Breaking: Oklahoma’s Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq Set to Return Against Missouri

 

In a major boost to the Oklahoma Sooners’ offense, wide receivers Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq are both set to return to action against the Missouri Tigers this weekend. Their return to the lineup comes after a few weeks of uncertainty regarding their availability, and it’s expected to have a significant impact on Oklahoma’s passing game as they look to remain undefeated and continue their march toward the College Football Playoff.

#### Key Players in the Sooners’ Offensive Scheme

Burks and Farooq have been two of Oklahoma’s most dynamic playmakers in the early stages of the 2024 season. Burks, a sophomore wideout from Louisiana, had shown flashes of his potential in the preseason and early games before a nagging injury sidelined him for the last few weeks. With his exceptional speed and playmaking ability, Burks was expected to be a key part of the Sooners’ receiving corps alongside Farooq.

Farooq, a junior receiver and former top recruit, had been expected to be a leader in Oklahoma’s receiving room. His combination of size, route-running ability, and downfield threat has made him a favorite target of quarterback Dillon Gabriel. However, Farooq also dealt with his own injury earlier in the season, leading to his absence in a couple of games. The return of both players against Missouri is a much-needed injection of talent and depth for a Sooners offense that’s been potent but still has room to grow.

#### Oklahoma’s Passing Attack and Dillon Gabriel’s Growth

The Sooners’ offense, under head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, has continued to evolve throughout the 2024 season. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who’s in his second year with Oklahoma, has shown significant improvement from his first year. He has developed strong chemistry with his top receivers, and the return of Burks and Farooq will give him even more weapons to work with.

Gabriel’s ability to stretch the field with deep passes has been one of Oklahoma’s offensive strengths this year, and having both Burks and Farooq available gives him two reliable options on the outside. Farooq, in particular, has been known for his explosive plays, making him a consistent threat to break open games. Meanwhile, Burks adds an additional layer of speed and quickness, potentially allowing for mismatches against Missouri’s secondary.

#### A Tough Test in Missouri

While the return of Burks and Farooq is certainly a positive development for Oklahoma, they face a challenging opponent in the Missouri Tigers. The Tigers have been one of the most improved teams in the SEC this season, thanks to their stout defense and efficient offensive play. Missouri’s secondary is among the better units in the SEC, and they’ll look to challenge Gabriel and the Sooners’ passing attack.

The Sooners will need to make sure they can create separation on the outside, utilizing their speed and route-running precision to exploit any weaknesses in Missouri’s coverage. The combination of Farooq’s size and Burks’ speed could be exactly what Oklahoma needs to keep Missouri’s defense on its heels.

#### Impact on the College Football Playoff Race

With the return of Burks and Farooq, Oklahoma now has the depth and talent to challenge any defense in the country. The Sooners are currently undefeated and sitting high in the College Football Playoff race. A win against Missouri, combined with strong performances from their key offensive weapons, would send a message that Oklahoma is more than capable of competing with the nation’s elite.

As the season progresses, Oklahoma will need all of its playmakers at full strength to make a deep playoff run. The returns of Burks and Farooq are critical, and they could provide the necessary boost to elevate the Sooners to the next level, especially in their tough upcoming Big 12 and playoff-caliber matchups.

In short, the return of Deion Burks and Jalil Farooq is not just a positive for Oklahoma’s offense—it’s a potentially game-changing development that could shape the Sooners’ entire season.