12/18/10
The Sooners have won the Big 12 title four of the past five seasons and are only three years removed from playing in their last BCS National Championship Game. No question, the talent ladle has remained full over the course of the past decade and with 18 starters set to return 2011 will be no different. Quarterback Landry Jones really came on strong over the last month in this NASCAR no-huddle offensive approach while finishing the season averaging 330 passing yards per game. After being tabbed a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in just his sophomore season, Landry is on pace to break all the school's passing records. So it would only make sense that the school's current all-time leading pass catcher, junior Ryan Broyles, is on the other end of those passes. The Sooners will need more work in developing the run game. Gone is 1,000-yard rusher DeMarco Murray. The star role in this backfield gets handed to Roy Finch, who actually averaged more yards per carry (4.7) when compared to Murray. There seems to be no question that this group of returnees will continue to produce points. If Coach Stoops can get his defensive depth and talent to meet expectations, he will make another run at a title shot. This is the team that will be heavily favored to win the Big 12. Especially considering Nebraska has moved on and Texas is struggling. When searching for the nation's No. 1 preseason Top 25 team in 2011, no clear-cut answer seems to be available. This is likely to be a summer where depending on which preseason poll is viewed, a different team will adorn the top spot. Oklahoma gets an early edge based on the sheer amount of experience returning and the fact that Coach Stoops is a heavy favorite to get over his BCS woes against a four-loss Connecticut. Ergo, this projects Oklahoma into a lofty off-season position. They just need to overcome the inconsistency bug that hurt them in 2010. No doubt however, OU was a much better team in this final month, even away from Owen Field, which should be a sign of sure things to come.