Oklahoma-BYU: AllSooners Staff Picks
John Hoover
Although he’s apparently still banged up, starting quarterback Kedon Slovis is back for the Cougars after two games with former junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff behind center. The offense should be better. But BYU was outscored 35-6, 37-7 and 45-13 in its last three games against Texas, West Virginia and Iowa State — teams that Oklahoma outscored 34-30, 59-20 and 50-20. Brent Venables called BYU “a little bit of Jekyll and Hyde” but the recent trend is all Hyde. If Oklahoma simply cuts out the careless turnovers (six in its two losses) and reduces the preventable penalties, the potential for a massive wipeout is high. If those maladies crop up again as OU returns to the road, however, BYU’s lively crowd (expected to be north of 65,000 — third in the Big 12) could make it interesting.
Final score: Oklahoma 49, BYU 23
Ryan Chapman
Before the season, Oklahoma’s first trip to BYU appeared daunting. The Sooners will hit the road for the third time in four weeks, traveling across the country to play in front of a raucous crowd at a high elevation. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Saturday’s contest won’t be played on paper. BYU has struggled greatly in its transition to the Big 12, lacking any real offensive identity. Injuries have mounted on both sides of the ball, and the Cougars have lost their last three conference battles by an average of 30.3 points per game, and Oklahoma just got back on track with a dominant win over West Virginia. If the Sooners can avoid the procedural penalties and silly turnovers, OU will be in position to control Saturday’s proceedings from the opening kickoff, strolling into the short turnaround to close the regular season against TCU on Black Friday.
Final score: Oklahoma 49, BYU 13
AllSooners
Ross Lovelace
BYU has really struggled down the stretch. The Cougars have won just one of the last five games, and it hasn’t been pretty. BYU has lost three straight games by 26 points or more and the wheels are starting to fall off. Oklahoma knows what’s at stake. Sure, they’re on the outside looking in for a Big 12 title game appearance, but a loss knocks them out for good. It’s win to stay alive, and after last weeks demolition of West Virginia, it looks like the Sooners are finally in rhythm again. Oklahoma also escaped the dreaded night game in Provo, with kick-off set for 10 a.m. local time. Oklahoma rolls this weekend, and fans are asking how in the world did this team lose to Oklahoma State and Kansas for a second straight week.
Final score: Oklahoma 45, BYU 10
Randall Sweet
The Cougars are a team lacking confidence after losing three consecutive games by 29 points or more. With a questionable offensive line and a shaky quarterback who has been out of the lineup for a few weeks, the Sooners' defense should have another solid outing and will have the potential to force a few more turnovers against BYU. Offensively, Jeff Lebby's group seems to have finally found some rhythm on the ground and Dillon Gabriel is fresh off of a historic performance with Drake Stoops and Nic Anderson also finding their groove in the Oklahoma offense. If OU continues to fire on all cylinders as it did last Saturday, the Sooners should win big again.
Final score: Oklahoma 55, BYU 17
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