Oklahoma's Stout Defense Will Separate Them from Other Big 12 Contenders

Oklahoma delivered a decisive statement to its critics Saturday night on Rocky Top.

These aren't the same Sooners who failed to deliver on high expectations last season. They've got a stiffer defense this time.

After getting punched in the mouth early in Knoxville and finding themselves down 17-0 in the second quarter, the No. 19 Sooners rallied to record a 31-24 double-overtime victory over No. 23 Tennessee in a hostile environment.

Baker Mayfield's fourth-quarter and overtime performance, along with wide receiver Sterling Shepard's heroics, will get a lot of deserved attention for Oklahoma.

"[Mayfield] hung in there and made his plays when he needed to, and our defense was incredible," Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops told ESPN's Holly Rowe after the game.

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The real MVP of the comeback victory was that defense, which allowed just one touchdown after surrendering points on three of Tennessee's first five series. And that one only came after the Volunteers were spotted a short field in the first overtime period.

"This is No. 1," linebacker Eric Striker said after the game, according to the program's Twitter account. "It was a fight literally to the end. It was loud."

Tennessee only recorded 254 yards on 76 plays against Oklahoma. That averages out to 3.34 yards per play—the Sooners' best against any Power Five team not named Kansas since a blowout win over rival Texas in 2011, per CFBStats.

While the Oklahoma offense struggled to get anything going for the first three quarters of the game, the defense set the tone for the comeback.

"The Vols, with a multitude of chances to put the game away, were unable to beat the Sooners' press coverage and make anything happen down the field in the passing game," Chris Low of ESPN.com wrote. "After gaining 117 yards in the first quarter, Tennessee managed just 110 yards over the next three quarters."

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones tipped his cap to Oklahoma's defensive turnaround in his post-game press conference, per WBIR Sports:

After bruising Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd broke a 31-yard run to start the third quarter and quarterback Josh Dobbs followed it up with a 20-yard pass, Oklahoma clamped down.

Hurd was dropped for a six-yard loss, Dobbs threw back-to-back incompletions and Tennessee missed what was now a 48-yard field goal.

For the rest of regulation, Tennessee only recorded three more first downs and punted on every possession.

And while Tennessee struck first in overtime with a five-play touchdown drive, Oklahoma's defense had the last laugh with a game-ending interception from Zack Sanchez in double overtime.

The moment was a fitting ending for an Oklahoma defense that received a ton of flak after last season. The Sooners allowed at least 385 yards and 31 points in all five of their losses.

So far in 2015, Oklahoma has allowed 478 yards and 27 points combined in victories over Akron and Tennessee—the latter of which hung 604 yards and 59 points on Bowling Green in its season opener.

Wade Payne/Associated Press

That defensive resurgence has Oklahoma pushing for more of a three-team race for a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth.

On that side of the ball, Oklahoma is looking to be in much better shape than higher-ranked TCU and Baylor at this point in the young season.

Baylor gave up 21 first-half points to FCS foe Lamar on Saturday, just eight days after getting off to a similar defensive start against SMU. The Bears recorded blowout wins in both games, but their play on defense has been less than ideal early in the year.

While Baylor's defensive issues have been more related to production, TCU is literally hurting due to injuries and off-the-field problems. According to Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports, the Horned Frogs are down four defensive starters after a miserable few days:

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On Wednesday, Patterson announced that freshman linebacker Mike Freeze, a starter, is taking a "personal leave of absence" from the team. Patterson said it he had nothing to do with Freeze's decision, as it's not a disciplinary measure, and as for how long Freeze will be gone, Patterson said, "I don't know. Maybe forever."

Forever is a long time, and it's an even longer time when you realize that Freeze is the fourth starter TCU has lost on defense already this season. On Tuesday, the Horned Frogs lost their other starting linebacker, Sammy Douglas, for the season. Defensive end James McFarland has a broken toe, and could miss the season, and Davion Pierson is out with an injury as well.

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By comparison, Oklahoma's defense is in an excellent spot heading into a final tuneup game against Tulsa and an off week to end the month of September.

After that, it's nine straight weeks of action in a Big 12 that is filled with excellent offenses.

With strong depth and big-time improvement from last season, the Sooners sent a message loud and clear Saturday night to the rest of the Big 12 and the rest of the college football world—you can't sleep on Oklahoma's defense anymore.

All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.