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NORMAN — Confidence was in the air Monday night following OU football’s first practice of Texas week.
The Sooners had a productive bye week, practicing and getting players healthier, but they’re preparing to face the No. 1 team in the country. The Longhorns are a 14.5-point favorite and boast one of the most explosive offenses nationally.
Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning have made Texas’ offense look unstoppable at times. But OU is confident in what is inside the walls of the Barry Switzer Center.
“They haven’t played a defense like this,” Ford said after practice Monday. “I’m excited to play against them and see what we do against a high-powered offense like they are.”
The Sooners rank No. 42 in total defense through five games, six spots ahead of Michigan, which was trounced by Texas on the road. OU has allowed only eight touchdowns on its opponents’ 65 possessions.
The Sooners have also registered an interception in 10 of their 11 games, while recording 18 sacks and 40 tackles for loss this season.
More: How will OU football respond vs. Texas after 2024 bye week leading into Red River Rivalry?
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Trace Ford (30) pressures Tulane Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah (10) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Head coach Brent Venables spent his Saturday watching every college football game, picking up bits and pieces of each one. His biggest takeaway, however, was the parity and how teams nationally must’ve been thinking “not so fast” after the upsets.
“(Texas is) going to be a great, great challenge,” Venables said on his weekly coach’s show. “I think four times in the last 20 years you’ve had a favorite by 13-plus points and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/quinn-ewers-arch-manning-texas-101522740.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-10-08 10:15:22
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