Everyone knows that the Sooners didn’t play a powerhouse in their first game of the season. They played UTEP. However, that doesn’t mean we weren’t able to learn a few things from the game to determine how Oklahoma might operate this season. Here are a few things that we learned from the Sooners in week one.
The high-tempo offense is back:
This Oklahoma offense is going to be able to score, and they are going to be able to score very quickly. The Sooners scored touchdowns on its first three drives. On top of that, all three of those drives to six plays or less, making the score 21-0 with 6:43 still remaining in the first quarter.
Dillon Gabriel is a top quarterback in the Big 12:
People forget that the last time Gabriel played a full season, he led the nation in passing yards. With him transferring to Oklahoma to reunite with Jeff Lebby, I expect yet another big season from Gabriel. He was very efficient in the opener. Gabriel finished 15-of-23 for 233 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and he added one touchdown on the ground. Gabriel also didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Run defense could be Oklahoma’s strong suit:
The Sooner defense was fantastic against the run. Oklahoma held UTEP to nearly minus-20 yards rushing on 16 carries in the first half. At the end of the game, they held UTEP to 28 yards total on 31 carries (0.9 yards per carry).
We will learn a lot more about this Oklahoma football team in the coming weeks, but this was a good start on seeing where they currently stand.
