Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbooks) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: One of the top teams in the country just about every year, the Oklahoma Sooners continue to pile up the wins and claim their share of Big 12 titles. Coach Bob Stoops' club got off to another stellar start in 2007, pounding non-league foes North Texas, Miami-Florida, Utah State and Tulsa by a combined 246-47.
The Big 12 slate was up next, and shockingly the Sooners fell in the opener at Colorado (27-24). A 28-21 win over Texas began a string of five straight wins only to be followed by a 34-27 loss at Texas Tech. A 49-17 pasting of in-state rival Oklahoma State earned the team the Big 12 South title and a second game against Missouri, this time in the conference championship. OU had beaten the Tigers earlier in the year, 41-31. The result was the same as the Sooners prevailed in a 38-17 final, setting the stage for a BCS matchup with West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.
Oklahoma was totally outclassed in that contest, losing to the Mountaineers in a 48-28 final. It was the second straight Fiesta Bowl loss for the Sooners and their fourth straight BCS bowl defeat. Stoops was asked about his team's inability to perform in those games. "In the end, it's a situation that there isn't any one answer to. You can look at all the factors." Stoops continued, "I think overall we've been in six Big 12 championships and won five of them. We are doing something right. We know how to win those games and we'll manage these others the best we can and I think as much as anything it's the players staying invested and us as coaches as well doing the job we need to do to be at our best in those situations."
2008 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: The OU offense was on top of its game last season, lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 42.3 ppg to rank fifth in the country. It was equal parts run (190.7 ypg) and pass (258.2 ypg), and featured some impressive individual efforts, among them the play of freshman QB Sam Bradford. At 6-5 and 215 pounds, Bradford has the physical attributes to be one of the top signal callers in the nation. He set a NCAA freshman-record with 36 TD passes while also leading the nation in passing efficiency. Stoops is excited about what Bradford can do, calling his effort in practice this summer "incredible".
Setting his sights even higher, Bradford will have the luxury of throwing to Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, a pair of standout senior receivers who combined for 99 catches, 1,355 yards and nine TDs is '07. One guy to also keep an eye on is 6-4 senior Quentin Chaney.
The Sooners will ride the coattail of sophomore RB DeMarco Murray, who despite recovering from a knee injury is supremely talented and gives the team a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Opening holes in the ground game and protecting Bradford when a pass play is called is a senior-laden offensive line brimming with experience and athleticism.
DEFENSE: The Sooners performed exceptionally well against the run last season, limiting the opposition to just 110.3 ypg to rank 17th in the nation. As a result, foes scored just 20.3 ppg earning the team another top-20 ranking. OU is fortunate to have all four starters back along the defensive line, including rush end Auston English. A 6-3, 255-pound junior, English was the Big 12's sacks leader in '07 with 9.5 despite missing a quarter of the season with an ankle injury. This year's line could be one of the best in the country if they stay healthy and get help from a linebacking corps that has just one returning starter in junior Ryan Reynolds.
A pair of new corners will need to get their feet under them quickly, but both safeties return in seniors Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes. Those two combined for 147 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 PBUs and five INTs last season. Having to face one potent offense after another in the Big 12 means that pressure up front as well as blanket coverage in the secondary is integral to any success the defense is to achieve. Stoops hopes to have his team prepared for the challenges ahead. "I think the biggest issue is your speed on the field on defense and athleticism, guys that can play in space, tackle in space, cover, pressure, do those kinds of things."
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Sooners need to find a new placekicker following the departure of Garrett Hartley, and rookie Jimmy Stevens appears to have the inside track. The punting job belongs to senior Mike Knall who averaged nearly 44 ypp last season.
OUTLOOK: One of the favorites to win the Big 12 yet again, this Oklahoma team is chock full of talent on both sides of the ball. The offense is clearly ahead of the defense at this point, but Stoops will have his team ready to play week-in and week-out. The Sooners will likely go as far as Bradford can take them, which based on his past performance and limitless potential, could very well lead to a January trip to Miami and the BCS National Championship Game.
