The way too early football predictions for 2017…
After the basketball season from hell, it is time for OU fans to focus our attention on football.
Yes, OU lost some difference makers on offense, but that is why OU recruits nationally every year. With Baker at the helm and the entire offensive line and Lincoln Riley returning, I expect the offense to be churning by the Texas game.
Prior to that game the Sooners will have to rely more on the defense, which as we know has sucked of late. Don’t expect a miracle in Columbus, but by the Texas game I expect the defense to be much improved.
Someone finally clued in Mike Stoops to the realization that a 3-4 alignment could not create a pass rush. By recruiting able-bodied defensive linemen, the defense can now return to the defensive look that made us famous. I also believe that we will see more of Caleb Kelly this year, which will be a very good thing.
According to ESPN, OU and OSU will battle it out for the Big 12 championship and Alabama, Florida State, USC and the Big Ten winner will make up the playoffs teams. On paper, I would agree with their findings, but thankfully the game is not played on paper.
The key for OU is to not get blown out in Columbus and take care of its Big 12 business. The Big 12 championship game will be same weekend, as the Big Ten game so if OU can impress the committee on that weekend OU will have a legitimate shot at the final four.
OSU will be good again as T. Boone has financed the latest set of triplets to return to Stillwater. Here is the thing however. The past few years OSU has lived the Life of Riley with no injuries. It is no secret that a big part of reason has been its powder-puff schedule.
This could change in 2017, as the Cowboys will fact a tough Tulsa team in its home opener and then go on the road for two games. One of those games will be played against a physical Pittsburgh team.
If the Cowgirls can avoid injuries in all three of those games and beat an improved Texas team in Austin, I will give them their due. Regardless of this fact, in order for the Ags to win the Big 12 and make it to the final four, OSU must beat the Sooners twice in one season. Call me a cock-eyed optimist, but I don’t see that ever happening.
Below I have listed The ESPN “way too early” Big 12 and national rankings…
1…..OU (#8)
2…..OSU (#10)
3…..Kansas State (#17)
4…..West Virginia (#22)
5…..Texas (#23)
The ESPN “way too early” Top 25…
1…..Alabama
2…..Florida State
3…..USC
4…..Ohio State
5…..Penn State
6…..Clemson
7…..LSU
8……OU
9..…Washington
10….OSU
11…Auburn
12…Wisconsin
13…Clemson
13…Georgia
14…Michigan
15…Stanford
16…Miami
17….Kansas State
18…Louisville
19…Colorado
20…USF
21…Washington State
22….West Virginia
23….Texas
24…BYU
25…Virginia Tech