It is pretty amazing to think of all of the competitive teams that Bob Stoops has managed to put together during his first 13 years at Oklahoma. Now that he has his brother Mike back, working with the d-backs again, he has himself another squad worthy of being in the National Title discussion in 2013.
Last year as a JR, QB Landry Jones entered the season as a Heisman favorite. He came out of the gate strong, but he fizzled once he lost WR Ryan Broyles. Jones is back for his SR season, and he will be one of the most watched QBs in the nation. He has the potential to make a Heisman run, and National Title run, and land in the first round of next years NFL draft. The running game for Oklahoma should be very good as well, providing that everyone can stay healthy. SR Dominique Whaley is an exceptional athlete with great power, and great speed. His FB, JR Trey Millard is the best lead blocker in the nation, and is a threat with the ball in his hands too. The only thing that may hold this backfield down would be if Whaley cannot stay healthy again. At receiver this year, the team suffers the loss of the most prolific pass catcher in FBS history with Ryan Broyles heading to the Detroit Lions. Having said that, the offense as a whole will be better prepared for his absence than they were last year. JR WR Kenny Stills will have the chance to shine this year in the primary role. Remember, he caught over 1600 yards over the last two years as a secondary option. The Sooners also brought in FR Trey Metoyer this year. He has the potential to be special and really look great during the spring. The guys up front looked primed for a great year as well. SR C Ben Habern and JR OG Gabe Ikard both should be all-conference this year, and garner consideration for All-American honors too.
The defense, which continually graduates top notch college players, each season seems to just re-tool, bringing up the next group for stellar ball players. This years team should be no different. With 4 SRs projected to start on the defensive front, I expect them to be a very capable bunch. They man not have the Gerald McCoy type superstar of seasons past, but each of these guys can hold their own, and together, will be a consistent, polished unit. The linebackers lost their top tackler from a year ago, but have two guys who are ready to take that torch immediately. JR MLB Tom Wart covers the field exceptionally well, and simply gets after it, play after play. JR OLB Corey Nelson seems primed to emerge as another serious force on this unit too. The secondary will be ready to play this year too. Although as a unit they are a bit undersized, they have experience, and they all play hard. JR CB Aaron Colvin and SR CB Demontre Hurst make up a very nice 1-2 combination for the Sooners. Opposing QBs will not have it easy with these guys out there. Although neither completely eliminates a side, no QB will look forward to facing either of these guys either. Add in JR S Tony Jefferson into the mix, and you really have a nightmarish situation to deal with. Opposing signal caller will not be able to make mistakes against this secondary, or Oklahoma will make you pay.
Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma Sooners are going to be amongst the best teams in the country again in 2013. They have talent in every unit on both sides, and they will again be one of the best coached teams in the land. The only concern I have is about injuries. The Sooners let things slip away last season when the injury bug bit, and in college football, injuries always have to be a consideration. How they respond to any of that kind of adversity will be the determining factor in how far this team goes this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment