2011 Review:
In 2011 the Oklahoma Sooners were picked by many to win the BCS Championship. The Sooners still had a solid season in 2011, as there is nothing wrong with ten wins, however once again the Sooners lost games they should have won. Oklahoma was plagued with injuries last season which certainly inhibited them, Oklahoma just got outperformed on a few occasions, something that OU desperately needs to remedy in 2012.
Oklahoma 2012 Offense:
Landry Jones is once again under center for the Sooners in 2012, which is good news for Sooner fans. Jones had has his struggled in the past, especially on the road, but at the present time there isn't anyone else on the roster capable of running this offense as well as Jones. Blake Bell aka the “Belldozer†provides a nice spark in short yardage positions from the quarterback spot, but Bell doesn’t have the experience or understanding of this offense like Jones does.
The Sooner backfield is stacked this season, and leading the charge for OU is Dominique Whaley. Whaley was a nice surprise for Stoops and company last season as Whaley stepped into the starting role as a walk on. Whaley was strong last season, however a late season injury put the OU back on the sidelines. Behind Whaley in the backfield is Roy Finch and Brennan Clay. It is safe to say that Clay has had a somewhat disappointing career at OU, but Finch has been a solid number two and is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.
The wide receiver corps took a huge hit this off season when Ryan Broyles graduated and was drafted by the Lions, but OU does return one of the top wide outs in the nation in Kenny Stills. Stills finished last season with just under 850 yards receiving, and with Stills now being the focus of the attention those numbers should go up from 2011. Jaz Reynolds is also solid at wide out for the Sooners, and should provide nice depth.
Oklahoma's offensive line is solid again in 2012 with four returning starters from a season ago. Gabe Ikard returns for the Sooners as an all conference performer last season, and should anchor this group. Also look for center Ben Habern to have a good season for the Sooners. This group is under tremendous pressure as the Sooners run an incredibly fast offense, but the returning experience will be huge for OU.
Oklahoma 2012 Defense:
Oklahoma brought back Mike Stoops after the 2011 season as the new defensive coordinator to replace Brent Venables. Stoops led the Sooner defense in their national championship year of 2000, and Oklahoma is hoping that bringing back Stoops will put a spark back into this defensive unit.
The Sooner defensive line is once again solid in 2012, despite the loss of Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis. Jamarkus McFarland is one of the top interior linemen in the conference this season and with the added talents of Casey Walker and David King, the Sooners should have one of the best, if not the best defensive fronts in the entire Big 12 conference.
The linebacking unit for the Sooners also took a hit this off season, but as the Sooners do, Oklahoma just reloaded again in 2012. Leading this unit is Tom Wort who finished last season with 71 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Corey Nelson should also provide a huge spark for the Sooners in 2012.
The secondary for the Sooners was an issue last season as the Sooners were ranked 88thin the nation in pass defense. Oklahoma will move Aaron Colvin over to corner from safety, which should provide some much needed experience at a position of concern for this defense. Safety Tony Jefferson moves to the safety position from linebacker this season. Jefferson was outstanding for the Sooners in 2011 as the now safety finished last year with 74 tackles and four interceptions.
2012 Outlook:
The Oklahoma Sooners have some of the top talent once again in 2012, it all depends on whether the Sooners can put together a complete season and avoid a letdown at some point in the year. Oklahoma has some new opponents in the Big 12 this season in TCU and West Virginia, and playing both of them on the road will provide a challenge. The biggest stumbling block for the Sooners this season looks to be their annual rivalry game with the Longhorns, and even though the game is in Norman and the Cowboys aren't as strong as last season, Bedlam is always a challenge.
I am predicting a 11-1 season for the Sooners in 2012.
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