Media's concerns focus on offense

Highest hopes and hype have returned to Oklahoma football.

As if either ever goes on hiatus.

Note: disclaimer to follow.

Last season’s 8-4 finish did nothing to deter OU expectations. Not on campus and not across the state or in pockets nationwide where Sooner fans huddle on autumn Saturdays.

And not among outsiders, with OU picked as high as No. 1, and if not, in the neighborhood.

Note: disclaimer to follow.

Can the Sooners roll unbeaten?

“There’s no reason we can’t,” says coach Bob Stoops.

League prognosticators even pegged the Sooners for No. 1 in the South, ahead of defending national champion Texas.

The quest for the crystal Sears Trophy, college football’s Holy Grail, begins in Norman on Thursday with the opening of preseason practices.

Disclaimer: all optimism is accompanied by valid questions and/or contingencies.

OU is hardly perceived as a sure thing. Not even in-house.

“We’ve got a lot to prove,” Stoops says. “We’re an 8-4 football team a year ago.”

And Stoops is adamant that his troops show up tougher and more disciplined.

The national media counts OU among the national title contenders, a list that has been expanded in 2006 due to a lack of anything approaching a sure thing.

But, as with the other contenders, there are issues.

Here are the most pressing in a sampling of the nation’s media:

Has Rhett Bomar shown enough to be considered the real deal at quarterback?

Can so many young receivers be counted on as playmakers?

How easy will the offense transition under new coordinator Kevin Wilson?

Is the offensive line, with one returning full-time starter, championship caliber?

Notice the trend?

The concerns center on offense.

The good news: positive responses should follow the first three questions above.

As for the offensive line, talent, if not experience seems readily available. And really, how great must the line be if Adrian Peterson remains healthy and Bomar and the receivers click in Wilson’s system?

More good news: nobody doubts the Sooner defense will be stout. And, haven’t we all been told, defense wins championships?

So go ahead, Sooners fans, buy the hype and raise hopes to the highest.

Note: disclaimer may or may not apply.

Contender concerns
Count Oklahoma among a lengthier-than-usual list of teams carrying national title consideration this preseason. Questions among contenders reveal no consensus No. 1. Scouting OU’s main competition:

Notre Dame - Charlie Weis pumped life into the Irish, and Brady Quinn is NFL-ready. But remember those 617 yards allowed to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl?

Texas - Still plenty of talent but no longer InVinceable.

Auburn - Eight, count ’em, eight home games. Lines on both sides under construction.

Florida - Ultra-talented. Still, check out the sked: at Tennessee, at Auburn, at Florida State; home against ’Bama and LSU; Georgia in Jacksonville. Yikes.

Ohio State - Two Heisman candidates on offense. Who’s left on defense?

Southern Cal - NFL Draft raided roster. Still, Pete Carroll’s been recruiting.

LSU - Les Miles isn’t missing much. Still, the road - at Auburn, Florida and Tennessee - is rough.

California - Defense should dominate. Searching at quarterback and in a new offense.

Clemson - The ACC favorite. Must visit BC and Florida State on consecutive weekends.

West Virginia - Yes, the Mountaineers are for real. Ask Georgia. But they better go unbeaten out of the Little East.

Louisville - For real, too. Game against West Virginia suddenly a can’t-miss affair.

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