Oklahoma-Ohio State: Three storylines
Mayfield’s poise
Baker Mayfield has struggled at times in big games, and this will be the biggest OU has faced since last year’s game against the Buckeyes.
Though they weren’t the same caliber opponents as Ohio State, Mayfield has settled in recently in big games, with strong performances against Oklahoma State and Auburn a year ago.
The Sooners can’t afford for Mayfield to be reckless with the ball or to take too many sacks if they want to leave Columbus with a win.
Strength vs. strength
Oklahoma’s clear strength is its offensive line, with Orlando Brown anchoring things at left tackle and the same group that carried the Sooners to an undefeated record in Big 12 play last year returning intact.
Ohio State’s strength is in its defensive front, especially with two All-America caliber defensive ends and a scheme that can sometimes put four defensive ends on the field at the same time.
The Buckeyes are deep up front, rotating 10-12 players out and keeping their players fresh without much of a drop off.
The Sooners have depth at guard, but Brown, right tackle Bobby Evans and center Erick Wren will be asked to carry a heavy load.
Kenneth Murray and the run game
Oklahoma struggled to contain Ohio State on the ground last year with Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel having big days and J.T. Barrett finding room to work as well.
The Sooners need to be better, and a big part of that will fall on the shoulders of freshman middle linebacker Kenneth Murray.
Murray was solid last week against UTEP after a rough start, but playing Ohio State — on the road no less — is a much more difficult task.
If Murray rises to the occasion, Oklahoma’s path to an upset becomes much clearer.