Running Back.....How do we play all these guys?

[K2C Sooner]

I don't think we have had this much depth at RB since the wishbone days. At least we had two backs on the field in those days. I just can't see getting enough touches to all our great backs and someone may leave. There is a rumor one of them will transfer and he was named on a couple of competitive sites, but it's a rumor

. I would prefer we highlight Perine, especially at the first of the year and see if he can get a Heisman type year. I then hear from certain boards that Mixson is the real deal and maybe the next Peterson. No doubt the very best will start.

This is a good problem to have, but where will all the touches come from in Riley's new offense that projects to 60 % passing? At least that's his MO.

Note: I read where Bob Stoops confirmed that our super freshman RB, Rodney Anderson sprained his ACL and will be out the rest of the spring. Hopefully he's back for summer workouts.

Anyways, something to jaw about during the slow period...............

 

[Sooners83]

I would be surprised if Mixon isn't in the slot versus a true tailback. One thing about having all the backs is we can do some serious rotation. Yes Perine was a beast last year, but he will be a true sophomore next fall. I hope that we try to keep him fresh for the whole season with a good rotation. The 60% really isn't all that far off of a 50/50 split...so the running backs will get their touches.

 

[JConXtsy]

I think we'll see the relegation of Ford and Ross to other duties which might include handing out refreshments.
Ross will focus on returns. Ford will have some carries early in the year while Mixon gets acclimated.

Stoops has already said that Anderson will play. If he impresses in games, Ford won't see the field again until someone is injured.

Of course, this all assumes Mixon and Anderson are as talented as billed.

 

[PryorFan]

Don't know how it will all shake out but it'll be fun watching Lincoln Riley putting it all together. If Mixon is as good as advertised, would Riley put him in the slot and use him similar to what USC did with Reggie Bush? That would put Perine and Mixon on the field at the same time.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Well, I do hope that the staff will include some stuff in their wheelhouse that may seem just utterly radical and well, nuts.

Picture this one, since he's clearly big enough, have Perine line up at fullback.

Two things could happen. Perine actually takes the rock and rumbles for a tight 3rd and long, or, on second or third and short, fake to him as a decoy, using him as a secondary blocker for the halfback, or use all of both to disguise a designed play action pass.
Just spit balling mind you.


All kinds of possibilities are there and should be studied for viability.

This post was edited on 3/26 8:37 PM by Soonersincefitty

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

They're all too good to sit and you can't play them all. I say, one leaves for playing time

 

[CTOkie]

Now that Anderson is down with a sprained MCL, the depth chart with 4 other backs (Perine, Ford, Ross and Mixon) is good insurance. If Anderson is good to go by August, his presence will create a very nice "problem" for the coaches.
I believe that football's ever-increasing violent play due to the increased size and speed of today's players makes injuries (especially serious injuries) too much a part of the landscape of football....now more than ever before.
Look what happened to OU in 2009. At least 15 key injuries wrecked what might have been a memorable season. That was just an extreme example, but even the 2014 season was negatively impacted by injuries to Ford, Sanchez, Knight and Shepard.
When I speculate on how OU, or any team, will do in an upcoming season, the randomness and probability of injuries is always a consideration of mine, especially when only 25 scholarships are available each year to build depth with.
The team with the greatest depth....or with the greatest luck in avoiding injuries...is usually the team that wins championships.