Oklahoma 2021 Football Preview

2020 Recap

Oklahoma opened the 2020 season with an FCS win and then lost the first two games of the Big 12 season in heart breaking fashion. They blew a big lead against Kansas State and lost 38 – 35 and then lost a close game to Iowa State 37 – 30 in a game that came down to the wire. The Sooners were 0 – 2 in conference play and facing a rivalry game against Texas with their Big 12 title hopes on the line.

The Sooners would struggle early against the Longhorns, but bounced back to win in overtime and kick-start their season. Lincoln Riley’s team came together in the big win against their rival and did not look back. Oklahoma would win their five remaining regular season games and head into the Big 12 Championship Game with a six game winning streak.

The rematch with Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game was another close game, but this time it was Iowa State’s Brock Purdy who threw an interception at the end of the game and the Sooners pulled out the win. Oklahoma was rolling and annihilated Florida in the Cotton Bowl 55 – 20 to close the season with an exclamation mark, and set the bar high for 2021.

2020 Leaders

Projected Starters

Reasons For Optimism

The Offensive Skill Players are Abundant

To open the season the offense was led by a redshirt freshman quarterback, a true freshman receiver and a true freshman running back. All three are the teams leading returner in passing yards, receiving yards and rushing yards. Spencer Rattler and Marvin Mims should be even better with a year under their belt to build chemistry and will be a scary duo for defenses to contain. Jadon Haselwood will be back up to speed after missing most of last year with a knee injury. The Sooners also get running back Kennedy Brooks back after he opted out of the 2020 season. Just for good measure they added another running back with the transfer of Eric Gray from Tennessee. Lincoln Riley’s offense was explosive in 2020, but with the young starters developing, talented stars returning and new additions it could be the best in the country in 2021.

The Offensive Line

As if the talent at the skill positions was not scary enough, Oklahoma has one of the most talented offensive lines in the country as well. Another Tennessee transfer, Wanya Morris is a big addition at one tackle spot to an offensive line that was already returning plenty of talent. Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes are two quality guards and will help ease the transition at center from Creed Humphrey to Chris Murray. At the other tackle spot, Erik Swenson and Anton Harrison will likely compete for the starting spot. Both performed well in 2020 and will give the Sooners a quality starter and reserve at the tackle spot. The depth and talent on the offensive line will help give the skill players time to make big plays and allow the offense to reach it’s potential.

A Scary Defensive Line

Oklahoma has been known for it’s excellent offense under Riley’s leadership, but the defensive line in 2021 will be just as talented as the offense. Nik Bonitto has become an excellent pass rusher from the rush end spot and will be one of the best in college football. Opposite him Isaiah Thomas is coming off an 8.5 sack season and will help squeeze the pocket from the defensive end spot or as a three technique. Nose tackle Perrion Winfrey starred his first year with the program and will be a handful on the interior for the Big 12. As if that trio was not scary enough, Jalen Redmond returns and can play defensive end or the three technique as well. He accounted for 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season. The Sooners have as talented and complete a defensive line as there is in the country.

Causes For Concern

Attrition in the Secondary

Oklahoma did lose a good amount of talent from their secondary this off-season and will have to effectively replace some key players. Both Tre Brown and Tre Norwood were drafted in the 2021 NFL draft and will no longer roam the defensive backfield for the Sooners. The duo was responsible for eight interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2020. Another player who has moved on is Brendan Radley-Hiles who transferred to Washington this off season. With two starters and another player who played a big role no longer with the team, Oklahoma will have to get a few new options ready to man the defensive backfield.

Will the Defense Maintain it’s Strong Play?

After four games of the 2020 season, it felt like more of the same from Oklahoma’s defense. The Sooners had given up 38, 37 and 45 points over the last three games and lost two of those games. After the bye week the Oklahoma defense looked like a new unit, holding their last seven opponents under 30 points and lowering their season points allowed average to 21.7 points per game. The phenomenal finish by the defense was encouraging, but was it the new norm or just a hot streak? During the three seasons prior to 2020, Oklahoma never allowed less than 27 points per game and even allowed as many as 33 points per game in 2018. If the defense can continue to play at the level it did in 2020, Oklahoma will be difficult to beat in 2021.

2021 Schedule

Top 25 Players

2021 Projection

The toughest opponent in 2021 is Iowa State, the two teams played each other tough both times in 2020 and return most of their roster. The Sooners have the advantage of playing the Cyclones at home in 2021, but this game will be a challenge and their could be a re-match in the Big 12 Title game. After that the three games to watch are the rivalries against Texas and Oklahoma State and conference foe Kansas State, who has had Oklahoma’s number recently. The Sooners have a big talent advantage against these three opponents and should be able to win, even if none of the games is at home. Oklahoma’s biggest threat in 2021 is injuries and complacency, if they can stay healthy and focused there aren’t many games they can lose. Anything less than an 11 win season will be a disappointment and the Sooners will likely play for their seventh straight Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth.