Definitely, the question on Sooner fans’ minds is, is this the year?\u00a0 For one thing, this may be the best defense in Norman in over 20 years.\u00a0 Not only is the defense championship level, but the offense also appears to be loaded.\u00a0 Equally important, the Sooners schedule is very conducive to a championship run.\u00a0 Be that as it may, Oklahoma has had a history of underachieving to lesser opponents early in the season. Although this may be true, this team just seems to have a different feel about it.\u00a0 With this in mind, let us dive into the discussion of Oklahoma Football: is this the year?<\/p>\n
In the first place, the Sooners open up on the road with an average Tulane Green Wave team.\u00a0 Given that, the Sooners seem to play well in early road games.\u00a0 Coupled with an FCS Western Carolina Catamounts, the Sooners should get off to a great start.\u00a0 Although this may be true, game number three presents a unique challenge.\u00a0 In this case, the Sooners will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers.\u00a0 On paper, this game should not be competitive.\u00a0 Although this may be true, Oklahoma and Nebraska have a long although respectful rivalry.<\/p>\n
On the contrary, several of the more challenging conference games will be away from Norman.\u00a0 Oklahoma must travel to Baylor, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State.\u00a0 Equally important, Iowa State must travel to Norman to face the Sooners.<\/p>\n
Different from past seasons, the Sooners defense may be the strength of the team. \u00a0As an illustration, the Sooners have three preseason all-conference members.\u00a0 Oklahoma\u2019s first team members include defensive linemen Isaiah Thomas<\/a> and Perrion Winfrey<\/a>.\u00a0 In like manner, Nik Bonitto<\/a> was selected as a first-team linebacker.<\/p>\n The Sooners have improved their talent level on defense under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch<\/strong> in the two previous seasons. They return 11 players with starting experience, plus one or two years in Grinch\u2019s defensive system. This coming season will be the deepest Oklahoma has been on the defensive unit in years.<\/p>\n The Sooners have also added size and length in the defensive secondary, one of Grinch\u2019s primary goals when he took the job as the new Sooner defensive coordinator.\u00a0 The year before Grinch arrived, in 2018, Oklahoma ranked 114th out of 129 FBS teams in total defense. Last season, the Sooners were 29th in total defense and 26th in average yards per play allowed. All of this adds up to a defensive unit that appears primed and ready to become relevant again.<\/p>\n Equally important is an offense that will be as potent as ever without the pressure to score every possession.\u00a0 Coupled with an all-conference quarterback and Heisman favorite Spencer Rattler<\/a>, the Sooners are loaded on the offensive side of the ball.\u00a0 In addition to a top-level quarterback, the Sooners are stacked at running back. \u00a0Coupled with the return of 2019 starter Kennedy Brooks<\/a>, Oklahoma added one of the best running backs in the country in Eric Gray<\/a>.\u00a0 Gray was added to the roster from Tennessee, via the transfer portal.<\/p>\n In like manner, the Sooners may have the most talented group of pass-catchers in the country.\u00a0 By and large no one in the country has signed more four and five-star receivers over the last three years than Oklahoma.\u00a0 Included in this group are Theo Wease<\/a>, Marvin Mims<\/a>, Jadon Haselwood<\/a>, Mario Williams<\/a>, along with transfer portal acquisition Mike Woods<\/a>.\u00a0 Coupled with tight ends Austin Stogner<\/a> and Brayden Willis<\/a>.<\/p>\nExplosive Offense<\/h3>\n