Oklahoma Football: Final unit, player grades vs Houston

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) rushes during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) rushes during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops before a game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops before a game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

This wasn’t the opener Bob Stoops had envisioned coming in as the No. 3 team in the nation, and he’s got a lot of work ahead of him trying to patch together what looks to be a pretty porous defense.

More from Stormin in Norman

Even so, there were some good things happening on the field, and Sooner fans can look forward to a good season, just not the undefeated season many believe will be needed to reach the playoffs out of the Big 12 this year.

Mayfield won’t be facing defenses like this every week, and he had a good game despite some struggles late in the contest.

The big worry for Stoops and the Sooners right now has to be Ohio State, who rolled over what was thought to be a pretty competitive Bowling Green team 77-10 on Saturday. If the Buckeyes pass offense – which had J.T. Barrett throw for 349 yards and six touchdowns against the Falcons – runs with any amount of efficiency at all, it will be a long day for the Sooner secondary.

Next: Five Best OU Season Openers

Two losses – non-conference or otherwise – could spell an end to any hopes the Sooners have of returning to the College Football Playoff in 2016.

Next up for Oklahoma will be a home game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at 7:00 pm on Sept. 10 at Memorial Stadium.