Three predictions for Oklahoma Sooners' Week 3 matchup against Tulane Green Wave
The Oklahoma Sooners will have their hands full with the Tulane Green Wave in this Week 3 showdown. Tulane is fresh off of a close 34-27 loss against Kansas State last week but will look to snag an upset this week. Tulane has a good case as the best team in the Group of Five, […]
The Oklahoma Sooners will have their hands full with the Tulane Green Wave in this Week 3 showdown. Tulane is fresh off of a close 34-27 loss against Kansas State last week but will look to snag an upset this week.
Tulane has a good case as the best team in the Group of Five, so the Sooners can't afford to sleepwalk here.
What are my predictions for the Sooners in what should be a gritty game?
Prediction 1: The Sooners' offense gets at least one rushing touchdown & 100+ yards on the ground
Oklahoma only has one touchdown on the ground this season, courtesy of freshman running back Taylor Tatum in Week 1. Their rushing game struggled in their first two games and they could use a rebound game to get the ground game going.
Oklahoma Sooners, Jackson Arnold need more help in these three areas to improve their offense
The Oklahoma Sooners' offense has been a significant cause for concern over their first two weeks. Oklahoma sits 80th in EPA/Play, 105th(!) in yards/play, and 109th in success rate after playing Temple and Houston. This level of play is downright unacceptable at Oklahoma, and they better get right quickly with SEC play right around the […]
The Green Wave sit 92nd in yards per rush allowed and are 104th in rushing defense success rate. Kansas State dropped 215 yards on the ground and averaged 6.5 yards per rush last week on Tulane.
If Oklahoma's offense wants to get things going early, I expect them to lean on their rushing attack to give them a spark.
Prediction 2: Oklahoma's pass rush leads to a turnover
The Sooners have forced at least two turnovers in each of their two games this season, and they've made the most of them, leading the country in points off of turnovers.
Kansas State's pass rush demolished Tulane last week, amassing six sacks and 27 pressures according to PFF. A fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception gave Kansas State the win last week.
The Sooners have paired pressure with turnovers well all season, and I expect them to be able to get after Tulane in this one.
Prediction 3: A big special teams play helps secure a Sooners' win
I predicted last week that Oklahoma would get a big special teams play and the Sooners responded by repeatedly muffing punts and kicker Tyler Keltner missing a long field goal.
The Sooners did still get a fumble on a kickoff (albeit it was a pretty iffy call) so that's a win in my books. They've also blocked a punt, returning one for a touchdown against Temple in Week 1.
Whether it's a big kick return that leads to a score, a blocked punt, or a game-winning field goal (I sure hope not), I predict that Oklahoma collects another special teams play in a win this weekend.
