Other than a little lurking, I haven't been around much since January. Things look red hot in Norman and I think we'll see #8 "sooner" rather than later. But let's share some predictions on 2018.
1. I sure hope not, but I think we get an early scare from Kiffin's Owls. They are a good non P5 team and if we aren't taking them seriously, looking ahead to UCLA, or just struggle out of the gate, things could get dicey. I believe OU will seal it late, but for 3+ quarters I fear we may be questioning everything after week 1. This is more a testament to the Owls than a statement on the Sooners.
2. After a week 1 scare, a quick comfort and gelling sets in and we see weekly rapid growth from both offense and defense. We handle UCLA with relative and the snowball starts rolling.
3. Now for something bold. The defense gets better. A lot better. Despite Mike's 3-4 hybrid flop, the talent will prevail and we will have a top 25 defense again.
4. Kenneth Murray Jr turns it on. After a solid freshman season that showed his potential, but also saw him out of position often, the mental catches up with the physical and see the dominating middle linebacker we've been missing. Though just a sophomore, he will be a leader of the defense and team.
5. Grant Calcaterra makes the loss of Mark Andrews a seamless transition. Grant will benefit greatly from single coverage due to guys like Brown, Lamb and the legs of Kyler Murray. I dont expect crazy stats, but he will be a consistent and dependable target for either QB and be a chain moving, redzone threat the same as Mark.
6. The defensive backs will no longer be a liability. We have multiple guys who naturally find the ball instead of face guarding the wide receiver. Bookie Hiles gives us a play maker which we haven't had in the secondary in a while. Motely, Norwood, Parker, Haughton, Broiles, Brown and Barnes will all see the field and play well. It won't always be perfect, but will be marked improvement with some exceptional games mixed in.
7. While the secondary and linebacking units won't be a liability, the true strength of the defense will be the line. Kenneth Mann and Neville Gallimore both break out with monster seasons and Bledsoe, Overton, Faamatua, Lott, and a couple of the freshman provide consistent playmaking and depth.
8. With so many stars on the offense, it will be difficult for one to shine. Rodney, Marquise, Grant, Cee Dee, Murray, Sermon, Mykel, Nick, Rambo, and a good, potentially great offensive line, the offense will be balanced, efficient, but not as explosive as 2017.
9. The Sooners have their first undefeated regular season since 2004. The Big XII takes a step back as a whole and makes the road a little easier to traverse, and though not without some dog fights, Oklahoma will remain unscathed through 12 games. They escape a nail biter in Morgantown, only to rematch the Mountaineers the following Saturday and win the conference championship going away.
10. An unbeaten season lands the Sooners at the #2 seed in the College Football Playoff, behind #1 seed and undefeated Clemson, with a match up against #3 seed Alabama and Georgia getting the #4 seed. Both the B1G and PAC12 miss the playoffs with each conference champ having two losses.
Discuss. Criticize. Share your thoughts. Either way Sooner football is almost back!
Boomer!
1. I sure hope not, but I think we get an early scare from Kiffin's Owls. They are a good non P5 team and if we aren't taking them seriously, looking ahead to UCLA, or just struggle out of the gate, things could get dicey. I believe OU will seal it late, but for 3+ quarters I fear we may be questioning everything after week 1. This is more a testament to the Owls than a statement on the Sooners.
2. After a week 1 scare, a quick comfort and gelling sets in and we see weekly rapid growth from both offense and defense. We handle UCLA with relative and the snowball starts rolling.
3. Now for something bold. The defense gets better. A lot better. Despite Mike's 3-4 hybrid flop, the talent will prevail and we will have a top 25 defense again.
4. Kenneth Murray Jr turns it on. After a solid freshman season that showed his potential, but also saw him out of position often, the mental catches up with the physical and see the dominating middle linebacker we've been missing. Though just a sophomore, he will be a leader of the defense and team.
5. Grant Calcaterra makes the loss of Mark Andrews a seamless transition. Grant will benefit greatly from single coverage due to guys like Brown, Lamb and the legs of Kyler Murray. I dont expect crazy stats, but he will be a consistent and dependable target for either QB and be a chain moving, redzone threat the same as Mark.
6. The defensive backs will no longer be a liability. We have multiple guys who naturally find the ball instead of face guarding the wide receiver. Bookie Hiles gives us a play maker which we haven't had in the secondary in a while. Motely, Norwood, Parker, Haughton, Broiles, Brown and Barnes will all see the field and play well. It won't always be perfect, but will be marked improvement with some exceptional games mixed in.
7. While the secondary and linebacking units won't be a liability, the true strength of the defense will be the line. Kenneth Mann and Neville Gallimore both break out with monster seasons and Bledsoe, Overton, Faamatua, Lott, and a couple of the freshman provide consistent playmaking and depth.
8. With so many stars on the offense, it will be difficult for one to shine. Rodney, Marquise, Grant, Cee Dee, Murray, Sermon, Mykel, Nick, Rambo, and a good, potentially great offensive line, the offense will be balanced, efficient, but not as explosive as 2017.
9. The Sooners have their first undefeated regular season since 2004. The Big XII takes a step back as a whole and makes the road a little easier to traverse, and though not without some dog fights, Oklahoma will remain unscathed through 12 games. They escape a nail biter in Morgantown, only to rematch the Mountaineers the following Saturday and win the conference championship going away.
10. An unbeaten season lands the Sooners at the #2 seed in the College Football Playoff, behind #1 seed and undefeated Clemson, with a match up against #3 seed Alabama and Georgia getting the #4 seed. Both the B1G and PAC12 miss the playoffs with each conference champ having two losses.
Discuss. Criticize. Share your thoughts. Either way Sooner football is almost back!
Boomer!
