The Football Brainiacs

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I tend to hate relying on Top Whatever lists to churn out content, so this is going very much against the norm and most definitely will not become a regular thing. But what with us being now truly stuck in the doldrums of the offseason, I figured a little break from the comfort zone probably couldn’t hurt. So as if it were not already obvious in the title, I went through and ranked the top offensive threats OU will face this coming season. We all know just how high the expectations are for this OU defense, and I feel each of the players listed below could potentially present a threat to the success of what the Sooners are looking to do defensively in 2014.

We can quibble over who is ranked where and/or if there’s a player you feel I excluded and should not have, so as always feel free to let me have it, or just voice your opinion, in the comments section.

Without further adieu….

1. Bryce Petty (Baylor) – I don’t expect this comes as much of a surprise. Petty is the odds on favorite to be the Big 12’s preseason offensive player of the year with Art Briles and the Bears expected to once again field one of the country’s most explosive offenses. The OU defense kept him relatively in check last year in Waco, so with the game shifting to Norman this year and a salty Sooners front seven the hope, of course, is for a different outcome on the scoreboard in 2014.

2. Tyler Lockett (Kansas State) – I think it’s fair to assume very few of you need a reminder as to what Lockett did against OU last year. Granted, once Mike Stoops decided to shadow him with Aaron Colvin the Wildcat standout looked much more human. But, obviously, there is no Colvin for the Sooners this season. So second year starter Zack Sanchez will draw the opposing No. 1 target virtually every week, and he’ll have an opportunity to redeem himself when K-State comes to town in mid-October.

3. Antwan Goodley (Baylor) – With both Goodley and Lockett, the Big 12 certainly will not be short wide receiver talent in 2014. Both are deservedly considered to be two of the better wideouts in the country and an inexperienced OU secondary will definitely have their hands full defending either. Goodley has the build of a running back, but the speed of an elite outside receiver. He can use his physicality to create separation or simply run right past you.

4. EJ Bibbs (Iowa State) – This is probably a spot or two (or a couple) too high for Bibbs, but in a league almost devoid of any real standout tight end talent I just feel like if used properly he could present a significant match-up problem for Big 12 defenses. And with Mark Mangino now running the Cyclones offense, I’m much more confident that (Bibbs being used properly) may actually happen.

5. Shock Linwood (Baylor) – It’s somewhat of an arbitrary list I suppose as it’s really just my opinion/best guess, but the fact that Baylor checks in with three of the top five (and could have just as easily been three of the top four) says a lot about their offense. Admittedly, it’s not really saying anything most of you didn’t already know but still. I’d expect most of you remember Linwood’s coming out part of sorts against OU last year in Waco, when he racked up nearly 200 yards on the ground. He’s a guy Baylor fans and coaches have been excited about for some time and in 2014 he’ll get his chance to shine.

6. Marquez North (Tennessee) – 6’4″ 220 lbs with track speed, he’ll present a significant threat when the Vols make the trek west to Norman this fall. He led the team in receiving last year as a true freshman and much is expected of him heading into his sophomore campaign. Tennessee has issues at quarterback, so how they get him the ball against this OU defense is a fair question. But with his size and speed, North will present problems for an undersized OU secondary.

7. Malcolm Brown (Texas) – Somewhat amazingly there was a chance this list failed to include a Texas player, and not just as a result of my inherent hatred of all things burnt orange. But in watching the Horns’ spring game several months back, Brown really stood out to me. Depending on just how quickly Jonathan Gray is actually able to return, Brown may finally be ready to live up to the considerable hype he arrived with in Austin.

8. Jake Waters (Kansas State) – Most of us are all too aware just how much dual-threat quarterbacks have created problems for OU defenses in the past. And while Waters is certainly not the threat with his legs that Daniel Sams was (who is now no longer in Manhattan, much to the relief of Big 12 defensive coordinators), he’s still more than capable of picking up positive yards outside of the pocket when need be. Additionally, he came on as a passer as last season progressed and solidified his position as QB1 to the point that Sams did wind up transferring.

9. Desmond Roland (Oklahoma State) – A bigger back with good, but not great speed, Roland is really the only proven offensive threat returning for the Pokes. He hurt OU at times last year in Stillwater putting up nearly 150 yards and 2 TDs. But, again, the expectations for this year’s version of the OU front seven are considerably higher than last year’s.

10. Quenton Bundrage (Iowa State) – Another big-bodied receiver who will present a physical mismatch problem for the smaller Sanchez, assuming of course whoever is playing quarterback for the Clones can consistenly get Bundrage the ball.