Failing to do this handcuffed the Sooners against Colorado, Texas Tech and Iowa State last season. Offenses are too good these days to get into a punting match. If a defense is forced to play more than half the game, it’s going to give up points and most likely a lot of them, particularly late.

No one is asking an offense to score on every possession, but a couple first downs every time it touches the ball helps win the field position battle and keep a defense fresh.

The Sooners couldn’t do it in the first half in their loss the Red Raiders, the fourth quarter against the Buffaloes and pretty much the whole game against Iowa State.

Finish strong

When you’re playing on the road in a tough environment, which Husky Stadium will be, you have to expect to be in a close game. If Washington, a 20-point underdog, is still in the game with 15 minutes to play it will be a confident team. This is where last season’s loss to Colorado provided some experience to the Sooners.

If the opportunity is there to knock the Huskies out early, OU needs to do it. But if it’s toe-to-toe late, OU can’t go into a shell. The great teams close the deal no matter what the circumstances. The Sooners didn’t do it at times last season. But it’s a new year.

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com