Team: OKLAHOMA (2/2)

Top two players

Offense – Adrian Peterson, Paul Thompson

Defense – Dan Cody, Lance Mitchell

 

Vitals

Coach: Bob Stoops
(6th season, 55-11)
2003 record: 12-2
(Lost to LSU in Sugar Bowl)
Big 12 finish: 8-0 (1st South)
'03 I-A Offensive Rankings:
Rush: 65th (146.7 ypg)
Pass: 12th (292.7 ypg)
'03 I-A Defensive Rankings:
Rush: 20th (113.2 ypg)
Pass: 2nd (146.4 ypg)

Website: www.soonersport.com

 

2004 Schedule

9-4-04

BOWLING GREEN

9-11-04

HOUSTON

9-18-04

OREGON

10-2-04

TEXAS TECH

10-9-04

Texas @Dallas, TX

10-16-04

at Kansas State

10-23-04

KANSAS

10-30-04

at Oklahoma State

11-6-04

at Texas A&M

11-13-04

NEBRASKA

11-20-04

at Baylor

Offense

Even if Jason White gets injured, Oklahoma has a stable of wide receivers and three RB’s, including freshman Adrian Peterson, that are more than capable of carrying the load if need be.  To make defenses shit and piss their draws, OU has just about ever lineman returning.  I can hear the tape shred as they change their diapers. 

Defense

If their vulnerable it’s on defense.  They lost T. Lehman, T. Harris, D. Strait, and B. Everage.  OU may not get that strong push up the middle and slow down the pressure on opposing QB’s.  Even with it, you get the feeling OU has reached that period where they reload every year (see Huskers 1990’s).  Add Husker hero Bo Pelini to the staff and watch out. 

 

Versus the Huskers: The Huskers will put up a fight and why not, it’s the best rivalry in college football. It’s in Norman, one of the few places left where all the fans can have a drink before the game, and then party into the night afterward with the utmost respect given to each other.  (Sooner fans bought me shots in ’01 till I hit the floor).  Even with the warm-fuzzies, OU should break out in the second half and win by 17.  Just too much for the talent-depleted Huskers to handle.

 

Final Analysis: Nice schedule.  Tough games at K.St, Oklahoma St. and NU in Norman.  Whether OU fans want to admit it or not OSU has won the last 2 out of 3.  OU is easily my favorite to win the Big 12 Championship.  With all their championship experience I see them winning in January and taking home the crown in a close one over USC, making it two in five years.  This is a sick, loaded team.