The move was a bombshell, but will it truly hurt the Oklahoma Sooners? The OU program said goodbye to one of its legendary coaches, as Bob Stoops stepped down in what was his own personal decision. Stoops said he valued his quality of life and wanted to be protective of his health, but the decision was not made out of any alarm with his health – Stoops was in perfectly fine condition and was not compromised in any real way. The responsibility for the program now changes to Lincoln Riley, the team’s offensive coordinator the past few seasons. Everyone is waiting to see how Riley handles the pressure of being the new sheriff in town.
How Did They End 2016
The Sooners started 2016 by getting roughed up against Houston and Ohio State. They were immediately eliminated from the College Football Playoff competition. However, they finished with a flourish, becoming the first team since the Big 12 adopted a nine-game conference schedule (this decade) to go 9-0 in the league. Oklahoma blasted West Virginia in a snowstorm and then handled Oklahoma State at home to win the Big 12 championship and get a berth in the Sugar Bowl. The Sooners went down to New Orleans and hammered Auburn in that Sugar Bowl game to complete an 11-2 season. The Sooners have won consecutive Big 12 championships after going multiple years without one. Now, though, a new leader will have to keep the momentum rolling, as the next segment will explain:
Offseason Changes
Bob Stoops won a national championship and a truckload of Big 12 championships in his time in Norman. He became a college football legend, and his ability to overcome four straight years without a Big 12 title (2011 through 2014) by winning back-to-back league championships in 2015 and 2016 reminded everyone in college football how much of a survivor he was and is. Lincoln Riley comes into the head coach’s chair knowing that his Oklahoma offense will be missing running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon from last season. Perine was a dependable between-the-tackles power runner, and Mixon was great as a change of pace back, often catching passes out of the backfield. Oklahoma will likely need a committee approach to even begin to come close to replacing the production lost in the backfield.
Team X-Factor
Second, third and fourth wide receivers. With no run game, quarterback Baker Mayfield will need help. He will throw a lot of passes this season, but the key with a pass-heavy offense is that short passes can be a lot like running plays. Oklahoma will need to work on its bubble screen and short passing game so that defenses don’t settle in and expect deep throws every time Mayfield goes back to pass.
What To Expect From The Sooners This Year
The Sooners will be missing a few important pieces, but they were easily the best team in the Big 12 a year ago, and they own archrival Oklahoma State. The Cowboys could upset the Sooners and win the Big 12, but history suggests the Sooners will retain ownership of the league.
Record Last 5 Seasons
2016: 11-2
2015: 11-2
2014: 8-5
2013: 11-2
2012: 10-3
Schedule & Outlook
Oklahoma gets a cupcake to start the season versus UTEP before heading to Ohio State for a titanic tilt in Week 2. From there, they should get three wins until they get to the Red River Rivalry.
What’s bad for the Sooners is that most of their tough games – Ohio State, Kansas State and Oklahoma State – are all on the road. We know that the Sooners are hard to beat in Norman but are much more vulnerable on the road.
Since the Big 12 has a championship game this year, Oklahoma will probably be in it, meaning the Sooners will get an extra chance to win a tenth game before the bowls. The real question here is whether you believe in Lincoln Riley. If you feel like this team won’t miss a beat, then you’re likely betting the over. 10 wins is doable for a team this talented with a quarterback like Mayfield. If you feel that there is a drop-off or transition period under Riley, then you’re definitely betting the under.
Regular Season Win Total Prediction: Over 9.5
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