Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oklahoma Football: Five reasons why Sooners win Big 12 in 2015

By Michael Taglienti

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Eric Striker (19) hits Clemson Tigers quarterback Cole Stoudt (18) as he releases the ball as the Tigers beat the Sooners 40-6 in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

1. One More Season Of Striker

Oklahoma outside linebacker Eric Striker is back for his senior season. Striker is one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12 and one of the blitzing linebackers in the country. He had nine sacks in 2014.

Related: Top 5 Candidates to win Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

In a conference that features explosive offenses that rely on quarterbacks throwing the ball over the field, it helps to have a defender who can consistently put pressure on the opposing team. Pressure causes quarterbacks to rush which can result in turnovers for the defense.

Striker leads a defense that returns seven starters from the 2014 squad. All four starters at linebacker return for the 2015 season. It should be the most solid unit on a Sooner defense that allowed only 3.0 yards per rush in 2014.

The Sooners should have a solid defense under the leadership of Striker. If the offense has the type of season that is expected behind Perine and Mayfield, the pass rush provided by Striker and his teammates should be more than enough to help the Sooners win the conference.

Next: 30 Greatest College Football Stadiums

More from Saturday Blitz

Home/Big 12