Game Recap: #3 Ohio State vs. #14 Oklahoma

Even before the season began, sports fans and analysts all throughout the country highlighted the Ohio State vs. Oklahoma game as one of the top games to watch this college football season. Just a few weeks ago, the Associated Press came out with a ranking of the top college football programs of all time. Ohio State ranked #1, and Oklahoma ranked #2. Ohio State came into the game as the #3 team in the country, having easily defeated Bowling Green and Tulsa. The Sooners, on the other hand, dropped their opening game against Houston but rebounded with a win against Louisiana-Monroe. A lot was on the line for both teams, but the #14 Sooners were especially in need of a victory as a second loss would essentially eliminate Oklahoma from playoff contention. 

Plenty of drama surrounded the game leading up to kickoff. Oklahoma backup quarterback Austin Kendall called the OSU defense “really basic.” He added that OU starter Baker Mayfield would “light them up.” Ohio State heard about the comments and took to Twitter to respond. College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit commented, it was “not a smart decision during a hyped game week by a backup QB.” It seemed as if Buckeye and Sooner fans had waited for ages for this matchup, and as the time drew near to kickoff they would be forced to wait just a little longer. Severe thunderstorms in the Norman, Oklahoma, area delayed the game by an hour and a half. Finally, it was time for kickoff. 

Despite the delay, a record crowd filled Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. On the Sooners’ very first drive, a field goal attempt glanced off the upright -- it served as a representation of how the rest of the night would go for Oklahoma. Ohio State’s motivated “silver bullet” defense frustrated Oklahoma all night and forced two interceptions from Baker Mayfield. As impressive as the defense was, OSU WR Noah Brown stole the show. Not only did he catch four touchdowns, but his third touchdown was an incredibly acrobatic catch that many analysts described as one of the best catches ever.

Led by Heisman candidate JT Barrett, the Buckeyes punished the Sooners offensively and won the game rather comfortably, 45-24. Head coach Urban Meyer praised the young Buckeyes after the game, saying he was "very proud of them." Moving forward, OSU looks like a legitimate national title contender. Ohio State is off next week and will open up Big 10 play against Rutgers the following week.