NCAA College Football 2013-2014

I look for the defense to be much different this year. I think he's going to have a much better scheme for these passing attacks. My main concern with OU's defense is still their defensive line. I look for Mike to play more aggressive up front and try and shoot the gaps more with his LB's and safeties to try and keep the QB's off balance. The places where he'll have trouble with this defense is when OU goes up against the Bama type physical offensive lines that can run block and run very well. This is where OU got in trouble last year against Notre Dame, KSU and Texas A&M. The Sooners simply got beat up front by all of these teams. There was nothing fancy about it. Especially against Notre Dame. I expect OU to have the same problems when they go to South Bend this year..Luckily nobody in the Big 12 is that physical on their OL. This is mainly a wide gaps pass blocking spread conference. But if OU ever wants to break from the pack and start dominating again, they are going to have to recruit better up front on D. When you have the talented big uglies up front like they do in the SEC, it takes a bunch of pressure off of those LB's. And in turn the DB's It's snowball effect.

I think the Dr. is pretty on point.  Venables scheme left people out of position A LOT. 

I do think that Mike Stoops is a VERY good defensive mind and cooridator, and I just think that he was honestly more in shock about how bad the defense was that he was left with.  On defense its pretty plain and simple...they dont have playmakes or talent.  After the 1st string, it's pretty ugly....plain & simple.  This is the reason you saw them get rid of 3 coaches in the offseason....b/c Bob knows they need more talent here.  The recruiting has fallen off bad.  Hell, Venables was a linebacker coach & the linebacker situation is horrible.  80% of the guys are more hybrid safety-linebacker guys....way too small to be playing in the middle. 

I think the secondary recruiting has already gone way up the last year.  & I actually think the CB's will be solid this year, but the safety position will be a work in progress, & I wouldnt be surprised to end up seeing 2 true freshmen start.

Bottom line, there just isnt a lot of talent on the defense right now.  1st string has solid players, but the 2 deep isnt all that impressive.  But they are trying to get better with these new coaches.  DrStrange is on point as I think they will run the same type of scheme & try to use their speed to make up for the lack of power they have on the front 7. 

ULM is a very experienced team, but I don't think Browning and this offense are going to see much of the field with OU controlling the ball in their slowed down pass/option attack. And make no mistake, Bell can pass the ball very well too. As he showed in the spring game. OU's real weakness is on the DL. But I don't think that weakness will start showing up until they get into conference play against their better opponents. That's when I'll be looking to play against the Sooners.. Look for OU to play very hard in these early games after coming off their bowl disaster against Texas A$M.