As one of the most tumultuous offseasons in recent Oklahoma history draws to a close and Big 12 Media Days begin, Sooners coach Bob Stoops and Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby will undoubtedly face several pressing questions in Dallas Tuesday.
Who will start at quarterback in the season-opener?
Then-freshman Trevor Knight appeared to be OU’s quarterback of the future after upsetting Alabama in the 2013 Sugar Bowl behind a 348 yard, four touchdown breakout performance. However, Knight began his sophomore campaign in shaky fashion, dropping an early game at TCU before going down with an injury in an ugly loss to Baylor. He did not play again until Oklahoma’s bowl game Dec. 29.
Now, as a junior, Knight must fight for his spot on the depth chart with Texas Tech-transfer and 2013 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Baker Mayfield as well as sophomore Cody Thomas, who filled in for Knight during his injury.
Stoops neglected to give any clear indication as to a frontrunner in the derby in the spring and in all likelihood won’t name a starter until the conclusion of fall camp or later.
How has the team reacted to the coaching staff shake-ups?
Stoops announced the firings of former co-offensive coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell soon after Oklahoma’s 40-6 drubbing at the hands of Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl, completing an 8-5 campaign.
Less than a week after National Signing Day in February, recently promoted co-defensive coordinator Jerry Montgomery left for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, just 31 years old, began installing his Air Raid system in Norman during spring practice. Stanford’s Diron Reynolds and Washington State’s Kerry Cooks also joined Stoops’ staff.
Several returning coaches have seen their duties mixed-up, as well. Former running backs coach Cale Gundy has switched to inside receivers with Jay Boulware taking his old post. Additionally, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops no longer handles the defensive backs and will move from the sidelines to the booth for the upcoming season.
How will Frank Shannon and Joe Mixon make an impact this season?
Linebacker Frank Shannon and running back Joe Mixon were both suspended for the entire 2014 season but have since returned to team activities.
Shannon was suspended after a female student alleged he sexually assaulted her at his off-campus apartment in January 2014. Mixon received his punishment after a wide-publicized incident in which he punched a female student in a Campus Corner restaurant.
Both players were expected to be at or near the top of their position group in 2014. However, with the emergence of linebackers Jordan Evans and Dominique Alexander as well as running back Samaje Perine, the position battles are much tighter this season.
Furthermore, after Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson was dismissed from the program after an incident very similar to Mixon’s, Stoops may field questions about Oklahoma’s handling of the case.
Will Boren’s comments incite any Big 12 expansion?
OU President David Boren made his displeasure with the Big 12’s current policy regarding expansion known after a Board of Regents meeting in June and followed up those comments a day later, calling the conference ‘psychologically disadvantaged.’
Bowlsby will undoubtedly be forced to defend the conference’s current position Monday after Boren’s comments. Furthermore, after both Baylor and TCU were left out of the College Football Playoff in favor of Ohio State, who played a conference championship game, debate has raged for the last eight months and will certainly come up again Monday.
Where does Bob Stoops see his team at the end of the regular season?
After a mediocre 8-5 season in 2014, Oklahoma has flown mostly under the radar this offseason, with expectations nearly as low as Stoops’ first season in Norman.
In fact, this season marks the first time since his first campaign the Sooners are not picked to finish first or second in the Big 12.
Stoops’ perceived locker room attitude will be very telling as to where he sees his team finishing after 12 games, assuming the coach gives anything other than his traditional, non-revealing answer.
