Oklahoma Football: Sooners moving on from Baker Mayfield

Heisman winner Baker Mayfield is off to the NFL. What lies in store for the Sooners that return? Let’s look at the state of Oklahoma football in 2018.

Losing a Heisman winner is always tough, especially since that usually means a team also lost its starting quarterback. Oklahoma has dealt with the ups and downs of departed winners a couple times already in the 21st century, so they have a basic formula for rebuilding and returning quickly to prominence.

Of course, that blueprint was initiated not by current head coach Lincoln Riley but his predecessor, Bob Stoops. With Stoops gone from Norman, it remains to be seen whether Riley can keep the winning ways going now that the talent from Stoops is beginning to leave campus.

Oklahoma, of course, was more than just Baker Mayfield in 2018. The Sooners won the Big 12 on the strength of their all-around offense, with the ground game dominating conference foes as much as the passing attack. The defense held its own as well but will need to improve for the Sooners to keep having success this season.

What lies in store for the defending Big 12 champions in 2018? Let’s take a closer look at the Oklahoma offense and defense before diving into the Sooners’ schedule and assessing their chances for the new campaign.