Over/Under 9.5 Wins – Is This Your Magic Number For The Sooners In 2015?
Posted on: August 11, 2015
Image via USA Today
With the start of fall camp, the pressure of the spotlight is now squarely focused on this 2015 OU football team and coaching staff. Obviously no one needs to be reminded of what took place last year, and yet it seems neither players, coaches, or fans can get away from the disappointment of 2014.
Which is certain understandable to be sure, 8-5 simply isn’t — nor should it ever be — acceptable for a football program like the University of Oklahoma. So one can’t help but get the sense there is even more potentially riding on the outcome of this 2015 season than there may be in any other “typical” year.
From what I gather, there are people on both sides of the win total query posed in the title of this post. It’s probably impossible to know which camp on each respective side of that number is bigger, but my sense is, in general, unless things get really dire Sooner Nation tends to lean more towards the optimism side of things.
And I say all of that to simply ask a question, albeit a two-part question. (1) Does OU have to eclipse that 9.5 win total for you to consider this season a success? (2) If OU fails to hit the over, do you believe Bob Stoops future as the HC will be in jeopardy?
Is 10-2 good enough in 2015? Or is the two in that equation equally important, if not more so, than the ten wins? If OU starts the season out 9-0, then drops those three straight tough games to close the season, is that something you could come to terms with?
Of course if you disagree with the 9.5 over/under, you’re welcome to explain the reasoning behind that as well. As far as I’m concerned, there are no wrong answers here.
Now you can approach your answer/s any way you see fit as there are clearly any number of various scenarios that could play out with regards to OU’s 2015 schedule. I’m really just genuinely curious as to where OU fans stand on this heading into the season.
136 Comments
First!
https://4graceandtruth.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/just-answer-the-question1.jpg?w=474
I’ll take the over. I’m expecting 11 wins and a Big 12 crown this season. Anything less is a disappointment for me.
I am having a hard time deciding what the 2015 team will look like. As a senior at OU, I would love for it to be a great season, maybe 0 or 1 loss. The problem is, I could easily see them losing 5 or even 6 games. I do not think there will be much middle ground. IMO, this team either goes 12-0, 11-1, 10-2 or 6-6 or worse.
I’ll take the over..I think they lose to Baylor (who I think should be the real big 12 favorite given all that TCU lost on defense (you have to have an experienced secondary to win the big 12 nowadays)) but beat TCU and OSU
I think a lot of it is just how we play. If we only get 9 wins, but we crush Texas and beat either Baylor (especially Baylor) or TCU, I think I’d be happy with the season.
I think losing to TCU and Baylor again this year would be troubling. It would show that Baylor has outschemed and outcoached OU for the third time in as many years. I think at least 10 wins this season and going 2-1 in the final stretch would and should be acceptable. Preferable, of course, is winning it all.
1 loss to baylor
That’s kind of the way I see it. I think we can beat any team on our schedule, and I think the fact that Baylor has blown us out the last two years actually works in our favor (hopefully at least). It won’t surprise me to get beat by either UT, KSU, OSU, TCU or Baylor. I’ll kind of be surprised if we lose 3 games though. I think we could run the table or lose 2 games. I think we’ll be pretty good this year barring injuries of course from key players. One thing I like about this team is experience and depth. Only two other times I believe has BS had this many returning starters, and both years he did real well. That’s one reason I think we might finish pretty well against TCU, BU, OSU. They might have injuries too, and if they do, I think the advantage goes to OU; I think OU can fill most positions pretty equally better than those 3 teams. Those games are late when teams have usually suffered a few injuries.
This team (and coaching staff) has a serious chip on their shoulder. The vibe from the team is one of being hungry. When was the last time we saw a sooner squad this hungry? I believe if we go 9-0, then the sky is the limit! At the very worst, they lose one game (AT BAYLOR) out of the last three. With the various coaching changes and the senior leadership, I think we will see a Sooner squad destined for greatness! 12-0 or 11-1
Hunger is one thing. What I really want to see is Silence-of-the-lambs-RamboIII-Pale-Rider-Name-a-Jason-Statham-movie level of psychotic thirst for vengeance attitude. Call in the Brothers, tell ’em to bring their pliers and blow torches, drag the opponents down to the basement and ‘go medieval’ on them. It’s been far, far too long.
I agree. We should wheel Striker up to the coin toss like Hannibal
An excellent touch.
Take this thing back to Baltimore.
I could cope with 10-2 as long as long as they aren’t embarrassed by any teams a la Baylor last year. I would be surprised if they go 12-0 but I could see them going 11-1 if they have a good turnover margin.
10-2. I want so say undefeated so bad but I can’t. Anything less than 10 wins is a disappointment.
Hoping for 11-1, expecting 10-2, praying its better than 9-3.
Obviously the first thing is it depends on health. Other than RB I don’t believe that we have any depth yet at other positions. That is what concerns me the most. If we remain healthy I am satisfied with 10 wins though I think if we start 9-0 the MO might push us through to 12-0
I think 10-2 is possible. I believe that we will beat tcu this year. Could have trouble with Tenn, them bums across state, and I’m just not sure about Baylor at all. I think texass is still a mess so I’m really not worried about them. I wouldn’t pull my hair out over 9-3 but I probably would if we lost any more than that.
As much as I want to be hoping for a 1- or 2-loss season, I think 3 losses is realistic. But I think for me, HOW we lose is almost more important than how many losses we have. I was frustrated last year because of the number of dumb mistakes that were made in the close losses, and the complete meltdowns in the blowouts. A hard-fought, close loss that comes down to the last possession-style game is a lot more palatable than a “give the game away by throwing pick-6’s, not effectively using players, etc.”-style of loss.
I think the 9.5 is a good over and under. Do I think Stoops should go if we fail? That depends on context. If we have a slew of injuries like 2009 I don’t think you can put that on Stoops. However, if our defense is 100+ in passing yards against then either Mike goes or Bob and Mike go.
This is a hard year to predict. Lots of new pieces. How long does it take the new offense to get under full steam? Have we patched our leaky secondary enough to keep us in the game until then.? I would expect a season more where we stumble early and finish strong. I would be OK with that because it would show we are headed in the right direction. That’s the primary issue not how many wins this year.
I think 9.5 is good. Vegas has it at 8.5 and Vegas tends to like OU.
I’d be tempted to bet that in Vegas. Guess that is just regular season too?
Yep. Over is -120
I will say I’m shocked there isn’t an overwhelming number of people saying 7-5 or 5-7 like I was hearing back in the spring.
Bottom line is I believe this team will be much improved with just the cooks and Riley coaching changes. I don’t think we drop games this year to osu or tcu. I think 11-1 should be expected but I will reserve 1 more loss in the normal WTF happened fashion. 10-2 and need to win the bowl game.
I have no expectations for the team. Not wishing for it but we have a way of dropping too many games we have no business losing.
I see us beating Baylor but losing to something random, like KSU and I would be happy with that, really.
Might be the best way to look at things
I see your point. However, it is a different team every year. I think this team barring injury can go 11-1. But to your point, they have dropped games they shouldn’t have over the years and the mainstay has been the coach. The Colorado game 07′ bugs me, as well as the Mizzou game LJ threw a key pick when we were ranked numero uno. Taco tech as well that year.
I’ll take the over.
I see us winning a close one at Tennessee, and gradually building quality and depth in different units through the season, hitting November 9-0.
I’m thinking at least 2-1 in November.
I would take the over on 12 wins
Over. 14 wins is my guess.
I’d go with the ‘over’ on this and would be somewhat surprised by any fewer than 9 victories. A successful season? That’s harder. 10-2 could be, depending on who the -2 are. Finally, I’m not sure anything short of meltdown with Bob saying, ‘I don’t care’ gets him fired. But anything less than 10 wins probably makes the 2016 season officially a ‘hot seat’.
Interesting responses so far. Looks like I might have even underestimated the number of optimists among us 😉
Howdy Jordan, and why? Other than a couple of mis-hit seasons, that has been the norm at OU during the Stoops era. He’s had 12 seasons of 10+ records, and we just came off what most consider a rebuilding year. I for one feel that a 5 MIL/yr coach darned sure better produce double digit win years as a rule.
I’m not necessarily surprised, but I also can’t help but notice now that camp is here how, IMO, the optimism seems to have significantly increased.
I think someone else said it below in reference to the doom-and-gloomers and asking where they went. And even though I wouldn’t take it that far, it does seem like there aren’t as many people skeptical about what to expect from this team in 2015 as there were even just a month or two ago.
Bear in mind, I’m not begrudging anyone their optimism. I’m all for it. I was just curious if people were still taking more of a ‘wait and see’ approach to things or, as I sensed and the comments so far seem to back up, now that football is actually here (kind of) if the excitement for that didn’t outweigh (for the most part) any potential concerns.
OU optimism off of a bad season is just like OU optimism after a loss. When the loss/bad season is fresh the fans are pessimistic, fire everybody, OU sucks, we suck kinda moods, however, as the season/game approaches the optimism returns. I have sworn this year not to fall into that trap, but just like crack and women, it’s luring me back in. go ahead Jordan, smoke the crack, give the woman a big ben….
Its part of the sport. Everybody is in first place at the the beginning of the season. 🙂
Everyone is optimistic this time of year. We are undefeated!!! The problem a lot people have is they buy into the optimism and then get angry when things don’t got that way as if someone promised it to them. I am optimistic, but have lived enough years to not tie my emotions too much to the success of my team.
Here’s your answer for the cautious: Those opinions don’t seem to be welcome here. The point is underscored below.
Optimistic? I’m going to have to see it to believe it at this point.
Optimism is ez, until you get in the mouth 🙂
A month before the season is all about hope and the most optimistic time for me! It will be interesting to review this same question after the Tennessee game and see if we have lost our optimism or converted more to our optimistic movement.
I expect undefeated every year, I can live with 2 losses if they are to a higher ranked team and we had a shot at the end of the game. I’m selfish I know.
Unless we have lost like 18 starters from the squad, anything less than a two digit win record will always be unacceptable to the majority of the Sooner Nation.
10-3 with a bowl win…consistent good qb play and OU could win 11 or 12
That is the million dollar question. I think this team SHOULD go either 10-2 or 9-3 in the regular season. But we have several tough games on the schedule. @Tenn, UT, @Baylor, TCU, and @OSU all stand out. WVU and KSU could be reasonably tough.
Kind of best case to me is a slip up against either Tenn or UT, and probably a loss to Baylor. If we don’t get blown out, and look good in the other 10 games (wins), I’d be pretty happy with that.
Is Bob’s seat hot at 9-3? I don’t think so. You don’t fire a man that has accomplished what Bob has, just b/c he is only winning 8-9 games a year. It would take another 5 seasons of that before it would even be an issue, I’d imagine. But I just hope we look better this year, and if we do, I’ll come to terms with the results. Never understood those that expect immediate turn-arounds in all cases. Doesn’t work like that most of the time.
I really hope for 10-2, but if you put a gun to my head, I’d probably predict 9-3 at this point. IF we get some MUCH improved QB play, 10-2 or 11-1 is certainly in play.
I think confidence comes into play if we should get to 9-0 going into November. I think we would be very tough should we get there. If we drop a couple of games early it could be a very long season.
Need to get through the first two games. (Over)BOOMER!!
You all are a bunch of non-faithful Sooners, I see bringing home the ship’ this year. Actually……
I feel so dirty predicting a record…..9-3
(L)I think that Tennessee game is going to be tough, the game is at Tennessee, OU is putting in a new system, with very little experience on the line, unproven QB’s/WR’s. Plus, the Vol’s were the young team last year and now are bringing back some experience.
(L)Baylor – OU is 1-3 the past 4 years, and the last two years…have just been ugly.
(L)TCU – Boykin and the offense is legit, as is their defense. TCU is just playing good football. Ended the season unbeliveable strong, I think if they were in the playoff’s there is a good possiblity they could have brought the title back to the Big 12.
(W)Okie-State, being later in the season, I think OU is going to be caught on up in regards to experience running the offense and also the players as well.
I think it helps the OU playing TCU, Baylor and Little Brother at the end of the season. It allows both the players to learn the new system, build up some confidence in what they are doing by getting some “w’s” on the schedule.
Don’t care about # of wins. Conference Championship is a very successful season, and National Championship is the goal. Every year.
I’m definitely in the optimistic camp. Even with the horrendous defensive play last year and the qb throwing pick 6s like it was going out of style, the Sooners should have won 11 games last yr… tcu, kstate, and Okie lite should have been wins in my mind. Football games are generally won or lost on a few key plays or situations. The Sooners came up short in most of those scenarios last yr and I do not see that happening again. I would go way over 9.5 wins.
Ditto. I see players and coaches rejuvenated with the new direction of the offensive and changes on defense. I see us getting better every week and gaining more confidence throughout the season.
Frank Shannon will demonstrate how to drop straight back into coverage while eyeing trouble. Sophmore lbs didn’t protect the secondary at all but can if shown how.
1) Yes, need 11 wins to earn a big 12 championship and bid into playoffs.
(again we haven’t been in top 4 since 08..sigh)
2) Below 9.5 wins will bring more questions about Bob Stoops as our head coach but he gets one more year. It would take 2 or 3 bad seasons to unseat Bob. His relationship with Boren and Joe is too strong right now. Also, we would need to time to find the right replacement.
10-2 isn’t good enough for a playoff bid. Too many other great teams in better conferences will have identical records. OU in the big 12 hurts with a 10-2. We need 11 wins.
If we drop the last three again. Failure.
This year our offense is going to be exactly what we are use to seeing out of a OU offense. We are going to have an actual IDENTITY. We have a coordinator now that has a creative mind that will know how to exploit defenses and setup plays. Creativity was missing all last season. Not this season. That garners wins against KSU and OSU. That’s 10 wins.
We need that 11th win against Baylor and TCU.
Baylor is not taking a step back. That’s a difficult game.
TCU is not taking a step back. That’s a difficult game.
We need one of those to win a big 12 championship.
This time last year. K reported the numerous safeties that were rotating in different situations. I recall I pointed out that wasn’t a good sign. Safeties ended up a weakness.
Now, yhe offensive line is rotating guys. Nila was a RT? Interesting. Going into week 1. I’m speculating that we will have a situational oline. We get deeper into the season Bill will know his best 5. For that, I’m picking OU to lose to Tennessee. Too early of a road test against a emerging talented well coached team.
As the Oline gels later in the season as Bill learns what his best starting five is after seeing game action. OU offense is nearly unstoppable and explosive. Racking up points. The defense instantly is put in the position it is inherently made to do. Pass Rush. Suddenly, the team is firing on all cylinders. Riley’s creativity brings a new player of the game every week. Going into the last three games as underdogs. OU goes undefeated for the rest of the season.
OU 11-1
Also, I agree with someone on here who said Cody Thomas may end up the starting QB.
Regardless of who it is, its going to be completely different than last year.
Ross, Mixon, Perine swing pass tds??? 10? 12? lol
Mead, todd, Andrews, red zone fade tds? 10? 12???
I’m excited for the Air raid=Pts .Forces teams to throw. It fits our pass rush D.
Secondary is going to be way better.
All in all this is not like anything of last year.
Boomer Sooner!
over.. Ill go 10-3.. We probably lose 3 among Tennessee, Texas, Baylor, TCU, OSU & a bowl game.. Which means we also win 3 of those…
I will take the over.
1 loss to Baylor on the road. TCU at home and OSU game on the road could go either way, but OU will win one of them.
OU will beat: Akron, Tennessee, Tulsa, WVU, texass, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and texas tech.
2016 will be the year to seriously compete for the NC.
Bob’s tenure at OU is not on the line this year. Mike’s yes, but not Bob’s.
I’m in the over crowd, and my expectations are at least 10 wins. Great talent aside, we have renewed energy and a spark that’s been absent for a few years, and that goes for coaches, players, and fans, you can just sense it. That’s the difference in winning close ball games. And IMO, not a big fan of the “coaching hot seat” rhetoric, significant changes were made in the off season, we’re red hot with recruiting, so let’s get back to focusing on football and squash the should he go or stay stuff.
Too many questions on both sides of the ball. Unsettled and possibly not enough talent at QB and too few playmakers on defense. Add to the mix a new offensive scheme and changes on defense and we are looking at 8-5 again. That is my expectation so anything better exceeds my expectations. The bar has been lowered for me. Just too many unknowns to expect 10 or 11 wins.
Well, Jordan, that’s kind of a trick question. LOL!
On one hand we are asked to predict the over/under of 9.5 wins.
If we agree with the 9.5 wins, there’s an admission that there are 2.5 teams capable of beating OU, better than OU.
The next question is regarding Bob Stoops remaining as head coach if he doesn’t win 10 games. Am I reading that correctly?
If there are 2.5 teams capable of beating OU, Bob only needs to win 9 to 10 games.
A 10 game win season with losses to KU and ISU could be considered bad. Beating the heavy hitters while losing to the bottom feeders isn’t good.
Having said that, I don’t see that there is a way answer this correctly.
I believe OU will play in the National Championship game. I believe the coaches who held us back have been removed. If you can’t move the ball you are exposing your defense to too much. This year, the offense will be better which means the defense will be better. Mike Stoops is no longer coaching the DBs, which means he can focus on game planning.
Just like in 2008, OU was one of the teams that gave up the most kick-off return yards. Well, that should go hand in hand as they led the nation in scoring. Of course that would happen if you’re kicking off that much.
The reason you can’t properly answer question is because regardless of circumstances people expect a championship every year. It’s subjective.
Objectively speaking: everyone should step back and let Bob do his job. He should be afforded the time to get things back on track. Unless the man violates some serious policies, he should be safe.
I’m playing it safe. I say we go exactly 9.5 wins and 2.5 loses.
I will give you $1M if you end up being right about this.
$1M? thats all? Kinda cheap when you could have offered $1 trillion!
Baylor is the historic game that rights the Sooner Schooner!
It is possible, if they win the first half of a game and lose the second half, which will still be 3 losses, if you’re keeping box score, but they literally lost 2.5 game.
Thanks Sam I’ll split the winnings with you.
You bet. I’ll won’t tell my wife if we hit the jack pot.
I will hold the funds in my trust account pending the outcome of the season. Please contact me with routing instructions.
I may be overly optimistic but I will say over on the 9.5 wins this year. We fumbled away a couple games last year that we should have won and that would have gave us a 10-3 record and I think this team is better as a whole than last year. I think 9-3 may the most realistic expectation but I think we exceed that with a 10-2 record being a decent year and 11-1 would be pretty awesome year for this team.
As a professed sunshine pumper, I will take the over. I have them going 10-2 in the regular season. I won’t predict a bowl outcome until I know the matchup.
I don’t care what Dusty D says, OSU is no better than 7-5 or 8-4. OU was closer to being a 10 or 11 win team than OSU was to being an 8 win team and the rekick has everything to do with the misleading perception (by some in the local media at least) of OSU being a conference player this season.
Tennesse will be tough, but it is not exactly like that game last season went down to the wire. Tennessee did nothing to stop Knight from throwing all over them and Perine only got 9 carries. I don’t see Tenn being 3 TD’d better this year than last year, even at home.
Baylor and TCU is where I have OU losing. Baylor has OU’s number right now and playing on the road against a team that has been better is not a recipe for a win.
If the TCU game came before the Baylor game, I would have OU winning. But coming off the Baylor road game with a trip to Stoolwater looming, I see this as a let down game.
All that being said, I can certainly see OU running the table or going 11-1. The schedule isn’t as tough as it has been in previous years. The defense has the potential to be a lot better and the offense is going to surprise people (in a good way).
I have to go with over. The coaching/scheme changes combined with a solid recruiting class that could add depth right away MUST add at least two more wins to last year’s total. I think we go 11-1 and win the XII. The loss comes against Tennessee, not because they are better, but because it’s early in the season with a new offense and Knoxville is a tough place to play.
7-6 with a very minor bowl win or 7-6 with a bowl loss……
Zero chance that happens. Worse case isn’t even that bad.
Go find the biggest rock you can get and kick it.
You make my day because I love telling you to Kick Rocks!
Thanks!
Attention walmart shoppers. Crack smoking on isle 2
Keep pumping that sunshine man!
Not even you believe that but thanks for your daily dose of negativity. Much appreciated.
A few months ago you said a losing season was probable. OU must be doing something right for you to have improved the outlook.
Would like to know who you think they will lose to. I asked you several months ago but never got an answer.
Tn / TX/ TCU/ Baylor / OSU / possibly WV
I appricate the answer. I can at least understand Tenn, TCU, Baylor, and maybe OSU, but do you care to elaborate on why you think WVU will win in Norman and why you think Texas will win this year? Most people, even those who are down on OU, don’t see that playing out like that.
Texas beat OU in every way except on the scoreboard while also enjoying a 2-1 total yardage advantage…. both teams are comprised of essentially the same people . I expect the same result.
Yet OU outplays WVU and OSU and ran step for step with TCU but for those you expect a different outcome?
I look forward to the day when you share something unpredictable.
If that happens then Bob Stoops almost certainly will be fired. But he won’t – because we will win far more then that and you will be left making silly excuses for why you are such a weirdo as to constantly post negative comments (based on nothing) about a team you claim to support. Trolls live under bridges. Get back under yours.
Over 10-2 worst 11-1 best.
14-0 at best 😉
any thing is possible, great or really bad. Have been victim since the 1960’s of pinning too much hope each year. I will have a better feel for the season once we get through the UT game (as usual).
just saying they have enough talent to win them all…not saying they will but could
TFB really decided to stir the pot today. Dumpster fire around the corner. 😉
I’m usually not a sunshine pumper, but I will absolutely take the over this year. I believe the offense will be much improved with the introduction of an actual offensive system? I believe the D will also improve with a few different coaches and Mike in the box where he can’t kill sideline morale as easily. I’m going with 11-1 headed into the bowl game. .
Mostly need to beat TCU or Baylor
TCU at home should be a W, oh and not getting blown out at Baylor would be nice
I think it’s hard to remember how difficult it is to consistently average 10-2. There are so many variables, and on top of that the ball bounces funny.
Keeping in mind that optimism tends to run rampant at this time of the season, with all the potential in front of us, I still feel that the issues on offense were made worse in every area by having only one totally reliable receiver last year. Even without an injury, that’s just not enough. By all accounts, that situation will be dramatically improved, and I think it will allow the qb to be more consistent and confident. I think the new offense should help as well. On defense, experience is key. And that, too, will be dramatically improved this year.
No idea how we’ll do, because several of our opponents will be improved as well, but I think we’ll have a much better season than last.
The trouble with predicting this years record is that we could be MUCH improved over last season and still go 8-4 in the regular season. I have ZERO doubt that both our offense and defense will be vastly improved. However, the schedule is weighed heavily against us. Road games at Tenn, Baylor, OSU will all be tough. TCU will be tough wherever it is played, although I have us winning that game. All I ask for as a Sooner fan is vast improvement in our play. If we play well, hopefully the wins will follow.
As for Stoops’ job, dream on Jordan!
The mosquito is out in full force, both on the OP and this post. And just like a mosquito, what is the purpose of he-who-must-not-be-named?
Thing’s to ponder??? This senior class has never beaten bay bay u, yet they are the last class that seen a tough team atmosphere. What better place to right your ship than the very place you lost it on the big stage. We have been humble, now where being restored stronger, more focused, mature. This senior class will change thing’s character. Bob is healthy 1st time in years this team will reflect him once again OUDNA BOOMER!!!!!
We could go 14-0. I am hopeful and excited about the possibility of the stars aligning.
Now this is my reality check – I’ll go with the under. We’ll lose 2 out of 3 to Tenn, Baylor, and TCU. We’ll also lose a game we should win or to a team that is much better than we expect going in to the season.
Bob’s job will not be in jeopardy after this season, even if the fans believe he’s in jeopardy. There’s a much better chance that he decides to take another job than get pushed out by this administration.
Realistically, I think we’ll have two losses. If Baylor blows us out again, then Bob is on the hot seat. If it is a close game, he gets a pass. Unfortunately, losing style points will matter this year. I don’t want to lose Bob as HFC, but the big money donors will threaten funds again if we suffer another blowout where the coaches look inept.
My hopes are we go 14-0 and win NC! It could happen…
Baylor wont blow us out again. They might very well win but if our offense comes into waco healthy then they’ll have as much of a problem with our Offense as we do with theirs. Defense should be pretty much of a wash as well.
If I had to pick right now Id go with Baylor because of it being a home game but I dont see a blow out again at all.
I hope you are (mostly) right. But if we have QB injury(ies) all bets are off IMHO. It is a long season and we haven’t had a healthy QB in a long, long time.
Looking at the OU schedule, I see Tennessee, Texas, TCU, Baylor and OSU as games where a win is at significant risk. K-State isn’t a given and WVU will be a good team as well. Three of the most difficult games are on the road – Tennessee, Baylor and OSU. We have to win two of the three tough road games to beat the 9.5. That means we have to beat Tennessee, Texas, TCU along with WVU and K-State. We have no room for error to make make the 9.5.
My heart says we can do it, my head thinks we need to be concerned with an over/under at 8.5. We will know by about 10:00 CDT on September the 12th whether 8.5 is at risk.
I think the linchpin in the season might be Tennessee (I know it’s been said before). If we get passed them, I could see that game as the much-needed confidence booster. If not then the under on wins is likely. IF we beat Tennessee, we should be good going into the final three games. Win one of those three and it’s 10-2 going into the bowl. Enough pride and it’s an 11-2 season. On the other question, I don’t see Bob going even with an 8-4. He might be on the hot seat next season it that happens, but not this one.
Depends. Even if we get to 9-3, if our offense looks to be in good shape but they’re exhausting themselves because the defense can’t stop anybody, people will go after Mike’s head.
Well, since Stephanie Dale (aka Debby Downer) can play, I will also.
Over – Win at least one of the last three and maybe two. Lose an “easy” game that we should not. 10-3 or 11-2.
For BS to leave, OU would have to lose to saxet, all three end games, the bowl game and one more in the middle. It will take less for MS to leave.
I would go over with 10-2, with a close loss to Baylor and either a close loss to Tenn or slipping against WVU. For Tenn, I personally believe we’ll be better in every matchup but our OL against their DL. TK lit up their secondary last year w/ only Shep, and our porous secondary still held them to 10 pts, so as long as our OL keeps our QB off the ground and gives our RBs a few holes to run through, I see us winning that game.
As for TCU, KSU, and OSU, I still maintain we should’ve won those games last year, and I see all of them taking steps back this season. I think Baylor takes a step back too, but they get the win from home field advantage (though personally, if we come into that game undefeated, I think we smoke them).
I have the loss to WVU b/c they generally play us pretty close, and we usually lose a game we shouldn’t when we’re doing well, so I predict that team to be WVU this year.
Regardless of potential defensive issues, IF OU gets capable QB play (i.e.. completes around 63% of their passes, has 30 or more passing TDs and keeps INTs to around 10), OU will simply outscore Big 12 foes. Bennett was able to ready Heupel’s offense like a book the past two seasons; he will have no such luxury this season and he will be in for a rude awakening.
OU playing Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma St. all in a row is a blessing, not a curse. It will keep this team focused and they won’t have room for a letdown playing some chump team in between. OU shocks everyone, but me and some others and goes undefeated in the regular season. If TCU can go from 4-8 to 12-1, Oklahoma can go from 8-5 to far greater heights.
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The way I see it is that this is OU’s first year in a new (kind of) system. Let the players grow in the system with one season under their belt before we can make absolutes and ultimatums. I truly think that the offense will be great under Riley but I’m willing to further bet that things will be a lot closer to flawless in 2016. If we’re looking at 9-3 next year, I’ll be pretty disappointed as opposed to running the table until the gauntlet at the end of this season, that would actually impress me with all the youth that the coaches are planning on having on the field this year. So all in all, my very optimistic win total this year is 11 wins with a terrifyingly awesome revenge win against Baylor included.
I’m less concerned with the final record than I am with seeing some of the habitual issues of the “previous era” cleaned up. (We all know what those were). As long as they play hard and well, and don’t hurt themselves with silly turnovers and coaching miscues, I will be proud of this team. I think they have a shot at a good season. No worse than 9-3, and likely better.
11-1 is very possible. If that happens we have a great shot at a conference title as I doubt anyone in the B12 runs the table. I expect to lose to BU (ugh) and maybe one more (I think everyone is overlooking a dangerous WVU squad). KSU, OSU, and TCU don’t worry me. We beat ourselves in those games and we should be better while I expect they will each be flat or worse than last season.
I’m thinking 8-4. If the QB play doesn’t improve substantially it will be worse than that. The schedule is tough and our talent is not what it used to be. I truly believe we are headed for a prolonged (3-5 years of 4-5 losses) down period. Hope I’m wrong.
Wow. That is pretty pessimistic. I only know of one other that is that down on the program. Care to elaborate on why you think high school juniors shouldn’t expect to contend if they plan on playing at OU? What do you think it would take for OU to be able to win 9 games in the next half decade?
I’m not saying ou will have a bad year but it’s not crazy to think they could lose 5 games either the d backs will all be returning and I’m not sure that’s a good thing Thomas Thomas and Byrd did not play well at all and Parker did ok but in Parker and Jordan Thomas defense they were freshman so maybe they will improve the linebackers will b ok Evans is pretty good Shannon is good if he plays like his old self Alexander ehhh striker will be solid the d line we know nothing about besides tapper and a few plays mixed between the rest so they are all unknowns even tapper is a unknown will he be 2014 or 2013 tapper? The offensive line will be ok in the middle but I’m not completely sold on the center spot and the tackles are all knew and haven’t heard to many great things about them the running backs well nothing to say there we all know. Wr is Shepard and a bunch of unknowns we have heard great things but still unknown and qb I’ll wait and see what a knew system does for them but there needs to be a bunch of improvement.
I don’t disagree with that. It is certainly possible for this season. On the flip side, most of the Big XII has just as many if not more questions to answer.
I am curious as to why people that are down on the program don’t see OU being able to do anything about it for 3-5 years. Basically this claim is that no one currently involved with the program is capable of winning 9 games. Not trying to argue with anyone, just would like to know the thinking behind it.
Good point about the other big 12 teams. I think OU has a better chance of bouncing back then Baylor and TCU have for repeating last season. Baylor’s defense got ripped by Michigan State in a way that must have put a big question mark on their defense. Some of these comments ( not yours) make OU sound like its Kansas or Iowa State….. Or Texass. OU is no where as low as those teams.
Well, we’ve averaged 3 losses per year over the last five years. We’ve had more 5 loss seasons than 2 loss seasons over the last 6 years. Our recruiting is not on the level it was 5-6 years ago. Teams like TCU, Baylor, and OSU are better and not going away. Texas will be back. We have solid non-conf games scheduled over the next several years that are loseable.
I hope I’m wrong, but what would anyone point to say we’ll do better than 3-5 losses over the next few years?
Actually, we’ve had the same amount of 2 loss seasons as 5 loss seasons. But my averages were correct.
I will preface my reply by saying the comment was about OU losing 4-5 games (not 3-5 games) over the next 3-5 years. The jump to averaging 3 losses to 4-5 for half a decade is pretty big one.
Selective stats will show that there have been the SAME amount of 5 loss season as 2 loss seasons (two each) from the last 6 years, but the in last 8 years there have been at least 10 wins in 6 of the 8. And going back the last 10 there have only been 3 seasons with 4 or 5 losses (and 2009 was an injury plagued nightmare that shouldn’t be used as a basis for anything).
TCU and Baylor are certainly on the upswing, but staying power is more than just a couple of good seasons. They will drop off at some point. For Baylor that may be this year working in a new QB and a new OC. TCU was terrible just the season before last. OSU was terrible LAST YEAR and, outside of a decent QB and starting from scratch at RB, returns mostly the same team (people tend to forget that OSU was worse on defense last year than OU).
Sustainablity is also about available talent. OU has significantly out recruited TCU, Baylor, and OSU over the last 5 years (actually everyone but Texas and even that is about even). The coaches need to do something with that talent pool or course and TCU is a great example of utilizing fit over ranking, but claims that OU doesn’t have the same talent as the the others simply isn’t true.
Texas is much further away from being back at the top than OU is. Check 2016 recruiting and you will see that Strong has an uphill battle that he is not currently winning.
The point is, not everyone in the Big XII is a national title contender. Every team in the league has had at least 5 losses in the last three seasons. In fact every team has had at least TWO 5 loss seasons within the last 5.
OU isn’t in a bad position at all and seeing them win 10-11 games isn’t a stretch at all.
I hope you’re right.
We have as much talent as any team in the league lol we are very talented.
We will go 10-3 this year losing in a blowout loss to Tennessee (giving up a huge amount of rushing yards by Hurd and the QB), lose a surprise loss to either W. Virginia, K-State, or Texas Tech, beat Texas, then lose to Baylor by 2-3 touchdowns, bounce back to upset TCU in a hard fought win in Norman, beat OSU, then win the bowl. We will finish with a good season, but nothing special. Everyone will be happy though with the 10-3 record.
You think the best run defense in the big 12 last year is going to give up all kinds of yards to Tennessee? I don’t think 10-3 is way off and I do think a loss to Tennessee is possible but I don’t see being dominated by Tennessee
The QB Tennessee had last year when we played them was the type we like to dominate. The QB they have this year….He was making Alabama defenders look like amateurs towards the end of last year. He’s the type we always have trouble with that can scramble and throw. I think it’s going to be a lot more than our defense can handle. There will be one blow out loss this year. I’m not sure if it will be Tennessee, Baylor, TCU, or O-State, but someone will blow us out. We’ll also lose an important player through the season such as Mixon, Perine, Shepard, or Baker. Happens almost every year.
Dunno. We beat Tennessee, we have a decent chance to go to Waco undefeated; could result in 12-1. Lose at Tennessee, then lose at Texas; could get ugly and another 8-5. I’ll go with a win at Tennessee, but an unexpected loss somewhere and end at 11-2.
Basically how I feel. 11-2. If they can do away with the unexpected loss then great but I don’t see that.
I fear 7 and 5. Losses at Tenn, Baylor, OSU. Plus Texas and TCU. Hope I am wrong. If we do go 7 and 5 there is no way both Mike and Bob Stoops coach at OU in 16 is there?
Stephen Dale? Is that you?
Hahaha. Gotta throw the “I hope I’m wrong” in there. That’s cute
I don’t see us losing at Tenn. because they have last years film and we will unleash this years offense on them. We will beat Tejas because Tejas will still suck. ?
I’m an optimist and a realist, so I’m taking the over because I believe we have a renewed energy due to the coaching changes and the move of Mike to the box.(Most important) I believe Riley has more tools and can scheme better than JH and Cooks will have our DBs on a different level. I also believe the players are driven to erase the memory of a horrid 2014 season. The leadership is better and we are better at the skill positions with more overall depth. The key is coaching!!!! We have the tools, with a little question on the O line, but the coaching staff must be much better than what we saw last year. JMO
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said, except I tend toward too much optimism and not enough realism. So, of course, I’ll be taking the over since I always expect us to win every game. I’ve learned to live with disappointment, but I’ve been proud and happy many many many more times than sad in my 60+ years cheering for my Sooners. I’ll say we go 12-0, win the XII, then head to the playoffs where we send ESecPN guys into deep grievous depression by knocking off Auburn and Ohio State for #8. I do NOT hope I’m wrong.
OU finishes 10-3 with a young team. The offense plays well, despite some inexperience on the OL. The defense plays inconsistently throughout the season. OU loses to Baylor by 14 and at Tennessee by 3. OU beats TCU by 7 and OSU by 3, then loses in the Bowl Game in a tough game by 7. OU finishes the season ranked #12 and starts 2016 with plenty of hype and in the Top 5.
Plausible scenario
Bob got hit in the mouth but his bad hips prevented a counter punch. Simmering, he throws haymakers wildly and connects with a sucker punch as well.
I’ll go with the over, but cautiously. Basically, the season comes down to this on both sides of the ball: if our players on the field are “checking with me” toward the sideline until play clock is at :01, or ball is being snapped the ill take the under. Last year we were so confused. Too many plays on offense. Too much confusion on D. I’m pleased to know Riley’s playbook is much smaller and that the QB will be directing the offense with what I assume are packaged plays. On d, getting Stoops upstairs and getting positional coaches on same page will also help. Just cleaning up communication is worth 2-3 more wins than last year alone.
Boy I think 9.5 is the number. The OL is a tremendous concern by my 3 sources who all played collegiately and longtime observers of OU and familiar with the team on a very regular basis. Bedenbough may be great but he can only do well with what he is faced with and that is a lot of inexperience. It is just a huge rebuild plain and simple. Everybody says oh he is the best in the business well Wickline is awfully good and UT struggled last year. Then of course all 3 QB’s have their separate limitations. I see 9-3 regular season.
The kicker is Westbrook.Shepherd,Perine,and Mixon and Mead and Andrews. If they are all as good as is a distinct possibility then only Baylor compares.
I believe Stoops has to get to 9 wins. And the determinant for that will be how long the offense can keep the defense off the field. That will require a run emphasis offensively that I am going to have to see to believe in this offense, let alone competent, turnover-free QB play.