What should OU football prioritize in final two weeks of 2024 season?

NORMAN — It’s been a tough season for OU soccer.

The offensive line has been a large number, Jackson Arnold struggled and was changed after which changed Michael Hawkins Jr. himself, accidents have battered the large receiver corps and extra.

However with two video games remaining, Saturday towards Alabama after which Nov. 30 at LSU, there’s nonetheless lots for the Sooners to play for.

Listed here are OU’s 5 largest priorities over the ultimate two weeks of the season:

Extra: What’s gone fallacious for OU soccer in 2024 season, and the way can Sooners repair it for 2025?

Earn bowl eligibility

This could be the hardest piece of those 5.

OU wants a win over the Crimson Tide or the Tigers to increase their bowl streak to 26 consecutive seasons.

It’s one the Sooners desperately want, not only for momentum and status but additionally due to what the additional few weeks of observe would do for the Sooners’ improvement for the long run.

The regular-season finale may current the most effective alternative for that.

The Tigers are reeling after dropping three consecutive video games and so they don’t precisely have a straightforward sport this week after they host Vanderbilt.

However Baton Rouge is a tricky place to play.

Extra: How OU soccer kicker Zach Schmit discovered perfection by means of accepting imperfection

Ship Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman off proper

Linebacker Danny Stutsman and security Billy Bowman made a troublesome choice to return for this season and have every performed important roles within the Sooners’ defensive success this season.

However the win-loss outcomes haven’t been what the Sooners had hoped for.

Stutsman and Bowman have each stated they don’t remorse their choices to return, however it’s arduous to think about them not questioning their choices on some degree.

OU’s youthful gamers, particularly on protection, have stated how a lot the management from each have meant to their improvement.

So whereas the Sooners can’t obtain the heights Stutsman and Bowman hoped for earlier than the season, they will nonetheless exit on a excessive notice with a stable end and hand issues off to the following era of OU gamers.

Give Xavier Robinson an opportunity

With Gavin Sawchuk’s digital disappearance from the rotation and Taylor Tatum’s struggles to carry onto the ball, there are many questions on the way forward for the operating again place.

Jovantae Barnes has carried out effectively of late, however freshman Xavier Robinson has been the latest shock.

Brent Venables stated just lately he deliberate on redshirting Robinson, however with the Sooners needing one other win for bowl eligibility, they may not have the ability to afford to take a seat Robinson.

That might be greatest each within the quick and long run for OU.

Robinson seems to be like an SEC-type of operating again and even when the Sooners’ do make a bowl, Robinson might use all the reps he can get with the regulars.

Develop the offensive line

The Sooners nonetheless have some video games to play with on the subject of younger offensive linemen Eddy Pierre-Louis and Isaiah Autry-Dent, specifically.

With the offensive line being a large number for a lot of the season, OU must look towards the long run and that features Pierre-Louis and Autry-Dent.

Giving them an prolonged look in video games cannot solely spur their improvement but additionally give offensive line coach Invoice Bedenbaugh and whoever the following offensive coordinator is to have an thought of what they’ve in two gamers on the roster who determine to be the constructing blocks for the offensive line of the long run.

Hold Eli Bowen’s progress regular

The youthful Bowen has been one of many nice surprises of the second half of the season as his position continues to increase.

With the Sooners dropping a number of key items out of the secondary, Bowen’s improvement can be essential for the long run and it’s essential to maintain that momentum going.

It’s not simply Bowen, although.

Jacobe Johnson’s position has additionally grown steadily, and he figures to be a major piece as effectively.

Extra: Who can be OU soccer’s offensive coordinator in 2025? Here is our up to date watch checklist

OU vs. Alabama

KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Gaylord Household — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman (ABC)

This text initially appeared on Oklahoman: OU soccer’s high priorities in remaining two 2024 video games embody bowl sport