Three things Mizzou fans need to know about the Oklahoma Sooners

Both the no. 24 Missouri Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners have not met preseason expectations at this stage of the season. Oklahoma has struggled on offense and had issues at quarterback, while Missouri, puzzlingly enough, has yet to click on offense and appear in big games.

Although both teams have underperformed thus far, the matchup still presents itself as promising and important. Missouri needs to win the game to keep any hopes of the College Football Playoff alive and Oklahoma needs to keep winning to increase its postseason chances.

Before the game, here are the three most important things Tiger fans need to know about the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners have been battling the injury bug since the start of the season. A key trio of Oklahoma receivers have been out for most of the season. Jayden Gibson, Andrel Anthony and Nic Anderson, who are all important to the offense, have struggled with injuries all season. They remain out for the game against the Tigers.

Another key member of the Sooners team, defenseman Gentry Williams, also battled injuries. The aforementioned players have shown they can contribute in recent seasons and would certainly do the same if they were healthy.

It’s not as bad as it has been before the Missouri game, but the Sooners are still without key players. They are without versatile lineman Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor, both of whom have contributed all year.

Even with three receivers out, the Sooners got two back. Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks are likely next week and will be valuable options for quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Jovantae Barnes, who rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns against Maine, is questionable for the Tigers matchup. They’ll need him to beat the Tigers. Gavin Sawchuck, another stacked Sooners running back, remains questionable for the weekend.

The Sooners have been plagued by injuries all season and they don’t appear to be slowing down. Anyone healthy for Oklahoma on Saturday, whether they’re the first string at the position or not, should be ready to go.

The Sooners lead the NCAA in sacks allowed per game with 4.8. The pressure allowed on whoever is the quarterback has been a problem all season long, partly due to injuries, but partly due to positioning and the inability to match the athleticism of opponents.

Jacob Sexton, Febechi Nwaiwu and Heath Ozaeta lead the Sooners in sacks allowed, all playing at the guard position. Sexton has also been switched in and out of the left tackle position, but has still allowed sacks.

Against the Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels, the Sooners allowed 10 sacks, four of which were by edge rusher Suntarine Perkins. Even if the Rebels have a top-tier defense, 10 is simply too many if the Sooners want to win a game.

Getting sacks is never easy, but will be crucial for the Tigers if they want to win. On the other hand, whoever is on the offensive line will have to do his utmost to protect his quarterback.

Surprisingly, the quarterback position has been in flux all season for the Sooners. They started the season with sophomore Jackson Arnold, who showed promise last season and was expected to break out this season.

Arnold was benched in a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers and was replaced by true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who threw for 132 yards and a touchdown with an 11-for-18 efficiency. Hawkins kept the Sooners in the game and would go on to win the earn starting role. He would not throw a touchdown after being named the starter and was benched in favor of Arnold.

The flow of the quarterback spot has led to many inconsistencies in the offense, as has the health of the receiving core. However, it appears that Arnold is on an upward trajectory again. He threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Ole Miss, but it was one of his best performances of the season before Oklahoma’s win over Maine.

Against Maine, Arnold threw for 224 yards and two more touchdowns with over 50% efficiency. Arnold’s last two games are a positive sign for the former five-star quarterback, who Oklahoma will need if they want to leave Faurot Field with a win.

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