It’s a new year in Norman. But, the expectations will be the same. Of course, this is new territory for the Sooners with Kyler Murray replacing Baker Mayfield as QB1. Aside from that, the Sooners are a prohibitive favorite in the Big 12. In addition, the goals remain the same in terms of challenging for a national championship. There is no rest for the weary as the Sooners begin the season against Florida Atlantic. We look at six burning questions for the Sooners in 2018.
#1 How much defensive improvement will we see?
The last time we saw the defense, it was gashed by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The Sooners gave up over 300 yards on the ground and nearly 10 yards per carry. Now, Florida Atlantic will bring forth a back that could be just as talented. Devin Singletary is a darkhorse Heisman trophy candidate in 2018. Last year, he had over 1,900 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. Improvement from the defensive line as well as the linebacking corps will be put to the test. Expect Neville Gallimore, Kenneth Murray, and others to be tested early and often in this one.
#2 Can the freshman grow up in a hurry?
The Sooners could have as many as three freshmen in the defensive backfield against the Owls. Heralded recruit Brendan Radley-Hiles will be in the starting lineup in some capacity. But, who will join him? Redshirt freshman Justin Broiles appears to lead at one safety position. Meanwhile, we are likely to see either Robert Barnes or Jordan Parker man the other position. I would expect to see more nickel packages for the Sooners in 2018, so it will be interesting to see how these newcomers react as they are starters for the first time.
#3 How do you replace a legend?
Replacing a legend is never easy. The Sooners seem to be a little better equipped now to do that than in the past. However, history is not on the side of Oklahoma. Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008) are the most recent Heisman winners at Oklahoma. The season after the aforementioned players left the school Oklahoma finished 8-4 and 8-5 respectively. Nevertheless, this team looks to avoid that same fate in 2018. But, Murray brings a rushing dynamic to the quarterback position that Sooner fans haven’t seen since 1987 in Charles Thompson and Jamelle Holieway.
#4 Will the Sooners experience issues in the offensive line shuffle?
Two experienced starters were lost off the 2017 team. Erick Wren was a two-year starter at center and Orlando Brown held down the left tackle spot for the past three seasons. Cody Ford will move from guard to tackle along with Bobby Evans. But, the real competition is at the center position. Redshirt freshman Creed Humphrey is battling fifth-year senior Jonathan Alvarez at the position. Riley has mentioned that position has been the best competition of fall camp. How that line gels, especially early, will go a long way in helping an inexperienced quarterback get comfortable.
#5 Just how good is the returning offensive star power?
Even with the loss of Mayfield, Oklahoma still is massively talented at the skill position. CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown return as the top receivers from a year ago. In Brown and Lamb, over 1,900 yards and 14 touchdown return. Conversely, in the backfield, Rodney Anderson, Trey Sermon, and Marcelias Sutton all are returning as well. That returning trio had over 2,000 yards on the ground and 20 touchdowns. The offense will need those veteran performers to regain their 2017 star power to keep the train moving.
#6 What will we see different in year two under Riley?
It’s often characterized that a football team makes it’s the greatest improvement from game one to game two. But, could it also be said that a coach makes that same improvement from year one to year two? Riley took a little heat for his conservative play-calling in the second half of the Rose Bowl against Georgia last year. But, overall, he had an outstanding rookie year as the head man in Norman. With that being said, what should Sooner fans expect in year two under Riley? Admittedly, Riley has said he feels more established in what he’s doing and his routine. But, how the offense morphs this year will be interesting to watch. With a true dual-threat signal caller, how will the play calling and the dynamic change from a pure drop-back passer? Being one of the brightest minds in college football, one expects the transition to be seamless.
