OFFENSE

Landry Jones made the leap among the quarterbacking elite last year, eventually leading the Big 12 in passing yards and touchdowns and winning the Sammy Baugh Award as college football’s top passer.

Stats aside, Jones’ greatest gains came mentally as he emerged as a better game manager and leader, revealing a confidence and poise that had been absent until the midway point of last year.Behind Jones and a high-charged offense, Oklahoma braces for a run at a national championship.
An easy target is wide receiver Ryan Broyles, a consensus All-American and Biletnikoff Award finalist who produced the greatest receiving season in school history a year ago, setting nine program records. But there’s quality help, too, with speedy Kenny Stills primed for a big season following a breakout as a freshman a year ago, when he started every game and provided a deep threat opposite Broyles. Even tight end James Hanna produced seven touchdown grabs.

Versatile running back DeMarco Murray has moved on to the NFL, leaving no single back with his varied skills. Still, the Sooners seem comfortable with a committee approach that will include sophomores Brennan Clay, Roy Finch, Jonathan Miller and touted true freshman Brandon Williams.

“We'll be good at running back,” Jones says. “All those guys are talented enough to play back there.”

DEFENSE

There’s no mistaking the confidence flowing through the Sooners defense, despite the loss of several standouts and questions at defensive tackle.

“This is Oklahoma,” says linebacker Travis Lewis, the unit leader and spokesman who has led the team in tackles each of his previous three seasons. “We restock with athletes and keep it rolling.”

While there’s youth, there’s also star power, starting with Lewis, a likely first-round NFL Draft pick. The line’s soft middle is buoyed by playmaking ends Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis, all-conference types who can rush the passer or halt running backs in their tracks.

Cornerback Jamell Fleming, who missed the spring with academic issues, rejoined the team in early July. Fleming's return is a huge boost to Oklahoma's secondary. Rising sophomores like Gabe Lynn and Aaron Colvin had a strong showing in the spring and will help fill the No. 2 and No. 3 cornerback roles. 

Another sophomore, linebacker Corey Nelson, may have been the star of the spring.

“The sky’s the limit for this team,” Lewis says. “If we keep making strides in the right direction, at the end of the day we’re going to be a great defense.”

Key Player

Landry Jones, QB Maturing into one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks; can Jones lead a national title run?

Ryan Broyles, WR He was an All-American in 2010, and the senior wideout plans on being even better this fall.

Travis Lewis, LB Emotionally, physically and statistically, Lewis is the unquestioned leader of the Sooner D.
 

2011 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT
Sept. 3rd	Tulsa
Sept. 17th	at Florida State
Sept. 24th	Missouri
Oct. 1st	Ball State
Oct. 8th	Texas (Dallas, TX)
Oct. 15th	at Kansas
Oct. 22nd	Texas Tech
Oct. 29th	at Kansas State
Nov. 5th	Texas A&M
Nov. 12th	Iowa State
Nov. 19th	at Baylor
Dec. 3rd	at Oklahoma State

SPECIALISTS

Tress Way rates among the nation’s top punters, with stats to back it up. Jimmy Stevens finally provided some stability on field goals, at least from inside the 40. Broyles is almost as dangerous returning punts as he is running routes.

FINAL ANALYSIS

After Stoops won a national title in his second season in Norman, more titles were anticipated and expected. After more than a decade of disappointments and missed opportunities, this could be the year.

The pieces are in place, the schedule is manageable — although trips to Florida State and Oklahoma State are challenges — and the shrunken Big 12 also includes a vulnerable Texas and no conference title game.

“We’re optimistic,” Stoops says. “But there’s a lot of work to be done.”

FANTASY IMPACT

With Tulsa, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma possessing some of the top offenses in college football, the Sooner State will be one of the top places to turn for fantasy options. The Sooners finished No. 2 in the Big 12 in scoring offense last season and with eight starters back, should be near the top of the conference once again.

Quarterback Landry Jones will be one of the first passers off the board in fall drafts, with potential to toss 40 touchdowns in 2011. Receiver Ryan Broyles should be a first-round selection as well, especially with another season of 100 catches likely in the works. Kenny Stills should only get better as a sophomore and ranks as the No. 25 receiver in the preseason rankings. Tight end James Hanna should also be a solid selection in the mid-to-late rounds of fall drafts.

DeMarco Murray’s departure at running back is the biggest hole on offense to fill. Roy Finch rushed for 398 yards in limited work last year and should open fall camp as the player to beat. However, true freshman Brandon Williams and sophomore Brennan Clay will figure into the mix. Don’t be surprised if the Sooners use a committee approach in 2011. 

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