Oklahoma Sooners Keys to Victory vs. Ole Miss

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma’s roller coaster season rolls back into Norman this week, as the Sooners have a chance to pick up their third ranked win of the year, taking on No. 19 Ole Miss.

The Sooners have a chance to do something they haven’t done all season, by winning back-to-back games. A victory over the Rebels, and Oklahoma will be bowl eligible, keeping a streak alive that dates all the way to the 1999 season. There is reason to believe there is real momentum for OU after their upset win at Florida last season. Now they have to build off of that with a defense that has been sharp all year, and proving that Jason Witten’s outstanding interim offensive coordinator debut last week, wasn’t just a one hit wonder.

1. Win the Time of Possession and Establish the Run

In Ben Arbuckle’s two years in Norman, one common complaint was his inability to establish the run, or go away from it too quickly if it wasn’t working. That wasn’t a problem at all last week under Witten. Although the Sooners were held to 3.6 yards per carry last week, they still ran the ball 40 times for 144 yards and it paid off with a win where they were able to dictate the game. Oklahoma was able to control the clock with 37:50 of possession, highlighted by a 20 play, 12:45 drive, which was the longest in program history. By all means, do it again.

The Sooners don’t have a bell cow, but they have options. Whether it is Lloyd Avant, Tory Blaylock, or even John Mateer, Oklahoma has to insert their will with the run game. Blaylock has the hot hand right now averaging 5.3 yards per carry in the Sooners’ last three contests, but they just need somebody to step up. Ole Miss is playing shorthanded without starting guard Patrick Kutas and star running back Kewan Lacy. If Oklahoma can control the line of scrimmage and keep Trinidad Chambliss on the sidelines, their chances of winning this game go way up.

2. Keep John Mateer Protected and Sustain Long Drives

Witten’s first game as the OC for the Sooners was simple. He simplified the offense so that Mateer could play fast. Mateer has not thrown an interception in 105 pass attempts in the last three games. The Sooners have also reversed their turnover margin in the last month of play.

The Sooners must protect Mateer and avoid negative plays on early downs to sustain drives and convert on third down. Last week, the Sooners’ offense did something under Witten they haven’t done all season. They were able to convert 10 third downs against the Gators, and instead of settling for field goals, those drives turned into touchdowns.

To replicate that success against the Rebels, the offensive line, led by SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week Michael Fasusi and with the return of probable Eddy Pierre-Louis, must protect Mateer and avoid negative plays on early downs. Expect the Rebels to test the Sooners’ front early and often with edge rushers like Kam Franklin and others. Winning on early downs leads to touchdowns.

3. Contain Trinidad Chambliss and Force Turnovers

While the Sooners defense must be prepared for the play-making ability of Trinidad Chambliss, the 2026 version of the Ole Miss quarterback has been much more reckless with the football than in the past. In nine games this season, Chambliss has already thrown nine interceptions, compared to three all of last season.

The key to containing Chambliss is for the edge defenders, Taylor Wein and Adepoju Adebawore, to not over-pursue the quarterback and open up a big scramble lane. Rather, the interior line, David Stone and Jayden Jackson, must collapse the pocket around the quarterback and make his life difficult as he tries to find an opening to throw the football.

If the Sooners can eliminate short fields and capitalize on the errors of the Ole Miss quarterback, Oklahoma will be able to celebrate win No. 6 on the season on the Palace on the Prairie.