Opponent Preview- Miami

The last time these two storied programs met was in 2007 when Oklahoma beat Miami 55-13. This meeting will take place in Miami. The Hurricanes will have a tough first four games with all four opponents they play ranked in the top 25.

Miami looks to continue their rise up after a 7-6 season last year. The Hurricanes return almost all their starters on both sides of the ball and should have a much better record this year with experience under their belt. On the offensive side of the ball, Miami lost their starting quarterback Marve to a transfer last year. Jacory Harris looks to lead the team this year at the quarterback position. Cooper returns at running back after having a good season last year. Their receiving corps is young but look for them to improve on last year's numbers. On defense Miami looks to have one of the ACC's best with stars in Sean Spence(LB), Marcus Forston(DT), and Chavez Grant(DB). Sean Spence was the ACC's defensive rookie of the year last year. Look for him to have a big year. Miami has a very fast defense and should be able to keep up with OU's offense.

Oklahoma needs to be careful in this game with such a speedy defense. Miami's linebackers and secondary cover a lot of ground so Sam needs to be careful when throwing. They have good linebackers who could stop OU's run game. Look for this to be a more defensive game between the two teams. With Miami's great speed on offense they may give Oklahom's secondary trouble.


Player's to Watch

Miami- Sean Spence
This guy was all over the field last year and his defensive rookie of the year award proves it. Look for him to make a lot of tackles and help stop OU's run game.

Oklahoma- Ryan Broyles
Broyles played his first season last year for OU and didn't disappoint. He returned kicks and scored touchdowns receiving. He looks to be Sam's go to guy this year. If Miami shuts down the run game he will have to step up and make some big time receiving plays.



This game will be for bragging rights between to storied programs. This is the Sooner's biggest nonconference game of the season. A win would prove that they are back in a big way. A win for Miami could help get them back to past glory.

Demarco Murray Injury Update

Last year in the Big XII championship, Demarco Murray injured his knee on a kickoff return. What was expected to be a one game injury turned into a month long recovery for him. After much rehab, Demarco Murray is set to be back on the field in September. He says that he is almost fully recovered and will look to return to his role as one of the most explosive running backs in the country.

Opponent Preview- Tulsa

These two teams meet each other in Norman for the Sooners second home game. They both were two of the highest scoring offenses a year ago. Tulsa is coming off two very good 10 win seasons. Defense will certainly matter in this game or the Sooners will be in a shootout like last year vs Oklahoma State.

On Tulsa's offense, they lose their record breaking quarterback from last year and are working on getting a new quarterback into their system. They do return a explosive reciever in Damarias Johnson. He is a very fast player who has game breaking ability to score whenever he touches the ball. He also returns kicks which will be a good test for Oklahoma who struggled in kick coverage last year. If Oklahoma does not fix this problem Tulsa will have opportunities to score on kick returns.

Their defense remains in question with eight starters returning. They never had really had to rely on their defense last year with such a high scoring offense. This year figures to be diffrent with a slightly slower paced offense. It will be interesting to see how their defense responds to Oklahoma's high ocane passing and running attack.

Oklahoma should not have to much trouble getting out to an early start in this game if they can establish the run. They will wear down a defense that hasn't been tested. Look for this to open up the passing game.

On the defensive side, Oklahoma has struggled with high scoring offenses in the past like Florida, West Virginia, and Boise State. This game will quickly become a shootout if they can't stop Tulsa's offense.

Players to watch

Tulsa- Tulsa Defense

If Tulsa's defense can step it up they will have a chance with their very talented offense. If they can't Oklahoma will score all over them. This will be a big factor in this game.

Oklahoma- Secondary

With two new starters at free and strong safety their secondary appears to be the weakest part of a good defense. If the secondary can't stop the pass Tulsa will move the ball up and down the field. If they can, Oklahoma will dominate the game.

Oklahoma looks to extend their home winning streak and beat their instate rival. Tulsa looks to pull the upset this year after last losing their last meeting to Oklahoma two years ago on their home field.

Opponent Preview- Idaho State

This game will be the Sooners season opener at Owen Field. Idaho State figures to be huge underdogs with a 1-11 season last year. They are looking to improve with many of last year's starters returning. A big win here over Oklahoma would be a huge victory for the school.

On the Idaho State side of the ball they have a dynamic quarterback in Russell Hill. He threw for over 2000 yards last year and 14 touchdowns. Theer best player may be J.D. Ponciano who plays similar to how Jeremy Maclin did . He is a very good kick returner and is going to break several Idaho State records. He plays wideout and kick returner. He had over 500 return yards and two touchdowns last year. Oklahoma needs to pressure Hill so he cannot make big plays down field to Ponciano.

Idaho State has a decent defense who is known for forcing turnovers. Oklahoma can not be sloppy with the ball or they will be giving Idaho State chances to pull an Appalachian State.

Oklahom's speed can hurt Idaho State if Sam has time to throw the ball. Look for Murray and Brown to rack up big yards in this game.

Players to Watch

Idaho State- J.D. Pociano

Pociano is a big time threat and can cause match up problems for Oklahoma's defense. If he gets lose down field he can become a big time threat and rack up alot of yards.

Oklahoma- Murray and Brown

Idaho State has an average decent who did poorly last year. Look for Murray and Brown to get alot of carries and rack up big time yards agisnt a defense that gave up alot of rushing yards last year.

If Oklahoma wins this game they can tie the record for most consecutive home wins at 25. If Idaho State can shock the world, this will be the program's biggest win in their history.

Opponent Preview- BYU

This is Oklahoma's opening game of the season and the game will be played at the new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Texas. The two teams have only met once before with BYU beating Oklahoma in 1994. Both teams bolster high scoring offenses with Oklahoma's being the highest scoring ever last year. BYU comes into the 2009 season with a experienced quarterback in Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga who has rushed for over 1000 yards in the last two seasons. Their defense is no joke either. They have several all-american possibilities and their defense is very experienced. Oklahoma can not underestimate this BYU team or it will be in for a long first game. On the Oklahoma side of the ball Sam Bradford returns along with Murray and Brown. Both RB's are recovering from off season injuries so it will be interesting to see how they perform in the season opener. BYU has a pretty good secondary so it should match up well with Oklahoma's new receivers. Tight end Jermaine Gresham will probably be Sam's favorite target this season and he could provide match up nightmares for BYU. On Defense, Oklahoma should hold its own agianst BYU and make it hard for Unga to run the all. The secondary is also experienced although they do have two new starters at free and strong saftey.



Players to Watch

BYU- Max Hall is a very experienced quarterback who is known for good instincts. He threw for over 4000 yards last year and 35 touchdowns. If he gets comfortable in the pocket he could give the Sooners problems with his arm.

Oklahoma- Sam Bradford won the Heisman a year ago and he gave up millions to come back and play another year for Oklahoma. If he can regain his form from last year BYU will be in a world of trouble.


If Oklahoma wins this game it will be a big opening statement for a team that was embarrased last year against Florida in the title game. On the other side, BYU's program has been one of the most winning programs in the country and a win agianst Oklahoma would solidify that their 32-7 record over the past three years is no laughing matter.

Oklahoma Schedule

Oklahoma is set to play the third hardest schedule in the country this year with away games at Miami, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas Tech. Home games include: BYU, Idaho State, Tulsa, Baylor, Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State. The Texas game is of course at a neutral field(even though its in Texas??????). This is one of their toughest schedules in a long time and with a questionable offensive line, it will be hard for the team to make it back to the national championship this year.
Their toughest away game will most likely be in Lubbock where they have to face Texas Tech. They haven't won there in their last two attempts. The biggest game for them of course will be the Red River Shoot Out against Texas. The winner of this will most likely be the outright winner of the Big 12 South.
The team does have many key returning starters in Sam Bradford, Demarco Murray, Chris Brown, and their ten returning defensive starters. Sam Bradford, of course, is the reigning Heisman trophy winner. Brown and Murray are touted as the best running back duo in the country by many. They both rushed for over 1000 yards last year. Their defense will be looking to improve with 10 starters back. The Sooners need to get back to the smash mouth running football they are known for.
Questions do remain about an O-line that lost all but 1 of its starters. Also the receiver position only returns one true starter in Ryan Broyles.
If the Oklahoma can build a decent O-line and give Bradford some receivers to throw to, they have a shot at going undefeated and winning the Big XII.

Espys

Sam Bradford has been nominated for an espy along with Blake Griffin.

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