Four questions about OU football
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15
Published: December 22, 2008
How will the loss of running back DeMarco Murray affect the Sooner offense against Florida?
What has made Oklahoma’s offense so tough to defend this year has been its ability to run multiple sets with the same personnel, and a big element of that attack was Murray, capable of lining up in the backfield or at receiver. Without Murray, the Sooners will lose some of that leverage, especially since backup running back Chris Brown won’t intimidate the Gators by lining up in the slot. Third-string back Mossis Madu has the potential to be effective as a pass-catcher, with 11 receptions this season in limited action. Whether he can be an asset in the slot could be telling in how versatile the Sooner offense can be in the national championship. What is the current health of both teams? The Sooners were hoping to have everyone back, except for linebacker Ryan Reynolds, for the national championship. But then last week, both Murray (hamstring) and defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger (lower back) were ruled out from playing. Quarterback Sam Bradford is expected to get the cast off his left hand this week and should be able to take snaps from under center sometime next week. The Sooners also are hopeful linebacker Austin Box and defensive end Alan Davis will be able to return from knee sprains. As for Florida, running back Chris Rainey underwent an MRI on his injured groin last week to diagnose the nagging injury, though coach Urban Meyer said Rainey is expected to play against OU. Rainey (655 yards, four touchdowns) has been battling the injury during the second half of the season. He saw just one play in the SEC championship game and will undergo surgery after the season. Tight end Cornelius Ingram, who missed the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, told reporters after the Alabama game there was an 85 percent chance he’d play against OU. Last week, however, Meyer said there was no chance for that. All-American receiver Percy Harvin, who missed the SEC title game, is staying in Gainesville this week to rehab his sprained ankle while the rest of his teammates go home for the holidays. The ankle injury kept him out of the SEC title game. Harvin is reportedly ahead of schedule on his rehab and should be close to 100 percent for the national championship. Wide receiver Louis Murphy and offensive lineman Carl Johnson, who are battling knee injuries, should be good to go for OU as well. With the verbal commitment of Jenks cornerback Gabe Lynn, where does OU stand with its 2009 recruiting class? With 21 commitments already, not including Norman North kicker Bryce Easley, OU can add four recruits under the NCAA’s 85/25 rule, which mandates a school can sign no more than 25 recruits per year. The biggest prospective fish in this class is five-star defensive tackle JaMarkus McFarland, who is expected to decide between OU and Texas in the coming days. OU also seems to be interested in Tulsa East Central four-star defensive tackle Pearlie Graves, who is still expected to visit Norman despite committing to Michigan in November. The 2009 Sooner class is already loaded with defense, with six of the top seven highest-rated prospects all on the defensive side. This group boasts four defensive backs, five linebackers and a pair of defensive ends. Adding a couple of blue-chip defensive tackles, such as McFarland and Graves, would make this the complete defensive class. How is OU’s 2009 schedule shaping up? The Sooners already have signed agreements in place to play Tulsa in Norman and Miami at Dolphin Stadium next season. Reports out of Provo, Utah, suggest that Brigham Young and OU are working on a deal to play in the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium in the season-opener. It could be announced as OU’s third non-conference game in the coming weeks. If the BYU deal goes through, OU will have a slate of three bowl opponents. With such a strong cast of foes, expect the fourth non-conference game to be at home against a cupcake to balance out the schedule. By Jake Trotter
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real bad. If OU wants to dispell some it's failures in Bowls against
BSU, WV., LSU, and teams Stoops was supposed to beat but somehow
managed to "blow-it", he needs to go to their house and whip them
in their yard. That would help build back some the confidence a lot
of fans have lost in his ability to win big games, or should I say
"inability". Before Stoops was hired as coach OU was winning at
an amazing 80% clip in Bowls, what has he brought down to. In
Switzers first 10 seasons he lost 2 bowls, and missed 2 years
because of probation, the 2 years he didn't go to bowls he won
back to back NC's. Defense wins Championships, Bowls, Big Games.
Sounds good to me! Boomer Sooner!