2007 record: 11-3, 6-2 (1st in Big 12 South)
2007 bowl: Lost to West Virginia 48-28 in Fiesta Bowl
2007 final AP/coaches' ranking: 8/8
Coach: Bob Stoops (97-22, 9 years)
Offensive coordinator: Kevin Wilson (7th year)
Defensive coordinator: Brett Venables (10th year)
Returning offensive starters: 8
Returning defensive starters: 5
Location: Norman, Okla.
Stadium: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial (grass, 82,112)
Last league title: 2007
2008 schedule: [view]
2007 statistics: [view]

Offensive: What can Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford possibly do for a sophomore encore? Last season, Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency. He directed the second-highest scoring offense (592 points) in Oklahoma history. He tossed 36 touchdown passes, breaking the NCAA freshman record. And he’s still working behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines, led by senior guard Duke Robinson. Oklahoma, tinkering with a no-huddle offense in the spring, always seems to find capable running backs. And although Bradford will no doubt miss Malcolm Kelly, his favorite target, the Sooners have a good fleet of wide receivers as well.

Defensive: Sooners must replace some headliners, most notably linebacker Curtis Lofton, the Big 12 defensive player of the year, and five other starters. But the cupboard is far from bare. The defensive line, in fact, looks particularly ferocious with junior end Austin English (9.5 sacks), along with interior run-stuffers DeMarcus Granger and Gerald McCoy. The Sooners need junior middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds to produce, cushioning the loss of Lofton. The secondary appears solid.

Specialists: Special teams have generally been strong under Stoops, but Oklahoma must replace place-kicker Garrett Hartley, a three-year starter. Freshmen Jimmy Stevens and Tress Way are the top possibilities. The Sooners were the nation’s best team at kickoff returns last season. Top returners DeMarco Murray and Juaquin Iglesias are back.

Coaching: It’s hard to believe that Oklahoma was coming off five consecutive non-winning seasons when Bob Stoops arrived in 1999. In his 10th season, Stoops is 97-22 (and 54-2 at home). Stoops developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the best big-game coaches, but that has taken a hit of late as his bowl record has slipped to 4-5 overall. But as far as consistency within the Big 12, no one can touch Stoops’ program.

Heisman Hopefuls: Bradford’s statistics were off the charts as a freshman, and he figures to be even better this season. Could it be? Back-to-back sophomore quarterbacks to capture the Heisman? Florida’s Tim Tebow was last season’s winner. Bradford will be on this season’s short list.

Game of the year Oct. 11 vs. Texas at Dallas What else? Since 1999, only Oklahoma or Texas has represented the South Division in the Big 12 Championship Game. The game’s winner usually announces itself as a prime contender for the national championship.

Overview: Oklahoma is favored to win its fifth Big 12 title, the highest total since the league was formed. But that pales in comparison to a larger question. After dropping four consecutive BCS bowl games — two when a national title was at stake — how can Oklahoma regain its big-game luster? It will surprise no one if the Sooners roll to the league title as an undefeated or one-loss team. That’s when the real pressure begins, though. The Sooners are long overdue for an outstanding performance in January.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

What a playoff this could have been Texas may still be No. 1 — in eyes of AP poll No. 4 Sooners set to break NCAA scoring mark 'No talk of Miami' between ’Bama, Florida Expert: Tebow has earned a second Heisman Notre Dame Central: Weis reportedly to stay Vols' Kiffin takes first jab from Spurrier Paterno back at squad meeting after hip surgery Bellotti will take Oregon A.D. job, but when? USC to surrender timeout to wear red vs. UCLA College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: