The Oklahoma Sooners have arguably been the team of the decade so far through dominating performances on offense, defense, and special teams and through the coaching “genius” of Bob Stoops. The team started the 2003 season 12-0 and dominated the BCS standings until the Big XII title game when they were upset by Kansas State. The team still managed to get a berth in the BCS championship game against #2 LSU but lost the Sugar Bowl 21-14 to finish the season on a two-game losing streak. The team also lost Coach Mike Stoops, brother of head coach Bob, to Arizona and will have to regroup in 2004 to show everyone the dominating team they feel they can be. I still believe the Sooners will compete for a conference title along with being involved in the national championship race at the end of the season and I have them ranked #4 in my pre-season poll.

Mike Stoops led the aggressive Sooners defense before departing for Arizona but his replacement Bo Pelini, who spent last year at the University of Nebraska, has a similar style and will help the defense grow. The defense lost Derrick Strait and Brandon Everage but will return three starters in the secondary. One of those returning is Antonio Perkins, a player who also established himself as an outstanding kick returner as well as a solid cornerback. The defense also lost linebacker and Butkus winner Teddy Lehman and defensive tackle and Lombardi winner Tommie Harris. Defensive end Dan Cody will have to replace Harris on the line in 2004. Linebacker Lance Mitchell led the team in tackles in 2002 but missed most of last season with a knee injury but should be back and ready for the 2004 season. The offense will return Heisman Trophy winner Jason White at QB along with Mark Clayton at receiver. White finished with 40 TDs and won the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top QB in addition to the Heisman. Clayton finished with 83 catches for 1,425 yards and 15 touchdowns (all OU records) and was named first-team all-conference.

The Sooners open their 2004 campaign with five straight games at home before traveling to Dallas on October 9 for their annual game at Cotton Bowl against the Texas Longhorns. The Sooners have won four games in a row over the rival Longhorns and would love nothing more than to beat them again this season and take a commanding lead in the Big XII South standings. The first road game for the team will be at Kansas State on October 16 in a game the team is desperate to win. Kansas State embarrassed the Sooners in the Big XII championship game last year to give the Sooners their first loss of the season. The Sooners travel to in-state Oklahoma State on October 30 to play a game that has developed into quite a battle over the years. The Sooners finish on the road at Texas A&M, at home to Nebraska, and at Baylor. The team should compete for the Big XII title and a national crown.

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