John Hoover
How’s this for a prediction: If Oklahoma beats Baylor, the Sooners will run the desk and win their final six video games. If they don’t — a tall order, for positive — then something is feasible in what people in Norman used to name “Championship November.” Will the Sooners need to get artistic within the run sport once more, or have they got sufficient wholesome operating backs to outlive the Big 12’s most bodily staff? Baylor will win the road of scrimmage with its offensive and defensive traces. The Sooners must make performs in opposition to the Baylor secondary on offense, and they should win what seems like one other particular groups mismatch like they did final week at Iowa State. If they will’t pull off each of these, Baylor snaps OU’s modest two-game profitable streak.
Final rating: Baylor 27, OU 24
Ryan Chapman
Oklahoma’s protection took a step ahead final week containing a dismal Iowa State offense. Unfortunately for the Sooners, the Baylor dashing assault is not any slouch. The Bears returned one of the skilled offensive traces within the convention, and have discovered a playmaker in freshman operating again Richard Reese to run behind the veteran unit up entrance. Blake Shapen has been identified to make errors, however OU’s dashing protection hasn’t been magically fastened over the past three weeks. Much like in opposition to Kansas State, it’s robust to see how the Sooner protection will be capable of make stops within the sport’s greatest moments, and the offense should discover a method to shake the Dave Aranda curse to attain with the Bears.
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Final rating: Baylor 37, Oklahoma 31
Josh Callaway
It’s superb how in another way this sport is being seen from a nationwide perspective now versus the start of the season. Coming into the 12 months, this was THE sport within the Big 12. Now we’re right here and, nicely, it is a 2 p.m. kick on ESPN+. Both groups have already got three losses underneath their belt which suggests someone goes to get saddled with loss No. 4 with nonetheless three weeks to play. But, whereas all of those realities have taken the shine off of the sport nationally, the intrigue remains to be completely there for 2 determined soccer groups making an attempt to salvage their season. Dave Aranda could be one of the best head coach Brent Venables has crushed this season if he can handle it, and that ought to occur on Saturday. Baylor actually has so much to create issues for Oklahoma on this sport with their dashing assault being the obvious. But, the Bears secondary looks like a weak spot that Dillon Gabriel and his receivers ought to be capable of exploit. After a tough outing in Ames, search for Marvin Mims to bounce again and have a giant day with at the very least a few large performs on this one. The OU protection is nearly actually going to have struggles at occasions, but when they will deal with in addition to they’ve the final couple of video games together with choosing up some turnovers, sufficient of a window needs to be created for the Sooners’ offense to do what is required to win this sport at dwelling.
Final rating: Oklahoma 34, Baylor 27
Ross Lovelace
Oklahoma appears to be on the regular rise and that is the sport that will put them over the hump. Last week in opposition to Iowa State felt like a “business as usual” win for the Sooners, and extra like what the staff envisioned from the start of the 12 months. Even although the Bears are taking part in strong soccer proper now, the house crowd and the momentum offers Oklahoma the sting. If the offense is buzzing, it’ll be fascinating to see how the Sooners’ secondary holds up in a shootout. Oklahoma’s sport plan has been clear in each current victories: set up the run and feed Eric Gray. If Gray can get going early, it’ll open up the sphere for Gabriel to attempt to lastly join on his deep throws downfield.
Final rating: Oklahoma 38, Baylor 27
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