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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 23, 2009

CFB: Top 25 Countdown: No. 2 Oklahoma


By Randall Perry
McClatchy Newspapers

No. 2 Oklahoma

Coach: Bob Stoops
Record: 109-24, 10 years
Last season: 12-2, 7-1 Big 12

Bowl game: Lost to Florida 24-14 in the BCS Championship Game
Overview: In the 10 years Bob Stoops has been at Oklahoma, the Sooners have been in the BCS title game four times. They won it in 2000, and lost in 2003, 2004 and 2008. With the return of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, two 1,000-yard running backs and every defensive starter except the safeties, they might play for the BCS title again.
Key returnees: QB Sam Bradford Jr.; RB DeMarco Murray, Jr.; RB Chris Brown, Sr.; OT Trent Williams, Sr.; DT Gerald McCoy, Jr.; LB Travis Lewis, So.; CB Dominique Franks, Jr.
Why Oklahoma is dangerous: Until it faced Florida, Oklahoma’s offense was virtually unstoppable last season. The Sooners scored 35 points twice, scored in the 40s twice, in the 50s four times and the 60s five times. Quarterback Sam Bradford won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, passing for 4,720 yards, 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Running back Chris Brown rushed for 1,220 yards and 20 touchdowns, and DeMarco Murray for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tight end Jermaine Gresham barely missed 1,000 yards in receiving. On defense, linebacker Travis Lewis had 144 tackles and four interceptions as a redshirt freshman. The defensive line and secondary are talented as well.
Why Oklahoma is vulnerable: Oklahoma will have to replace four of five starters in the offensive line and will have to find a replacement for Juaquin Iglesias, who had 1,150 yards in receptions.
Prediction: The Sooners christen the new Cowboys Stadium for college teams with a game against BYU on Sept. 5. The Sooners also have road games against Kansas and Nebraska. Then there’s that Red River Shootout with Texas. Despite all that, another berth in the BCS title game is not out of the question.