Dec 29, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball in opposition to the Florida State Seminoles throughout the second quarter in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
There’s little doubt that the Oklahoma Sooners’ offense was adequate to win greater than six video games in 2022, however they definitely may have been higher. Looking again on the season as an entire, the Sooners struggled on third and fourth down and in the pink zone.
Oklahoma ranked fiftieth in third down conversion fee at 40.9% and was 113th in the nation in fourth down conversion share at simply 37.9%.
At instances it appeared like the Sooners had been taking part in for third or fourth down on a sure set of downs. Wide receiver screens or runs on second and third and lengthy didn’t all the time set Oklahoma as much as have extra manageable cash downs. The greatest technique to be good on third and fourth downs is to easily keep away from them altogether.
Jeff Lebby had a profitable 2022 season as an entire, however throwing the ball at or behind the line of scrimmage as a lot as he needed to and a propensity for calling jet sweeps typically put the Sooners behind the chains. Of course, the play calls had been efficient at instances, like the Gavin Freeman reverse for a landing. However, the danger mitigation in throwing broad receiver screens or swing passes created a extra adverse impact if the play was stopped for a loss. Especially as groups started to sit down on these throws behind the line of scrimmage.
Jeff Lebby’s system could have many east-west components to it, but when there’s an space it will possibly enhance, it’s in attacking opposing defenses and attacking the first down marker early in downs.
Though Oklahoma’s run recreation was one among the greatest in the nation, the place they struggled in 2022, was in short-yardage conditions. Too many instances, the Sooners struggled to select up third and fourth downs with three yards or much less to go forcing Oklahoma to punt, kick a subject aim, go for it on fourth, or flip it over on downs.
If the Sooners can discover a technique to be extra environment friendly in key conditions like third and fourth down and in the pink zone, even just a bit bit, it’ll go an extended technique to making the offense much more potent in 2023.
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