By Ryan Aber, Staff Writer, raber@oklahoman.comFRISCO, TEXAS — For the first time since 2013, Oklahoma will not have a quarterback present at Big 12 Media Days. The Sooners have gone from Trevor Knight (2014-15) to Baker Mayfield (2016-17) as one of their representatives at the annual event. There's no doubt that quarterbacks will still be one of the primary subjects for coach Lincoln Riley and players to discuss as OU makes its way through the media gauntlet Monday at The Star. Here are three other storylines for the Sooners entering the event: Four in a row? Last season, the Sooners won the Big 12 title for the third consecutive season. The only time that's happened before was when Oklahoma accomplished the feat from 2006-08. The Sooners are the overwhelming favorite to win the league, picking up 46 of 52 first-place votes in the conference's preseason poll. It's not that there aren't questions with the Sooners, but regardless of who their quarterback is, Oklahoma is expected to have an explosive offense with Rodney Anderson in the backfield; a strong core of offensive linemen returning even if stalwart Orlando Brown is gone; and a talented group of receivers, including Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb returning. Oklahoma's non-conference schedule isn't easy, though all three of those games are at home, but in the third week of the season the Sooners must travel to Iowa State to face a Cyclones team that upset them a year ago. Kenneth Murray and the middle of the defense It's no secret that Oklahoma's defense has had its share of struggles over the past few seasons. Last year continued that trend with the Sooners giving up 38 points in a loss to Iowa State, 35 points in a nail-biter of a win at Kansas State, 52 points in Bedlam and 54 in an overtime loss to Georgia in the Rose Bowl. One of the critical pieces for Oklahoma as it works to improve that offense this season is sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray. Murray started all 14 games at middle linebacker a year ago as a true freshman, but struggled at times, especially early to be in the right position. Murray figures to make a significant leap this season and how much could go a long way toward determining if the Sooners' defense can show improvement. Rodney Anderson's third act Going into last season, not a ton was expected externally of Oklahoma's redshirt sophomore running back Rodney Anderson after injuries derailed each of his first two years in Norman. It's easy to forget because of the powerhouse rusher he became late in the season, but Anderson started slow.Read more on NewsOK.com
Sooners' Big 12 Dominance, Defensive Stability And Rodney Anderson's Among The Questions Surrounding Ou Entering Media Days
NewsOK.com RSS - sports >> !The Oklahoman, Daily Oklahoman: Sports
Sun, 07/15/2018 - 4:29pm
Topics: ryan aber staff writer texas for media days trevor knight baker mayfield lincoln riley star orlando brown marquise brown ceedee lamb cyclones kenneth kansas state bedlam georgia rose bowl norman newsok oklahoma big the sooners the sooners ou rodney anderson iowa state murray questions entering season defense points year games event middle quarterback easy time returning loss offense win sophomore expected linebacker
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