Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/176703
Game Preview: Oklahoma Senior cornerback Aaron Colvin was named an All-Big 12 first-team selection in 2012, after leading Oklahoma in passes broken up (11), finishing second in interceptions (four) and ranking third in tackles (61). photo courtesy oklahoma Special Teams As has often been the case under the direction of head coach Bob Stoops, Oklahoma's special teams are expected to be elite again this season. Junior kicker Michael Hunnicutt has already converted eight of nine field goal attempts in 2013, while punter Jed Barnett enters the Notre Dame game with a 44.1-yard average and a long of 54 yards. The Oklahoma kickoff return unit is above average (19.0 yards allowed per return), but Notre Dame has been abysmal on kickoff coverage. The Irish permitted their first three opponents to average 29.2 yards per runback, which ranked 119th nationally. Advantage: Oklahoma Coaching Last year, Kelly claimed the 30-13 chess match in a game much closer than its final score. Stoops has been criticized in recent years for the program's struggles in big games after the coach earned the "Big Game Bob" moniker early in his career. Against one of the nation's most dangerous aerial attacks, Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco opted for a bend-but-don't-break defense that kept the play in front of the Irish secondary. The approach worked in the victory: Jones' 35 completions and 356 yards translated into only 13 OU points. Advantage: Even Intangibles Kelly will try to become the third coach to beat Stoops in consecutive years (former Oklahoma State coach Les Miles and current Texas coach Mack Brown). The Irish improved to 9-1 all time against the Sooners with last year's victory. Notre Dame is in the middle of a critical three-game stretch that will determine just how strong of a followup performance to last season the Irish can achieve. The Sooners begin a similar three-game stretch at Notre Dame Stadium. They will host TCU and Texas the next two weeks. Advantage: Even