College Football Rankings 2018: Alabama, Clemson top way-too-early Top 25

As our highest ranked Big 12 team, Oklahoma should be considered a legitimate playoff contender. That’s simply the way the system is currently set up. If the Sooners win the Big 12 and survive the season with fewer than two losses, there is a good chance OU will have an opportunity to play for a national championship. That said, based on the number of holes to be filled following graduation and NFL defections, it’s had to see Oklahoma winning it all.

Strengths:

Lincoln Riley won’t have Baker Mayfield available to execute the game plan, but the Sooners still have the offensive talent to strike quickly and strike often in 2018. Leading rusher Rodney Anderson and backup running backs Trey Sermon and Abdul Adams should run well behind an offensive line that should return three starters. Also, new quarterback Kyler Murray – an explosive playmaker himself –should pair well with dynamic receiver Marquise Brown.

It’s never easy to replace a legend, though as Riley replaced Bob Stoops as head coach, Murray is well suited to step into Baker Mayfield’s shoes, and the Sooners should continue to light up the scoreboard.

Weaknesses:

The offense is in good hands, but replacing big target Mark Andrews and elite left tackle Orlando Brown early to the NFL won’t be easy. The losses of fullback Dimitri Flowers, receiver Jeff Badet and center Erick Wren are also underrated and should pose challenges. Nevertheless, the bigger issue will be plugging up what was last year often a leaky defense. The linebacker corps was hit hard by graduation, and with Emmanuel Beal and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo gone, four of the team’s top six tacklers must be replaced.