Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) warms up before the game against the Temple Owls at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Oklahoma and Houston didn’t play last season when both were in the Big 12.
But the Sooners’ move to the SEC helped bring the two programs together as members of different conferences.
The Cougars take on 15th-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday night in Norman, Okla.
The game was announced last August after the Sooners’ scheduled non-conference game against Georgia was wiped out by Oklahoma’s then-impending move to the SEC.
The Sooners (1-0) are looking to keep their defensive momentum rolling after a 51-3 win over Temple in the opener. Oklahoma held the Owls to less than 200 yards total offense and just 69 rushing yards.
The Sooners want more out of their offense. While they scored 51 points, 33 of those came off turnovers, many of those setting the offense up with strong field position.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold was solid in the game, throwing for four touchdowns and no interceptions, but he threw for just 141 yards.
The Sooners are playing with a banged up offensive line — starting center Branson Hickman left the opener early with an ankle injury and could miss the game. They have also taken a significant hit to their wide receiver depth with injuries to Jayden Gibson, Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq as well as still bringing along Andrel Anthony after he suffered a season-ending knee injury last October.
Sooners coach Brent Venables said Anthony continues to progress after recording just one 4-yard catch in the opener, and that Anderson would return “sooner rather than later.”
“We just need more people to step up,” said Deion Burks, who had three touchdown receptions against the Owls. “The season is going to bring these things that try to bring you down but it’s just (about) who will step up and take that spot next.”
The Cougars (0-1) are coming off a 27-7 home loss to UNLV.
Houston coach Willie Fritz, in his first season after coming over from Tulane, said he was exploring lineup changes, especially on the offensive line. The Cougars gave up five sacks and rushed for just 26 yards against UNLV, and were called for eight holding penalties.
With the Sooners having recorded six sacks and six takeaways against Temple, Houston doesn’t have much room for error.
“We’re really looking at everything. … We’ve got to put our guys in a position to be successful,” Fritz said. “That’s so important. Sometimes that requires change. And change is hard. We’ll keep experimenting with rotations until we find the right one.”
Two former Sooners are listed as starters for the Cougars for Saturday’s game — linebacker Jamal Morris and cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. Morris played for the Sooners from 2019-21, appearing in 20 games but recording just eight tackles. He had seven tackles in the season opener.
“I think he’s only going to get better,” Fritz said. “He really enjoys practicing and meeting.”
Fritz has coached against the Sooners recently. In 2021, Fritz’s Tulane squad played the Sooners in Norman and gave them fits before Oklahoma finally pulled out a 40-35 victory.
The Sooners have won three of four meetings with the Cougars, including both games in Norman. Oklahoma beat Houston 49-31 to open the 2019 season.
–Field Level Media
