The Oklahoma Sooners’ record in 2022 doesn’t adequately reflect how well the offense performed. The Sooners averaged 35 points per game despite playing without their starting quarterback for a game and a half.

Dillon Gabriel wasn’t perfect, but he was certainly good enough for the Oklahoma Sooners to win more than six games. The Sooners were 1-4 in Big 12 games in which they scored 30 or more points last season.

Gabriel completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,168 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 417 yards and six touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF doesn’t subtract sack yardage from rushing totals).

With what he did in 2022, there are high expectations for Gabriel and the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023. Dillon Gabriel tops returning Big 12 quarterbacks in returning production ahead of the 2023 season.

Gabriel returns to the Sooners, hoping to build off a good first season in Norman. If he and Jeff Lebby can be better on third down and in the red zone, the Sooners’ offense will be even better this season. And if Oklahoma can find a way to be even a little bit better defensively, the Sooners will improve on their six wins from 2022.

And if those things come together, the Oklahoma Sooners will contend for the Big 12 and possibly a College Football Playoff berth.

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Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire