The Oklahoma Sooners face the Florida Gators in a massive game on Saturday in Gainesville. The Sooners enter the game 4-4, teetering on a third losing season in Brent Venables' fifth year as the head coach.
Oklahoma faces a Florida team that's 5-3 but ranked No. 24 in the country in its first season under Jon Sumrall. The Gators are looking for just their second winning season in the last six. If Oklahoma is going to beat Florida, it'll likely be because of these five reasons:
No turnovers by John Mateer
This is the most important key for the Sooners. Oklahoma has lost just two games in Mateer's tenure when he doesn't turn the football over. Now, one of those was last weekend against the South Carolina Gamecocks, but typically good things happen when he doesn't turn the ball over. He'll
need to play a key game of football on Saturday; otherwise, he could be replaced.
The Jason Witten bump
The Sooners elected to part ways with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle following that loss to South Carolina. In Year 2 at the helm, Arbuckle's offense worsened as it dipped to one of the worst units in college football. Tight ends coach Jason Witten takes over as play caller. I think Oklahoma will come out playing with a lot of energy, as is usually the case when a coach gets let go. Because of that, they could have some success offensively; they haven't been there much this season.
Explosive plays win the day
Oklahoma hasn't had many explosive plays this season, but if there's a game where the offense could have a few, it's this one. The Gators have allowed 48 plays of 20 yards or more. If you turn on the tape, players are constantly getting behind Florida's secondary. That's what the Sooners will need to do on Saturday. Hit those big shots to Isaiah Sategna to set the tone.
Oklahoma's defense responds
The Sooners' vaunted defense had its worst performance since joining the SEC. Oklahoma allowed over 500 yards against South Carolina. They also were torched for 42 points. Oklahoma's defense should play with its hair on fire to show last weekend was a fluke and not the high standard they hold themselves to. Because of that, I expect Oklahoma's defense to lock down one of the better offenses in the SEC.
Stopping Jadan Baugh
Florida's offense goes as Jadan Baugh goes. Baugh has rushed for over 135 yards in four of the Gators' five wins this season. In the three losses, he hasn't topped 60. This will be the key for Oklahoma's defense to get back to its dominant ways. This game will be won by whoever wins the battle between Oklahoma's defensive line and Florida's offensive line.
Ultimately, Oklahoma needs all five of these factors to come together to leave Gainesville with a win. The Sooners have to protect the football, find a spark under Witten's leadership and take advantage of opportunities Florida's defense has allowed throughout the season. On the other side of the ball, the defensive front must reestablish its identity by controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping Baugh from becoming the focal point of the Gators' offense. If they do all of that, Oklahoma will leave "The Swamp" with a huge win.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 reasons Oklahoma can beat Florida on Saturday
