The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2014 season with a strong 2015 campaign, and their first test comes this weekend on the road against the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers. Here are three reasons why the Sooners will come out on top:
3) Dominant defense
Oklahoma was inconsistent on defense during the second half of the season, but the return of Eric Striker, Zack Sanchez, and Charles Tapper should solidify this unit as one of the best in the country. Bob Stoops knows what to do with a talented defense, which will be key in slowing down Tennessee's high-powered offense. They looked sharp in their opener, only giving up three points and 226 total yards agains the Akron Zips. If they can keep that up, they'll have an easy time agasint the Vols.
2) Baker Mayfield
Mayfield won the starting job over Trevor Knight in the offseason and he the new spread offense running incredibly smooth in the opener, passing for 388 yards and three touchdowns while adding another rushing touchdown on the ground. Tennessee has an extremely young defense, meaning they'll likely make a good amount of mistakes - and Mayfield showed that he will make them pay.
1) Samaje Perine
Perine started his freshman season splitting carries with Oklahoma's two other running backs, but he ended any thoughts of a platoon when he rushed for 427 yards against Kansas...a new FBS single-game record. That was enough to put anyone on the map, and he then continued to dominate for the rest of the season. The Sooners didn't use him much in the first game, but Perine figures to play an even bigger role in his second season in Norman, especially against a team like Tennessee.
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