Vanderbilt looks like a team that has lost its way completely. Just a year ago, they were scoring like crazy, but now they are ranked 103rd in the country. According to a report, the Commodores are averaging only 23 points a game, a huge drop from their top-ten spot last season. This is not a small slump; it is a full-blown crash.
The Dores Are Stuck on One Player
The offense has turned into a one-man show, and that is a recipe for disaster in this league. Junior Sherrill has caught 56 passes for 747 yards, but everyone else is barely getting a look. The next best receiver is the running back, Sedrick Alexander, with only 17 catches. An offense that relies on one guy to make plays is easy to stop.
Quarterback Jared Curtis is a big recruit with a strong arm, but he looks like a true freshman trying to figure things out. He has thrown eight interceptions on just 224 attempts. The rushing game has also fallen apart, with Alexander averaging only 3.9 yards per carry. The team has changed its whole lineup, and the new pieces are not working together.
Oklahoma Must Fix Its Mistakes
Over in Oklahoma, the Sooners have a chance to get back on track against Ole Miss. They cannot afford to make the same silly errors that cost them games before. The team needs to play clean football and avoid turnovers at all costs. Giving the Rebels short fields would be a big mistake they cannot fix.
Defensive stops are the only way to win this game, especially on third down. Oklahoma ranks in the top five nationally for third-down defense, and that is their best weapon. They need to keep Ole Miss from moving the chains and give their own offense the ball back. The Rebels have a dangerous offense led by Trinidad Chambliss, who threw for 315 yards against them a year ago.
John Mateer needs to play smart and take what the defense gives him. The offensive line must protect him well, or the whole plan falls apart. If they can stop the run and cover the passes, they have a shot at a win. The game is set for Saturday, and the pressure is on the Sooners to show they are ready.
