Landry Jones Analysis Against Miami

Originally Published: Oct 1, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

This comes as no surprise even though the goal of the staff and Sam has been to have him back for this game. He simply cannot make all the throws and is not ready.

A source close to the situation tells me, “I don’t think Sam will even dress.”

This makes all the sense in the world to me. Can you imagine the criticism Stoops would take if Bradford were put in to the game because OU was struggling and got hurt?

Sam’s dad said that, “if he’s healthy, why not give it two more weeks.”

Two weeks means Texas and I doubt Bradford will play next week against Baylor.

In terms of the game plan, it won’t change with Landry being the starter. What will change is the effectiveness of the Sooner offense. While Jones threw six touchdown passes against Tulsa, he also threw several balls that would have been picked off against a speedy defense like Miami, and missed on some difficult throws that Bradford routinely makes.

The game is clearly in the hands of Landry Jones. He must not only handle the pressure of knowing that his team must win to have any chance of staying in the national title chase, but he must also handle the pressure Miami’s athletic and aggressive defense will impose. If I’m Miami, I press my corners and disrupt an unproven core of Sooner receivers, and put as much pressure on the freshman quarterback as possible. Look for Miami to try to suffocate Jones.

The loss of Bradford means it is all that much more important that the Sooners establish some type of run game. I think it will take a good number of explosive plays for OU to win. That means taking some shots down field, getting Demarco Murray and Ryan Broyles in the open field, forcing turnovers and playing flawlessly on special teams.