I really can't tell how good OU's offense is supposed to be. However, when assessing a defense, there are some telltale signs to look for which can at least rule out abject suckitude. Tennessee was brilliant at one-on-one tackling, tackling in space, or whatever you want to call it. The middle of the line didn't give much, the ends set the edge all night, and linebackers mostly didn't get caught in the trash or blow an assignment by abandoning their reads. I saw a lot of guys patrolling their gaps and not worrying about the adjacent zone.....just trust that the guy next to them was going to be there, make the tackle, and not need their help. That's a helluva recipe.
I can mostly say the same about OU. Consistently tackling and sticking to your assignment is so vital, yet seems so rare.
I suspect neither of those offenses are magnificent (but they could be, by year's end, once the QBs have more games under their belts)....but....I also can't remember when's the last time a Vol defense impressed me like that. OU has had many impressive defenses over the years....this may well be another one.
