Oklahoma Sooners
Overall Rank: #2
#1 Big 12
Oklahoma Team Page
2010 Record: (12-2, 6-2)
2010 Bowl: Fiesta Bowl vs. Connecticut (W 48-20)
Coach: Bob Stoops (129-31 at Oklahoma, 129-31 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell
Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables and Bobby Jack Wright
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Roy Finch, RB, 398 yards
Passing: Landry Jones, QB, 4,718 yards
Receiving: Ryan Broyles, WR, 1,622 yards
Tackles: Travis Lewis, LB, 109
Sacks: Frank Alexander, DE, 7.0
Interceptions: Jamell Fleming, CB, 5
Other Key Returnees: C Ben Habern, G Tyler Evans, TE James Hanna, CB Demontre Hurst, G Gabe Ikard, LB Tony Jefferson, DT Stacy McGee, OT Donald Stephenson, WR Kenny Stills, LB Tom Worth
Key Losses: DE Jeremy Beal, LB Austin Box, S Quinton Carter, WR Cameron Kenney, OT Eric Mensik, RB DeMarco Murray, S Jonathan Nelson, DT Adrian Taylor
Oklahoma will again have one of the most potent offenses in the nation, but they will be lacking a familiar face in the backfield. DeMarco Murray wrapped up his magnificent collegiate career by rushing for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns. For now, his job will likely be taken over by a handful of players. Roy Finch is the most experienced option, Brennan Clay had a great fall, sophomore Jonathan Miller is making huge strides and freshman Brandon Williams might just be the most talented of them all. Murray may be gone, but the Sooners do not lack in rushing options.
Strengths:
The ground game will be helped by an improving offensive line. The last couple of years the line has been relatively inexperienced. That will not be the case this time around with senior left tackle Donald Stephenson and junior center Ben Habern leading the way. That is good news for quarterback Landry Jones as well. He threw for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2010 and those numbers could actually get better in 2011. Jones completed an impressive 65.6 percent of his passes and threw a mere 12 interceptions in 617 pass attempts. And Jones was just a sophomore last season. As an upperclassman and a better leader, he could be even more efficient. The return of Ryan Broyles will definitely help. The 5-11 wide receiver caught 131 passes for 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns. Kenny Stills had a fine freshman campaign, catching 61 passing for 786 yards and five touchdowns. He will be an even better complimentary receiver this year. Trey Franks is another talented sophomore who could make a big splash as a sophomore, but Dejuan Miller could turn into the big, tall receiver that this team needs. Tight end James Hanna is a big receiver and was a favorite of Jones in the red zone. In fact, seven of his 18 receptions went for touchdowns in 2010. Austin Haywood is making a big push for playing time and the Sooners could run two tight ends out on the field a little more often this year.
Weaknesses:
The defense knew it would have some holes to replace after their Fiesta Bowl victory over Connecticut. Safeties Quinton Carter and Jonathan Lewis were second and third on the team in tackles and defensive end Jeremy Beal led the team with 8.5 sacks. The news got worse during the offseason, most notably with the tragic death of linebacker Austin Box. All-Conference cornerback Jamell Fleming skipped out on the spring, but did return in the fall. The biggest concern is the injury to Travis Lewis. He will likely miss the three games in September, which includes a trip to Florida State and a home date with Missouri. This is Oklahoma and they will reload. It is not like there is a lack of talent waiting in the wings. Ends Franks Alexander and Ronnell Lewis should do a fine job getting into the backfield. Stacy McGee and Casey Walker are the likely starters in the middle of the line. Both have some starting experience, but will need to step up and help a run defense that struggled at times last year. The linebackers should be in good shape once Lewis is back and ready to lead the unit. Lewis is a tackling machine and a dynamic playmaker who will be a first round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tom Wort was inconsistent during his freshman season at OU, but a year of experience should help him emerge as a leader in the middle of the defense. Tony Jefferson had a very successful freshman campaign and is a versatile linebacker who can get into the backfield and help out in pass coverage. Demontre Hurst will join Fleming in the starting lineup at the corner spots and there is depth with players like Gabe Lynn. The safety spots will be filled by some familiar names. Aaron Colvin played at corner last year and could take over the starting strong safety spot. Jefferson could even move back and play in the secondary if needed. Javon Harris and Sam Proctor both have plenty of experience and are ready to step into a starting role.
The Bottom Line:
The offense can outscore most opponents, but Oklahoma and their questions on defense will be tested early. Tulsa will test even the most experienced defenses and Florida State and Missouri are not easy games by any means. With Lewis on the sidelines for those games, Oklahoma may give up a few more points than they are used to giving up. That does not mean the Sooners will lose to Florida State or Missouri, but it may be up to the offense to orchestrate a clutch drive or two in order for the Sooners to get through that tough early schedule and make their way to the BCS National Championship game.
Projected Bowl: BCS National Championship
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 138.00 (83rd in nation, 10th in conference)
Passing Offense: 343.36 (3, 2)
Total Offense: 481.36 (10, 2)
Scoring Offense: 37.21 (14, 2)
Rushing Defense: 148.93 (58, 5)
Pass Defense: 212.93 (51, 4)
Total Defense: 361.86 (53, 4)
Scoring Defense: 21.79 (33, 3)
Turnover Margin: 1.00 (7, 1)
Sacks: 2.64 (16, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.50 (35, 2)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#10 Landry Jones
#14 Travis Lewis
#15 Ryan Broyles
#92 Stephen Good
Madness 2011 Football Recruit Rankings:
#20 Trey Metoyer
#27 Brandon Williams
#59 Jordan Phillips
#149 Jordan Wade
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