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Five Keys To the Game As the Oklahoma Sooners Look to Start 2-0 Against the Houston Cougars

By AJ Schulte,

1 day ago

The Oklahoma Sooners got their 2024 season off right with a 51-3 victory over the Temple Owls in Week 1. Now, the Sooners are looking to keep that momentum moving forward with a matchup against the Houston Cougars, now a member of the Big 12.

What are the things to look for as Oklahoma gets set to play game two of four non-conference opponents?

#1: Get the Run Game Going

Amid some offensive line mixups and new schemes, the run game struggled to take off in game one against Temple. It got going as the game went on, but it'd be nice to see Oklahoma keep its foot on the gas from the get-go and establish the run easier.

Taylor Tatum led the Sooners' offense in rushing last week, taking advantage of a big final drive to take the lead. However, Jovantae Barnes flashed some explosiveness last week, and Gavin Sawchuk is a dangerous threat too. There's no shortage of talent in the Sooners' backfield this season, which should help ease the burden off of Jackson Arnold.

#2: Clean Up the Missed Tackles

Oklahoma's defense put on a show against Temple with six turnovers and multiple sacks. It was a pretty encouraging debut, but it was also against Temple's beleaguered and largely untalented offense.

Houston isn't as talented offensively as past seasons, but they are still more talented than Temple. The Sooners missed eight tackles last week, highlighting a problem that's been a massive issue for Oklahoma's defense for seemingly the last decade. While part of that might have been first-game rust and a wet field, it has to be fixed moving forward.

#3: Can A Receiver Step Up?

Oklahoma entered last week's game hurt at wide receiver and left even worse off. Jalil Farooq broke his foot, while Brenen Thompson suffered a knee sprain. Nic Anderson didn't even play against Temple and is questionable to play against Houston.

The Sooners don't have any shortage of talent, but many of it is unproven youngsters. There's plenty of encouragement from players like Jaquaize Pettaway, Zion Ragins, as well as the return of Andrel Anthony.

We all know how good Deion Burks is. The question is if one of the other receivers can step up to really help open up the offense.

#4: Can the Pass Rush Keep It Up?

Oklahoma's defensive line dominated Temple all game. The Sooners wracked up 19 pressures (third-most in the SEC) and five sacks, keeping Temple quarterback Forrest Brock on his toes all game long.

Still, it's Temple. They should have dominated that team. Can they keep sustaining this pass rush? Oklahoma's defensive line faltered the second half of last season and struggled to finish games off with their pass rush.

Houston's offensive line is far from the best the Sooners will play this year, but it'd be nice to see them pick up where they left off last week.

#5: Have the Sooners Found A Kicker?

Transfer kicker Tyler Keltner made his debut last week and put on a show, nailing three field goals, including a 50-yarder that could have been good from much further, and all of his extra points. Keltner became the first Sooner to be an SEC Player of the Week, something that might have astounded Sooners fans in the offseason.

Can he keep up his success? Hopefully, he won't have to kick as many field goals as he did last week, but having a reliable kicker in the lineup would solve a lot of worries about Oklahoma's ability moving forward. Just keep him away from any burritos.