Can they find the answers in the spring?
Can OU and OSU find the answers in the spring?

Here are five key questions for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as the two programs head into spring camp

Oklahoma:

OU has to replace five starters, which may spell tough times for a unit coming off one of the worst defensive performances in years.

The Sooners will also be without defensive end Auston English with a shoulder injury.

Plus, defensive back Lendy Holmes and defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger enter the spring in the doghouse after missing the Fiesta Bowl.

That's why this group shouldn't be judged on its merits until the fall, when it's healthier.

Not only that, as many as three starting lineup replacements in linebackers Mike Balogun and J.R. Bryant and safety David Sims won't arrive until the summer.

By Jake Trotter

Robinson and Loadholt have all kinds of talent, but they didn't warrant enough attention from NFL scouts to make the jump to the next level.

That's because they didn't always dominate and weren't always consistent.

Both could end up being first- or second-round draft picks next year. Both could also slip to the later rounds. How they perform in their senior seasons will determine the difference.

By Jake Trotter

Wilson and Kevin Sumlin, who departed for the Houston head coaching job, had a workable chemistry, which is underrated in the coaching profession.

Norvell, meanwhile, who was UCLA's offensive coordinator last season and Nebraska's the year before that, will bring new and different ideas in offensive philosophy.

How Wilson and Norvell mesh together will play a big role in how OU's offense performs.

By Jake Trotter

OU has had the undervalued benefit the last two seasons of having back-to-back Big 12 defensive players of the year at linebacker in Rufus Alexander and Curtis Lofton.

For OU to have a championship-caliber team, Reynolds — who has been plagued by two knee surgeries — needs to live up to some of that 5-star billing he received coming out of high school in his position switch from outside to middle linebacker.

Spring drills would be a good time to start.

By Jake Trotter

Oklahoma State:

Robinson averaged nearly 14 carries in OSU's final seven games. He's fearless and not afraid to take a hit, which makes him more susceptible to injuries. That's why it's imperative a quality backup quarterback emerges now that Bobby Reid has transferred to Texas Southern.

Brandon Weeden, a 24-year-old redshirt freshman from Edmond Santa Fe, played minor league baseball for five years.

Weeden isn't as much a running threat as Robinson, but Weeden has a rocket arm. Because of his age and arm, Weeden probably is the favorite.

But Alex Cate, a highly rated quarterback from Salt Lake City, has been in OSU's system two years.

How Weeden and Cate perform during 11 spring practices, three scrimmages and the spring game could determine who has the leg up heading into two-a-days.

By Mike Baldwin

Coach Mike Gundy has three new assistants. The most high-profile change is Gunter Brewer, who coached wide receivers the past three years and is now co-offensive coordinator with Trooper Taylor. Brewer will coach quarterbacks, Taylor wide receivers.

On defense there are two new assistants. Glenn Spencer left Duke to fill the defensive line vacancy created when Nelson Barnes was fired. Jason Jones, from Tulsa, will coach cornerbacks.

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman will coach linebackers, filling the void created when former linebackers coach Todd Bradford left to become defensive coordinator on Larry Fedora's staff at Southern Mississippi.

By Mike Baldwin

There are so many candidates for starting jobs and backup roles that this could be an ongoing competition throughout the season. Who starts the season opener against Washington State might not be who starts when Oklahoma visits Boone Pickens Stadium on Nov. 29.

At cornerback, senior Jacob Lacey (26 career starts) has one spot nailed down. Junior Terrance Anderson, who finished strong late last season, enters spring as the other starter. Perrish Cox has tremendous talent and has started 12 games. Maurice Gray, a juco transfer, could emerge.

At safety, senior Ricky Price switched from wide receiver and started all 13 games at free safety. He'll be at strong safety this season. Juco transfer Lucien Antoine, senior Quinton Moore, redshirt freshman James Thomas and true freshman Markelle Martine, already on campus, will all be in the mix.

By Mike Baldwin

This will be the most scrutinized story line throughout spring and two-a-days. OSU finished 101st nationally in total defense, 112th in pass defense.

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman, entering his second season, has challenged his players to be a top-50 defense. To make such a dramatic improvement, several newcomers will have to prove this spring they're capable of playing key roles.

Six junior college players, five participating in spring practice, were signed to provide immediate help. Several young players, including some redshirt freshmen, have talent but must show they're ready for Big 12-caliber football.

By Mike Baldwin

Five starters return if you include David Washington returning from an injury, but the only certainty is Russell Okung starting at left tackle. Offensive line coach Joe Wickline moves his "guys” around to see them perform at different positions.

Washington will be held out of spring practice until mid-March. When he returns he could be evaluated at guard. Andrew Lewis, who played the final 10 games at center last season, could move back to left guard or might stay at center.

Right tackle Brady Bond faces competition to keep his starting job at right tackle. Andrew Mitchell, a junior college transfer who is 23 years old, will compete for the starting job.

If Mitchell wins the job, Bond could push Steve Denning at right guard. Two young linemen to keep an eye on are guards Jonathan Rush, a redshirt freshman, and sophomore Michael Booker.

By Mike Baldwin

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