No. 2 Oklahoma focused on short-term ahead of move to SEC
By CLIFF BRUNT - Aug. 20, 2021 12:25 PM EDT
FILE - Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Most of the top college football players who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic decided to leave school and launch their pro careers. But plenty of other players who opted out of last season chose to continue their college careers either at their original school or opted to transfer. The list of notable players back this season after opting out last year features two-time, 1,000-yard rusher Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
FILE - Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Most of the top college football players who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic decided to leave school and launch their pro careers. But plenty of other players who opted out of last season chose to continue their college careers either at their original school or opted to transfer. The list of notable players back this season after opting out last year features two-time, 1,000-yard rusher Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Oklahoma defensive lineman LaRon Stokes participates in a drill during an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma wide receiver Cody Jackson catches a pass during an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) warms up before the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game against Florida in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 30, 2020. Before Oklahoma eventually jumps to the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners first will focus on trying to win their seventh-straight Big 12 title. Oklahoma and Texas have accepted invitations to join the SEC in 2025, adding two marquee names to the already dominant conference. Rattler leads a talented, experienced team that is ranked No. 2 in the preseason Top 25 -- Oklahoma’s highest preseason ranking since 2011 and its best under coach Riley. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley directs his team during the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Before Oklahoma eventually jumps to the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners first will focus on trying to win their seventh-straight Big 12 title. Oklahoma and Texas have accepted invitations to join the SEC in 2025, adding two marquee names to the already dominant conference. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley wants to live in the moment. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Oklahoma wide receiver Jadon Haselwood catches a pass during an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey participates in a drill an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler participates in an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley watches during an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler participates in an NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
FILE - Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) runs into the end zone with a touchdown in front of defensive back Kendall Dennis (21) during the NCAA college football team's spring game in Norman, Okla., in this Saturday, April 24, 2021, file photo. The transfer portal was particularly active during the most recent offseason. The Tennessee presence is most notable at No. 2 Oklahoma. The Sooners have three former Vols in running back Eric Gray, defensive back Key Lawrence and offensive tackle Wanya Morris.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
FILE - Oklahoma team members on the sideline celebrate with linebacker Brian Asamoah (24) after Asamoah tackled Florida wide receiver Rick Wells short of the end zone on a fourth-down play in the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, file photo. Oklahoma is No. 2 in The Associated Press Tlop 25 preseason college football poll released Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — While Oklahoma's plans to eventually join the Southeastern Conference have generated plenty of excitement, the Sooners are focused on more immediate goals, such as chasing their seventh consecutive Big 12 championship and their first national title since 2000.

“It’s exciting to think about,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said of the SEC move, set to happen in 2025, “but I guess for me, it’s tempered because of the task at hand. ... I mean, sure it will be great when it happens, but it doesn’t matter right now. I mean, right now, we’re a member of the Big 12.”

It’s easy to see why Riley wants to live in the moment. Quarterback Spencer Rattler leads a talented, experienced team that is ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 -- Oklahoma’s highest preseason ranking since 2011 and its best under Riley.

Oklahoma's offense was dynamic as usual a year ago, despite preparation time being limited by COVID-19 restrictions. Riley said things look even better now.

“You can tell we had spring ball,” Riley said. “You definitely can. We’re a lot further along. A lot more consistency. I would imagine everybody else in the country is, too. I like what we’ve done in the first two weeks.”

Rattler is already a star. In 11 games last season, he passed for 3,031 yards with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Now he has a season as a starter under his belt — one that concluded with a 55-20 Cotton Bowl win over Florida.

“I feel like a veteran now,” Rattler said. "Knowing what to expect, I'm very comfortable and focused. I feel like I’m in control.”

Three years ago, the Sooners had one of the worst defenses in college football. Last season, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s unit ranked third nationally with 16 interceptions, fourth in opponent third-down conversion percentage, seventh in sacks per game, ninth in pass efficiency defense and ninth in rushing defense.

Linebacker Nik Bonitto is an anchor this year. The second-team AP All-American last season said the defense has a swagger now that some success has come from executing Grinch’s “Speed-D.”

“Once people started running to the ball, like, we’ve seen it can work,” Bonitto said. “Once you start getting takeaways, we see it equals victory. And a lot of those things that he preaches -- once we started doing it, it all started coming into fruition and we started believing it and trusting in what he’s saying.”

RUNNING BACK RELOAD

Running back Kennedy Brooks returns after sitting out a year due to COVID-19 concerns. Brooks ran for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns his first two seasons.

Eric Gray has transferred in from Tennessee and has cemented his spot as one of the team’s top two running backs. Last season, he rushed for 772 yards and caught 30 passes for 254 yards. He’s the Big 12’s preseason Newcomer of the Year.

STAR DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Oklahoma will count heavily on defensive linemen Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey.

Thomas was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season after leading the Sooners with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Winfrey, projected by some to be a first-round draft pick, had six tackles for loss and three pass breakups last season.

“He’s probably, within the locker room, one of the more beloved members on the team,” Riley said. “He’s so for everybody in that room. The guys see that.”

RECEIVING CORPS

Oklahoma returns its top three receivers from last season. Marvin Mims caught 37 passes for 610 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Theo Wease caught 37 passes for 530 yards and four scores and tight end/H-back Austin Stogner grabbed 26 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns.

KICKIN’ IT

Oklahoma kicker Gabe Brkic is a preseason All-Big 12 selection. He was perfect on field goals and extra points as a freshman two years ago. Last season, he had eight multi-field goal games and made four field goals from at least 50 yards. He has made all 102 of his extra point attempts in his career.

SCHEDULE

Oklahoma’s key non-conference game is the home matchup with Nebraska on Sept. 18. The Sooners play No. 21 Texas in Dallas on Oct. 9, host No. 7 Iowa State on Nov. 20 and visit Oklahoma State on Nov. 27. The opener is on the road Sept. 4 against Tulane.

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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP.

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.