Can Lincoln Riley Keep It Rolling Without a Transfer QB?

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While Spencer Rattler taking over as the 4th starting quarterback in as many years might not seem like a big deal in Norman, Oklahoma, this isn’t like the previous three.

Baker Mayfield was a grizzled veteran when Riley took over. Kyler Murray had played at Texas A&M and was a prolific high school quarterback who never lost a game as the starting QB. And last year, Jalen Hurts took over after starting for Alabama in two National Championship games.

Rattler, while inexperienced, seemingly lives up to the bar set by the former Sooners play-callers. The pedigree reads as the number one dual-threat QB in the 2019 class, but the reality is that Rattler is a red-shirt freshman with limited reps and no spring as the starter.

Beyond that, the Sooners also replace most of the production from the running backs room due to transfer and an opt-out. The Sooners also have to find an answer at receiver after Cee Dee Lamb left early to the NFL draft and Jadon Haslewood got knocked out with a torn ACL.

Receiver Charleston Rambo and running back TJ Pledger will be leaned on early and often for this new-look Sooners offense.

All those uncertainties on offense are off-set somewhat by an extremely talented offensive line led by center Creed Humphrey, along with four other guys who started games last season and UCLA transfer Chris Murray.

Defensively, the Sooners took a step forward in 2019. The Sooners were in the top 10 last season in forcing negative plays. If they can turn those negative plays into turnovers, they’ll take another big step in 2020.

Along with the inexperience, the Sooners will also be down three starters for the first five games after a failed drug test before last season's Peach Bowl from WR Trejan Bridges, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, and DL Ronnie Perkins.

If the Sooners can find their footing early against Missouri State, Kansas State, and Iowa State another Big 12 title will be on the horizon.

Big 12 Media Preseason Poll

1st

Projected Win total for 2020

8.5

Best Offensive Returners

OL Creed Humphrey, WR Charleston Rambo, OL Adrian Ealy, OL Marquis Hayes, TE Austin Stogner

Best Defensive Returners

DL Ronnie Perkins, DL Jalen Redmond, LB Caleb Kelly, DB Pat Fields, DL LaRon Stokes

Newcomers

WR Marvin Mims, OL Chris Murray (UCLA), DL Perrion Winfrey (JUCO)

Breakout Candidates