Don’t look now but Oklahoma learned how to defense, Spencer Rattler’s demise greatly exaggerated

Oklahoma football quarterback Spencer Rattler had a few struggles this season but those who wrote him off are looking quite foolish right now.

Remember when Spencer Rattler was benched in favor of Tanner Mordecai and everyone was ready to write off the former five-star recruit? Well, that benching lasted about 10 minutes and if you wrote him off, you may want to re-think that stance because the redshirt freshman is balling out.

Rattler didn’t have to air it out a ton in the win vs. TCU but head coach Lincoln Riley has him playing much more composed and playing within himself and it’s showing with the stats and on the scoreboard.

Having Marvin Mims beating defenses helps too.

Oklahoma football learned how to defense

Rattler was 13-of-22 for 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Oklahoma’s 30-14 win vs. the Horned Frogs.

Don’t look now but Rattler’s early-season growing pains seem to be in the past.

And don’t look now but Oklahoma football has a defense now.

Recall that scene from Happy Gilmore where Happy learned how to putt to complement his long-drive game to make him a complete golfer and challenger to Shooter McGavin? That’s what Oklahoma is becoming now. They lacked the defense to complement their high-octane offense. They were one-dimensional and it cost them in the playoff the last three years.

Oklahoma’s defense only allowed 351 yards and limited TCU to 3-of-12 on third-downs. They held TCU to only three yards per carry on the ground and controlled the pace of the game so Rattler didn’t have to play perfectly and like his hair was on fire. When your offense knows your defense can get stops, it lightens the pressure and allows the quarterback and everyone else on that unit to play much more under control and know every play on offense isn’t the game.

If Oklahoma can continue playing this well on defense, they’ll regain control of the Big 12 standings after their early stumbles. While the playoffs are an afterthought for the first time in program history, it’s far from over in the Big 12. Especially if Oklahoma State loses later today vs. Iowa State.

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