Oklahoma vs. Chattanooga preview

Sooners face Mocs in Saturday's season opener

Parking lots full of tailgaters, the roar of a sold out stadium, everyone still undefeated, and everyone looking to improve on last years’ short comings. It’s the kick off of a new and exciting college football season.

Big 12 perennial powerhouse Oklahoma starts its 2008 season off against a very weak I-AA Chattanooga Mocs team that won just 2 games all of last year. This game should be over before the second half kicks off.  Coming off a stinging defeat to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl last year in which OU’s defense gave up 48 points, in the same season they failed to hold even one shut out, Oklahoma looks to bounce back and get in a National Championship for the first time since 2004.

Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Bob Stoops held his first weekly press luncheon on the 26 th. He talked about his team this year on both sides of the ball and briefly talked about their upcoming opponents. Stoops said of the Mocs “ They run a lot of two-back, two-tight end sets where they run the ball, but then they also have play action off of that to throw the defense off guard a bit.” He went on to say “Defensively, they changed from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense with a lot of four deep and three deep zone blitzes.” None of this seemed to worry the coach too much, as he is confident in his team. He also stated that Ryan Broyles, freshman wide receiver, may be the big play receiver they have been missing since Mark Clayton was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.

This time last year everyone was wondering how effective the quarterback play at Oklahoma would be. Then Sam Bradford stepped in. The freshman led the nation in passing efficiency rating with 176.53, tossed more touchdowns then any freshman in NCAA history with 36, and had 5 passing touchdowns against Miami (FL) and again against Conference foe Texas A&M. This year he is already being mentioned as a Heisman hopeful. In 2008 he looks to improve on these numbers and avoid hitting a sophomore slump like fellow Big 12 quarterback Colt McCoy did last year.

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Defense seems to be the area of concern for most critics of the Sooners. The defensive line is a solid core of returning guys. The line backing crew has suffered some injuries but these injuries don’t appear to be severe enough to impact anything more than the first week’s game. The defensive backs are a mixed group of young guys and experienced players that Coach Stoops has faith can step up and be a key part of this Sooners team. This Saturday will be the first test for this team that is looking to add a 42 nd conference title to Oklahoma’s great and proud football tradition.

By Ryen Thomsen
Big 12 Fans Oklahoma Sooners Correspondent

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