The Five Biggest College Football Disappointments of the 2014 Season
By Jerry Levi
Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Michael Hunnicutt (18) reacts after missing a field goal during the first half against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Preseason Ranking: No. 4 AP Poll, No. 3 USA Today Poll
Regular Season Finish: 8-4
The Sporting News had them ranked in the preseason at #1. After an impressive Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama last season that saw QB Trevor Knight come to the forefront, the Sooners were poised to be back in the national spotlight in 2014. With a decent non-conference schedule, Oklahoma had Big 12 juggernauts Kansas State and Baylor at home, as well with Texas having to break in a new head coach, it was supposed to be a shoe-in for Stoops’ Troops to make the Final Four.
So what happened? To be fair, nobody expected TCU to be this good; loss in Fort Worth. Missing extra point field goals and making mistakes against Kansas State doesn’t bode well, loss there. But the beat down that was put on the Sooners in Norman by Baylor 48-14 showed that Oklahoma was still at least a year away with a 3 way open tryout for QB in the spring.The good news was RB Samaje Perine, who broke the FBS record for most rushing yards in a game against Kansas late in the year but then injured his ankle in the Bedlam game against Oklahoma State. Loss there again. Does anybody remember when the Sooners were invincible at home? 3 losses at home this year, 4 on the season. Once again the Sooners are looking ahead to next season. Disappointing.
Next: #3 Stanford