The Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) are hoping for their third straight win to open the 2024 season when they host the Tulane Green Wave in Norman on Saturday.

After wins over Temple and Houston, OU still has plenty of questions to answer, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Oklahoma’s poor offensive performance on Saturday has fans and pundits predicting that the Sooners will face another tough game this week.

One name on that list is 247Sports college football analyst Josh Pate, who will host the “Josh Pate’s College Football Show.” He gave his choices for possible surprises in week three and the Sooners hosted the Green Wave.

“Tulane is in town the week before Oklahoma Tennessee,” Pate said. “Everybody’s already looking at Tennessee at Oklahoma … There’s this annoying little detail that Tulane is actually the one you’re playing this weekend. Tulane got a taste of it last week, Tulane came close. Tulane should have beaten Kansas State in a lot of people’s eyes … They had a really good chance to win and it slipped through their fingers.”

Pate then went on to discuss in depth the many injuries the Sooners are currently dealing with, particularly at two key positions.

“Oklahoma is banged up,” Pate said. “Offensive line, wide receiver, they’re banged up. I feel like the collective mentality of our Oklahoma people is, ‘Let’s just get through this game, find a way to get through this game, maybe get some guys back and take our chances in the league.’ I’m not saying that’s Brent Venables’ mentality, I’m saying that’s our Oklahoma people, that’s their mentality, and if the mentality of the team reflects that, then you can look at a fourth-quarter dogfight. You can look at a fourth-quarter dogfight no matter what, because Tulane is just good enough. John Sumrall is just a good enough coach, and they’re going to have a good time here.”

Pate also made the point that converting third downs and extending drives will be crucial to OU’s effort this week. The Sooners rank 131st out of 134 teams in the country in third-down efficiency heading into Week 3, which doesn’t come close to getting the job done for the rest of the season.

It would be in Oklahoma’s best interest to maintain some offensive drives early in the game and let their superior talent and depth lean on the Green Wave. Getting a sellout crowd excited early with efficiency and consistency on offense could take Tulane out of the game early and avoid a fourth-quarter dogfight. Otherwise, the Green Wave have everything they need to believe they can pull off a major upset.

More: Broadcast information for Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tulane Green Wave.

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