Sooners vs. The Stats | Is Defense Doing Their Part?

If we needed further proof that Oklahoma's game against Texas was an anomaly, that game is the only time this season an opposing offense has produced better than their average against this Sooner defense. The good news is that OU won that game but it only brings out the frustration of knowing that in their two losses this season Oklahoma's defense has done their job.

Sure there are frustrations over big plays that have been allowed by the defense, but even at that opponents are being held to below their averages. Tennessee beat their rushing average against OU and West Virginia went to the air with a bit more success than their averages. Still, those were wins and the bump and yardage was innocent due to the points being below average.

If there was a truly legitimate criticism of the defense it would be the surrender of big plays and not being able to get off the field on third downs. Far too many scoring drives have been boosted by big plays against Oklahoma's defense, with the safeties and linebackers being the guys on the hook for being out of place. Third down is a group effort and as a group the Sooners are ranked 81^st nationally in third down defense and that is a significant problem.

We've legitimately made the case against the offense and kicking game for leaving points on the field but there are also instances of the defense not snuffing out scoring drives as well. Be it pressure, scheming, or alignment the defense is just a couple of third down stops from being undefeated this season.