Yahoo - Oklahoma forces 5 turnovers in 44-24 win over West Virginia (Dr. Saturday)

[Jenni Carlson]

One of the keys to West Virginia's dominant September start was the Mountaineers' turnover margin. WVU entered Saturday's showdown against Oklahoma +9 in turnovers. The trend did not continue in Norman, Oklahoma, as the Sooner defense forced five turnovers and beat West Virginia 44-24 Oklahoma had been piling up the points through its first three games. With a new offensive system, a new quarterback in Baker Mayfield and plenty of weapons at the offensive skill positions, the OU offense has been one of the best in the country. The defense, however, still had some question marks. Two weeks ago, Oklahoma gave up 38 points to Tulsa, a team that runs a derivative of Baylor's offense. Saturday, the Sooners defense wasn't perfect. But it was opportunistic. The clinching turnover was West Virginia's fourth. Eric Striker, the linebacker more famously known so far this season for his words to Tennessee fans after the Sooners' Week 2 win, sacked West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard and forced a fumble. Jordan Evans picked it up and ran 41 yards for the touchdown for a 41-24 margin. Oklahoma led 24-7 at halftime but West Virginia got within 27-24 in the third quarter. Facing a fourth-and-short at midfield, Howard kept on an option handoff and the entre Oklahoma defense went with the fake. The right side of the field was wide open for a 50-yard score. It was the only time the game would be within one score in the second half. A West Virginia defensive breakdown immediately made the margin 10 points three plays later. Oklahoma lined three receivers to the left side of the field.* WVU's defensive backs didn't communicate well and followed the receiver on the short route, leaving WR Durron Neal wide open for a 71-yard touchdown catch and a 34-24 lead. The winner of Saturday's game moved to "favorite to challenge TCU and Baylor" status in the Big 12. And it's easy to envision how Oklahoma could take the Big 12 title. Mayfield was once again efficient – throwing for 320 yards on 14-25 passing – and both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon made meaningful contributions in the run game. With Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State stacked in the final three weeks of the season, it's not crazy to see the Sooners at 9-0 before they meat the Bears in the first of what could be a round-robin battle for the Big 12 title. OU passed its first conference test with flying colors. And if the defense continues to be opportunistic if it can't be stifling, the Big 12 has three teams with legitimate Playoff aspirations. For more Oklahoma news, visit SoonerScoop.com. For more West Virginia news, visit WVUSports.com. - - - - - - - Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

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