#6 Oklahoma Sooners

A Sun Bowl appearance was not what the Oklahoma Sooners had in mind when the 2009 season started. Upon hearing that Sam Bradford would return for his Junior Season, everybody pegged Oklahoma for a Top 5 poll position and thoughts of BCS Championships flooded the Sooner campus. Those hopes were dashed in the 2nd quarter of the 1st game of the season when Bradford was injured. After limping (literally) to the finish line in ’09, Bob Stoops looks to bring glory back to the program.

“Stoops Troops” (as the Sooners are affectionately known) enter 2010 with a lot of optimism. The Bradford injury was the worst thing that could have happened to the team in 2009… but interestingly enough its also Bradford’s injury that allowed backup QB Landry Jones to start 10 games and gain an unrivaled level of confidence and experience. He finished the year with 3,198 yards and 26 TDs including 418 yards and 3 TDs in the Sun Bowl victory over Stanford. He enters this season as the veteran, so to speak, starter.

Joining him on offense will be one of the most underrated and talented RBs in America, Demarco Murray. Murray has had to share time the past 3 years with Chris Brown, but with Brown’s departure to the NFL, Murray has the backfield all to himself. Expect his carries per game to increase to well above 20, after only averaging 13 the last 2 seasons. Always dangerous in both the running and passing game, Murray will have plenty of opportunities to place himself in the All-Big 12 Conference conversation.

Out wide, the Sooners bring back the best slot WR in the nation, Ryan Broyles. Broyles tallied 1,160 yards and 89 receptions, including 15 TDs. He had 6 games over 100 yards. Dejuan Miller, Cameron Kenney, and Brandon Caleb join Broyles in what should make up the best WR unit in the conference. Four of the Sooners 2009 starting offensive linemen also return which should bolster both the running game while consistently giving Jones ample time in the pocket.

Defensively is where the Sooners were far from their usual selves in 2009. This unit will need to make great strides if the team is expected to contend for a Big 12 title, as expected. All-Conference selection Jeremy Beal returns up front to anchor the D-line. The LB crew brings back 3 solid players who all contributed last year: Austin Box, Travis Lewis, and Ronnell Lewis.

The early departure of CB Dominique Franks puts a dent in the defensive backfield as both CBs will be first-time starters. But the return of All-Conference Free Safety Quinton Carter along with Junior Sam Proctor should ease the transition.

Oklahoma should have an advantage in any war of field position due to the return of Tress Way, the 2009 All-Big 12 Punter.

The Sooner schedule is front loaded with one of the toughest 4-game stretches in the country. Facing Florida State, Air Force, Cincinnati, and Texas in Weeks 2 through 5 will really test this squad early. If they make it through that stretch with a strong pulse, then the rest of the Big 12 schedule shapes up nicely.


Key Returning Players:
QB Landry Jones
RB Demarco Murray
WR Ryan Broyles
OT Cory Brandon
DE Jeremy Beal
LB Travis Lewis
FS Quinton Carter
P Tress Way

Key Games:
Sept 11 - Florida State
Sept 25 - @ Cincinnati
Oct 2 - Texas (in Dallas)
Nov 6 - @ Texas A&M
Nov 13 - Texas Tech
Nov 27 - @ Oklahoma State