Joe Duvall: (@Joe_DuVall)
33.
That is the number of days between Oklahoma’s Bedlam win over Oklahoma State and the 2015 Orange Bowl against Clemson.
As the final grains of sand spill down the hourglass, it’s time for all the noise, all the distractions, all the off-field fodder, and all the water cooler talk to die down. And just play football.
Whether this game was played in the Orange Bowl or Orange, New Jersey, it would be the most anticipated game of the season – even without all of the outside storylines. The football is enough. In fact, the marquee isn’t big enough to fit all of the star power.
Deshaun Watson. Baker Mayfield. Artavis Scott. Sterling Shepard. Shaq Lawson. Samaje Perine. Jayron Kearse. Eric Striker. Mackensie Alexander. And the list goes on.
It will be a battle between two teams with very little weaknesses that are not accustomed to losing and plenty of options to go to if other outlets are struggling. If Mayfield and Watson can’t get anything going downfield or with their legs, there is Perine, Mixon, and Wayne Gallman in the running game to bail them out. Jordan Leggett and Mark Andrews are highly talented safety valves at tight end. The multiple weapons that these offenses’ utilize really puts a strain on the middle of defenses to spy the quarterback, cover the tight end, and contain the running game. Oh yeah, and finding a way to cover a plethora of talented receivers on the outside. However, an advantage for Oklahoma’s defense is that Mike Stoops allows them to play with their eyes in the backfield, so they should always have a beat on Deshaun Watson’s whereabouts. Will Johnson’s emergence mixed with Steven Parker’s abilities give them the ability to match Clemson’s depth at receiver and tight end and Jordan Evans’ emergence in the running game could force Watson into taking a bigger role in his offense’s success than he already has.
Oklahoma also must force some turnovers against a Tiger team that had a propensity to cough it up throughout the season. Playing opportunistic football was a signature trait of this defense, especially over the second half of the season, and they must continue to do so as I see this as a game of big plays.
Also, this is a Clemson team that, despite playing in several close games, very rarely had to deal with immediate adversity or overcoming large deficits; remember, they were up 21-3 on Notre Dame heading into the fourth quarter. If the Sooners can find a way to play with a lead and allow Lincoln Riley to have the running game at his disposal, it will be a test that the Tigers have never seen before.
An explosive week off the field sets the stage for an explosive kickoff to the College Football Playoff. Both teams are too talented on both sides for either to dominate for long stretches. To me, this is a game of moments and whichever team can force the issue and avoid the momentum-swinging plays. In the end, Oklahoma has too many options and too much star power with big-play ability.
Oklahoma 38
Clemson 34
Eddie Radosevich: (@Eddie_Rado)
They've said all the right things. They've acted the right way -- no Sooners sent home early, unlike their Clemson opponent.
The last seven weeks of the regular season have been memorable for a number of reasons. There's been challenges week in, week out. They've passed each of them time and time, again.
I think this team has a special feel for the big stage, but they'll have to prove it -- yet again.
Depth on the defensive line has been a talking point all season. We see that come to fruition again this afternoon.
I like Oklahoma to win the game. This is a team that is riding a long wave of momentum. And it ain't stopping here.
Oklahoma 41
Clemson 28
Josh McCuistion:
So it's finally here and on the day of the news the Sooners get the tough break of Charles Walker's absence from the game.
That being said, Oklahoma's defensive line has shown some depth this season and has had several days to figure out rotations in case Walker wasn't ready to go. As such it's a loss but it's one that the Sooners are more prepared to bear than they have been in years past.
To me this game reminds me a lot of the Baylor meeting - two evenly matched teams that are going to be about who executes best and most exactly who runs the ball with the most success. If the Sooners are finding running lanes and can keep Clemson's talented defensive ends, Shaw Lawson and Kevin Dodd, from big plays behind the line of scrimmage than the Sooners could be in very good standing.
On the opposite side if Matt Dimon, Matt Romar, and Charles Tapper are able to slow down not only Deshaun Watson but also the vastly underrated Wayne Gallman then Oklahoma can win this game.
Basically the most one-dimensional offense, loses.
For Oklahoma, as I talked about in Under the Hood, I think Oklahoma can use the play-action to attract aggressive linebackers B.J. Goodson and Ben Boulware to the line of scrimmage and use crossing patterns from slot and/or seam routes from tight end Mark Andrews to expose that middle.
Defensively the Sooners must keep Gallman to reasonable totals and ypc and don't allow anyone outside of Artavis Scott to truly do damage. If Watson can find a secondary receiving option that can hurt the Sooners it may just be too many holes for a defense to fill.
And with all the emotion these two teams seem to be riding into this game, don't be shocked about a slow start for both offenses.
Oklahoma 31
Clemson 24
33.
That is the number of days between Oklahoma’s Bedlam win over Oklahoma State and the 2015 Orange Bowl against Clemson.
As the final grains of sand spill down the hourglass, it’s time for all the noise, all the distractions, all the off-field fodder, and all the water cooler talk to die down. And just play football.
Whether this game was played in the Orange Bowl or Orange, New Jersey, it would be the most anticipated game of the season – even without all of the outside storylines. The football is enough. In fact, the marquee isn’t big enough to fit all of the star power.
Deshaun Watson. Baker Mayfield. Artavis Scott. Sterling Shepard. Shaq Lawson. Samaje Perine. Jayron Kearse. Eric Striker. Mackensie Alexander. And the list goes on.
It will be a battle between two teams with very little weaknesses that are not accustomed to losing and plenty of options to go to if other outlets are struggling. If Mayfield and Watson can’t get anything going downfield or with their legs, there is Perine, Mixon, and Wayne Gallman in the running game to bail them out. Jordan Leggett and Mark Andrews are highly talented safety valves at tight end. The multiple weapons that these offenses’ utilize really puts a strain on the middle of defenses to spy the quarterback, cover the tight end, and contain the running game. Oh yeah, and finding a way to cover a plethora of talented receivers on the outside. However, an advantage for Oklahoma’s defense is that Mike Stoops allows them to play with their eyes in the backfield, so they should always have a beat on Deshaun Watson’s whereabouts. Will Johnson’s emergence mixed with Steven Parker’s abilities give them the ability to match Clemson’s depth at receiver and tight end and Jordan Evans’ emergence in the running game could force Watson into taking a bigger role in his offense’s success than he already has.
Oklahoma also must force some turnovers against a Tiger team that had a propensity to cough it up throughout the season. Playing opportunistic football was a signature trait of this defense, especially over the second half of the season, and they must continue to do so as I see this as a game of big plays.
Also, this is a Clemson team that, despite playing in several close games, very rarely had to deal with immediate adversity or overcoming large deficits; remember, they were up 21-3 on Notre Dame heading into the fourth quarter. If the Sooners can find a way to play with a lead and allow Lincoln Riley to have the running game at his disposal, it will be a test that the Tigers have never seen before.
An explosive week off the field sets the stage for an explosive kickoff to the College Football Playoff. Both teams are too talented on both sides for either to dominate for long stretches. To me, this is a game of moments and whichever team can force the issue and avoid the momentum-swinging plays. In the end, Oklahoma has too many options and too much star power with big-play ability.
Oklahoma 38
Clemson 34
Eddie Radosevich: (@Eddie_Rado)
They've said all the right things. They've acted the right way -- no Sooners sent home early, unlike their Clemson opponent.
The last seven weeks of the regular season have been memorable for a number of reasons. There's been challenges week in, week out. They've passed each of them time and time, again.
I think this team has a special feel for the big stage, but they'll have to prove it -- yet again.
Depth on the defensive line has been a talking point all season. We see that come to fruition again this afternoon.
I like Oklahoma to win the game. This is a team that is riding a long wave of momentum. And it ain't stopping here.
Oklahoma 41
Clemson 28
Josh McCuistion:
So it's finally here and on the day of the news the Sooners get the tough break of Charles Walker's absence from the game.
That being said, Oklahoma's defensive line has shown some depth this season and has had several days to figure out rotations in case Walker wasn't ready to go. As such it's a loss but it's one that the Sooners are more prepared to bear than they have been in years past.
To me this game reminds me a lot of the Baylor meeting - two evenly matched teams that are going to be about who executes best and most exactly who runs the ball with the most success. If the Sooners are finding running lanes and can keep Clemson's talented defensive ends, Shaw Lawson and Kevin Dodd, from big plays behind the line of scrimmage than the Sooners could be in very good standing.
On the opposite side if Matt Dimon, Matt Romar, and Charles Tapper are able to slow down not only Deshaun Watson but also the vastly underrated Wayne Gallman then Oklahoma can win this game.
Basically the most one-dimensional offense, loses.
For Oklahoma, as I talked about in Under the Hood, I think Oklahoma can use the play-action to attract aggressive linebackers B.J. Goodson and Ben Boulware to the line of scrimmage and use crossing patterns from slot and/or seam routes from tight end Mark Andrews to expose that middle.
Defensively the Sooners must keep Gallman to reasonable totals and ypc and don't allow anyone outside of Artavis Scott to truly do damage. If Watson can find a secondary receiving option that can hurt the Sooners it may just be too many holes for a defense to fill.
And with all the emotion these two teams seem to be riding into this game, don't be shocked about a slow start for both offenses.
Oklahoma 31
Clemson 24
