2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 12) – Sooners
Oklahoma is thinking big this season and they should be. Last year finished on a high note, Trevor Knight is looking like the answer at QB and a top 25 defense should finish in the top 10 this season. Most important of all they have a great schedule to go a perfect 12-0 and grab a spot in the playoffs this season.
Oklahoma Sooners
- Head Coach: Bob Stoops
- 2013 Record: 11-2
- Gambling Odds to win National Championship: 12/1
- Gambling Odds to win (B12): 2/3
There really doesn’t seem to be much standing in their way and they should be in the top 5 all season long.
Strengths:
The defense returns 8 starters from last year, including 6 of 7 on the back end. The secondary should be especially stingy with three of 4 starters making the All B12 team. Charles Tapper up front is one of the best edge rushers in the nation and should make it that much easier for that group to excel.
The Sooners will have a very young offense but they are experienced where it matters up front. Only three starters return on the line but they are all seniors including Daryl Williams who will be a top pick in the draft and is a monster at right tackle.
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The two newbies are juniors giving OU one of the most experienced lines in the country.
OU can throw but they might be a little more ground heavy behind that line and with 5 Star recruit Joe Mixon in the backfield. He is a rare get from California but he has the size and speed to remind more than a few of a guy named Adrian Peterson.
Keith Ford is very good too and might be the starter but that will be in name only.
Weaknesses:
Despite all the fuss about him Trevor Knight has only thrown 134 collegiate passes. Sure he shows promise but with Blake Bell being moved to TE it is kind of Knight or nothing right now.
The Sooners recruited Justice Hansen but if he is pressed into duty it will mean a bad situation is developing for OU.
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On top of that the receiving corps is mostly full of possession types. Sterling Shepard does has a wicked set of hands but is per catch average was not impressive. The Sooners are hopeful that transfer Dorial Green-Beckham from Mizzou becomes eligible otherwise they may have no choice but to run the ball.
Only one upperclassmen at the skill positions means that ball security could be an issue for OU. A sophomore with little experience will be touching the ball and then handing/throwing it to lots of other people with the same or less experience.
It only takes a few turnovers to turn a successful season into one of regret.
Gambling Prediction: 12-0
2014 OU Schedule:
- Aug 30 – Louisiana Tech
- Sep 6 – @Tulsa
- Sep 13 – Tennessee
- Sep 20 – @West Virginia
- Oct 4 – @TCU
- Oct 11 – vs Texas (Dallas)
- Oct 18 – Kansas State
- Nov 1 – @Iowa State
- Nov 8 – Baylor
- Nov 15 – @Texas Tech
- Nov 22 – Kansas
- Dec 6 – Oklahoma State
There is every reason to be excited about the Sooners’ chances this season. They should have a top defense but the their greatest advantage will be the schedule. With the exception of their annual neutral site tilt against Texas all of their big games are at home.
They are set up better than any team in the country to run the table. Oddly that might make them a fade candidate because I think their record will make them look like they are a juggernaut.
I can see a lot of 14 point spreads that turn into 10 point victories. Not upset scares but not moneymakers either.
