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Game Plan: The Oklahoma Offense

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2009

Sooner or later – usually sooner – Oklahoma's offense is going to strike.

It has reached unprecedented heights (702 points and five straight games with 60-plus points), and it has gotten there quickly.

This attack is not for the faint of heart – or the short of breath. Oklahoma's offense waits for no one.

"They get to the line and go, ready or not,'' Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "It's going to be tough to get our subs in there. There have been a lot of penalties and a lot of confusion. I've told our guys, 'Look, you can't get tired. You've got to keep playing.' ''

"Early in the season, we'd be snapping the ball and the defense would still be looking at the sidelines, trying to get the signals,'' Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford said. "Sometimes, we'd run right by them. I think the way we play gives us a real advantage.''

The scheme was plotted by Coach Bob Stoops in spring practice. It has become a souped-up version of what Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson executed in stints at Miami (Ohio) and Northwestern.

It's aggressive and daring – two qualities that have marked Stoops' tenure with the Sooners.

"We have never gone up against anything quite like this,'' Gators cornerback Joe Haden said.

Ready or not, here come the Sooners.

Blink and you might miss them.

DEFENDING OKLAHOMA

Eliminate the running game.

Put constant pressure on quarterback Sam Bradford.

That's how the Texas Longhorns defeated Oklahoma 45-35 on Oct. 12. The Sooners were slowed down – not stopped – but the plan of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was enough to hand OU its only loss this season.

The Sooners were limited to 48 yards rushing (and a 1.8-yard average). It's difficult to say Bradford was neutralized – he completed 28 of 39 passes for 387 yards and five touchdowns – but Texas sacked him three times and forced two interceptions.

"We dominated the line of scrimmage,'' Muschamp said. "They [offensive line] were obviously bigger guys, but we were going to do what we do. We're not going to change for anybody.''

And the Longhorns did it without much blitzing, getting a great surge from their four-man front line. Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo had a monster game (two sacks, four tackles for a loss).

"When you want to pressure, stop the running game and maybe affect Bradford, you have to realize they have very good skill people outside and he's very accurate against pressure,'' Muschamp said. "You've got to pressure him at the right time.

"You've got to be multiple in what you do. You can't be stuck in one thing the whole game because if he knows what you're in, he's going to do a good job of exploiting it. Because of the no-huddle, they're able to see a lot of what you're going to do. You have to do a great job of moving around, disguising it and being multiple.''

It worked against the Sooners. They moved the ball, sure, but seven OU drives resulted in a punt or interception. After Texas took the lead for the final time, 38-35, the Sooners went three-and-out. Muschamp was undaunted by Bradford's passing numbers. Stats are for losers, Muschamp often says.

"I like winning games,'' he said.

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