3 Sooners Takeaways: How Good Is This Oklahoma Team?

Have you gotten enough of the Oklahoma Sooners' 34-30 win over Texas on Saturday, and that game-winning drive from Dillon Gabriel?

That 3-yard pass from Gabriel to Nic Anderson has to be the most watched video amongst the Sooner-born and Sooner-bred all year. This writer has watched it at least 25 times, thinking every time, "How in the world did the Sooners pull that off?"

There is no intent to be hyperbolic, but it was Montana-like, Brady-like, Mahomes-like.

If you think this idea is totally cuckoo, watch the drive again.

Sooner Magic it was.

While there is likely something missed or forgotten here, the game-winning drive on Saturday was the most exciting for the Sooners since Baker Mayfield's 2015 comeback against the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. Mayfield led them back offensively, and Zack Sanchez sealed the deal in double-overtime.

But Saturday's comeback was one drive with 1:17 left, and a game-winning pass with :15 to play, against Texas in the Cotton Bowl nonetheless.

Having had a full day to process the win, the thought now turns to how good this Oklahoma team can be the rest of the way?

Takeaway 1: Walter Rouse Saved The Day

Dillon 'DimeTime' Gabriel has gotten so much credit, and deservedly so. However, the hero on this play was a 6-foot, 6-inch offensive lineman who played for the Stanford Cardinal a year ago.

Walter Rouse.

Folks are calling this the Dillon Gabriel drive. We should be calling it "Superman II" for what Rouse did to protect his quarterback.

Take a look, and tell me this doesn't give you goosebumps. It was heroic.

This is mostly a reminder that for every big play where a star player gets most of the credit, there are other players doing their jobs exceedingly well that made it a possibility.

Takeaway 2: Sooners Win The Running Game

Only twice in the past 20 meetings has the loser of OU-Texas rushed for more yards than the winner. The eye-test didn't look good for Oklahoma for most of the game. It hasn't felt like the running game has been right all year.

But there they were, out-rushing Texas 201-156.

Do the Sooners finally have a lead back? Tawee Walker has made the best case amongst the running backs, but who's to say it's not Gabriel? He finished the day with 113 yards on 14 carries while Walker had 46 on 15.

During the Sunday night Blitz on News 9 and News On 6, Dean Blevins pointed out that Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby got creative with the run game against Texas. Wide receiver Jalil Farooq carried the ball three times for 13 yards. No. 3 was also the Sooners' leading receiver with five carries and 130 yards.

Takeaway 3: Venables Deserves A Lot Of Credit For This 1 Decision

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables got some criticism after he decided this year to get more involved with his defense, as opposed to letting coordinator Ted Roof take care of it so that he could do head-coach things.

But can we all agree that this was ultimately the right call?

Defense is what Brent Venables does. This is where he shines. Moreover, a great defense is Oklahoma's best chance for a national title. Take a look back at 2000, and before that 1985, 1974, and 1975. What they all had in common were great defenses, terrific linebackers, safeties who punish receivers and create turnovers.

Not saying this bunch is headed to the College Football Playoff, but doesn't this defense sort of look the part?

If we're really interested in how good Oklahoma can ultimately be, including whether the Sooners can contend for a national title this season, it will absolutely be the OU defense that makes it happen. The remaining schedule is deceptively tricky with games in Lawrence, Kansas; Stillwater, and Provo, Utah.

Three really big tests ahead before, possibly, a rematch with Texas in Arlington.

And then, well, we'll see. So far, so good.