Oklahoma took a step forward at Mississippi State. Saturday gives the Sooners a chance to build on it.
OU and South Carolina enter their Halloween matchup at 4–3, with both programs needing a win to keep some momentum heading into the final stretch. There are reasons to feel better about Oklahoma coming out of Starkville. Now the Sooners have to show those improvements can carry over.
On the latest Under the Visor Pregame Podcast, Travis Davidson and I break down the matchups that could decide this game, the injury questions that remain and why Oklahoma’s run game deserves so much attention.
Getting Michael Fasusi back has changed the conversation up front. His presence matters for John Mateer, but it also matters for Ben Arbuckle and how comfortable he feels leaning on the run. Can Oklahoma keep creating manageable second downs and stay patient with what is working?
That leads directly to the backfield. Tory Blaylock and Lloyd Avant give OU options, and the question with Xavier Robinson is what version of him the Sooners will get. If he can return with the burst and physicality we have seen before, that gives Oklahoma another way to wear on South Carolina’s defense.
Mateer still has to protect the football. We also discuss whether this could be an opportunity for Manny Choice to take on more responsibility in a receiving corps dealing with injuries.
Defensively, the challenge starts with getting LaNorris Sellers on the ground. Creating pressure is only part of the job. Oklahoma has to finish those plays and keep South Carolina from turning missed tackles into extended drives and explosive gains.
The Sooners also have questions in the secondary. We discuss Peyton Bowen’s status and what the safety rotation could look like if he cannot go, including the potential workload for Michael Boganowski and Omarion Robinson.
Travis and I close with our score predictions for Oklahoma–South Carolina, along with picks for several of the weekend’s biggest games, including Ohio State–USC and Georgia–Florida.
Watch or listen to the full episode for our complete breakdown, and join us after the game for the OUInsider Rapid Reaction.
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