OU football: Sooners should be stout, although some questions must be answered in camp

The Sooners' spot atop the preseason poll isn't surprising; still, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the team at key spots.

Here are five pressing questions facing the Sooners as we inch closer to the 2012 season opener on Sept. 1 at UTEP.

5. How effective will the Sooners' pass rush be without Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis?

OU recorded 40 sacks last season, tied for eighth in the country. But Alexander and Lewis, both All-Big 12 performers, are gone to the NFL.

Senior R.J. Washington, playing for an injured Lewis, demonstrated his potential with two sacks in last year's Insight Bowl. Washington was a highly touted prospect out of high school and will finally get his shot to start.

Senior David King will start at the other end spot after recording two sacks in backup duty last year.

4. Who will be the Sooners' primary ball carrier?

Former walk-on Dominique Whaley led OU with 627 rushing yards before his season ended five games early with a broken ankle. He missed spring practices, but indications are he'll be ready for his senior year.

If the injury doesn't linger and Whaley stays healthy, it would be a huge boost for OU and take major pressure off the passing game.

Junior Roy Finch matched Whaley's yards per carry in 2011 (5.5) and has shown flashes of his potential.

Brennan Clay will get touches, too, and fullback Trey Millard, mostly used as a blocking back, has shown he can also run with the ball if needed.

3. How much will the secondary improve under Mike Stoops?

The secondary was much maligned — and deservedly so — after losses to Texas Tech and Baylor last season, and gone is All-Big 12 cornerback Jamell Fleming.

Still, with Stoops' return to Norman as defensive coordinator and secondary coach, improvement could come rapidly. Stoops has emphasized a simplified defense.

Tony Jefferson has moved to a more traditional safety role, and Demontre Hurst returns after leading OU with 11 pass breakups last year.