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2013 Spring Recap: Oklahoma

LandryJones'seniorseasondidn'texactlygoasexpected.Oklahoma'ssurprising
losstoKansasStateinWeek3derailedtheSooners'nationaltitlehopesand
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theteam'slosstoNotreDamemidwaythroughtheseasonultimatelyendedthe
Sooners'questtoreachanotherBCSbowl.BobStoops'teamstillwona
shareoftheBig12championshipandbeatrivalsTexas(63-21)andOklahoma
State(51-48),butit'shardtonotconsiderOklahoma's2012campaigna
disappointment.
OklahomaAT-A-GLANCE
OUhasn'tbeentoaBCSgameintwoyears,itslongestsuchstretchinStoops'
tenure.
THEBASICS
Coach: Bob StoopsClick Here to view this Link.
Last season: 10-3 overall, 8-1 in
the Big 12; lost 41-13 to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
RETURNING STARTERS
(minimum of seven starts in 2012)
Offense (7): OC Gabe Ikard,
OL Bronson Irwin,
FB Trey Millard,
WR Jalen Saunders,
OL Adam Shead,
RB Damien Williams,
OL Daryl Williams
Defense
(4): CB Aaron Colvin,
DB Gabe Lynn,
DE Chuka Ndulue,
LB Corey Nelson
Special teams (0): None
Jones is gone, as is Kenny Stills and most of the OU defense, but high
expectations remain. Who will replace Jones? How does Oklahoma expect to
navigate a schedule that features 11 teams that went bowling in 2012?
We caught up with SoonerScoop.com's
Eddie Radosevich for the latest on the Sooners.
THE SPRING LEAD
Oklahoma is facing the same issue heading into 2013 as most of its Big 12
counterparts -- determining who will start at quarterback.
Many assumed Blake Bell would get the nod based on his experience and
his use as a package quarterback over the last two seasons. While Bell could
still end up being the starter, he faced a legitimate competition in the spring.
"I think there's actually a good, healthy competition between him,
Kendal Thompson and
Trevor Knight," Radosevich said. "There was a lot
more interest in spring this year than there has been in the past. I think Blake
Bell and the quarterback race was the biggest issue.
"I think the other issue was the breathe of fresh air for the program with new
coaches coming in --
Jerry Montgomery (defensive line), Jay Boulware (tight ends, special teams). The way everything ended last year, I
think getting some new coaches on the staff and going through a quarterback
battle is something that needed to happen in Norman."
But how will Thompson's recent arrest for public intoxication impact the battle?
"I don't think it's going to be anything that's going to hurt his chances in the
long run," Radosevich said. "It's obviously something you don't want to have to
deal with your quarterback. You want everyone to look up to the quarterback as a
leader, but I don't think it's anything that will affect the team going into the
fall."
For reference, former Texas Tech receiver Darrin Moore was arrested for driving
while intoxicated last year and was suspended one game and went through fall
camp as a full member of the team. On Oklahoma's side, Kenny Stills was once
arrested for driving under the influence and was suspended one game.
"I think he probably won the race after the spring game," Radosevich said
regarding Bell. "But they haven't announced anything. All three are going to go
into the summer as 1A, 1B and 1C. It could be interesting, but I think Bell will
be the one standing at the end."
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Oklahoma's offensive line, which was an area of disappointment last year, should
be an area of strength this season thanks to the addition of former Red Raider
assistant Bill Bedenbaugh who joined the OU staff during the offseason.
"There were a lot of people not happy with the lack of the ability to run the
ball," Radosevich said. "With him coming in and reshaping the offensive line,
that really surprised a lot of people."
Performance wise, the running backs and linebackers units should be stout.
Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said the linebackers are the
strongest unit on the defensive side of the ball.
KEY CONCERN
The Oklahoma defensive line and secondary certainly took graduation hits.
"They're probably going to rely on some freshmen to come in and get some playing
time next year," Radosevich said. "When you lose guys like Javon Harris and Tony
Jefferson at safety, that's a lot of tackles in the backfield from veteran guys.
I think they're going to look at guys that came in their 2013 recruiting class
to develop and get to play rather quickly.
"More importantly, the defensive line. Just how are they going to develop the
younger guys? They don't have a whole lot of depth there and that's something
people in Norman want, a defensive line that gets more pressure on the
quarterback."
QUICK HITS
• Missed Significant Time: C Gabe Ikard (broken hand),
OL Tyler Evans (held out after ACL injury, might retire depending on
response from surgery)
• Position Switches: RB Daniel Brooks to CB
Schedule Note: Eleven of Oklahoma's 12 games this season will
come against teams that played in bowl games last year. ... The Sooners will
only leave Norman once during the first six weeks of the season, a Sept. 28 date
at Notre Dame. ... Four of OU's last six games are on the road, including visits
to Lawrence, Waco, Manhattan and Stillwater.
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