In a surprising turn of events, the Oklahoma Sooners claimed a hard-fought 16-12 victory over the Houston Cougars on Saturday night. Despite an underwhelming offensive performance, the Sooners' dominant defense carried them throughout the game. However, concerns remain as the team looks to establish a solid offensive identity moving forward.

The Oklahoma defense proved to be the standout unit of the game, showcasing their prowess against an underrated Houston offense. While the Cougars did find some success with misdirection and quick passing plays, the Sooners allowed only 12 points and stifled Houston's rushing game, holding them to less than two yards per carry. If it wasn't for a coverage breakdown early in the second half, Oklahoma would have limited their opponents to just two field goals. Though the defense shone in this game, there is recognition that tougher challenges lie ahead.

On the other hand, the Sooners' offensive struggles were evident, marking one of their least impressive performances at home in recent memory. Oklahoma capitalized on favorable field position following a Houston return error, resulting in a touchdown pass from quarterback Jackson Arnold to Brenen Thompson. However, their offense could only produce one more scoring drive, a 86-yard possession in the second quarter. With the Big 12 and SEC seasons looming, the Sooners must quickly find ways to improve their offensive output.

While Arnold, who made only his third start, faced challenges from a depleted wide receiver corps, his decision-making and accuracy were occasionally questionable. There were instances where he appeared out of sync with his targets and forced throws downfield. To maximize the passing game's effectiveness, Arnold needs to trust his arm and deliver the ball accurately to give his receivers the opportunity to make plays. His completion rate below 60% and average yards per attempt of just 5.43 highlight the need for improvement.

Equally concerning was the lackluster performance of the Oklahoma rushing attack. With 29 rushing attempts, the Sooners averaged a mere 2.6 yards per carry. Jovantae Barnes emerged as the most effective runner with 40 yards on 12 carries, accompanied by three receptions for eight yards. The inability to establish a consistent ground game poses a major challenge for the Sooners and emphasizes the need for improvement in that facet of their offense.

However, amidst the offensive struggles, one bright spot remained the performance of the Sooners' defensive tackle group. Following an impressive showing in Week 1 against Temple, Gracen Halton stood out yet again with two tackles, including one for a loss that resulted in a safety and sealed the victory for Oklahoma. Damonic Williams contributed with two tackles and a sack, while Da'Jon Terry and Jayden Jackson provided three combined tackles. The emergence of a dominant defensive front bodes well for the Sooners' overall defensive strength.

While the Oklahoma Sooners managed to secure a hard-fought win against the Houston Cougars, it is clear that improvements must be made offensively. As they prepare to face the Tulane Green Wave next week, the Sooners will have to swiftly develop a more coherent offensive identity. The defense can only carry the team so far, and with tougher opponents on the horizon, Oklahoma must find success on both sides of the ball.