WWE Hall of Fame Broadcaster, big-time Sooner fan and J.R.'s BBQ in Norman owner Jim Ross previews Saturday's showdown against Oklahoma State.
According to everyone I have been in contact with this week, the Oklahoma Sooners have had an exceptional week of practice in preparation for Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Showdown against the #1 ranked team in the nation, the Missouri Tigers.
The Sooners has been focused and intense in their practices, and to a man are looking forward to flying to San Antonio Friday afternoon for a return match with the explosive Tigers, who OU defeated on October 13. Seven days after beating Texas, by the way, 41-31, in Norman.
The Sooners will not be flat for this road game, even though some of their critics may say “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Without fail, I am a believer and this team is ready to play.
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The Sooners are favored by three as this is being written, which I find somewhat strange, but the people in Vegas infinitely know more about point spreads than I. There is no doubt that Mizzou will use that fact into their mental preparation for the game, but that “edge” won’t last much past kickoff.
QB Sam Bradford is healthy for OU and, without fail, he is the key to this football game for Oklahoma. One can dissect this Big 12 Conference Title game any way one chooses, but the fact remains that when “The Big Easy” plays well the Sooners win.
Last week the OU offensive line played a consistently physical game and made few mental errors, specifically non-contact fouls like false starts and the dreaded, ill-advised personal fouls that borderline on stupidity. The O-Line will have their manhood challenged by Mizzou’s defense, and how well the offensive line performs over four quarters of football will prominently influence this game.
Is offensive guard Duke Robinson truly an All American? The Football Writers of America say so, but my take on that matter is that we will all be able to determine Robinson’s lofty status by how well he plays against Missouri. All-Americans play their best in the biggest games, and this is a “big game”. Duke and his fellow big-eaters are crucial to the Sooner success.
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Last week we wrote of running back Allen Patrick having a “fumble free” and “slashing” game against OSU. A.P. did just that with 202 yards rushing against the Pokes. Can Patrick replicate his efforts this weekend against a much better defensive team? Or can running back Chris Brown have a repeat performance against Mizzou when we saw the Louisiana sophomore score three second half touchdowns the first time the two teams played? Brown’s fourth quarter on October 13 was sensational, and someone’s fourth quarter heroics will likely be needed for OU to escape the Alamodome with a victory.
Nonetheless the Sooners have been an outstanding fourth quarter team outscoring opponents this year by 84 points the final quarter of football. The Sooners have owned the last 15 minutes of football the bulk of this season, including outscoring Missouri 18-7 when the two teams met in Norman.
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This is no revelation, but Missouri’s Chase Daniel is the straw that stirs the drink for Missouri. QB Daniel is like a big-time point guard, ala Steve Nash, who directs a potent offense and everything Mizzou does offensively, runs through their 6’0 (maybe) 225-pound field general. If Daniel can consistently see his passing lanes unobstructedly and without being harassed, the Sooners will be hard-pressed to win.
DE Auston English, who still made the All-Big 12 team, even though he has not played a down since breaking a bone in his leg against Texas A&M, is not expected to play against Missouri. Even if English gets on the field for a few snaps, one has to question just how effective the superb pass rusher can be.
Nonetheless, the Sooners’ cupboards are not bare as it relates to pass rushers, keep an eye on San Antonio native Cory Bennett #97, but corralling the elusive Daniel will not be easy. Coach Barry Switzer, who is still “The King” for the record, might compare tackling Daniel to “pouring smoke through a key hole”. Amen.
The Tigers outstanding RB Tony Temple did not play against OU in the regular season. If OU thinks pass too much then Temple and Jeremy Maclin will have huge days running the football. Temple is really good….Maclin is a freak….running the ball, catching it or returning kicks. The OU linebackers having to potentially cover Maclin on pass patterns is a scary proposition. MLB and Defensive Player of the Year (well deserved) Curtis Lofton and senior Lewis Baker (Don Key Award winner) will be called upon to play big games in OU’s pass defense.
Special teams will play a huge role in this contest, especially when it comes to not allowing Maclin to make plays and for the Sooners handling the football cleanly and creating positive field position.
Kicker Garrett Hartley may well have the opportunity to be the difference-maker in this game. A key field goal in a potentially high-scoring game might be the money in this one.
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One might expect the Sooners to reveal a new wrinkle or two in this game on both sides of the football. It is easy for one to ask, what would OU be saving anything for? The offense has lots of weapons and many different ways to utilize those weapons that we have not yet seen in a game. Certainly last week was not much more than smashmouth football, not that there is any thing wrong with that, but Saturday night we might see some stuff that has been “in the vault”. Same goes for the defense that has to find ways to make Chase Daniel’s life miserable.
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>The keys to the game:
>Win the turnover battle. Ball protection is imperative for OU and getting a turnover or two from Mizzou helps the Sooner cause big time.
>Continue to run the ball with ruthless aggression and, again, be fumble free. Dominate the line of scrimmage. Win the street fight.
>Keep QB Sam Bradford vertical and smiling.
>Malcolm Kelly and Juaquin Iglesias can catch the football, but they must block just as proficiently.
>Get TE Jermaine Gresham involved akin to the great job of finding Joe Jon Finley last week.
>Physically punish Missouri QB Chase Daniel.
>Tackle…tackle…tackle.
>The secondary must play their best football of the year.
>I see OU winning in a wild one….31-27! “In Bob I Trust.”
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We hope to see you soon at J.R.’S Family BBQ and appreciate all Sooner fans for their support of our restaurant in Norman and encourage you to check out our website at
www.jrsbarbq.com for some great holiday gift ideas with a distinct Oklahoma flavor. Do your holiday shopping with us online. We ship worldwide within hours of receiving your order. We can also handle all your catering needs in the Norman/OKC area by calling 405-360-4BBQ (4227).
BOOMER SOONER!
J.R.
