UH & OU have concerns on both sides of the ball
I didn’t pick UH to win in Norman but too many people are assuming that OU has auto-reloaded offensively and will blow out the Coogs. Replacing the Heisman winner and four NFL draft picks on the OL (2nd, 3rd, and two 4th rounders) is not a simple plug-and-play. And in the opener, almost anything can happen. Especially if the UH offense can get the Sooners off-kilter early.
The most interesting thing about game one of the Holgorsen regime is that there are question marks on both sides of the ball for each team. That’s why it’s critical to get off to a quick start: if you can sow doubt and take them out of their schedule … well, that’s how upsets happen.
Looking At The Film
What’s On Film – UH: The Coogs gave up 1220 yards on 175 carries (6.97 ypc) in the Temple, Memphis, and Army games late in the season. Worse: Houston gave up 22 rushing TDs in those 3 games. Put that in perspective: in 2018, 60 FBS team had 22 rush TDs or less for the entire season. 75 teams didn’t give up 22 rush TDs on the year.
Army and Temple each scored 8 rushing TDs against the Cougars – tied for the most in an FBS game over the last two seasons. That’s also a new school record for rush TDs given up in a game. The previous record: seven, given up in 1951 (Tulsa) and 2003 (Louisville).
In 2018, Mississippi State gave up 7 rushing touchdowns. For the season.
I’m sure the rush defense will be better – both the scheme and play on the field – but before we check it off as a certainty, I want to see it on the field.
What’s On Film – OU: Jalen Hurts was …
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