By John Shinn
Oklahoma has played three games against three unique offenses. They smashed North Texas’ spread attack. Obliterated Miami’s downhill-running style. Mangled Utah State’s option.
But there’s a reason Tulsa has Sooner defenders on edge.
“This will be the biggest test for us,” strong safety D.J. Wolfe said.
Tulsa?
A test?
Well, yes.
The Golden Hurricane (2-0) doesn’t have a flashy name like Miami, but will nevertheless bring a high-octane offense to Chapman Stadium at 7 tonight. Tulsa currently ranks fourth in Division I in total offense, averaging 559 yards in back-to-back wins over Louisiana-Monroe and BYU.
A lot of the credit goes to senior quarterback Paul Smith, who has thrown for 761 yards and eight touchdowns. Some of it goes to offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.
But what sticks out the most about the Golden Hurricane’s spread can only be seen with a broad lens.
“Their ability to run and throw,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “The quarterback is a very good player and their skill guys have been playing really, really well, making some terrific catches in traffic.
“I’m sure they're really pleased with a lot of guys that before this year really didn't have any experience in their system and are making not just good plays, they’re making really, really, really great plays.”
But, in the end, there’s little the fourth-ranked Sooners (3-0) haven’t seen before. Their success against spread offenses is well chronicled. Going 6-1 against Texas Tech since 2000 and never allowing more than 28 points in any of those games proves it.
But ask any defender what is the key to slowing a spread and you’ll get a wide variety of answers.
“You have to be mentally prepared and be where you’re supposed to be,” linebacker Ryan Reynolds said.
True. The spread offense is designed to get players in open space with short passes or runs. Get defenders out of position and the running lanes expand greatly.
“Tackling,” Wolfe said. “They always emphasize that when we’re playing a spread team. You’re usually in open spaces against spread teams. When you miss a tackle there isn’t a lot of help around.”
There’s no counter punch to missed tackles. Either a defense tackles or it doesn’t. But defenders’ relative lack of one-on-one tackling ability has certainly fueled the spread philosophy’s growth over the last decade.
Venables doesn’t have any one particular key he emphasizes. He shot off three like he was reciting a lecture he’d give many times over the years.
“Stopping the run, no big plays and getting pressure on the quarterback. Those are the three areas,” he said. “They can’t have balance and they can’t have big plays either. In your world, as a defensive guy, you want to stop it all.”
Will the Sooners’ be able to do all three?
Maybe.
Taking the run away hasn’t been an issue. OU’s only allowing 44.3 rushing yards per game this season.
Big plays have been rare as well. Outside of a 69-yard touchdown pass allowed North Texas converted opening day, gains over 10 yards have been few and far between.
Getting pressure on the quarterback hasn’t been an issue either. Ten sacks in three games is hard to argue with.
The Sooners’ success at doing all three has been their key over the years and the reason they believe tonight will be no different. In the end, the easiest way to stop a spread team like Tulsa is to boast a load of defensive talent.
“We’ve got guys up front that can get pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz all the time,” Venables said. “I think our skill guys match up well in space.”
That’s how you pass the test.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
