Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) is pursued by Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Charles Tapper (91) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Defense
While there was plenty of blame to go around in last year’s disappointing season, the Sooner defense was close to the top of the list. Oklahoma played solidly up front, leading the Big 12 in defending against the run, but was exposed badly on the back end by the top quarterbacks in the league. The Sooner secondary was beaten over the top on far too many big plays.
Head coach Bob Stoops made several changes in coaching responsibilities on defense in the offseason, the most prominent of which will moving defensive coordinator Mike Stoops from the sidelines to the press box in the 2015 season. In addition, brother Mike will no longer also coach the defensive backs. That responsibility has been given to Kerry Cooks, who joins the OU coaching staff this season from Notre Dame, where he spent the last five seasons coaching the Fighting Irish defensive secondary. Mike Stoops will assist Tim Kish in 2015, coaching the outside linebackers in addition to his duties as DC.
The Sooners have All-Big 12-quality players on defense in DE Charles Tapper, linebackers Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander and CB Zach Sanchez, so the talent exists on the defensive side of the ball. If they can gets things shored up on the back end, there’s no reason the OU D shouldn’t be as competitive and productive as any team in the conference. Grade: B
Next: Defensive Line