Surprises and Underachievers: The best and worst of Oklahoma’s 2012-2013 season

Oklahoma's David King (90) sits on the bench during the Cotton Bowl college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU)and Texas A&M University at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Oklahoma lost 41-13. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

It’s been a month.

A month since the Oklahoma Sooners went into halftime down by only one to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

Then Johnny Manziel lit up the second half and handed Oklahoma its third loss of the season.

Another 10-3 season.

Except, this time, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said the final record isn’t a disappointment. This year’s 10-3 season included losses to once No. 1 Kansas State, once No. 1 Notre Dame and Texas A&M, who beat a No. 1 team midseason that ended up No. 1 again at the end of the season.

Got all that?

This year’s three losses were to the three teams that included a Heisman finalist, who seemed to be making their bid for the trophy  —  or in Manziel’s case his statement for why he deserved it as a freshman  —  in their respective game against Oklahoma.

It was a season of MIA linebackers, transfer wide receivers and Landry Jones. It was the return of Bob’s little brother Mike Stoops and the disappearance of phenom freshman Trey Metoyer. It was marked by fumbles at the goal line, a destruction of Texas and, of course, The Belldozer.

Now that the month has past, here are the surprises and underachievers for the 2012 season.

SURPRISES

Oklahoma's Justin Brown (19) stiff arms Texas A&M's Sean Porter (10) during the college football Cotton Bowl game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Texas A&M University Aggies (TXAM) at Cowboys Stadium on Friday Jan. 4, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Downtown Justin Brown. Every time Justin Brown made a big play this season, Berry Tramel would say, ‘Downtown Justin Brown.’ Before the season started, few had even heard of Justin Brown. Then he became the biggest story line of the season. He transferred out of the Sandusky mess into Stoops’ success. As the Sooners players liked to say, he became “THAT guy.”

The wide receivers who saved the season. Justin Brown. Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard to name a few. None of them had a reception with Oklahoma before the season, but they had a pretty seamless transition of connecting with Landry Jones.

The feet of Brennan Clay. Bedlam. What more needs to be said?

The speed of Damien Williams. Known as “D Dot” among the team. Known as really, really fast to everyone else.

The strength of the offensive line. How many injuries can one team endure? Apparently a lot. Torn ACLs. Sprained ankles. They shifted positions. Brought in two new centers and gave up 15 sacks for third best in the league.

Special team’s specialties. Tress Way stunned. Michael Hunnicutt went nearly perfect and Roy Finch took one back. The Sooners never really had to worry what would go wrong with special teams on the field.