Sooners' Great Defense...?

[Hacksaw]

I keep seeing the storyline of this game as our high-powered offense versus Oklahoma's "great" defense. Many of the talking heads have questioned whether or not our offense has REALLY been tested in our 3-0 start. I have NOT seen the same degree of scrutiny applied to Oklahoma's "great" defense. So, out of genuine curiosity, I took a look at their first 3 opponents, Temple, Houston and Tulane (combined 2024 record to date, 2-7).

Temple was held to a single FG against the Sooners. But Navy also held them down, allowing just 11 points. By comparison, Navy's defense gave up 21 points to Bucknell in Week One.

The Sooners allowed 12 points to Houston in a close game at home. Houston only managed 7 points against UNLV. To be fair, UNLV's results do suggest that they may have a decent defense. The verdict is still out. I submit that the same could be said for OU's defense.

Tulane managed 19 points against the Sooners in what is OU's best win to date.

I don't know what it all means and I'm not drawing any conclusions, but I do find it interesting. I expect the game to be competitive and that OU will play their best game of the season. I also believe that our team will be ready to play at a high level.

Go Vols!!!

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Exactly. I think it’s just because their coach is a “great defensive mind“.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Is their defense really considered “elite”?

I don’t think so.

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

OU
Total Offense #108
Total Defense #27

TN
Total Offense #2
Total Defense #2

 

[jaguinn5]

OU
Total Offense #108
Total Defense #27

TN
Total Offense #2
Total Defense #2

View attachment 679246View attachment 679247

I'll be interested to see what this looks like after we get more SEC games under our belt.

 

[Volador]

Soooo many numbers just make me lose track of truly important #s, such as

36
24
30

hut
hut
hut

 

[VolCalls]

I’m betting the under in this game.

 

[TAF]

#WGWTFA

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

He is a really good defensive coach. He also had the Jimmies and Joes at Clemson. Hopefully he doesn’t have them yet at OU

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Nice little research

 

[BruiserVol]

The season really starts today, and always did in my eyes during the offseason. I’m so tired of talking about stats. Let’s get out there and see what we’re made of.

 

[lefthander]

Exactly. I think it’s just because their coach is a “great defensive mind“.

They gave up a million points in the big 12 last year. I believe Venable like Dabo benefited from a run of really exception Jimmies and Joes. Neither looks genius with current squads.
I believe if it is close will be because they abuse our back end defense.

 

[rocketskates]

Stats are just numbers. Its 11 vs 11 tonight. “The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win”. GBO

 

[ntxVOL]

Watching gameday this morning and I find it incredible that NO ONE is talking about our defense. I hope they really show out tonight.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

They gave up a million points in the big 12 last year. I believe Venable like Dabo benefited from a run of really exception Jimmies and Joes. Neither looks genius with current squads.
I believe if it is close will be because they abuse our back end defense.

Their pass protection has to hold up for them to even test our secondary.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Didn't Houston play OU pretty closely?

I see Cincinnati pounding Houston 34-0.

 

[chatt.vol]

Didn't Houston play OU pretty closely?

I see Cincinnati pounding Houston 34-0.

Yep and that elite Oklahoma D gave up 12 to Houston and only scored 16. Cincinnati was the 115th ranked D before today.

 

[ftsandersvol]

Big 12…’nuff said.

 

[volfan411]

I’m betting the under in this game.

Me as well!!

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

He is a really good defensive coach. He also had the Jimmies and Joes at Clemson. Hopefully he doesn’t have them yet at OU

They said that Cornbread was a good defensive coach too. So I don't listen to what "they" are saying. They are wrong a lot of the times.

 

[bpalmer28]

24-22 Vols in an ugly, gutsy road win.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

They gave up a million points in the big 12 last year. I believe Venable like Dabo benefited from a run of really exception Jimmies and Joes. Neither looks genius with current squads.
I believe if it is close will be because they abuse our back end defense.

Not if their QB is on his ass all game.

 

[camp_steveo]

All the talk is meant to do is get clicks and views. They gotta keep it interesting.

I think it will probably be a good game without all the talk.

 

[Firebirdparts]

This is the hardest I've seen a defense play in a long time.

 

[volfeeva]

Saban said on ESPN this morning that Venable has been preparing for this game with Tn since spring practice began. Saban said the same thing about his preparing for us last year.