Tag: Branson Hickman

Stingy defense leads Sooners to 51-3 win over Temple Owls

The Oklahoma Sooners defense forced six turnovers to lead the way in a 51-3 win over the Temple Owls.

The Oklahoma Sooners took care of business in their 51-3 win over the Temple Owls.

On a night when OU honored the 1974 and 1975 national championship teams, squads that had great defenses, OU’s defense led the way for the Sooners, forcing six turnovers.

Temple took the opening kick, but couldn’t create much before going three and out. And that was about as productive as the Owls would be in the first half. Defensively, Oklahoma forced Temple to go punt, fumble, punt, interception, fumble, punt, punt, and fumble.

[autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] forced the Sooners first turnover of the season, a strip of quarterback Forrest Brock, which was recovered by Da’Jon Terry. Cornerback [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag] grabbed Oklahoma’s first interception of the season picking off a tipped pass by cheetah linebacker [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag]. [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] also forced fumbles in the first half to help create a strong start in the turnover department for the Sooners.

The Sooners offense took advantage of a stingy defensive effort by scoring on six of their eight possessions in the first half.

On the Sooner’s first offensive possession, [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] led OU on a seven-play 76-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a 14-yard scoring strike between Arnold and tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag]. It was the first of four touchdown passes for the Sooners five-star quarterback, who was making his first start at home.

The Sooners took advantage of good field position provided by the defense to lead a five-play, 46-yard drive ending on Arnold’s second touchdown pass of the day, this time to [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag].

[autotag]Tyler Keltner[/autotag] provided some answers at kicker, nailing field goal attempts of 50 and 46 yards to put the Sooners up 20-0.

Though the offense slowed a bit in the second quarter, they closed the half strong, with touchdowns on two of their last three possessions. A nice return from [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] gave OU the ball in the Temple half of the field, and Oklahoma drove the ball 44 yards on five plays for another Burks touchdown.

After OU punted late in the half, the defense forced yet another turnover inside the Temple 10-yard line, and Arnold cashed in with his fourth touchdown pass of the day and third to Burks to put Oklahoma up 34-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the Sooners’ offense struggled to get going punting on their first possession. The defense forced a three and out and Keltner pushed his third field goal of the day through the uprights to put the Sooners up 37-0.

Temple began to generate some offense on their second possession of the half, moving the ball inside the Sooners 20-yard line. However, sacks from [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] and a combination of [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] put the Owls in a 3rd-and-22 situation. After an incomplete pass, Temple kicked a field goal for their only points of the game.

The rest of the way, it was about the Sooners’ defense. [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] forced a fumble on a punt, which was scooped up by [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] and returned for a touchdown.

True freshman safety [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] recorded the first interception of his Sooners career, the sixth of the game for Oklahoma.

On Oklahoma’s final drive of the game, it was true freshman running back [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] doing the heavy lifting. He carried the ball four times for 66 yards, finishing the drive with an eight-yard touchdown. Fellow true freshman quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] also looked good on the drive, showing off his athleticism and quick release to help the Sooners move the ball down the field.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag] finished off the Owls with a pair of sacks on their final drive of the game.

It was a strong defensive performance, however, as the Sooners allowed just 197 yards of total offense and 1.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Sooners forced six turnovers, recorded six sacks nine tackles for loss, and rarely let the Owls offense create much momentum.

The Sooners offense looked good in stretches, but with several starters out along the offensive line, there wasn’t much cohesion up front. Arnold was sacked four times, and regularly the Sooners rushing attack was bottled up. A talking point for much of the offseason wasn’t resolved in week one and perhaps has created more questions.

Though the running game produced 217 yards at 6.2 yards per carry, it wasn’t a consistent performance, especially in the first half. Oklahoma ran for 87 yards in the first half and 130 yards in the second.

Arnold was efficient, going 17 of 25 for 141 yards and four touchdowns. Though his yards per attempt (5.64) will be nothing to write home about, he didn’t have a ton of time to work the ball down the field. Yet he played mistake-free football, and with a defense like Oklahoma’s is key.

Injuries along the offensive line will be important to monitor moving forward. [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] exited the game with an ankle injury. [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag] and [autotag]Joshua Bates[/autotag] finished the game at center for the Sooners.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] is also an injury situation to monitor. He left the game early as well. Farooq came through with a big 47-yard possession on the Sooners opening drive of the game. Brent Venables revealed after the game that Farooq broke his foot and will be out 4-6 weeks.

It was a solid performance from the Sooners in all three phases. If they can continue to get defensive efforts like the one tonight against Temple, it’ll take a lot of pressure off of an offense that has some questions to answer along the offensive line. They’ll need to improve their rushing attack as they move forward, but there were some building blocks to work with.

The Sooners move to 1-0 on the season and get set to host the Houston Cougars in week two.

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Final thoughts on Oklahoma Sooners vs. Temple Owls

The Oklahoma Sooners get set to open the season against the Temple Owls and here are this week’s final thoughts.

It’s football time in Oklahoma, and the Sooners are stepping into a monumental season in college football. The Sooners enter 2024 in unfamiliar territory as a team with something to prove.

No longer are they the conference powerhouse, but instead will fight to earn their place at the SEC’s grown-up table alongside Georgia and Alabama. But that’s what this program has been about throughout its existence. The Sooners are one of the big boys of college football, a blue blood that’s had as much success as anyone.

But, like anything in life, the Sooners will have to earn the respect of their new conference brethren. And that’s the way Brent Venables wants it.

As the Sooners get set to kick off the 2024 season, here is this week’s final thoughts.

Offensive Line Time

So much has been said about the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. Sure, they don’t return a primary starter from a year ago. But no reason to fret. The Sooners have had productive offensive line play for a long time and are coached by one of the best in the business in [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag].

It will come together and this week against Temple provides the first opportunity to see the unit begin to gel. [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag], [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag], and [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] have a nice mix of blue-chip talent and experience.

Believe in Bedenbaugh.

Need for Speed

The Oklahoma Sooners will start two legitimate speedsters this week against the Temple Owls when [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] take the field. Burks showed off his big-play ability in the spring game and Thompson, though in a limited role, averaged more than 34 yards per reception on his seven catches last season because of his track speed.

The Temple defense is going to have a difficult time keeping track of Burks and Thompson, who will blow down the field like an Oklahoma wind on the prairie.

Welcome Back JoBa

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] got off to a great start to his collegiate career when he emerged as the backup to [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] during the 2022 season. He ran for over 500 yards and looked headed for a jump in production as a true sophomore in 2023. However, injuries kept Barnes from getting going and last season was pretty much a wash.

In 2024, Barnes has stayed healthy and looks primed to reprise his role from the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl, where he and fellow 2022 four-star signee [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] operated in the lead running back tandem.

Sawchuk may get the start, but Barnes is going to get a lot of work in 2024 and the two will complement each other well in the Sooners rushing attack.

Jackson Arnold Show

The former five-star quarterback, Elite 11 winner, and Gatorade National Player of the Year is set to take the stage for his first season as a starter, and the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] has all the talent in the world to be Oklahoma’s next great quarterback.

With an entire offseason to work with his wide receivers and to familiarize himself with [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag]’s offense, look for a much more comfortable and decisive heading into his second career start. Though the level of competition isn’t quite what Arnold faced in the Alamo Bowl, there’s still a lot to be gleaned from this game against Temple.

Defensive Dominance

The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense will lead the way for the Sooners in 2024. And that starts against Temple. The Owls are one of the worst teams in the country in SP+ offensive ranking and don’t have a settled situation at quarterback.

Oklahoma’s depth and talent are so much greater on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage, making life incredibly easy for the back seven. Look for this game to resemble what OU did to Arkansas State last year.

Brent’s Guys

It’s year three of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era. All but a handful of guys on the roster committed and signed to play for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners after his arrival.

This team has his fingerprints all over it on both sides of the ball. It’s a team marked by energy, intensity, and determination. They may not be the most talented team in the country, but they’ll be one of the hardest working and toughest teams in the nation.

Young Guns

The [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] has already made a name for themselves with the way they’ve worked this offseason to get ready for OU’s first year in the SEC. [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned a starting spot on the defensive line. Venables praised David Stone’s work ethic. [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] and [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] received rave reviews for the work they put in after arriving this summer.

We still need to see that group on the field. What they look like in year one isn’t a finished product. But from what we’ve seen, the Sooners coaching staff won’t have to wonder if this crew is going to work for what they want.

Tonight, we get our first glimpse of what this class is made of.

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Sooners offensive line dealing with injuries ahead of 2024 season

The Oklahoma Sooners are dealing with injuries along their offensive line, but Brent Venables confident they’ll be ready to go.

Continuity, chemistry, and communication are each important factors for an offensive line to be successful. The Sooners are working to retool their offensive line after losing the five guys who started for much of the 2023 season.

They’re a talented group that’s been putting in the work, but during fall camp, it’s a group that’s been dinged up a bit as Oklahoma tries to establish their starting five and a rotation on the two-deep depth chart.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Brent Venables shared that the Sooners offensive line has dealt with injuries.

“Has it been perfect? No,” Venables said. “But I’m sure that if you look back at most camps, that’s usually the case. But I do like where we’re at. There has been a chance to work together in lots of different types of settings, but I feel like we’re in a really good position there right now.”

He didn’t detail who was injured but said the guys that are banged all should be good to play when the Sooners open up against Temple on August 30. But the Sooners still have questions to answer at the position. However, Venables trusts offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag], and the work the guys have put in will find the right group to lead the Sooners offense.

“Bill (Bedenbaugh) understands the things that he needs to focus on to help put a group together,” Venables said. “I’m talking not just five, I’m talking eight to 12, 12 guys. Whether that’s the development piece, the drill work, the walkthroughs, the film study, all that stuff matters. Finding the best combination of guys and then all of the what-ifs when it comes to keeping guys healthy.”

The Sooners have a lot of talent up front, and they have experienced players like [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], and [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag]. They’ll be relying on the development of former four-star prospects in the 2022 recruiting class, [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag] and [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] playing significant roles. That group is projected to be the starting lineup for the Sooners, but [autotag]Heath Ozaeta[/autotag], [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Bates[/autotag], [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag], and [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag] will contend for snaps along the offensive front as well.

For the Sooners offense to thrive like it needs to, the Sooners will need to stabilize their offensive line by the time they get to SEC play. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] has all the talent in the world, but if he doesn’t get a reasonable amount of time, it’s going to be difficult to see that talent on display.

If Oklahoma has plans of contending in year one in the SEC, it’s going to take a good offensive line to get there. And with Oklahoma’s track record, there’s confidence it’ll come together.

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Josh Bates making a strong impression in Sooners fall camp

Josh Bates standing out as the Oklahoma Sooners work to figure out their offensive line.

The offensive line continues to be the top storyline in Oklahoma Sooners’ fall camp. The Sooners are going to be relying on incoming transfers to fill several of the spots along their offensive line. But one position that continues to be up for grabs is center.

The expectation is SMU transfer [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] will be the starter for 2024. However, as he continues to get acclimated to the offense, 2022 four-star center signee [autotag]Joshua Bates[/autotag] has been getting a lot of snaps with the first team.

Bates has impressed Brent Venables with his work ethic and how he’s improved since arriving in Norman in spring of 2022.

“(Bates) has been much more consistent, No. 1, with his snaps,” Venables said after practice. “He’s been a lot cleaner that way. Again, he’s a guy that helps make everyone around him better. Because he loves to compete, he loves football. Again, I got a small Rolodex of guys that I could say the same thing about.

“But I just love guys that love to come to work every day. They love their brothers, they love the environment, they love to go to practice, they love to work, they love to compete. They know how to strain. They’re just great examples. And that’s why you’re seeing him improve and get better, but he’s also had a really strong impact with the guys around him and in the locker room.”

Bates sat behind [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag] and [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] the last two seasons, learning and honing his craft. Though Oklahoma went the transfer route to add the experienced Hickman, Bates has put in the work to create an opportunity for himself. Even if he’s not a starter for [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]’s offensive line, Bates has positioned himself to be the front-runner to start in 2025.

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Oklahoma center Branson Hickman makes Rimington Trophy preseason watch list

Branson Hickman may prove to be one of the best transfer portal additions for Brent Venables and his staff in 2024.

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] has made his second preseason award watch list for the 2024 season, all before playing a down for OU.

After Hickman made the Outland Trophy watch list last week, the transfer center was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list on Friday. The Rimington Trophy is given to the best center in college football. The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman in the country, regardless of which side of the ball they play on.

Hickman was a big get the the portal’s post-spring window for head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]. The pair needed some major help at the center position as they rebuilt the offensive line, replacing all five primary starters from a year ago.

Hickman, formerly of SMU, has been the offensive lineman receiving the most national praise on OU’s roster since coming to Norman, and is likely in the driver’s seat to start at center. The offensive line has been a topic of conversation all offseason long as Oklahoma joins the [autotag]SEC[/autotag], and Hickman will be tasked with helping to protect quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and open up running lanes for [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and the rest of the running back room.

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What does CBS Sports think of Oklahoma’s offensive supporting cast?

New starting QB Jackson Arnold will have plenty of weapons to get the ball to in 2024.

Quarterback is one of the most important positions on any football team. It’s been called the hardest job in all of sports. Quarterbacks are often praised when their team wins and blamed when their team loses, regardless of how they played.

Most of the time, a great quarterback is only as good as the pieces around him. His head coach, offensive play-caller, offensive line, running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers can make or break his performances.

The Oklahoma Sooners are just three weeks away from beginning the 2024 season. OU has a new starting quarterback this season, as true sophomore phenom [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] takes the wheel after [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag]’s offseason transfer.

There’s no doubt that Oklahoma is Arnold’s team both in the present and the future and head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the rest of the coaching staff have done their best to set the talented youngster up for success. After all, the duo of Venables and Arnold are the faces of the program more than anyone else. Their success or failure will be dependent upon each other and both are aware of that.

The other 133 FBS programs that are about to begin their seasons are also trying to set their QB(s) up for success heading into 2024. CBS Sports college football analyst Clint Brewster ranked the 12 programs that are doing the best job of it.

The Sooners landed at No. 10 on the list, sixth-best in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. Oklahoma enters their new conference with a new face under center who is getting a good deal of support from the rest of his offense, according to Brewster.

Oklahoma let Dillon Gabriel walk to turn the offense over to five-star sophomore Jackson Arnold. The Sooners easily have one of the top receiver rooms with newcomer [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] from Purdue and returning pass catchers [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] to name a few. There’s also speed merchant [autotag]Brenan Thompson[/autotag], who could have a breakout season. At running back there’s [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], but don’t forget about incoming blue-chipper [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag]. On the offensive line, Oklahoma has some holes to fill (all five spots, actually) but picked up what could be one of the best centers in the country with [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] in the portal. – Brewster, CBS Sports

OU’s loaded wide receiver room will be nursing some injuries as the season gets underway, but Burks will be a go-to wideout for Arnold. The two displayed incredible chemistry in the spring. The running backs will need to be better early than they were in the first half of the season last year, but Sawchuk looks ready to carry the load after playing well over the season’s last five games in 2023.

The offensive line has been the concern since the winter, but Venables seems confident in that unit’s ability to get the job done and keep Arnold upright. The Sooners may go as Arnold goes in 2024. Helping him make the big plays and avoid mistakes will go a long way towards a successful season.

New co-offensive coordinators [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Jon Finley[/autotag] replace [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag], now the head coach at Mississippi State. Littrell is serving as the main play-caller. He’ll need to develop his young quarterback and support Arnold as best he can in his first season as a full-time starter in college.

Ohio State topped Brewster’s list with Gabriel’s Oregon Ducks coming in second. LSU was the best of the SEC’s 16 teams in this category.

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Where does Oklahoma land in ESPN’s SEC preseason power rankings?

OU’s first preseason in the SEC sees some doubt from national analysts.

The Oklahoma Sooners are about three weeks away from beginning the 2024 football season, their first as a member of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. Talking season and prediction season are almost over, but for now, we still have a few more weeks of projections to go.

ESPN has been previewing the college football season, going conference-by-conference to look at each team. On Thursday, staff writers Chris Low and Mark Schlabach previewed the SEC, giving their power rankings and [autotag]College Football Playoff[/autotag] outlook for the conference.

The duo had the Sooners as the eighth-best team in the conference, matching ESPN’s Football Power Index and the SEC media poll. Here’s what they had to say about the Sooners landing in the middle of the league.

“In his third season at OU, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] likes the experience on this team, with many players having been in the program for three years now,” Low and Schlabach wrote. “The Sooners’ schedule in Year 1 in the SEC is challenging, to say the least.”

The pair also had Oklahoma as a playoff long shot along with Texas A&M. In all, they believed three SEC teams should make the [autotag]playoff[/autotag] (Georgia, Texas and Alabama) with four more in the running (Ole Miss, Missouri, Tennessee and LSU) ahead of the Sooners and Aggies, who they believe have less of a chance.

“There’s no question the Sooners were better in Venables’ second season in 2023, but it might be rough sledding in Year 1 in the SEC,” they said. “Oklahoma faces a brutal road slate that includes games at Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU, as well as home contests against Tennessee and Alabama, and the [autotag]Red River Rivalry[/autotag] game against Texas. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] takes over for [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], who left for Oregon. The bigger question is up front on offense, where all five starters departed. The Sooners are hoping five transfers can help: tackles [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag] (Michigan State) and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] (USC), guards [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag] (Washington) and [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] (North Texas) and center [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] (SMU).”

Oklahoma’s home matchup with Tennessee was specifically highlighted. OU’s first conference game is starting to generate plenty of buzz. After all, it’s not every day that the program’s most recent national championship-winning starting quarterback and his team come to town.

“It’s Oklahoma’s SEC debut and a homecoming of sorts for [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag], who played quarterback for the Sooners and was the runner-up for the [autotag]Heisman Trophy[/autotag] in 2000,” Low and Schlabach said. “But his exit as OU’s offensive coordinator in 2014 wasn’t his fondest memory as he was fired by [autotag]Bob Stoops[/autotag]. Both teams have talented young quarterbacks in their first years as starters, Nico Iamaleava at Tennessee and Jackson Arnold at Oklahoma. It should be a wild atmosphere in Norman with the winner making a major statement in the playoff chase.”

Lastly, linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] was named one of the duo’s favorite players in the conference heading into the season. The senior will have to be instrumental if OU will be better again defensively.

“Stutsman is a big reason the Sooners improved from 106th in the FBS in rushing defense (187.5) in 2022 to 44th (138.6) last season,” they said. “Stutsman is a tackling machine with more than 100 stops in each of the past two seasons to go with six sacks and two forced fumbles. His return should help OU take another step forward under Venables.”

As previously stated, the Sooners have been picked to be middle-of-the-pack, specifically eighth in the conference, multiple times in the last month. Venables and his team have reiterated time and time again that they aren’t focusing on any outside noise or anything but themselves and getting better. Still, you have to think they’re seeing the lists and predictions and remembering that the national media thinks they’ll be an average SEC team in 2024. As the games come closer, Oklahoma is almost through talking season. They’ll finally have an opportunity to prove themselves on the field.

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Jackson Arnold helped get center Branson Hickman to Oklahoma

Branson Hickman committed to OU, in part, because he wanted to play with Jackson Arnold.

The Oklahoma Sooners were in need of offensive line help in the post-spring [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] window. Specifically, offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] needed to land a center to anchor thew middle of the unit.

OU got the job done, earning a commitment from SMU transfer center [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], but it turns out Bedenbaugh had a little help from Oklahoma’s starting quarterback.

Hickman spoke to the Oklahoma media after fall camp practice on Thursday, covering a wide variety of topics in his first media availability. OUInsider captured Hickman’s interview. Among them were some of the reasons that he decided to become a Sooner, and as it turns out, sophomore quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] was part of making that decision easier.

“Obviously, growing up in the Dallas area, I knew who Jackson was coming out of high school. I knew he was a great player and a great person,” Hickman said. “I hung out with him on my official visit, and he’s one of the reasons why I came here too, honestly. You want to play with a good quarterback to have a chance to win.”

Hickman is just the latest of many to praise Oklahoma’s new QB1, but he also had high praise for his new position coach, giving Bedenbaugh his flowers.

“Yeah, Coach B is one of the main reasons why I came here,” Hickman said. “Obviously has a proven track record. He puts guys in the NFL and he also has guys succeed in college, so I mean, it’s like, why would you not come play for Coach B?”

Hickman looks like the starter at the center position going into the year. He also made the Outland Trophy watch list earlier this week. The award is given to the top interior lineman in college football. He’ll anchor the much-discussed offensive line that features fellow incoming transfers [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag], [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] and [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag] and homegrown players like [autotag]Heath Ozaeta[/autotag], [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag].

Bedenbaugh and head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] have worked hard to retool the offensive line, having to replace all five starters this offseason to get ready for the journey into the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. Turns out, Jackson Arnold was doing a little recruiting of his own this spring as well.

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Branson Hickman named to Outland Trophy Watch List

Oklahoma Sooners center Branson Hickman named to the Outland Trophy watch list.

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] has been named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The SMU transfer arrived in Norman in the spring [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] window, but is already gaining some buzz in the hours before fall camp officially begins.

The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced the preseason watch list, recognizing 75 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.

Hickman’s arrival bolsters a unit that has some fans and national analysts concerned about the Sooners in 2024. He looks to be a plug-and-play solution at the center position for offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag], as the offensive line coach tries to figure out the combination at the guard and tackle spots.

 

The offensive line will be crucial in OU’s move from the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] to the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] in Year 3 of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era. The SEC is a trenches conference, and protecting quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] will be pivotal this season, as will opening up running lanes for [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and the rest of the running back room.

Hickman should provide some stability, after having an excellent career with the SMU Mustangs. He will likely be the offensive lineman that Bedenbaugh relies upon the most.

Hickman will look to become the sixth Sooner to win the award, and the first since [autotag]Jammal Brown[/autotag] won in 2004. Greg Roberts, [autotag]Lee Roy Selmon[/autotag], J.D. Roberts, and Jim Weatherall are Oklahoma’s other winners.

The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on “The Home Depot College Football Awards”, live on ESPN on December 12th, 2024.

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ESPN thinks this is Oklahoma’s biggest question mark

The 2024 season for the Oklahoma Sooners could hinge on one position group, says ESPN.

Every year, college football teams have strengths and weaknesses on paper before the season begins. During the season, we see what the actual problem areas are and if they get fixed during the season or doom that year’s squad.

The Oklahoma Sooners have plenty of strengths on paper. They’re loaded at wide receiver. The linebacker room is filled with talent. The secondary is strong throughout. But, there are some weaker spots on [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ third team at OU.

ESPN asked its reporters to identify the question marks for each of their Top 25 teams before fall camps begin. The staff has OU ranked No. 18 in the nation heading into the season and eighth in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

It is no surprise that Oklahoma’s offensive line that was named the biggest question mark exiting [autotag]SEC media days[/autotag]. Here’s what ESPN’s Dave Wilson had to say regarding the often-talked-about unit:

The Sooners lost their entire starting offensive line, including first-round pick [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] and nine O-lineman in total. They added [autotag]Spencer Brown[/autotag] from Michigan State, [autotag]Geirean Hatchett[/autotag] from Washington,  [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] from North Texas and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag]  from USC along with four incoming freshmen, then added a big piece in SMU center [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag] after the spring portal. Brent Venables said they will need contributions from all of them, but added that he has complete confidence in line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag], who has helped produce 13 NFL draft picks in the past 10 years. But with a grueling schedule in Year 1 in the SEC, it’s not an ideal time for an offensive line rebuild. – Wilson, ESPN

Bill Bedenbaugh’s presence is key for the Sooners. He’s one of the best offensive line coaches in college football. If he can find a unit of five that will jell as a group, then Oklahoma could turn a weakness into a strength. The [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] additions were key for Bedenbuagh, especially Hickman at center. Some combination of four players around him will need to step up in preseason camp and separate themselves from the pack.

Oklahoma’s performance along the offensive line could make or break its  season. If they’re better than expected early, quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and the many weapons in the passing game will be given a chance to shine. [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] and the running backs will be given room to run wild. The defense will not have as much pressure placed on it to control games early, especially with a bit of reshuffling on the defensive line. The special teams will not have such a spotlight placed on every move it makes if the offense is dominant. Venables and the coaching staff will not have as many high-pressure decisions to make.

If the offensive line struggles or is a liability, Arnold’s youth could show with added heat on him. Mistakes could be made, despite having plenty of receivers to throw to. He will not get any help from the running game. The defense will have to win games by themselves, which will not hold up all year. The special teams will face more pressure to put points on the board or flip the field when the offense stalls out. The coaches will find themselves in more close games, where the stakes rise with every passing snap.

A good offensive line will be paramount if the Sooners want to have success moving from the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] to the SEC. Venables trusts Bedenbaugh, as he should, and Bedenbaugh will rely on his young returning players and transfer additions to pave the way for Oklahoma in 2024.

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