Oklahoma football: Midseason Sooners’ snapshot, performance grades

Oct 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is tackled from behind by Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) during the first quarter of the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is tackled from behind by Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) during the first quarter of the Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley goes for two points during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley goes for two points during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Coaching

The Sooners are blessed to have one of the best head coaches and coaching staffs in college football. And part of the reason for that is the stability in the coaching staff. These guys have been together for quite a few years, which isn’t all that usual in the college game. Lincoln Riley has had great success ever since he arrived in Norman seven years ago.

The record speaks for itself. Oklahoma is 50-8 in the four-plus season he has been head coach, and the Sooners are 73-12 since 2015, when Bob Stoops brought in Riley as offensive coordinator. Since then, Oklahoma has been to four College Football Playoffs, won six consecutive Big 12 championships and produced two Heisman Trophy winners, a Heisman runner-up and two No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks.

Riley and his staff face some difficult decisions the rest of the way this season, though, if the Sooners are to finish out the season in championship form. Grade: B+