Opinion: Are Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler's struggles a product of improving defenses?
NORMAN, Okla. — Lincoln Riley walked off Owen Field on Saturday not feeling great about his Sooner offense. Soon enough, he watched the video of OU’s 23-16 victory over Nebraska and felt better.
Riley is in the minority.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler, billed as the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, the potential No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and the greatest thing since air-conditioning, has not lived up to the hype. Since OU’s 37-14 halftime lead on Tulane 2½ weeks ago, Rattler’s offense has produced three touchdowns and one field goal in the 12 full possessions against real teams. Sorry, Western Carolina does not count.
Been a long time since OU worried about offense. But that’s where the third-ranked Sooners reside as they prepare to host West Virginia under the Saturday night lights.
“There's a high expectation here offensively,” Riley said of Rattler. “And he understands that. I think probably more just based on his expectations and I think all of ours of what we can be offensively this year as compared to maybe other years.”
Against Tulane and Nebraska, Rattler has completed 73.9% of his passes for 518 yards, but with just two touchdowns and two interceptions. Nebraska in particular took away the long ball, and Rattler hasn’t completely adjusted.
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“He’s been good,” Riley said. “He can play better. He can play cleaner. He’s missed a couple of throws in the games that you typically expect him to make. But I think he’s played good and (is) right on the verge of playing very, very well.”
But before we lay it all on Rattler, remember this: Scoring is down in college football. Possessions are down in college football. Defenses are catching up.
It’s not just Rattler who has struggled.
Iowa State’s Brock Purdy, a four-year starter, has had a lethargic start to the season. OSU’s Spencer Sanders, a three-year starter, has struggled to ignite the OSU passing game. West Virginia’s Jarrett Doege, a 2½-year starter, has been more down than up.
“The defenses are so much better now than they were two years ago,” Mike Gundy said. “The defenses have learned how to control offensive firepower, with the exception of a team that’s pretty talented against a team that’s not very talented. Defenses have gotten better, the clock’s running all the time … you’re not getting as many big plays.”
OSU is 3-0 and has scored in the 20s all three games. Brigham Young, exactly the same.
Some of America’s marquee games have been throwback scores. Virginia Tech 17-10 over North Carolina. Georgia 10-3 over Clemson. Penn State 16-10 over Wisconsin. Texas A&M 10-7 over Colorado. Clemson 14-8 over Georgia Tech. Mississippi State (and Mike Leach!) 24-10 over North Carolina State.
Teams are pulling off upsets with defense. Montana 13-7 over Washington. Northern Illinois 22-21 over Georgia Tech. Nevada 22-17 over California.
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“As far as the trends across the country, it’s hard to say after three games,” Riley said. “I think defensive schemes are getting more and more unique as you go through. There’s a lot of good talent across college football.
“I guess I would say this. I don’t see as many bad defenses as I used to see, in my opinion. It just feels like the defenses have evolved and I think everybody is seeing that more widespread. It’s not just a couple here and there.”
No doubt, Big 12 quarterbacking talent is down. Rattler is no Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray. Sanders is no Mason Rudolph. Texas Christian’s Max Duggan is no Trevone Boykin. Baylor’s Gerry Bohanon is no Bryce Petty. Doege is no Will Grier. Texas Tech’s Tyler Shough is no Patrick Mahomes.
But it’s not just quarterbacking talent. The game is evolving, right before our very eyes.
“This game always goes in cycles — tempo and RPOs (run-pass options) — and defenses always catch up,” Riley said. “Defenses continue to innovate. It will always be that cat-and-mouse game. I just think we’re in the middle of one of those cycles right now.
“Now with that, we still expect to play a whole helluva lot better offensively. Sorry, Spencer Rattler. You’re not off the hook."
Follow Berry Tramel on Twitter @BerryTramel