Desert Sapper
5/8/2006, 07:52 AM
Link (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/Big_12/2006_Previews/Oklahoma_preview.htm)
Fiutak does a decent enough job breaking us down this time. Nothing we didn't already know, but still good reading during the long wait of the offseason.
Highlights:
First there was the schedule, which arguably turned out to be among the toughest in college football history with eight of the 12 games played against teams that finished with winning records, six games against teams that finished with nine wins or more, three games against conference champions (TCU, Texas and Tulsa) and six against eventual bowl winners.
Of the four losses, one was to the eventual national champion (Texas), one was on the road on a controversial final play to lose by two (Texas Tech), and two (TCU and at UCLA) came before OU was close to the team it became at the end of last year.
So is this a national title caliber team? Yes, but there are still too many question marks on the offensive line and with Bomar to get excited about the Sooners' chances at a run to a third title game in four seasons. 2007 is when the team should be truly ready to explode and become a juggernaut again,
Key player to a successful season: The entire offensive line. Everything is in place on defense, the offensive backfield will be great, the receiving corps should be solid, and the kicking game will turn out to be fine. Everything will fall apart if all the new starters up front aren't tremendous by the time the Oregon and Texas games roll around.
The season will be a success if ... OU wins the Big 12 title. There are just enough holes to prevent a trip to the national championship game, but a win over Texas on the way to a conference championship would do wonders after last year's slip.
Key game: October 7 vs. Texas. Last year's 45-12 drubbing can be chalked up to a hurt Adrian Peterson, a not-ready-yet Rhett Bomar, and the magical Longhorn season. Two straight losses would mean the hex Stoops once held over Mack Brown would officially be over, but a win would mean last year might have just been a fluky convergence of everything right happening for the orange side of the field.
Quarterback Rating: 7.5Projected Starter
- Rhett Bomar, Soph. - 167-308, 54%, 2,018 yds, 10 TD, 10 INT, 90 carries, 176 yds, 4 TD
The common national perception was that Bomar, one of the nation's top recruits in 2004, had a lousy season because he didn't put up Jason White-like numbers. While he didn't have a fantastic year and was lousy against Texas, he wasn't bad showing toughness and improvement from game to game in his decision making and accuracy. He's a good-sized, mobile passer who isn't afraid to pound out tough yards when needed. Now he has to take the next step up in his development and be a main reason the team wins, like he was in the Holiday Bowl win over Oregon, and not just be the guy who hands off to Adrian Peterson.
Running Back Rating: 10Projected Starters
- Adrian Peterson, Jr. - 220 carries, 1,104 yards, 5.0 ypc, 14 TD, 9 catches, 50 yards
The best player in college football and the number one pick in the draft if/when he decides to come out next season, the franchise back has to stay healthy for a full season. He had problems with an ankle injury during the middle part of last year carrying it a mere 16 times over a four-game span, and then he got healthy and ripped up the back half of the season with four straight 100-yard days highlighted by a breathtaking 237-yard performance against Oklahoma State. He's a tremendous mix of 6-2 size, warp speed, and a warrior's mentality. His running style is a bit too upright and he takes a few too many big shots, but that's nitpicking for the NFL types to worry about.
- Fullback Dane Zaslaw, Jr.
It'll be up to the 242-pound junior to take over for long-time starter J.D. Runnels as the lead blocker after coming to Oklahoma as a linebacker. He won't get any carries being used just as a blocker for Adrian Peterson.
Receiver Rating: 8
Offensive Line Rating: 7.5Projected Starters
- OT Chris Messner, Sr.
A solid right tackle last season, the 6-6, 280-pound senior makes the move over to the left side where he'll be expected to be the anchor and potential all-star. He won't be the dominant run blocker that Davin Joseph was, but he'll be one of the Big 12's best pass protectors.
- OG George Robinson, Soph.
"Duke" was a too huge backup at left guard and will battle for the starting job this fall. He was 360 pounds last year and got in better shape to be a more mobile 332 pounds coming into this season.
- C Jon Cooper, Soph.
Able to play center or guard, the 278-pound sophomore is expected to return healthy this fall from the broken ankle that knocked him out last year. He played like a veteran with strength and consistency as a true freshman.
- OG J.D. Quinn, Soph.
Quinn is versatile enough to play either guard spot or center. He's a bulldozer of a run blocker with four games of starting experience on the right side as a redshirt freshman. He'll be back this fall after sitting out spring ball injured.
- OT Branndon Braxton, Soph.
The 6-6, 318-pound sophomore saw a few starts last year at right tackle and will take over the job now that Chris Messner has moved to left tackle. He's a great athlete with great speed for a player his size.
Defensive Line Rating: 9.5
Projected Starters
- DE Calvin Thibodeaux, Sr. - 44 tackles, 10 sacks, 17 TFL
Thibodeaux stepped in and became a star last year becoming the team's best pass rusher and most disruptive force on the outside after missing most of 2004 with a knee injury. He might not be the fastest end around and he doesn't have special moves, but he finds a way to get the job done.
- DT Carl Pendleton, Jr. - 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFL
The 277-pound junior has plenty of starting experience with 19 over the last two seasons, but he hasn't made too many plays and has to be far more consistent. His role is to hold at the point of attack and allow the ends to make plays, and now he'll have to make more tackles and get into the backfield on a regular basis.
- DT Cory Bennett, Soph. - 16 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL
The new star of the line, Bennett has next level potential even though he's slightly undersized at 275 pounds. He's tremendously quick with the potential to grow into one of the Big 12's best interior pass rushers. Even at 275 pounds he could play end if needed.
- DE C.J. Ah You, Sr. - 45 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 TFL
Ah You became a godsend when injuries hit the ends last year becoming the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after coming over from the JUCO ranks. He got better and better as the season went on finishing up with a dominant performance in the Holiday Bowl. He's a big pass rusher with a good motor.
Linebacker Rating: 8.5
Secondary Rating: 8 Projected Starters
- CB Reggie Smith, Soph. - 47 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 broken up passes, 2 TFL
Smith is the team's most versatile defensive back able to shine at either safety or corner. He started ten games at strong safety last season finishing fifth on the team in tackles, and now he'll be asked to be the team's lockdown corner. While not a burner, he's fast enough to go along with good size. He still needs some work, but he was fantastic this spring and should quickly become a star.
- FS Darien Williams, Soph. - 43 tackles, 1 broken up pass, 1 TFL
Williams started four games last year at free safety and ended up being one of the team's top tacklers, but he's hardly a lock to hold down the starting job with Nic Harris pushing for a spot somewhere on the field. Williams is a good hitter with good enough range to do more against the pass.
- SS Jason Carter, Sr. - 17 tackles, 1 interception, 1 broken up pass
The team's main nickel back last year will get the first look at strong safety with some of the best speed in the secondary. While he has the experience to be a steady starter, he'll get pushed hard by Keenan Clayton for the job this fall.
- CB D.J. Wolfe, Jr. - 65 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 broken up passes, 5 TFL
Wolfe has upped his game and appears ready to be an All-Big 12 star after earning honorable mention honors last year. He's a great tackler with good size and 4.4 speed looking like a natural at corner after starting his Sooner career as a running back.
Fiutak does a decent enough job breaking us down this time. Nothing we didn't already know, but still good reading during the long wait of the offseason.
Highlights:
First there was the schedule, which arguably turned out to be among the toughest in college football history with eight of the 12 games played against teams that finished with winning records, six games against teams that finished with nine wins or more, three games against conference champions (TCU, Texas and Tulsa) and six against eventual bowl winners.
Of the four losses, one was to the eventual national champion (Texas), one was on the road on a controversial final play to lose by two (Texas Tech), and two (TCU and at UCLA) came before OU was close to the team it became at the end of last year.
So is this a national title caliber team? Yes, but there are still too many question marks on the offensive line and with Bomar to get excited about the Sooners' chances at a run to a third title game in four seasons. 2007 is when the team should be truly ready to explode and become a juggernaut again,
Key player to a successful season: The entire offensive line. Everything is in place on defense, the offensive backfield will be great, the receiving corps should be solid, and the kicking game will turn out to be fine. Everything will fall apart if all the new starters up front aren't tremendous by the time the Oregon and Texas games roll around.
The season will be a success if ... OU wins the Big 12 title. There are just enough holes to prevent a trip to the national championship game, but a win over Texas on the way to a conference championship would do wonders after last year's slip.
Key game: October 7 vs. Texas. Last year's 45-12 drubbing can be chalked up to a hurt Adrian Peterson, a not-ready-yet Rhett Bomar, and the magical Longhorn season. Two straight losses would mean the hex Stoops once held over Mack Brown would officially be over, but a win would mean last year might have just been a fluky convergence of everything right happening for the orange side of the field.
Quarterback Rating: 7.5Projected Starter
- Rhett Bomar, Soph. - 167-308, 54%, 2,018 yds, 10 TD, 10 INT, 90 carries, 176 yds, 4 TD
The common national perception was that Bomar, one of the nation's top recruits in 2004, had a lousy season because he didn't put up Jason White-like numbers. While he didn't have a fantastic year and was lousy against Texas, he wasn't bad showing toughness and improvement from game to game in his decision making and accuracy. He's a good-sized, mobile passer who isn't afraid to pound out tough yards when needed. Now he has to take the next step up in his development and be a main reason the team wins, like he was in the Holiday Bowl win over Oregon, and not just be the guy who hands off to Adrian Peterson.
Running Back Rating: 10Projected Starters
- Adrian Peterson, Jr. - 220 carries, 1,104 yards, 5.0 ypc, 14 TD, 9 catches, 50 yards
The best player in college football and the number one pick in the draft if/when he decides to come out next season, the franchise back has to stay healthy for a full season. He had problems with an ankle injury during the middle part of last year carrying it a mere 16 times over a four-game span, and then he got healthy and ripped up the back half of the season with four straight 100-yard days highlighted by a breathtaking 237-yard performance against Oklahoma State. He's a tremendous mix of 6-2 size, warp speed, and a warrior's mentality. His running style is a bit too upright and he takes a few too many big shots, but that's nitpicking for the NFL types to worry about.
- Fullback Dane Zaslaw, Jr.
It'll be up to the 242-pound junior to take over for long-time starter J.D. Runnels as the lead blocker after coming to Oklahoma as a linebacker. He won't get any carries being used just as a blocker for Adrian Peterson.
Receiver Rating: 8
Offensive Line Rating: 7.5Projected Starters
- OT Chris Messner, Sr.
A solid right tackle last season, the 6-6, 280-pound senior makes the move over to the left side where he'll be expected to be the anchor and potential all-star. He won't be the dominant run blocker that Davin Joseph was, but he'll be one of the Big 12's best pass protectors.
- OG George Robinson, Soph.
"Duke" was a too huge backup at left guard and will battle for the starting job this fall. He was 360 pounds last year and got in better shape to be a more mobile 332 pounds coming into this season.
- C Jon Cooper, Soph.
Able to play center or guard, the 278-pound sophomore is expected to return healthy this fall from the broken ankle that knocked him out last year. He played like a veteran with strength and consistency as a true freshman.
- OG J.D. Quinn, Soph.
Quinn is versatile enough to play either guard spot or center. He's a bulldozer of a run blocker with four games of starting experience on the right side as a redshirt freshman. He'll be back this fall after sitting out spring ball injured.
- OT Branndon Braxton, Soph.
The 6-6, 318-pound sophomore saw a few starts last year at right tackle and will take over the job now that Chris Messner has moved to left tackle. He's a great athlete with great speed for a player his size.
Defensive Line Rating: 9.5
Projected Starters
- DE Calvin Thibodeaux, Sr. - 44 tackles, 10 sacks, 17 TFL
Thibodeaux stepped in and became a star last year becoming the team's best pass rusher and most disruptive force on the outside after missing most of 2004 with a knee injury. He might not be the fastest end around and he doesn't have special moves, but he finds a way to get the job done.
- DT Carl Pendleton, Jr. - 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFL
The 277-pound junior has plenty of starting experience with 19 over the last two seasons, but he hasn't made too many plays and has to be far more consistent. His role is to hold at the point of attack and allow the ends to make plays, and now he'll have to make more tackles and get into the backfield on a regular basis.
- DT Cory Bennett, Soph. - 16 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL
The new star of the line, Bennett has next level potential even though he's slightly undersized at 275 pounds. He's tremendously quick with the potential to grow into one of the Big 12's best interior pass rushers. Even at 275 pounds he could play end if needed.
- DE C.J. Ah You, Sr. - 45 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 TFL
Ah You became a godsend when injuries hit the ends last year becoming the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after coming over from the JUCO ranks. He got better and better as the season went on finishing up with a dominant performance in the Holiday Bowl. He's a big pass rusher with a good motor.
Linebacker Rating: 8.5
Secondary Rating: 8 Projected Starters
- CB Reggie Smith, Soph. - 47 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 broken up passes, 2 TFL
Smith is the team's most versatile defensive back able to shine at either safety or corner. He started ten games at strong safety last season finishing fifth on the team in tackles, and now he'll be asked to be the team's lockdown corner. While not a burner, he's fast enough to go along with good size. He still needs some work, but he was fantastic this spring and should quickly become a star.
- FS Darien Williams, Soph. - 43 tackles, 1 broken up pass, 1 TFL
Williams started four games last year at free safety and ended up being one of the team's top tacklers, but he's hardly a lock to hold down the starting job with Nic Harris pushing for a spot somewhere on the field. Williams is a good hitter with good enough range to do more against the pass.
- SS Jason Carter, Sr. - 17 tackles, 1 interception, 1 broken up pass
The team's main nickel back last year will get the first look at strong safety with some of the best speed in the secondary. While he has the experience to be a steady starter, he'll get pushed hard by Keenan Clayton for the job this fall.
- CB D.J. Wolfe, Jr. - 65 tackles, 2 interceptions, 10 broken up passes, 5 TFL
Wolfe has upped his game and appears ready to be an All-Big 12 star after earning honorable mention honors last year. He's a great tackler with good size and 4.4 speed looking like a natural at corner after starting his Sooner career as a running back.