Gabe Ikard identifies Oklahoma's biggest defensive priority

The Oklahoma Sooners travel to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs for the first time ever. The Sooners enter the game at 3-3, and Mississippi State enters the game at 4-2.

This game will be strength on strength. The Sooners possess one of the top defenses in college football. Oklahoma ranks No. 5 in total defense, No. 6 in passing yards allowed and No. 30 in scoring defense. The Bulldogs rank No. 22 in total offense, No. 22 in passing offense, and No. 48 in scoring, though those numbers are skewed because star quarterback Kamario Taylor missed the last game and the Bulldogs were shut out.

Former Sooner star Gabe Ikard revealed the No. 1 key for Oklahoma's defense against Mississippi State.

"If I were to list (the most important things) for OU's defense, I feel like No. 1 on that list is do not get cooked by the deep ball," Ikard said on the 'Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman.' "Typically, we talk about, 'Hey, you've got to stop the run, put them in second-and-long, third-and-medium or long situations, and then go get the quarterback.' That's usually how we talk about the game on here. I kind of think you try your best to take away the deep ball and then limit everything else with this team."

Oklahoma's ability to limit explosive plays could determine how effectively the Sooners control the game. Mississippi State has shown it can move the ball through the air, and allowing completions downfield could quickly put pressure on a defense that has otherwise been among the nation's best. Maintaining disciplined coverage, tackling well underneath and preventing receivers from getting behind the secondary will be especially important if the Bulldogs find a rhythm offensively.