During the off season I heard many people play the “if only” game when talking about the 2014 Sooner football campaign.
If only Trevor wouldn’t have thrown the pick six’s against Kansas St. and TCU. If only Stoops wouldn’t have re-punted against the pokies. If only Hunnicutt wouldn’t have missed an extra point and a chip shot field goal against K-State.
Why if only 4 or 5 plays go the other way, we would have been 11-1 and going to a Big Six Bowl. We were that close to a great season!
But that’s not the way it works. Great teams make those four or five plays. The Sooners unfortunately haven’t been a great team for several years. Was it all Trevor’s fault? How about Heupel’s play calling? Maybe it was that sieve of a defensive backfield?
Hard to tell. Probably a combination of all three. In the off season Bob Stoops made sure at least two out of those three factors were changed, he hopes for the better. Out goes Heupel and in comes Lincoln Riley, fresh off the Mike Leach coaching tree and the air raid offense. And to run that offense, Baker Mayfield, former Texas Tech walk on, now Oklahoma starting quarterback.
After being tantalized by the mobile read option QB of Johnny Manziel fame, Stoops is going back to what won him a National Title 15 long years ago. Spread it out and sling the ball all over the field.
After being tantalized by the mobile read option QB of Johnny Manziel fame, Stoops is going back to what won him a National Title 15 long years ago. Spread it out and sling the ball all over the field.
After being tantalized by the mobile read option QB of Johnny Manziel fame, Stoops is going back to what won him a National Title 15 long years ago. Spread it out and sling the ball all over the field.
I just hope that Riley realizes what he has in the back field. Perine, Ross and Mixon stack up with any backfield in the nation. He needs to get them the ball and let them make plays.
As for the defense, we might have the strongest linebacking corp we’ve had in the past six or seven years. But that doesn’t do much good if your DB’s can’t cover or your D-line can’t get to the QB.
That along with an inexperienced offensive line leave this year’s Sooner team with more questions than answers right now.
Let’s hope those answers come early this year. Soon enough OU will make a trip to Knoxville and 102,000 screaming Volunteer fans.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. First up, the fighting Akron Zips. Look, I could tell you that OU had better be ready for the Zips. After all they did beat a Power 5 conference team last year in the form of the Pitt Panthers.
And head coach Terry Bowden is no stranger to coaching against big time programs having been the head man at Auburn in his younger days. But the Sooners should have no problem with the Zippies. And if they do, well that trip to Knoxville and beyond will look all the more foreboding.
So the Worry Meter is only at 5% this week. Let’s get through this one with no injuries and get ready for old Rocky Top. With all that being said….BOOMER!!!
P.S. The Sooner family lost a great Lady this off season. Shirley Malone was one of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Always kind and considerate of everyone around her. She was the matriarch of our tailgate and looked out for everyone.
Always making sure everyone was being fed and having a good time. Right down to the parking lot attendants whom she made sure were delivered her wonderful egg and bacon sandwiches early in the morning before rooster kick offs. She defined charm and grace. It won’t be the same without her. We will miss her always.
-Dave
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