2007: The Sooners weren’t so sure where they would be in the first year without Adrian Peterson in the backfield and with a freshman signal caller. The skepticism was all for naught as DeMarco Murray, Allen Patrick and Sam Bradford helped Oklahoma keep winning…culminating in their fifth Big XII championship and second straight Fiesta Bowl defeat.
Strengths: The Big XII arguably has the highest powered offenses amongst its programs. The best of this bunch has to be the unit hailing from Norman, where they return 10 starters that averaged 43.4 points per game.
To keep an offense firing on all cylinders, you have to have a top shelf signal caller. And the Sooners have got just that in Bradford as he was the most efficient passer in college football (176.5 rating). And his 36:8 touchdown to interception ratio is one of the best in the school’s storied history. Bradford’s numbers can only go up in the eyes of Bob Stoops and company as they’re prepping him to run a lot of no-huddle plays this season…not a normal occurrence for a sophomore.
Murray will also be a force to be reckoned with this year…hell, he was one already as a true freshman by compiling 764 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in 11 games. His importance to the Sooners was felt at the sportsbooks as well by accounting for at least one point on the line at the end of 2007.
Oklahoma isn’t just strong on the offensive attack; they possess a pretty solid group in the trenches on defense too. Auston English, DeMarcus Granger and Gerald McCoy combined for 15 sacks total and 28 tackles for a loss. This returning trio also was integral in the Sooners giving up 91.9 rushing YPG.
Weaknesses: There aren’t too many glaring weaknesses on this team, but you have to pick any it’s going to be the secondary. Marcus Walker and Reggie Smith are off to the paydays of the NFL, which are two bodies difficult to replace in a group that had eight picks last year.
While the cupboard isn’t completely bare with safety Nic Harris returning. The All-American Senior is one of the hardest hitters in the college ranks right now, but won’t be up to speed right away after coming off of shoulder surgery. Despite the repair work, he’s in the early favorites for the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation.
The two openings appear to be filled by Quinton Carter at safety, which can be good since he’s getting compared to Sooner great Roy Williams. Taking care of the other cornerback assignment is speedy sophomore Dominique Franks. While both players possess great skills, they are untested, making the opening month of the season an important one.
Player to Watch: The linebackers are a little on the thin side right now, but that just means Ryan Reynolds will be the man in the spotlight. Reynolds had no problems in finding his way into the backfield last year by logging two sacks, 60 stops and eight tackles for a loss. Perhaps more impressive was that he did this with just six stars in 2007 after a couple of seasons with knee problems. If he can help his green thumbed cohorts in the linebacking corp for the first month, Reynolds will have no doubt done his job.
Returning Starters: 17 (10 on offense, 6 on defense, 1 specialist)
Schedule: The Sooners actually have amped up the quality of their non-conference schedule this season with Cincinnati, at Washington and against TCU to close out September. As far as OU’s Big XII table goes, its only major hurdle away form home is the Red River Shootout with the Longhorns.
Let Down: October 25 at Kansas State. This is a make or break year for Ron Prince with the Wildcats and he’ll be looking for any statement win to give him a chance of staying in Manhattan. That could be a downer for Oklahoma after playing the Longhorns and the coming home to scuffle with the Jayhawks. It’s easy to think that K-State will make this game a little too close for comfort for the Sooner Nation.
Look Ahead: November 6 at Texas A&M. Outside of last year’s blowout loss to OU, the Aggies had played well against them in the past three outings. It’s going to be tough to think that Mike Sherman will win in his first go round with Stoops, but the program will know its new identity better. Also, a revenge spot looms ahead for the Sooners when they host Texas Tech.
Good Bets:
Sept. 6 versus Cincinnati…The Bearcats are one of the many up and coming teams in the Big East, but that doesn’t mean anything to OU. You can have that attitude when you’ve got 18-3-1 against the programs currently in the Big East.
Nov. 1 versus Nebraska…What once was a great rivalry, now has turned into a one-sided beatdown. The Sooners have won four of the past five meetings and are 16-2 in their last 18 games in November. Sounds like another tough match for Bo Pelini in Year 1.
Prediction: The quality of competition has gotten better around the Sooners, but it is still their world the rest of the Big XII is living in up to this point. Every one of their matches this season are easily winnable, thanks to having to not play Mizzou until a conference title game. Bottom line is that anything less than a 12-0 record will be a disappointment.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
