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Ohio State Football: 5 reasons why Buckeyes will beat Oklahoma

By Connor Muldowney

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 02: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners cuts inside against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 02: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners cuts inside against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

4. Oklahoma’s unproven backfield

When Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon left in the offseason, the Sooners knew they’d have to find a way to match their production right away — or at least come close to it. The 2016 season was an effective one on the ground for Oklahoma as both guys eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.

The team rushed for over 3,000 yards last season and the lead returning rusher from that squad was sophomore Abdul Adams. He did record 283 yards on 5.3 per touch as a freshman in 2016, but he was far from an experienced running back.

In the opening game, he split carries with Rodney Anderson, Marcelias Sutton and Trey Sermon and they combined for 27 carries and 170 yards with two touchdowns. It was a solid showing for the foursome, but it would have been wise to give one guy, presumably Adams, the bulk of the carries to prepare for a big Week 2 matchup.

There’s no way the Sooners will be able to split carries between four backs against Ohio State and hope to have success. To prove how inexperienced this group is, all you have to do is look at the combined career carries. They have a combined 81 touches. That’s not a recipe for success against the Buckeyes’ vaunted front-seven.

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