Welcome to The Sports Bank 77 in 77. We’re previewing one team a day everyday as the college football season approaches. And we’re doing it in rapid fire sequence. Today, the Oklahoma Sooners
Follow paulmbanksRapid Reaction: Oklahoma Has Crazy Second Half, Blows Out KSU
In a game that served as the first real test that the #8 Kansas State Wildcats have faced this year, they were found to be woefully lacking, as Landry Jones passed for 505 yards and the Oklahoma Sooners scored 44 unanswered points en route to a blistering 58-17 thrashing of KSU in Manhattan. Ryan Broyles had 14 catches for 171 yards and a score, and Jaz Reynolds caught two TD’s as well as the Sooners ended up with 690 yards of offense in the massive victory.
Follow paulmbanksSooners Rout Longhorns, Put Pollsters On Notice
Over the past few weeks, the Oklahoma Sooners have kept winning football games, but have seen their standing in the AP college football poll drop to #3, behind LSU and Alabama. They still received seven first place votes, but they still weren’t getting much respect for the voters, and they came into Saturday’s Red River Shootout with the Texas Longhorns looking to make a statement.
And make a statement they did.
Follow paulmbanksSooners Down Seminoles: Five Thoughts on Oklahoma’s Victory
Landry Jones came into a raucous atmosphere at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday night having a checkered track record in road games. He was 3-5 in true road games as the QB of the Oklahoma Sooners, and going into a stadium that was louder than it has been in nearly a decade, it was going to be a huge test of his resolve and ability to call an effective game for the number one team in the country.
As for the Florida State Seminoles, this game provided an opportunity for them to get the kind of statement win that teams don’t get a lot of chances to get. The program has lost some of its luster since its heyday around 10 years ago, but with a young and exciting quarterback in EJ Manuel and an energetic head coach in Jimbo Fisher, the ‘Noles are looking to get back to prominence, and Saturday night was a tantalizing opportunity on national TV and in front of their home fans.
Follow paulmbanks#2 Oklahoma Sooners: College Football 77 in 77
There’s no question who the power of the Big 12 is these days. Nebraska is gone, Texas A&M is looking to SECede the first chance it gets and Texas is still a couple years away from being TEXAS! They do have that Longhorn Network, which makes them the team in the conference with the biggest gun, but only the Oklahoma Sooners are strong enough to contend for a national title. They have an elite NFL prospect quarterback in Landry Jones; explosive skill position guys; and about as much overall balance and depth as you’ll find on any roster.
For the Oklahoma basketball season preview go here
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