A sixth consecutive Large 12 title appeared out of attain for Oklahoma after the Sooners dropped their first two Large 12 video games, however all of the sudden turned a actuality after they rattled off 5 consecutive wins.
Now, after final week’s recreation towards West Virginia was postponed to Dec. 12 attributable to COVID-19 points with the crew, the No. 11 Sooners (6-2, 5-2 Large 12) are again to being within the troublesome place of ready and watching heading into Saturday’s recreation towards Baylor.
Oklahoma would not fairly management its personal future to make the convention title recreation, however it’s prone to be in with a 2-0 — or perhaps a 1-0 — end. However the Sooners should no less than play one in every of their last two scheduled video games to be eligible.
As essential as the sport outcomes are to the Sooners are the outcomes of the COVID exams main as much as the sport.
“I feel each single individual in our program proper now has nervousness once they take the check,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley stated of the thrice weekly exams. “I do know we’ve an excellent plan in place if I have been to check constructive, however I completely have nervousness.”
The Sooners’ current struggles with COVID led to a different growth — the potential for Bob Stoops to return to assist coach.
Stoops, who coached the Sooners for 18 years and is the winningest coach in program historical past, was on the sphere for observe Tuesday and will doubtlessly assist all through the remainder of the week and Saturday’s recreation as some assistants may very well be held out attributable to testing or contact tracing.
“It is sort of been in our hip pocket this entire time,” Riley stated. “If we had any workers member who fell off, we’ve a Corridor of Famer sitting on the bench. It is a fairly good bench when you may name that man up.”
Stoops retired earlier than the 2017 season, handing this system over to Riley, who had been employed two years earlier as offensive coordinator. Since then, he is served as a particular assistant to Oklahoma’s athletic director, opening the door for him to assist this season.
Oklahoma and Baylor performed twice final season — each thrilling video games pulled out by the Sooners.
Within the regular-season matchup, Oklahoma overcame a 31-10 halftime deficit to win 34-31. Within the Large 12 Championship Recreation, the Sooners wanted time beyond regulation to win 30-23.
Whereas the Sooners have rounded into type, Baylor has principally struggled in Dave Aranda’s first season as head coach.
The Bears (2-5, 2-5) are coming off their largest win of the season, although, a 32-31 come-from-behind victory over Kansas State through which Bears quarterback Charlie Brewer was spectacular. Brewer accomplished almost 80 p.c of his passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 56 yards and two extra scores.
“While you do it one time, you are able to do it one other time,” Aranda stated of the Bears’ momentum. “Simply placing the sport of their (the gamers’) fingers and giving the very best alternative to achieve success and allow them to stand up and make performs, get them to really feel snug all through the week by way of giving the very best look attainable.”
–Discipline Degree Media