Oklahoma Sooners 2008 Football Preview

I wanted to get this in before the start of the season for Sooners football. Here's the schedule for 2008:

August 30: Chattanooga
September 6: Cincinnati
September 13: @ Washington
September 20: Bye
September 27: TCU
October 4: @ Baylor
October 11: Texas in Dallas
October 18: Kansas
October 25: @ Kansas State
November 1: Nebraska
November 8: @ Texas A&M
November 15: Bye
November 22: Texas Tech
November 29: @ Oklahoma State

The Sooners are coming off a season in which they lost to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. It was their fourth consecutive BCS Bowl loss. But expectations are still high in Norman for 2008.

Sophmore Sam Bradford is returning after leading the nation in pass efficiency a year ago. He had some growing pains in the new offense during the spring, but improved over time. Joey Halzle will backup Bradford again. DeMarco Murray, another sophmore, showed what he was capable of last year until an injury derailed his season in which he missed the bowl game. Chris Brown provides depth behind him.

Malcolm Kelly is now gone at receiver, but that doesn't mean the Sooners can't replace him. Juaquin Iglesias is returning and is a deep threat. Manuel Johnson was a solid third receiver last year, and coaches expect him to have a good year. Quentin Chaney will see time, and the rest of the group is inexperienced. Tight end Jermaine Gresham is being looked upon to produce at that position this year.

The offensive line returns fully intact which is led by senior guard Duke Robinson, who is already projected to be a first round pick at the next level. LT Phil Loadholt could also be a top pick at the next level, and this unit should have no trouble protecting Bradford as well as opening up the ground game.

The defense took some hits in the offseason with linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive back Reggie Smith leaving. The good news is that they return one of the nation's best defensive lines.

Pass-rush specialist Auston English, who led the team with 9.5 sacks last year, returns at defensive end. The strength is in the middle with DeMarcus Granger and Gerald McCoy causing havoc for ball carriers and quarterbacks. Jeremy Beal starts at the other end spot. Tackle Cory Bennett and end John Williams provide depth to the unit.

The biggest question mark is at linebacker. Ryan Reynolds is the only returning starter, and he's had an injury-riddled career for the Sooners. JC transfer Mike Balogun could develop nicely, and it appears Keenan Clayton will take over at the strongside position. Look for freshman Travis Lewis to challenge for playing time.

The secondary is a concern, but safety Nic Harris could be an All-American by season's end. Lendy Holmes also mans the other safety spot. Both corners will have new starters, and Brian Jackson along with Dominique Franks appear to take over. Look for redshirt freshman Jamell Fleming and sophmore Jonathan Jackson to see action, too.

The special teams unit's only concern is in the kicking game with freshman Jimmy Stevens starting. Mike Knall returns to do the punting duties. The Sooners led the nation in kickoff returns last year, and both Iglesias and Murray are back to handle those duties again.

Bob Stoops is now in his 10th year as coach for the program, and has received a bit of criticism the last few years for their bowl game performances. Nonetheless, Stoops is one of the top head coaches in the nation, and will always field a competitive program in Norman as long as he's around. Kevin Wilson returns to call the offensive plays and Brent Venables is back as defensive coordinator.

Schedule road blocks

Texas: The Red River Shootout is one of college football's best rivalries, and it's certainly no lock for the Sooners to win this game as it appears they have the edge.

Texas A&M: Some may wonder why I put this here considering that the Aggies are a program in transition with new coach Mike Sherman. However, this is one place that Stoops' teams have struggled at with narrow wins in 2000, 2004, and 2006. They lost there in 2002. I expect this one to be a tough one for the Sooners.

Texas Tech: Oklahoma has always played well at home, and will be looking to avenge last year's loss in Lubbock. The Red Raiders return a loaded team, and will be looking to win in Norman for the first time under Mike Leach. It's interesting to note that both programs have a bye week on November 15, so both will have ample time to prepare gameplans against one another.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys are on the verge of a breakthrough season, and the Bedlam Series could be what decides whether the Sooners go after the Big 12 Title and contend for the national title. Oklahoma State has made great strides, and they're recruiting much better talent in recent years. Sooners fans shouldn't sleep on this one.

Kansas could be a problem for the Sooners at home as well as Washington on the road. As we learned last year, no one is safe from being upset.

Outlook

Oklahoma's offense should be fine with plenty of talent and experience returning. The defense will have to lean more on the defensive line with concerns in the back seven. The Sooners schedule is favorable enough for them to make another run at a BCS Title, but they need to do a better job of finishing what they've started in terms of winning their bowl game. As long as the defense can hold up enough for the powerful offense, I see no reason for the Sooners to not make another run at a BCS Title. Should the defense not come around, the Sooners could end up falling in the Big 12 South division.

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