The Oklahoma Sooners are always fighting perception. For good or bad, it's a program shaped by how it's perceived at the beginning of the season, and in 2016 that means living up to some pretty high expectations based on a potentially great offense and a coach who seemed to have a resurgence last year after a disappointing 2014 campaign.
What's interesting about the Sooners is that no matter the conversation about the team, eventually the discussion works its way back around to Bob Stoops. And why shouldn't it? 17 seasons into a coaching job that he started as a wide-eyed 38 year old, there are few college football programs that exist in tandem with their head coach the way that the Sooners and Stoops do.
That can be both good and bad, especially for Stoops. On one hand, he's got permanent job security. On the other hand, he totally doesn't, especially if his better teams don't start contending for spots in the College Football Playoffs. It's a familiar kind of coaching paradox that lets coaches know that they're loved and respected, but only as far as their own reputations can carry them. 2000, when the Oklahoma Sooners last won the National Championship, is even longer away for Sooners fans than it is for everyone else, as is 2004, the last time that they lost less than two games in a season.
On the bright side, this might be the most talented team that Bob Stoops has had in a long time. Sports Illustrated has them ranked sixth in the country, based largely on some lofty expectations for their quarterback and running backs. It'll be up to Stoops and company to prove that their 11-2 2015 campaign wasn't a fluke, and as they gear up for the football season, here are some of the biggest storylines coming out of fall camp in Norman, Oklahoma.
Who is Baker Mayfield going to throw to?
Mayfield was unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the country last season. Ranking third in quarterback rating nationally, he also added 3700 yards of passing and 36 touchdowns. Wideout Dede Westbrook returns, but the loss of Sterling Shepard and his 1288 receiving yards is a significant one.
The Sooners added Penn State graduate transfer Geno Lewis, and Stoops is a pretty big fan:
“We may have missed that (in the spring),” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He (Lewis) was getting comfortable with everything, and you only have 15 practices and the spring game. He’s been impressive. Through the summer, he’s been able to get more comfortable with what we’re doing. … Again, you can see he’s a guy that’s been out there in the fire.”
Can the running backs live up to the hype?
Samaje Perine had a "down" year in 2015, which is a statement that really only makes sense in light of the 1700 yards he accumulated in 2014. He still accounted for over 1300 yards rushing in 2015 (at nearly six yards per carry), and while he's been hot and cold his entire career, his hot might be hotter than anyone else in the country.
Perine, of course, is only half the story. Fellow running back Joe Mixon might be even better than Perine, but he also was suspended from the team in 2014 for punching a female student in a bar (the legal issues surrounding incident are still ongoing, and the video of the assault still has not been released). Frankly, I don't believe that he should be playing college football for the Oklahoma Sooners either this year or any other, but Stoops felt that Mixon was deserving of a second chance. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, for his part, thinks that Mixon is making great strides in the offseason:
Riley said Mixon has been especially helpful mentoring young players, mentioning freshman running back Abdul Adams specifically.
“I think Joe will be a team captain one day,” Riley said. “He acts like one right now. He's obviously a really, really good football player, and we think his best ball is definitely ahead of him.”
Quelle surprise. I give Bob Stoops credit for bringing in sexual assault survivor Brenda Tracy to speak to the team, but actions speak louder than words, and the fact that Mixon is suddenly potential captain material in the eyes of Riley says a lot.
All eyes on Lincoln
Speaking of, Lincoln Riley is credited for the drastic offensive turnaround that the Sooners showed in 2015. Here's an incredibly timely stat from ESPN:
21 days: Oklahoma (@OU_Football) had an FBS-best scoring margin of 21.5 points per game in 2015 #CountdownToKickoff pic.twitter.com/xsvbfSO8HX
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 11, 2016
The 32 year old, despite his claims to the contrary, might not be long for Norman if the Sooners can replicate their offensive success from last season.
Who can step up on defense?
Defensive back Zach Sanchez (seven interceptions) and linebacker Dominique Alexander (104 tackles) are both gone to the land of wind and ghosts, so while the Sooners return some significant talent, it'll be interesting to see who steps up, particularly in their linebacking corps.
The good news is that return key defensive backs Jordan Thomas and Steven Parker, but depth will likely be an issue throughout the defense. It will be interesting to see how Stoops and company juggle their roster in the event of any major injuries. To that end, junior Michiah Quick has moved from wide receiver to defensive back with the hopes that he'll shore up that position.
What will be the record after the first four games?
If Oklahoma is going to compete for a national championship this season, they're going to know by October 1st. Aside from the huge game at home against the Buckeyes, Oklahoma also begins the season against a resurgent Houston squad coached by my friend and yours, Tom Herman. That's going to be a difficult game against a potentially top-tier offense, and if the Sooners get through that game unscathed, they're rewarded with a game against the ULM Warhawks (a team that exists) and a week off.
But then comes the game against Ohio State, and right afterwards they have to travel to Fort Worth to play TCU. Assuming ULM doesn't lure them into any bear traps before the game, that's one safe win out of four. That's it. As talented as Oklahoma is, as good as their quarterback can be, as amazing as Perine has been, you're still looking at a team that could be 4-0 just as easily as they could be 1-3 come the 1st of October.
Oh, and after that is the rivalry game against Texas. No pressure.
And those are the stakes for Bob Stoops and the Sooners. It is an immensely talented team with some internal difficulties that must be worked out before the season starts, or the gigantic expectations that fans have placed on the team will become the stone that drags them down to another disappointing finish to their season.
