Season outlook and expectations

[PalmBeachCane]

Ahh...spring. When hopes and expectations are blooming like Wave Petunias, only to sputter and rot by the end of summer. Fair warning; March and April I'm a sober man, by the end of August, beginning of September, I'm in AA. Don't judge me. What do you expect when your baseball team is trending towards the basement of the division. Your football team just played their first game and from the looks of it, it's about to be a long season.

What needs to change for you all to take the next step and which team do you foresee being the biggest obstacle to the Sooners? It's time for us to talk some football. It's time to talk some sports in general, I'm a big baseball fan as well. Just do not tell me you're a Yankee or Red Sox fan.

From the outside looking in, you guys bring back an experienced QB and a very talented tailback. They will be working with a new OC, so it will be interesting to see how they mesh together. I'm not very familiar with your defense, but I see you all run a 3-4. I'm not a fan of the 3-4 because it doesn't fit the type of players Miami recruits, which we've learned the hard way.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Offensively, the OC issues have been dealt with. While Riley still needs to prove himself, he's got a window of time as he's new. The next needed item on the checklist would be would be QB play. I'ts my belief that the coaches will allow Trever to lose the job. I'm thinking it's his to lose. 'Followed strongly with a 2nd WR to compliment Sterling Shepard.

Defensively, It has to be Coaching. There has been a pretty good shake up instead of a shake out. Meaning Mike Stoop's time is winding down. He remained intact with the Defensive staff. He has openly stated that he's counting on the return of 9 starters & their expereince and play. I'd follow that with a need for a much improved linebacker play. Having said that, the defensive numbers dropped last year in sacks and tackles for loss due to Mike's belief that a change of scheme was necessary. Time will tell if he can pull it off.

I think 8-4 Conference play is most likely. Hopefully I'm wrong.

This post was edited on 3/18 6:46 PM by WhyNotaSooner

This post was edited on 3/19 11:07 PM by WhyNotaSooner

 

[stuck in del rio]

Hi PBCane - thanks for posting.

I am a converted pessimist...because of last year, or the last several years, I am purposefully not listening to anymore of the hype surrounding the spring and summer sessions of the football team, which is when the crimson hype around this team begins building itself and sweeps everyone off their feet into believing that simply because the front of the jersey says Oklahoma on it, it doesn't matter whose 2 or 3-star body is in it, and we will win the MNC later that fall...

I believe while a pessimist, I am closer to being a realist. Yes we have an experienced QB returning, but I'm not sure that is a plus - he was markedly inconsistent last year, and at times, horrible - or he was placed in horrible spots by his OC, whichever you want to believe. The receivers under performed, leading to their position coach's ouster - we have one returning WR that has experience and talent, the others are still waiting to show what they have, some despite several yeas in the program. The OL will be a project this year - some returning starters with size and talent but we lost several starters. The lone bright spot on offense would be Samaje Perine, but bringing in a pass first spread OC leads me to believe even Perine's role will be diminished and we will go from a (almost) run-first, downhill blocking mentality to a throw it on every down despite no consistency from QB or WR and an unproven OL whose strength might not be pass blocking. But I guess that's why we have spring football - except we cancel that last week due to other events.

Defense? Same questions. Our strength last year should have been the DL but our best players were put in positions that didn't match up with their best abilities, particularly Striker, who should have lead the world in sacks going into last fall being completely lost for games at times and in pass coverage, which is not his strength...For a school that recruits as many DBs as we do, you'd think we'd have a competent secondary but despite the mass hypnosis that occurs every year, we talk ourselves into believing we have a great secondary, only to find out by year's end we are on the wrong end of the spectrum in defensive stats...some of this could be the conference we play in. LBer? Soon as everyone else stops laughing they can relate some of the woes we have at LBer. I don't know because we don't recruit LBer.

We had a good PKer until he melted down halfway through the year. Supposedly we recruited a star a PK and P this year, but see above what it says about hype - he has yet to play a down.

 

[PalmBeachCane]

What's up guys, good hearing from you. I'm curious. What changes did Mark Stoops make to your defense that caused a decline in production. Miami's runs a 4-3, but there are instances where we drop Tyriq McCord and play 3-4 zone defense. It has not worked well for us. Our pass rush disappeared with Rick Petri in 2009-2010 and it hasn't been seen since. Our DC preaches defending space and it's just an opinion, but I think our speed works against us. Guys are not attacking the football and getting caught flat footed reacting which cause us to get drenched over the middle of the field.

 

[PryorFan]

I'm very concerned that Bob Stoops did not make wholesale coaching changes soon enough or make enough changes on the defensive side. My concern is will 2015 resemble Mack Brown's dismal final season at Texas? It's amazing how OU's decline paralleled that of Texas. Bob Stoops and Mack Brown are/were fantastic coaches who are paying the price for good old buddy hires that resulted in poor recruiting and coaching. Both were unable to keep the drive while pulling in $5,000,000/year. Can Bob Stoops do what Mack Brown was unable to do and that is right the ship? I really hope so but time will tell. I really hope he hit a home run with his new coaching hires but losing Montgomery on the defensive side was a blow. Many on this board will take offense at what I just stated but it's what I think.

8-5 in 2015 is not out of the question. We will find out were we are headed at Tennessee which I feel is the pivotal game for 2015. Win that one and 9-3 or 10-2 is not out of the question.

Boomer Sooner!

 

[JConXtsy]

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:
I'ts my belief that the coaches will allow Trever to lose the job.

Loved this sentence. Perfectly stated.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Originally posted by PalmBeachCane:
What's up guys, good hearing from you. I'm curious. What changes did Mark Stoops make to your defense that caused a decline in production. Miami's runs a 4-3, but there are instances where we drop Tyriq McCord and play 3-4 zone defense. It has not worked well for us. Our pass rush disappeared with Rick Petri in 2009-2010 and it hasn't been seen since. Our DC preaches defending space and it's just an opinion, but I think our speed works against us. Guys are not attacking the football and getting caught flat footed reacting which cause us to get drenched over the middle of the field.

Well first, it's Mike Stoops. Mark, the younger brother is at Kentucky. Mike runs a hybrid defense due to the Big 12 passing numbers. He moves linebackers in & out of coverage often. In an effort to maximize coverage (speed), he gives up size of his LBs. But unfortunately, it costs him having lighter LBs on run plays. With the right guys(s), this may work. Unfortunately, it hasn't yet. Last year, MS used Striker more often than not in coverage than in rushing the QB. It had results as the defense did a better job against the run, but not so much to distrupt the timing of the QBs. With new position coaches on the line and the secondary, who knows if it will this year as well. Finally, Mike will also be upstairs. Some believe that this will help him see the field better, others think it was a move to keep him from freaking out too much and going off on the defensive squad as he appeared to have lost the team toward the end of last season.

 

[veritas59]

I expect us to interview well.

 

[Soonerheart]

Ordinarily I try my best to stay optimistic….. But I have come to the realization that a very large percentage of the current OU players have put other priorities well ahead of winning all football games for OU. This group of players looks and acts mentally soft. It shows up when they make so many more mistakes than normal.

These OU players haven't held each other accountable on and off the field of play like great teams do. They haven't put in the extra very long hours of preparation completely on their own working with their fellow players who need the extra tutoring. They don't have anything close to the the same emotional dedication and investment that other past great OU teams had for OU.

For most, it's all about what OU can do for them, so they can make it into the NFL…. Then many get bitter when that dream dies and for most it dies while they still have eligibility left at OU.
Some of these players quickly become a cancer. But it's a big part of why we always seem to have such a young team.

We need to weed out a certain type of person in the recruiting process and find players who make it a top priority to win for OU. I wish it wasn't so but until then, I'm pessimistic about a return to true OU greatness.

 

[K2C Sooner]

Originally posted by Soonerheart:
Ordinarily I try my best to stay optimistic….. But I have come to the realization that a very large percentage of the current OU players have put other priorities well ahead of winning all football games for OU. This group of players looks and acts mentally soft. It shows up when they make so many more mistakes than normal.

These OU players haven't held each other accountable on and off the field of play like great teams do. They haven't put in the extra very long hours of preparation completely on their own working with their fellow players who need the extra tutoring. They don't have anything close to the the same emotional dedication and investment that other past great OU teams had for OU.

For most, it's all about what OU can do for them, so they can make it into the NFL…. Then many get bitter when that dream dies and for most it dies while they still have eligibility left at OU.
Some of these players quickly become a cancer. But it's a big part of why we always seem to have such a young team.

We need to weed out a certain type of person in the recruiting process and find players who make it a top priority to win for OU. I wish it wasn't so but until then, I'm pessimistic about a return to true OU greatness.

Well, we lost three games by a total of 8 points. I'll give you Baylor and Clemson.


I thought we" weeded out a certain type of person" the last few years. Your words. Can you name certain players that need to be cut?

I also would really love to know any of the team players that "haven't put in any extra long hours of preparation". Again, that's news to me and I have never read it anywhere else.

Do you some inside info?

 

[rush4life]

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:
Offensively, the OC issues have been dealt with. While Riley still needs to prove himself, he's got a window of time as he's new. The next needed item on the checklist would be would be QB play. I'ts my belief that the coaches will allow Trever to lose the job. I'm thinking it's his to lose. 'Followed strongly with a 2nd WR to compliment Sterling Sharp.

Defensively, It has to be Coaching. There has been a pretty good shake up instead of a shake out. Meaning Mike Stoop's time is winding down. He remained intact with the Defensive staff. He has openly stated that he's counting on the return of 9 starters & their expereince and play. I'd follow that with a need for a much improved linebacker play. Having said that, the defensive numbers dropped last year in sacks and tackles for loss due to Mike's belief that a change of scheme was necessary. Time will tell if he can pull it off.

I think 8-4 Conference play is most likely. Hopefully I'm wrong.

This post was edited on 3/18 6:46 PM by WhyNotaSooner

Sterling Sharp....lol I like that

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Originally posted by rush4life:

Sterling Sharp....lol I like that

Ha! Nice catch. Corrected!

 

[CTOkie]

I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

This season is probably going to be one of the hardest to predict in the Stoops era. There are a lot of talented guys and many with quite a bit of experience, but putting it all together will be the key.

I'm not greatly concerned with the change in offensive scheme, but the quarterback will have to limit turnovers. The offensive line will likely either make or break our chances at a good season. The guys on the roster were all highly recruited but only a handful have experience. Bedenbaugh has done a fantastic job, and he'll have his work cut out for him. If we have an above average offensive line he ought to be up for a raise. Running back is loaded and we'll need to utilize them as much as possible to maximize our success.

Defensively, there is a ton of guys back with experience but some need to get better and the others need to get a lot better. Tapper took a step back last season and Striker wasn't properly utilized. Striker needs to be unleashed on nearly every down. I've made it quite known that I'm not fond of this 3-4 we're trying to run. I think we're trying to force it to work and it's just not going too. It might cost Mike Stoops his job. He's a nickel guy and I believe we'd be better of if he stuck to what he knows. With our talent I'd love to see us play aggressive all season and if a guy gets beat, so be it.

I wouldn't be surprised if we lost 4 to 5 guys or if we won every one of them. Nobody on the schedule is unbeatable. TCU is the clear favorite and Baylor seems to have our number lately, but they are not juggernauts. Going to be an interesting season.

 

[BillyRay]

Originally posted by CTOkie:

I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

Very well put CT.

What happens on the defensive side will set the tone for the season. Whatever changes OU can make on the offensive side will be meaningless if OUs defense can't get off the field. And having players with "experience" isn't necessarily a good thing in OUs situation. The defense regressed during the season in 2014. So we will have to wait and see if Mike and the coaches can reverse that trend.

On offense the 2 main concerns are of course QB and OL. If the OL doesn't make things happen up front, then it's going to be a rough year, regardless of what QB is running the show or how loaded OU is at RB. I'm no sold on Knight being the starter next season. Depends on what kind of improvements Riley can make with the QBs on the roster this off season. Thomas or Hanson could certainly make strides and snag the position.

Myself, I'm not overly optimistic. This time last year we were all drunk with enthusiasm from the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Interesting how much difference a year can make. If OUs defense does a repeat then I see at least 3-4 losses.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

The only thing I'm "content" with is giving a proven staff the opportunity to turn it around. Under Stoops guidance we've experienced a lot of success as well as adversity. We're barely a year removed from beating big bad Bama and everybody on the bandwagon thinking #8 was in sight. If you can't handle the reality of sports and its fickle nature, I'd suggest you leave it behind and take up another hobby. If Stoops can't get it done, things will shake themselves out.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

No truer words have been spoken BC. Except that when posters discuss the reality of a failed season, it doesn't play the same to some on the board. But no doubt, as with all teams and sports, there are ups & downs.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:
No truer words have been spoken BC. Except that when posters discuss the reality of a failed season, it doesn't play the same to some on the board. But no doubt, as with all teams and sports, there are ups & downs.

I don't think you'll find anybody to disagree with you that 2014 was a disappointment, but it's not cut and dry as to why we failed to meet expectations. Every season teams meet, exceed or fail to meet expectations all across the country, in every sport. To expect us to never fall victim to this is asinine. The backlash some receive on here I think in most part plays to how they present their thoughts and emotions to the disappointments. I don't expect to many to keep their cool after we finish taking an epic beatdown against a mediocre Clemson team, but after the blood is finished boiling, everybody should be able to step back, look at the season as whole, and then begin to process what happened, what went wrong, why it went wrong, who's to blame, etc. etc.

 

[CTOkie]

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

The only thing I'm "content" with is giving a proven staff the opportunity to turn it around. Under Stoops guidance we've experienced a lot of success as well as adversity. We're barely a year removed from beating big bad Bama and everybody on the bandwagon thinking #8 was in sight. If you can't handle the reality of sports and its fickle nature, I'd suggest you leave it behind and take up another hobby. If Stoops can't get it done, things will shake themselves out.

First of all, at 66 years, I aware of how fickle and unpredictable the reality of sports can be.....and I can "handle" it.
My point is that this program is locked into a mode that has limited success....a mode that reflects a "so near, yet so far" level of success year in and year out....and with a very high priced group of coaches when compared to most of the staffs in CFB. In that regard, this staff is definitely "proven".

 

[CTOkie]

Originally posted by BillyRay:

Originally posted by CTOkie:

I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

Very well put CT.

What happens on the defensive side will set the tone for the season. Whatever changes OU can make on the offensive side will be meaningless if OUs defense can't get off the field. And having players with "experience" isn't necessarily a good thing in OUs situation. The defense regressed during the season in 2014. So we will have to wait and see if Mike and the coaches can reverse that trend.

On offense the 2 main concerns are of course QB and OL. If the OL doesn't make things happen up front, then it's going to be a rough year, regardless of what QB is running the show or how loaded OU is at RB. I'm no sold on Knight being the starter next season. Depends on what kind of improvements Riley can make with the QBs on the roster this off season. Thomas or Hanson could certainly make strides and snag the position.

Myself, I'm not overly optimistic. This time last year we were all drunk with enthusiasm from the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Interesting how much difference a year can make. If OUs defense does a repeat then I see at least 3-4 losses.

BillyRay, it's not a sin to not be overly optimistic.
As for the 2014 season, I posted several times how I believed OU was caught up in a "perfect storm" that was caused by suspensions (Shannon, Mixon), injuries (Knight, Ford, Shepard, Sanchez) graduation losses to key players (Saunders, Clay, Bester, Ikard, Irwin, Colvin)....the meltdown by Hunnicutt in the K-State game....then the unexpected improvement of West Virginia, TCU, OSU, Texas and K-State within the conference...and an inexcuseable coaching foul up late in the OSU game. On top of that was the revelation that at least one Clemson player commented early in the game with OU that "they don't seem to want to be here"....which did not reflect well on this team of ours.
The team was not as good as advertised for these many reasons.
Since the Clemson loss, the coaching staff has been hopefully upgraded, a good freshman class signed on in February and maybe there is a new resolve to turn things around....again.

 

[WhyNotaSooner]

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:
No truer words have been spoken BC. Except that when posters discuss the reality of a failed season, it doesn't play the same to some on the board. But no doubt, as with all teams and sports, there are ups & downs.

I don't think you'll find anybody to disagree with you that 2014 was a disappointment, but it's not cut and dry as to why we failed to meet expectations. Every season teams meet, exceed or fail to meet expectations all across the country, in every sport. To expect us to never fall victim to this is asinine. The backlash some receive on here I think in most part plays to how they present their thoughts and emotions to the disappointments. I don't expect to many to keep their cool after we finish taking an epic beatdown against a mediocre Clemson team, but after the blood is finished boiling, everybody should be able to step back, look at the season as whole, and then begin to process what happened, what went wrong, why it went wrong, who's to blame, etc. etc.

If I recall correctly, I think it was the loss to TCU, a weak showing at the RRR, followed with a loss to KSU and then finally w/ Baylor blowing us out at home that created the meltdown. It dosen't matter how you present yourself with a season like OU just experienced. It's incumbent on each of us as posters to fully grasp that we weren't who we thought we were. The only difference I saw play out was that it took the Clemson loss before some realized it.

 

[bcsoonerfan]

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:

Originally posted by WhyNotaSooner:
No truer words have been spoken BC. Except that when posters discuss the reality of a failed season, it doesn't play the same to some on the board. But no doubt, as with all teams and sports, there are ups & downs.

I don't think you'll find anybody to disagree with you that 2014 was a disappointment, but it's not cut and dry as to why we failed to meet expectations. Every season teams meet, exceed or fail to meet expectations all across the country, in every sport. To expect us to never fall victim to this is asinine. The backlash some receive on here I think in most part plays to how they present their thoughts and emotions to the disappointments. I don't expect to many to keep their cool after we finish taking an epic beatdown against a mediocre Clemson team, but after the blood is finished boiling, everybody should be able to step back, look at the season as whole, and then begin to process what happened, what went wrong, why it went wrong, who's to blame, etc. etc.

If I recall correctly, I think it was the loss to TCU, a weak showing at the RRR, followed with a loss to KSU and then finally w/ Baylor blowing us out at home that created the meltdown. It dosen't matter how you present yourself with a season like OU just experienced. It's incumbent on each of us as posters to fully grasp that we weren't who we thought we were. The only difference I saw play out was that it took the Clemson loss before some realized it.

I agree that we weren't who we thought we were headed into the season, but the Sooners as a whole were leaning in two directions all season...unfortunately we ended up falling to the wrong side. But that's what I mean when I talk about the nature of sports. There are teams you look at and think, "How are the so bad?" or just the opposite. Talent, coaching, preparation, attitude, and sheer dumb luck all go into the success or failures of a team's season.

 

[Brentwood Sooner]

Let's no so far about the offense still have QB issues. At worst OU will go 8-4 best 10-2

 

[stuck in del rio]

Originally posted by Brentwood Sooner:
Let's no so far about the offense still have QB issues. At worst OU will go 8-4 best 10-2

Sep 5th - Akron
Sep 12th - @ Tennessee
Sep 19th - Tulsa
Open Date
Oct 3rd - West Virginia
Oct 10th - Texas
Oct 17th - @ Kansas State
Oct 24th - Texas Tech
Oct 31st - @ Kansas
Nov 7th - Iowa State
Nov 14th - @ Baylor
Nov 21st - TCU
Dec 1st - @ OSU

Here's the schedule - where do you see 8 wins? Akron, Tulsa, Kansas, Iowa State, Texas Tech...where's the other three? No fair counting open date as a victory...

 

[BillyRay]

Originally posted by CTOkie:

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I have no lofty expectations and I expect more of the same results, something like 3-4 losses....perhaps with a blowout loss mixed in.....a secondary bowl berth....and more infighting here between those who are content with the status quo and those who, after 15 years, are getting fed up.
And I'm ready for no more off-the-field problems surrounding this team.

The only thing I'm "content" with is giving a proven staff the opportunity to turn it around. Under Stoops guidance we've experienced a lot of success as well as adversity. We're barely a year removed from beating big bad Bama and everybody on the bandwagon thinking #8 was in sight. If you can't handle the reality of sports and its fickle nature, I'd suggest you leave it behind and take up another hobby. If Stoops can't get it done, things will shake themselves out.

First of all, at 66 years, I aware of how fickle and unpredictable the reality of sports can be.....and I can "handle" it.
My point is that this program is locked into a mode that has limited success....a mode that reflects a "so near, yet so far" level of success year in and year out....and with a very high priced group of coaches when compared to most of the staffs in CFB. In that regard, this staff is definitely "proven".

CT, thank you for quoting bc's post. One thing I have issue with in his post is the quote of this being a "proven staff." I am curious as to what this current assembly of coaches has proven, outside of Bob and Gundy? The rest of the staff hasn't even won a conference title at OU. OUs previous staffs under Bob had some great success. But the most recent history has been marred by horrible coaching hires and poor overall recruiting. Just because newer coaches are now wearing an OU shirt, doesn't mean their resumes now include the accomplishments of previous coaches under Bob Stoops. And let's face it, outside of Gundy and Bob, the OU staff has seen a total makeover in the last handful of years. So really the current staff overall has proven nothing.

And such staff rollover I think is overwhelming proof that Bob has NOT been getting it done, and the staff turnover is the resulting "shaking things out."


This post was edited on 3/20 11:32 PM by BillyRay

 

[CTOkie]

BillyRay,
The word "proven" seems to get used too often here....bcsooner is a good poster, but that statement was a reach in my opinion.

Back to my not having lofty expectations, after the Sugar Bowl win and the strong finish in 2013, I thought that this program was back on its feet and was ready to be in contention for winning a championship. What I overlooked was that the key players who figured so much in the 2013 late surge were gone (Saunders, Clay, Bester, Ikard, Colvin and Shannon's suspension). OU would not have won its games with KSU, OSU and Alabama without them.
This year, OU is coming off an ugly loss to Clemson, the SAE chant debacle that diminished the team's level of focus in preparing for the 2015 season, another coaching staff overhaul, the loss of three starters in the offensive line, a secondary in need of rebuilding and unproven depth at quarterback. (even after Knight's "Cinderella" game against Alabama....a performance greatly impacted by the presence of Saunders, Bester and Clay, three players Knight did not have around him last season).
I will always be hopeful about this team's chances, but my days of high expectations are no more.

 

[BillyRay]

You are right CT, but every program in the country has to deal with losing players from year to year. The better programs are able to reload due to strong recruiting and developing that talent. OU simply didn't have the talent to reload, and that I believe is a combination of subpar recruiting and subpar development. Hence the coaching changes. We will have to be patient to see if the new hires can pan out and get things rolling.

I am with you on better managing any lofty expectations I may have in the future. After the Sugar Bowl I admit I completely drank the Kool Aid.

 

[CTOkie]

Originally posted by BillyRay:
You are right CT, but every program in the country has to deal with losing players from year to year. The better programs are able to reload due to strong recruiting and developing that talent. OU simply didn't have the talent to reload, and that I believe is a combination of subpar recruiting and subpar development. Hence the coaching changes. We will have to be patient to see if the new hires can pan out and get things rolling.

I am with you on better managing any lofty expectations I may have in the future. After the Sugar Bowl I admit I completely drank the Kool Aid.

I inhaled the Kool Aid.....assuming that OU would reload from Saunders', Bester's and Clay's departures. Didn't happen.

 

[iasooner1]

Originally posted by Brentwood Sooner:

"Let's no so far about the offense still have QB issues". At worst OU will go 8-4 best 10-2

Que? What? Huh? As for the 2nd thought I would say at worst 7-5 and at best Undefeated...

This post was edited on 3/21 5:55 PM by iasooner1

 

[roygbell]

We will be breaking in a new [at least different from the three previous seasons] offense and the QB slot is an unknown at this point in tome. We are seemingly going back to the old Stoops standard 4-3 defense. It doesn't seem to me that either change is monumental as the players and coaches are all very familiar with the schemes we are going to run.

OU has some good talent in spots and great talent in a couple of spots. We are seemingly loaded at RB. I am hopeful that changes in the WR coaching will energize this spot. We have recruited really well at WR the last couple of years so we should have the talent. Shepard is a star and a difference maker. We have to have some of the young WR talent really step up. I am not so concerned about the OL as I think we have some solid young guys that can get there pretty quick. At least we will have some depth, though short on game experience.

My biggest concern on defense is the secondary. Hopefully the coaching change will help that situation.

I don't have great expectations for 2015. Winning nine [plus or minus one] in the regular season seems like a logical expectation to me. At this point in time I just want to see OU get back to playing solid error free football. We need to get back to being fundamentally sound and play with enthusiasm and with a killer instinct.

 

[Phaeded]

I don't think our wretched secondary can improve that much so I hope Mike sells out on blitzing (send Striker every time, on top of the DEs). Our read and react D, with huge cushions from our corners, vs the likes of Baylor still haunts me.

Offensively, IF he has hands, work in Mixon as the viable #2 alternative on swing passes and motion him out into the slot, hopefully taking away defenders from the middle to make Perine even more effective (why not have those two on the field at the same time?). If Knight is back at QB, more play action on deep sideline routes he was so effective on with Shepard (which we would not go back to for halfs at a time for some reason under Heupel).

Smarter clock management would be...a novelty.