Keys to an Oklahoma Football victory over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl

The Oklahoma Sooners face a unique challenge when they take on the Navy Midshipmen, who enter the game 9-3 on the season. Their most recent victory came over the No. 19 ranked and AAC champion Army Black Knights.

The Sooners finished 6-6 on the year and will be without key leaders beginning in the 2024 season. Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman are out, opening the door for new stars to get more significant playing time.

Michael Hawkins Jr. starts Oct. 19 against South Carolina. He played against Maine and was 3 of 5 for 60 yards and ran three times for 30 yards in the win. He will throw to a young wide receiver group with Jacob Jordan, Zion Kearney, Zion Ragins and Ivan Carreon. How well they are able to separate themselves in this game could play a factor in Oklahoma’s success.

What will OU need to do to secure the win against Navy? Here are three keys to the game.

1. Control the Line of Scrimmage

The Navy Midshipmen have one of the best running games in the nation in 2024. Heading into the Armed Forces Bowl, Navy ranks no. 6 in the nation in rushing yards per match. They want to run the ball and run it a lot. They have an average of 46 rushing attempts per match this season.

The Sooners’ defensive line has been a strength for the team. They were a force all season, slowing down some of the best rushing attacks in the country. Although the linebacker crew will be without Danny Stutsman, the defensive front will be intact, making life much easier for the defenders on the second and third levels.

The defensive tackle group of Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry, Jayden Jackson, Gracen Halton, David Stone and Markus Strong provides the stiffest test Navy has seen all season.

Oklahoma’s running game has been the best part of their offense over the last month. Jovante Barnes was running well before he got hurt, and then Xavier Robinson hit his stride over the last few games, including a 100-yard, two-touchdown day against Alabama.

The Sooners will lean on the running game to help take pressure off a passing game that has been inconsistent in 2024.

Navy allows 155 rushing yards per game and just over four yards per carry. The Sooners should be able to find success on the ground behind an improved offensive line.

2. Maintain eye discipline

Navy’s triple option itself will create a lot of “eye candy” in the backfield to confuse the Sooners’ defense. Oklahoma has been really good against the run this season, ranked no. 11 in the nation in rushing yards allowed. But they haven’t faced a running game that the Midshipmen bring to the table.

If the Sooners play task-sound football, they should be able to slow down Navy’s running game. Kobie McKinzie will take over for Danny Stutsman at middle linebacker and will be put to the test of leading the Sooners defense.

3. Get into a rhythm

Michael Hawkins Jr. making first appearance since South Carolina game. The Sooners had a hard time handling the Gamecock’s pass rush, one of the best in the nation. Against Navy, OU’s offensive line should have more success protecting Hawkins. That should give him an opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket and show off the arm talent that has new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle excited about the Sooners’ quarterback.

As much as OU wants to lean on the run game, the Sooners need to give Hawkins the experience of throwing the football. The situation isn’t ideal with a young wide receiver group, but those guys were highly thought of as four-star prospects coming out of high school and having an opportunity to enter the offseason on a high note with a good game.

Joe Jon Finley put together a strong game plan to help the Sooners beat Alabama. It would go a long way for his future offensive coordinator prospects if he can help his young quarterback find success and get his quarterback into a rhythm throwing the football.

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