Dave Aranda says complementary football is key to Oklahoma's turnaround

Baylor and Oklahoma face off in Norman this weekend in a matchup between teams that have taken home the Big 12 Championship in the past two seasons. Both squads have had slow starts to their conference schedules this season, but have recently been turning things around as of late. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda spoke on the Sooner’s recent turnaround, and attributed it to both sides of the football being in sync for them.

“Complementary football, I think the defense and offense played off of each other,” Aranda said. “I think o-line wise you see physicality; I think defensively you see just great effort.”

The Sooners have had a roller-coaster season, which they started off hot with a 3-0 start against their non-conference competition and a No. 6 ranking in the AP Poll. Then they hit a rough patch, sustaining three straight inter-conference losses where their defense gave up 40-plus points. They also suffered from the injury bug during this stretch, losing some key players and having difference-makers like star quarterback in Dillon Gabriel in and out of their lineup.

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The Bears similarly suffered two straight losses to Big 12 opponents in the last four weeks, but both teams have circled the wagons, both coming off of two straight wins in their latest two matchups.

“I think they’re starting to find their groove, and it’s like us, within a simplified structure. They’re playing their best football right now,” Aranda said.

Both teams’ recent consistent play have been highlighted by elite rushing attacks, led by running backs that have rushed for 100-yards in their last two contests. Oklahoma running back Eric Gray has rushed for 277 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games, while Bears running back Richard Reese is fresh off of a 148-yard, three-touchdown performance against Texas Tech.

A strong running game and consistent, complementary football may be the key to victory in this matchup between two 5-3 squads that are desperate to secure another much-needed win over a Big 12 opponent. Brent Venables’ Sooners and Aranda’s Bears will both be looking to keep their momentum going this Saturday at 3 p.m. in a game that will air on ESPN+.