Big 12 Football: Week 1 Power Rankings
By Hayden Hyde
Sep 5, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes the ball while being pursued by Akron Zips defensive lineman Jamal Marcus (34) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Offense? Offense.
Bob Stoops’ team trounced MAC opponent Akron to the tune of 41-3. Baker Mayfield shined in his Sooners debut and posted 388 yards, which broke Sam Bradford’s record for most passing yards in a season opener.
Lincoln Riley was the talk of the offseason in Norman, could he really fix an inefficient offense? The new offensive coordinator benched former starter Trevor Knight in favor of Baker Mayfield and on Saturday, that seemed to be the right move.
Running back Joe Mixon was another bright spot on offense for the Sooners. Mixon was suspended for the entire 2014 season after assaulting a female student, but shined in his college football debut. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field and highlighted the game with a 76-yard touchdown after the 1st half.
The defense also looked good for the Sooners. They held Akron to only a field goal and never really gave up any big plays. There were no major mental lapses or big penalties either, which probably makes Bob Stoops happy.
The Sooners were expected to beat Akron by a wide margin, and that’s exactly what they did. If their offense can keep clicking, the Sooners are in for a good season.
Oklahoma faces a big challenge next week when they travel to Tennessee to play the Volunteers. This game will really set the tone for the Sooner’s season, so it’ll be important for them to stay focused.
Next: West Virginia