(Sports Network) -
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: One of the top teams in the country just about every
year, the Oklahoma Sooners continue to pile up the wins and claim their share
of Big 12 titles. Coach Bob Stoops' club got off to another stellar start in
2007, pounding non-league foes North Texas, Miami-Florida, Utah State and
Tulsa by a combined 246-47.

The Big 12 slate was up next, and shockingly the Sooners fell in the opener at
Colorado (27-24). A 28-21 win over Texas began a string of five straight wins
only to be followed by a 34-27 loss at Texas Tech. A 49-17 pasting of in-state
rival Oklahoma State earned the team the Big 12 South title and a second game
against Missouri, this time in the conference championship. OU had beaten the
Tigers earlier in the year, 41-31. The result was the same as the Sooners
prevailed in a 38-17 final, setting the stage for a BCS matchup with West
Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

Oklahoma was totally outclassed in that contest, losing to the Mountaineers in
a 48-28 final. It was the second straight Fiesta Bowl loss for the Sooners and
their fourth straight BCS bowl defeat. Stoops was asked about his team's
inability to perform in those games. "In the end, it's a situation that there
isn't any one answer to. You can look at all the factors." Stoops continued,
"I think overall we've been in six Big 12 championships and won five of them.
We are doing something right. We know how to win those games and we'll manage
these others the best we can and I think as much as anything it's the players
staying invested and us as coaches as well doing the job we need to do to be
at our best in those situations."

2008 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The OU offense was on top of its game last season, lighting up the
scoreboard to the tune of 42.3 ppg to rank fifth in the country. It was equal
parts run (190.7 ypg) and pass (258.2 ypg), and featured some impressive
individual efforts, among them the play of freshman QB Sam Bradford. At 6-5
and 215 pounds, Bradford has the physical attributes to be one of the top
signal callers in the nation. He set a NCAA freshman-record with 36 TD passes
while also leading the nation in passing efficiency. Stoops is excited about
what Bradford can do, calling his effort in practice this summer "incredible".

Setting his sights even higher, Bradford will have the luxury of throwing to
Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, a pair of standout senior receivers who
combined for 99 catches, 1,355 yards and nine TDs is '07. One guy to also keep
an eye on is 6-4 senior Quentin Chaney.

The Sooners will ride the coattail of sophomore RB DeMarco Murray, who despite
recovering from a knee injury is supremely talented and gives the team a
homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Opening holes in the ground
game and protecting Bradford when a pass play is called is a senior-laden
offensive line brimming with experience and athleticism.

DEFENSE: The Sooners performed exceptionally well against the run last season,
limiting the opposition to just 110.3 ypg to rank 17th in the nation. As a
result, foes scored just 20.3 ppg earning the team another top-20 ranking. OU
is fortunate to have all four starters back along the defensive line,
including rush end Auston English. A 6-3, 255-pound junior, English was the
Big 12's sacks leader in '07 with 9.5 despite missing a quarter of the season
with an ankle injury. This year's line could be one of the best in the country
if they stay healthy and get help from a linebacking corps that has just one
returning starter in junior Ryan Reynolds.

A pair of new corners will need to get their feet under them quickly, but both
safeties return in seniors Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes. Those two combined for
147 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 PBUs and five INTs last season. Having to face one
potent offense after another in the Big 12 means that pressure up front as
well as blanket coverage in the secondary is integral to any success the
defense is to achieve. Stoops hopes to have his team prepared for the
challenges ahead. "I think the biggest issue is your speed on the field on
defense and athleticism, guys that can play in space, tackle in space, cover,
pressure, do those kinds of things."

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Sooners need to find a new placekicker following the
departure of Garrett Hartley, and rookie Jimmy Stevens appears to have the
inside track. The punting job belongs to senior Mike Knall who averaged nearly
44 ypp last season.

OUTLOOK: One of the favorites to win the Big 12 yet again, this Oklahoma team
is chock full of talent on both sides of the ball. The offense is clearly
ahead of the defense at this point, but Stoops will have his team ready to
play week-in and week-out. The Sooners will likely go as far as Bradford can
take them, which based on his past performance and limitless potential, could
very well lead to a January trip to Miami and the BCS National Championship
Game.



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved