Lincoln Riley's bold declaration that this Oklahoma team is the most talented of his four-year tenure has been met with raised eyebrows and a collective "yeah, but Baker Mayfield is gone."
Such was Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Mayfield's sheer production and contagious willpower that a seemingly loaded 2018 Sooners team faces a perception that it lacks an essential element.
Namely, a transcendent offensive star.
Perhaps folks were so dazzled by Mayfield's statistics, charisma and, uh, fiery behavior that they didn't fully comprehend Sooners running back Rodney Anderson's production during last season's final eight games.
It's natural to wonder whether electric quarterback Kyler Murray can fill a lot of the Mayfield void, but more logical to expect 6-1, 220-pound Katy product Anderson to be the bell cow, if not the face, of the 2018 Sooners.