Oklahoma Sooners Football: Season Preview

Landry Jones returns in what will be a Heisman-campaign type of season, that is unless, of course, his own wideout does not steal the stiff-arm trophy himself.

The 2010 Biletnikoff Award finalist has already set many records in Oklahoma Sooners history. He has the most receptions in a game, season and career—and also the most yards in a game, season and career. And lastly, he has the school records for most touchdowns in a season and career.

Sooners Have Sick Talent

The other receivers will have to take some of the pressure and constant doubles/bracketing off of Broyles.

Kenny Stills broke some of Broyles' freshman records and went off in the Fiesta Bowl for seven catches and 154 yards, including a 54-yard tight-roping touchdown.

Throw in Miller (coming off season-ending knee injury) and Franks and you have a mix of size, speed and more importantly, reliability to stretch the field for the Boomer Sooners.

This offense would be nothing without the solid blockers they have up front. Known as the “big uglies,” Stoops has a decent enough line to protect his star quarterback.

Starting center Ben Habern comes into the season as one of the best centers in the nation. Not the biggest center, he still moves so well and is vital in the zone blocking they often use.

Boomer Sooners

The offensive guards are not All-Big 12 caliber, but they can carry their own weight. Both started a season ago, in which they managed to win the Big 12 title.

Evans is a big dude, whereas Gabe Ikard is known for being that pulling guard on counter runs. Any improvement upon these two and things will only get worse for the competition.

Stephenson is a solid left tackle, though any speed-rushers can take advantage of him. The Big 12 has a few, though not too many speed demons in the front four.

The disadvantage may be in early September against Florida State when they have to block All-American Brandon Jenkins with either Stephenson or sophomore Jarvis Jones, who is starting in his first full season. These two will certainly be tested at Tallahassee. 

Backfield Is Far from a Weak Link

The big boys will be blocking for an explosive backfield field with a few upcoming stars. Roy Finch showed what he could do as a backup to the greatest running back in Sooners history statistically speaking in DeMarco Murray. Finch ran for 398 yards with two touchdowns last season.

The former fabulous Florida product stands at just 5’8”, but he has speed to burn. He is not a full-time, every-down back and that is where possibly the next Darren McFadden comes in.

Brandon Williams is a beast at 6’1” and nearly 200 pounds. He runs like a deer and is a future star at Oklahoma if he can stay healthy.

One Star Is Down but the Team Is Far from Out

The Sooners defense has been great thanks in large part to defensive coordinator Brent Venables. It helps that Frank Alexander and Travis Lewis are among the best in the country at their respected positions. 

Speaking of Lewis and the linebackers, they are flat-out loaded as they have five others behind Lewis that can come up with a big tackle behind the line of scrimmage. (Note: Lewis is expected to miss the entire month of September with a broken ankle.)

Stoops, Venables and the Sooners thrive on getting into the backfield and making tackles for losses. Look for converted nickelback/outside linebacker sophomore Tony Jefferson to make a big impact right away.

Last year as a freshman he was sensational in impact games. He will need to do the same in every single game for this Sooners defense to rank among the best in the nation. Also, look out for Corey Nelson to replace Lewis, who Coach Stoops said was the most impressive player during spring camp.

Secondary Filled with Stars

Meanwhile the secondary is licking their chops now that they have returned Jamell Fleming, who was not enrolled during the entire spring and early parts of the summer for “academic” purposes. 

Luckily, they also have Aaron Colvin and Demonte Hurst who are both All-Big 12 caliber. Hurst was among the best corners last season in conference and many are expecting him to elevate his game even more.

They are a bit thin at corner with Colvin moving over to safety, but Gabe Lynn and Javon Harris provide just enough depth.

The two must avoid taking poor angles in that secondary because the Sooners will certainly miss the loss of First-Team All-American strong safety Quinton Carter. 

Run Defense Is Far from a Weak Link

The secondary would appreciate a ton of pressure put on QBs by that front four. Frank Alexander was a stud last season until an ankle injury limited for most of the season. He is still an elite lineman in Big 12 country and should feast on backfields once again.

The biggest story on the team for position changes is certainly Ronnell Lewis (declared eligible), who has now converted to defensive end from outside linebacker.

Lewis is an athletic, rangy defender who can drop back in coverage as well. He is a solid BCS player with good feet and solid speed. The middle of the line should be clogged up with Walker, McFarland and McGee (who came back from a marijuana possession charge).

Drama's Forecast

One thing is for sure: The Sooners' three BCS National Championship appearances in the BCS era (’00, ’06, ‘10) were thanks in large part to a dominating front four. Things never change in the landscape of college football and great teams are still built from the inside-out.

This offense will go bonkers on many opponents, but with such high expectations can Oklahoma live up to them for the entire season?

Plus, the last team to be ranked No. 1 and to have a share of the BCS National Championship was USC in 2004 and then you must go back to Florida State in 1999.

The Sooners have more weapons than arguably any player in the nation. Ryan Broyles is a First-Team All-American and Landry Jones is surely All-Big 12, but can they get any production from their running game? Murray is gone and he was just as good as a receiver as he was as a back.

Now that his legacy is done, who will fill in his shoes? Finch has shown some promise, but will a Brandon Williams step up and become a workhorse? Will they even need him against FSU, OKST and A&M?

They are clearly a committee backfield at the moment, so they better stay consistent early and often with national championship aspirations.

I feel this Sooners team is the most talented in the nation, but their schedule does them no favors and the loss of Lewis will hurt.

Lastly, I have stated it since March, the winner of the game between the Sooners and the Seminoles will decide the BCS National Championship and though I love the Sooners a whole lot, I cannot ignore the loss of their All-American linebacker.

Projected Record: 11-2, 9-0 (includes bowl)

Projected Finish: First in Big 12, 9-0 

Projected Bowl: BCS Fiesta Bowl