The Football Brainiacs

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* tOSU QB: For me, whether or not OU wins this game comes down to one thing. If Ohio State’s dynamic quarterback JT Barrett goes off, I’m just not sure how the Sooners win this game.

If, however, this OU defense can at least prevent Barrett from being a one-man wrecking crew, then I tend to like their chances.

Much easier said than done I realize, especially considering Barrett’s “mobile QB” skill-set which no one needs reminding can be Mike Stoops’ kryptonite.

Barrett is a bigger version of Greg Ward Jr., albeit not quite as athletic, and a better passer. So it’s impossible to overstate the threat Barrett presents, especially after watching the problems Ward gave this same OU defense just a couple of weeks ago.

* Ground Game: Okay, I lied. OU winning this game depends on two things. Barrett being the first, and the Sooners have success on the ground being the second.

If OU can’t run the ball with at least some modicum of consistency, it’s hard to see them winning this game purely on the arm of Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma receiving corps.

Yes, this Ohio State defense lost A LOT from last year. But they have also yet to allow a touchdown through their first two games. And while one of those was Bowling Green, the other was a Tulsa team who will never be accused of lacking in the offensive department (though obviously weather was an issue in that game last week in Columbus).

* LOS: Related – If OU loses the line of scrimmage (on both sides, respectively), they lose this game. Plain and simple.

* 2nd Corner: It’s been a recurring theme in the first two weeks and will continue to be until something changes. Just as Houston looked to exploit the side of the field opposite Jordan Thomas, you can guarantee Barrett and Urban Meyer will look to do the exact same thing.

Having learned virtually nothing from the ULM game last week, we still don’t know how, or if, Parrish Cobb, who I’m assuming will get the start, can hold up under the pressure of the spotlight. Will they also rotate Michiah Quick in with Cobb like they did against the Warhawks?

If there is a positive here, it’s that through the first two games Ohio State doesn’t appear to have that true No. 1 threat on the outside. Although it’s worth mentioning these tend to be the type of games where stars are born. So maybe that player emerges for the Buckeyes with with aforementioned advantageous match up this OU defense presents.

* LBs: Again, just like they were in the Houston game with Ward Jr., the OU linebackers will be critical in this one because of the run threat Barrett presents.

* “Cautious Mike”: I thought there was a lot of truth to this piece that Ian Boyd wrote earlier in the week detailing the perceived differences between Mike and Bob’s respective approach to things.

What I’d like to see happen is M.Stoops shed that “cautious” tag, treat this game like the season depends on it (because it does), and go balls to the wall with his defensive game plan.

Now obviously I don’t say that to suggest he blitz 11 guys every down. No one is suggesting he throw all caution to the wind and do something stupid.

What I am suggesting, however, is to be creative. Get aggressive with your approach. Put the pressure on Barrett and Ohio State as opposed to letting what they want to do dictate what you do defensively (as so often appears to be the case for OU in these type of games, IMO).

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can live with getting beat on occasion if it comes at the sake of begin aggressive. What I can’t f’ing stand is playing passive and STILL getting beat.

* Playing Within Himself: In another BIG spot, will we see that Baker Mayfield has learned from his mistakes in the Houston game? Or will we see the same guy who holds the ball too long trying to make the perfect play at the expense of simply taking what’s there?

I tend to lean quite favorably towards the former, but after a couple weeks ago it’s a question that at least has to be asked.

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What will YOU be watching for Saturday night?