Sooners Make History by Waiting 'til Later to Bop Baylor

The easy headlines had it that Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts found his mojo in the second half and willed the Sooners to an incredible 25-point comeback against the previously undefeated Baylor Bears.

Of course, it'd all be accurate.

However, the story of this game was How Grinch Stole Waco.

If DC Alex Grinch didn't get his side of the ball to adjust, clean up, and tweak, there wouldn't have been a Sooner 34-31 victory.

Dude obviously decided to remind his defense of their mantra:

 

Seems like his crew got the message.

Here are the results of Baylor's second-half drives, none of which lasted more than six plays:

• Fumble
• Punt
• Punt
• Punt
• Interception

 

That would explain the Bears' defense getting worn down, providing opportunities for Hurts &Co to find their rhythm, minimize their own mistakes -- which were glaring in the first half -- and make their charge:

• 12 plays, 74 yards, 5 minutes, 44 seconds;
• 13 plays, 90 yards, 4:59;
• 13 plays, 77 yards, 6:01; and
• 9 plays, 59 yards, producing the winning field goal with 1:45 left.

 

Those are the most points Oklahoma's ever spotted an opponent and still won.

This is also the first time a CFP-ranked team blew a 25-point lead and then lost.

 

It helped that Hurts finally realized receivers other than the injured and inactive CeeDee Lamb could actually catch a pass. Lee Morris, Charleston Rambo, and AD Miller wound up hauling in 15 passes for 183 yards, adding more options to an already lethal Sooner attack that should serve them well for the balance of their campaign.

If Hurts is elite at anything, it's in leading comebacks.

Once dude got on track, held on to the ball, and found receivers with the same jersey as his, the result was his accounting for 411 of Oklahoma's 525 yards along with four touchdowns.

 

The Big XII format -- true round-robin; top two teams play for the title -- means if these two take care of business, a Sooners-Bears rematch could be fascinating.

Given the standings, it's odd-on that it'll be on:

There should be no secrets when the title tilt rolls around, but that doesn't mean there won't be surprises.

Maybe even another crazy comeback, because Big XII football. No lead is outta reach.