Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma 2016 Football Season Preview – Part Two

By Sixto Ortiz

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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Oct 18, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder speaks with Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops before the game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder speaks with Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops before the game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

October 15th: The Wildcats Go Hunting in Norman

 The 2015 game against Kansas State was a turning point for the Sooners. Left for dead after the disastrous loss to Texas, the Sooners righted the ship against the Wildcats to the tune of a 55-0 beatdown in Manhattan that led venerable coach Bill Snyder to apologize to the Kansas State faithful for the epically bad performance.

Many believe last year’s win at K-State propelled the Sooner season out of the abyss.

This time, Kansas State comes to Norman, and there is no doubt Bill Snyder will use the 2015 humiliation to motivate his team. Overall, Kansas State was uncharacteristically subpar in 2015: The Wildcats limped to a 6-7 record, including a 3-6 conference record with losses to TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech.

Defensively, the Wildcats will be better in 2016 and will certainly improve upon their total defense ranking of 106th in the country in 2015. The linebacking corps is expected to be outstanding in 2016, with lots of experience returning. Sophomore linebacker Elijah Lee led the team with 67 solo tackles and 13 assisted in 2015, and should be even better in 2016.

In the final analysis, Oklahoma should expect to face a much improved Kansas State defense, so the offense will have to play efficient, mistake-free football for the Sooners to win.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Joe Hubener returns, although there will be competition from Alex Delton and Jesse Ertz. Ertz is expected to push Hubener and could eventually wind up as the starter.

On the ground game, running back Charles Jones returns, so the K-State running game should once again be productive. If the Wildcats can get the running game going in Norman and keep Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid grounded, it could be a far more competitive game than it was in 2015. But if Baker Mayfield comes close to duplicating his five-touchdown, 282-yard performance from last season, it will once again be a long day for the Wildcats. That may be a tall order against an improved Kansas State defense.

This will be a close one, and the Wildcats will definitely be competitive and keep the Sooner offense at bay. But Oklahoma is still the more talented team, and in the end will come away with a 17-10 victory at home.

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