PurpleMenace.com - Opponent Breakdown: Sooners Top Dogs?

August 15, 2012

Justin White
Assistant Editor

The TCU Horned Frogs will close their first Big 12 regular season on Dec. 1 when the Oklahoma Sooners come to Fort Worth as one of the most high profile teams to visit Amon G. Carter Stadium in quite a while.

Bob Stoops begins his 13th year at the reins of the Sooners with his squad ranked fourth in the coaches poll. The Sooners are the heavy favorite to win the Big 12, but don't be surprised if this becomes a transition year for the team from Norman.

Offense:
Oklahoma looks to improve on last year's fourth place Big 12 finish, and will lean heavily on senior quarterback Landry Jones.

Jones finished last season with nearly 4,500 yards through the air to go along with 29 touchdowns. He helped the Sooners finish fifth in the nation in total offense and tenth in scoring offense.

Part of his success was due to his offensive line allowing just 11 sacks the whole season. However, that protection could be in jeopardy this year without center Ben Habern and guard Tyler Evans .

Habern decided to quit football prior to training camp because of lingering neck and back issues, and Evans recently tore his ACL and will be lost for the season. The Sooner line loses a combined 59 starts of experience between the two.

Prior to his decision to quit, Habern was selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 team's offense along with junior lineman Gabe Ikard and junior receiver Kenny Stills.

Stills will attempt to fill the spot of former Sooner receiver Ryan Broyles who was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Stills finished last season with 850 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defense:
The Sooners have a new defensive coordinator this season, but he's a no stranger as Bob Stoops' brother Mike Stoops takes over the 4-3 defense.

For Oklahoma to be successful, their defense has to keep their opponent's lower. That may sound obvious, but the Sooners allowed at least 25 points in six games last season. In fact, their opponent scored more than forty points in every game they lost.

The Sooners have two players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team's defense, including senior defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland and junior defensive back Tony Jefferson.

As a fun side note, you may see a familiar name while watching the game. Former TCU safety Alex Ibiloye's brother Joseph Ibiloye is a senior linebacker for the Sooners.

Justin's Take:
When you first see TCU vs. Oklahoma, it's ok to think to yourself "uh oh". However, I honestly believe that the Frogs will be able to take this one. The Carter crowd will be as loud as ever and have a chance to impact the game.

It's too early to know just how the Sooner offense will be after its losses on the line and Ryan Broyles. If the Frog defense can get to Landry Jones, they can control the game and allow Pachall and the rest of the offense to put up points.

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