Capel’s Sooners Gettin’ Some Respect

I know it’s almost football season, and way too early to talk about basketball rankings, but what else are we going to discuss between now and two-a-days. There is good reason for us to get a little excited about some roundball.

Alot of people like to say they are OU fans, but what they really mean is that they are OU football fans. However, there are still some true OU fans out there, and they get just as excited about basketball as they do football. So, lets talk about Jeff Capel’s ‘08-’09 squad.

Rivals.com has come out with it’s updated Top 25 for next season. Oklahoma is getting plenty of respect from writers Bob McClellan and Andrew Skwara, who have the Sooners ranked at number seven.

With Blake Griffin coming back, and the addition of Willie Warren, the Sooners could have the best duo in the Big 12. The forgotten man on this team is UCLA transfer Ryan Wright, who was one of the top recruits to ever come out of Canada. At times last year, Tony Crocker showed that he can be one of the best scorers in the conference.

Here is how Rivals ranked the top 10:

1. North Carolina

2. UConn

3. Pitt

4. Purdue

5. Notre Dame

6. Duke

7. Oklahoma

8. Louisville

9. UCLA

10. Tennessee

Big 12 Offensive Rankings

I found it tough to rank the best offenses in the conference mainly because the talent at quarterback is so deep. Most of last season’s top offenses will return the majority of their key players.

At first glance, my number one pick may look like a homer pick. However, there is a strong basis for my choice. Although they may be equal at quarterback, Oklahoma holds an edge over Missouri simply because they have the best line in the country.

At running back, DeMarco Murray is better than anybody Missouri or Texas Tech will hand the ball off to. The fact that Mike Leach refuses to run the ball, even when trying to run out the clock, keeps Tech from taking the top spot. 

Both the Tigers and Red Raiders hold an advantage at receiver, but the gap between them and the Sooners is not as wide as the advantage Oklahoma holds at o-line and running back.

Every team with the exception of Iowa State could have an argument to be in the top half of the rankings.

Here is how my rankings of the Big 12 offenses shake out.

1. Oklahoma

2. Missouri

3. Texas Tech

4. Kansas

5. Oklahoma State

6. Texas

7. Texas A&M

8. Colorado

9. Nebraska

10. Baylor

11. Kansas State

12. Iowa State

Big 12 Rankings

Since there is not much to write about until August, I just thought that we could have a little fun talking about Big 12 rankings. This week we’re talking about overall team power rankings. Next week we will rank the offenses, and the defenses will be the following week. Here are my rankings, and after I hear from some of you I will adjust them according to your collected wisdom. I feel like the bottom four is really a toss-up, so feel free to correct me.

 

 

 

 

1. Oklahoma

2. Texas

3. Missouri

4. Texas Tech

5. Kansas

6. Oklahoma State

7. K-State

8. Texas A&M

9. Nebraska

10. Colorado

11. Baylor

12. Iowa State

Can Sam Win Heisman?

In 2007 Sam Bradford had one of the best freshman campaigns for a quarterback in college football history. Bradford threw 36 touchdown passes, breaking the old freshman record of 29. He was also amazingly accurate with a 69.5 completion percentage, while throwing for 3,121 yards and only giving up eight interceptions. The Freshman also led the nation with a 176.5 QB rating.

With a new no-huddle offense being implemented in hopes of creating more offensive plays per game, Bradford will be given the opportunity to surpass last years numbers. The addition of a healthy DeMarco Murray in the backfield will give him a dangerous option to throw to out of the back field.

The competition for footballs most highly touted individual award will be stiff. Last years winner, QB Tim Tebow will return for another season in Florida. Missouri QB Chase Daniel, who finished fourth in the the Heisman race last season, is also back.

My top five Heisman candidates are:

1. QB Tim Tebow (Florida) – Being the defending champion could be both a positive and a negative.

2. QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) – A year under his belt, and no-huddle offense will help.

3. QB Pat White (West Virginia) – Big play maker will make weekly highlight reels.

4. QB Chase Daniel (Missouri) – Not playing Oklahoma in the regular season will help.

5. RB Chris Wells (Ohio State) – Will be the focus of the Buckeye offense.

 

 

 

2008 Preview: Sooners Looking To End BCS Blues

Not too many coach’s in the country can win a second straight conference title and still have to answer to disappointed fans. Such was the case for Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops after a blow-out loss to West Virginia in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. Once known as “Big Game Bob” because of his record in big games, Stoops has now come up short in each of his last four BCS appearances. It’s not that the fans don’t appreciate the five conference championships the Sooner’s have won since Stoops arrived in 1999. It’s just that in Norman, coach’s are judged by how many national titles they have won, not how many they have lost.

The 2008 Sooner’s may be more equipped to win the programs eighth national title than any team under Stoops since 2000. The main reason being quarterback Sam Bradford. In 2007 the red shirt freshman played more like a sixth year senior. Bradford ended the season as the nations leader in passing efficiency ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, and set a new record for touchdown passes by a freshman with 36. Bradford will have to adjust to the new no huddle offense implemented by offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. In the spring, the sophomore had some trouble with interceptions in the new system. If there is any improvement from his freshman year, a Heisman Trophy and national championship won‘t be out of the question.

Bradford’s favorite target, Juaquin Iglesias, returns after a breakout season in ‘07. Iglesias finished the season with 68 catches and five touchdowns, and emerged as the go-to guy for the Sooner offense. Senior receiver Quentin Chaney also returns after a nice showing in the Fiesta Bowl loss with 4 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Sooner’s will also display one of the best athletes in the country in Jermaine Gresham. The 6’-6” 250lb tight end was third on the team a year ago in both catches (37) and receiving yards (518), and his 11 touchdowns prove that he is always a big play threat. The passing attack will undoubtedly get a nice boost from red shirt freshman Ryan Broyles, who was very impressive in the spring. The Sooner’s will also be adding two of the top wide-out recruits in the country in Josh Jarboe from Decatur, GA and Jameel Owens of Muskogee, OK.

Sooner fans are very excited to see RB DeMarco Murray get the bulk of the carries in what should be a very potent rushing attack. Despite having his season cut short with a dislocated knee cap, and playing backup to Allen Patrick, Murray was still able to collect 764 yards and a team high 13 touchdowns. The sophomore is already drawing comparisons to Reggie Bush, thanks in part to his two kickoff returns for touchdowns, blazing speed, and the versatility to lineup as a wide-receiver. As is always the case under Stoops, the Sooner’s have plenty of depth at the running back position. Chris Brown returns after rushing for 611 yards on 158 carries while playing third string for most of last season. One of last years top high school running backs from the state of Texas, Jermie Calhoun will also be looking to make an impact.

Despite all the talent in the back field, the most impressive unit for the Sooner’s is the offensive line. All five starters return along with two top backups. Though all five of the seniors starting on the line are solid, the left side is especially stout. Both Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson, who weigh a combined 680lbs, are already NFL caliber blockers. There’s no doubt the Sooner’s could have the best o-line in the country.

The strength of the defense will definitely be up front. Tackle Gerald McCoy is a possible First Team All-American and already has the attention of NFL scouts who are impressed with his combination of strength and speed. DE Auston English was impressive in ‘07 with his 9.5 sacks. His unique athletic ability makes up for what he lacks in size and also has NFL scouts paying attention. When you throw in Tackle DeMarcus Granger, the Sooner’s should have one of the best d-lines in the country.

With the departure of LB Curtis Lofton, the strength of the linebackers may depend on the health of Ryan Reynolds, who has battled both bad luck and injuries throughout his career at Oklahoma. When healthy, Reynolds is an All-Big 12 caliber performer. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables is hoping some of the other linebackers find a way to make a positive impact. There are several qualified candidates that could step in and do the job. It could be junior college transfer Mike Balogun, but coach’s hope junior Keenan Clayton finally realizes his potential. There is also plenty of excitement surrounding red shirt freshman, and Enid, OK native Austin Box.

Going into the spring, the secondary had some question marks thanks to the early departure of Reggie Smith. By the end of the Red-White game, most of those concerns were put to rest. Venables will not have to worry about safety Nic Harris. Harris, who had 74 tackles last year, will be up for several national accolades and could be the best safety in the Big 12. Juco transfer David Sims made a big impression on coach’s and should contribute at one of the safety positions. Sophomore Dominique Franks emerged as a shut down corner in the spring, intercepting Bradford twice in the annual Red-White game. The other corner will be manned by senior Lendy Holmes. Holmes was solid last season while picking off three passes and returning one 63 yards for a touchdown against Texas Tech. The former wide receiver also had eight tackles in each of the final three games.

The Sooner’s have a favorable schedule in ‘08. They get Texas Tech and Kansas at home, and won’t have to play Missouri unless they meet for the conference title. Their toughest road game will be in Stillwater against Mike ‘I’m a man’ Gundy and his Oklahoma State Cowboys. Once again the swing game will come in October in the Red River Shootout against Texas, with the winner having the inside track to the Big 12 South championship. If Bradford avoids a sophomore slump, and the secondary continues to show the promise shown in the spring, the sky is the limit for this team. Perhaps the only thing standing between Oklahoma and their eighth national championship would be another no-show in the Orange Bowl.