Sooners Aim to Down Wolverines

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

In the biggest OU nonconference game in years, the Oklahoma Sooners host the Michigan Wolverines. College Gameday will be present, and the eyes of the nation will be upon Norman. This is a must-win game.

Keys to Victory

- Stop the run

Michigan is a heavy run-first offense. Last week, they racked up over 200 yards on the ground, including 159 from star RB Justice Haynes. The Sooners gave up 117 to Illinois State, so if the Wolverines can run all over this OU defense that’s supposed to be great at stopping the run, it might be trouble.

- Running the ball

Running the ball was an issue on Saturday, on top of stopping it. Only 103 yards on 32 carries is atrocious, and Michigan’s run defense is a whole lot better than Illinois State’s. Hopefully, we get Jaydn Ott at full health, but Blaylock and Tatum will likely not play. Jovantae Barnes had a very poor performance. The Sooners will need Jaydn Ott and Xavier Robinson to be good.

- Winning the turnover battle

Michigan forced New Mexico QB Jack Layne into 3 interceptions last week, and John Mateer threw one against the Redbirds. If we turn the ball over multiple times, it’s going to be much harder to get a victory. On the other side of the ball, OU forced 0 turnovers in Week 1, which, personally, I was very disappointed about. Winning the turnover battle would go a long way in this one and is certainly a key to victory.

- Hucking the pigskin

Mateer needs to be the difference-maker on Saturday. Throwing for an amazing 392 yards vs Illinois State, if he can get to 300 this week (which certainly won’t be easy), then I really like our chances. WRs Keontez Lewis, Deion Burks, and Isaiah Sategna will all get their fair share of targets, and there are many more guys who could get into the action.

- Make Bryce Underwood’s head spin

A freshman QB on the road in his 2nd career start against a Brent Venables defense is a recipe for disaster. The Sooner crowd should make a huge difference, and the defensive game plan will be unlike anything Underwood has ever seen. If OU can hold him under 150 passing yards and force him into a few mistakes, it’ll be very difficult for the Wolverines to win this. However, Michigan will surely be leaning on the run game even more, which makes it imperative that we stop the run.

Biggest Storylines

- Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham

Barham is suspended for the first half of this game thanks to a targeting penalty last weekend. He is definitely a big part of their defense, and we’ll see what not having him will do to the Wolverines.

- How good is Bryce Underwood?

As mentioned earlier, Bryce Underwood is going into extreme conditions, and it’s a mystery if he will perform well. Personally, I do not think so, but we will see.

- Is Mateer legit?

If John Mateer goes out and tears up the Michigan defense, he will be proven to be legit. It will be a huge test, but I certainly think he’s up to the challenge.

- Sooner O-Line

The offensive line was not great in Week 1, but getting Dereck Simmons and Michael Fasusi available will definitely help. The Michigan defensive line is great, so it will be difficult for this Bill Bedenbaugh-led group.

Key OU Players

- QB John Mateer

Once again, Mateer is the player to watch for the Sooners. An electric performance in Week 1 has the fanbase hyped, and if he balls out this week, we might have another Sooner QB win the Heisman.

- RB Jaydn Ott

Essentially making his debut for the Sooners, he needs to be a difference here. I want to see him spring some big runs, something that didn’t happen vs Illinois State.

- WRs Deion Burks + Keontez Lewis

These were the two best pass catchers for the Sooners. With a much better defense, it’s even more important that they make their impact. If they both get 75+ yards, I love our chances.

- Entire O-Line

This is pretty cheap by me, but every single one of the men up front has to be great. I cannot overstate the importance of winning the line of scrimmage on Saturday. If we don’t, I don’t see us winning.

- DE R Mason Thomas

This man needs to be in Bryce Underwood’s nightmares for weeks. We didn’t hear his name called much in Game 1, but he must make an impact vs the Wolverines.

- CB Gentry Williams

Williams had a really good performance, and with the health of Eli Bowen still very questionable, he needs to step up and be lockdown.

- CTH Kendal Daniels

Daniels was as advertised last weekend. I want to see him be even better. He will be everywhere Saturday, and I cannot wait for it.

- PR Isaiah Sategna

He’ll make a difference as a receiver, but he is so electric as a returner, and if he can get loose on a couple, that’ll give the Sooners a ton of momentum.

Michigan Top Players

- RB Justice Haynes

The Alabama transfer went off last week: 159 yards and 3 (!!!) TDs. He will be impossible to stop completely, but if we hold him under 80 yards, I’ll consider that a huge win.

- TE Marlin Klein

One of the top tight ends in the country, Underwood will certainly be looking to him a ton here. We have to have a game plan to take him away and make the wideouts beat us.

- LB Ernest Hausmann

Hausmann is a very talented linebacker. He’s crucial in stopping the run and will make it much harder for the Sooners to do what they want to do on the ground.

- LB Cole Sullivan

Cole Sullivan had an amazing season debut with a sack and interception. With Barham out for the first half, Sullivan will be even more important for the Wolverines.

Prediction

OU – 34 UM – 13

I really think we’re gonna dominate on Saturday. Our offense will hit its stride, and our defense will absolutely stifle Bryce Underwood and the Michigan offense. The world will know we’re legit after this one.

You can find Owen Pannell on X here.

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