Stormin in Norman
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OU Football: Five Reasons Things Have Never Been Better in Norman

By Chip Rouse

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates in the crowd with fans following the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates in the crowd with fans following the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Aaron Green (22) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Aaron Green (22) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

An Underrated and Under-Appreciated Defense

The Sooners lose five starters and five of their best defenders off of the Big 12’s top defense a year ago. And they might be missing another starter depending on what happens with starting cornerback Jordan Thomas, who was arrested recently and faces charges of public intoxification, assault and police interference stemming from an incident outside a popular Norman night spot.

Linebacker is perhaps the biggest area of concern on the OU defense in the coming season, which is an unusual development on a team that has had an outstanding corps of linebackers down through the years.

The loss of All-Big 12 performers Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander at the linebacker position will be big shoes and several seasons of experience to fill. But don’t expect a huge drop off in linebacker play, as the Sooners still will be solid at the position, with senior Jordan Evans and junior Ogbonnia Okoronkwo  providing most of the firepower.

The Sooners’ defensive line, anchored by Matthew Romar and with Charles Walker and Matt  Dimon as bookends at defensive end, may be the best in the Big 12, and the secondary is talented and experienced, and as good as they come, especially with Jordan Thomas at cornerback.

The bottom line is that Oklahoma has steadily allowed between 22 and 26 points a game and between 350 and 390 total offensive yards for the past five seasons. Another season like that is well within the realm of reality, and would be an outstanding effort in a conference with as many high-powered offenses as there are in the Big 12.

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