5 reasons Oklahoma makes the 2019 College Football Playoff

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The Oklahoma Sooners are wait to run onto the field prior to the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with running back Rodney Anderson #24 after a 13-yard touchdown catch against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2. Key skill players returning

For a quarterback taking over for a Heisman Trophy winner, having a great set of skill players helps a lot. Kyler Murray will have a good arsenal of weapons to work with left from the Mayfield era. Oklahoma is retaining two their leading rushers and two of their three best receivers from 2017.

The biggest names are running back Rodney Anderson and receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

Anderson rushed for 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He was named All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention for Offensive Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 Academic Second Team. The redshirt junior was also named to several preseason watch lists.

Brown proved to be the Sooners’ best receiver by the end of the season. He caught 57 passes for 1,095 yards, eighth most in a single season in school history, and seven touchdowns. He was also named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and has already appeared on a few watch lists for 2018.

Running back Trey Sermon is also returning after rushing for 744 yards and five touchdowns. Having Sermon with Anderson gives the Sooners another running back duo similar to what they had with Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine just a few years ago. Second-leading receiver CeeDee Lamb is returning as well after coming off an 807-yard, seven touchdown season.

For Murray, this is the best-case scenario he could have stepped into. With two running backs that could each start on a team in the country and two explosive receivers, Oklahoma’s offense should pick up right where it left off. Another run at the playoff seems highly possible with this returning group of skill players.

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