When we last saw the Sooners, the invincibility of what was starting to be considered one of the greatest teams of all-time was totally blown away. First Kansas State pulled the shocker of the 2003 season by destroying the Sooners 35-7, and then there was the Sugar Bowl loss to LSU. It's possible that those were two steps back to go a major leap forward forcing a sense of urgency and a focus that should make OU one of the favorites to get back to the national title game.
Much will be made of the two big defeats, the loss of some great defensive players, and the worry all year that a meltdown is just waiting to happen like the ones against Oklahoma State in 2002 and 2003 and against the Wildcats last year. However, don't be shocked if the 2004 team doesn't put it all together and be the best team Bob Stoops has ever coached.
As hard as it may seem to fathom, the offense should be better than ever with ten starters back from the juggernaut that averaged 42.9 points per game. The running game will be even better with star recruit Adrian Peterson joining the mix, while the passing attack is injury-proof with three great backups behind Heisman winning quarterback Jason White and too many talented receivers to use. The defense might be without major award winners Tommie Harris, Teddy Lehman and Derrick Strait, but this is Oklahoma; reloading isn't a problem. Yeah your hearts have been broken over the last few years Sooner fans, but you can book those tickets to Miami in January if everything comes together as expected.
The Schedule: OU has a few landmines on the way to a possible third straight trip to the Big XII title, and a second straight shot at the national title, with three road games (Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M) to worry about. Getting Nebraska isn't a peach. Three bowl teams, Bowling Green, Houston and Oregon, are on the non-conference slate, but none of them will give the Sooners a problem.
Best Offensive Player: Senior WR Mark Clayton. Oklahoma only returns the 2003 Heisman trophy winner, but Jason White isn't the team's best offensive player. Clayton was unstoppable last year turning into the most dangerous receiver in the nation when he got the ball in stride while also destroying secondaries with his deep play ability.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Dan Cody. There are about five players that could be called OU's best defensive player, but Cody will be the star on the line that does the most damage getting to the quarterback early and often. This is the year he should make the next step up and become everyone's All-American.
Key players to a successful season: The defensive line is nasty, the secondary is as good as ever, and Lance Mitchell is one of the best middle linebackers in America. Gayron Allen was good last year, and now he's going to need to be even better on the weakside, while Clint Ingram and Demarrio Pleasant need to be rocks on the strongside. With Teddy Lehman gone, the outside linebacker have to rock for the defense to be as good as last year.
The season will be a success if ... the Sooners win the national title. This team is way too good to expect anything less. Yes, luck needs to play a part to just get to the championship, much less win it, but this it the type of team that can make its own breaks.
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Texas. This is possibly the only game on the Texas schedule that the Longhorns won't be double-digit favorites. With a revenge game coming up the following week at Kansas State, every ounce of Oklahoma focus has to remain on the Red River Rivalry.
2003 Fun Stats:
- First half scoring: Oklahoma 365 - Opponents 94
- Passing touchdowns: Oklahoma 43 - Opponents 11
- Third down conversion percentage: Oklahoma 43% - Opponents 28%
Much will be made of the two big defeats, the loss of some great defensive players, and the worry all year that a meltdown is just waiting to happen like the ones against Oklahoma State in 2002 and 2003 and against the Wildcats last year. However, don't be shocked if the 2004 team doesn't put it all together and be the best team Bob Stoops has ever coached.
As hard as it may seem to fathom, the offense should be better than ever with ten starters back from the juggernaut that averaged 42.9 points per game. The running game will be even better with star recruit Adrian Peterson joining the mix, while the passing attack is injury-proof with three great backups behind Heisman winning quarterback Jason White and too many talented receivers to use. The defense might be without major award winners Tommie Harris, Teddy Lehman and Derrick Strait, but this is Oklahoma; reloading isn't a problem. Yeah your hearts have been broken over the last few years Sooner fans, but you can book those tickets to Miami in January if everything comes together as expected.
The Schedule: OU has a few landmines on the way to a possible third straight trip to the Big XII title, and a second straight shot at the national title, with three road games (Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M) to worry about. Getting Nebraska isn't a peach. Three bowl teams, Bowling Green, Houston and Oregon, are on the non-conference slate, but none of them will give the Sooners a problem.
Best Offensive Player: Senior WR Mark Clayton. Oklahoma only returns the 2003 Heisman trophy winner, but Jason White isn't the team's best offensive player. Clayton was unstoppable last year turning into the most dangerous receiver in the nation when he got the ball in stride while also destroying secondaries with his deep play ability.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Dan Cody. There are about five players that could be called OU's best defensive player, but Cody will be the star on the line that does the most damage getting to the quarterback early and often. This is the year he should make the next step up and become everyone's All-American.
Key players to a successful season: The defensive line is nasty, the secondary is as good as ever, and Lance Mitchell is one of the best middle linebackers in America. Gayron Allen was good last year, and now he's going to need to be even better on the weakside, while Clint Ingram and Demarrio Pleasant need to be rocks on the strongside. With Teddy Lehman gone, the outside linebacker have to rock for the defense to be as good as last year.
The season will be a success if ... the Sooners win the national title. This team is way too good to expect anything less. Yes, luck needs to play a part to just get to the championship, much less win it, but this it the type of team that can make its own breaks.
Key game: Oct. 9 vs. Texas. This is possibly the only game on the Texas schedule that the Longhorns won't be double-digit favorites. With a revenge game coming up the following week at Kansas State, every ounce of Oklahoma focus has to remain on the Red River Rivalry.
2003 Fun Stats:
- First half scoring: Oklahoma 365 - Opponents 94
- Passing touchdowns: Oklahoma 43 - Opponents 11
- Third down conversion percentage: Oklahoma 43% - Opponents 28%
