How Oklahoma Sooners can re-ignite their running game against South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 8
The Oklahoma Sooners have had an abysmal offensive stretch over the course of their 2024 season, and very little of what they've done has worked. When they run the ball, their results are marginally better than their passing attack, but not by much. The Sooners have toyed with their run game throughout the season, switching […]
The Oklahoma Sooners have had an abysmal offensive stretch over the course of their 2024 season, and very little of what they've done has worked.
When they run the ball, their results are marginally better than their passing attack, but not by much. The Sooners have toyed with their run game throughout the season, switching their main concept game-by-game.
Against the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 4, the Sooners' most-called run was inside zone, with 13 reps. Last weekend against Texas, their inside zone reps dropped to just three, and their top concept was replaced by counter, which the Sooners ran 12 times on the Longhorns.
While we could discuss their lack of identity in any phase of the game again, that's not the focus of this piece. What I do want to hit is their success on the ground against Texas, and what they could replicate from that against South Carolina this week.
This is a good week to try and get the ground game going. The Gamecocks are 108th in rushing success rate allowed with 44.3%.
Oklahoma Sooners’ offense suffers from an identity crisis, making 2024 season a difficult watch in SEC debut
We all know just how bad the Oklahoma offense has been in 2024. The Sooners haven't just regressed from 2023, they are historically bad. The offense scored just three points on Texas last week despite having opportunities to score more. The coaching staff has pointed to a lack of execution on plays as part of their […]
Oklahoma was by far the most successful when they ran counter last week against Texas. On those 12 runs, the Sooners forced their most missed tackles and yards after contact. Specifically on counter plays, Oklahoma generated a 58% success rate on those runs on the Longhorns. For comparison's sake, their season-long success rate is just 32.3%.
On the Sooners' next most-called run, power, they generated a 50% success rate on their six carries in power. Three of their six carries went for first downs. On "man" blocking runs, Oklahoma also posted a 50% success rate.
Adding up their totals, Oklahoma was by far the most successful running gap concepts like counter, power, and man. Two of their three first downs generated on the ground came on these concepts with their third being inside zone.
Moving forward, Oklahoma should stick with the gap scheme on the ground. Not only does it keep things simple for the offensive line, it also lets their running backs get downhill quicker.
Given how the Sooners' have game-planned so far this season, I'd imagine they'll now start running outside zone the most often instead.
