Preseason Top 10 Countdown

Preseason Top 10 Countdown

At #4 in my Preseason Top 10 Countdown, I have Oklahoma.

After what could be called a bit of a disapointment last season, the Sooners hope to get back into the National Title hunt. At the start of the 2011 season they were the favorites, ranking #1 in almost every poll. That slipped away last year as the Sooners did what they are becoming more and more known to do.....that is have that one game (or in the case of last year, three games) where they are playing an opponent that has no business being in the game and the Sooners some how blow it.

Bob Stoops has been taking a little criticism the last five seasons or so. The question comes up almost every year now for Oklahoma...."Which game will Oklahoma find a way to lose?" Games they are favored in, not even trap games....just games that they know they should win, Oklahoma seems to have one or two games that they just don't look motivated. Is it coaching? Is it the players just losing focus? Is it over-confidence? Maybe this year is the year the Sooners can get out of that shadow.

Landry Jones returns for his senior campaign with Heisman Trophy and National Title hopes. He has to more consistent this year to be able to make at least one of those dreams happen. He will have to do it without his favorite target from the last couple of seasons, as Oklahoma looks to replace Ryan Broyles. Broyles accounted for 83 catches for 1157 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012. That won't be easy to replace. Landry Jones found that out the hard way last season when Broyles missed a few games. Jones had a difficult run without him. Throwing only 1 td pass in a 3 game stretch and throwing 6 interceptions in that same window. The offense looked lost. They looked like they weren't focused. The only hope for Landry Jones and the Sooners' offense is Kenny Stills. He showed he can be a playmaker at wide-receiver. He showed flashes of greatness. Maybe an offseason of working with Jones and getting more comfortable with the offense will solidify that role for him.

The defense has some issues. Oklahoma loses their sack leaders. Some new faces will make appearances in the secondary. And, most of all, Brent Venables (Defensive Coor.) is gone. Venables may not be as big of a loss, though. Mike Stoops (former head coach at Arizona, and brother to Bob Stoops) returns to Oklahoma. If there is one thing Sooner fans can really get excited about, it has to be one of the Stoops brothers running the show on defense. Just ask Florida State fans about Mark Stoops. The defense for the Sooners may not feel the loss of their key players once Mike Stoops has worked them back into shape.

The 2012 season is looking good for the Sooners. Consistency all around will be the focus. And like the past few seasons, Oklahoma will be favored in almost (if not every game) all their games. Tough game with West Virginia and the rest should take care of itself. Certainly Baylor doesn't have another RGIII on their hands. Oklahoma State seems to be much less of a threat without Justin Blackmon and most of the OK State's starters are being replaced. Kansas State could be a game to watch. Again, if Oklahoma loses focus or loses motivation at any point this season, they could lose to somebody that they shouldn't. Last year's Texas Tech game should be a reminder of that. Bob Stoops has many of the pieces he needs to have a National Title run this season. But, for me, I see the Sooners doing what they have done in years past. I see a one or two loss season. They will finish in the Top 6.

Only three teams remaining in my Preseason Top 10 countdown.
At #3 the Alabama Crimson Tide. What? No preseason #1 for the defending National Champs? Find out why in Next week's breakdown.

Don't forget to submit your questions and comments. jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com