Oklahoma Football: The Sooners' Numbers Are Down But Clutch Plays Are Up

As most Sooner fans are surely aware, looking at the statistics and numbers for this years 2010 squad shows a team that leaves many college football pundits doubting the legitimacy of this team as serious contenders.

The defensive numbers are near the bottom in both the Big 12 and nationally and the offense has been mediocre by normal Oklahoma standards.

As the University of Oklahoma Football teams resumes its schedule after the bye week, a quick comparison of a few numbers for this years' team and its 2009 predecessor offers a study in contrasts.

At this point last year, the Sooners entered their sixth game of the season with a record of 3-2 after a 33-7 victory over Baylor in the only full game Sam Bradford played in all year. Bradford would go down for good in the next game against Texas in Dallas.

Their 3-2 record consisted of two home shutouts against over-matched foes from Tulsa and Idaho State by a combined score of 109-0 and two one-point losses against Miami (21-20) and BYU (14-13) away from Norman. It also included the Baylor game at home where the Sooners dominated the scoreboard more so than the game itself.

The average score in the first five games last year was: Oklahoma 35, Opponents 8.

The 2010 version of the Sooners comes into the game with a perfect 5-0 record and only a second week victory over the Seminoles (47-17) was not decided by single-digits. The game against Florida State is also the only game where Oklahoma kept their opponent from scoring at least 20 points. It is also the only game where Oklahoma exceeded the scoring average over the same span a year prior.

This year, the average score over the first five games is: Oklahoma 33, Opponents 23.

If someone were to look at this average scoring statistic alone without previous knowledge of the their respective records, they would come to the obvious conclusion that the 2009 Sooners were the better team and the one more deserving of a lofty ranking.

How wrong they would be. Like a politician explaining how our economy has recovered and massive debt is actually good for us, a statistician can pull almost anything they are looking for out of a pile of numbers.

There is more to a winning team than can be measured in numbers and statistics. Experience, tenacity and smart play are what has carried the team in Crimson and Cream to a, so far, undefeated season with every goal still within reach.

While last year's team coasted to some early victories, the young players did not yet know how to close out a game and make the plays necessary to triumph in a close game.

This year, though they have definitely had their lapses by letting teams come back late, they have learned to finish hard and do what it takes to win a tight contest.

They have also played well enough at the start and through the middle of every game to allow them to build big leads against quality competition.

While a case could be made that they have benefited greatly from their opponents late miscues, a good team also makes its own breaks. Stepping in front of an errant pass and securing a juggling interception on the sideline, key conversions down the stretch, recovering on-side kicks and hustling down field to recover muffed punts are all key ingredients to their current unblemished record.

While it is not known at this point how this season will play out, if the Sooners continue to make big plays down the stretch, they have the right mix of talent, coaching and experience to make this yet another special season to be remembered.