Jalen Hurts<\/a><\/strong>, 395 passing yards, and an additional 95 rushing yards. \u00a0With this in mind, has Oklahoma discarded the great running back game? \u00a0The quarterback should not have three times as many carries as all the running backs combined. \u00a0Contrarily, the Sooners offense was not as sharp as past performances.\u00a0 A case in point was back to back third quarter three and outs while the defense gave up seven straight scoring drives by the Wildcats.\u00a0 While Kansas State was continually putting points on the board, the third quarter empty possessions by the Sooners proved to be too much to overcome.<\/p>\nWith this in mind, it needs to be pointed out this loss is to be laid at the feet of the defense.<\/p>\n
Defense<\/h3>\n
The defense took a huge step backward against the Wildcats.\u00a0 It appeared to be the defense everyone has seen the last few years that has kept Oklahoma from playing for National Championships.\u00a0 The defense did nothing well in this game.\u00a0 They tackled poorly, looked out of position, did not show any effort whatsoever.\u00a0 Not one player on defense played well.<\/p>\n
Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch<\/strong> has stated he is fine with a few aggressive penalties by the secondary as long as they are making plays.\u00a0 Surely, he doesn\u2019t mean holding and grabbing jerseys on every passing down. The defense that everyone saw looked nothing like the one that has been on display most of the season.\u00a0 So, was this just an anomaly or was the true Oklahoma defense revealed on this day?\u00a0 The defense has now gone four straight games without forcing a turnover.\u00a0 That was supposed to be the trademark of a Grinch defense.\u00a0 Clearly, changes need to be made on that side of the ball.<\/p>\nThe Final Word<\/h3>\n
In conclusion, the same ugly monster that has reared its head the last few years has surfaced again.\u00a0 Of course, that monster is terrible defense and lack of effort on that side of the ball.<\/p>\n
Barring some wild upsets the last few weeks of the season, this defensive performance will cost the Sooners another opportunity to play for a National Championship.\u00a0 How many great offenses and Heisman winning quarterbacks will be wasted before the defense catches up?<\/p>\n
There are many questions to be answered when Oklahoma takes on Iowa State this Saturday evening in Norman.<\/p>\n
Prediction<\/h4>\n
Oklahoma 42, Iowa State 27.<\/p>\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a>