Four questions on the way to Knoxville
Sooners suffering from identity crises as they attempt a second SEC rebound
Don’t consider this a preview.
Perhaps consider it the first ever pre-game review.
Still in the polls at No. 18, Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2 SEC) travels to face No. 14 Tennessee (6-2, 3-2 SEC) Saturday night and though they may be wondering what the Vols really have down Knoxville way, we’re really wondering what the Sooners have around here.
Like, we thought they had a terrific quarterback.
We thought they had a tremendous defense.
We’re pretty sure they have a tremendous defensive line and yet, against Ole Miss last week, even at home — REAL TIME MID-SENTENCE EDIT — actually, scratch that. Though the Sooners picked up only one sack against the Rebels, they also delivered 14 tackles for loss.
Don’t doubt the defensive line.
Now if the entirety of the defense can just get off the field.
Do you realize Ole Miss snapped the ball 87 times last week and OU only 60?
What else?
Oh, yes, the running backs.
When offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle was asked about Xavier Robinson following Robinson’s nine-carry, 109-yard performance against the Rebels, he replied “He plays like he practices,” which may be true, but is still a confounding answer given Tory Blaylock’s carried the ball 93 times this season, 57 more than the Robinson’s 36.
In fact, last Saturday was the first time Robinson registered more totes than Blaylock, who carried six times for 10 yards.
It’s enough to make Sooner fans scream, “Stop the madness.”
So that’s where we are as we attempt making sense of the challenge OU now faces, leaving four questions the Sooners must answer against the Volunteers.
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