Ty Simpson poses huge challenge, Oklahoma Defense ready
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The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense will be under fire this Friday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff. That’s because they’ll take on an Alabama offense that has one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC in Ty Simpson and several playmakers who are capable of creating big plays.
The Sooners found answers to the questions in the second half of their win in Tuscaloosa to stem the Tide but this is still an offense that can run up points in a hurry. That’s why it’ll be important to get to Simpson early and often. Speaking to the media earlier this week, Venables was complimentary of the Alabama quarterback.
“Well, he played pretty good against us again, threw for over 300 yards the first half,” Venables said. “He had a lot of success and but man he climbs the pocket. He’s patient. He’s got great confidence. He’s got tremendous arm talent, fantastic athlete, great competitor. He’s got a natural leadership ability. You know he he’s a guy that doesn’t flinch very easy. And so our expectation is we’re going to see the best version, you know, of Ty. That’s prepared, confident and ready to lead his team. And so we’re gonna have to play better.”
Through the first half of the season, Simpson looked like a Heisman contender. In the first seven games, he completed 70.2% of his passes, averaged 275 passing yards per game, and posted an 18-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Over the last six games, which include games against some of the best defenses in the SEC like Oklahoma, Georgia (SEC championship game), LSU, and Auburn, Simpson’s completed just 58.1% of his passes, is averaging just 222 passing yards per game, and has eight touchdowns and four interceptions for a TD:INT ratio of 2:1.
The Sooners disrupted the Alabama passing attack for two interceptions and forced a fumble. OU sacked Simpson four times and had him under pressure on 22.9% of his dropbacks.
The Sooners’ defense did that without arguably their best player in R Mason Thomas. Fellow defensive end Taylor Wein put together a fantastic performance, including a sack-fumble forced on Simpson that set up the go-ahead field goal late in the game.
Oklahoma will be in for another tall task as they try to slow down the Alabama offense but they have a group of talented playmakers who play with relentless effort. In order to come away with a win, the Sooners’ defense will need to have another inspired performance.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners must slow down Ty Simpson, Alabama passing attack
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