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The Sooners opened up conference play on the road last week, now it’s time for the last ever Big 12 home opener. Oklahoma currently sits as a 20-point favorite over Iowa State, with ESPN’s matchup predictor giving them a 94.3% chance of winning. The Cyclones have only won three times against OU since the 1961 season, two of those were in 2017 and again in 2020. ISU hasn’t been intimidated in Norman in recent trips. Oklahoma has outscored the Cyclone 101-100 over the last three meetings in Norman.
Here are a few more storylines that might be of interest heading into Saturday night.
- With Brent Venables on staff, Oklahoma is 8-0 against Iowa State (the second-year head coach was the Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1999-2003 and associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-11). OU has held the Cyclones to 50 total points in those eight contests (average of 6.3 and a high of 13). ISU’s point totals were 0, 3, 3, 6, 7, 7, 10 and 13 (last year).
- Dillon Gabriel ranks in the top 12 nationally in several categories. He ranks third in the country in pass completion percentage, fifth in passing efficiency rating, passing touchdowns (12) and points responsible for per game (21.0), eighth in passing offense (306.8 ypg), and 12th in total offense (321.2 ypg) and yards per pass attempt (10.4). Gabriel has played in 13 of Oklahoma’s 16 quarters this season.
- The Sooners rank eighth nationally by allowing just 0.8 sacks per contest. Iowa State leads the country by allowing just one sack on the season.
- After ranking 49th nationally last year in third-down conversion percentage (.405) and 87th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.409). The Sooners have converted 31 of their 53 third downs through four games in 2023. That’s good for the nation’s fourth-best percentage (.585) out of 130 teams. And OU has allowed foes to convert just 17 of their 61 combined third-down tries. The .279 opponent conversion figure has the Sooners ranked 11th in the country.
- The Sooners rank second nationally in scoring defense (8.5 ppg) and interceptions (eight), eighth in takeaways (10), 11th in third-down conversion defense (28.0%) and tackles for loss (8.2 per game), 13th in pass efficiency defense (102.4 rating), 17th in yards per play (4.4), 25th in red zone defense (71.4%), 26th in rushing defense (94.0 ypg) and 32nd in total defense (309.5). For perspective, last year OU ranked 82nd in yards per play allowed (5.8), 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg), 105th in rushing defense (187.5 ypg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg).
- The Sooners have allowed just seven scores (three touchdowns and four field goals for 34 total points) on 48 possessions through four contests. They didn’t permit a touchdown until the fourth quarter by SMU in the second game. OU has allowed a touchdown in just two of 16 quarters played this season.
- OU ranks fourth nationally with its +1.8 turnover margin per game. The Sooners have registered 10 takeaways to rank eighth in the country and have committed three turnovers.
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