond formation. Speaking of which, we didn't see the diamond against Tulsa. You just get the feeling that's only one of many things involving Roy Finch that we didn't see.