So will we be a top 5 ranked team next year ?

[KCtornado]

Not sure what this Playoff loss and loss of seniors will mean for where things shake out for 2016.

Here is who the Sooners won't have for next year...and who steps in behind them to carry the torch??

Sooners starters that will not be in the lineup for 2016....ranked in importance:

**Edit** no Sanchez next year either apparently.

1) Sterling Shepard
2) Eric Striker
3) Charles Tapper
4) Ty Darlington
5) Nila Kasitati
6) Devante Bond
7) Durron Neal

 

[barkingwater2000]

Neal, Kasitati, and Darlington are very replaceable. We are going to need some receivers to step up next year because Shepard will be a major loss.

 

[WP76]

Neal, Kasitati, and Darlington are very replaceable. We are going to need some receivers to step up next year because Shepard will be a major loss.

Agree wholeheartedly. You just don't replace guys with the skills and heart of Striker and Shepard.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Westbrook looks ready to step up as a big play guy but the WR unit as a whole will need to all increase productivity.

I don't see us being lower than preseason #3. There's just to much talent and depth returning.

 

[larwilli]

What about QB? Baker has suffered 2 concussions in the last 3 games. How many more hits to the head can he take? Cody Thomas hasn't proven he's a capable backup and the 3rd QB will be a true freshman.

 

[WP76]

Miciah Quick, frankly, has been a disappointment in that he hasn't come close to living up to his press clippings. At this point, you have to wonder if he ever will.

 

[iasooner1]

We better hope not. I'd rather us start somewhere around 11 or 12 and play with a chip on our shoulder. IF we get past Houston & tosu then we can start moving north but after last night, that will be a Tall order, imho

 

[virgie76712]

I'd rather start at #23.

My fear. Next year when the Big 12 lobbies for a spot in the final 4, I can here it now. "We included a Big 12 team in the playoff and look what happened." The good part is the committee will be able to make the same argument to the BIG.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I'd rather us start at 15 or so.
Just by virtue of beating Houston on the road and the Buckeyes in Norman will easily vault us up to the top five.

Kind of a earn it as we go proposition.

 

[soonernacho]

People wanting to start lower in the rankings are crazy. You start high in the rankings and it is easier to recover after a loss. Our rankings against Texas and Clemson this season didnt help or hurt us.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

People wanting to start lower in the rankings are crazy. You start high in the rankings and it is easier to recover after a loss. Our rankings against Texas and Clemson this season didnt help or hurt us.

I wouldn't say crazy.
We started out 23 in 2000 and 19 this year. Just win and it corrects itself.
Besides, one loss is tough, two is a death knell.

 

[OklaBama]

I'd rather start at #23.

My fear. Next year when the Big 12 lobbies for a spot in the final 4, I can here it now. "We included a Big 12 team in the playoff and look what happened." The good part is the committee will be able to make the same argument to the BIG.

Well, consider that Bob is now .411 for bowl games....8-9. If you don't think that stat comes into play, you're kidding yourself. Regardless, Bob has won a lot of games and a national championship. He is the best coach available for OU and would do a great (and perhaps a better) job in the SEC or Big Ten. One of the best coaches in the game.

 

[BillyRay_rivals31072]

Well, consider that Bob is now .411 for bowl games....8-9. If you don't think that stat comes into play, you're kidding yourself. Regardless, Bob has won a lot of games and a national championship. He is the best coach available for OU and would do a great (and perhaps a better) job in the SEC or Big Ten. One of the best coaches in the game.

Oklabama I was reminded of this earlier today. I'm elated about the season as a whole, but when you think of OUs reputation in bowl games, it really is kind of a sore spot. OU pulled off that huge Sugar Bowl win against Alabama, but outside of that OU is 1-3 in the last 4 years in bowl games. And all 3 of those losses were pretty good beat downs. Throttled by A&M, embarassed by Clemson last year, and once again a pretty solid beat down from Clemson this year. I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that OUs overall talent is still down and this season was a massive step in the right direction. This overhauled staff will hopefully recruit the talent level back up, and OU will be more competitive in bowl games in the future.

 

[OklaBama]

Oklabama I was reminded of this earlier today. I'm elated about the season as a whole, but when you think of OUs reputation in bowl games, it really is kind of a sore spot. OU pulled off that huge Sugar Bowl win against Alabama, but outside of that OU is 1-3 in the last 4 years in bowl games. And all 3 of those losses were pretty good beat downs. Throttled by A&M, embarassed by Clemson last year, and once again a pretty solid beat down from Clemson this year. I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that OUs overall talent is still down and this season was a massive step in the right direction. This overhauled staff will hopefully recruit the talent level back up, and OU will be more competitive in bowl games in the future.

Billy, I would settle for winning when we're a favorite in the bowl games and take whatever when we are underdogs.

 

[1ClemsonJR]

Clemson,Oklahoma,Bama,will all be in the top 5.

 

[iasooner1]

Maybe for the first week...

 

[Brentwood Sooner]

Yes!

 

[PtLavacaSooner]

Well, consider that Bob is now .411 for bowl games....8-9. If you don't think that stat comes into play, you're kidding yourself. Regardless, Bob has won a lot of games and a national championship. He is the best coach available for OU and would do a great (and perhaps a better) job in the SEC or Big Ten. One of the best coaches in the game.

Well, consider what bowls OU has been to in Bob's tenure. At least three of those bowl losses were to the NC and a fourth was to a team now playing for one. I won't apologize for playing for championships, and neither will Bob. OU is the only team to win all BCS bowls and a NC. I would like to see the bowl teams that all those with great bowl records have played over the past 17 seasons. How many coaches did they have in that time?

 

[OklaBama]

Who asked you to apologize or for that matter Bob. Just stating a fact. And read the entire post before acting like a berk.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Not sure what this Playoff loss and loss of seniors will mean for where things shake out for 2016.

Here is who the Sooners won't have for next year...and who steps in behind them to carry the torch??

Sooners starters that will not be in the lineup for 2016....ranked in importance:

**Edit** no Sanchez next year either apparently.

1) Sterling Shepard
2) Eric Striker
3) Charles Tapper
4) Ty Darlington
5) Nila Kasitati
6) Devante Bond
7) Durron Neal

We'll miss 1, 2, & 3 in playoff type games. That's it.
The balance had a very, very poor showing last night.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

I think we all forgot about Mark Andrews as well. The kid can play ball & did very well for a freshman.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Well, consider what bowls OU has been to in Bob's tenure. At least three of those bowl losses were to the NC and a fourth was to a team now playing for one. I won't apologize for playing for championships, and neither will Bob. OU is the only team to win all BCS bowls and a NC. I would like to see the bowl teams that all those with great bowl records have played over the past 17 seasons. How many coaches did they have in that time?

I'm pretty lazy since I retired...so I'll just say, 'what he said'.

 

[PtLavacaSooner]

Who asked you to apologize or for that matter Bob. Just stating a fact. And read the entire post before acting like a berk.

Nobody. And I didn't and neither has Bob. I did read the entire post and responded, with facts. OU hasn't played many patsy teams in their bowl games under Stoops.
Would you rather be 17-0 in bowl games like the Holiday and Sun bowls or be playing against the best, even if it means being 0-17 in bowls?

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Nobody. And I didn't and neither has Bob. I did read the entire post and responded, with facts. OU hasn't played many patsy teams in their bowl games under Stoops.
Would you rather be 17-0 in bowl games like the Holiday and Sun bowls or be playing against the best, even if it means being 0-17 in bowls?

Neither please.

 

[PSUwolf]

Clemson,Oklahoma,Bama,will all be in the top 5.

247 Sports just released their "way too early 2016 predictions" and have Clemson # 1, Oklahoma # 2, Ohio State # 3, and Alabama # 5. Can't remember who was number 4' Realistically, it's still way too early but they give us something to start with.

 

[BBCoach22]

Honestly I don't think it really matters where OU starts next season. We will have our opportunities with Houston and Ohio State in the non conference that no matter where we start we will have the ability to move up if we take care of business. Anxious to know who our breakout/leading receiver will be that is going to replace Shep?

 

[OklaBama]

Nobody. And I didn't and neither has Bob. I did read the entire post and responded, with facts. OU hasn't played many patsy teams in their bowl games under Stoops.
Would you rather be 17-0 in bowl games like the Holiday and Sun bowls or be playing against the best, even if it means being 0-17 in bowls?

I rather win the games when we are favored especially those that have OU as a double digit favorite. Since you have already looked up all the opponents, go the extra step and see how Bob has done as a favorite. WVU, Boise, Clemson. Those weren't natty games. Neither was A&M. I'm finished with you,

 

[PSUwolf]

We will have our opportunities with Houston and Ohio State in the non conference that no matter where we start we will have the ability to move up if we take care of business.

True. And the other thing is if you do lose a game, lose it early in the year. Late season losses are killers.

 

[PtLavacaSooner]

Neither please.

LOL. What if that was the only options? A bunch of 9-4 seasons with a patty cake bowl win or 1 or 2 losses in a season coming from other 11-12 win teams?

 

[Soonersincefitty]

LOL. What if that was the only options? A bunch of 9-4 seasons with a patty cake bowl win or 1 or 2 losses in a season coming from other 11-12 win teams?

No no, if we ever become Texas, with most of them 'settling' for 9 or 10 wins a year as a default 'good enough', I just don't think that would be good enough to keep me interested in the program anymore.
It's a moot point in that, it will never happen.
Not in my lifetime anyway.

Such as it is.

 

[PtLavacaSooner]

I rather win the games when we are favored especially those that have OU as a double digit favorite. Since you have already looked up all the opponents, go the extra step and see how Bob has done as a favorite. WVU, Boise, Clemson. Those weren't natty games. Neither was A&M. I'm finished with you,

Favorite by who? They are always my favorite, I'm not twisted like you. I don't have multiple teams I root for, just in case my team doesn't do as well.

You'd have to start with me to be finished.

SOONER BORN AND SOONER BRED, WHEN I DIE, I'LL BE SOONER DEAD...

Don't worry, I've already built my coffin out of lovely aromatic red cedar, want one?

 

[OUgradJeff]

Oklabama I was reminded of this earlier today. I'm elated about the season as a whole, but when you think of OUs reputation in bowl games, it really is kind of a sore spot. OU pulled off that huge Sugar Bowl win against Alabama, but outside of that OU is 1-3 in the last 4 years in bowl games. And all 3 of those losses were pretty good beat downs. Throttled by A&M, embarassed by Clemson last year, and once again a pretty solid beat down from Clemson this year. I guess I just need to keep reminding myself that OUs overall talent is still down and this season was a massive step in the right direction. This overhauled staff will hopefully recruit the talent level back up, and OU will be more competitive in bowl games in the future.

Bear Bryant: was 0-7-1 in Bowl games from 1967-1974.

Tom Osborne: was 0-7 in Bowl games from 1987-1993. He also had an overall losing bowl record at 12-13.

Bo Schembechler: was 5-12 all time in Bowl games.

Coaches shouldn't be judged just on Bowl outcomes.

Perspective.

 

[BillyRay_rivals31072]

Who said Bob is being judged solely on his bowl outcomes??

 

[OUgradJeff]

Who said Bob is being judged solely on his bowl outcomes??

Many, over the course of the last 10 years or so.

Someone posted his Bowl record. I thought I'd post the Bowl record of some of the recognized all-time great coaches for the perspective of all.

 

[KCtornado]

Looks like we have a big hole to fill with Dom Alexander making leap to NFL..he was pretty steady.