2008: 12-2 overall, 7-1 in South Division, tie 1st.
Bowl game: Lost to Florida, 24-14, in BCS national championship game.
Coach: Bob Stoops, 110-23, 11th season.
Returning starters: 5 offense, 8 defense.

Key players returning:
Junior QB Sam Bradford, senior TE Jermaine Gresham, senior RB Chris Brown, junior RB DeMarco Murray, senior OT Trent Williams, senior DT Gerald McCoy, sophomore LB Travis Lewis, senior LB Ryan Reynolds, junior cornerback Dominique Franks.

Impact newcomers:
Freshman DB Demontre Hurst, freshman DB Marcus Trice, redshirt freshman QB Landry Jones, redshirt fresman QB Ben Sherrard, junior WR/P Cameron Kenney, redshirt freshman RB Jermie Calhoun, redshirt freshman DE R.J. Washington, redshirt freshman DE David King.

Offensive outlook:
Oklahoma had one of the most productive offenses in college football history last season. Four of five starters on the offensive line plus several top wide receivers must be replaced. But with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford back for his third season as a starter, it would appear unwise to bet against the Sooners being able to score early and often. Tight end Jermaine Gresham is a dangerous threat while running backs Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray are a formidable one-two punch. If the offensive line can fill in around returning tackle Trent Williams and the wide receivers develop, OU could come close to matching last season's numbers.

Defensive outlook:
In his 10 seasons at Oklahoma, Bob Stoops has fielded some salty defensive units. So when this year's defense could be his best yet, that's high praise indeed. The main concern is replacing last year's starting safetys but sophomore strong safety Sam Proctor and junior free safety Quinton Carter could be an upgrade. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy leads a defensive line that could terrorize opposing offenses. The linebacking corps of senior Ryan Ryan, sophomore Travis Lewis senior Keenan Clayton is outstanding. If the top players stay healthy, the Sooners' defense could put up the kind of eye-catching numbers posted by last season's offense.

Player on the spot:
Sam Bradford. The fourth-year junior passed for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns last season en route to becoming the second sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He'll operate behind an inexperienced offensive line and will be throwing to new receivers. But he'll still be expected to produce big numbers.

Player on the rise:
Mossis Madu. A talented running back, Madu has been stuck behind Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray his first two seasons. He has been shifted to wide receiver and will line up in the slot. Expect to see Madu matched up on linebackers and also shifting into the backfield to confuse the opposition.

Number of note:
Last season in Division I-A, Oklahoma was fourth with 30 touchdown drives of five plays or less, third with 34 touchdown drives of two minutes or less and fifth with seven touchdowns from scrimmage that covered 50 or more yards.

Quote to note:
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson: "It's documented that everybody is concerned about our offensive line. I'm not. At all. The line is as talented as any in this league and the country. It needs competition, it needs experience, it needs to grow. I can't help that it's not seasoned, but I love the ability with what we're working with. I think it has a chance to be a phenomenal group."

This and that:
The Sooners scored 99 TDs last season and allowed 45. They outscored opponents 225 to 30 in the first quarter. … Oklahoma had 42 quarterback sacks and allowed 13. … Linebacker Ryan Reynolds, who has battled injuries in his first three seasons in Norman, has changed his number from 11 to 4 - his high school number. He hopes the numerical change changes his bad luck to good. … The Sooners have won an unprecedented three consecutive Big 12 titles and have won six of the last nine. … Oklahoma allowed four kickoff returns for touchdowns and ranked 102nd nationally, allowing 23.8 yards per kickoff return. … Oklahoma had four games with over 600 yards in total offense, 10 games with 500 or more yards and a collegiate record of five consecutive games scoring 60 or more points. … The projected starters on OU's offensive line average 305 pounds. Last year's offensive line averaged 311 pounds. … Senior tight end Jermaine Gresham: "Anything less than a national championship would be (a disappointment)."

Date book:
The Sooners play two challenging non-conference games - BYU in the season opener on a neutral field (Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas) and at Miami. Three Big 12 road games also will be difficult - Kansas, Nebraska and Texas Tech. However, after all the drama and story lines of last season, it's hard to ignore the fact that the annual Red River Rivalry game with Texas on Oct. 17 in Dallas will be The Game Of The Year.

2009 Schedule