Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Five Worst Things That Could Happen to OU Football in 2016

By Chip Rouse

Oct 24, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners take the field prior to action against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners take the field prior to action against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Zac Brooks (24) runs into Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) as he is forced out of bounds during the third quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Zac Brooks (24) runs into Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) as he is forced out of bounds during the third quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

A Defense That Both Bends and Breaks

The Oklahoma defense last season was the best it has been since Mike Stoops returned to OU as defensive coordinator in 2012. The Sooners led the Big 12 a year ago in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense and finished second in the league in rushing defense. Seven starters are gone from that group, so the Sooners have some big shoes to fill in a defense that will be counted on again to slow down and get third-down stops in a conference that contains some of the most prolific offenses in the college football.

Oklahoma should again be solid up front on the defensive line and at the back end, where three of the four members of last season’s defensive secondary are back again this year. The middle of the defense, at linebacker, is where the Sooners could be most vulnerable. Outstanding linebacker play has been the strong suit in Oklahoma defensive play in the past.

Eric Striker, Dominique Alexander, Devante Bond and Frank Shannon are going to be difficult to replace, and if the next players up are unable to close the gap and play at a high level, the Sooner defense in 2016 could be in for some unexpected problems.

At best, Sooner coaches are hoping for a defensive performance that may yield some yards, but is able to stiffen at the critical times and make opponents earn every yard they get, especially in the red zone. How the OU defense holds up in the red zone and the ability to create turnovers will largely determine how far the Sooners will go this season.

Next: OU Done in by Both Houston and Ohio State in First Three Games

Home/OU Football