Darrelle Thompson – Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – Big 12 Conference – Sooners
Looking for 2017 Oklahoma Sooners predictions? The Sooners are entering into a new era of Oklahoma football. Bob Stoops stepping down opens the door for Lincoln Riley to lead the team..
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Oklahoma Sooners
- Head Coach: Lincoln Riley
- 2016 Record: 11-2
- Oklahoma Sooners Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +1400
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Will the new era of Sooners football translate into wins?
2017 Oklahoma Sooners Predictions: Team Strengths
One of the best QB units in America?: Baker Mayfield has put up spectacular numbers in Norman, and should be a Heisman trophy candidate. He is one of the most talented signal callers in the nation and can be called on to make big plays when needed. He threw for 3700 yards and 36 TD’s as a sophomore in 2015, and in 2016 topped those numbers with nearly 4,000 yards passing and 40 TDs.
He didn’t play great in the game in Norman against the Buckeyes, and traveling into Columbus will be a tough task to get a road win, but the defense will be called upon to give him opportunities to score on a short field.
He will be the focal point of the Sooners offense and I don’t expect much change since Lincoln Riley has been the OC for both of Mayfield’s years under center.
Having former 5* recruit Kyler Murray as the backup should also ease fans worries if Mayfield were to go down with an injury. Murray was an amazing talent at Texas A&M and took the media by storm in 2015, so looking at him as an after thought wouldn’t be wise for opposing fan bases.
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Strength in the Secondary?: The Sooners have one of the best defensive secondary’s in the nation. After having a top 5 defensive unit in 2015 they were middle of the pack last year.
The unit returns 1st team Big 12 corner Jordan Thomas, and 3rd team Big 12 safety Steven Tyler and should become a top unit again this season.
2017 Oklahoma Sooners Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Coaching staff question marks?: Bob Stoops departure ends a nearly two decade run of dominance for the Sooners in the Big 12.
He is one of the most decorated coaches In college football history and Lincoln Riley has big shoes to fill.
On the offensive side of the ball I don’t expect them to miss a beat, but the real question will come in recruiting and how the defensive side of the ball gets managed with a new leader in charge.
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Running back by committee? Oklahoma loses their career rushing leader and another top 10 running back from the 2016 season. How will they turn things around with Lincoln Riley calling the plays? Mayfield is going to be the star of the offense even with new receivers to break in, so I would be extremely surprised if any runner had over 800 yards on the ground.
I expect their numbers to drop off drastically due to less talent, and more passing attempts by Mayfield as they switch to even more of the Air Raid scheme.
Oklahoma Sooners Prediction: 11-1
Oklahoma will lose to Ohio State in Columbus, but the offense will be too potent for any Big 12 defenses to slow them down.
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Expect a run at the College Football Playoff as they should go undefeated in conference play.
2017 Oklahoma Sooners Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 TBD UTEP
- 9/9/17 TBD @OSU
- 9/16/17 TBD TUL
- 9/23/17 TBD @BAY
- 10/07/17 TBD IAST
- 10/14/17 TBD UT
- 10/21/17 TBD @KSU
- 10/28/17 TBD @TXTECH
- 11/4/17 TBD @OKST
- 11/11/17 TBD TCU
- 11/18/17 TBD @KU
- 11/25/17 TBD WV
What do you think about our 2017 Oklahoma Sooners predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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