Not too many coaches in the country can win a second straight conference title and still have to answer to disappointed fans.
Such was the case for Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops after a blowout loss to West Virginia in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. Once known as “Big Game Bob” because of his record in big games, Stoops has now come up short in each of his last four BCS appearances.
It’s not that the fans don’t appreciate the five conference championships the Sooners have won since Stoops arrived in 1999. It’s just that in Norman, coaches are judged by how many national titles they have won, not how many they have lost.
The 2008 Sooners may be more equipped to win the program’s eighth national title than any team under Stoops since 2000, with the main reason being quarterback Sam Bradford.
As a freshman, Bradford led the nation in pass efficiency and set a new freshman record for touchdown passes with 36. The sophomore had some trouble with interceptions in the spring, which could partly be attributed to adjusting to a new no-huddle system, but if there is any improvement from his freshman year, a Heisman Trophy and national championship won‘t be out of the question.
Bradford’s favorite target, Juaquin Iglesias, returns after a breakout 2007 in which he caught 68 passes and scored five times. Senior receiver Quentin Chaney, who had 4 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl, also returns.
The Sooners will also display one of the best athletes in the country in Jermaine Gresham. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end was third on the team a year ago in both catches (37) and receiving yards (518), and his 11 touchdowns prove his big-play ability.
The passing attack will undoubtedly get a nice boost from redshirt freshman Ryan Broyles, who was very impressive in the spring. The Sooners will also be adding two elite wideout recruits in Josh Jarboe and Jameel Owens.
Sooner fans are very excited to see RB DeMarco Murray get the bulk of the carries in what should be a very potent rushing attack. Despite having his season cut short with a dislocated kneecap, and playing backup to Allen Patrick, Murray was still able to collect 764 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns.
The sophomore is already drawing comparisons to Reggie Bush, thanks in part to his two kickoff returns for touchdowns, blazing speed, and the versatility to line up as a wide receiver.
As is always the case under Stoops, the Sooners have plenty of depth at running back. Chris Brown returns after rushing for 611 yards on 158 carries while playing third string for most of last season. True freshman Jermie Calhoun, one of the nation’s top running back recruits, could make an early impact.
Despite all the talent in the backfield, the most impressive unit for the Sooners is the offensive line, which may be the best in the country. All five starters return along with two top backups. Though all five of the seniors starting on the line are solid, the left side is especially stout. Both Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson, who weigh a combined 680 pounds, are already NFL
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