Last month, I released my 2014 Oklahoma Sooners football bold predictions. You can find them here. Now, I’m going to focus on one particular position on the team, that also seems to be gathering a lot of attention this off-season: the running backs.
With Joe Mixon’s status in question, there are plenty of questions about the Sooners backfield this season. Being a running back at OU comes with a lot of pressure. From past greats like Billy Sims and Steve Owens, to more recent ones like Quentin Griffin, Adrian Peterson, and DeMarco Murray, the expectation to perform as a running back at OU is without a doubt high. Here are 10 predictions for the 2014 Oklahoma Sooners running backs, assuming Joe Mixon is eligible to play:
1. Keith Ford is the starter for the first game vs. Louisiana Tech.
He’s one of four backs with more than one-year experience, with Ross, Brooks, and Smith being the other ones. And he’s most likely the most talented. That comes a long way, so I think Stoops gives him the nod.
2. Joe Mixon becomes the starter by the second or third game.
Again, this is assuming he is eligible to play. If not, I believe Ford will carry the torch for the season.
3. Alex Ross becomes used on a regular basis from the first game.
We saw some flashes of talent last season. He wasn’t used much, but he’ll get his chances this season to try and prove himself and work his way in to the rotation.
4. Joe Mixon rushes for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.
As long as he is able to play, he will be the go-to guy by the second of third game, leading to more touches from the former #1 all-purpose back in the country.
5. Daniel Brooks is seldom used by mid-season.
Stoops will give him some snaps at the beginning, but by the middle, you will not see him much. The guy is talented, but I don’t think he will see much playing time with 3-4 other backs capable of more, in my opinion. If I am wrong on this one, I will publicly announce an apology.
6. The Depth Chart by mid-season looks like this:
Starter: Joe Mixon
Backups (in order): Keith Ford, Alex Ross, Samaje Perine, Daniel Brooks, David Smith, Ezel McIntee. (If Joe Mixon is out, move everybody up one slot).
7. Samaje Perine gets a cool nickname.
I’ve heard Optimus Perine, “Smash” (Samaje), The Tongue Twister, Samurai, Clean Perine, Perine Machine, Smudge, and others. Not sure which one I like the most, but he’ll get one that will stick. A guy with a name like his needs one.
8. A running back scores a rushing touchdown in every game.
With the amount of talent on the team, there’s sure to be one touchdown by at least one back in every game.
9. In Oklahoma’s first game vs. Louisiana Tech, Ford and Mixon both score.
Oklahoma should win comfortably, leading to more running plays, and Ford and Mixon both make the most of it.
10. A running back scores the winning TD in the national championship game.
Yes, I know, I’m looking way ahead on this one, but in my predictions last month, I predicted OU to win by 10 vs. Oregon with a late TD and FG the difference. The TD will be scored by a running back.
With an unusual off-season for the Sooners’ running back-wise and uncertainty of some, look for them to step up and help lead the drive to number eight.