Oklahoma football season preview, including game-by-game predictions for the Sooners, depth chart analysis and breakout players to watch for.
Since Lincoln Riley took over for Bob Stoops as the head coach for Oklahoma football, he’s seen incredible success with the Sooners. Three straight trips to the College Football Playoff speak for themselves, as do two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks and a third that was a finalist for the award.
The big hurdle that Riley now looks to clear is actually winning a game in the College Football Playoff once he gets there. In the COVID-altered 2020 fall season, though, it does figure that the Sooners are the favorites out of the Big 12 to return to win the conference and, thus, likely punch a ticket as one of the final four.
Having said that, a shortened offseason doesn’t necessarily do the Sooners too many favors. With Jalen Hurts gone, redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler is set to take over at quarterback with virtually no experience at the collegiate level. Beyond that, Oklahoma has also been bitten by the injury bug in addition to projected lead running back Kennedy Brooks opting out.
Oklahoma has not been a defensive stalwart by any stretch under Riley but Alex Grinch’s arrival has seen that side of the ball improve, even if they only had one direction to go. However, with the departures of Kenneth Murray and Parnell Motley, while Caleb Kelly also went down with an injury, there are questions on that side of the ball as well.
Despite the questions on both sides of the ball, though, Oklahoma football has proven its staying power with Riley at the helm. So how will they navigate this unique season? Let’s preview the Sooners 2020 season as we go game-by-game through the schedule making predictions, overview the depth chart and look at some breakout players for this team.