Advertisement

Fearless 20: A New WR Record?

20. Oklahoma Hands a Beating to Texas.

Lybsccbu2yjuwigwlc3u
Lybsccbu2yjuwigwlc3u

USA Today Sports

Breakdown: I figure this is one that Oklahoma fans won't be upset I started off with. This is such a multi-faceted game and it's always so hard to foresee but I look over and over again at Texas' lineup, particularly their situation at quarterback and I just don't see the fit. Herman's best offenses were all run by highly athletic quarterbacks who excelled when improvising. He is a talented coach, and will find success in Austin but he can't change what Shane Buechele is - a pocket passer who throws a top shelf deep ball but at times struggles with consistency on the shorter stuff.

With plenty remembering last year's loss in Houston, and Tom Herman doing all he can to remind everyone, I think 17 points is easily an attainable margin of victory.

19. Baker Mayfield Will Not Win the Heisman trophy.

Iqiajnteezy5fcj3cm2w
Iqiajnteezy5fcj3cm2w

USA Today Sports Images

Breakdown: This is another situation that I think has more than just the obvious thought of 'he wasn't good enough' or some other basic narrative to explain my rationale. I think Mayfield will have another quality year though I think he may excel from a leadership role more than as the flashy Heisman finalist that he has both contended to be, and been, in the last two years. This could come down to an offense that will be heavily predicated on the run game thanks to an overwhelming offensive line and a group of receivers still finding their feet. Add in the teeth-gnashing over his misstep in Fayetteville and punishment shall be exacted, fair or not.

18. Addison Gumbs Gets Six Sacks or More in 2017.

Nefe9je9olp5ktkaxgfj
Nefe9je9olp5ktkaxgfj

SoonerScoop.com

Breakdown: I thought long and hard about going for Obo Okoronkwo making it two 10 sacks but I think that's a near layup, even though it hasn't happened at Oklahoma since Jeremy Beal in 2009. However the braver prediction is to pick a former high school linebacker to hit the ground running as a pass rusher in Oklahoma's ever-changing front. Gumbs' length and athleticism on the corner should make him a presence in the pass rush game in a year when Oklahoma is desperate for someone opposite of Okoronkwo.

17. Jeff Badet Leads Oklahoma in Receptions and Yardage.

Opteijtvj1gdk4c6oyaa
Opteijtvj1gdk4c6oyaa

SoonerScoop.com/Carey Murdock

Breakdown: Go back and look at the numbers, the tape, and listen to the early reviews on Badet and it's clear that he isn't nationally as known as he should be. Though I think Oklahoma will be spreading the ball around to several players and that will limit his ability to put up 1,000 yards on the season I do think he'll be a key piece of Oklahoma's passing game. I look for some sort of balance between Dede Westbrook's big-play ability and Geno Lewis' steadying experience in tight spots last year.

16. More Rushing Yards are Coming in 2017

Djumu65jnfd5zdupvrzj
Djumu65jnfd5zdupvrzj

SoonerScoop.com

Breakdown: Oklahoma lost it's all-time leading rusher and a first round NFL talent, and they are going to rush for more (yes, that's right I unitalicized) yards? Well when you look at Oklahoma's potential two-deep on the offensive line you see a group that may have six offensive lineman who aren't just 'cup of coffee' NFL guys but are guys who seem quite possible to have lengthy NFL careers. Add in a backfield that may not have the proven stars yet but has plenty of talent that can attack in a variety of ways and big yardage is sure to follow.

15. Robert Barnes Starts at Least Three Games

T7sxdgdvna93in276i00
T7sxdgdvna93in276i00

SoonerScoop.com/Carey Murdock

Breakdown: This one, to me, will be dependent on a few things, and sadly one of them may be an injury. Don't take that as Barnes can't take a spot but as a young safety in a defense with a lot of experience it won't be easy to crack the lineup. That being said Will Johnson seems to be closing in on the free safety role but Barnes has received plenty of praise for having more understanding than one would expect. If Johnson can stay healthy, this one likely goes wrong - if not, look for Barnes to get a shot to start making an impact quickly.

14. Scariest Game of the Year: Kansas State

E9b2ilsurp4i8buwx3ay
E9b2ilsurp4i8buwx3ay

pickandpop.net

Breakdown: Oklahoma's track record following Texas week is really, really good but under a new coaching staff it will be interesting to see how things go. It'll also be interesting to see Lincoln Riley lock horns with one of the game's true geniuses - Bill Snyder. You can be assured Kansas State, that could be the league's best contender to Oklahoma, will throw the kitchen sink at the Sooners.

13. Abdul Adams Will Lead Oklahoma RBs in Total Yardage

Guet2l0gdeg1ldoabl1d
Guet2l0gdeg1ldoabl1d

SoonerScoop.com

Breakdown: When this prediction was initially laid out it felt a little more bold than it currently is - even to the point that last week's podcast talked about just how bold it was. But to give it a bit of boldness, remember that this includes pass-catching yardage, something that Adams has been widely doubted about since his arrival in Norman. In the end Adams seems the most likely to get carries early in the season and as the shape of the backfield emerges seems like a guy who will stay healthy and stay part of the rotation.

12. 10 True Freshmen Will Play

Ar9nx86bgns7ujr5dqgb
Ar9nx86bgns7ujr5dqgb

SoonerScoop.com

Breakdown: Alright, this is a pick I make every year and rarely do I remember that number getting into double digits. I think offensively you'll see contributions from a trio of young pass-catchers in Grant Calcaterra, Cedarian Lamb, and Charleston Rambo along with running back Trey Sermon, and emerging star offensive center (yes, that's a thing) Creed Humphrey. Joining them from the defensive side of the ball will be the aforementioned Barnes along with Tre Brown, the also aforementioned Addison Gumbs and potential opening night starter Kenneth Murray. Finally look out for Reeves Mundschau to take some of the load off of Austin Seibert.

11. Kyler Murray Will Get At Least 25 Run/Catch Touches

Uuqdwmd3anwv5a63ivws
Uuqdwmd3anwv5a63ivws

Associated Press

Breakdown: This one is so weird because it feels like it should be such a layup and to my mind, it is. However there has been very little indication that it is currently the plan. Murray is an explosive athlete that has been called by Baker Mayfield as the fastest player on Oklahoma's roster. So how can a player like that not get the ball? Well, that's the bet I'm making here and I think Murray could grow from it as a quarterback while working as a receiver or swing guy out of the backfield.

10. Obo Okoronkwo Flies up OU's Sack List

Uq0o93trjbe4gyrh2jqh
Uq0o93trjbe4gyrh2jqh

USA Today Sports

Breakdown: After a very impressive 2016 campaign Okoronkwo is already closing in on Oklahoma's all-time top five sack leaders and with another step forward - thanks in no small part to moving to defensive end rather than outside linebacker - he will finish in the top three in Oklahoma sack history. To do so, he'll need 12 sacks in 2017 which would put him at 25 sacks for his career, and would tie the career mark of Dan Cody (2000-2004) and leave him trailing only No. 1 Cedric Jones (1992-1995) and No. 2 Jeremy Beal (2007-2010) on the career list.

9. Oklahoma Hangs Around in Columbus

Xnwos3ostezlykhrndka
Xnwos3ostezlykhrndka

Getty Images

Breakdown: After last year's fairly summarized kicking there is plenty of reason to expect more of the same from Oklahoma and Ohio State, particularly when it's a nationally televised night game in the Horseshoe. However, Oklahoma has some considerable knowledge at their disposal defensively to show J.T. Barrett and company some different things. A) The game tape of last year's shutout loss to Clemson. B) The arrival of Kevin Wilson - an offense that Oklahoma is immensely familiar with. It makes one wonder, how big a role could the now-retired Bob Stoops have in game prep for this one? Ohio State is the pick here but if it's a double-digit game, I'll be surprised.

8. Mark Andrews Will Tie an Oklahoma Touchdown Record

Zw7rax10n0dt3fyrugvj
Zw7rax10n0dt3fyrugvj

SoonerScoop.com

Breakdown: OK, no I'm not looking for Mark Andrews to outdo the mountain of touchdowns that Dede Westbrook put on the board last year. However, I am predicting him to equal the total of former Sooner All-American, and first round draft pick, Jermaine Gresham from 2008. For those with short memories Gresham put up 14 touchdowns that year, good for the most ever by a Sooners tight end. I think this will be accomplished due to Andrews being a true primary option this year and becoming something of a security blanket for Baker Mayfield, particularly in the red zone.

7. Creed Humphrey Will Have More Starts than Dru Samia

Qpe82zxnng06r3wgwb45
Qpe82zxnng06r3wgwb45

Breakdown: Sometimes, you just have to take a chance and this is a big one. First, Dru Samia is a returning starter and played his best game since his move to guard in the Sooners final run out against Auburn. However, Bennett Powers was probably Oklahoma's best interior lineman last year and Cody Ford is probably the group's biggest talent. So what does that leave for Samia who is clearly capable of playing tackle but is behind Bobby Evans at right tackle, where he started as a true freshman? Well, not much frankly. Meanwhile Creed Humphrey is playing behind the unit's steady, but modestly talented, center Erick Wren. Whether it's injury or the prodigiously talented Humphrey just forcing himself on the field, it just feels everyone - including coaches - are just itching to see what happens when he gets on the field.

6. Cedarian Lamb Will Have Two Elite Performances

Lk6gngvbpv037utqrnsz
Lk6gngvbpv037utqrnsz

SoonerScoop.com/Carey Murdock

Breakdown: When I initially made this pick - almost a month ago now - this seemed outlandish, go back and listen to the podcasts to verify, there wasn't a lot of buzz that Cedarian Lamb was ready to be more than a bit player for the Sooners. But if you read Carey and Eddie's notes from Monday's post practice it's clear that narrative is changing, rapidly. I'm not sure when it will happen but I'll go ahead and say Lamb will have two 100-yard receiving games. Seems easy right? Well wrap your head around this...

It's something no true freshman has done since Mike Leach arrived in Norman nearly 20 years ago. Not Malcolm Kelly, not Ryan Broyles, not Mark Clayton, and not even Sterling Shepard. And yes, I'm aware two of those weren't allowed to try. But the bigger point? I'm not sure this has ever been done before?

Next Thursday: the top five of the Fearless 20.