JD PicKell: Passing the test against Nebraska is encouraging for Oklahoma moving forward

Through three games, Oklahoma looks the same under Brent Venables as it did under Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are beating the brakes off some lesser competition, and even bullied an old rival last weekend in their win vs. Nebraska. A performance that helped sell On3 analyst JD PicKell on the new version of Oklahoma.

Over on the On3 YouTube channel, PicKell broke down why the great performance against Nebraska was a sign the team needed to show before more challenging matchups down the road. You can watch what PicKell said regarding the Sooners right here or you can read what he said in full below.

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JD PicKell says Oklahoma passed its test vs. Nebraska

“Oklahoma didn’t really have to adjust too much. They didn’t really have to adapt what they did from a defensive or offensive standpoint to what Nebraska was bringing. They were able to just kind of play their game. So, as a whole, do we know that Oklahoma’s going to be elite the rest of the way? There’s a lot of football left, folks.

“Oklahoma’s got some really good teams left on their schedule. But for them to pass this first test gives me some encouragement that — okay, there is something under the hood here at Oklahoma. Dillon Gabriel, he’s got full command of this offense. He’s got full command of this team. That whole marriage we talked about going into the year with Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel, will it work will it not work? Oh, it’s working so far. The ROI is phenomenal.

“So you passed your first test. But like I said, when Big 12 play ramps up, that’s when we find out exactly who they are. It’s like if you were to walk into a quantum physics class. I’d be concerned if you hadn’t passed algebra, if you hadn’t passed basic math. I’d be like…what are you doing in this class? So are we prepared to put Oklahoma in the quantum-physics-of-college-football class? We’re going to put them at the elite tier just yet? I don’t know about that.

“But for them to be able to pass this first test, show us that they’re able to beat competition they’re supposed to, and beat them in the way they’re supposed to beat them on the road, I’m impressed, I’m encouraged. Went to Lincoln, got a definitive win against Nebraska, 49 to 14.”