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Oklahoma Football: 5 takeaways from Sooners’ 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Running back Trey Sermon #4 congratulates running back Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners on a score against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Running back Trey Sermon #4 congratulates running back Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners on a score against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: The Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: The Oklahoma Sooners line up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

1. Without defense, the Sooners will never be on top

I hate to say it, but someone has to — without defense, the Sooners are never going to be serious threats in the playoff. Sure, they made life miserable for Alabama’s defense for four quarters, but that was mostly due to the running around of Kyler Murray fatiguing the Tide, but the offense did all it could to keep the Sooners in the game.

Oklahoma had one of the worst defenses in the country and when it made the playoff, facing off against Alabama, everyone basically knew that one scoreless drive for the Sooners could truly mean the end of any hope.

Alabama raced out to a big lead and Oklahoma made it interesting with some late scores to make the Tide sweat it out, but the defense couldn’t stop Tua Tagovailoa and that offense. This defense, despite the firing of Mike Stoops, was awful this season and needs a serious turnaround.

Next. NFL Mock Draft 2019: First round after 2018 CFB season. dark

The hiring of Alex Grinch could do just that, two years removed from his Washington State mastery. He’ll be looked at to work a miracle in Norman for the next couple of years. It’s not like the Sooners aren’t getting talented recruits on this side of the ball, but they hadn’t had the coach to mold them into all-conference performers.

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