Oklahoma football: Sooners QB Blake Bell gives fans reason to watch

On a night when Oklahoma is sure to throttle lowly Florida A&M, intrigue will be in short supply. Yet with a blowout comes the chance to see back-ups in a real live game, and none is more riveting than the back-up quarterback.

This is a glimpse into the future, Sooner fans.

“Blake is capable of doing a lot of the stuff that Landry does,” Sooner receiver Kenny Stills said. “Lots of big plays. Balls on the money. Hitting you right in your hands.”

Thing is, none of us ever get to witness Sooner practices and see that side of Bell. We know him only as the Belldozer, a burly, bruising battering ram who can't be stopped in short-yardage situations.

Granted, it seems that role is expanding. Last season, the Belldozer was used almost exclusively in the red zone, but last week, he was deployed on several third-and-short situations nowhere near the goal line. But even that isn't indicative of what Bell must ultimately do.

Named the back-up a few weeks ago, Bell is the heir apparent to Landry Jones. There will come a day when he takes over this offense. That means he'll have to throw it as well as he runs it. He will have to look off defenders and go through his progression and stand in the pocket and roll out of it when pressure comes and put the ball on the money.