Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Should Sooner fans be concerned looking ahead?

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 22: Cornerback Parnell Motley #11 and cornerback Tre Norwood #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate an interception and the end of overtime against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 22: Cornerback Parnell Motley #11 and cornerback Tre Norwood #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate an interception and the end of overtime against the Army Black Knights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

The cream will eventually rise to the top

Because of the nature of the Army offense and injuries on the OU defensive line, not to mention the sustained success the Black Knights were having moving the ball against the Sooners. Oklahoma wasn’t able to rotate in as many players as they would have otherwise, especially up front and on the back end, and still have the right personnel groupings on the field.

The Sooners are still plagued by recent history and how poorly the defense has performed the past several seasons. And the troublesome defensive outings the past two weeks has refueled those carryover concerns.

Admittedly, the defense has shown  little the past two games to change lingering perceptions, but I’m going to go on record right now telling you this year’s OU defense is definitely better than what we’ve seen the past few years. Not only is there more depth on the 2018 defensive unit, but the talent level is much higher than what it has been — especially in the secondary, which has been vilified in recent years for giving up too many big plays — and that is going to make a big difference as the season wears on and also in future years.

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