Oklahoma football: Five bold predictions with five days to go

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with his team including Caleb Kelly #19 and Marquise Overton #97 after defeating the Baylor Bears 30-23 in the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with his team including Caleb Kelly #19 and Marquise Overton #97 after defeating the Baylor Bears 30-23 in the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Creed Humphrey #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The offensive line will mask some of the growing pains at QB and RB this season

You can have outstanding talent at quarterback and running back, but if the big guys up front aren’t able to do their job and protect the QB and open up running lanes for the ground attack, the offensive production won’t be nearly as effective as it could be.

The reverse is also true. A great offensive line, which the Sooners are blessed with, with all five starters from a year ago returning in 2020, can bring out the best in a good-if-not-great running game and afford a young quarterback who is growing into the starter’s role valuable time with which to find open receivers and extend and make plays.

The Oklahoma offensive line is deep and one of the best in college football this season, and that will be a huge difference maker offensively this season.