@BPrzybylo - Not sure how many people realistically thought we’d be playing bowl games in the COVID-19 season of 2020, but here we are. We’ve made it to the Cotton Bowl with Oklahoma and what appears to be an undermanned Florida group.
Appears, though, could be a bit too strong. You don’t replace Kyle Pitts, who feels like a once in a generation type of freak athlete. But in missing guys like Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes, like Dan Mullen said, just means it’s a chance for young players to step up.
If you’re at a school like Florida, and you’ve been waiting for a moment, why not against the Sooners? And with Kyle Trask leading the charge, that’s a dangerous group.
So it’s still a chance for OU’s defense to cement itself and what it has accomplished this season, especially during the second half of the year.
For as good as head Lincoln Riley has done in his four years running the show, he’s still searching for that first bowl win. He’s still searching for that first SEC win, having lost to Georgia, Alabama and LSU in the last three years.
History won’t remember who is motivated or opted out. Nah, two or three months from now, it’s just going to be about who won.
For OU to win, quarterback Spencer Rattler needs to the offense humming again. Way too many sputtering stretches. It’s hard to say if it will be a springboard for 2021, but the pieces are there when you think about who could return for OU.
A great bowl performance doesn’t automatically guarantee a spectacular 2021, but it wouldn’t be bad for the Sooners to earn their first bowl win since the Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn, the last game for former coach Bob Stoops.
There’s still going to be some moments of offensive issues. Times when Trask is going to make OU fans shake their head. But in the end, Rattler accounts for four touchdowns and OU gets another New Year’s Six win.
OU 34, Florida 26.
@Eddie_Rado - We made it. Cross the finish line. Finished. I know we've started off each game prediction with a 'thank you' to college football. But we mean it. It took a lot to get here. There was a lot of sacrifice that went into producing a product we love.
Good news for you. Oklahoma has a big game ahead. An opportunity to continued building versus an opponent that can still pack a punch. Have we not talked about Kyle Trask enough? Sure seems like. He only leads the FBS in passing yards and touchdowns. But who catches Trasks throws? That's a good question. How much pressure can Oklahoma generate? That's another really good question. And what about this Oklahoma offense?
Opt outs and COVID are the storylines. We are aware of who has opted out on both sides. But can we expect to see a few more names because of COVID positives? We've heard Oklahoma is in good shape but what about Florida? Will be something to watch as the day goes on.
It feels like Oklahoma is playing it's best team football at the right time. Perhaps I've bought in too much. Perhaps I'm too invested. Both spiritually and monetarily. I'm glad we took Oklahoma early, early in the week.
As much of an opportunity as this is for Alex Grinch's defense, perhaps it's an even bigger opportunity for Spencer Rattler.
Some predictions:
* OU forces three turnovers
* Seth McGowan scores a touchdown
* Trejan Bridges leads Oklahoma in receiving
Oklahoma 38
Florida 23
@Josh_M - So I've said for years this is the exact scenario Oklahoma wants but it's become so warped that it's hard for me to feel the same as I usually might with this game. Basically, this is a can't lose scenario for Oklahoma, and I don't mean that as in 'no way this goes badly for them'.
They pretty much HAVE to win, it's just ugly in the national narrative if Oklahoma loses to a team that is lacking some of it's most prevalent players - some of which may not even be announced yet. But the reality is that the Sooners have the better of things and if they can keep Kyle Trask from running (or throwing, I guess?) wild with a series of receivers that have rarely caught a pass from him in game action.
I like Oklahoma's defensive line matchup - the more I've watched of Florida, I see some advantages that Oklahoma can win. Florida is solid up front but they are far from exemplary and if Oklahoma's going to attack anyone? It's going to be a familiar name - right tackle Jean Delance. Look for Oklahoma to make some moves to attack him with their talented group of pass rushers and obviously they'll run a lot of fstunts to try and throw him off.
Offensively the Sooners aren't facing the Florida defensive fronts of years gone by and I think they can, at least, fight to a stalemate up front but there's no denying that Spencer Rattler is going to have to make some throws to loosen up a Florida defense that you can bet is going to be aggressive and try to attack Oklahoma and prevent the vertical passing game.
My predictions...
Oklahoma has one touchdown catch each from two non-wide receivers.
Ronnie Perkins and Nik Bonitto combine for 3.5 sacks.
Tre Norwood keeps his impressive interception run going.
Oklahoma 38
Florida 23
Appears, though, could be a bit too strong. You don’t replace Kyle Pitts, who feels like a once in a generation type of freak athlete. But in missing guys like Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes, like Dan Mullen said, just means it’s a chance for young players to step up.
If you’re at a school like Florida, and you’ve been waiting for a moment, why not against the Sooners? And with Kyle Trask leading the charge, that’s a dangerous group.
So it’s still a chance for OU’s defense to cement itself and what it has accomplished this season, especially during the second half of the year.
For as good as head Lincoln Riley has done in his four years running the show, he’s still searching for that first bowl win. He’s still searching for that first SEC win, having lost to Georgia, Alabama and LSU in the last three years.
History won’t remember who is motivated or opted out. Nah, two or three months from now, it’s just going to be about who won.
For OU to win, quarterback Spencer Rattler needs to the offense humming again. Way too many sputtering stretches. It’s hard to say if it will be a springboard for 2021, but the pieces are there when you think about who could return for OU.
A great bowl performance doesn’t automatically guarantee a spectacular 2021, but it wouldn’t be bad for the Sooners to earn their first bowl win since the Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn, the last game for former coach Bob Stoops.
There’s still going to be some moments of offensive issues. Times when Trask is going to make OU fans shake their head. But in the end, Rattler accounts for four touchdowns and OU gets another New Year’s Six win.
OU 34, Florida 26.
@Eddie_Rado - We made it. Cross the finish line. Finished. I know we've started off each game prediction with a 'thank you' to college football. But we mean it. It took a lot to get here. There was a lot of sacrifice that went into producing a product we love.
Good news for you. Oklahoma has a big game ahead. An opportunity to continued building versus an opponent that can still pack a punch. Have we not talked about Kyle Trask enough? Sure seems like. He only leads the FBS in passing yards and touchdowns. But who catches Trasks throws? That's a good question. How much pressure can Oklahoma generate? That's another really good question. And what about this Oklahoma offense?
Opt outs and COVID are the storylines. We are aware of who has opted out on both sides. But can we expect to see a few more names because of COVID positives? We've heard Oklahoma is in good shape but what about Florida? Will be something to watch as the day goes on.
It feels like Oklahoma is playing it's best team football at the right time. Perhaps I've bought in too much. Perhaps I'm too invested. Both spiritually and monetarily. I'm glad we took Oklahoma early, early in the week.
As much of an opportunity as this is for Alex Grinch's defense, perhaps it's an even bigger opportunity for Spencer Rattler.
Some predictions:
* OU forces three turnovers
* Seth McGowan scores a touchdown
* Trejan Bridges leads Oklahoma in receiving
Oklahoma 38
Florida 23
@Josh_M - So I've said for years this is the exact scenario Oklahoma wants but it's become so warped that it's hard for me to feel the same as I usually might with this game. Basically, this is a can't lose scenario for Oklahoma, and I don't mean that as in 'no way this goes badly for them'.
They pretty much HAVE to win, it's just ugly in the national narrative if Oklahoma loses to a team that is lacking some of it's most prevalent players - some of which may not even be announced yet. But the reality is that the Sooners have the better of things and if they can keep Kyle Trask from running (or throwing, I guess?) wild with a series of receivers that have rarely caught a pass from him in game action.
I like Oklahoma's defensive line matchup - the more I've watched of Florida, I see some advantages that Oklahoma can win. Florida is solid up front but they are far from exemplary and if Oklahoma's going to attack anyone? It's going to be a familiar name - right tackle Jean Delance. Look for Oklahoma to make some moves to attack him with their talented group of pass rushers and obviously they'll run a lot of fstunts to try and throw him off.
Offensively the Sooners aren't facing the Florida defensive fronts of years gone by and I think they can, at least, fight to a stalemate up front but there's no denying that Spencer Rattler is going to have to make some throws to loosen up a Florida defense that you can bet is going to be aggressive and try to attack Oklahoma and prevent the vertical passing game.
My predictions...
Oklahoma has one touchdown catch each from two non-wide receivers.
Ronnie Perkins and Nik Bonitto combine for 3.5 sacks.
Tre Norwood keeps his impressive interception run going.
Oklahoma 38
Florida 23
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