In my rough drafts, I had Oklahoma ranked everywhere from 3 to 7. I couldnt put them in the top 2, I couldnt rank them behind LSU or Penn State, and I just ultimately decided to put them 5th. Heres the truth about Oklahoma. Are they a good team? Yes, they are. As much as I talk shit about Oklahoma, the fact of the matter is, they are good. Are they at the same time overrated? Yes. They have been overrated every year of the past 8 years in fact. The only year in our lifetime they weren't overrated was SGB's 2nd year, the year 2000 where they went undefeated and won the championship. Can they beat 99% of teams on raw talent alone? Yes. But were not talking about 99% of the teams. Now we are at the point where we are in the top 1% of teams (top 4% if you wanna get technical, but you get my drift). They will NOT win against Florida, USC, or Texas by simply showing up the way they can beat Iowa State by simply showing up.
I can not understand the love affair that the media has with Oklahoma. I want to compare Oklahoma and Ohio State. Now, Ohio State is also adored by the media, but last year, there was a huge out-lash against the Buckeyes, and for the whole Big10, because Ohio State lost two straight title games. They didn't view it as an accomplishment that Ohio State made the title two years in a row, but rather as a negative thing that they were 0-2. Whatever, that is fine, Florida and LSU were both better than Ohio State in those title games and deserved to win. However......once Ohio State lost to USC last year, their season was OVER. Even if they had beaten Penn State, who was undefeated at the time...they would have no chance of getting back into the title game. Oklahoma, on the other hand, of course did have a second chance. They lost to a 11-1 Texas team, somehow jumped them, and didn't have their season ruined by losing a game. How come the second that Oklahoma lost to Texas, the media didnt write them off for the entire season?
I won't argue that Ohio State played as tough of a schedule as Oklahoma did, because they didn't. However, Ohio State was partially written off because of a head to head loss to another contender (USC). Oklahoma was in the same boat.. they lost to Texas. Why did it become even remotely possible that Oklahoma could jump Texas?
And beyond that, what really aggravates me, is that Oklahoma is 0-5 in their last 5 BCS games, yet no one says one thing about that, or punishes them for that record. Ohio State is 3-3 in their last 6 BCS games, which includes a BCS championship. Yet, there is this consensus that if Ohio State loses, they are punished even more so because they lost 2 title games in a row, but if Oklahoma loses, its okay, even though they have lost 5 BCS games in a row, and oh by the way, are now 0-3 in their last 3 title games -- one of them the biggest blow out of the decade, 55-19 to USC.
Since 2000, Oklahoma is 102-18. They have one national title. They have 5 Big12 championships. They have 7 BCS bowl appearances, and are 2-5. Overall, they are 1-3 in the title game.
Since 2001 (since Tressel took over in 01), they are 85-29. They have one national title. They have 5 Big10 titles. They have 6 BCS bowl appearances, and are 3-3. Overall, they are 1-2 in the title game.
Looks pretty similar right? So why the hell does Oklahoma get a pass over Ohio State? Why is Oklahoma the media's darling? Why can they do no wrong? Why is Small Game Bob known as Big Game Bob? These are the questions that keep me up at night.
And if you know me, you know that I dont like Ohio State either, and this is by no means an endorsement or campaign for them. Its just the facts jack.
After I let some steam off of my chest, lets get back to how they look this year:
OFFENSE:
The offense will not be as productive in 2009 as it was in 08, but I guess there is nowhere to go but down. Heisman winner Sam Bradford returns, and is only a Junior this year - something I think most people forget. I wont rattle off all the stats of him as most of you know them.
In the backfield, Oklahoma returns two 1,000 yard rushers from last year, which is very impressive. Chris Brown rushed for 1220 yards, and DeMarco Murray rushed for 1002 yards. Murray has suffered from a strained hamstring early in camp, and this is the sort of thing that can be a lingering injury. That being said, he played most of 2008 through injuries. THis is real, real solid rushing attack that doesn't get any respect. When people talk about Oklahoma, they talk about Bradford, period. Well, he wouldnt be as good if it weren't for his offensive line (which well talk about in a minute), and his team's ability to run the ball.
In their loss to Texas, the two combined for 14 carries for 35 yards. THat isnt going to get the job done. Murray didnt play in the title game, but Brown rushed for 110 yards. Im telling you, Oklahoma certainly played well enough to win that title game, but SGB was coaching.
Oklahoma loses their main receiver Juaquin Iglesias. They lose their #3 receiver Manny Johnson. Their big man is back - that is TE Jermaine Grisham. The guy is an absolute beast - coming in at 6'6 258. Along with that size, he caught 66 passes for 957 yards and 14 TDs. He is being projected as a top 10 pick in the NFL draft next year. He is like Antonio Gates, only bigger. Its scary.
WR Ryan Broyles is the leading receiver out of the wide receivers, and figures to be the #1 guy. He caught 46 passes for 687 yards last year, so he has some experience. The receiving corps does not figure to be as talented as last year, and new faces will need to step in.
The offensive line is nearly all gone. All that returns is Trent Williams. He is good, and is projected to be a first round draft pick, but it can't be just him. There figures to be a freshman and a sophomore starting on the line. Now, you figure that if these guys are going to Oklahoma, that they arent scrubs, buttttt, again, were talking the top 1% of teams here. Will they be good enough to protect Bradford from Texas' Defensive Line?
Im just gonna go out on a limb right now and say NO. THe offensive line for Oklahoma last year was incredible. How do you have a heisman winner, and 2 1,000 yard rushers? Well, Oklahoma allowed the 3rd fewest sacks in the nation last year (behind Air Force and Navy who never throw). He got sacked on average less than once per game. He was sacked three time vs Texas, and was hurried all game. He also threw 2 of his 8 ints in this game. So 25% of his sacks came in one game, and 25% of his INTs came in one game. Did he still have a good game? Hell yeah he did, he threw for nearly 400 yards and 5 INTs. BUT, what happened in the Texas game? They lost.
If the offensive line does not work at all, then Oklahoma could lose 3+ games. If it works pretty well, then I still don't see them beating Texas, and even Okie State could provide trouble to them. I don't see it working as well as last year, and overall, I don't see Oklahoma being as good as last year. It seems impossible at this point.
DEFENSE:
That being said, I think the defense will improve. I mean, it seems silly to be sitting here, and putting the blame of the Texas loss on the offensive line and how Bradford was sacked a few times, when the team gave up 45 points. The defense finished 58th in the nation in scoring, and 99th in pass defense. THey lose safeties Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes, but return everyone else. The star of the defense is DT Gerald McCoy, who figures to be another 1st round draft pick. MLB Ryan Reynolds went down with an injury last year, in the Texas game, and never fully recovered.
The defense did start playing a little better near the end of the season. Kinda. They still allowed 41 points to Okie State, and limited the Gators to 24 in the title game, but couldn't come up with a big stop when they needed it. FLorida isnt like all the other powderpuff teams in the Big12, in that they were gonna throw and put up 50 points on Oklahoma anyway. When they got the ball in the 4th quarter, ran it down Oklahoma's throat, and drained all the clock....well, that was just as impressive as putting 50 points on a team.
In a nutshell, expect the defense to be better, and the offense to be worse. Can the defense improve enough to make up for any sort of setback the offense comes across? I again say no. I see them losing to Texas, and probably losing in a big upset somewhere along the line. Even if the o-line plays at a good level, it can't play at the same level. This will hurt the running game. This will hurt the passing game - which is already hurt by their two top receivers leaving. And, after all that, you have SGB at the helm.
FINAL:
9/5 BYU (at Cowboy Stadium) ------- Win
9/12 Idaho State ------- Win
9/19 Tulsa ----- Win
10/3 @ Miami ---- Win
10/10 Baylor ---- Win
10/17 Texas (in Dallas) ---- Loss
10/24 @ Kansas ----- Win
10/31 Kansas St ----- Win
11/7 @ Nebraska ---- Win
11/14 Texas A&M ---- Win
11/21 @ Texas Tech ---- Win
11/28 Okie State ---- Win
11-1 (7-1)
Maybe 11-1 will be good enough to get them into the title game again, but I sure hope not. Going to Kansas and Nebraska will not be an easy task at all. The Bedlam game against the Cowboys is always fun, and the Miami game should be interesting as well. Bank on another BCS game for SGB, maybe against Alabama? and another loss.
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