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Oklahoma-Tulsa: Three Keys to the Game

Saturday at Tulsa, the Sooners could figure out more depth questions, give Jackson Arnold a bigger plan and determine how to move forward at cheetah.
John E. Hoover|
Oklahoma-Tulsa: Three Keys to the Game
Oklahoma-Tulsa: Three Keys to the Game

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Against Arkansas State, a total of 82 players got playing time, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s 42 on defense and 40 on offense.

Those numbers were cut by almost half last week against SMU, as 47 Sooners played the Ponies — 26 on defense, 21 on offense.

Oklahoma’s depth hasn’t been tested yet, even when it was 14-11 with 12 minutes to play last week.

Tulsa is coming off what coach Kevin Wilson was a good effort (a 43-10 loss) at No. 8-ranked Washington. Does the Golden Hurricane have what it takes to test OU’s depth — in particular on the offensive line, at cornerback and in the receiver corps?

Hey Arnold

What’s the plan for backup quarterback Jackson Arnold?

It may seem an overly simple question, especially with Dillon Gabriel playing so well. But offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said he wants to get his freshman quarterback some meaningful snaps.

Does that mean coming in and running the entire offense for a drive or two? Or does it mean coming in only in short-yardage situations and running the equivalent of old single-wing keepers? Today it’s more commonly called wildcat, but is that the best use of Arnold’s 5-star talents?

The Sooners used it four times last week against SMU, and Arnold got hit — a lot.

Cheetah Talk

With Justin Harrington and Dasan McCullough both nursing injuries, what does Oklahoma do this week at their cheetah linebacker position?

It would seem that freshman Peyton Bowen gets the first call here, and he has shown already that he’s ready for more snaps.

Bowen could also come in to play the safety position, which has fewer responsibilities. That would probably mean senior Reggie Pearson slides over and plays the cheetah.

Essentially, the cheetah so far has been the equivalent of a nickel defensive back, with more pass-rush responsibilities.

Jaren Kanak played the position last year and could help out in a pinch.

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John E. Hoover
JOHN E. HOOVER

John is an award-winning journalist whose work spans five decades in Oklahoma, with multiple state, regional and national awards as a sportswriter at various newspapers. During his newspaper career, John covered the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Arkansas Razorbacks and much more. In 2016, John changed careers, migrating into radio and launching a YouTube channel, and has built a successful independent media company, DanCam Media. From there, John has written under the banners of Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Fan Nation and a handful of local and national magazines while hosting daily sports talk radio shows in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and statewide. John has also spoken on Capitol Hill in Oklahoma City in a successful effort to put more certified athletic trainers in Oklahoma public high schools. Among the dozens of awards he has won, John most cherishes his national "Beat Writer of the Year" from the Associated Press Sports Editors, Oklahoma's "Best Sports Column" from the Society of Professional Journalists, and Two "Excellence in Sports Medicine Reporting" Awards from the National Athletic Trainers Association. John holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from East Central University in Ada, OK. Born and raised in North Pole, Alaska, John played football and wrote for the school paper at Ada High School in Ada, OK. He enjoys books, movies and travel, and lives in Broken Arrow, OK, with his wife and two kids.

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