Big 12 South Preview: Sooners, Longhorns Vie for a Title

If anything, Sam Bradford will hold par to what Thompson did. Offensively the Sooners ran the ball effectively, in fact, at 4.5 ypc they had their 2nd most efficient year on the ground the past 6 years. The passing game didn't produce a ton of yards, but was still effective. 8 starters are back this year, though Allen Patrick could be considered a starter since he did start 5 games in place of an injured Adrian Peterson last year, and Bradford is likely an upgrade over Thompson. The pieces are in place for this Sooner offense to be as good as the 2004 unit. One advantage Bradford and the Sooner offense has over Thompson and the 2006 squad is that this year their starting quarterback won't be practicing at receiver up until August when he gets switched back to quarterback. Furthermore, the depth is better this season. If Bradford struggles, the coaches will likely not hesitate to go with Keith Nichol, the true freshman who was there for spring practice. While they'd like to redshirt him, seeing that Bradford is a freshman, if Joey Halzle couldn't beat out Paul Thompson, is he the guy they really want to turn to?

Aiding Bradford will be Patrick and very highly touted DeMarco Murray in the backfield. This one-two punch might be more effective than Adrian Peterson was by himself. The leading receivers are all back, including Malcolm Kelly who had a breakout 2006. WIth 62 grabs and nearly 1,000 yards, as well as ten scores. By the time this season ends he will likely be the 2 all time receiver in Sooner history as he should top last year's numbers now that Bradford, a more accomplished passer than Thompson, is the quarterback. The offensive line brings back 4 starters, plus 350 lb JUCO Phil Loadholt to take over at left tackle. There is also depth along the offensive front which will likely be quite useful as there are bound to be some injuries in the rough and tumble Big 12 south which features some of the finer defensive lines in the nation.

On defense Oklahoma, got back to Sooner football after a down year in 2005. The pass defense got back to under 200 ypg and the run defense held opponents under 100 for the 3rd straight season. 7 starters return on that side of the ball, but the talent and depth here is almost unreal. Up front the tackles are the strength. Steven Coleman, Gerald McCoy and DeMarcus Granger give them some guys in the 290-300 range that are good athletes and top flight players. They have to replace both ends, but its not like the Sooner were feasting on quarterbacks last year. They just need the replacements to be solid. It would be nice if Alonzo Dotson finally lived up to his billing as a freshmen as he finally gets the chance to start.

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