I wanted to go through a rabbit hole here about the propensity for the Oklahoma defense and special teams to score points in the Venables era.

Obviously, any time your defense or special teams is able to add points to the board, your chances to win the football game greatly increase. I don't think that is breaking news in the slightest.

Some teams do it more than others. And to me, Oklahoma has been one of the best in the country during his tenure when it comes to non-offensive scoring.

So, I went through each game in the Venables era, dating back to week one in 2022 where I found 17 games in which the Sooners added points to their scoreboard without an offensive touchdown or field goal being the reason.

First off, 17 non-offensive scores in a 56 game span is a remarkable rate. That is special stuff. That's 30.3% of games played seeing some sort of non-offensive score.

But here are the numbers:

• 2 punt return touchdowns
• 4 scoop & scores
• 5 safeties
• 7 pick sixes

Here is the real reason why I wanted to go down this rabbit hole.

In a game like the Red River Shootout where the emotions of the game are as high as they are and the momentum swings can feel like euphoria then the closest thing to your dog dying in the matter of seconds, non-offensive touchdowns are a huge reason for the game.

Taking care of the football is paramount.

Since Venables took over as head coach at OU:

• Oklahoma is 15–2 in games they have a non-offensive score
• Oklahoma is 19–20 in games they do not have a non-offensive score

***

As for Texas.

Since 2021, the Longhorns are 52–20 in the Sarkisian era.

• Texas is 16–2 in games they have a non-offensive score
• Texas is 36–18 in games they do not have a non-offensive score

Texas records a non-offensive score in 25% of their contests by my math.

• 1 kickoff return TD
• 2 safeties
• 3 scoop & scores
• 6 pick sixes
• 6 punt return TD

***

I write all of this to say, if Texas is able to shutout the Oklahoma defense and special teams from bizarre scoring opportunities, they will win this football game on Saturday.

The only path to victory I see for the Sooners is through non-offensive scores.

Nice break down CJ.

21 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

I wanted to go through a rabbit hole here about the propensity for the Oklahoma defense and special teams to score points in the Venables era.

Obviously, any time your defense or special teams is able to add points to the board, your chances to win the football game greatly increase. I don't think that is breaking news in the slightest.

Some teams do it more than others. And to me, Oklahoma has been one of the best in the country during his tenure when it comes to non-offensive scoring.

So, I went through each game in the Venables era, dating back to week one in 2022 where I found 17 games in which the Sooners added points to their scoreboard without an offensive touchdown or field goal being the reason.

First off, 17 non-offensive scores in a 56 game span is a remarkable rate. That is special stuff. That's 30.3% of games played seeing some sort of non-offensive score.

But here are the numbers:

• 2 punt return touchdowns
• 4 scoop & scores
• 5 safeties
• 7 pick sixes

Here is the real reason why I wanted to go down this rabbit hole.

In a game like the Red River Shootout where the emotions of the game are as high as they are and the momentum swings can feel like euphoria then the closest thing to your dog dying in the matter of seconds, non-offensive touchdowns are a huge reason for the game.

Taking care of the football is paramount.

Since Venables took over as head coach at OU:

• Oklahoma is 15–2 in games they have a non-offensive score
• Oklahoma is 19–20 in games they do not have a non-offensive score

***

As for Texas.

Since 2021, the Longhorns are 52–20 in the Sarkisian era.

• Texas is 16–2 in games they have a non-offensive score
• Texas is 36–18 in games they do not have a non-offensive score

Texas records a non-offensive score in 25% of their contests by my math.

• 1 kickoff return TD
• 2 safeties
• 3 scoop & scores
• 6 pick sixes
• 6 punt return TD

***

I write all of this to say, if Texas is able to shutout the Oklahoma defense and special teams from bizarre scoring opportunities, they will win this football game on Saturday.

The only path to victory I see for the Sooners is through non-offensive scores.

Great article - thanks!  I completely agree that non-offensive scores are OU’s only real shot - if Mateer does not turn the ball over.  Their anemic offense vs Muschamp’s defense is a complete mismatch.

This is superb research, Ceej

I agree and that’s why I think it is important that we get the ball out of arch’s hands as quick as possible.  At least at the beginning, let’s take 4 or 5 yard passes and then later on we can try and stretch the field.

Banks better have our special teams ready.  Nobody has mentioned the dreaded punt block this week, but it feels like something that could happen (or the usual penalty for mauling the kicker).

100% CJ.  I watched the video with you,Rod and Marcus.  I believe you were 100% on point to make ou earn everything and make their offense march the length of the field and not give them any freebeess like going for it on 4th down between the 40s.  Sark will have to resist the wreckless inlcination to go for it on 4th.

Honestly, I feel that's the only way OU has a chance to win this game is by a defensive score or ST score.

This is where, while us fans want Arch to fire away and hit some spectacular plays, protecting the football and not turning the ball over will be huge.

Good work on this CeeJay.

...and then there were those... that were not counted!  This was a safety, and it ended up being the difference in the game.  Hook'em!  🤘 🤠  🇨🇱 

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Oklahoma is 15–2 in games they have a non-offensive score

This stat from this post was the first thing that went through my mind as soon as OU scored on the punt block 😭