It has been a long time since the talk in Norman was more about how the Oklahoma Sooners can improve their NCAAF odds rather than challenge to win it all. But I guess that’s what happens when an Oklahoma team that has been a perennial trendy college football betting pick to win the National Championship finds itself spectating outside the national arena with six Big 12 losses over the past two seasons. 
Now, at the risk of being accused of stating the obvious, the reality about NCAA Football odds is that winning at a high level over lengthy periods is never easy. Plus, at some point, even the best teams occasionally find themselves in unfamiliar losing grounds, probably to remind them about avoiding complacency, which tends to creep in when all you’ve been doing is winning. Therefore, rather than unnecessarily panicking ahead of the new season about nearly everything, the fans should be focused on appreciating what they have and hoping that Stoops will do what he does best—offer formidable leadership and coach the team back to success. 
Most notably, RB Perine is coming off a record-setting 1,713-yard freshman campaign, so his presence in the team should guarantee a solid running game alongside redshirt freshman RB Joe Mixon and Ross in one of the nation’s top backfield combinations. Sanchez and Striker are known to be real workhorses, so the secondary will also be guaranteed of having good anchors. 
But even with many people considering Mayfield as the right fit in Riley’s new offense, the Texas Tech transfer is not guaranteed a starting job, as he is still competing with incumbent starter Trevor Knight and sophomore Cody Thomas. 
As we wait on Stoops and Riley to announce their choice, it will also be important to monitor the O-line, as the team needs to replace four starters on its offensive line.
Report: Ex-Auburn safety Derrick Moncrief enrolls at Oklahoma State http://t.co/LRYnu4X2Bi pic.twitter.com/uJEs8n5gxm
— theScore NCAAF (@theScoreNCAAF) July 12, 2015The Reasons to Hope for a Better Oklahoma in 2015
As a matter of fact, there have been tons of recent positive news and reviews that have been made about the Sooners, which should be able to orient optimism in the Sooner nation. For example, on Wednesday, a 30-man All-Big 12 teams was released after voting was done by media representatives who cover the league. Baylor was placed at the top with 7 selections, followed closely by Oklahoma and TCU with 5 players each. Having 5 players endorsed for the All-Big 12 teams is a big honor that should be celebrated, especially when a rival like OSU only had three of its players named in the selection. Namely, senior wide receiver Sterling Shepard, sophomore running back Samaje Perine, junior kick returner Alex Ross, cornerback Zack Sanchez and senior linebacker Eric Striker are the Oklahoma players that were recognized in the list. Most notably, RB Perine is coming off a record-setting 1,713-yard freshman campaign, so his presence in the team should guarantee a solid running game alongside redshirt freshman RB Joe Mixon and Ross in one of the nation’s top backfield combinations. Sanchez and Striker are known to be real workhorses, so the secondary will also be guaranteed of having good anchors. Concerns Ahead of the New Season
Despite the talent of Sanchez and Co., the Sooners worryingly regressed in their D-line in 2014, so some defensive revival will be importantly required Sooner (pun intended) rather than later. In the offense, new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley will need to provide a new sense of direction for the team, especially in the passing game where we still don’t know the player that will get the starting quarterback job. Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield is expected to start at quarterback. In his lone season with the Red Raiders, Mayfield passed for 2,315 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions over seven starts as a freshman, which earned him the 2013 Big 12 offensive freshman of the year award. But even with many people considering Mayfield as the right fit in Riley’s new offense, the Texas Tech transfer is not guaranteed a starting job, as he is still competing with incumbent starter Trevor Knight and sophomore Cody Thomas. As we wait on Stoops and Riley to announce their choice, it will also be important to monitor the O-line, as the team needs to replace four starters on its offensive line. 
