Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #7 Oklahoma
Music to listen to: Early in the Morning by The Gap Band
I really was tempted to put some Hanson up there because the members are from Tulsa, Oklahoma but I won’t do that to you. Those boys were and still are talented. Color Me Badd also hails from Oklahoma.
The state has some excellent musicians, especially in the country music genre with Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and others.
However, I’m taking The Gap Band. War Charlie Wilson!!
The Story: Last season was supposed to be better than the 8-5 record.
The Sooners had the Heisman Trophy winner, Sam Bradford, back with top talent on both sides of the ball. However, Bradford got hurt in the season opening loss to BYU and eventually was out for the rest of the season. This started a trend of many of the top players missing time at some point to injuries.
The good news is that many of the current players, particularly starting quarterback Landry Jones, got invaluable playing time last season that will be useful.
Last Season: Finished 8-5, including losses to BYU, Texas, Miami and Nebraska, all ranked teams and all non-home contests. The other loss was on the road as well at Texas Tech. The Sooners did defeat Stanford in the Sun Bowl.
Injuries were an issue but the squad still had four first-round NFL picks on the roster in Bradford, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, offensive lineman Trent Williams and tight end Jermaine Gresham, who to be fair missed all of the season with a knee injury.
However, that’s too much talent to have a five-loss season.
Offense: While the unit may not return to its prolific level of 2008, it is still one of the top units in the nation.
It will be led by Jones, who played well in replacing Bradford. He will have the benefit of playing behind an offensive line that will start five players either returning from last year or has extensive experience.
The leading rusher will once again be senior DeMarco Murray, who will have the chance to not only break former Heisman Trophy Billy Sims’ mark for most career rushing yards in school history but get the trophy himself.
Jones will also be throwing to junior Ryan Broyles who caught 89 passes for more than 1,100 yards last season.
Defense: The unit does lose McCoy but returns potential All-Big 12 performers including end Jeremy Beal, linebacker Travis Lee and free safety Quinton Carter.
The linebackers and secondary should be fine but the interior line is an area of concern.
The Schedule
Sept. 4 Utah State
Sept. 11 Florida State
Sept. 18 Air Force
Sept. 25 at Cincinnati
Oct. 2 vs. Texas (at Dallas)
Oct. 16 Iowa State
Oct. 23 at Missouri
Oct. 30 Colorado
Nov. 6 at Texas A&M
Nov. 13 Texas Tech
Nov. 20 at Baylor
Nov. 27 at Oklahoma State
The schedule looks trickier in a second look. You notice that Nebraska isn’t on it but the Sooners will probably have to face the Huskers in the Big 12 title game anyway.
Oklahoma has to host the potential ACC champion in Florida State, dark horse Mountain West title contender Air Force and its unique offense and travel to possible Big East favorite Cincinnati. That doesn’t even include traveling to Missouri, Texas A&M and Okie State in the season finale. There’s also that small contest on Oct. 2 in Dallas.
Most Famous Sports Alum: There have been many to come over the years but this is about the most famous alum currently. I came down to two people.
Adrian Peterson, stating running back for the Minnesota Vikings and Jim Ross, longtime professional wrestling commentator. While AP is known by a lot of people, I can argue that Jim Ross has just as much fame, especially since he joined World Wrestling Entertainment years ago.
In the end, the NFL is the king of sports right now so that’s where I have to side.
Celebrity Alum “Crush:” When I found out that she went to Oklahoma, it was easy.
Olivia Munn, host of various shows on the G4 Network, current correspondent on The Daily Show on Comedy Central and just did a Google search, she’s joining the cast of one of my favorite shows, Chuck, on NBC. She a winner in so many ways!
Prediction: 10-2
The only loss that I’m ready to almost guarantee is the Texas contest. Outside of that, another loss may be hard to find. I doubt that they will drop a contest at home. The road games to Texas A&M and Okie State are possible stumbling blocks.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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