The Oklahoma Sooners will take on the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday in a game that could completely turn the Sooners' season around. Oklahoma enters the game sitting at 2-1, but has fallen out of the AP poll after starting the year ranked No. 10.
Oklahoma's offense has struggled so far, leading many to lose faith in the Sooners this season. But a win against Georgia could reignite that optimism. Here are five reasons why Oklahoma will beat the Bulldogs on Saturday.
John Mateer is turnover-free
Mateer has had an up-and-down season so far. He started the year off with his most efficient performance in an Oklahoma uniform against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners. However, outside of the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines, he struggled in that game. That
included a back-breaking interception that resulted in Michigan's game-winning touchdown. Mateer then threw two more interceptions last week against the New Mexico Lobos. Mateer will need to take care of the ball against Georgia, or the Sooners could be in for a long day.
Offense sustains drives
The best thing the Oklahoma offense can do outside of scoring points is to sustain drives. The Sooners' defense can keep them in this game if you can keep them fresh. Multiple three-and-outs, or a turnover that puts the defense right back on the field, will likely tire out an elite defense. If Oklahoma can keep Georgia's offense on the sidelines for as long as possible, the Sooners will have a chance to pull off the upset.
Defense makes Georgia one-dimensional
The Bulldogs come into this game with one of the top offenses in college football. They average 59.3 points per game, throwing for 285.7 yards and rushing for 253.3 yards. Oklahoma has an elite defense, and if they can limit one of those to make Georgia one-dimensional, the Sooners will be in great shape come the fourth quarter.
Defense forces key turnover
When Oklahoma went on its magical run last season, it was largely due to the turnovers the defense forced. Oklahoma forced three turnovers against Tennessee, taking one back for a score. The Sooners then forced three against Alabama, also taking one back for a score. They forced two against Missouri and one against LSU. So far this season, Oklahoma's defense has forced only two turnovers; both came in the opening game. The Sooners must force some turnovers if they have any chance of shocking the Bulldogs.
Oklahoma wins special teams battle
Oklahoma has to dominate the special teams matchup like it did most of the time last season. The Sooners have the Lou Groza Award winner in Tate Sandell, and Grayson Miller is averaging 45 yards per punt. Isaiah Sategna is also one of the most dynamic returners, averaging 21.7 yards per punt return with one touchdown. They all have to be special this game, because one of the biggest issues for Oklahoma's offense is their average starting field position.
According to SoonerScoop's George Stoia, Oklahoma has struggled with field position this season, ranking No. 106 nationally in average starting field position. The Sooners begin their drives an average of 73.1 yards from the end zone, which ranks No. 99. In fact, 33% of Oklahoma's offensive possessions have begun at least 80 yards from the end zone.
Put all five of these reasons together, and Oklahoma has a clear path to the upset. The Sooners don't need to dominate Georgia from start to finish. They need to avoid giving the Bulldogs easy opportunities, force a few of their own and make every possession matter. If Oklahoma does those five things, it has the formula to leave Athens with one of the biggest wins of the Brent Venables era.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 reasons Oklahoma will beat Georgia on Saturday
