OU-UTEP: Three storylines
Even without the game expected to be very competitive, there are still plenty of reasons to watch Oklahoma season opener Saturday against UTEP (2:30 p.m., FOX).
Here are three of the biggest storylines entering the game:
Baker Mayfield’s favorite target
With Dede Westbrook having departed for the NFL, the Sooners offense is lacking in proven playmakers at receiver outside of Mark Andrews.
Lincoln Riley said earlier in the week he expected to use 10-12 receivers in the game as he continues to figure out who the primary core of receivers will be.
Andrews returns to provide a reliable target, freshman CeeDee Lamb has made a big impression during camp and transfer Jeff Badet has come on strong of late, but it wasn’t enough to get him a spot atop the depth chart.
First look at the revamped defense
After struggling to get to the quarterback last year, Bob Stoops and Mike Stoops decided to make the shift to more of a 4-3 front to try to take some pressure off the secondary. Nothing changed when Riley took over.
That change meant Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was lined up as a defensive end instead of a linebacker, but the shift across the rest of the line should put other players in better positions to make plays.
D.J. Ward and Matt Romar, in particular, should be freed up more to have a bigger impact.
It’ll also be the first chance to get a look at Parnell Motley starting at cornerback. Motley might be the most improved player on the team since last year and with the depth the Sooners are starting to build in the secondary, they should be in better position than they were a year ago on the back end.
Who will stand out at running back?
Riley listed three running backs — Abdul Adams, Rodney Anderson and Marcelias Sutton — as co-No. 1 at the spot.
All three are likely to see significant action in the game, with Riley still looking to find out a standout among the group that can carry the load as the top back.
Anderson is the most physically impressive but has struggled to stay healthy during his time in Norman. Adams played as a freshman behind Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon but didn’t put up big numbers. Sutton is a juniorcollege transfer who came on strong after an injury in the spring. Freshman Trey Sermon also figures to continue to get an opportunity.