#3 to start the Coaches Poll

[thecrimsoncrusader]

Given that Oklahoma was 11-2 last season and won the Sugar Bowl against Alabama despite Oklahoma...

- Breaking in a new offensive system
- Breaking in a new defensive system
- Breaking in a new QB and having erratic QB play all season long and even playing 3 QBs in a single game
- Breaking in a new offensive line coach
- Breaking in a new defensive line coach
- Breaking in a new special teams/tight-end coach
- Only returning 3 starters on defense
- Losing its Top 2 receivers from the previous season
- Losing its best defensive tackle for the season
- Losing its best linebacker for the season
- Losing its best offensive utility play for the season
- Losing its leading rusher to suspension for the season
- Being without 5 starters in the Sugar Bowl and still winning

And now...

- Returning 9 starters on defense
- Returning 4 out of 5 starting offensive linemen
- Trevor Knight now getting most of the reps in spring and fall drills unlike last season
- Having a more favorable schedule than last season

I would say the #3 ranking for Oklahoma makes a lot of sense. It's hard to worry about the running back group when since post 1999, Oklahoma's worst group of backs were Renaldo Works and Kejuan Jones and Oklahoma STILL played for the national title regardless of that. Not to mention the backs are coached by Cale Gundy, one of the best if not the best running backs coaches in the nation and Oklahoma has a fair amount to work with with Keith Ford, Alex Ross, Samaje Perine and possibly Mixon, but we'll see how the Mixon situation pans out.

As far as the receivers, Sterling Shepard is already a proven receiver and was Oklahoma's 2nd leading receiver last season and while Neal has had limited playing time, he's been in the system awhile now and could have a very good year. After that, Oklahoma then has a truckload of highly touted receivers where even if only half of them pan out, Oklahoma will be in great shape.

[badger]

#3 to start the Coaches Poll

So if the seasons ended today, we'd be in the new playoff thing

[BermudaSooner]

We kicked bammers ***, they lose their QB, they're ranked ahead of us. Pfft.

then why isn't Baylor ahead of us?

[thecrimsoncrusader]

then why isn't Baylor ahead of us?

Because Baylor got blown out by OSU and OU beat OSU and Oklahoma beat a legit BCS foe in a BCS bowl game while Baylor lost to a mid-major in their BCS bowl along with giving up about 50 points. I know what your point was, but just sayin'.

[badger]

then why isn't Baylor ahead of us?

Texas should also be ahead of us. I like beating them when they're top 5 instead of a unranked buffoon that nearly lost at Iowa State