OU football: They know it’s coming
Oklahoma offense, Gator defense is bracing itself for OU’s hurry-up routine
BY BERRY TRAMEL
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Published: January 4, 2009
Florida linebacker Ryan Stamper answers questions Saturday. Stamper says one of the tough parts of dealing with the Sooner offense will be getting lined up on time.AP Photo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The 1955 Sooners came to the Orange Bowl, trailed Maryland 6-0 at halftime and unleashed a surprise weapon: a no-huddle offense that Bud Wilkinson had installed but not used all season.
Oklahoma put the surprised Terrapins on their heels and won 20-6. "Oh my gawd,” then-OU quarterback Jimmy Harris remembers a Maryland linebacker saying in the middle of the game. "Here they come again.” So feel better, Florida Gators. At least you know it’s coming. OU’s hurry-up offense is the primary concern for Florida’s defense in the national championship game Thursday night. Not Sam Bradford’s passing accuracy. Not an offensive line that protects Bradford with zeal. Not a battalion of playmakers. The uptempo offense. "Our main focus is, hey, let’s get lined up,” said Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong. "Our major concern right now with Oklahoma is just the tempo.” Strong says his defense averages 60-65 snaps per game. But OU’s offense averages 80 plays per game. "It’s hard to really practice, just to simulate getting those plays in,” Strong said. "But we’ve been trying to practice at a fast tempo.” Florida, like most astute defenses, substitutes based on the situation. But OU’s pace makes that dicey. Linebacker Ryan Stamper said almost every Sooner opponent had trouble getting lined up in time. "That’s going to be the really hard part,” Stamper said. "We had a scrimmage yesterday where we practiced that, getting guys on and off the field.” OU quarterback Sam Bradford said he notices particularly early in games, defenses adjusting to the tempo, with the Sooners ready to snap the ball while the defense still is looking to the sideline for signals. Said Gator safety Ahmad Black, "We ran it last week, blew our heads off. But we’re getting used to it.”
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If I get you correctly, you are saying OU will score on every possession....and Florida will not. You might run your no huddle and score, but what will stop us from scoring soon after? You also forget that offense alone does not win games. Special teams, defense also matter. You might run your no-huddle offense, but you could also fumble the ball.
guy coming in '99, guess not, the defense has evaporated in Norman. Good luck Sooners
try not to embarrass the veteran fans to much Thursday night. Just remember, if you get
beat again and Texas wins, the Texas fans are going to ride us like a cheap Hooker, forever.
Go Big Red
IF they win is a draw. The biggest problem I see is the Gators ability to run back punts and kick-offs, and blocking kicks. Those can be momentum changers even when we are beating them at the line of scrimmage! If we can control the kicking game I believe OU wins!
I think we match up favorably everywhere else. No loss of focus or intensity for SIXTY full minutes of play will bring back the BCS title to the Sooner Nation.
Boomer!
Would you bet your life on that?
A) They didn't know the kickoff time.
B) They didn't know who they were playing.
C) Wondered how they got home from Johnny White's on Bourbon St., the night before.