Oklahoma Football: Week 1 proves Sooners are Big 12 title favorites again

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 02: Tight end Grant Calcaterra #80 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated UTEP 56-7. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

2. The Sooner defense has improved

One of the weak spots for the Sooners last year was the defense. Led by a solid defensive line and cornerback Jordan Thomas, the Oklahoma defense is much better in 2017. Redshirt senior defensive nose guard Matthew Romar could play at the next level.

Giving up seven to UTEP is nothing to be extremely proud about for a program like Oklahoma. However, that helps Riley build confidence for when he faces legendary Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer next week.

With all the high-powered offenses in the Big 12, the conference champion needs a solid defense. Oklahoma’s defense has really stepped it up in clutch moments the last two seasons. This could be the first time in a while that the Sooner defense is consistently good throughout the regular season.

A few teams like the Texas Tech Red Raiders and TCU Horned Frogs confirmed in Week 1 that they’ll really be able to put up points this year. Texas Tech and TCU have given the Sooners some tough matchups recently. The offense will be able to hang with anyone, but its the defense that will prove to be a difference maker this season.

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