With a current four-straight Big 12 Championship’s, Oklahoma is again the clear favorite on BetMGM at -110.
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Vegas is still pushing out lines for seasons that could eventually be on hold. With four-straight Big 12 Championship’s, Oklahoma is again the clear favorite to win the conference at -110, per BetMGM.
Despite sending another promising crop of star-studded players to the NFL Draft, the Sooners have several returning players that will aid in the quest of another conference championship. Creed Humphrey will anchor an offensive line that has bolstered a top offense for several years, and will be looking to do the same next year. Jadon Haselwood will be looking for a much bigger role with CeeDee Lamb moving on to the NFL and Kennedy Brooks will look to continue to average a ludicrous amount of yards per carry. Ronnie Perkins and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell will return to command a defense that took tremendous strides under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.
Texas follows Oklahoma with second best odds to win the conference at +130. After posting an 8-5 record in 2019, Sam Ehlinger will return for his senior year with the Longhorns to help commandeer the offense.
Oklahoma State has third-best odds at +800. Star’s Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace are bypassing the NFL and returning for the Cowboys, and Spencer Sanders will have nearly a full year of experience at quarterback in his second season.
Here are the full odds for the conference:
Oklahoma -110
Texas +130
Oklahoma State +800
Iowa State +1600
Baylor +2500
West Virginia +2500
Kansas State +3500
TCU +4000
Texas Tech +8000
Kansas +12500
*Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Bill Bedenbaugh gave an in-depth look into Oklahoma’s offensive line philosophies and preparations week in and out on…
Bill Bedenbaugh gave an in-depth look into Oklahoma’s offensive line philosophies and preparations week in and out on the Run the Power Podcast in a nearly hour-long interview.
Sprinkled in with stories from his days with Hal Mumme and Mike Leach, one of the more intriguing tidbits Bedenbaugh gave was about freshman offensive lineman Andrew Raym. A four-star lineman out of Broken Arrow, Okla., Raym is a guy that Bedenbaugh could see moving around on the Sooners’ offensive front.
“He’s a guy that is playing guard for us right now and center,” Bedenabugh said. “I do think, eventually, just depending on what happens, he’ll take over center. But he’s a really smart guy. He’s got the body for it—physical guy, athletic guy. He can mentally handle what we’re putting on him.”
Predominantly playing tackle at Broken Arrow, Raym was recruited by Bedenbaugh as an offensive guard. However, the way Bedenbaugh philosophies the center position, Raym could become the one snapping the ball for Spencer Rattler in the future.
“I think, especially for us, center is the most important (position) just because he calls out audibles for everything,” Bedenbaugh told Run the Power. “He’s responsible for setting the pass protection, he’s responsible for setting the run blocking scheme, he’s responsible for everything.”
With Creed Humphrey holding down the anchor spot this upcoming season, Raym has an opportunity to learn from who Bedenbaugh says is the best center to come through Oklahoma in a while.
The Sooners’ spring football is set to begin on Tuesday where expectations can’t be higher.
Oklahoma’s offseason will take a quick break.
The Sooners’ spring football is set to begin on Tuesday where expectations can’t be higher.
Oklahoma will begin the 2020 season less than six months from now and will get plenty of practice this spring for it. Lincoln Riley will be working through position battles at quarterback and left tackle as Alex Grinch will be finding replacements for Neville Gallimore, Kenneth Murray and Parnell Motley.
Here are the five key returners from the 2019 team heading into the 2020 spring.
CREED HUMPHREY
Oct 12, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Creed Humphrey (56) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-5, 316 pound center was the glue of Oklahoma’s offensive line in 2019.
Creed Humphrey explored NFL Draft possibilities after his redshirt sophomore season, but chose to return to Norman, Oklahoma, as one of four returning starters off of the 2019 offensive line. He’ll be the only returning Rimington Trophy finalist from a year ago.
Oklahoma’s never had a Rimington Trophy winner before.
RONNIE PERKINS
Nov 23, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins (7) reacts during the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The status of Ronnie Perkins for the first five games of the 2020 season is still up in the air, but the talent can’t be denied.
There were no other indicators for Perkins’ impact in 2019 than the Peach Bowl game he missed. Neville Gallimore was taking on triple teams as LSU was able to single block against any defensive end on the field in pass protection.
Perkins made 38 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a sophomore.
DELARRIN TURNER-YELL
Oct 26, 2019; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Wykeen Gill (21) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (32) during the first quarter of a game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Much the same for Delarrin Turner-Yell.
LSU attacked replacement Justin Broiles for majority of the College Football Playoff semifinal. Turner-Yell became a key piece to what Alex Grinch was able put together in his first season as defensive coordinator for Oklahoma.
He made 75 tackles in 2019, including 5.5 for loss. Turner-Yell missed the Peach Bowl after breaking his collarbone during practice for the game. His status for the spring has not been determined.
JADON HASELWOOD
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (11) in action during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
When you talked to Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb throughout the 2019 season, one of the trio of five-star freshmen receivers stood out more than the others.
Jadon Haselwood had a promising year one in a backup role behind Lamb, who is going to be the first or second wide receiver off the board come NFL Draft time in late April. The Georgia native should plug right into Lamb’s role in 2020 in an offense better suited for receivers.
GABE BRKIC
Nov 16, 2019; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Gabe Brkic (47) kicks the game winning field goal against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Da Kicka.
Don’t expect Gabe Brkic to go perfect again in his sophomore season, but Oklahoma should be comfortable at the kicking position once again.
A Freshman All-American by the Athletic and Football Writers Association of America, Brkic went 17-for-17 on field goal attempts and 52 for 52 on PATs in 2019.
Humphrey has been the anchor of not just the offensive line, but the entire offense. The 2019 Remington Award finalist has strung together 28 straight starts since his snap count officially began in 2018.
Humphrey has become one of the most reliable offensive linemen in college football while also solidifying Oklahoma as one of the few schools that can claim ‘Linemen U’.
Humphrey considered leaving for the 2020 NFL Draft as there was speculation on whether he should leave early or not. Humphrey decided to stay and has an opportunity to not only be the number one center taken in the 2021 NFL Draft but has an opportunity to block for possibly another generational talent at quarterback.
Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey will be returning to school for his redshirt junior year, he announced through Twitter on Friday.
This decision comes as a bit of a surprise, as Humphrey has been seen as a borderline first-round pick by many early in the draft process. A first-team All-Big 12 member this season, he is a powerful blocker who plays with good pad level and a high motor.
With the likes of Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb departing for the NFL, Humphrey’s return is fantastic news for Oklahoma, who will look to build upon their playoff appearance from this year and try to make it to the national championship next season.
Humphrey has a very good chance to be a first-round pick in the 2021 draft. With another year to refine his game, he could end up being the first interior offensive lineman selected in next year’s draft.
The Jets find themselves in an undesirable situation with the No. 11 pick and needing offensive line help in April’s draft.
While a 6-2 finish to the Jets’ season shows the franchise is headed in the right direction, the hot streak came with consequences.
Gang Green has the 11th overall pick in April’s draft. With the Jets needing to undergo a full rebuild on the offensive line, picking outside of the top-10 is less than ideal when it comes to this draft class.
Finding a franchise tackle remains a top priority for the Jets. With that said, there seems to be a consensus that three tackles will be selected in front of the Jets. Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. seem destined to go in front of New York.
Wirfs has yet to declare for the draft, while first-round prospect Alex Leatherwood announced his attention to return to the University of Alabama.
The Giants, Dolphins, Chargers, Cardinals and Browns all need considerable help on the offensive line. The Jets have to cross their fingers and hope that there is a run on talented receivers and potential franchise quarterbacks before the team’s pick.
Potential players available for the Jets picking at No. 11 could be Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, Stanford CB Paulson Adebo, Alabama CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III and Clemson WR Tee Higgins.
In a pipe dream scenario the two most dynamic wide receivers in the class, Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, could fall to the Jets, but neither option seems plausible at this point in time. Even if that were the case, while the Jets need receiver help, the line is still the biggest issue.
The Jets may not be able to address the tackle position in the first round and they have to accept that. However, that should not prevent New York from attempting to fix the interior of the offensive line.
Wisconsin IOL Tyler Biadasz, Washington IOL Nick Harris and Oklahoma IOL Creed Humphrey all could be had in the latter portion of the first round if the Jets decide to trade back.
This draft is deep with wide receivers and cornerbacks and the Jets desperately need to add more talent on both sides of the football, especially on Joe Douglas’ first go around.
Whether it’s staying put or trading back, the Jets have to come away with offensive line help on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL draft. They have their work cut out for them this offseason and everyone in the organization knows that New York will only go as far as its play in the trenches.
Actually addressing those holes will be easier said than done, though. Especially in the draft.
Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, Creed Humphrey, Jalen Hurts, Neville Gallimore, and Kenneth Murray finished with AP all-American honors.
While working towards the school’s fourth College Football Playoff appearance, Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, Creed Humphrey, Jalen Hurts, Neville Gallimore, and Kenneth Murray finished with AP all-American honors.
Lamb was the only Sooner to earn first-team honors, as the other four players made second-team. Lamb has 1208 receiving yards on 58 catches this year. He has 14 total touchdowns and has posted four games with over 150 yards receiving in a Biletnikoff-worthy season.
Joe Burrow finished the AP first-team quarterback, and Hurts the second-team, a repeat of how the Heisman trophy ceremony went. Hurts finished second only to Burrow in Heisman voting, scoring 50 total touchdowns and accounting for 4,914 yards. Humphrey, the Sooners center, anchored the offensive line that helped Hurts achieve that.
Defensive lineman Neville Gallimore and Linebacker Kenneth Murray have helped Alex Grinch improve from being ranked 109th last year, to 25th this year. Gallimore has 24 total tackles this year, with 4 sacks. Murray has 95 total tackles.
The fourth-ranked Sooners face-off against No. 1 LSU in the Peach Bowl on December 28 at 3 p.m. CT in Atlanta, GA.
After making the College Football Playoffs for the third consecutive year, the Sooners are busy claiming their awards in their downtime.
After making the College Football Playoffs for the third consecutive year, the Sooners are busy claiming their awards in their downtime, with CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts, and Creed Humphrey earning All-American honors from Sporting News.
Lamb was the only Sooner named first-team All-American. The junior wide receiver amassed 58 catches for 1208 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 20.8 yards per catch in his Biletnikoff campaign. He currently ranks fourth in yards, and seventh in yards per catch and receptions.
Hurts and Humphrey earned second-team honors. Hurts finished second overall in the Heisman race, losing to Joe Burrow, who is the first-team quarterback for Sporting News. Humphrey anchored the offensive line at the center position. The Sooners offense finished ranked second in the country and will be facing the top-ranked offense in LSU in the Peach Bowl.
Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard and Baylor defensive end James Lynch both earned first-team and were the only other Big 12 players outside of Oklahoma.
The fourth-ranked Sooners take on No. 1 LSU on December 28 at 3 p.m. in Atlanta.
Honors continue to roll in for Oklahoma after the 2019 season as six Sooners were named to AP’s All-Big 12 First Team.
Honors for Oklahoma players after their Big 12 Championship season continue to roll in.
CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts and Creed Humphrey have been named to multiple All-American lists already, and now six other Sooners have been recognized after AP released its All-Big 12 teams Friday.
Lamb, Hurts, Humphrey, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, linebacker Kenneth Murray and corner Parnell Motley were named AP All-Big 12 First Team.
Running back Kennedy Brooks, defensive end Ronnie Perkins and kicker Gabe Brkic were named AP All-Big 12 Second Team.
Hurts was up for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards, Lamb for the Biletnikoff and Humphrey for the Remington at Thursday’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
None of them won.
Oklahoma has one more appearance during this trophy tour as Hurts will go through the Heisman Trophy presentation Saturday night in New York City.
CeeDee Lamb and Creed Humphrey continue to show why Lincoln Riley and Bill Bedenbaugh are one of the best coaching duos in the country.
CeeDee Lamb and Creed Humphrey continue to show why Lincoln Riley and Bill Bedenbaugh are one of the best coaching duos in the country.
CeeDee Lamb, already being named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustratedwas named first-team All-American by The Athleticas well.
Lamb’s prolific season is being well recognized as he is widely considered one of the best, if not the best wide receiver in college football.
Creed Humphrey, the anchor of the Sooners’ offensive line made second-team All-American. Becoming the leader of the line after Oklahoma had the other four linemen graduate or leave early for the NFL, Humphrey settled into his role nicely, despite having a third different quarterback in as many seasons.
Oklahoma did not have any defensive members make the list as Parnell Motley showed up late to the party and Kenneth Murray slowed his roll towards the end of the regular season. However, two Big 12 defenders made the teams; Baylor defensive end James Lynch (first-team) and Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks (second-team).
Oklahoma and LSU face off in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 28 at 3:00p.m. CT on ESPN.
