Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus // Oklahoma Sooners

2009 Texas Tech Opponent Prospectus

Game 1: North Dakota Fighting Sioux // Game 2: Rice Owls // Game 3: Texas Longhorns // Game 4: Houston Cougars // Game 5: New Mexico Lobos // Game 6: Kansas State Wildcats // Game 7: Nebraska Cornhuskers // Game 8: Texas A&M Aggies // Game 9: Kansas Jayhawks // Game 10: Oklahoma St. Cowboys // Game 11: Oklahoma Sooners

There's no doubt that the Oklahoma Sooners are in the hunt for the national championship. As it did last year, I have no doubt that much will be decided in Dallas against the Longhorns. The defense should be terrific, despite some recent injuries, but there are questions on the offense that will need to be answered.

Join me after the jump for a closer look at Oklahoma.

General Information

Statistics

Statistic	Oklahoma	Texas Tech
Pass Offense	349.36 (3)	413.15 (1)
Rush Offense	198.50 (20)	117.84 (94)
Total Offense	547.86 (3)	531.00 (4)
Scoring Offense	51.14 (1)	43.77 (3)
Pass Efficiency	176.24 (1)	158.76 (9)
Sacks Allowed	0.93 (3)	1.00 (4)
Pass Defense	251.50 (99)	242.23 (94)
Rush Defense	116.21 (20)	140.38 (61)
Total Defense	367.71 (68)	382.62 (79)
Scoring Defense	24.50 (58)	27.85 (74)
Pass Efficiency Defense	118.09 (46)	130.56 (72)
Sacks	3.00 (4)	2.62 (18)
Tackles For Loss	7.57 (10)	4.85 (95)
Turnover Margin	1.64 (1)	0.62 (22)

Top Returners

A Few Things

1. The Heart of the Offense: Say what you will about departures, and I will later, but the heart of the Sooner offense in the incredibly gifted and accurate Sam Bradford. As I was plugging numbers into othe tables, I couldn't help be be awed by the 50 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions, and I'm not supposed to get awed by that sort of thing. To top it all off, the Sooners also had a top 20 rushing team. Yeah, they had it pretty good last year.
2. Let's Cut to the Chase: No need to avoid it, but the Sooners will be replacing four-fifths of their offensive line and two starting receivers. I know, the Sooners don't rebuild, but that's a hell of a lot of production up front replace. You'll note that the Sooners were third in the nation in allowing sacks and I've already mentioned the top 20 running game. There's no doubt that Bradford is an all-world performer, but I think it's going to be incredibly difficult for OU to duplicate last year's numbers. It's one thing to replace one or two and expect the same results, but that's not the case.
3. The Defense Looks Salty: The title says it all. Although the defense technically finished 68th in the country in total defense you've now got a team that returns all but the two starting safeties. Already pretty good at getting pressure on the quarterback and making plays, the entire front seven returns. Teams will have their hands full with a defensive line that was very good at getting pressure on the quarterback and very good stopping the run. Like the rest of the Big 12, the Sooners weren't so good against the pass, 99th in the nation. If you were going to exploit OU, it's got to be through the air, it's just that the quarterback cant hold onto the ball very long.
4. Safety Nets Return: Despite the losses on the offense, there are some serious safety nets that do return. First, Jermaine Greshman may be he best tight end in the nation and he caught a ton of passes last year. Running backs Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray return and having the runners who are capable of giving Bradford breathing room is a huge advantage. Not to mention, former running back turned receiver, Mossis Madu, Jr. returns and is at the very least a familiar face, along with Ryan Broyes, who caught 46 passes last year.