The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a disappointing 8-5 campaign, but hopes are high that the program will return to an elite level in 2010. Head coach Bob Stoops' track record at Oklahoma certainly suggests the Sooners won't be down for long. In fact, Oklahoma is 117-29 in the 11 seasons Stoops has been at the helm. Injuries, specifically the one to quarterback Sam Bradford, played a big part in last year's disappointment. However, they also allowed some of the younger guys to gain valuable experience that will benefit the team in 2010. The experience quarterback Landry Jones gained last season is a big reason why Oklahoma is the favorite to win the Big 12 South. Jones played well in his stint as a starter, throwing for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, and that leads me to believe he'll be even better this season.
Offense: Despite the injury to the Heisman Trophy winner Bradford, the Sooners were still able to average 31.1 points per game. With Jones entering the 2010 season confident after showing well as a rookie, I expect the offense to improve on last year's numbers. Jones will have no shortage of weapons with which to work. Joining him in the backfield is tailback DeMarco Murray. I consider him to be the best running back in the Big 12 because of his versatility. Murray has tallied 4,661 all-purpose yards and 45 scores through his first three seasons. Oklahoma's feature wideout is Ryan Broyles. He is coming off a mammoth season, during which he caught 89 balls for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Defense: Oklahoma does loses some major pieces off a unit that was among the best in the nation a year ago, but there is plenty of reason to believe the Sooners won't miss a beat. The biggest reasons are defensive end Jeremy Beal and linebacker Travis Lewis. These two preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year candidates are two of the best in the league at their respective positions. Beal is an elite edge rusher, coming off an 11-sack season, and Lewis is a dynamic tackler, leading the Sooners in stops each of the past two seasons. With guys like tackle Adrian Taylor and end Frank Alexander joining these two in the front seven, the Sooners will stout where it matters most. All-Big 12-caliber free safety Quinton Carter and top returning interception man Jonathan Nelson lead the secondary.
Prediction: 1st Big 12 South - With Nebraska not on Oklahoma's regular season schedule, and with rival Texas losing irreplaceable weapons like Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley, the Sooners have an excellent opportunity to win the Big 12 South. Stoops has led Oklahoma to a school record 11 straight bowl games. No. 12 is a given this season, and it will likely be another of the BCS variety. College football odds makers have listed Oklahoma as the +225 favorite to win the Big 12 title. Be sure to check out my 2010 Big 12 football predictions to see how I have the rest of the league playing out.
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