The Sooners open their 2014 season hosting Louisiana Tech on Saturday night. Oklahoma comes into this opener ranked #4 in the nation. Led by emerging sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight, the Sooners will look to build off last year's Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech looks to rebound from a rough 2013 that saw them finish 4-8 overall.
2013 Records:
Oklahoma Sooners: 11-2 (7-2)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: 4-8 (3-5)
Last meeting: These two teams have never played each other before
Key Stat: Six Oklahoma players accounted for at least five touchdowns last season - two quarterbacks, two wide receivers, and two running backs.
Oklahoma Outlook: The Sooners will return Sugar Bowl hero Trevor Knight at quarterback. After scorching Alabama for 348 yards and four scores, the sophomore will be under center looking to prove he can lead the offense all season.
Oklahoma's leading passer from 2013, Blake Bell - who threw for 1,648 yards and 12 touchdowns - has transitioned to the tight end position.
Knight and the passing game will move forward with junior receivers Sterling Shepard (51 catches, 603 yards, seven touchdowns) and Durron Neal after Mizzou transfer Dorial Green-Beckham was denied eligibility for the 2014 season.
Louisiana Tech Outlook: The Bulldogs finished last season with a disappointing 4-8 record.
The offense is led by junior running back Kenneth Dixon, whose 6.1 YPC and 917 yards on the ground were actually a step back from his 2012 season (1,194 yards and 27 touchdowns).
Dixon will look to help move an offense that struggled under freshman quarterback Ryan Higgins (six touchdowns, 13 interceptions). Establishing the running game will be key to helping take heat off of the passing game as it attempts to progress in 2014.
What to watch for: Oklahoma will play heavy favorites in this matchup, and are looking for a blowout win to start the year.
Still, the progress of Knight and the offense will be an interesting watch. Carrying last season's strong finish over to 2014 will go a long way towards making a run at the postseason. Even against Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma will want to start off on the right foot offensively.
Dixon will be the guy to watch on the Louisiana Tech side of the ball.
After his monster 2012 season, look for him to rebound and make a push to be among the nation's top running backs in production this year. He will be tested right from the start against the Sooners stout defense.
What they're saying:
Green-Beckham wants to stay at OU
OU's 2012 class ready to shine
Game Prediction:
Oklahoma - 49, Louisiana Tech - 6
Oklahoma has too much firepower on offense and too much talent on defense for this one to stay close. Look for the Sooners to race out to an early lead, and we'd be shocked if the backups aren't in by the third quarter.
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