Three Sooners Face Key Tests Against Florida

Oklahoma’s visit to Florida on November 7 will be the teams’ first meeting on a college campus and the Sooners’ first trip to The Swamp. Their two earlier contests took place at neutral venues, one for the BCS title in Miami and the other in Arlington’s Cotton Bowl. Florida is ranked No. 24.

Linebacker Owen Heinecke will need a stronger tackling performance after being charged with three of Oklahoma’s 25 missed tackles against South Carolina. Florida running back Jaden Baugh has 801 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 152 carries, making sound work from Heinecke and fellow linebacker Kip Lewis especially important.

Tight end Rocky Beers has caught 34 passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns this season. He is second on the team in receptions, nine behind Isaiah Sategna. With tight ends coach Jason Witten now serving as interim offensive coordinator after Ben Arbuckle was removed, Beers could have a prominent role in the offense. He will need to secure the ball and turn short completions into bigger gains.

Left tackle Michael Fasusi also has a chance to respond after struggling against South Carolina with penalties and pass protection. Florida’s defense averages a strong rate of sacks and tackles for loss, so Oklahoma’s line will need to give quarterback John Mateer—or another passer—the time to operate.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has made another in-season change at offensive coordinator, and Witten takes over as the Sooners try to rebound. The defense also needs to improve after its tackling problems against South Carolina.