Here's my list of things we need to improve on or at least maintain

[K2C Sooner]

First the maintain:
The offensive line. We must have a resemblance of last years unit that opened the holes for Perine. I think this will be the key to the season. One thing that should help youngsters is the new offensive scheme in the hurry up, where the ball should leave the QB's hand a lot quicker.

The kicking game. We were weak in punt returns but we kicked butt with our kick off returns and field goal kicking. I know Hunnicutt faltered, but he was a great kicker. Hodgsen is back so deep kickoffs should be the norm.

Need improvement:

This one might surprise you but I'm going with coaching decisions as my first. It's nearly unforgiveable to give the OSU returner a second chance that lost the game. I think we went to conservative on the 4th down play that lost the TCU game, or at least gave us a chance to win. The Baylor debacle was on the defensive backs coach that couldn't adjust in the second half.

Quarterback play. No reason to beat a dead horse. I think we will find the right one. Bob has had a Heisman, runner up Heisman and a record breaker in his tenure. I trust he'll make the right decision.

Last....attitude. It was obvious the team didn't have a game face for the Clemson game. Some may blame coaching, but I blame the individual players that doesn't have enough pride to let something like that happen. Brian Bosworth fought to the end against Miami.

Well, what do you think? Am I off? Add or subtract................

 

[Soonersincefitty]

I have no idea what Lincoln Riley has in mind, but I do hope he plays to our strengths...like utilizing the one two punch of Perine and Mixon.
Now, if we can produce a passing game, great, bring it.
I just hope he doesn't get hung up to our detriment trying to create his grand vision as he sees it.
You have to maximize the resources you have, not what you wish you had..

 

[K2C Sooner]

I have no idea what Lincoln Riley has in mind, but I do hope he plays to our strengths...like utilizing the one two punch of Perine and Mixon.
Now, if we can produce a passing game, great, bring it.
I just hope he doesn't get hung up to our detriment trying to create his grand vision as he sees it.
You have to maximize the resources you have, not what you wish we had.

I read on another site today where a coach said we have as many weapons on offense as we have ever had during the Stoops regime. I also read where Striker is NOT going to be used in pass coverage. He will go back to pass rushing. Who knows....just passing it on.

Edit: As far as Mixon is concerned. I'll wait to see the product on the field, just like I did Perine last year. Hope your right.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Mmm, that's good news about Striker.
I want him to lay his ears back every down like a hungry honey badger.

(see Bama Sugar Bowl)

 

[CTOkie]

First the maintain:
The offensive line. We must have a resemblance of last years unit that opened the holes for Perine. I think this will be the key to the season. One thing that should help youngsters is the new offensive scheme in the hurry up, where the ball should leave the QB's hand a lot quicker.

The kicking game. We were weak in punt returns but we kicked butt with our kick off returns and field goal kicking. I know Hunnicutt faltered, but he was a great kicker. Hodgsen is back so deep kickoffs should be the norm.

Need improvement:

This one might surprise you but I'm going with coaching decisions as my first. It's nearly unforgiveable to give the OSU returner a second chance that lost the game. I think we went to conservative on the 4th down play that lost the TCU game, or at least gave us a chance to win. The Baylor debacle was on the defensive backs coach that couldn't adjust in the second half.

Quarterback play. No reason to beat a dead horse. I think we will find the right one. Bob has had a Heisman, runner up Heisman and a record breaker in his tenure. I trust he'll make the right decision.

Last....attitude. It was obvious the team didn't have a game face for the Clemson game. Some may blame coaching, but I blame the individual players that doesn't have enough pride to let something like that happen. Brian Bosworth fought to the end against Miami.

Well, what do you think? Am I off? Add or subtract................

IMPROVE ON:
Coaching.....
Recruit BOTH the character and ability of recruits ("recruit" the parents/parent of each player. If the coaches don't like what they see from the parents/parent, don't recruit the player). Once these players are at OU, employ a zero tolerance set of rules....impose curfews, establish a pecking order that's fair and firm. There is only a 25 player limit on recruiting each year and no room for "bad apples"....injuries, academics and inadequate performance take enough of a toll without players acting like animals.
Game preparations (no more Baylor and Clemson debacles....neither team should have been 34 points better than OU). Clemson players allegedly told their coaches early in the game that "they (OU's players) don't want to be here" and they were evidently right. If that's true, it's inexcusable and reflects badly on Coach Stoops.
Game decisions (no more OSU or K-State play calling).
Player development....OU did not improve as the season progressed. Depth and the level of play were inadequate. Quarterbacking was in shambles, nowhere championship caliber. And maybe OU just wasn't very good overall.
Given that there has been major overhauls of the staff in the past 2-3 years, stability and direction of the program are still in limbo. 2015 will be a very pivotal year for the Stoops' program......maybe even a make or break year.

Attitude....
Players and coaches need an upgrade here. Big time. On and off the field.

Work to leave the Big 12....
IMO, OU has painted itself into a corner and may never regain its proper place among the elites until it goes elsewhere. I expect such a move to happen with the next 2-3 years.
*********************************************************************
MAINTAIN:
Samaje Perine and the blocking in front of him, if that's possible given key losses on the OL and the questionable level of quarterbacking and the receiving corps.
There is nothing else I take from 2014 that I want to maintain.

 

[PryorFan]

It won't take much for the offense to be better than 2014's version and I expect it will. Trevor Knight will be better with proper coaching and receivers catching the ball and would not be surprised to see him number 1 on the depth chart to start the season. Defense and Special Teams (fg kicker) must improve. Cannot have the defense quit on Mike Stoops in the middle of the season; Mike should have been fired after 2013 and 2014 performance but Bob will not do that. Bob needs to make sure that Mike stays off the field and in the press box.

 

[roygbell]

First the maintain:
The offensive line. We must have a resemblance of last years unit that opened the holes for Perine. I think this will be the key to the season. One thing that should help youngsters is the new offensive scheme in the hurry up, where the ball should leave the QB's hand a lot quicker.

The kicking game. We were weak in punt returns but we kicked butt with our kick off returns and field goal kicking. I know Hunnicutt faltered, but he was a great kicker. Hodgsen is back so deep kickoffs should be the norm.

Need improvement:

This one might surprise you but I'm going with coaching decisions as my first. It's nearly unforgiveable to give the OSU returner a second chance that lost the game. I think we went to conservative on the 4th down play that lost the TCU game, or at least gave us a chance to win. The Baylor debacle was on the defensive backs coach that couldn't adjust in the second half.

Quarterback play. No reason to beat a dead horse. I think we will find the right one. Bob has had a Heisman, runner up Heisman and a record breaker in his tenure. I trust he'll make the right decision.

Last....attitude. It was obvious the team didn't have a game face for the Clemson game. Some may blame coaching, but I blame the individual players that doesn't have enough pride to let something like that happen. Brian Bosworth fought to the end against Miami.

Well, what do you think? Am I off? Add or subtract................

I think you hit the nail right on the head with your ideas.

Your OL idea is right at the top of my list. We will have two starters returning and the other three plus their backups have to be able to run block and pass block or the offense is likely to falter.

I would have the kicking game in the #5 spot as with the exception of returning punts we were pretty solid. Hunnicutt just missed a couple of critical FG attemps otherwise he was money.

We could argue over where the "coaching decisions" rank, but coaching game management and play calling is critical to success. I think both sides of the ball were lacking and I hope they both improve dramatically. I have some confidence in Riley, not so much in Mike.

QB play will be critical, but again I think Riley, his coaching of QBs and knowing what he wants along with his offense will help out here a lot. It will have to as QB wasn't a very strong spot last year.

I also think attitude and playing smart was a part of last years team. Not, early in the season, but for sure later in the season. Hopefully, the whole team will grow up from last years disappointments.

 

[Medic007]

Great posts. From all indications, Riley has an offensive mind on his shoulders and isn't afraid to use it. I hope the defense can be called something other than dumpster fire this season.

 

[barkingwater2000]

Great posts. From all indications, Riley has an offensive mind on his shoulders and isn't afraid to use it. I hope the defense can be called something other than dumpster fire this season.

I don't know if anyone watched it, but there was a video on newsok yesterday dealing with Riley. His teachers and hometown community all bragged about how smart he was in high school and how great of a guy he has always been. Made me feel pretty good about having him as our OC.

 

[Medic007]

BW, having spoken to him several times I can tell he's very intelligent. He seems to have one of those minds that keeps churning and exploring. Another guy I've spoken to that Riley reminds me of in that manner is Leach. Leach might be the best head coach but he's always been a top notch offensive guy.

 

[AbsoluteZer0]

I think our offense is serviceable again this year to maybe better than last year. The QB situation is a concern, but we have quite a few weapons that we can use to spread the load around.

The real problem I see is on defense again. I watched the Tennessee game from last year again from start to finish the other day. To see how aggressive we were with Striker and getting to the QB brings a real thrill to my soul. I really hope we cut loose and be aggressive like that. It was a great game and they just exploited opportunity from everywhere. I wondered what happened after that.