Game Day, Sept. 7, 2024

gameday

September 7, 2024

The View, G3 | Player Spotlight, G5 | Scouting the opponent, G7 | Things to Watch, G8

Gameday Recipes Ingredients 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin and bones discarded) 1/2 cup jarred red enchilada sauce 1/4 cup sliced and drained pickled jalapenos, chopped

Enchilada Crescent Ring

1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Stir together the chicken, enchilada sauce, pickled jalapenos, chili powder, cumin, garlic, scallion whites and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

Set aside.

2) Coat the back of a baking sheet with cooking spray. Unroll both cans of crescent dough and separate unto 16 triangles. Put a 5-inch ramekin in the center of the prepared baking sheet.

Arrange the triangles in a ring around the ramekin so the short sides of the dough are touching the ramekin, overlapping slightly, and the pointed ends are facing outward (it should look like a giant sun).

3) Spoon the chicken mixture over the short ends of the triangles closest to the ramekin. Sprinkle Mexican blend cheese on top of the chicken. Then top with the pepper Jack slices. Remove WKH UDPHNLQ 7DNH KROG RI WKH SRLQWHG HQG RI RQH RI WKH WULDQJOHV DQG IROG LW XS DQG RYHU WKH ¿ OO LQJ WXFNLQJ WKH WLS XQGHU WKH ERWWRP HGJH RI GRXJK WR VHFXUH WKH GRXJK ZLOO QRW FRYHU WKH ¿ OOLQJ completely). Repeat with the remaining triangles (there will be some gaps where you can see the chicken mixture).

4) Bake until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Brush the dough with butter and sprinkle on the scallion greens. Let cool for 15 minutes. Use a spatula to VOLGH WKH ULQJ R̆ WKH EDNLQJ VKHHW RQWR D SODWWHU 6HUYH ZLWK VDOVD GUL]]OHG ZLWK WKLQQHG VRXU cream.

Copyright 2018 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated Kosher salt Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the pan Two 8-ounce tubes refrigerated crescent roll dough 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese 3 ounces pepper Jack cheese, cut in half (about 5 slices) tap here 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Salsa, for serving Sour cream, thinned with water, for serving

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THE VIEW

They’re all big games now Victory not enough against Cougars; Sooners must get better rgency.

If you have to be told to feel it, made to respond to it or educated upon it being required, you’re already late to it.

One game in, a near 50-point victory over Temple, and it’s already upon the Sooners, whether they know it or not, even against a Houston team chosen to finish 15th in the Big 12.

It sounds wrong.

It’s not wrong.

Remember the old days, last season and beyond, when whoever OU’s opponent was prior to Texas, a perpetual storyline was the need to be sharp in that game; to wring as much out of that game as possible; to fix all “correctable” things needing fixed in that game; to earn all available confidence in that game, because the Longhorns were next?

That’s gone because that’s what every game ought to feel like in the Sooners’ new conference because the SEC comes so fast.

Given OU’s offensive line struggles against the Owls, which led to running-the-ball struggles until the fourth quarter when Taylor Tatum and Sam Franklin, a true freshman and redshirt

U

Clay Horning GUEST COLUMNIST

Oklahoma vs.

Houston When: Saturday, 6:45 p.m.

Where: Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium TV: SEC Network Radio: KREF FM 99.3 / AM 1400

junior, who spent last season at Tennessee-Martin, finally put some runs together, it’s a good thing it’s only Tulane looming next week, rather than 14thranked Georgia, arriving the See HORNING on G11

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold throws a pass during a game against Temple Aug. 30 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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SAT U R DAY, SE P T E M BE R 7, 2 0 2 4 • GA M E DAY

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SOONERS NUMERICAL ROSTER 0 Kalib Hicks RB 5-11 213 R-Fr. 0 David Stone DL 6-3 294 Fr. 1 Jayden Gibson WR 6-5 197 Jr. 1 Dasan McCullough LB 6-5 223 Jr. 2 Jovantae Barnes RB 6-0 207 Jr. 2 Billy Bowman Jr. DB 5-10 200 Sr. 3 Jalil Farooq WR 6-1 207 Sr. 3 Robert Spears-Jennings DB 6-1 219 Jr. 4 Nic Anderson WR 6-4 219 R-So. 4 Dez Malone DB 6-0 204 Sr. 5 Andrel Anthony WR 6-1 183 Sr. 5 Woodi Washington DB 5-11 195 R-Sr. 6 Deion Burks WR 5-9 190 R-Jr. 6 Nigel Smith II DL 6-4 267 Fr. 7 Jaren Kanak LB 6-2 223 Jr. 7 Zion Kearney WR 6-1 200 Fr. 8 Taylor Tatum RB 5-10 205 Fr. 8 Makari Vickers DB 6-1 192 So. 9 Michael Hawkins Jr. QB 6-1 204 Fr. 9 Gentry Williams DB 6-0 187 Jr. 10 Kip Lewis LB 6-1 221 R-So. 10 Bauer Sharp TE 6-4 247 R-Jr. 11 Jackson Arnold QB 6-1 211 So. 11 Kobie McKinzie LB 6-2 242 R-So. 12 Devon Jordan DB 5-11 179 Fr. 12 Brendan Zurbrugg QB 6-2 202 Fr. 13 J.J. Hester WR 6-4 202 R-Sr. 13 Reggie Powers III DB 5-11 208 Fr. 14 Jaydan Hardy DB 5-10 174 Fr. 14 Steele Wasel QB 6-3 219 R-Fr. 15 Kendel Dolby DB 5-11 185 Sr. 15 Brenen Thompson WR 5-9 165 Jr. 16 Danny Okoye DL 6-3 253 Fr. 16 Casey Thompson QB 6-0 192 R-Sr. 17 Taylor Heim LB 6-6 216 R-Fr. 17 Jaquaize Pettaway WR 5-10 189 So. 18 Kaden Helms TE 6-5 239 R-So. 18 Erik McCarty DB 6-1 185 R-Fr. 19 Jacobe Johnson DB 6-2 200 So. 19 Kade McIntyre TE 6-3 221 R-Fr. 20 Lewis Carter LB 6-0 227 So. 20 Sam Franklin RB 5-10 198 R-Jr. 21 Jeremiah Newcombe DB 5-9 182 Fr.

21 Xavier Robinson RB 6-0 222 Fr. 22 Peyton Bowen DB 6-0 200 So 22 Chapman McKown RB 5-5 174 R-Fr. 23 Eli Bowen DB 5-9 186 Fr. 23 Emeka Megwa RB 6-0 211 R-Jr. 24 Samuel Omosigho LB 6-2 236 So. 25 Andy Bass RB 5-11 208 Fr. 25 Michael Boganowski DB 6-2 211 Fr. 26 Kani Walker DB 6-2 205 R-Jr. 27 Jayden Rowe DB 6-2 223 R-So. 27 Gavin Sawchuk RB 5-11 200 R-So. 28 KJ Daniels WR 5-9 152 Fr. 28 Danny Stutsman LB 6-4 241 Sr. 29 Casen Calmus DB 5-10 196 R-Fr. 29 Gabe Sawchuk RB 5-10 185 Fr. 30 Trace Ford DL 6-2 246 R-Sr. 31 Cale Fugate DB 5-10 190 R-Fr. 31 Ashton Logan P 6-2 217 R-So. 32 R Mason Thomas DL 6-2 240 Jr. 33 Phil Picciotti LB 6-3 239 R-Fr. 34 Adepoju Adebawore DL 6-4 251 So. 34 Zach Schmit K/P 5-10 196 R-Sr. 35 Liam Evans K 5-7 181 Fr. 35 Jakeb Snyder DB 5-8 180 R-Fr. 36 Josh Plaster K/P 6-0 187 R-Sr. 38 Owen Heinecke LB 6-2 227 R-So. 39 Peter Schuh DB 5-8 184 R-So. 40 Ethan Downs DL 6-4 265 Sr. 41 Emmett Jones III DB 6-0 182 R-Fr. 42 Wyatt Gilmore DL 6-4 245 Fr. 44 Taylor Wein DL 6-4 267 R-Fr. 45 Hampton Fay TE 6-5 245 R-Jr. 45 Mykel Patterson-McDonald DB 5-10 172 Fr. 46 Dax Noles DB 6-0 192 Fr. 47 James Nesta LB 6-3 216 Fr. 48 Luke Elzinga P 6-4 229 R-Sr. 48 Jocelyn Malaska DB 6-1 186 R-So. 50 Ben Anderson LS 6-5 240 R-So. 51 Branson Hickman OL 6-2 301 R-Sr. 52 Troy Everett OL 6-3 308 R-Jr. 52 Damonic Williams DL 6-1 319 Jr. 54 Febechi Nwaiwu OL 6-4 339 R-Jr. 55 Eddy Pierre-Louis OL 6-3 305 Fr.

55 Ashton Sanders DL 6-1 295 R-Fr. 56 Eugene Brooks OL 6-3 336 Fr. 56 Gracen Halton DL 6-2 291 Jr. 57 Gunnar Allen OL 6-0 297 R-So. 58 Spencer Brown OL 6-6 321 R-Sr. 58 Ethan Lane LS 5-11 230 R-Sr. 61 Kenneth Wermy OL 6-5 305 R-Fr. 64 Joshua Bates OL 6-3 309 R-Fr. 65 Jayden Jackson DL 6-2 300 Fr. 65 Ty Kubicek OL 6-2 294 R-Fr. 66 Geirean Hatchett OL 6-5 312 R-Sr. 70 Michael Tarquin OL 6-6 317 R-Sr 71 Logan Howland OL 6-6 317 R-Fr. 72 Josh Aisosa OL 6-3 323 Fr. 73 Isaiah Autry-Dent OL 6-6 310 Fr. 74 Evan McClure OL 6-4 275 Fr. 75 Daniel Akinkunmi OL 6-6 321 Fr. 76 Jacob Sexton OL 6-6 322 Jr. 77 Heath Ozaeta OL 6-5 318 R-Fr. 79 Jake Taylor OL 6-6 309 R-So. 80 Josh Fanuiel TE 6-3 250 R-Jr. 80 Bergin Kysar DL 6-3 245 Fr. 81 Zion Ragins WR 5-8 145 Fr. 82 Ivan Carreon WR 6-6 223 Fr. 83 Major Melson WR 5-10 187 R-Sr. 84 Davon Mitchell TE 6-3 250 Fr. 85 Trey Brown WR 5-9 181 R-Fr. 87 Jake Roberts TE 6-4 252 Sr. 88 Jacob Jordan WR 5-9 182 Fr. 89 Eli Merck WR 6-0 206 R-Fr. 90 Caiden Woullard DL 6-4 259 Sr. 91 Drew Heinig DL 6-5 288 R-Fr. 93 Ace Hodges DL 6-1 284 Fr. 94 Mari Atchison DL 6-2 268 Fr. 95 Da’Jon Terry DL 6-3 323 R-Sr. 96 Davon Sears DL 6-2 295 R-Sr. 97 Kyle Carlson LB 6-3 190 R-Fr. 98 Tyler Keltner K 5-11 181 R-Sr. 99 Markus Strong DL 6-3 290 R-Fr. Last updated Aug. 7, 2024 Weights as of June 27, 2024

OU Two-Deep Roster OFFENSE QB 11 Jackson Arnold 9 Michael Hawkins Jr. RB 27 Gavin Sawchuk OR 2 Jovantae Barnes TE 10 Bauer Sharp OR 87 Jake Roberts WR 15 Brenen Thompson OR 4 Nic Anderson LT 70 Michael Tarquin 71 Logan Howland LG 76 Jacob Sexton 77 Heath Ozaeta 51 Branson Hickman 64 Joshua Bates RG 54 Febechi Nwaiwu 66 Geirean Hatchett RT 79 Jake Taylor OR 58 Spencer Brown SLOT 6 Deion Burks 17 Jaquaize Pettaway WR 3 Jalil Farooq 13 J.J. Hester

DEFENSE

OU Football Schedule Oklahoma 51, Temple 3

BYE WEEK

Sept. 7 vs. Houston, 6:45 p.m. SECN

Oct. 12 vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m. ABC or ESPN

Sept. 14 vs. Tulane, 2:30 p.m. ESPN or ESPN2 Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Auburn, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 at Missouri, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

Oct. 19 vs. South Carolina, 11-Noon

BYE WEEK

Oct. 26 at Ole Miss, 11-Noon

Nov. 23 vs. Alabama, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

Nov. 2 vs. Maine, 1:30 p.m. ESPN+ or SECN+

Nov. 30 at LSU, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

LDE 40 Ethan Downs 90 Caiden Woullard DT 65 Jayden Jackson 56 Gracen Halton NT 52 Damonic Williams OR 95 Da’Jon Terry RDE 32 R Mason Thomas

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30 Trace Ford MIKE 28 Danny Stutsman 11 Kobie McKinzie WILL 10 Kip Lewis OR 20 Lewis Carter CHEETAH 15 Kendel Dolby 24 Samuel Omosigho LCB 26 Kani Walker OR 5 Woodi Washington SS 2 Billy Bowman Jr. 14 Jaydan Hardy FS 22 Peyton Bowen OR 3 Roberts Spears-Jennings RCB 4 Dez Malone OR 9 Gentry Williams

SPECIALISTS K 98 Tyler Keltner 34 Zach Schmit P 48 Luke Elzinga 31 Ashton Logan KO 34 Zach Schmit 98 Tyler Keltner KR 2 Billy Bowman Jr. 3 Jalil Farooq PR 22 Peyton Bowen 2 Billy Bowman Jr. LS 50 Ben Anderson 58 Ethan Lane H 36 Josh Plaster 48 Luke Elzinga As of Temple Game

.

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PL AYER SPOTLIGHT

Trace Ford has new confidence heading into 2nd season with Sooners TARIK MASRI TRANSCRIPT SPORTS E D I TO R

29 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, a pick and an interception.

Ford missed the entire next season due to injury and hasn’t been able to match that production again. He played in every game last season and says his previous injuries are in the past.

“My body feels great. I feel really good, I feel loose. I’m just excited for the season,” he said.

The Sooners’ defensive line is experiencing a similar rejuvenation. Against Temple, players were often only getting a few snaps before being rotated out for other players.

It’s not just the defensive line, the Sooners played 42 players on defense and gave up just three points to Temple.

Oklahoma finished the game with nine tackles for loss and six sacks. The Owls averaged 3.2 yards per play and were 1-12 on third down.

“Pretty stacked. Lots of rotating, lots of freshness Reghan Kyle | For The Transcript out there. No guys are getting tired,” Ford said.

Oklahoma’s Trace Ford returns an interception against Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa.

Trace Ford admits he wasn’t very confident when he took the field for the first time at Oklahoma.

He entered the program having played in 32 games over three seasons at Oklahoma State, so his lack of conf idence didn’t come from a lack of experience.

Like with new players on the Sooners’ defense, it took time for him to understand head coach Brent Venables’ scheme.

“Last year (laughs) I was not very confident out there,” Ford said on Tuesday. “It’s a lot. The defense is very complicated to me.”

His role not only required him to understand what to do from his position on every play, he also had to know what to do if he was flipped to the other side of the defensive line. Ford’s responsibility can vary drastically on every play depending on what the offense does.

“It’s just all these things in one play that made it so … my head was always just hectic,” grasp his role. This fall camp, it finally clicked. he said.

“This year just knowing the It wasn’t until this spring that he felt like he started to plays, knowing what to do,

knowing what to do on which Most importantly, Ford side of the ball,” Ford said. “I said he’s feeling confident in have a lot of confidence this his body as well as his mind. year playing.”

The Edmond product had

several injuries that set him back during his four seasons at Oklahoma State. He played in 13 games as freshman with

Tarik Masri is the sports editor for The Transcript covering OU athletics and area sports.

You can reach him by emailing tarik@normantranscript.com

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Scouting the opponent: Houston Cougars TARIK MASRI

UNLV 27, HOUSTON 7

TRANSCRIPT SPORTS E D I TO R

The Willie Fritz era got off to a shaky start last weekend in a 27-7 home loss to UNLV in front of a half-filled stadium.

As ugly as the loss looks on paper, it was perhaps even uglier than the score indicated. The Rebels controlled the game from the jump and held the Cougars scoreless until their final drive of the game.

The Cougars forced two i nterc ept ion s a nd held the Rebels to a somewhat respectable 308 yards of total offense, but the offense never clicked. They were held to 38 yards rushing and quarterback Donovan Smith was sacked six times.

UNLV went 9-5 last season and was third in the Mountain West Conference, but the Cougars looked completely outmatched against an opponent they should be able to beat.

“Coach Fritz and his staff are really know for being well-coached and incredibly disciplined, patient,” OU head coach Brent Venables said.

“Gonna play a tight game, try to get it to the fourth quarter, try to possess the ball, run it a variety of ways and take their shots.”

UNLV 7 7 10 3 — 27 HOUSTON 0 0 0 7 — 7 First Quarter UNLV — De Jesus 13 pass from Sluka (Chittenden kick), 8:10.

Second Quarter UNLV — De Jesus 24 pass from Sluka (Chittenden kick), 12:49.

Third Quarter UNLV — FG Chittenden 40, 9:49.

UNLV — Catalon 36 interception return (Chittenden kick), 5:23.

Fourth Quarter UNLV — FG Chittenden 34, 5:00.

HOU — Manjack 2 pass from Ale (Kim kick), 1:00.

Att. — 25,750.

UNLV HOU First downs 14 14 Total Net Yards 308 259 Rushes-yards 48-195 25-50 Passing 113 209 Punt Returns 1-6 2-1 Kickoff Returns 2-33 4-94 Interceptions Ret. 2-36 1-48 Comp-Att-Int 7-14-1 22-38-2

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-3 6-49 Punts 5-40.6 7-37.714 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 6-48 10-74 Time of Possession 31:27 28:33 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING (UNLV) M.Allen 10-65, Sluka 11-59, James 6-28, Burrell 4-16, J.Thomas 8-15, De Jesus 4-7, Irvin 2-5, C.Moore 1-3, (Team) 2-(minus 3).

(UH) P.Jenkins 2-17, Chriss 3-16, Sanford 4-13, Shoulders 1-5, Johnson 1-5, Ale 1-3, Sneed 2-3, D.Smith 11-(minus 12).

PASSING (UNLV) — Sluka 6-13-1-71, Irvin 1-1-042. (UH), D.Smith 15-30-2-135, Ale 7-8-0-74.

RECEIVING (UNLV) — De Jesus 3-42, Bradley 2-60, White 2-11. (UH) Mews 3-57, Johnson 3-32, Sanford 3-25, Manjack 3-7, Carr 2-31, K.Young 2-13, Jo.Wilson 2-12, P.Jenkins 2-8, Shoulders 1-20, Sneed 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS (UNLV) Chittenden 21. (UH) Martin 42.

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU’s defensive back Kani Walker during a game against Temple Aug. 30 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

That will be true again against the Sooners in Norman, but the Cougars should be expecting to improve as the season goes on.

Here’s a preview of Houston on both sides of the ball:

OFFENSE If last week was any indication, the Sooners won’t meet much resistance from the Cougars’ offensive line.

The Rebels were constantly in Houston’s backfield and

making the game difficult for starting quarterback Donovan Smith (wears No. 1). Smith has passed for over 5,000 yards in his career including two seasons at Texas Tech.

Big, strong, athletic and really dangerous, and they’ve got a couple of their backups that are very similar, almost clones to him. A big, strong running back, and again, long, explosive receivers and tight ends. So, ough a be a

good matchup and certainly a step up from where we were a week ago.

On the outside Stephon Johnson (wears No. 5) is a legit threat, but the Cougars have struggled to get their playmakers the ball. Expect Houston to look for different ways to keep the Sooners’ defense from pinning their ears back through misdirection or outside runs.

Running back Parker Jenkins (wears No. 23) led the team in rushing yards as a freshman last season.

“It’s an older team, but it is

a new team,” Venables said.

“Over half their team is brand new. Coach Fritz’s teams the last two years are 10-0 in true road games, so he knows how to get his guys ready.”

DEFENSE Fritz brought defensive coordinator Shiel Wood along with him from Tulane. The group uses multiple fronts and likes to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The defense often uses a linebacker / defensive end hybrid which they call the “dog” position and a fifth defensive back that also has

LET’S GO SOONERS!!

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Past Meetings 2019 (Norman) — 49-31, OU 2016 (Houston) — 33-23, UH 2004 (Norman) — 63-13, OU 1981 (Sun Bowl) — 40-14, OU OU leads series 3-1

linebacker responsibilities called the “anchor.”

Senior Hershley McLaurin (wears No. 15) started at the anchor position in the season opener. Brandon Mack (wears No. 4) started at dog.

Defensive end Keith Cooper Jr. (wears No. 5) was a standout at Tulane and had three tackles and a sack in the first half against UNLV. “No. 2 and No. 5 are really good football players, guys that have played a lot of football,” Venables said. “They have roughly 17, I think, players in their two-deep that are seniors, and then several others that are juniors. I only think three freshmen that are in their two-deep.”

Tarik Masri is the sports editor for The Transcript covering OU athletics and area sports.

You can reach him by emailing tarik@normantranscript.com

Head Coach Willie Fritz Prev. HC Jobs — Tulane (‘16-’23); Georgia Southern (‘15-’16); Sam Houston (‘10’13); Central Missouri (‘97-’09); Blinn College (‘93-’96) Overall Record (32nd season) — 247-122-1 At Houston (First season) — 0-1 At Tulane — Went 23-4 over final two seasons

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Five things to watch TARIK MASRI TRANSCRIPT SPORTS E D I TO R

1. HONORING THE BUD WILKINSON ERA

2. BACK IN NORMAN The Cougars have two players that used to play for the Sooners’ defense.

Senior defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. (wears No. 1) played in nine games in 2021 with one start. His brother Latreveon McCutchin (wears No. 10) also plays for the Cougars. Senior linebacker Jamal Morris is the other former Sooner on Houston’s defense, playing in 20 games over three seasons from 2019-21.

Every OU home game will have a different theme this season in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the stadium, but will have an especially unique feel to it.

The Sooners will be breaking in new throwback alternate uniforms against Houston that resemble those worn by 3. WHO STEPS UP AT the teams coached by legend- WIDE RECEIVER? The Sooners will need ary coach Bud Wilkinson.

to replace another starting receiver after Jalil Farooq went dow n w it h injur y against Temple. The Sooners’ third starting receiver, Nic Anderson, sat out the season opener and no timeline has been given for his return. Deion Burks was the star of both then spring game and the season opener, but Jackson Arnold will need another option. The passing game produced just 161 yards against Temple, which is the lowest by the school since its blowout loss to Texas two See WATCH on G10

AP Photo | File

Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson talks on the sideline on a phone during a Nov. 1949 game at Owen Field. By the 1950s, college football’s balance of power had drifted away from the elite eastern schools and into the Midwest, where Wilkinson’s Oklahoma dynasty dominated the polls and set a record winning streak that still stands.

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5 games Sooner fans should keep an eye on this weekend of other games diverting their attention during the early window.

Here’s a guide for this week’s Oklahoma is in the evening win- action: dow for the second week in a row, which gives Sooner fans plenty of TEXAS AT MICHIGAN, time to wait and watch action from 11 A.M. ON FOX around the country before SaturThe Sooners’ biggest rivals are day’s game against Houston. going on the road to face the defendIt’s going to be another big weekend in college football with several ing national champions in their interesting non-conference match- own building. As of Wednesday, ups to be on the lookout for. The the Longhorns are favored by over excitement will begin early with a touchdown.

Coming off playoff appearances a top-10 matchup between No. 3 Texas and No. 10 Michigan at the last season, both sides will be looking to prove they can return in the Big House.

Still, Sooner fans will have plenty new, 12-team format. Regardless TARIK MASRI

T R A N S C R I P T S P O R T S E D I TO R

of the result, the Sooners should sas Pine-Bluff. have a better idea of what their Red River Rivals will look like this sea- KANSAS STATE AT TULANE, 11 A.M. ON ESPN son after this weekend.

The Sooners will face the Green ARKANSAS AT OKLAHOMA Wave next weekend and this will be their first real test after 52-point STATE, 11 A.M. ON ABC These two programs haven’t win in the opener. The Wildcats believe they have a team that can played since 1980 when the Razorwin the Big 12 and earn a playoff backs were competing the in spot.

Southwest Conference and the Cowboys were in the Big Eight. Both TENNESSEE VS. NC STATE, schools have fans that are passion- 6:30 P.M. ON ABC ate and live close to one another, Oklahoma’s first SEC foe will be giving this game an extra level of kicking off a big game against a excitement. The Razorbacks are tough NC State team at the same coming off a 70-0 romp of Arkan- time the Sooners take on Hous-

ton. This game is being played at a neutral sight, but in the Wolfpack’s home state of North Carolina.

COLORADO AT NEBRASKA, 6:45 P.M. ON NBC A classic Big Eight matchup is being renewed with two programs that are hoping they have the pieces in place to start competing for conference championships again. The Cornhuskers are the favorite by over a touchdown at their home stadium.

Tarik Masri is the sports editor for The Transcript covering OU athletics and area sports. You can reach him by emailing tarik@normantranscript.com

Jose Juarez | Associated Press

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, second from left, celebrates his touchdown with Colston Loveland (18), Peyton O’Leary (81), and Tyler Morris (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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Hickman returned to practice after his ankle injury against CONTINUED FROM G8 Temple, but it will be interesting to see who the team’s five years ago. Will they look starters will be. to produce more big plays 5. COULD TATUM against the Cougars?

WATCH

4.WHERE DOES THE OFFENSIVE LINE STAND? It wasn’t an encouraging start for the Sooners’ front five last week, but these first three games can be important for their growth and chemistry as a unit. Branson

run. However it was Taylor Tatum and Sam Franklin that led the team in rushing in that order. Tatum looked the part of a highly-touted freshman running back, but it was a small sample size.

EVENTUALLY BECOME The Sooners will likely keep THE LEAD BACK? rotating their backs until Gavin Sawchuk started they get to the tougher part last week and got the most of their schedule. carries of any of the running backs, but finished with just Tarik Masri is the sports editor 15 yards on his six carries. for The Transcript covering Jovantae Barnes had five OU athletics and area sports. carries for 33 yards with his You can reach him by emailing longest coming on a 13-yard tarik@normantranscript.com

Under Bud Wilkinson, OU’s football team won 13 consecutive conference titles.

Photo Provided

Provided by Morgan Given | University of Oklahoma

From left, Oklahoma offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma defensive back Gentry Williams, running back Gavin Sawchuk and defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry are pictured during Sooners’ throwback uniform photoshoot.

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week after.

Still, close enough.

Oh, by the way, if you’re right now trying to remember the Sooners’ tune-up-for-Texas contest this year, it’s Auburn, at Auburn, which is no tune-up at all, but a grind-it-out-victory-ifyou-can-earn-it kind of game.

Come to think of it, given Brent Venables’ history in the Big 12 and ACC, does he have any experience against a schedule like this? Does offensive coordinator Seth Littrell or defensive coordinator Zac Alley?

Do they get it?

It’s not enough to post another 51-3 victory, as the Sooners earned against the Owls, if it’s arrived at identically.

Nobody can count on six forced turnovers becoming the norm. Maybe one or two, sometimes three, never six.

So what’s required?

Independent of the availability of center Branson Hickman, injured after 10 snaps last week, the offensive line must be drastically better.

That right tackle Jake Taylor will finally occupy his starting right tackle spot after being held out to injury ought to help, but whoever plays, the unit must be much better.

Even if it means throwing the ball in the second half of a game already decided, OU must establish more receivers in the wake of Jalil Farooq being knocked out six weeks minimum with a

G11

AP Top 25 1. Georgia 2. Ohio St. 3. Texas 4. Alabama 5. Notre Dame 6. Ole Miss 7. Oregon 8. Penn St. 9. Missouri 10. Michigan 11. Utah 12. Miami (FL) 13. USC

14. Tennessee 15. Oklahoma 16. Oklahoma St. 17. Kansas St. 18. LSU 19. Kansas 20. Arizona 21. Iowa 22. Louisville 23. Georgia Tech 24. NC State 25. Clemson

broken foot.

Deion Burks was great against Temple, as was tight end Bauer Sharp, leaving Brenen Thompson, Andrel Anthony and, if he plays, Nic Anderson, to get themselves established, pronto. Maybe Jaquaize Pettaway, too, because time’s never not runnin’ where the Sooners are now.

A vastly improved running game from the start must be on the agenda, too, but that goes right back to the line.

Preseason All-SEC safety Billy Bowman had a quote this week I’m not certain I understood word-for-word, but certainly got the gist.

“We’ve got to have more disciplined eyes,” he said. “We’re going to play some better teams who are going to know how to attack those spots on the field, with our eyes, how to deceive

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU running back Jovantae Barnes during a game against Temple Aug. 30 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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them.

“So we’ve got to have more disciplined eyes and continue to stay on top of everything.”

I think he might have skipped some words there, but no biggie, coaches do it all the time.

That aside, Bowman’s describing something specific, from the ropes course of technique rather than the basics, feeling the need to improve upon something precise despite holding Temple to 69 passing yards, two interceptions included.

That that’s where his head’s at ought to make Sooner fans feel great about the secondary and defense.

The offense may never get that far but it can still build quickly, knowing there’s no time to lose.

Urgency, catch it.

OU wanted the SEC, it got the SEC, where they’re all big games now.

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