Oklahoma is a GREAT team!
No one in the Sooner organization, from Jason White to Teddy Lehman to Stoops, has any respect for the Tigers……make no mistake about that. They think they inhabit a higher plane than LSU. They may say the right things in public and pay lip service to the Tigers in interviews, but behind closed doors they truly believe that LSU is a little ole undermanned, undersized, slow team of pretenders from a school with no football tradition that is lucky to be playing for the national championship in the first place. To a man, staff and team alike think they are going to whip LSU. This provides (IMO) the most important ingredient for winning……confidence. I have seen a large amount of OU tape this week and have even more respect for them than before. They win just like the Spurrier coached Gators won. They overwhelm you on both sides of the ball early, which discourages the comeback and sets you up for big, emotionally deflating plays. They take chances looking for big plays on both offense and defense.
On defense, OU will bring everyone to the line and DARE LSU to throw the football. They are going to try to physically beat Matt Mauck into mistakes. Coach Stoops was recently asked how they planned to defense the LSU blitz …after he answered the question, he smiled and said “we’ve got a few blitzes planned ourselves”. OU doesn't play defense like UGA does…… their talent is similar, but probably better. OU will play everyone at the line and they will fire upfield on every snap. If LSU can't run on OU, it will get very, very ugly.
On offense, OU likes to take advantage of their quick line and run wide with sprint draws and sweeps. However, they absolutely excel at the BIG pass play. This is a potential problem for the Tigers. Coach Saban relies on outstanding play from his cornerbacks. He strands them in man-to-man coverage and depends on pressure from his line to force mistakes. Therefore, the Tigers are susceptible to the long pass play…..OU’s strength.
However, much like the old Spurrier teams, the dirt burglars are front-runners. Get them down or stay close late and they are uncomfortable. Therefore, the longer LSU leads or hangs close, the more pressure will be heaped on the Sooners. LSU needs to run the ball effectively and throw quick, short passes, because the Sooner’s don't respect Mauck's poise and decision-making. If LSU comes out of the gates strong, they will be in great shape. Some BIG plays can be had if LSU runs well and then throws long to Henderson or Green. But, if LSU gets down quickly, look out…….if the Sooners are leading by 14 at halftime…..bet the farm on them in the second half.
As much as I hate to say it, I’m taking the Sooners in this one.
Oklahoma 30 LSU 21
No one in the Sooner organization, from Jason White to Teddy Lehman to Stoops, has any respect for the Tigers……make no mistake about that. They think they inhabit a higher plane than LSU. They may say the right things in public and pay lip service to the Tigers in interviews, but behind closed doors they truly believe that LSU is a little ole undermanned, undersized, slow team of pretenders from a school with no football tradition that is lucky to be playing for the national championship in the first place. To a man, staff and team alike think they are going to whip LSU. This provides (IMO) the most important ingredient for winning……confidence. I have seen a large amount of OU tape this week and have even more respect for them than before. They win just like the Spurrier coached Gators won. They overwhelm you on both sides of the ball early, which discourages the comeback and sets you up for big, emotionally deflating plays. They take chances looking for big plays on both offense and defense.
On defense, OU will bring everyone to the line and DARE LSU to throw the football. They are going to try to physically beat Matt Mauck into mistakes. Coach Stoops was recently asked how they planned to defense the LSU blitz …after he answered the question, he smiled and said “we’ve got a few blitzes planned ourselves”. OU doesn't play defense like UGA does…… their talent is similar, but probably better. OU will play everyone at the line and they will fire upfield on every snap. If LSU can't run on OU, it will get very, very ugly.
On offense, OU likes to take advantage of their quick line and run wide with sprint draws and sweeps. However, they absolutely excel at the BIG pass play. This is a potential problem for the Tigers. Coach Saban relies on outstanding play from his cornerbacks. He strands them in man-to-man coverage and depends on pressure from his line to force mistakes. Therefore, the Tigers are susceptible to the long pass play…..OU’s strength.
However, much like the old Spurrier teams, the dirt burglars are front-runners. Get them down or stay close late and they are uncomfortable. Therefore, the longer LSU leads or hangs close, the more pressure will be heaped on the Sooners. LSU needs to run the ball effectively and throw quick, short passes, because the Sooner’s don't respect Mauck's poise and decision-making. If LSU comes out of the gates strong, they will be in great shape. Some BIG plays can be had if LSU runs well and then throws long to Henderson or Green. But, if LSU gets down quickly, look out…….if the Sooners are leading by 14 at halftime…..bet the farm on them in the second half.
As much as I hate to say it, I’m taking the Sooners in this one.
Oklahoma 30 LSU 21
