Are we overrated again this year?

The past three years, I have become distraught hearing how OU is a national title contender despite some ostensible frailties.  This year, all the ESPN analysists(obviously learning nothing from the last two Fiesta bowls) are saying we are national title bound despite losing our best corner,our best linebacker, two of our best defensive lineman, and our best wide receiver.  I still like our offense, but there is no game breaker at the WR position as Iglesius, Johnson, and Chaney seemed to feed off of the double teams Malcolm Kelly was drawing.  As for our defense, I find it very hard to believe that our secondary will get any better despite losing guys like Reggie Smith, DJ Wolfe, and Marcus Walker even though the secondary was errible to begin with last season.  Here are some games I am concerned about:

Cincinnati- This team has a solid defense that is adept at forcing turnovers and the sooners need to get their offensive timing together or they may get shocked by this athletic and gritty Concy team.

Washington- If Jake Locker learns to pass the football, it could be a long day in Seattle as it is already a tough place to get a victory as USC and Oregon both struggled there last season.  I also detest the idea of dealing with Pac 10 officials again.

TCU- They have a great defense that has given us some trouble in the past.

Texas- Always a tough game in Dalls and this year will be no different as Texas will return one of the best QB's in the country and they always have a speedy D.

Texas Tech- They seemed to have gained enough confidence as a program that they believe they can win at Norman.

Oklahoma State- Stillwater always brings a stiff challenge to OU as lost with a stellar team in 02, won on a missed FG in the closing seconds of the 04 game, and  barely won when they batted down a last second heave by Zac Robinson.  Most of all, OU could be burned out by this game.

I am skeptical to believe that OU can run the tables and win all these games to make it all the way to Miami because they will never get the benefit of the doubt if they even lose one game after the the last 4 bCS debacles. 

Jayhawk,

The fear of being over rated is justifiable. I really worry about the WR position and who will pick the slack. I am not as worried about DB, there seems to be alot of speed and quickness with Franks, Nelson, and some of the other young guys. LB has me concerned but I think the chance does exist to be better actually.

I seem to worry about every team the Sooners play, but I agree with you about that game at UW. If that QB can throw accurate passes to his WR, he is scary, but I'll still take my chances with SB leading the way.

My wife says I get to tense for every game. I guess maybe I'll have to start my backyard tailgate party a little earlier, and have an extra six pack on ice. I'm gonna tell her I ain't tense cause the game is coming on, I'm tense cause the honey do list is eating into my grilling meditation time. Will they ever learn.

Bring em on, BOOMER SOONER! 

It doesn't matter if they lose one or two as long as they win the Big 12 they go to a BCS bowl...if they don't win the Big 12 you can kiss an at large good bye...but hey, they kind of deserve that reputation...it is what it is!

I truly believe that OU is on of those schools who reload...every year they can put top 10 talent on the field...as a fan I'm content with that...yes, I want more bowl victories and national titles, but hey, at least we have a chance year in and year out....when you get right down to it, I think that is all you can ask for!

I am skeptical to believe that OU can run the tables and win all these games to make it all the way to Miami because they will never get the benefit of the doubt if they even lose one game after the the last 4 bCS debacles. 

and I am skeptical that you are even an OU fan.....I will give you 1 debacle, vs USC. LSU was a helluva game all things considered and one that OU could just as easily won. BSU? Please. You have the best team in the history of BSU that beat an OU team probably not even ranked in the top 25 of all time OU teams. Trick plays and an opponent that was a pretty good team. I see no debacle there. Last year was boarderline, I'll give you that, but again, when you consider the pre game distractions, well, what can youy say?

I say, remember 2000, 2002 and gulp, 2005.

Works for me...

Plz, do us all a favor and jump off the schooner..... 

if you are referring to me, then how so?

and plz, do us all a favor, do it in more than one word so we can understand what you are trying to get at, K? 

Wheat,

    You're my kind of fan, realistic but optimistic. FSU in '00 was a great game. OU killed that vaunted offense. USC was a blow out. OU was flat out not the better team. LSU was a good game between two evenly matched teams where OU made 1 to many mistakes. BSU = no shame there. OU was the better team but lost fair and square. Boise played the game of their lives and OU was right there at the end forcing them to go for 2 on a miracle play to win. Good for them. WVU was speedy and hungrier. I still think OU was the better team but it didn't work out that way.

   As for next year, I expect great things. Upside: nations best QB, nations best O line, probably nations best TE, great back field, several returning studs on D and sure handed wideouts with plenty of speed.

Downside: secondary that needs to improve, no true star at WR and a history of lack of attitude from the whole team that carries through out the year.

  Call me a homer but I could easily see OU as preseason #1 but if you do tell me who is better set to claim the position.

Georgia will easily be preseason #1 over OU

who cares? I know I don't and I'm pretty sure most of us don't.

Preseason rankings don't mean squat.....................unless yer a bugeater fan.

I'm sure you'd be happy to be in a preseaon top anything....