Turnover margin favors Sooners

Travis Lewis said it. DeMarco Murray said it. Even defensive coordinator Brent Venables said it.

If you run the ball, and take care of the ball, you win the OU-Texas game. At least that’s been the case for the last 13 years.

Going into this Red River Rivalry, it’s not likely either team will have much success running it. Texas ranks No. 76 in rush offense. Oklahoma No. 89.

But in turnovers, the Sooners have a decided edge. At least on paper. OU ranks fourth nationally in turnover margin, at plus eight. The Longhorns rank No. 92, at minus four.

That’s been the difference, perhaps more than anything else, as to why OU is undefeated, and Texas is not. The Longhorns lost the turnover battle to UCLA, 5-2, last week. The Sooners won the turnover battle against Cincinnati, 4-1.

If Landry Jones continues to take care of the ball (three INTs in four games), even if the offense can’t run, and the Sooner defense continues to be opportunistic, even if does give up yards, OU should be in good shape Saturday.

-JT