The Oklahoma Sooners and the LSU Tigers will face off for just the fourth time ever in Week 14, with LSU making the first-ever trip for the program to Norman, Oklahoma. On the shoulders on an excellent defense, OU sits at 9-2 after a Week 13 win over Missouri.
All season, long it's been head coach and de-facto defensive coordinator Brent Venables' defense that has kept Oklahoma in games, and ultimately been the driving force behind winning most of them. With a likely spot in the College Football Playoff on the line with a win, it'll again need to be the defense that leads the way.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLSU is plenty talented, and they will likely be starting Michael Van Buren Jr. at quarterback again this week. Van Buren has stepped in since Garrett Nussmeier was benched due to ineffective play, and he adds a dual-threat dimension to the Tiger offense.
Here are three defensive keys to look out for when the Sooners face the Tigers
1. Win the physicality battle
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore (34) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) bring down Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) and during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.Ever since LSU fired offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and replaced him with tight ends coach Alex Atkins in the interim, the Tigers have tried to be more physical in the run game, and now want to beat their opponents at the point of attack more often. Luckily for Sooner Nation, that's been OU's specialty this year, as the defensive line is capable of wrecking games versus just about anybody. Running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry might be the focal point of the LSU offense on Saturday, and Oklahoma has to shut them down early.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement2. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers
Nov 22, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Jacobe Johnson (19) intercepts a pass intended for Missouri Tigers wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesFor the first eight games of the season, the Sooners struggled to force turnovers, especially in the pivotal moments of games. That trend has reversed over the last three games, as Oklahoma has taken the ball away eight times, including two defensive touchdowns. That could continue if Venables is able to confuse Van Buren, a sophomore, with his coverages. While he's a better athlete than Nussmeier, he hasn't played as much college football as the veteran has, so look for OU to try and bait the QB into dangerous throws into coverage.
3. Heat it up
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) celebrates a tackle during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.Oklahoma leads the nation in sacks after Week 13, with 41 in total over 11 games. The Sooners have been excellent at getting to the passer, and if they can get an early lead on the Tigers, they'll be able to unleash that pass rush again. What's even more impressive is that Oklahoma has done that with their best player, R Mason Thomas, missing half of the Auburn game, the last 3.5 quarters of the Tennessee game, and all of the Alabama and Missouri games. The Sooners have gotten deeper at defensive end, and they'll get another chance to showcase it against the Tigers on Satuday.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 keys defensively for Oklahoma versus LSU
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