Dean's List: Keys to Beating Cincinnati

The Sooners are facing their first road test of the season, what do they need to do to come back to Norman with a win.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 23, 2010 9:53 AM CDT

Dean Blevins
Oklahoma Sports Sports Director - Oklahoma City

OFFENSE

1. QB Landry Jones must lead and execute

2. Avoid no gain or lost-yardage plays—getting behind the chains in long-yardage situations the easiest way to get the home crowd into game, which is not good for a young squad with a history of limited success on the road

3. Play calling—OC Kevin Wilson must find a balance up-tempo vs. normal pace, gun vs. under center, run vs. pass and short throws vs. lower-percentage deeper balls

DEFENSE1. Don’t let Cincy QB get rolling—Zach Collaros is better than the numbers show. Getting behind at Fresno and a fired up Thursday crowd at NC State did not help as they both pinned their ears back and put pressure on him all night long. He’s a dual threat who can eat you alive if he gets going—much, much easier to do in friendly confines

2. Hard Knocks—this team has been disappointing in the scarcity of head-rattling hits its made, particularly from the secondary where it’s easier to get a head of steam. We saw a glimpse of it vs. Air Force but not enough “make ‘em think about it twice” hits

3. Better play from the interior—leading to longer yardage plays and more one-dimensional play

INTANGIBLES
1. Handle momentum swings—a much bigger factor on the road

2. Play “on edge”—done only once this year when they routed a 2-1 FSU team. There must be more of a sense of urgency and must play like underdogs and not seventeen-point faves

3. Break even or win turnover game—RB DeMarco Murray has done a great job in ball security but Jones must not gamble and young receivers must protect ball while rush should get to Collaros (sacked 15 times in three games) and needs to create a turnover or two

4. PK Jimmy Stevens must come through and convert every opportunity—Bob Stoops won’t put him in FG attempt situations beyond 45 yards, thus he must hit all extra points and FGAs because picking up points on the road every time possible is important

5. Bounces—all you ever hope for is your share of good bounces—we’ve all seen games where a lesser team gets all the bounces and close calls and upsets the better team. OU is the better team so just breaking even here is all you can ask

6. Play on road with same confidence it does at home—something not seen from this current bunch of players

The final key is to score more points than the other team. Ninety nine percent of the time the team with the most points wins!