Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Five reasons to be excited about a 2020 season

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 07: A general view of the stadium during the Iowa State game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 38-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 07: A general view of the stadium during the Iowa State game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 38-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 30: Athletic director Joe Castiglione stands with head coach Lincoln Riley and his wife Caitlin Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners after defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their Bedlam game on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 30: Athletic director Joe Castiglione stands with head coach Lincoln Riley and his wife Caitlin Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners after defeating the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their Bedlam game on November 30, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OU won 34-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

The head coach

Hard to argue with the record of a coach who has three 12-win seasons in just three years as a head coach, taken his team to three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances, won three consecutive Big 12 championships and produced two Heisman-winning quarterbacks and a third who was a Heisman runner-up.

Lincoln Riley is recognized as one of the best offensive architects in college football. It’s hardly a coincidence that the Sooners have ranked No. 3, No. 1 and No. 1, respectively, in total offense the past three seasons, and Riley has been equally adept at bringing in top talent. Oklahoma’s past two recruiting classes with Riley as head coach have ranked in the top-10 nationally.

Riley’s 36 wins is the most of any OU head coach in his first three seasons. About the only thing that is missing from coaching resume after three seasons as head coach and two before that as the team’s offensive coordinator is a national championship.

With what the Sooners have accomplished in each of the past three seasons, how could you not include them as a national title contender again in 2020.

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