STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH
Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team that hasn’t permitted a 300-yard QB in 2012. WVU QB Geno Smith enters this week’s game
ranked third in the nation in passing (337.9 ypg). Last week, Baylor entered its contest vs. OU leading the nation in
passing (392.1 ypg) and was held to a season-low 172 passing yards by the Sooners.
Additionally, no player has caught more than six passes in a single contest vs. the OU defense this season. Mountaineers WR Tavon
Austin (10.7) leads the NCAA in receptions per game, while WR Stedman Bailey (8.3 per game) ranks fi fth.
COACHING TREE
Oklahoma's win vs. Baylor was the 146th of head coach Bob Stoops’ career, passing Bud Wilkinson for second on the OU victory list behind Barry Switzer (157). Along with Bennie Owen (122), OU is the only school to have four coaches with 100+ wins.
UNSUNG
West Virginia's defensive line play hasn't gotten nearly the attention it deserves. The four-man rotation of Shaq Rowell, Kyle Rose, Jorege Wright and Will Clarke have combined for 75 tackles, and have limited opponents to just 3.4 yards per carry. Nine of those tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage.
TURNING THE MARKERS
Oklahoma is sixth in the nation in third down conversions. Out of 119 chances, the Sooners have turned 62 third downs into first downs for a success rate of 52%.
OU makes that happen with a balanced offense. It's capable of throwing the ball to just about anyone (eight receivers have 10 catches or more, and six are averaging at least 10.8 yards per reception), and four backs average at least six yards per carry. Add in Blake Bell and the “Belldozer” short yardage attack, and OU has a variety of weapons to employ, no matter what the third down situation presents.
DIFFERENT NEEDS
Oklahoma has attempted six fourth down conversions all year, succeeding on four. West Virginia tried more than that in the last game alone, posting a 4-7 mark against Oklahoma State. For the season, WVU is 15-29 on fourth down.
ONE GAME HITS
WVU running back Andrew Buie has 646 rushing yards through nine games. Two hundred seven of those, or 32%) came in one game vs. Texas. That mirrors Dustin Garrison's 2011 season, when 291 of his 742 yards (39%) came against Bowling Green.
CONVERTING
Oklahoma backup quarterback Blake Bell highlights the “Belldozer” formation, in which he often converts short yardage situations into first downs or touchdowns. His effectiveness (10 rushing TDs), along with excellent placekicker Michael Hunnicut (10-11 FG), has Oklahoma fifth in the nation in red zone scoring percentage at 93.3%. The Sooners have turned 45 chances inside the 20 into 33 touchdowns and nine field goals, missing out on just three opportunities.