6Qs for ‘21

SPORTS THE CONSISTENCY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE OKLAHOMA OFFENSIVE LINE

In 2020, the Oklahoma Sooners started the same offensive line in 10 of its 11 games, and the same five players started every game. Despite the consistency in the starting lineup, inconsistency plagued the Sooner’s performance along the o-line. Structure, development and production will all be important angles to the Sooners’ improvement.

From a structure perspective, key questions remain. Who will start? Will it be a season of experimenting or was a majority of that hammered out during the spring?

“The one thing we’ve really made the point of during the spring with the o-line, and really all positions, we don’t have a starting group,” Sooner head coach Lincoln Riley said. “We don’t have an ‘A’ group. We’ve rotated guys all over the place, trying to really do what we tell these guys we’re going to do, which is just take a step back and look at everybody. No preconceived notions, not based on what you’ve done before, let’s just see who is performing in the moment right now.”

With two starters graduated to the NFL, Oklahoma must find a way to replace Creed Humphrey at center and Adrian Ealy who started at right tackle.

During the spring, sophomore Andrew Raym appeared to have a leg up on both Chris Murray and Ian McIver to start at center. Both Raym and UCLA transfer Murray are versatile and can swing to guard if necessary. Erik Swenson, who started most of the season at left tackle, could end up starting at right tackle with Tennessee transfer Wanya Morris starting opposite Swenson.

“We have worked with a lot of different combinations,” Riley said, “I think some of those young guys have really grown and done some good things and are certainly going to be pushing for playing time.”

The Sooners have seen improvement and a physical transformation from both returning starters at guard in Tyrese Robinson and Marquise Hayes. Hayes is down from 349 pounds to 335. Robinson is down from 335 to 326.

Meanwhile, Murray is down from 297 to 279. Returning sophomore Anton Harrison is down from 334 to 317, and Raym is down from 320 to 304.

Development will also be a story line within the offensive line throughout the season. Will guys establish themselves at positions or will there be constant movement?

The Sooners have seen the commitment so far in the weight room and meeting room. “Mentality and consistency, I see a totally different mentality from individuals and as a group,” Bill Bedenbaugh, offensive line coach, said. “Playing the position at this level and with the standards that we have is tough. Hell, we won the Joe Moore Award in 2018 and I don’t know that there was a game where I was satisfied. That’s the nature of this position.”

Six story lines are likely to shape the 2021 Sooner football season. Meeting preseason hype and achieving internal goals could very well depend on six key aspects of the team.

With the impressive numbers and the commitment so far from the offensive line, production will be the biggest component. And in 2021, Riley is excited about the possibilities.

“Probably as excited about that group as any time in the last two or three years,” he said. “Some of these young guys that were thrust into the mix early in their careers are now old guys that have played a lot of ball. We have a lot of talented guys that are ready to be good players now. We’ve had a couple of transfers that have come in and had a chance to make an impact.”

THE RUNNING BACK ROTATION

The running back position has been in constant flux for the Sooners this offseason. Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson were both dismissed, Rhamondre Stephenson declared for the NFL Draft and TJ Pledger transferred to Utah.

Eric Gray transferred from Tennessee and was able to make an impact during the spring game that wowed fans, but since stepping on campus Gray has been impressing his coaches too.

“He’s a true professional,” Riley said at Big 12 Media Days. “It feels like he’s been in our program for months or years already. It literally felt like that the day he walked in the door. He really got acclimated with his teammates and university quickly. You can see why the guy has had some success early on in his career… We’re thrilled to have him.” But Gray is not the only running back that the Sooners are counting on to produce this season. After opting out last season, Kennedy Brooks is ready to show once again why he was so effective during the 2018 and 2019 seasons when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards each year.

“I think Coach Demarco Murray has been really good for him,” Riley said. “It’s been good seeing them get a chance to work together. The guy has had so much production for us, and he’s done it in big games and big moments. He’s really pushing himself to try to be the best version that he can be here towards the end of his career.”

The Sooners have also added LSU transfer Kevontre Bradford and return Marcus Major.

A position that had sparked concern has suddenly found itself with a group of unique playmakers. Now the question will be which running back will see most of the touches. Will one running back elevate above the others like what Rhamondre Stephenson did during the latter part of last season?

SPENCER RATTLER HANDLING THE HYPE

Spencer Rattler responded to adversity exactly how his head coach hoped he would. After being replaced in the first half of the Texas game following two ill-advised turnovers, Rattler was a different player the rest of the game and the rest of the season.

Rattler threw 16 touchdowns and just two picks following the Texas game as Oklahoma went undefeated after starting the year 1-2.

By season’s end, Rattler had established himself as the best quarterback in the Big 12 and among the top quarterbacks in the country.

Heading into 2021, Rattler is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Many have projected the Sooner signal caller as the top pick in the NFL Draft.

“I don’t try to set a roof on what I can do as a player,” Rattler said. “Of course, I want to tighten up every single part of my game. I want to get my physicality to the best it can be, and that will come with time.

“I want to be the most unstoppable quarterback, the best quarterback in the country.”

Despite starting every game last season, Rattler had not spent a full offseason entrenched in the Sooner football program until this year. Rattler did not leave high school early to enroll and COVID wiped out the entire offseason for the Sooner gunslinger last year.

For Riley, this offseason has provided an opportunity for the quarterback to continue to improve.

“He did so many good things and certainly don’t want to discount that,” Riley said. “But this off season we’ve really worked on improving the way he can move… while continuing to get full command of the offense and how we want to attack and involve the playmakers we have. It’s a constant journey at that position and he’s on it right now.” Rattler and his potential in 2021 have been such a story line that just about every coach was asked about him during Big 12 Media Days.

“You talk about Spencer, I think the only thing you can say is the utmost respect,” Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said. “We know what kind of coaching he’s getting there. It’s exceptional and maybe as good as any quarterback coaching as you’re going to find. You saw him gain confidence as the season went… you saw the team rally around his leadership and his confidence.”

Riley knows how to develop quarterbacks. He’s had two first overall picks in the NFL Draft, a second-round pick, three Heisman finalists and two Heisman trophy winners. This situation of managing high expectations is nothing new for the Sooner head coach.

There is no doubt the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year will be focused on being the best he can possibly be despite all the outside distractions and hype.

IMPROVEMENT AT WIDE RECEIVER

Riley has high expectations for his wide receivers, even though Oklahoma struggled last year to meet that level of expectation. Battling through injuries, ineffectiveness and drops, Oklahoma must be better at wide receiver in 2021.

“Although we had some great moments,” Riley said. “That was a position that we weren’t really thrilled about the way we played last year and know that we can play better there. Part of it is we have such a high standard here at Oklahoma.”

With an influx of new talent and reinforced expectations, Riley, along with outside receivers coach Dennis Simmons and inside receivers coach Cale Gundy, wiped the slate clean.

“We told the guys from day one when we came back that we are starting with a clean, blank slate,” Riley said. “We’ve got some really well-defined goals. A lot of our offseason with those guys has been dedicated to challenging them in the areas that we weren’t as good as we needed to be.” Marvin Mims is the biggest returning star. Having established himself as a weapon on the field during his freshman season, the sophomore is setting the tone with the way that he has approached the off season. “He’s one of those guys that kind of falls into line with how hard he works,” Gundy said of Mims. “He’s extremely intelligent. You tell him one time in the meeting room, and you’d better be right because he’s going to do it that way every single time. He brought up the level of competition. The better he is, the better the next guy is.” The Sooners will expect more from Theo Wease and Jadon Haselwood. Wease caught 37 balls last year but also had some critical drops. Haselwood got back late in the season after a spring knee injury. Both will need to step up for the Sooners. OU lost three receivers to the transfer portal but appears to be loaded with fresh talent. Charleston Rambo, Trevon West and Theo Howard all transferred out and Trejan Bridges was removed from the roster. When Bridges was booted, the Sooners went to the portal to add some talent from the SEC.

Arkansas senior Mike Woods transferred in after catching 32 passes for 619 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last season and led the Razorbacks in 2019 with 33 catches for 423 yards and four touchdowns. As a freshman, he caught 18 passes for 206 yards and a score. Woods is a proven commodity and could be ready to crack the lineup in 2021. As usual, the Sooners are bringing in a talented crop of freshmen to compete. Mario Williams has generated the most buzz. At 5-foot-9, 181-pound, Williams was the No. 1 slot receiver in the nation last year at Plant City High School in Tampa, FL. “Mario has one of those personalities that is very endearing,” said Simmons. “People just gravitate to him. He’s kind of like Baker was.”

“He’s got some growth to do,” Rattler said. “But he’s going to get off the ball, he’s going to get open and catch the ball down the field. That’s what we’ll use him for.”

“For a young man who should still be in high school right now, he’s awfully impressive out there,” Gundy said. “He comes out there every day and loves to compete. He always has a smile on his face. He loves football and I’m glad he’s here with us.”

Williams will be joined by fellow freshman Cody Jackson and the experience of Drake Stoops to help add stability to the Sooner receiving group.

With a clean slate and some fresh faces, the challenge will for the Oklahoma receiving corps will be to rise above the frustration of last season.

IS SPEED D FOR REAL

In short, yes, Speed D is for real. In 2020, the Sooners finished third in the entire country in sacks, bringing down the opposing quarterback 39 times.

OU only trailed Pittsburg (46.0) and Clemson (46.0).

“You felt constant improvement from day one, and we made some big plays in big games, especially to close out games over the last few years,” Riley said of the Sooner defense. “I think those, in particular, do something for the psyche and confidence of individual players on that side of the ball that are hard to duplicate.”

The struggles with the Oklahoma defense have been well documented. The season before Alex Grinch was hired, Oklahoma ranked dead last among FBS teams in pass defense (294 yards per game allowed), was 120th in takeaways (11), 101st in scoring defense (33.3 points allowed per game), 59th in rushing defense (159.8 per game),114th in total defense (453.8 yards per game), and 126th in red-zone defense (.926). This past season, in those same statistical categories, the Sooners ranked 29th in scoring defense (21.7), 29th in total defense (350.6), 9th in rushing defense (105.1), tied for 19th in takeaways (19, with 16 interceptions) and 41st in red-zone defense (.795).

“We’ve made some strides there is no question,” Riley said. “Give Coach Grinch and the defensive staff and all our players a lot of credit to make the jump we’ve made. It takes everybody and there’s been total buy in.

“The level of play has gone up every year and its been led by our defensive front. We feel like our best is still out there. I’m excited about this group. We have leadership and strong players at all three levels of the defense.”

Oklahoma is loaded with depth at every position defensively and the strength is on the defensive line. The confidence in the system and what Grinch and his staff are teaching is sky high.

“Players now have been in that system for a couple of years,” Riley said. “I think because of our success as a team, and especially our success defensively over the last few years, we’ve been able to recruit at a higher and higher level, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“We look different just even walking into a team meeting room on that side of the ball than we did a few years ago. Still, a lot of work to be done… but I believe we have the right people in the room to get it done.”

Oklahoma has National Championship expectations which for this program is nothing new. This season it seems more plausible because of what Grinch has been able to build defensively for the Sooners.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS, AGAIN

“This is Oklahoma,” Riley said. “Every year is the year to win the National Championship.”

As the old saying goes, at Oklahoma, you don’t rebuild, you reload. Barry Switzer once said, “People don’t know what it is to be champions, at Oklahoma we invented it.” The expectation to win a National Championship is always there.

The Sooners have won six straight Big 12 Championships and have played in the College Football Playoff in four of the last six years. But a national title has eluded the Sooners since the 2001 Orange Bowl win over Florida State when the Sooners ran the table and finished the season undefeated.

This year, Oklahoma rolls into the season with momentum, having won the Big 12 Championship game against Iowa State and a dominating win over Florida in the Cotton Bowl. But can momentum carry over from year to year?

“It gives us some momentum but that in itself will not make a difference this season,” Riley said. “There is excitement and momentum and then it’s what you do with that. Do you hang on to the fact that you played well and you’re just going to be good, or does it motivate you and bring the team closer together and increase the work ethic, the accountability, all the things it takes to be great? I’ve seen positive signs but obviously a long way to go.”

The players embrace the expectations.

“How can we get to the National Championship?” Jeremiah Hall asked. “We have those expectations, and we’re not oblivious to those expectations. We have to show up every day with the National Championship in mind.”

The expectations are nothing new, but it feels different this season. It feels real and Riley is excited to see how this team responds.

“Having the confidence and ability of the people that we have in this room and the focus being to get to the best version of us and then let it fall how it may,” Riley said. “It’s going to take all we’ve got and then some to get to our best. That’s got to be our focus. The confidence is there. It’s going to depend on how we work and how we come together and how we support each other as a team, and I’m excited about the journey.” – BSM