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2011 Oklahoma Football Spring Review/Fall Preview

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For the most part Oklahoma escaped spring football injury free. Starting right tackle Jarvis Jones suffered a knee injury that is going to cause him to miss up to five games this fall. In the "glass is half full" category though Lane Johnson emerged as a possible starter on the line to replace Jones.

While that isn't a complete answer there are other pressing matters that the Sooners must deal with heading into the fall.  

 

Did the secondary come along enough during the spring to be set this fall?

With Jamell Flemimg not currently enrolled in school and his status for this fall uncertain the Sooners are prepping to go into the season with three new starters in the secondary. Gabe Lynn seems to be the guy to step in at start on the corner opposite Demontre Hurst.

Replacing two NFL caliber safeties may prove to be a bigger challenge for Brent Venables and Oklahoma secondary coach Willie Martinez. Aaron Colvin is transitioning from corner to safety and had a very good spring. Javon Harris is the leading candidate to start alongside Colvin and as solid as they may have looked in intra-squad scrimmages they'll enter the fall unproven. This result could result in the coaches not being completely settled on the four secondary starters.

Who is the go to guy in this running back by committee?

Going all the way back to the Kejuan Jones/Adrian Peterson days the multi-back approached has worked well for Bob Stoops. That seems to be where the offense is heading again this season. Jonathan Miller, Roy Finch, Brennan Clay and true freshman Brandon Williams will all share time carrying the football but who is going to be the guy in the backfield when its crunch time? There has to be a leader emerge from this group and pretty quickly.

 Has this team matured enough to play consistently on the road?

After an ugly win at Cincinnati and losses at Missouri and Texas A&M the Sooners bounced back to win the Big 12 South division with a road victory at Oklahoma State. Contrary to a popular belief among some, Oklahoma's poor performances on the road aren't any one player's fault. Its a team focus (or lack of) and mentality. One that is born through experience and leadership. This will be the most experienced football team Oklahoma has fielded since 2008. Does that solve the road woes? We'll find out pretty quick when the Sooners travel to play Florida State the second game of the season.