Sooner Sports Notebook - September 2nd

With college football season starting tomorrow, and plenty of Sooner news headlines from now to the end of the semester, I've decided to renew my quasi-daily "Sooner Sports Notebook". For football season I'll probably have the bulk of the information about the football team, and then a section at the end about other Sooner sports.

Next Game

Oklahoma Sooners vs. BYU Cougars
Dallas Cowboys Stadium - Arlington, Texas
6:00PM CDT, September 5, 2009  (ESPN)
Cougars vs Sooners coverage  |  Vanquish The Foe (BYU Blog)

Injury Report (source)

For Oklahoma: MLB Tom Wort is Out For Season (Knee/ACL), MLB Mike Balogun is Ineligible (NCAA).  For BYU: OL Jason Speredon is Out For Season (Shoulder), OL Houston Reynolds is Out (Knee), CB Brian Logan is Probable (Hand), QB Max Hall is Probable (Finger), RB Harvey Unga is Probable (Hamstring), DB Scott Johnson is Probable (Concussion), DB Andrew Rich is Probable (Groin), DL Vic So'oto is Probable (Ankle), OL Matt Reynolds is Probable (Hand), RB Manase Tonga is Probable (Academics).

Quotable

"He [Brody Eldridge] is as good as the guy that played last year [at center], right now," [Offensive Coordinator Kevin] Wilson said. "He blocks those big guys we got who are as good as anybody we’ll see, right now."

The Pundits

(link)  CBS Sports previews the Sooners' first game.
(link)  Sports Illustrated power rankings.
(link)  The Oklahoman September 1st practice report.
(link)  Brody Eldridge will be playing with two numbers, two jerseys and two shoulder pads.
(link)  Sooners need not worry.
(link)  Not surprisingly, BYU is focused on Sam Bradford.

Today's Thoughts

• I'm not surprised that the Sooners are playing Brody Eldridge at center. They have long been raving about his blocking. Plus, with Gresham as more of a receiving threat who has put in hard work this offseason improving his blocking, that position is getting a bit more crowded. James Hanna is another guy who will see the field behind Gresham who is built out of a similar mold. I'm not worried about Brody starting at center.
• Everyone will obviously be worried and anxious to see how Sam Bradford opens up the season. However, I see no reason why this won't continue to be a very balanced attack. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson usually mixes things up fairly well. I see the first couple of drives being more conservative with lots of bubble screens and runs. The good news is that the Sooners have so many versatile players that they could line up in several different positions. I think we'll also have good pace and keep their defense on the field if we can rack up the first downs.
• Broyles is moving back to the slot, which is great news because that's where I thought he was best anyways. I'm excited to see Cam Kenney who is one of the fastest players on the team and he has a 40" vertical. I think he could be one of the better deep threats we've had in awhile. I have heard Dejuan Miller has been improving and obviously Adron Tennell is a veteran, so I think we'll be better than expected at receiver.