The good, the bad and the ugly from Oklahoma’s 52-31 win over TCU

Though the final score may indicate a 21-point win for the Oklahoma Sooners, there were times the game felt closer than it was. TCU scratched and clawed to keep this game close, but the Sooners offense was too much, and the defense came up with timely stops.

So, as we do each week, let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the Sooners Week 7 win over the TCU Horned Frogs.

The Good: A Star is Born

Where were you the night Caleb Williams took the college football world by storm?

Like many of you, I was with family, watching the game with my wife while my daughter was watching “Hotel Transylvania 3.”

Even though the 5-year-old isn’t entirely into football yet, she’ll still let out a hearty “Sooner” when called upon. And Williams provided more than enough of those moments to keep her intrigued by what was going on.

Williams has had about as strong a start to a college career as one could hope for. After helping the Sooners rally to beat the Texas Longhorns last week in a thriller in the Cotton Bowl, Williams topped that performance, going 18 of 23 for 295 yards and four touchdowns. He added a score on the ground and 66 rushing yards in a game the true freshman looked entirely in control of.

Even when it seemed like the TCU pressure was starting to mount, Williams responded with a big play or a bounce-back drive. On a night when the defense was dealing with many injuries in the secondary, Williams was the momentum killer.

The Oklahoma offense regularly responded to Horned Frogs scores with scores of its own, and TCU could never get the game as close in the second half as it was with a few minutes left to play before halftime (17-14).

It couldn’t have gone any better if someone had written the script. Things will get tough later in the season against Baylor, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State, but for now, it’s a strong beginning to what looks to be a promising career for the true freshman quarterback.

Up Next: The Bad

The Bad: Austin Stogner’s Dropped Touchdown

We’ve been waiting for the Austin Stogner breakout game all season, and we’re still waiting. This week provided an opportunity to make an impact, and the Sooners tight end let it slip through his fingers.

With the Oklahoma Sooners up 14-7, Williams and the offense had driven to first-and-goal at the 4. After a two-yard run by Kennedy Brooks, the Sooners were still in good shape with second-and-goal from the 2.

At this point, the Sooners had options. They elected to throw, which probably had a run option built into the rollout for Williams. He had Stogner in the end zone and put the ball right on his tight ends’ hands. The ball went right through his mitts.

While it might have been a contested-catch had he held on, that’s absolutely a ball Stogner needs to catch, and he probably would love another opportunity at it.

The Sooners could have gone up 21-7. Instead, they settled for a field goal to make it 17-7, and the Horned Frogs proceeded to counter with a 14-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to three, 17-14.

Oklahoma punted on its ensuing possession. Fortunately, the Sooners forced a punt and scored just before halftime.

Though it didn’t turn out to be a turning point in the game, it could very well have been. Instead of being up 17-14, the Sooners could have fallen behind before halftime. With the Horned Frogs slated to get the ball out of the break, it could have gone from bad to worse.

Stogner needs to be better in that situation.

Up Next: The Ugly

The Ugly: Defensive Woes

Here we are again talking about a poor defensive outing for the Oklahoma Sooners. It was all game as the Oklahoma defense struggled to contain Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston.

Tackling continues to be an issue and third-down defense as well.

On third down, TCU converted 7 of its 14 tries (50%). Along the way, it converted several third-and-longs that extended drives and led to points.

Of course, the Sooners’ defense is dealing with injuries that make it difficult to find a rhythm and chemistry. Still, the Sooners need to be better before they get their guys back if they’re going to be legit contenders in the Big 12 or the College Football Playoff.

Certainly, Jalen Redmond, Woodi Washington, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Jeremiah Criddell would help the Oklahoma defense. However, the unit needs to figure out what’s wrong with its tackling. It’s happened in too many games in 2021 to be ignored.

With a game against Kansas on the horizon, the Oklahoma defense has an opportunity to have a bounce-back game.

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5 Takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners 52-31 win over TCU Horned Frogs