Red-Eye Rewind: Oklahoma Sooners the Big 12 favorites

Top Stories From Thursday:

Big XII Football Preseason Team | Who Got Snubbed?

"While this may come off as a homer pick, I can assure it is not. Charles Tapper deserved to make the cut after being tabbed a part of the All-Big XII First Team in 2013 as a sophomore. The instance marked the only defensive underclassman to receive the honor last season. Seems like an easy pick for the 2014 Preseason All-Big XII list huh? Asserting his dominance along the front seven has not only quarterbacks worried but also offensive coordinators who must account for him with every snap. Rich DeCray, Crimson & Cream Machine"

Three Oklahoma defensive players to watch this season

"Geneo Grissom was a star against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Linebackers Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander are two of the most-dynamic players on the defensive side of the ball. Quentin Hayes had more than 100 tackles last season. Even punter Jed Barnett is getting a lot of run this preseason. So, who are some of the candidates on the defensive side of the ball who could surprise this season? Andrew Gilman, FOX Sports Oklahoma"

Oklahoma impact freshmen: Lack of depth at skill positions will give newcomers a chance

"Bob Stoops isn’t afraid to use young players at skill positions. Since he’s been coach, guys like Adrian Peterson, Kenny Stills and even current receiver Sterling Shepard saw significant time as true freshman and contributed a ton in their first years. 2014 should be no different, especially with a lack of proven depth behind Shepard at receiver and the departure of OU’s four best running backs from a year ago. Here are a few freshmen to keep an eye on for the Sooners. Ryan Gerbosi, SportsDayDFW"

Big 12 officiating: Eight-man crews are here to stay

"The eight-man officiating crew, which was a Big 12 experiment last season, is here to stay. The ACC and the Big Ten are using eight-man crews this season. The ACC sent a representative to the Big 12 officiating clinic. A Big 12 rep went to the Big Ten clinic. “It’s obvious they see the merit, just because of the way the game has changed,” Anderson said. “The game has changed so much in the 30 years since we went from six to seven (officials), so it has a lot of merit. Being able to cover the field better, everyone’s so spread out now. What we had was so many blind spots.” Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman"

Danielle Robinson Headed To WNBA All-Star Game

"After a vote by the league’s head coaches, Danielle Robinson is headed back to the Boost Mobile WNBA All-Star Game as a Western Conference reserve. The University of Oklahoma alum and fourth-year player for the San Antonio Silver Stars will make her second-consecutive appearance in the contest. The 2014 WNBA All-Star game will take place at the US Airways Center in Phoenix on Saturday, July 19, and will be nationally televised on ESPN, with tip-off at 2:30 p.m. CT. Sooner Sports"

Tweets of Interest:

Set your DVR’s accordingly.

Kersey with some good notes.

Recruiting back in full gear.

Can’t wait.

UM. YES.

Well, of course.

WNBA!

The King.

#TBT done right!