Oklahoma Sooners 2006 Football Preview:

Bomar or Bust

When I first saw the story break, I was giddy. I called several of my friends, Sooner haters one and all, and celebrated the fact that one less speed bump stood in the way of a division title. Through all the preseason hype, I never bought that Rhett Bomar was a savior for Oklahoma football. They didn’t need one. Adrian Peterson would still be the one driving the bus to Tempe, and even a star like Bomar would have to have his ticket punched. But what Bomar represented was the other phase. While Peterson is likely one of, if not the premiere back the league has ever seen, even he can’t fight through eight or nine men in the box for thirty carries through 12 games. Something needs to relieve this pressure.

I just have to wonder how bad these Sooners are really hurting from this debacle. Paul Thompson will take over as quarterback. It’s the same Paul Thompson that led the Sooners to an opening game loss against the vaunted Horned Frogs of Fort Worth and the Mountain West Conference, if that’s what they intend to call it this year. Thompson was replaced with Bomar against Tulsa. In that game, Coach Bob Stoops had so much confidence in his two quarterbacks that neither threw a pass after the second quarter. At times in 2003, Thompson showed some brilliance in mop up time. He had a couple of good runs against the Aggies in that 77-0 route, and some good tosses against UT that year, but as a starter he’s shown a strong inability to lead, and even less ability perform.

Knowing what the people who read this column know, I don’t think I need to elaborate on Adrian Peterson too much. Word is new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson will bring Wilson’s hands into play as well, though how much isn’t known with Bomar’s departure. If Thompson does manage to turn into a real presence in the pocket he has a fleet of receivers to put into play. Guys like Malcolm Kelly, Quentin Chaney and Juaquin Iglesias have what it takes to put pressure on defenses if the quarterback can put it in their hands. There’s tight ends like Jermaine Gresham and Joe Jon Finley that will provide receiving options as well as perform blocking duties in lieu of a standout fullback. The offensive line is always a concern in Norman, where they seemingly grow inside the cracks and crevices of Gaylord-Family Memorial Stadium. Unfortunately, like any coveted natural resource, there’s too many hands picking at the crop and not enough growing back. Chris Messner is the only senior on the line and the only letterman not from a JUCO. There’s real talent on the line in terms of size and speed, but nothing really when it comes to experience. In time, the unit will gel, and what’s good enough to draft will be gone next year and what’s not will be drafted in two years. Those that think this won’t be a problem in the early game against Oregon are mistaken, but the line will improve and be a force by conference.

Take a good look now at the defensive line for OU. This unit is right there with UT’s offensive line, Tech’s receiving corps, and Nebraska’s linebackers in terms of talent and depth at the position. The two deep reads like an all conference ballot. A rotation of Larry Birdine, Calvin Thibodeaux, CJ Ah You, Alonzo Dotson and John Williams will work at defensive end. Steve Coleman, Demarcus Granger, Carl Pendelton and Corey Bennett will rotate as interior linemen. What a dream it would be for opponents if that’s where the grit that defines this defense stopped. It does not. While the linebackers aren’t what the d-line is, they are no less than a top conference unit. Spearheaded by field general Rufus Alexander, Demarrio Pleasant and Zach Latimer look to shutdown everything moving into their faces. When I say the secondary is this defense’s weakness, please hold onto your emails. It is a compliment. Keenan Clayton, Darrien Williams, Jason Carter and Nic Harris are safeties no one wants to run into and corners DJ Wolfe and Reggie Smith are lock down types. This is by far the most accomplished defense in the conference and has the most potential. Oklahoma will not give up over 2,500 yards this season. That’s less than 200 a game. Write it down, we’ll get back to it later this season.

So what does that mean for the season? I think the Sooners roll through the preseason, even with Oregon on the schedule. They’ll play some of the most boring football ever seen in Norman. They’ll win games by spreads of ten and fourteen and against teams they’re favored to beat by twenty one. They’ll do this once the line gels and barring injuries to Peterson and the defense, they’ll go to a BCS bowl. I say this because I know how much football coaches absolutely love to run the ball. The one proven system that works time and again is running the ball and playing suffocating defense and that’s what this team possesses. Texas Tech can’t get 400 yards throwing if the offense never sees the field. Baylor’s new offense won’t matter when Peterson totes the biscuit 40 times. ISU’s Meyer and Blythe? Nobody will see them get on the field. We all know that the road to Tempe runs through the Cotton Bowl, but barring a blowout either way, both teams will have BCS bowl opportunities. Look, if anyone was expecting Bomar to win this team a National title, they were kidding themselves. This is and always has been a team built around Peterson and defense. Until Peterson decides when he’ll take home that bust and a contract , that’s exactly what it will stay.