OU mailbag: What is Oklahoma’s record the first three years in the SEC?

Every Monday, SoonerScoop.com and On3’s George Stoia will be answering your questions in his weekly OU mailbag. This week, Stoia takes a look at Oklahoma’s future in the SEC, who might be OU’s biggest difference maker in 2023 and who is the greatest Sooner quarterback of all time.

Below are Stoia’s answers for Monday, May 1.

What is OU’s record the first three years in the SEC?

This is hard to predict given that we don’t know who OU will face in the SEC. But for the sake of this question, let’s pretend OU’s three annual opponents in the SEC are Texas, Missouri and Florida. 

2024: 9-3

2025: 10-2

2026: 8-4

I like the direction of the program and I think with Jackson Arnold at quarterback starting in 2024 and 2025, it should make the transition easier. That 2025 season is one I’d circle as a year I think OU can really compete in the SEC and maybe for a national title, if they continue to recruit defensively the way they are currently. The only reason I think they take a dip in 2026 is that who knows what the quarterback situation will be. 

Where would you rank this WR room compared to the last 10 years? I don’t think there’s a draftable player in it, possibly Farooq.

Man, OU has had some good receiver rooms since 2013. This room is relatively unknown other than junior Jalil Farooq and redshirt senior Drake Stoops. And even those guys have to prove they can be a No. 1 target. 

But that doesn’t mean guys like Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony, Texas transfer Brenen Thompson, redshirt junior LV Bunkley-Shelton, sophomore Jayden Gibson, redshirt freshman Nicholas Anderson, or someone else can’t be a surprise. Feels like any of those guys could be serious contributors next season. 

And yeah, right now, Farooq is the only draftable guy in that bunch and even he needs to have more production this season. 

What will be the biggest question for Team 129 going into the season?

Can the defensive newcomers make a noticeable difference? 

One of Oklahoma’s biggest excuses last season was that it didn’t have the talent – especially defensively – to be successful. They added a handful of guys in the portal and on the recruiting trail this off-season to fix that. OU will need those guys to play impactful football in 2023 if they want to improve defensively. 

The other question is who will be the OU’s top playmaker on offense? 

As mentioned above, they don’t have a No. 1 receiver yet. Who will be that guy? Though, I’m confident the Sooners will be able to run the ball and I think by season’s end we’re talking about Gavin Sawchuk as OU’s primary offensive weapon. 

What game are you looking forward to the most this upcoming season? Why?

Texas. 

I really think the Longhorns will be good next season and are arguably the most talented team in the Big 12. Now, Texas usually crumbles and that’s a real possibility, but I think Steve Sarkisian has them heading in the right direction. I think OU will be 5-0 heading to Dallas and will have something to prove after last year’s disaster at the Cotton Bowl. 

I’m also looking forward to going to Provo, Utah. And Cincinnati to try Skyline Chili. 

Is Dasan McCullough gonna play cheetah or somewhere else and is he slated to start?

He’s going to play cheetah, but I do think he will be used him differently than DaShaun White was used in 2022. McCullough is great in space and can cover, but his best skill is rushing off the edge. I think there will be scenarios – third and longs – in which he walks up as a rush end and has the option to rush or drop in coverage as a spy. 

Justin Harrington, if I had to guess, will start Sept. 2. But I think McCullough will be tough to keep off the field and will start by the season’s end. And I think there is still a role for Harrington, as he can come in as a third safety or linebacker in certain situations. 

What player are you most excited to see play or have the greatest expectations of in the fall?

I don’t think there’s anyone I have higher expectations for than junior linebacker Danny Stutsman. I know everyone is excited about the transfers and this freshman class, but it feels like the light is finally coming on for Stutsman. And if it does click for him this season, it could not only make him a finalist for the Butkus Award, but also help OU’s defense reach the elite status it’s aiming for. He needs to be that leader that Oklahoma was missing last year. 

Our d-line dominated a patchwork o-line in the spring game and people are writing it off, but it’s better than them not doing anything against that line, right? I mean, there’s not much to take away from it, but there is something to take away from it, right? 

OU’s defensive line is better. OU’s second-string offensive line is not good. Both things can be true, and are true. 

I think it’s fair to be hesitant in establishing the expectations for the defensive line given how last year went and how many news faces there are this season. But I do think the spring game gave us enough info that I feel confident saying they’re improved up front defensively – especially on the edge. They didn’t have a guy of Rondell Bothroyd’s caliber last year and they haven’t had someone like true freshman Adepoju Adebawore in maybe two decades. And I’m really bullish on sophomore R Mason Thomas – he appears to have made a big leap. 

As for the offensive line, it was definitely banged up this spring. But it still doesn’t have a ton of experience beyond the starting group. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to add there in the transfer portal before the summer. 

Is the next OU Heisman finalist on campus currently?

Yes, and his name is Jackson Arnold. I think it’ll be in 2025 – his third season at OU. 

With that said, Dillon Gabriel is the starter this year and I that’s the right decision. This is not a Caleb Williams situation. 

Who is the second-best QB in OU history, behind Landry Jones?

Fact: No one has won more games in OU football history than Landry Jones. 

In all seriousness, I think there are several quarterbacks who should be considered. Jimmy Harris (1954-56), Steve Davis (1971-75), Jamelle Holieway (1985-88), Josh Heupel (1999-00), Jason White (1999-04), Sam Bradford (2006-09), Baker Mayfield (2014-17) and Kyler Murray (2016-18) all have arguments, in my opinion. 

But I’m going old school and taking Steve Davis. He won two national titles and is arguably the greatest wishbone quarterback in college football history. I will always have a soft spot for Bradford, though. He was special in 2008 and should have won a title. 

Greatest individual season, in my opinion, was Murray in 2018. And the most-beloved is obviously Mayfield. 

When does Summer of George kickoff?

Summer of George will officially start May 27 (Memorial Day Weekend) and end Sept. 4 (Labor Day). It’s exactly 100 days and it will be the best summer of our lives. It’s going global this year. 

Bonus: Is Eddie born with it or is it Maybelline?

It’s Maybelline.