Everything you need to know about the Oklahoma Sooners football team [VIDEO]

A lot has changed since last year, a season in which the Oklahoma Sooners finished with a 6-7 record, including a record 49-0 loss to the Texas Longhorns. However, both teams have gotten better in 2023, setting up an interesting top-15 matchup in Dallas. Today, watch our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud discuss their scouting report of the Oklahoma Sooners by watching the YouTube video above.

If you are curious about the many questions that need to be asked heading into this year’s Red River game, watch by clicking here.

Additionally, if you want to watch their reaction to last weekend’s 40-14 win over the 24th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks, click here.

Messinger’s Scouting Report of the Oklahoma Offense:

At quarterback for the Sooners is redshirt senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who has already passed for 1,593 yards and 15 touchdowns (and 2 interceptions) with an efficient 75.2% completion percentage. Additionally, Gabriel has added four touchdowns on the ground as well.

For Oklahoma, running backs have been a mixed bag this season. So far, no one has won the starting job at running back, with redshirt senior Marcus Major, junior Tawee Walker, and sophomore Jovantae Barnes all competing for snaps. Do remember that, in last year’s Red River game, wide receiver Jalil Farooq actually led the team in rushing yards with 60.

At receiver, juniors Andrel Anthony and Jalil Farooq are the teams leaders, however redshirt freshman Nic Anderson and sixth-year Drake Stoops have combined for the lion share of the touchdowns with nine. Along with the multitude of receivers, 6’6″ senior Austin Stogner and 6’4″ redshirt junior Blake Smith are big bodied athletes at the tight end position. Although, semi-shockingly the two tight ends have only combined for six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown so far this season. But, as always, if there was a week to change up the game plan and throw Texas a wrinkle, this is the one.

Lastly, Oklahoma’s offensive line is 13th-best in the country with only four sacks allowed. Of course, Oklahoma’s strength of schedule has been lagging and Texas will be a big challenge up front.

Overall, the major strength of the offense has been the passing game, ranked 6th in the country. However, even with a running game that has been average to this point, the Sooners also possess the 9th-best offense in the country.

DeRaud’s Scouting Report of the Oklahoma Defense:

Under the guidance of head coach Brent Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof, the Oklahoma defense has shown significant improvement over last year. Coach Roof, a seasoned veteran with 35 years of coaching experience, is no stranger to success, having served as the defensive coordinator for Auburn during their 2010 national championship-winning campaign. Joining forces with Venables after a stint as a defensive analyst at Clemson, Roof has been instrumental in crafting a defensive game plan that keeps opponents on their toes. Their strategy? Overwhelm the opposition with different looks and a relentless amount of pressure.

The statistics speak volumes about the Sooners’ defensive prowess this year. They currently rank 5th in the nation in points allowed, giving up a mere 10.8 points per game. Oklahoma’s defense has also been above average against the run, ranking 29th nationally with only 105.2 rush yards allowed per game. What truly sets them apart, however, is their knack for creating turnovers, averaging 2.4 takeaways per game, which places them 7th in the country.

Leading the charge is junior linebacker Danny Stutsman, the Big 12’s top tackler, with 49 tackles on the season, including a standout 17-tackle performance against SMU. Stutsman also ranks second in tackles for loss (TFLs) with 9, and he’s contributed 2 sacks and 1 interception to the team’s impressive defensive efforts. Sophomore linebacker Jaren Kanak has also made his presence felt with 22 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble.

In the secondary, senior defensive back Key Lawrence has recorded 18 tackles and 2 interceptions, while junior safety Billy Bowman Jr. adds 12 tackles and 2 interceptions to the mix. Additionally, redshirt senior free safety Reggie Pearson, a transfer from Texas Tech, has contributed with 14 tackles.

The defense’s relentless pursuit is further aided by defensive linemen Ethan Downs and Jonah Laulu, anchoring the four-man front that has collectively secured 5 sacks this season. Unfortunately, the Sooners will be without their “Cheetah position” player, Justin Harrington, who suffered an ACL injury and has been sidelined since the SMU game. Nevertheless, the Oklahoma defense remains a formidable unit and a significant test for the Texas offense.