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Oklahoma returns much from a team that went 11-3 and won a Big 12 championship. Still, there are several things to sort out before a Sept. 1 season opener against North Texas:

While most expect Adrian Peterson to leave early for the NFL — coaches and players have been talking about him in the past tense for months — official word has yet to come. Peterson must declare by Jan. 15. Should he pull a stunner and stay, the Sooners are overloaded at running back. If he goes, Allen Patrick enters spring as the starter, but will have to fend off three talented youngsters — Chris Brown, Mossis Madu and DeMarco Murray — in what promises to be a heated battle for playing time.

Who will lead the offense in 2007? Who knows? Barring a transfer — and don't count on the Matt Flynn from LSU rumors — Sooner snaps will place the ball in the uneasy hands of an inexperienced quarterback. Only Joey Halzle has played a down of Division I ball. And it wasn't much more than a down. Freshmen Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol are also in the mix.

The Sooners return 18 starters who opened the Big 12 title game. Still, competition for jobs will be intense with several youngsters pressing for playing time. Keep an eye on the young backs, wide receivers Adron Tennell and Brandon Caleb, tight end Jermaine Gresham and defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Adrian Taylor.

The past two seasons have seen Reggie Smith shift from strong safety to cornerback and back to strong safety. He prefers corner, but may be more valuable because of the playmaking skills he brings to safety. And Marcus Walker and Lendy Holmes have solidified the corner spots.

Gone are Rufus Alexander and Zach Latimer, the team's top two tacklers who combined for 62 career starts. There's clearly transition ahead, although OU coaches feel good about the next wave. Curtis Lofton played well as the third linebacker this season. Ryan Reynolds was penciled in as a starter before suffering an off-season knee injury. He's recovered.

By John Helsley