2012-13 Football Previews (Big 12) – OU Sooners
Even with a program like Oklahoma, as steady as it comes, this is a team that’s ready to go to the big stage right now. The Sooners were ranked #1 in the AP poll last season, but injuries to their top RB and WR spurred the team to hit turbulence, and finish at 10-3.
ACC 2012-13 Football Previews: Oklahoma Sooners
Coach: Bob Stoops
2011 Record: 10-3
Oklahoma Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS:
With a couple of defections from the conference and with all the main players back for another go around, Oklahoma should – while of course adhering the the age-old clichés of “one game at a time” – be focused on challenging Alabama and LSU for the National Championship.
The offense is loaded. Veteran QB Landry Jones returns for his senior season, he should command a unit with elite talent and there is no reason, barring catastrophic injury, that he would be among the nation’s elite under center. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma’s all-time leading receiver, hurt his ACL in ’11 and moves on this season, but the attack shouldn’t miss a beat with players like WRs Kenny Stills, Jaz Reynolds and dangerous freshman Trey Metoyer. The RB spot is deep and talented with options like senior Dominique Whaley, jitterbug junior Roy Finch (5”7, 166-lbs), Brennan Clay and JUCO transfer Damien Williams. Finally, the offensive line is also stacked; C Ben Habern, OGs Tyler Evans and Gabe Ikard and tackle Lane Johnson all find themselves on the preseason All-Big 12 short lists.
The “D” only must replace a handful of starters, and they are plugging in battle-tested seniors into those positions. The best of the bunch will be FS Tony Jefferson, although DT Jamarkus McFarland, LB Tom Wort and CB Demontre Hurst are also phenomenal. Expectations will be heaped on OLB Joseph Ibiloye to have a big season with the departure of OLBs Travis Lewis and Ronnell Lewis, but Ibiloye has the athleticism and the pedigree to get the job done. Fellow linebacker Corey Nelson and DT Casey Walker are also fantastic support players. We haven’t even mentioned CB Aaron Colvin, who simply led the team in tackles a year ago. The constant strong recruiting classes coming through Norman means that help is always on the way, also. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Kicker Michael Hunnicutt and P Tress Way are both back to hold their positions; Way has been among the conference’s best at his position for a couple years now, while Hunnicutt just went and tied the school field-goal record, going 21-24 as a freshman last year.
2012-13 Oklahoma Football Prediction: 12-1
With the absence of Texas A&M and Missouri and the addition of West Virginia and TCU, the Sooners have a somewhat amended schedule in 2012. Still, OU should be able to handle most of everything the Big 12 throws its way. The early-season slate is a cakewalk, with the first serious test coming in Dallas on Oct. 13, where the Sooners square off with hated rival Texas in the Red River Shootout. Oklahoma will also face Notre Dame, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and TCU in the latter half of the season, so the slate gets a little spicier in the second half.
Ultimately, having 15 returning starters and having Jones opting to return for his senior season means there is no reason the Sooners shouldn’t be scrapping for the season’s ultimate prize. Oklahoma has a fantastic, experienced football team, but I’m not sure it will have quite the same defensive horsepower as an Alabama or an LSU when all the chips are down in the New Year – which is why I predict OU will have one blemish when the year is done.
2012 OU Schedule
9/1/12 10:30 PM ET @UTEP
9/8/12 TBD FLAM
9/22/12 TBD KANST
10/6/12 TBD @TXTCH
10/13/12 TBD TEXAS
10/20/12 TBD KANS
10/27/12 TBD NOTRE
11/3/12 TBD @IOWST
11/10/12 TBD BAY
11/17/12 TBD @WVIRG
11/24/12 TBD OKLST
12/1/12 TBD @TCU
