College Football Rankings: Post-spring 2019 Top 25 projections
By Zach Bigalke
The biggest story around the Oklahoma program is whether or not the school can convert a third straight transfer quarterback into a Heisman winner. This year it is Jalen Hurts, the former Alabama phenom who was eventually supplanted by Tua Tagovailoa, who gets the opportunity to lead the Sooners back to the top of the Big 12 and into the College Football Playoff.
Hurts went 11-of-14 for 174 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, efficiently managing a Sooners offense that was without returning receivers CeeDee Lamb and Grant Calcaterra. Even working without two likely top targets, Hurts looked great behind Oklahoma’s stout offensive line. With Trey Sermon also sitting out the spring game, Oklahoma’s ceiling is massive.
The defense, as is the standard in the Big 12, is unlikely to inspire quite as much confidence. The only teams Oklahoma held under 20 points last season were Florida Atlantic and Kansas State, both of whom finished under .500 on the year. With Alex Grinch arriving from Ohio State as the new defensive coordinator, it will be worth watching whether they can continue to develop on that front.
A season opener at Houston provides an interesting challenge, and a trip to Pasadena to face UCLA also offers an intriguing non-conference test. Those two games could provide the boost for a Big 12-winning Sooners side to get back to the College Football Playoff this season.