Opinion: 11 Bold Predictions for the 2014 Oklahoma Sooners

There are still 44 days until the Oklahoma Sooners kick off its 2014 campaign against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. It’s the beginning of a new era in college football, with the BCS out the door and the College Football Playoff taking its place. The Sooners are projected to compete in the inaugural four-team playoff, and Sooner fans feel OU can win it all. To help pass the time until kickoff in Norman, here are my 2014 Oklahoma Sooners football bold predictions.

1. Trevor Knight starts every game without an injury.
When we he went down last year, Blake Bell took over for eight games. Knight was re-injured in the 2014 Bedlam game, but this year, expect Knight to be tougher and more mature, leading to safer play.

2. There is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender on the defense side of the ball.
It could be Geneo Grissom, Charles Tapper, or most likely Eric Striker. I’m not saying one will be in New York for the presentation, but there will be a serious case for one of them to be there.

3. Blake Bell has 30+ receptions with 5+ TDs.
Bob Stoops hasn’t had a big tight end threat since Jermaine Gresham. Expect the hero of the past two Bedlam games to change that this season in his new position. Did I mention Blake Bell’s father was a tight end in the NFL for eight years? The guy has the genes.

4. Sterling Shepard is a Biletnikoff Finalist.
The award goes to the nation’s best wide receiver. With many of last year’s receivers leaving, Shepard becomes the #1 target for Knight. He takes advantage, earning an invitation to Orlando for the award.

5. Joe Mixon runs for over 600 yards and 10+ TDs.
The former #1 overall all-purpose back proves to be a huge pick-up for the Sooners, making a difference in his first year.

6. The Sooners defense forces the most turnovers in the Big 12.
With nine starters returning (pending Frank Shannon status) from last season’s #1 defense in the Big 12, Oklahoma will be better than ever. With questions at quarterback for other teams, that’s an equation for many turnovers. Mike Stoops has also brought back the Sooners defense back to what it was in past years.

7. Oklahoma defeats both Texas and Oklahoma State by more than 14 points each.
Against Texas, Oklahoma will avenge last season’s disappointing performance. Against Oklahoma State in Norman, OU will come out rolling and take a big lead early that OSU can’t overcome.

8. The Oklahoma offense scores at least 30 points in every game.
It won’t be as impressive as 2008’s record offense, but this year, Trevor Knight will lead the best offense in the Big 12. Maybe even better than the Baylor Bears.

9. Oklahoma goes undefeated, wins the Big 12 Championship, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
With a favorable schedule, Oklahoma takes care of Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State at home, get revenge against Texas, and pull off a win on the road against Texas Tech to appear in the college football’s first playoff. You can read my more detailed explanation on why this will happen here.

10. Oklahoma wins the first game in the playoff against Ohio State, 42-24.
In a battle of two of the best coaches in the country, Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer, it’s a close game until the second half, when Oklahoma runs away with it. Trevor Knight has a career game like he did against Alabama last season. The defense slows Braxton Miller down, leading to opportunities on the offense to take advantage.

11. Oklahoma wins the College Football Playoff National Championship over Oregon, 38-28.
It’s a close game throughout the game, with Oklahoma using a drive in the 4th to take a 7-point lead. Then the defense stops Oregon, leading to a FG for Oklahoma. The Sooners defense does the rest, finishing the game with a 10-point advantage and the school’s eighth national championship.