Oklahoma Sooners 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Oklahoma Sooners 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 11-2

2016 ATS – 7-6

Gotta give these dudes some credit.

The Sooners started out the season losing two of their first three games (Houston, Ohio St) and then proceeded to RUN THE TABLE and finish 11-2. That included an undefeated run in the Big 12 (Conference champs, yo) and a demolition of Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

The big news ? Oklahoma will be without HC Bob Stoops this year for the first time in forever as he unexpectedly retired in June. Former OC Lincoln Riley takes over and becomes the youngest HC in the FBS.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Big 12 – TBD

OFFENSE

In the only Heisman ballot that matters MEGALOCKS had QB Baker Mayfield a close 2nd to Deshaun Watson. He was fantastic. Almost 4,000 yards passing and a sparkling 40-8 TD to INT ratio while facing a tough schedule. Oh, and he ran for 6 scores and displayed great leadership leading the team to 10 straight wins and a Big 12 Championship. And a bowl win vs Auburn. Maybe if he played for Michigan and picked up meaningless TDs and yards on offense vs Rutgers and played stellar defense vs Hawaii he would have garnered more first place votes.

This has been an annoying MEGALOCKS editorial message.

Let’s continue. <takes deep breath>

Mayfield is back this season but we have concerns about the potential in the RB and WR groups. Now Oklahoma churns out superstars like nobody’s business, but the fact remains, it is not easy to replace TWO NFL draft picks at RB and a 1,500 yard WR who was named the best receiver in college football (DeDe Westbrook) by winning the Biletnikoff Award. MEGALOCKS Big 12 INSIDERS will be keeping a close eye on the emerging talent at RB and WR over the summer. TE is locked down with 1st Team Big 12 performer Mark Andrews.

Right now, we must admit, it seems like a longshot to ask the Sooners to match the output from the past two seasons (43.9, 43.5). The ACE IN THE HOLE for Oklahoma is that they have one of the best offensive lines in all of college football and that means yuuuge holes for whoever is carrying the ball and lots of time for Mayfield to MATRICULATE in the passing game.

DEFENSE

There is not much else to say other than it was a bit of a grease fire last season. If the Sooners’ offense was not comically awesome in 2016 they would not have finished at 11-2. It sure felt strange seeing them yield 28.8 points per game (#5 Big 12) and only bag 25 sacks (#7 Big 12).

Oklahoma returns 3/4 starters on the DL but are there stars in this group ? We DO know that there is at least one star in the LB group as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is back to DOMINATE in 2017. The secondary features 3/4 returning starters including 1st Team Big 12 performer Jordan Thomas. Overall, we worry a bit about the pass rush meeting traditional Oklahoma standards, but definitely feel that they will be improved this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Austin Seibert did a fine job punting but was 0/4 on FG from 40+ yards. The total reload in the return teams cannot be ignored given that D Westbrook and J Mixon were excellent. We are a bit skeptical.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

September 16 – TULANE. This puppy is sandwiched between dates with Ohio St and Baylor. They are sure to be laying close to a zillion points.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Oklahoma’s last two opponents in an actual living breathing Big 12 Championship game ? A current Big 10 team (Nebraska) and a current member of the SEC (Missouri).

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.5

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the SOONERS a 3.5 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season.

We think that Oklahoma is going to have a tough go of it against the point spread this season. There are a lot of significant changes to deal with (HC, RB, WR) and the defense does not feel like a typical Oklahoma stop unit littered with stars. It’s hard to imagine them getting through the Big 12 schedule unscathed. And they will probably be favored more often than not. Tread lightly.

Want more Oklahoma football ?

Website

http://www.soonersports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=127245&SPSID=750323&DB_OEM_ID=31000

Forum

Free

http://www.scout.com/college/oklahoma/forums/2445-football-recruiting

http://www.landthieves.com/board/forumdisplay.php?9-Football

http://www.soonertimesbb.com/forums/view_forum.php?id=2

http://www.soonerfans.com/forum/index.php?forums/sooner-football.2/

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https://oklahoma.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-crimson-corner.12/

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