Oklahoma vs. Florida State: Sooner Keys to Stopping the Seminoles Offense

As the most anticipated Oklahoma OOC road trip in years counts down to crunch time, the nation is wondering if the Sooners have solved the problems that have plagued them away from home.

The game against the No. 5 Seminoles is the first time since a 1988 loss to USC at the Coliseum in Los Angeles that OU has gone on the road to face a top-5 ranked non-conference squad.

Though the Sooners dominated the 2010 matchup in Norman, many analysts around the country are predicting a much tighter game this year in Tallahassee. The Seminoles should be better than they were last year and Oklahoma's recent road woes have been well documented.

What are the keys for an Oklahoma defense missing its leader in weakside linebacker Travis Lewis to stop an FSU attack that has put up impressive numbers against two inferior opponents to start the season?

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that the keys are the same in this game as they are in most games.

1) Control the defensive line of scrimmage and stop the run. If the Sooners can stuff the Seminoles rushing game without having to load the box, FSU's play-action passing attack will be much less effective.

The defensive front must take on the Florida State line and allow linebackers Tom Wort, Corey Nelson and Tony Jefferson to fill the gaps.

The Seminoles have only run for an average of 131 yards per game so far this year and the Sooners should be able to stop the rushing attack from establishing any rhythm.

2) Contain and collapse the pocket around Seminole quarterback E.J. Emanuel. The Seminoles' elusive signal caller is particularly dangerous when he breaks away from the pocket, hitting on 86 percent of his throws.

Combine that with his scrambling abilities and seeing him break containment frequently could lead to a long night for the Sooners.

The defensive front must get pressure and ends Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis, David King and R.J Washington have to keep him in the pocket.

The linebackers have to punish Emanuel with bone-jarring hits if he scrambles past the line of scrimmage and make him think twice before tucking the ball to run.

3) Know the coverage and don't bite on double moves. Tulsa exploited the Sooner defense for a few big plays on busted assignments and wheel routes down the sidelines in the season opener.

The safeties must keep deep coverage and dish out shots on the Seminoles that make the Bureau of Indian Affairs file charges.

Safety Javon Harris cannot afford to let Seminole receivers run untouched down the sidelines. A five-yard gain or even a defensive holding penalty is preferable to the long completions that could keep FSU in the game and fire up Seminole war chant in the stands.

If Oklahoma can keep the Seminoles from hitting big plays and force them to drive the ball down the field, the chances for a defensive stop increase dramatically. Penalties, negative plays and turnovers are much more likely to occur on long drives and force the Seminoles to settle for field goal attempts and punts instead of touchdowns.

Florida State's own problems in hitting field goals in pressure situations is as well documented as the Sooners' own problems playing on the road.

If Oklahoma can accomplish these defensive keys, there is little chance the Seminoles can pull off the slight upset; the odds-makers have an FSU victory.

The Sooners then can return to Norman after silencing many of the doubts so many around the country have about their ability to defeat a top-notch opponent away from home. 

Oh, and one more thing: NO KICKOFF RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS!