1. Things weren’t looking good for the Oklahoma Sooners after they dropped their first two conference games, especially when Dillon Gabriel was injured last week against TCU. Their defeat by Texas is the latest in a string of losses that is startling beyond belief.
For the first time since 1998, Oklahoma has lost all three of its Big 12 games. They didn’t just lose; there’s more to it. They have dropped these three games due of that. In their three losses, the Sooners have given up an average of 45.33 points per game, and their defense has gotten worse.
As a result of the Sooners’ 49-0 Cotton Bowl defeat against the Texas Longhorns, the quicksand they are in has developed into a pit of misery.
The Oklahoma Sooners were unable to make any plays on either side of the football against the Texas Longhorns, with the exception of the defense-forced three-and-out on the opening drive.
Steve Sarkisian and Quinn Ewers’ systematic offensive strategy defeated Oklahoma’s defense. Without its regular quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the offense also tried the wildcat and trick plays, but they had little luck.
An adequate word to describe what occurred on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl is disappointment. This team was completely outplayed and humiliated.
2. The Sooners virtually had no offense without Dillon Gabriel. For a while, running the wildcat seemed to work for them. They attempted some trick plays, which were completely unsuccessful, and the offensive was completely helpless.
When Oklahoma attempted to toss the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, either no one was available or the quarterback held onto the ball for too long. Davis Beville only completed 6 of 12 passes for 38 yards, showing that they had little confidence in his ability to complete passes.
Despite his best efforts, Jeff Lebby occasionally strayed from strategies that were successful in the run game.
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense far too frequently exhibited the fear of defeat of a team.
3. The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense has performed poorly for three straight games. The quarterback is not being put under any pressure, and the downfield coverage has also been lacking.
Quinn Ewers appeared far more at ease in the pocket than one might expect from a quarterback participating in the Red River Showdown for the first time.
Texas converted 10 of 15 third down opportunities while going 49 points, 585 total yards, and 7.2 yards per play against Oklahoma’s defense.
Only four tackles for loss and no sacks were registered by the Sooners’ defense during the contest.
4. Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. This setback to Texas was undoubtedly the worst after defeats to TCU and Kansas State snuffed out a 3-0 start.
It was stunning what happened on Saturday. And it wasn’t simply that their starting quarterback wasn’t there.
The Sooners have a lot of things to address going forward after giving up 42, 55, and 49 points in their last three games.
Even if this defense didn’t immediately develop into a great one, there were considerably higher expectations due to Brent Venables’ success at Clemson. Even the individual who had considered taking a step back was unprepared for this.
5. If there was ever a week for the Sooners to demonstrate that they weren’t just the Big 12’s doormat in 2022, this was it. Nevertheless, their fiercest competitor dominated them and defeated them.
The Sooners were unable to stop the Longhorns, not even in the closing minutes of the game when Texas was merely rushing the football and wasting time. The distance and down were irrelevant. Even with multiple players on the field, Oklahoma’s defense was easily overcome by Texas.
The atmosphere and strength and conditioning program at Brent Venables might be excellent. He might have a strong defensive mindset. However, none of that is having any effect on the football field.
To get this program back to being a conference title contender, they still have a ways to go.
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