With Oklahoma inside the 5-yard line and looking to take a 30-0 lead against Tulsa, the Sooners lined up in a bunch formation that freed Ryan Broyles for a one-on-one matchup on the the left side of the field. Broyles easily won the battle, secured a touchdown on a four-yard run, and OU cruised to a 47-14 win over the Golden Hurricane on Sept. 3.

The OU coaching staff recognized that Broyles, as one of the top receivers in the nation, would likely win a head-to-head battle no matter who the Golden Hurricane sent out to cover him. That play speaks to the foundation of success in college football: Recruiting.

No matter how well a play is designed, a special player can often decide which team succeeds and which squad fails.

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Brandon Chatmon | email

SoonerNationESPN.com

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• Oklahoma Sooners beat writer
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