Scouting Report: Oklahoma

For the first time since 2011, both Texas and Oklahoma will enter the Cotton Bowl undefeated. The Longhorns and Sooner both enter Saturday’s matchup at 5-0 and 2-0 in Big 12 play. Oklahoma will be looking for payback after suffering an embarrassing 49-0 defeat a season ago.

Offense

Dillon Gabriel missed last year’s matchup with a concussion but is full go this year and has put together a good start to the season. The UCF transfer has been around the block and played in a lot of football games. He is completing 75% of his passes with 15 touchdowns compared to just 2 interceptions. The Veer and Shoot system deployed by offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is QB friendly and sets Gabriel up for success. He has had success throwing the ball down the field mainly due to anticipation and ball placement more than pure arm strength. Gabriel does run into issues when trying to squeeze the ball into tight windows and making big-boy NFL throws to the opposite hashmark, but he knows who he is and operates well within the OU system.

The Oklahoma running game misses Eric Gray, who is now a member of the New York Giants. Marcus Major, Tawee Walker and Jovantae Barnes will see carries in this game. None of the three really stand out from a skillset standpoint. If a play is blocked for 4 yards, they will get you 4 yards.

Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq, Drake Stoops and Nic Anderson are the names to know in the Oklahoma passing game. Anthony (387 yards on 22 catches) is a transfer from Michigan and has been a godsend for a unit that had a lot of question marks coming into the season. Stoops is the man who never runs out of eligibility and serves as a reliable option out of the slot. Nic Anderson has raised from eyebrows early in the season and is averaging 28 yards per reception with 5 touchdowns.

The 2023 Oklahoma offensive line isn’t likely to be mistaken for some of the dominant units of the last 5-6 years, but they are experienced and get good play from both their tackles, Walter Rouse and Tyler Guyton. The interior of the line is the weakness, with bad play and injuries both causing shaky moments at times. Pass protection is definitely the strength of this unit overall.

Defense

Oklahoma was awful a season ago on defense. Historically bad. Worse than many of the defensive units Lincoln Riley put on the field during his tenure as head coach. As expected, Brent Venables has been extremely hands on in trying to get things fixed and the results have been promising through 5 games, although the competition hasn’t been the best . Texas will easily be the best offense the Sooners have faced.

If you were a defensive lineman in the transfer portal there is a good chance Oklahoma took a look at you. The Sooners have filled with transfers up front. DE Rondell Bothroyd (Purdue) and DT Da’Jon Terry (Tennessee) are two the better ones they found. Opposite of Bothroyd is the experienced Ethan Downs. One X-factor in this matchup could be 5-star freshman PJ Adebawore, who has seen his snaps increase at defensive end and has pass rushing ability.

Danny Stutsman made a billion tackles last year at linebacker and will make a billion more this year. Sophomore Jared Kanak starts at middle linebacker and has loads of potential, but he is prone to mistakes.

The best passing QB Oklahoma has played to this point is…..Preston Stone of SMU? So it’s tough to get a read on how improved the OU secondary is. Billy Bowman has been a stalwart at safety for several years and had a pick 6 against Iowa State last week. Woodi Washington and Gentry Williams occupy the corner spots. The nickel position has been an adventure to injuries and inconsistent performance.

Final Thoughts

Trying to predict anything with certainty in this game feels like a fool’s errand. Texas has the advantage on paper in several key areas, but this game has taken many unpredictable turns in recent matchups.

Oklahoma is an improved team from a season ago, but so is Texas. The Longhorns will find out a lot about themselves and ceiling of this season by 2:30 on Saturday.