Missouri vs. Oklahoma: 5 Reasons Why This Is a Blowout for the Sooners

As the Big 12 looks to stabilize after another bout of conference realignment, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Missouri Tigers are set to take the field tonight in a marquee showdown of conference contenders.

While the faithful in black and gold from Columbia are hoping for the same result as the upset in 2010, the Sooners will likely make this game out of reach early against Missouri in a game that has an Oklahoma revenge beat down written all over it in Norman.

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Ryan Broyles

If the Tigers end up getting blown out tonight, Ryan Broyles will be the biggest reason of any Sooner, as the senior wide receiver has been extremely effective in the first two games of this season against Tulsa and Florida State.

Broyles currently ranks tied for second in the nation in receptions, 17^th in yards per game and leads the team in all purpose yards with a solid 110 per game.

Weak Schedule for Missouri

Through three games this season, the Tigers have not faced a team like the caliber of the No. 1 team in the nation, as the Sooners have a great deal more talent than Miami (OH), Arizona State and Western Illinois combined in Norman.

With a trip to Norman, Missouri will need to cope with the culture shock of matching up with a team like the Oklahoma Sooners after navigating such a fragile schedule to begin this season.

Tigers’ Defense

With Missouri only playing one tough game, which they lost to Arizona State, the Tigers defense has not seen anything like Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and the Sooners offense that ranks 19^th in the nation with 486 yards per game in total offense.

In addition to the total offense ranking, the Tigers will have their hands full on defense tonight, as Landry Jones might be tossing the ball all over the lot versus the untested Missouri defensive group tonight.

Dominique Whaley

While most would think Oklahoma is a very pass-heavy offense with the likes of Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles, junior running back Dominique Whaley is a major threat to do some damage against the Tigers rush defense tonight in the Big 12 season opener.

Whaley has been a great runner for Bob Stoops' offense, as he’s ran for a little over 202 yards this season, scoring four times in addition to only losing nine yards on 39 carries this season.

Oklahoma Offensive Line

The veteran group of players on the Sooners offensive line have done a great job this season not letting the pass rush get to quarterback Landry Jones in the first two games of 2011.

With Missouri ranked 34^th in the nation in sacks, Landry Jones and Oklahoma will not have to worry about the Tigers pass rush as the offensive line is currently only giving up a half sack a game.