Notre Dame Opponent Preview: Oklahoma Sooners Defense

Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback David Ash (14) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners safety Tony Jefferson (1) during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Oklahoma Sooners

October 27, 2012 at 8:00 pm EST

TV: ABC

Last Meeting (1999): Oklahoma 30-Notre Dame 34

Line: Oklahoma (-10.0)

Oklahoma has an excellent defense. The Sooners have allowed 15.3 points per game this season. Their defense has allowed 139.83 rushing yards and 164.3 passing yards for a total 304.2 yards per game. This total ranks them 16th in the country. In comparison, Notre Dame ranks 6th. The Sooners have padded their statistical outputs by playing absolutely incompetent teams such as UTEP, Florida A&M and Kansas. These teams have a combined record of 6-17. The Sooners are only allowing 3.80 yards per carry.

Tony Jefferson, S, Senior

Jefferson is Oklahoma’s star on Defense. Their scheme allows him a lot of freedom to move around as he pleases and play freely. This season, Jefferson has tallied 48 total tackles (32 solo, 16 assisted). This total leads the team. He is the currently leader of the secondary and the team overall. Jefferson has recorded 1 interception of 14 yards. Notre Dame will need to know where Jefferson is on the field at all times because he will move around frequently. He can make you pay if you if you let him.

Tom Wort, LB, Junior

Wort is the leading tackler at the second level. This season, he has collected 26 total tackles (13 solo, 13 assisted).  Wort is slightly undersized for a linebacker at this level. He checks in at 6’0″ 237 lbs. He has recorded 1 sack this season for the Sooners. In addition, he has recorded 1 pass break up, 1 Quarterback hurry and 2 forced fumbles.

Chuka Ndulue, DL, Sophomore

At 6’3″ 256 lbs, Ndulue is a penetrating Defensive Linemen. He has recorded 24 tackles this season. In addition, he has added 2.0 sacks. He is slightly undersized for a Defensive Linemen. He is about the same size as Manti Te’o currently.

Notre Dame’s best chance on Saturday is to run the ball as effectively as possible. The Fighting Irish have run the ball for 150 and 270 yards against Stanford and BYU respectively. Stanford and BYU are Top 10 defenses. If Notre Dame can run against them, they can run against Oklahoma. Kansas State provides a template of how to beat Oklahoma. Everett Golson needs to do his best impression of Colin Klien this week to make sure that the Irish are successful on Offense.