Game Preview: SMU

We've had some time to settle down after the week one blood bath, Arkansas State vs. Oklahoma. Here on the Sooner Pocket, I believe in the 24-hour rule. I spent 24 hours feeling amazing about week one. Time to focus on week 2. Southern Methodist University. Let's discuss the matchup.

Photo credit to CW33.com

Oklahoma

The Sooners are coming off about as good of a week as they could have. ESPN rated them as the most efficient team of week 1. Below are our statistical leaders for week one:

• Passing: Dillon Gabriel, 19/22, 308 yards, two touchdowns (only played the first half)

• Rushing: Jovante Barnes, 13 rushes, 49 yards

• Receiving: Nic Anderson, two receptions, 68 yards

• Tackling: Danny Stutsman, four total tackles, three solo

Despite seeing a lot of playtime for Jackson Arnold in week one (and phenomenal play at that), Dillon Gabriel will still start week two against the Mustangs. Drake Stoops scared a lot of Sooner fans with a shoulder injury early against Arkansas State but is expected to be one of the starters against SMU, along with Jalil Farooq and Gavin Freeman. We will likely see Jayden Gibson and Jaquaize Pettaway get some early reps after an impressive week one performance. The starting RB position will be a question mark this week. Tawee Walker and Marcus Major were the primary backs of week one and played very well. That said, Gavin Sawchuck is expected to return from an injury and has explosive capabilities with Javonte Barnes. Given how stacked our RB room is, I won't complain about whoever is named the week two starter.

There were a lot of complaints about the defense's lack of pressure/forced turnovers in week one, but those complaining about it should take a minute to review the game footage. Our defensive line was flying past the line of scrimmage and blowing up runs. We didn't get more sacks or any interceptions because the QB was getting rid of the ball fast, and the team was max-protecting. We will see many of the same defense starters because of how well they played in week one. Defenders flying to the football and making good open-field tackles makes it hard to lose your starting job.

The main focus for the Sooners in week one will be establishing a more consistent run game and being more aggressive against the pass. We know our running defense and passing offense are already in mid-season form. If we can sack the quarterback 4+ times and force an interception or two, it will be hard for OU to lose.

SMU

This SMU team is on a much higher level than Arkansas State. They are well-balanced, having a high-powered offense and a solid defense. Last week, they beat Louisiana Tech 38-14 (they were winning 31-0 at halftime). Below are their statistical leaders from week one:

• Passing: Preston Stone, 23/37, 248 yards, three touchdowns

• Rushing: LJ Johnson Jr, 14 rushes, 128 yards, one touchdown

• Receiving: Jordan Hudson, two receptions, 72 yards, one touchdown

• Tackling: Isaiah Nwokobia, six total tackles, five solo

A good, consistent passing attack is a hard thing to beat. The loss of Tanner Mordecai as their starting QB has not changed their big-play ability. This quarterback knows how to find his receivers downfield and get rid of the ball under pressure. Stone has been consistent in his passing game, and the Sooner defense needs to prepare for a difficult afternoon against him. To help him out is their running back, LJ Johnson Jr. He had a monster game against Louisiana Tech, averaging over 9 yards per carry. Their offensive line knows how to make a hole for the run game, and he knows how to get extra yardage. This is not an offense to ignore.

Their defense had a solid performance last week, and we should be hoping Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners don't take this matchup for granted. The Mustangs pitched a first-half shutout, only allowing points late in the game. Louisiana Tech had all types of trouble moving the ball against the Mustangs. This defense forced six sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, and an interception returned for a touchdown. This is a defense that knows how to penetrate the offensive line and put pressure on the quarterback. Running the ball against SMU will not be easy, and it'll be just as tricky giving Gabriel enough time to throw the ball.

Prediction

SMU is going to be a difficult opponent. Despite how dominant we played last week, SMU is on a much higher level than Arkansas State. We will struggle defensively in random spots throughout the game but will emerge victorious by 2-3 scores.

Score Prediction: SMU 21, Oklahoma 45

Oklahoma Yardage

• Passing Yards: 300+

• Rushing Yards: 150+

• Total Yards: 450+

SMU Yardage

• Passing Yards: 200-250

• Rushing Yards: 80-100

• Total Yards: 280-350

This will be our first real challenge of the season, as SMU has had multiple years in a row of explosive offense. Let's get a win this week, boys! Boomer!