The Oklahoma Sooners have an early-season test as the Michigan Wolverines come to Norman, Oklahoma, in a game that will be featured on College GameDay.
Both teams enter the contest 1-0, having won their previous contests against Illinois State and New Mexico last Saturday.
The Sooners’ game plan was relatively vanilla. They didn’t want to reveal any real film to Michigan and other future opponents. Expect more of the playbook to open up on Saturday.
Here are the Sooners’ keys to victory to come out on top of this top-20, Week 2 showdown.
Offensive Line Improvement
Last week’s game against Illinois State was less than impressive and left much to be desired in terms of the on-field performance.
Michigan has one of the best defensive lines in the country once again. Derrick Moore is the leader of the group from the edge rusher position, along with interior linemen Damon Payne and Trey Pier. They can ruin the Sooners’ offensive game plan.
Oklahoma will be receiving some offensive line help as tackles Michael Fasusi and Derrick Simmons are expected to start on Saturday.
Jaydn Ott’s Availability
Ott logged just four offensive snaps and only had one rushing attempt last week. Ott was injured in the 2024 season opener against UC Davis, and that injury lingered throughout the entire season. He was also banged up in fall camp that year, and was never really able to get back to 100%.
Brent Venables said in his weekly press conference on Tuesday that, “He’s one of the most explosive players in college football. He will play a real factor in our season going forward. We are going to need him.”
The run game outside of quarterback John Mateer was lackluster, to put it nicely. Nobody outside of freshman Tory Blaylock really added much to the rushing attack. Ott being back should open up more things in the run game. Oklahoma a strong run game to get a victory.
For Oklahoma to take down Michigan, and to have a successful season overall, Ott must be the main back going forward.
Stopping Michigan’s Offense
True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood will start for Michigan. Although it’s early in his career, he has the potential to become the next great Michigan quarterback.
He is an elite dual-threat athlete and can make whatever throw he needs to make.
Michigan also has a dynamic duo at the running back position with Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall leading the way. Haynes had 16 carries for 159 yards along with three touchdowns in the Wolverines’ 34-17 win over New Mexico.
Oklahoma’s defensive line must make plays in the backfield, which means, notably, Mason Thomas and Damonic Williams must have big days.
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