Air Force @ Oklahoma preview

Air Force at Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s defense answered some questions with last week’s thumping of Florida State. Now, the ninth-ranked Sooners face a different kind of test.

Air Force (2-0) brings its patented option attack to Norman, Okla., on Saturday to take on the Sooners (2-0), who own the nation’s longest home winning streak at 32 games.

It’s been a long time since Bob Stoops’ defense has had to prepare for a traditional option attack. The Sooners limited the Falcons to just 137 yards rushing in a 44-3 win in 2001.

But that Sooner defense, one year removed from winning the national championship, was much more of a proven commodity than the current version, which has faced nothing like Air Force's offense in the last few seasons.

Certainly, Oklahoma will have to play more disciplined defense against Air Force than it did in its opening win against Utah State. The Aggies shredded the Sooners’ secondary for multiple big plays and finished with 341 passing yards.

Stoops told reporters that he wasn’t overly concerned about the effort against Utah State and believes the Sooners’ dominating performance against Florida State is much more indicative of his team’s ability. If that’s true, Air Force is facing a giant challenge Saturday.

Oklahoma was ultra-impressive against Florida State, creating three turnovers and holding the Seminoles to 221 yards passing in a 47-17 rout.

Quarterback Landry Jones passed for 380 yards and four touchdowns, most of it in the first half. Running back DeMarco Murray scored two touchdowns and receiver Ryan Broyles caught 12 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Air Force entered the season with five new starters on its offensive line. The group had just one career start under its belt. But it held up nicely in opening wins over Northwestern State (65-21) and last week against BYU (35-14).

The Falcons are averaging 423 yards on the ground. They are led by running back Asher Clark and quarterback Tim Jefferson, two veterans experienced in executing coach Troy Calhoun’s version of the option. Jefferson has attempted only 25 passes in two games and is in his third season running the offense. Six different Falcons have scored rushing touchdowns this year.

Oklahoma’s run defense has given up an average of 144 yards in its first two games.

Fullback Jared Tew, who is tied with Clark with a team-high 30 carries, is questionable for Saturday’s game with a wrist injury.

Oklahoma is 68-2 at home under Stoops. Air Force has lost 14 consecutive games against ranked opponents.