Grading the Sooners

By John Shinn

Three games in and Oklahoma has been an irresistible force. The Sooners are averaging more than 50 points

a game and have won each of them by at least four touchdowns. By any measurement, they have come out of the gate strong. Overall, you’d have to give the Sooners an excellent grade as they enter the first off-week of the season. Here’s a look at how each unit has performed in the first quarter of the regular season.

Pass offense

Sam Bradford put up incredible numbers as a freshman. Through three games, he’s on pace to put up even better ones this season. He’s thrown for 12 touchdown passes and has completed 79 percent of his throws.

Sooner coach Bob Stoops was asked if he’s ever seen a quarterback put up numbers like Bradford. He said they’re similar to Jason White’s junior and senior seasons. But nothing like this.

“Not as a freshman and a sophomore,” Stoops said.

The most impressive part about Bradford’s play is those touchdown passes have gone to five different receivers and all of it has been in the first season of a hurry-up no-huddle offense. Grade: A-plus

Rush defense

The Sooners haven’t faced a dominant running team and there’s a good chance it won’t happen until they face Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale. But they’ve done a great job making teams one-dimensional.

The longest run OU has allowed thus far is 22 yards, and its opponents have averaged 1.9 yards per carry. Anything less than 3.0 is considered good.

Everyone knew the defensive line would be good, and it has been. But give some credit to the linebackers. Ryan Reynolds’ move to middle linebacker has paid off and Keenan Clayton (strongside) and Travis Lewis (weakside) have been consistent playmakers. Grade: A

Pass defense

The only reason this grade isn’t higher is because the Sooners gave up a few yards to Cincinnati and Washington. That’s to be expected in the days of the spread offense. What’s kept it in the “A” category is the lack of big plays teams have gotten and the consistent pressure quarterbacks have received.

The Sooners already have 12 sacks and could threaten the school record if they remain on a similar pace. The only way to do that is to cover receivers and the Sooners have done that.

Cornerbacks Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson have played well enough that questions about their lack of experience are no longer being asked. Grade: A-minus

Special teams

This area must get better and OU would be wise to put in some extra work on it in the off week. Kicker Jimmy Stevens already has missed two extra points this season. It hasn’t been a big deal thus far, but it likely will be down the road. The remaining teams on OU’s schedule are 21-3 and those games will be more tightly contested than what OU has faced thus far. No team is good enough to throw away points.

The kick return coverage improved against Washington but was a jersey tackle away from giving up another touchdown return. Stoops also mentioned punt coverage because Mike Knall has nearly as many touchbacks (3) as balls downed inside the 20 (4). Grade: C

Overall

OU has moved up two spots in the polls despite no one losing in front of them and solidified itself as the team to beat in the talent-laden Big 12 Conference. There isn’t much they could have done better in the first three games.

What OU has to do is take what it’s done and improve on it the rest of the season. That’s what the great teams do and the Sooners have shown they’re capable of being one. Grade: A

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com