Chattanooga (0-0) at (4) Oklahoma (0-0)
GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners are considered major contenders for the national title heading into the 2008 season, and they are
heavily favored in Saturday's opener against the Chattanooga Mocs. Last season, Chattanooga struggled down the stretch and finished seventh in the
Southern Conference standings. Fortunately, there is reason for optimism this fall, as head coach Rodney Allison has a wealth of returning talent in
place. Still, facing Oklahoma in game one isn't exactly a confidence builder. Oklahoma had a successful 2007 season, as the team proved to be the
class of the Big 12 South and went on to beat Missouri in the conference title game. The Sooners earned a bid to the Fiesta Bowl to take on West Virginia
of the Big East Conference, and the result of that clash was a disappointing 48-28 defeat. Fortunately, there is a wealth of talent back in place for
Oklahoma, and a run at the national title is on the minds of both players and fans alike as this new season begins. Sure, the program has been
scrutinized for its shaky play in bowl games lately, but head coach Bob Stoops is quick to defend Oklahoma's track record. "I think overall
we've been in six Big 12 championships and won five of them. We are doing something right." Saturday's opener marks the first-ever meeting
between Chattanooga and Oklahoma on the gridiron.
The strength of the Chattanooga offense figures to be the ground attack, and rather than rely on one back to carry the load, the Mocs have a formidable
backfield duo to pin its hopes on. Bryan Fitzgerald and Erroll Wynn combined for over 1,500 yards last season, and a consistent rotation of the two
players figures to lead to fresh legs late in games. It should also be pointed out that Clint Woods and Blue Cooper, the team's top two receivers
from last season, are also back. Still, there are major questions at quarterback, and trying to answer such questions against one of the FBS' top
teams seems like an impossibility.
How in the world is Chattanooga going to contend with the powerful Oklahoma offense? After all, the Mocs are breaking in eight new defensive starters, a recipe for disaster in this contest. Junior linebacker Joseph Thornton and senior defensive end Neil Brown are two of the only mainstays who can be counted on. Thornton tied for second in the SoCon last season with four interceptions while also posting 66 tackles. Still, he is just 190 pounds, and while he did have 17.5 TFLs last season, it seems highly unlikely that he will get past the passive Oklahoma offensive line.
Last season, the Oklahoma offensive unit was one of the best in all of college football, lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 42.3 ppg to rank fifth in the country. It was equal parts run (190.7 ypg) and pass (258.2 ypg), and featured some impressive individual efforts, among them the play of freshman QB Sam Bradford. At 6-5 and 215 pounds, Bradford has the physical attributes to be one of the top signal callers in the nation. He set a NCAA freshman record with 36 TD passes while also leading the nation in passing efficiency. Stoops is excited about what Bradford can do, calling his effort in practice this summer "incredible". Bradford has the luxury of throwing to Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, a pair of standout senior receivers who combined for 99 catches, 1,355 yards and nine TDs is '07. As for the ground attack, the Sooners will depend on sophomore RB DeMarco Murray, who despite recovering from a knee injury is supremely talented and gives the team a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. It will certainly be interesting to see how Murray looks in this opener. Opening holes in the ground game and protecting Bradford when a pass play is called is a senior-laden offensive line brimming with experience and athleticism.
Oklahoma played extremely well against the run in 2007, limiting the opposition to just 110.3 ypg to rank 17th in the nation. As a result, foes scored just 20.3 ppg earning the team another top-20 ranking. OU is fortunate to have all four starters back along the defensive line, including rush end Auston English. A 6-3, 255-pound junior, English was the Big 12's sacks leader in '07 with 9.5 despite missing a quarter of the season with an ankle injury. He had an issue with his appendix recently but is expected to play in this opener. This year's line could be one of the best in the country if they stay healthy and get help from a linebacking corps that has just one returning starter in junior Ryan Reynolds. A pair of new corners will debut against Chattanooga, but both safeties return in seniors Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes. Those two combined for 147 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 PBUs and five INTs last season. Having to face one potent offense after another in the Big 12 means that pressure up front as well as blanket coverage in the secondary is integral to any success the defense is to achieve. Stoops hopes to have his team prepared for the challenges ahead. "I think the biggest issue is your speed on the field on defense and athleticism, guys that can play in space, tackle in space, cover, pressure, do those kinds of things."
Bradford is a star, and he is surrounded by tremendous talent. While there are questions with the Sooner defense among the linebackers and corners, there is no doubt that Stoops' team will score a ton of points. This opener will be a lopsided affair for sure.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 59, Chattanooga 6

