Big 12 Play-On Games for 2008

[SoonerBS]

I agree, GS. Another point I did not mention because I did not know it, is that Manhattan is one of the loudest home fields to play in. I know you listen to the "Sports Animal" here in OKC. I was listening this past week and several of the sports hosts were commenting on Manhattan being the loudest stadium in the Big 12. K-State is tough at home and I'm a bit concerned for my Sooners going up there this year. We both know OU is shaky on the road and this game is KSU's homecoming game in which they are 16-2 SU.

The play-on games I have listed are home games against lesser competition. Prince is a lot like his mentor in that he likes to drill lesser competition at home whenever he has the chance.

 

[GoSooners]

BS....I consider this the hard year of OU's scheduling having to go to the Little Apple, Stoolwater and College Station..Along with the RRR in Dallas..This season is by far no cinch for the Sooners...I would be very surprised if OU doesn't lose at least 1 Big 12 game..Keeping in mind that OU lost 3 games last season and very easily could have lost 5, I think the Sooners having only one loss this season would be getting off easy..That's just my personal opinion. I'm not looking forward to going to any of those places above..I can tell you that Stillwater is just as bad and probably worse than Manhattan...And I just plain don't like it when OU has to go down to College Station, I don't care what kind of team the Aggies field, they always give the Sooners a hard time..I'm terrible with football history, but I think I read somewhere that under Stoops OU has never beaten Texas A&M by more than 7 points in College Station..And the average margin of victory is less than a FG. Plus they have some kind of voodoo thing going on down there that I've never understood, but it seems to work..Some very strange fans down there...They spew some foul things out of their mouths that can't be understood by anybody on the planet earth..:lol:

 

[SoonerBS]

BS....I consider this the hard year of OU's scheduling having to go to the Little Apple, Stoolwater and College Station..Along with the RRR in Dallas..This season is by far no cinch for the Sooners...I would be very surprised if OU doesn't lose at least 1 Big 12 game..Keeping in mind that OU lost 3 games last season and very easily could have lost 5, I think the Sooners having only one loss this season would be getting off easy..That's just my personal opinion. I'm not looking forward to going to any of those places above..I can tell you that Stillwater is just as bad and probably worse than Manhattan...And I just plain don't like it when OU has to go down to College Station, I don't care what kind of team the Aggies field, they always give the Sooners a hard time..I'm terrible with football history, but I think I read somewhere that under Stoops OU has never beaten Texas A&M by more than 7 points in College Station..And the average margin of victory is less than a FG. Plus they have some kind of voodoo thing going on down there that I've never understood, but it seems to work..Some very strange fans down there...They spew some foul things out of their mouths that can't be understood by anybody on the planet earth..:lol:

I remember us going down to College Station in 2000. What a game! I just knew we were going to lose that game and miss our chance at playing for a National Title. You couldn't have drove a railroad spike up my ass with a sledge hammer my sphincter was so tight through that whole game . . . . .

 

[GoSooners]

Nebraska

Nebraska is a team that is not just rebuilding, not just reloading, they are also recovering. From the first day they announced the hire of Bill Callahan I said it was a horrible hire. That was verified on several websites. It wasn't just because he didn't have the players to fit his system for the first 2 or 3 years because in season 4 last year, he proved he doesn't belong at any level as a head coach. I hated to see him pull down the tradition of the Cornhuskers, but he single-handedly did it. After firing Callahan, Nebraska finally hired the man they should have hired after prematurely firing Solich . . . Bo Pelini. Pelini schooled under Osborne and Solich and after Nebraska snubbed him in their first hire, he schooled under Bob Stoops and Les Miles. Pelini is a defensive coach and I think he will do very good at Lincoln if the school will give him some time. The only decision he has made so far that I haven't agreed with is his keeping Callahan's OC on staff -- Shawn Watson. But, with all the recruits made to fit this system, maybe he felt like he had to do it for a year or two. Nebraska returns only 11 starters from last year's 5-7 team. I personally don't believe Phil Steele is correct in putting Nebraska in his "Most Improved Team" category. He has them finishing 2nd in the Big 12 North and I have them finishing 5th behind K-State, Kansas and Colorado. I think they are a year or two away from returning to a bowl game.

-- Nebraska vs. Colorado November 28th -- I think there is a distinct possibility Nebraska could be a home dog in this game. If not, it will at least be a short line. This is the last game of the season and I expect Nebraska to make steady improvement through the year. Again, I don't think they will make it to a bowl, so they will want to at least win this home game to provide some momentum into 2009. My prediction: Nebraska wins 31-24.

BS...The more I look at these two teams the more I have to disagree with you here...I've been studying both teams, and the big difference between the two are their lines..For one thing, I believe Phil Steele is too optimistic about Nebraska's D line. They were absolutely terrible last year..This is a team that gave up 76 to Kansas and 65 points to this Colorado team last season. And it all began with that line.. They never could get to the QB..Hawkins, Reesing and Daniel had free rein all game to do whatever they wanted to do against this unit...I'm sure Pelini will have them playing more sound football this season..But the line is still not be up to the talent level of Colorado. And what makes it even worse is the linebacker corp..This unit is just way too young..And the bad part is last year this was the group that made most all of the defensive plays and took up the slack for the D-Line. None of those players will be there this year.

Right now my opinion of Colorado is they are going to bypass both Kansas and Nebraska and give Mizzou a run for the North Division crown. I think they are very close to the talent level of Mizzou..But they're young..And this makes them an unknown commodity. But by the time they play Nebraska in their last game, I expect this team to be rolling. If the Buffs get through their brutal OOC schdule realitively intact without any serious injuries like they had last season on the D-Line, I believe it will make the Buffs very strong coming down the stretch..I don't think people realize how remarkable a job Hawkins did with this team in his second year taken them from losing their first game to a 1AA team and going 2-10 to 6-7 and playing in a bowl game..All of this while trying to shake off the cobwebs of the Gary Barnett era..This is a remarkable achievement considering all of the great skill players he lost after his first year, and what he had to work with last season. Plus, I really like playing on great coaches in their third year with a new team.

Hawkins is too big of a success story in college football..This dude is 61-28..And he was also an excellent NAIA coach before this..This team is going to be better than last year. Maybe significantly better..Nebraska will be better next year. And just a cut above average this year. Nebraska will get a couple big wins becausae they have a great home schedule this year....I think they'll beat Kansas..And maybe Va Tech, who is rebuilding..But Colorado will be better than both of those teams by the time they roll into Lincoln...Bank on it..I feel about the Buffs this season about the way I felt about Kansas before last season...At first glance you think ehh...well maybe...But I've seen this formula before. A coach that builds his team from the inside out with a platoon of great lineman. And then everybody around them starts getting better and the team explodes..Plus they have the best overall coaching staff with the best coaching creditials than any team in the Big 12 North.

Right now if I had to predict how they're going to finish in the North it would read this way:

1.Missouri (Mizzou has to play Colorado the week after Texas)
2.Colorado
3.Kansas (tie 3rd)
Nebraska (tie 3rd)
5.Kansas St.
6.iowa State

 

[GoSooners]

Another funny thing about Phil Steele and his prediction for Colorado to finish next to last in the Big 12 North, that's exactly the place he predicted Kansas to finish last season! Deja vu all over again?

 

[SoonerBS]

We don't disagree as much as you think, GS, as you read my post about Colorado, I have them battling for the 2nd or 3rd place in the North myself.

The thing I don't like about this game for Colorado is that both these teams will be much improved by the end of the season, but this game is being played in Nebraska. If Pelini leads this team to any kind of success at all this season before this game, you will have 75% of the population of Nebraska sitting on a half of a butt-cheek to watch this game and cheer the Cornhuskers on to victory. With what is likely to be a short line, I like Nebraska to eek out a win and cover in this spot.

We might disagree on this game, but we don't about the impending success of the Buffaloes this season. I think they are a diamond in the rough for sure.

 

[GoSooners]

We don't disagree as much as you think, GS, as you read my post about Colorado, I have them battling for the 2nd or 3rd place in the North myself.

The thing I don't like about this game for Colorado is that both these teams will be much improved by the end of the season, but this game is being played in Nebraska. If Pelini leads this team to any kind of success at all this season before this game, you will have 75% of the population of Nebraska sitting on a half of a butt-cheek to watch this game and cheer the Cornhuskers on to victory. With what is likely to be a short line, I like Nebraska to eek out a win and cover in this spot.

We might disagree on this game, but we don't about the impending success of the Buffaloes this season. I think they are a diamond in the rough for sure.

BS...I think there are basically too many variables on what could happen by the end of the season for either of us to try to rationalize anything concrete with this game..One thing we can both probably agree on is our decision with either team will be soley determined by the line..I actually think Nebraska could have a better overall record than Colorado when they meet..Mainly because of an easier OOC and overall schedule..If Nebraska is 8-3 going into the game and Colorado is 7-4, then we may get a pretty favorable line with Colorado. But I think if there is anything that will hurt Nebraska and give them a possible disadvantage here it's their easier schedule. I think the reason Colorado has had such success in the Big 12 North in the last 10 years has been because of their willingness to play a brutal OOC schedule..If they don't get hampered by injuries from it they almost always come out the better for wear from playing these games....On another note, I'm also curious to see how much if any that Texas Tech takes the air out of Huskers when they go down to Lubbock to play..If Tech lays 50 or 60 points on that defense, they could be in trouble the rest of the year...Especially with their confidence level..Back in 2004 in Callahan's first year, Nebraska went down there and Tech put 70 points up on them..Nebraska was 3-1 before that game..And 2-4 after. So many things can happen to either team...But one thing they both have in common, they have better offenses than defenses..It's whoever improves the most on defense is the one who takes the trophy...Hawkins team is much deeper on that unit this season..One thing I do know right now...Hawkins is a good coach..Pelini is still unproven..My best guess is he's going to be good....But he's now the one making the decisions...We'll see how it goes..

 

[bpoint]

Kansas

Last season was not only surprising, but it was phenomenal. There is no doubt that scheduling was a big part of their 21-1 season, but their SU win over Virginia Tech showed that they were a legitimate Top 10 team. This season they return 15 starters and 42 lettermen back from that team. This season, however, their record will not be as good as 12-1. Several reasons will factor into this. First, their schedule is tougher this season. Not only do they play South Florida on the road in a non-conference game, but they also draw Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas from the South -- the three best teams in the conference. Secondly, they lost some key ingredients off last year's team. They lost their outstanding defensive coordinator , Bill Young, to Miami, FL. I also think they are going to miss DB, Talib who went to the NFL early. I personally think they are looking at 9-4 at the best this year.

-- Kansas vs. Florida International August 30th -- Kansas loves to smoke the dregs of the league. I don't care if FIU is bringing back several starters and lettermen, they sucked last year and they will suck this year. Kansas will destroy them! The only real question is, what kind of line will we get? Anything less than -40 is play on. My prediction: Kansas wins 59-10.

Kansas -37

Last year, Kansas had wins by 45,62,52,48,37, and 38 points, including the 52 point win against FIU. They have no problem running up the score.

Phil Steele says FIU will be one of the most improved teams in the country this year but still ranks them as the worst team in the worst conference in America.

Kansas will score the the 50's. Can't see FIU getting more than 10. With SoonerBS 100% on this one.

 

[GoSooners]

Kansas -37

Last year, Kansas had wins by 45,62,52,48,37, and 38 points, including the 52 point win against FIU. They have no problem running up the score.

Phil Steele says FIU will be one of the most improved teams in the country this year but still ranks them as the worst team in the worst conference in America.

Kansas will score the the 50's. Can't see FIU getting more than 10. With SoonerBS 100% on this one.

This game could set us up well for their next game against La Tech, who will be a much tougher opponent for Kansas..But maybe not in the eye of the public if we should see a massacre in their first game..Let's hope this situation goes by the script and we get a good number on the Bulldogs.

 

[SoonerBS]

Texas

It's interesting to see the early publications leave Texas out of their top 10. Texas lost a good RB, some WRs, and 8 defensive starters. So, this warrants dropping Texas into the next ten? Does anybody realize what Texas has recruited and can recruit every year? Do people think they have nothing to plug into what has left? Texas never rebuilds, they always reload. The only reason behind dropping Texas a bit is because some of the other teams in the Big 12 South have got better and more competitive. Texas went 10-3 last season and I can't wait to see the O/U number on their total wins because I think they will actually have a BETTER record this year. Texas is going to be 5-0 going into the Oklahoma game and that game can always go either way. Then they get Missouri and Oklahoma State at home before they play Tech at Lubbock. They then go to Kansas before finishing with Texas A&M. I think Texas will beat Missouri and Kansas which only leaves them with what I think will be two possible losses in regular season -- Oklahoma and Texas Tech. I think publications are fading Texas this year based on McCoy's performance last season. Listen to me: McCoy's performance was due to having the best offensive line in the nation during the 2006 season and dropping off drastically in 2007. I expect the offensive line to be much better this year which will not only make McCoy more productive, but it will be a big plus to whoever they plug in at RB. As far as the defense is concerned, again, they are plugging in some talented players to the positions lost. Also, with the addition of Muschamp as the DC, I expect them to be much better this year.

-- Texas vs. Arkansas September 13th -- This will be the 3rd game in Texas' schedule. They will have both a home game and a road game under their belts. Things ought to start coming together and meshing by this game and it will stand to be a rude awakening for a sorry Arkansas team's first road test of the season. My prediction: Texas wins 35-10.

-- Texas vs. Rice September 20th -- This one is easy - Texas just loves kicking the hell out of little sister! They have won the last 5 by an average of 39 ppg. Coming off what should an easy victory against Arkansas and looking at a bye-week on deck, Texas should unload. My prediction: Texas wins 52-14.

-- Texas vs. Texas A&M November 27th -- This could be the best "play-on" game in the Big 12 this season! Texas has embarassingly lost the last two years to A&M which is a huge sore spot to Longhorn players, coaches and fans. This season Texas A&M looks to have one of their worse teams in years. Texas gets this season ending game at home and will unload 3 years worth of frustration here. My prediction: Texas wins 49-7.

The Hilton has their GOY lines up and Texas is -15 in their game against Texas A&M. Guys, Vegas is trying to scare some money onto A&M with a -15 point spread, but don't do it! You see my predicted score on this game, Texas is going to get double revenge on A&M this year at home. Lay the -15 and thank me later . . . . . .

 

[GoSooners]

BS...I don't know if you saw this...It's a pretty good article from Fox Sports about the Sooners...Pretty dead on observation................................................................................................................................. All Oklahoma has done is win 90 games in eight years with a national title,


When the Sooners turn it on and have the full focus from the opening kickoff, which was obvious in games against Miami, Missouri (both of them), and Texas A&M, forget about it. When they don't appear to have much in the way of energy and the other team has the momentum early, like Texas Tech and West Virginia had, OU loses.

So the key for OU has to be to get out to a hot start early in every game and then ride the talent level the rest of the way. On experience, skill, NFL talent, depth, and any other way you want to measure, no one on the schedule, including Kansas, Texas, and Texas Tech, can stay with the Sooners. But everyone gets up for OU and brings its "A" game, and now, as it needs to realize, OU has to find a way to get up for everyone and bring its "A" game, too.

More than anything else, the Sooners have to be hungry again. The earlier teams in the Bob Stoops era couldn't hang with the OU teams of the last few years on talent, but they brought an attitude and nastiness week in and week out that the current versions only seem able to find every once in a while. If the Oklahoma that beat Missouri in the 2007 Big 12 Championship can come up with that focus and fire from UT Chattanooga to Oklahoma State, it'll be in the BCS Championship Game.

No, this isn't going to be a slam-dunk run to a third straight Big 12 title with several young, but talented, players needing shine on defense in place of some big-time stars like LB Curtis Lofton and CB Reggie Smith, and the running backs need to be healthy, but there's no reason to shoot for anything lower than yet another Fiesta Bowl berth.

If the fire is there from the start, and it doesn't go away, the Sooners might be going to Miami instead of Glendale.

What to look for on offense: The no-huddle. It left a little something to be desired at the end of spring ball as the ultra-efficient Sam Bradford starting throwing picks, but the idea is to get the offense into a quicker tempo and into more of a rhythm. Can the big, talented offensive line keep up with the pace? Will the receivers be on the same page with Bradford? The big question is whether or not the coaching staff is tinkering with something that didn't need to be messed with.

What to look for on defense: Is the secondary really as good as it looked throughout spring ball? Granted, the passing game was tinkering around and the receiving corps needed to break in a few players, but the secondary that was supposed to be a major issue after losing Reggie Smith, D.J. Wolfe, and Marcus Walker was better than anyone could've dreamed. Dominique Franks picked off three passes in the spring game as the leader of the young, talented group.

This team will be much better if: It shows up for every road game. Including the game against Tulsa, OU was 8-0 in the state of Oklahoma winning by a combined score of 430 to 130 (an average of 54 to 16). The Sooners were 3-3 in the other six games outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 162 to 154 (an average of 27 to 25.6). In case you were wondering, the games outside of the Sooner State this season are at Washington, against Texas, at Kansas State, and at Texas A&M.

The Schedule: This is a schedule that can lead to a national title. Cincinnati and TCU are good, but they both have to come to Norman. Going to Washington shouldn't be that big a problem for a team with championship aspirations, and almost all the key Big 12 games are at home. Of course there's the Dallas date with Texas, but that comes after a tune-up at Baylor. Getting Kansas, Nebraska and Texas Tech at home will help, but the trip to Kansas State will be tougher than it might appear. Going to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State is always tough, but again, this is an OU team thinking national championship; it needs to win those showdowns.

Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Sam Bradford. Guard Duke Robinson will likely be a first round draft pick, and there are several other good pro prospects, but Bradford's the one who makes it all go. The nation's most efficient passer completed 70 percent of his throws for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns with eight interceptions, and that when he supposedly didn't know what he was doing.

Best Defensive Player: Sophomore DT Gerald McCoy. Welcome to the new Tommie Harris. The ultra-quick McCoy was a tremendous anchor for the front line and allowed everyone else around him to work. The superstar recruit has lived up the hype so far, and now he appears ready to take a big turn and become the type of star who gets the NFL scouts drooling.

Key player to a successful season: Junior LB Ryan Reynolds. He has the talent and he has the potential to be a top statistical star, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy. Now he has to take over for Curtis Lofton, the team's heart-and-soul defensive star, and try to replace the Big 12 Player of the Year's 156 stops.
DeMarco Murray could Oklahoma's workhorse if his knee holds up. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

The season will be a success if: OU wins the Big 12 title again and is in the hunt for the national title. There are just enough concerns on both sides of the ball to keep the Sooners from playing for the whole ball of wax, but as long as they take care of business and win what might be the toughest top to bottom conference in the country this year, everything else might fall into place. The talent is there and the schedule isn't bad. Now the team has to play up to its capabilities.


Offense
Consistency will be the key, especially on the road, but all the parts are there. The offense has the talent to be unstoppable, but there are a few question marks. Starting with the positives, Sam Bradford should once again be among the nation's most effective and efficient quarterbacks and the line might be the best in America by a wide margin with all five starters returning, along with impressive depth. However, the top two returning running backs, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, are coming off knee injuries, and the receiving corps will be looking for immediate help with Malcolm Kelly moving on early to the NFL. Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson are great targets, but can they be more than just complementary receivers? Can the new superstar running back and receiver recruits shine right away? Again, though, with a line like OU has, everyone will get time to jell.

Quarterbacks: The one major question mark in 2007 for OU was the quarterback situation. This was considered a good enough team to win the Big 12 title, and possibly the national championship, if Paul Thompson could be replaced and if the Sooners could just find someone steady to take over. All sophomore Sam Bradford did was lead the nation in passing efficiency while completing 70 percent of his throws for 3,121 yards and 36 touchdowns with eight interceptions. On pure talent, Oklahoma might have the best 1-through-3 quarterbacks in the country with all three options, Bradford, Joey Halzle and freshman Landry Jones able to start and shine. It helps to have a good line to play behind, a brilliant running game to count on, and an elite receiving corps to throw to, but Bradford isn't just a cog in the system; he's a big-time player who makes it all go.

Running Backs: DeMarco Murray is the special back with the talent to be an All-America star, but it's not like others can't step in and produce. Thanks to a great O-line and an efficient passing game, OU is always able to plug and chug backs. Remember, the team was actually more productive two years ago when Adrian Peterson was out. OU wears down its backs with Stoops never afraid to give a runner the ball until he drops. The staff did a better job of rotating the runners last year, but Sooner backs always seem to get hurt. Even so, the potential is there for the Sooners to have a devastating rotation of runners if Chris Brown and Murray are back from their knee injuries, but this is OU; there are always more backs waiting in the wings. Mossis Madu and true freshmen Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson can keep the offense moving, but it'll take Murray being healthy for the ground game to be special.

Receivers: Shhhhh. While Malcolm Kelly is considered by some to be the best wide receiver in the 2008 NFL Draft, he wasn't Oklahoma's best receiver last year. Juaquin Iglesias followed up a solid sophomore season by leading the team with 68 catches for 907 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. With 4.4 speed he's always been known as a home-run threat, but last year he became consistent short, middle and long. Now a senior, Iglesias is a sure-thing, but there's no one to count on to take the heat off. That's not to say there isn't going to be a ton of instant help from the recruiting class or a jump in production from someone like Quentin Chaney, but there isn't a proven commodity. While the group looks the part, there are plenty of questions. Can Iglesias make the move from Robin to Batman and be the guy? Is there a No. 2 receiver ready to take over and shine, and is Manuel Johnson capable of making the jump? Are the star recruits going to be ready right away? This could be the Big 12's best receiving corps if everyone plays up to the immense expectations, but it could take a little while. That's not to say this group won't produce. Jermaine Grisham should be one of the nation's best receiving tight ends, and the law of numbers says that at least one of the prospects will turn into something special from day one.
Bob Stoops has the horses to make yet another run. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

Offensive Line: The line was going to be good no matter what, and then it was assured of being special (again) with the decision of the left side of the line, tackle Phil Loadholt and guard Duke Robinson, to return for another year. This might not just be the nation's best line, it might be the nation's best line by a wide margin. There are two sure-thing NFL starters in Loadholt and Robinson on the left side, a fringe NFL starter at right guard in Brandon Walker, and an all-star center in Jon Cooper to anchor everything. There's depth to burn, more help on the way from the recruiting class, and talent, talent, talent. Now the expectations will be through the roof for this group to be unbelievable every week, and the potential is to meet them. Now the front five has to act like the best in America. For about 10 games, this starting five, in whatever configuration it'll be, will destroy opposing defensive lines, but for those two games when there are problems, and you don't know when those games will come, like against Colorado last year, the machine breaks down. For all the returning talent, this line has to bring it every week.


Defense
Last year's defense had several major concerns, but there wasn't much of a question that everything was going to be fine. That's not the case this year. This D has more than enough athletes and more than enough five-star talents to replace the former stars with new ones, but there are gaping holes to fill and some very, very big "ifs." If LB Ryan Reynolds can stay healthy and take over in the middle for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Curtis Lofton, and if corners Reggie Smith and Marcus Walker can be replaced, and if ultra-talented DT DeMarcus Granger is back after getting nailed on shoplifting charges, and if pass rushing demon Auston English is back to normal after suffering a broken ankle, and if several untested underclassmen and a few newcomers can play right away up to Sooner standards, then this might be among the Big 12's best defenses again.

Defensive Line: This should be a very good line, as always, but can it be the scary-good group that owns opposing Big 12 offenses? It's possible if the tackle rotation gets set early and if DeMarcus Granger's past legal issues don't become a problem. Gerald McCoy is an All-American in waiting and end Auston English will be a threat for double-digit sacks, so if the rest of the spots can be filled in around them, this will be yet another strong OU front wall. With all the newcomers in the linebacking corps and in the secondary, the line has to be special. While there's experience and depth, this might not be the type of be-all-end-all front four, in whatever combination the coaching staff comes up with, to win games by itself.

Linebackers: Last year's linebacking corps was long on talent and short on proven production, and then it turned into one of the team's major strengths. This year's situation is even more up in the air. With so many key personnel losses and so many newcomers needing to play big roles right away, this could be a problem. Ryan Reynolds has the talent to be a 100-tackle player if he can stay healthy, and while he'll find a spot somewhere in the lineup, the combination for the three spots will continue throughout the season with several players getting chances to grab a job. The big question is replacing Curtis Lofton in the middle. Reynolds will get the first shot. This could be the least talented linebacking corps Bob Stoops has ever had to work with, but that doesn't necessarily count the newcomers. If J.R. Bryant is the player he's expected to be from the JUCO ranks, and if Reynolds can stay healthy, things should be fine.

Secondary: Last year's secondary was a bit of a disappointment considering all the returning experience and talent. This year's group won't have nearly the same expectations, but it could be fine if the corner situation gets settled right away. Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes are two good veterans to work around, and Dominique Franks will hold down one outside job, so now it's up to several players to fight it out for the other open corner spot. After allowing 228 yards per game and finishing 43rd in the nation in pass efficiency defense, there's still room for improvement.

Special Teams: Good luck replacing Garrett Hartley, who was only one of the nation's best placekickers for the last four years and hit 13 of 15 shots last season. Redshirt freshman Jimmy Stevens will get the first shot, and while he might not have the consistent blast Hartley had, he has the potential after setting the national high school record with 50 career field goals. Early on, he just has to prove he can hit inside 40 on a regular basis. Senior punter Mike Knall is coming off a very nice year averaging 43.7 yards per punt after taking over the duties on a full-time basis. He has a very accurate leg putting nine of his 11 kicks inside the 20 as a sophomore, and six of his 24 kicks deep last year with a mere two touchbacks. Top receiver Juaquin Iglesias is an elite kickoff returner averaging 28.5 yards per try, while RB DeMarco Murray averaged 29.3 yards per return with two touchdowns. Dominique Franks doesn't have to just replace Reggie Smith as the No. 1 corner, he also has to be a top punt returner after averaging 10.3 yards on 12 tries.

 

[SoonerBS]

Good article, GS! He makes some valid points about motivation being the key factor in Sooner performance. Can we say that Barry Switzer was a greater motivator than Bobby Stoops? I like Bob, but Barry had a knack of getting more out of his players. Maybe he paid them more . . . . .

 

[quinnsft34]

Some very valued opinions in this thread looking forward to Football. Finally got going in the right direction in bases about a month ago hoping to build a nice stack in my account and attack when the pigskin is flying. Oh and go MIZZOU.

 

[SoonerBS]

Bumping for guys that are starting to wake up and realize that football season is nearly here and they haven't capped a lick yet . . . . .

 

[GoSooners]

SoonerBS...Here is a good writeup on the Jayhawks as pertaining to the OU-KU matchup on Norman...I tend to agree with most of this article. Their big weakness last season was their inability to get pressure on the QB...No sacks from the defensive line last year..And 3 out of 4 of these players are back..The only good QB they had to face last season was Daniel..But this year they face 4 top QB's in the league. If they can't find a pass rush, this is going to be their downfall this season. Also, this could end up being a decent OVER game..Should be plenty of offensive fireworks.


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<EMBED SRC=http://vmedia.rivals.com/flash/contentheadlines.swf?h1=KU+will+give+Sooners+a+tough+test+in+'08+&h2=&lwidth=635&lheight=60&lshadow=1&sFontColor=000000&sLink= WIDTH=635 HEIGHT=60 SALIGN=lt QUALITY=best SCALE=noborder wmode=transparent ID=rvflash NAME=rvflash BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF TYPE=application/x-shockwave-flash PLUGINSPAGE=http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash></EMBED></OBJECT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT></P>LP Pannell
SoonerScoop.com Staff Writer
<SCRIPT language=javascript>document.write("<div id=contentcontainer style='font-size: " + currentsize + "pt;'>");</SCRIPT>Talk about it in The Crimson Corner


It's been a while since OU fans could get excited about a match up at home versus the Jayhawks. Since 1963 the Sooners are 17-3 against the artificial birds and many of the contests have gotten out of hand to say the least.

But Kansas Head Coach Mark Mangino is proving why he was such a valued member of the Sooners' 2000 National Championship. It's taken a little longer than he'd hoped but Mangino is turning Lawrence into a two-sport town.

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</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Mark Mangino spent his time in Kansas City talking about raised expectations in Lawrence</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Mark Mangino Story Image-->And when the Jayhawks head to Norman, fans should expect an entertaining game.

Leading Kansas on the offensive side of the ball will be junior quarterback Todd Reesing. He might not have the build of a Sam Bradford or a Graham Harrell, but the youngster from Austin, Texas, certainly measures up statistically as he threw for 3,486 yards and 33 touchdowns while directing the nation's No. 2 scoring offense.

For Reesing to be successful, the front line for the Jayhawks is going to have to go up against a defensive line better than any they saw a year ago.

Led by senior center Ryan Cantrell, Kansas' o-line returns three starters but lose probably their two most important players from a year ago. If OU's front four play like they did a year ago, it will be interesting to see how the Jayhawks and, more importantly, Reesing react.

Despite losing their top rusher from a season ago, Sooner linebackers could have their hands full as it seems the Jayhawks won't miss a beat in the backfield.

Junior Jake Sharp had a decent year as a backup last season with 834 yards and will get the starting nod at tailback. However, look for Kansas to be another team who rotates running backs, with National Junior College Offensive Player of the Year, Jocques Crawford, set to accompany Sharp in the Jayhawks backfield.

The most even matchup could come when the Sooners are on defense – when OU's secondary goes up against the Kansas receiving core.

Many of Reesing's targets that helped him accumulate last year's monstrous numbers return and will give OU's green corners a true test.

Senior Dexton Fields leads the receiving corps finishing second on the team a year ago in yards (834) and touchdowns (7).

Fields will be joined by sophomore Dezmon Briscoe who had 496 yards as a No. 3 receiver last season and former quarterback turned wide out Kerry Meier will also bring athleticism to the crew.

As revamped as the offense looks it still doesn't come close to what the defense brings back returning nine starters from a year ago.

Two things will however make a dent in the defense. Kansas loses two huge stars in tackle James McClinton and corner back Aqib Talib and the Jayhawks also lose defensive coordinator Bill Young who left for a job in Miami.

Even with the losses, the Hawks still had the No. 12 total defense in the nation last season and shouldn't fall far.

Leading the Kansas defense will undoubtedly be the Jayhawk linebackers who, according to Phil Steele, have the fifth best line backing core behind Ohio State, USC, South Carolina and Florida State.

The corp returns all three starters from a year ago who accounted for over 300 tackles and 38 tackles for losses.

Senior Joe Mortenson might have the most accolades finishing with 106 tackles last year and is almost a unanimous preseason first team All-Big 12. But Mike Rivera who finished a measly 10 tackles behind Mortenson with 96, is said to have the most NFL potential. Rounding out the trio of seniors will be James Holt who certainly is third only in statistics with 99 tackles last season.

Kansas' strength at the linebackers helps offset the Jayhawks's somewhat weak defensive front. Three-of-four return for to the defensive line but that might not be a good thing since the Jayhawks had one of the worst pass rushes in the league including a total of zero sacks between the four.

Taking into account the strength of the linebackers combined with no pass rush, the main matchup will be the OU wide receivers against the Kansas secondary since it seems as if the Sooners will be passing all night long.

Kansas will offset the Sooners' Juaquin Iglesias and company with a decent group in the secondary hoping to contain Bradford as much as they can.

Starting with the corners, Chris Harris has the lucky task of trying to fill the big shoes of the aforementioned Aqib Talib. Harris only a sophomore had 65 tackles and two interceptions as a freshman and earning him Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Senior Kendrick Harper who split time with Harris a year ago will now move into a starter role manning the other corner.

If the Sooner wide outs get by the young corners, they should have an advantage against another fairly young group at the safety positions.

Junior Darrell Stuckey returns at the strong safety position after a 72 tackle sophomore season and junior Justin Thorton who has six interceptions in eight starts over two seasons, will man the free safety.

Bottom line, the game could be fairly competitive for a half to three quarters but four of Kansas' 12 wins last season were one possession wins and with a record of 21-0 against conference opponents at home since 2002, look for the Sooners offense to wear the Kansas defense down in the fourth quarter and pull away for a comfortable win.