5 reasons Oklahoma Sooners will upset Ohio State Buckeyes

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Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) hands off to running back Samaje Perine (32) during the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Best quarterback/running back tandem in Power 5

Until they are usurped, the best quarterback/running back tandem in the Power 5 belongs to the Sooners. Oklahoma has two Heisman hopefuls in their backfield: quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Samaje Perine.

Mayfield finished fourth in the 2015 Heisman Trophy race behind only Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, and Deshaun Watson. In two games for the Sooners this season, Mayfield has completed 71.7% of his passes (38-53) for 567 passing yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Keep in mind that he is doing this without his favorite target from last year. Mayfield’s premier 2015 wideout Sterling Shepard now plays in the NFL for the New York Giants.

Though Joe Mixon has the most rushing yards of anybody on the 2016 Sooners, Perine has averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 16 attempts for two touchdowns. Mixon might be the thunder in the Oklahoma backfield, but Perine is definitely the lightning.

Any time a team has a great quarterback and a capable running back, it is never out of a ball game. Ohio State has shown that it can put up points this season, but so can the Sooners. Should this game go to a shootout, one has to believe that this favors the home team.

Next: 3. A night game in Norman

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