Hot starts haven’t been the problem for OU’s offense

NORMAN — Fast starts haven’t been much of a problem for Oklahoma so far this season.

Virtually every week, college football players and coaches not only in Norman but in every program talk about the importance of making a fast impression offensively and the importance of that to their success.

Once again, that figures to be a point of emphasis this week as the now-unranked Sooners get ready to open Big 12 play at No. 21 TCU (4 p.m., Fox).

Oklahoma has moved the ball well early in games — scoring touchdowns on the opening drive in each of its first two games and then moving it methodically to start against Ohio State before the drive stalled and ended with an Austin Seibert missed field goal.

In two games against top-flight opponents — Houston and Ohio State — OU has averaged 7.2 yards per play on the two opening drives.

After that, the Sooners’ have averaged 6.03 yards per play.

The difference might not seem too significant, but only eight other programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision and only one other Big 12 team averages better than 7.2 yards per play. Fifty programs average better than 6.03 yards per play.

Part of the difference is Baker Mayfield.

The Sooners quarterback has started hot in each of the first three games.

Against Houston in the opener, Mayfield’s strong beginning stretched well beyond the opening drive.

[PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMA] Quarterback Baker Mayfield is pressured in his own end zone by Jalyn Holmes in a game against Ohio State at Gaylord Family—Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.