After a 4-0 start to the 2014 season, the Oklahoma Sooners went 4-5 in their last nine amidst a haze of injuries and inconsistent defensive play. The defense appears to be in shape and ready to go for 2015, but there's still a host of other issues to address as fall camp gets going. Here's the 5 Biggest Questions For Oklahoma Football Heading Into Fall Camp.
5. Will The Sooners Be Tempered Or Burnt By Controversy?
On March 8th, a cellphone video hit the Internet that showed members of since-disbanded Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter chanting derogatory statements about potential black pledges, even going so far as to reference lynching. Oklahoma players have been peppered with questions after this disturbing scandal, and it’s going to take a heck of a lot of focus to put the situation in the rearview mirror.
4. Is The Offensive Line Going To Be OK?
The departures of Tyler Evans, Dionte Savage, Adam Shead, Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams leave the offensive line in a state of flux. The O-line was the bread and butter of Oklahoma's offense last year, and that's still a possibility in 2015. However, it's going to be a matter of getting the team's talented pieces in step as fall camp rolls on.
3. What Will Joe Mixon Bring To The Table?
The 2014 five-star recruit was suspended for the entirety of last season after an off-the-field incident, but coaches and players alike have celebrated his work ethic and attention to detail upon his return to the program. While he won't unseat Samaje Perine as the featured running back in camp, he could earn significant playing time with one heck of a showing in fall camp.
2. Who Will Step Alongside Sterling Shepard In The Receiving Corps?
We all know what a now-healthy Shepard is capable of, but we're still unsure of just who's going to emerge as a complementary threat alongside him. Incoming JUCO transfer Dede Westbrook is one option, but the Sooners' attack will need the other wideouts in the group of Durron Neal, Michiah Quick, Jeffrey Mead, Dallis Todd and perhaps John Humphrey to make big contributions in order to effectively implement Bob Stoops' air raid offense.
1. Can Trevor Knight Secure The Starting Job?
Knight’s MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl at the end of the 2013 season signaled bigthings to come, but a season-ending injury and struggles in 2014 has raised questions about his durability and consistency. Now Knight has to fight just to keep his starting job with Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield breathing down his neck. Mayfield has Big 12 starting experience, so the competition will be closer than some are leading us to believe.
Follow our Oklahoma Sooners team page for the latest Oklahoma football news!
Back to the Oklahoma Sooners Newsfeed