NORMAN, Okla. - Game day is upon us and the Sooners have plenty of questions as they head into their opener against ULM.
While Oklahoma is a heavy favorite, there's plenty of concern as the coaches will be figuring out the same stuff the rest of us will be trying to figure out – like who's going to play?
Here are three position battles worth watching:
1. Quarterback
Yeah, coach Bob Stoops picked Trevor Knight as the starter over Blake Bell, but there's no telling how stubborn he will be if Knight struggles. After all, Knight is a freshman, who has never taken a real hit, in front of a crowd, against another team. Expect Bell to play – and not just in short-yardage situations.
The game is a perfect opportunity for Stoops to work in both quarterbacks, so yes, Knight will get the start, but watch Bell. I don't think there's any doubt he's going to be in there for a good portion of the game.
2. Running back
Well the team-supplied depth chart certainly isn't gospel, but when even that lists Damien Willams and Brennan Clay as starters, you know the job is up for grabs.
The Sooners will run the ball more this year, that's for sure. They hired a new offensive line coach in Bill Bedenbaugh which tells you they are interested in getting away from a drop-back quarterback, throw the ball, offense. Sure, OU will throw it – a lot – but count on the Sooners trying their best to impose some will by running it. The question will be, who?
Clay played in all 13 games last season and has been a steady contributor for his three previous seasons. He had 555 rushing yards last year, but lacks that make-you-miss intangible.
Williams is explosive. He had 946 yards rushing in his nine starts and his break-away ability is a huge plus. Williams had four runs of 65 yards or longer last season, but had games where he wasn't a factor at all, going for just 34 yards against Kansas State, 29 vs. Notre Dame, seven against Iowa State, 11 against OSU and 41 vs. Texas A&M.
There's also the curious case of Roy Finch at running back. A senior, Finch had just seven carries all of last season after previously being named an All-Conference preseason running back. Finch is a pure talent. He says he's expecting big things this year. Who knows if he'll play.
3. Defensive line
Take your pick, any position, any player. We just don't know who, where or when anyone will play. Your depth chart starts look like this for now:
DE – Geneo Grissom
NT – Jordan Phillips
DT – Chuka Ndulue
DE – Charles Tapper
The unit is easily the weakest on the team, mostly because of inexperience, but it could be attributed to the unknown as well.
We already know for sure, Ndulue won't be playing, due to a one-game suspension. That means we'll see junior college transfer Quincy Russell, who has been with the team for less than two weeks. Ndulue played in all 13 games last season and had 45 tackles making him the most-experienced of the bunch, however his absence will mean more possibilities for Russell and others.
Jordan Wade, who is a redshirt freshman at defensive tackle, will get a chance to prove himself. He was the No. 8-ranked defensive tackle by ESPN in high school. Coaches have also talked up Torrea Peterson, who played in one game last season and six games in his career.
Mike Onuoha is out for at least the first three games of the season with a shoulder injury. He was expected to start at defensive end. Onuoha played in four games last year as a freshman.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
