The Oklahoma Sooners football team has had a rough season so far. Back-to-back losses, injuries, and the loss of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell were not what most were expecting this year. Now, they’re preparing to undergo another SEC showdown on the road at Ole Miss. What’s the outlook for OU’s uncertain future?
Oklahoma Football’s Future, Ole Miss Predictions, and More
Offensive Coordinator Scramble
The recent firing of Littrell has raised numerous questions. Among those is not just who will replace him next year, but how this will impact the team. Players and coaches form a tight bond throughout the season. When this bond is broken it often means trouble for the team overall. Doubts start sinking in, fractures form, and nobody goes home happy.
Jovantae Barnes, halfback for the Sooners and this year’s leading rusher, is trying to not let that happen. Speaking to reporters after practice this week, Barnes said, “I know what it looks like going 6-7. I know what it looks like having a positive season… I hate being a motivational speaker, but sometimes I have to be heard and show people this is serious, this is almost a job. This is all we’ve been dreaming about since we were little, so why not go get it now?”
Joe Jon Finley, Littrell’s co-offensive coordinator, has risen to the role in Littrell’s place. Kevin Johns has been elevated to join him. Those who have been following college football for the last decade may remember Johns as the leader of an inconsistent, with some exceptions, Indiana Hoosiers’ offense from 2011-2017. Johns showed more promise, recently, by developing current Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard while at Duke. Finley will be calling the plays on gameday, and Johns will be busying himself with the quarterbacks during the week. They’ll both have a difficult task ahead of them, as the Sooners are now sitting at 132nd nationally for sacks allowed. This is where Littrell’s offensive plan has led them in the middle of the season. Is this something that Johns and Finley can overcome before the end of the season?
Oklahoma Football’s Spiraling Offense
Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. have been jockeying for the starting position this year. Arnold is the heir apparent, but Hawkins found himself taking up the position during the Tennessee game. Since then, Head Coach Brent Venables has made it clear it will go to the player who performs the best each week- or, at least, whoever doesn’t get benched during the game. Arnold was the leading rusher for most of the season, yet neither has been particularly stunning in the passing game. Hawkins’ three straight turnovers against South Carolina are especially difficult to forget.
The rest of the offense is suffering from a combination of issues. Rotations have forced the whole offensive line out of alignment. Injuries up and down the team have made it even worse: Nic Anderson, Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Gavin Sawchuck, Branson Hickman, Geirean Hatchett, all of whom are out for the season. Their best wide receivers being out means the Sooners are still relying heavily on their tight ends for passing plays. Those tight ends mean less blocking on the line, the line isn’t strong enough to block as it is, which means there’s less time for the quarterback to do anything.
The problem quickly spirals out of control. A change at offensive coordinator isn’t going to solve this issue overnight or even for the rest of the season. Despite how tired he must be of stepping up to the podium to explain another loss, Venables may have no other choice but to prepare himself to do just that for the rest of the year.
Ole Miss and Missed Opportunities
The Rebels started SEC play with a crushing loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. Missed opportunities cost them the game against LSU. Jaxson Dart’s progress is undone by penalties, and when the team collapses they do so in spectacular fashion. Dart, himself, is having an inconsistent season. It hasn’t stopped the Rebels from coming out on top, but it has been a definitive block to work around.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ole Miss is having an excellent year. While the Sooners’ defense has started stumbling, the Rebels are still on top. Their style of play allows teams to gain yards, but not points. The Rebels are aiming for a spot in the playoffs this year, and another win this weekend is undoubtedly going to get them there. If they can keep the penalties to a minimum, and actually capitalize on their opportunities, this is a game they could easily win.
Predictions for Oklahoma vs Ole Miss
Oklahoma Sooners football is spiraling this year. Ole Miss, though inconsistent, is still enjoying a winning season. In some ways, the Rebels are on the path that many thought the Sooners would be on this year: Difficult but doable, with a surefire playoff spot all but guaranteed. Unfortunately, it looks like it’ll probably be yet another blowout loss for the Sooners.
