OUInsider - Owen Field

We're top 5 in scoring offense and 12th in scoring defense, despite facing three top 10 offenses so far.

You're no. 2 in scoring defense, but the best offense you've faced ranks 48th in scoring.

And you rank 78th in scoring offense.

Our confidence is well-grounded.

That said, we have a lousy record against ND, all-time, and anything can happen in a given game. You guys have shown a knack for doing what it takes to win. I think it'll be a hard-fought battle. If we turn the ball over, all bets are off, but we've really done that in just one game, and it's the one we lost.

And that team we lost to? They're 14th in scoring defense (despite playing some great offenses, as we have) and 10th in scoring defense. We turned the ball over three times against them, two of them for scores. And we still lost by just five points.

Should we be scared of the 78th ranked offense?

I hope that the OU team that showed up in Dallas is the same team that shows up in Norman this week. If so, we blow up ND. I think it's possible as the motivation to play well against a formidable opponent will be present, making our practices sharp and focused. As it was vs. UT's vaunted D, the key to this game will be the O-Line.

These posts about scoring 50 points on Notre Dame are simply ridiculous. Think about it you played Texas and Kansas who have 0 Defense and put up 50 + points on them. The only team you played with a remotely good Defense was Kansas State and they stopped your high powered offense. This game will be much closer than sooner fans think, but honestly who cares we will find out soon enough. And yes I believe Notre Dame has a chance in this game. The only common team we have grounds on is Florida State. But again it way to hard to compare teams that way. Some match ups are just a bitch and from what I have seen I think ND can stay in this game if we can run the ball.

And which top-notch offense has ND's vaunted defense stopped?

There isn't one. Not one. We're the first you'll face.

As for KSU, they're a terrific team, but we lost to them for one reason: turnovers. 14 of their points came about because of our turnovers and we fumbled on the one-yard-line as we were about to go in and score.

That's not an excuse -- KSU avoided mistakes and we didn't. It's part of the game, and if we have turnovers against ND, we could certainly lose this week -- but don't kid yourself that KSU dominated us. We gained nearly 400 yards against them.

ND20 - I think you should take some tact lessons from your fellow fan, Kaiser. Nobody in this thread had mentioned 40 points until you mentioned it. But, I do hope you are enjoying your freshman year at South Bend.

Can OU score 40 against ND? Yes, they are capable. especially with a few breaks.
Will OU score 40 against ND? Probably not.
Will OU score enough points against ND to win? Yes, if they don't turn the ball over.

I think ND will see a great OU defensive scheme and a lot of OU pure speed.
I think ND will see a tweaked running game with a few new wrinkles we have saved for the occasion - plus some more OU pure speed. I think ND will have to play the nickel and our WR's and Landry just love mano o mano.

One of the things Im interested in seeing is if Diaco brings pressure early. Normally our defense plays a bend but dont break style. Dont give up the big play, stop the run, and try to get pressure with 4. Given Oklahoma's fast starts ill be curious to see if he sends guys early to try and get hits on Jones. Im pretty sure Stoops will have everyone at the line showing blitz on every play. Stanford was pretty effective blitzing or showing blitz. I thought Golson did a better job in the 2nd half of that game and if he ever figures out he has the best pass recieving TE in the country we could get some great one on one match ups. Im wondering if Stoops plays Jefferson on Eifert or elects to go with a nickel package and goes with th nickel corner. Eifert is our biggest weapon and our best match up player. I think he has to have atleast one td and 7-10 catches if we are to win. Id like to see misdirection get golson rolling a few plays and then a fake roll draw. Maybe even some delayed screens to the rb's dont think we have ran one all year. Got to use Oklahoma's aggressiveness to our advantage

I think he said most anticipated game since 2000 and that has a lot to do with the traditions of both schools and the fact that we haven't forgotten who stopped our 47 game win streak in the 50s. ND is one of the very few schools to have a all time winning record against us and the only school with a lopsided W/L advantage against us.

Because of our loss to K State, I'd say we are both playing with house money. One thing for sure, the winner will be in the NC game discussion.

In the end, we're pretty much homers, like you would expect and of course Vegas thinks we should win. We have great respect ND, especially your defensive front and Brian Kelly.

I sure hope we beat you, because you will get us at your place next year with us having a first year QB and lots of new guys on the defense.

I don't think Notre Dame is over ranked. They are unbeaten and have played Michigan State, Michigan, Stanford, Purdue, Miami, BYU and Navy. That is a very respectable schedule. Notre Dame deserves their ranking and when OU beats Notre Dame, I am not about to say it isn't a big deal because Notre Dame was over ranked.

I just couldn't let this go.

We're the last two Texas games not "big games".

At Tech?

Fla State?

What about Nebraska in the last Big 12 CC game?

Just sayin.......

get ready to get your balls tattoed

I bet you don't put a lot of stock in the star rating system for recruits, do ya.......

Nope, not very much. I don't follow recruiting terribly closely, though.

Ummm... What??? OU has played 3 ranked teams! ND has played two teams with a winning record.