Published: August 28, 2007 11:45 pm         

Unheralded QBs have thrived

By Bruce Campbell

Commentary



Questions at quarterback at Oklahoma?

What would be news at OU if the Sooners didn’t have questions at quarterback?

Take a look at the Bob Stoops era, and there are only two seasons (2000 and 2004) when quarterback wasn’t a question mark, or at least, was an uncertainty.

History will show Stoops has had his most success with quarterbacks who weren’t highly visible before they became the starter. Remember Stoops’ three biggest prep quarterback signees — Brent Rawls, Tommy Grady and Rhett Bomar? Notice a pattern there?

In 1999, Josh Heupel was considered a journeyman recruit out of Snow (Utah) Junior College. He would lead the Sooners back to the promised land. He arguably is the best quarterback in OU history as far as leadership is concerned.

In 2001, unproven Nate Hybl and Jason White were battling for the job.

Hybl won the job, lost it to White in mid-season but ended up as the starter when White blew out a knee against Nebraska. OU was in the national championship hunt until a shocking 16-13 loss to Oklahoma State.

In 2002, Sooners fans were panicking when White went out in the second game against Alabama. Hybl drew his fair share of criticism but still led OU to a Big 12 championship and was the most valuable player in a Rose Bowl win over Washington State.

White was written off by some after his second ACL tear before the 2003 season. All he did was win the Heisman Trophy and take OU to the BCS national championship game against Louisiana State.

The next season he took the Sooners to the national championship game again against Southern California.

Paul Thompson was supposed to be a receiver in 2006 but became the quarterback when Bomar was dismissed the day before fall practice. He took OU to the Big 12 title and the Fiesta Bowl.

Quarterback candidates Sam Bradford, Joey Hazle and Keith Nichol will have the benefit of a superb running game, an experienced offensive line and receivers such as Malcolm Kelly.

A strong defense will take some pressure off, too.

The kicking game is strong. Garrett Hartley is a weapon for the Sooners once OU gets inside the 35.

Stoops said during OU’s media day whoever is the quarterback won’t have the weight of the team on his shoulders as it was in the early days with Heupel.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is a perfect example of a young quarterback being effective if he plays his role. McCoy only threw for 108 yards in UT’s 28-10 win over OU last season, but two of his 11 completions were for touchdowns. Texas did not have a turnover, compared to five for the Sooners.

The schedule is favorable.

Miami is the only heavyweight on the non-conference schedule, although a game at Tulsa Sept. 21 could be a potential roadblock if the Sooners are flat.

Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, two potential roadblocks on the road, come to Norman this season. Missouri, where the Sooners have had trouble on the road, also comes to OU.

The Sooners have had some trouble at Texas Tech in past years (losses in 1999 and 2005) but that game won’t be played until the 11th week of the season.

Stoops has done a good job of avoiding quarterback controversies in the past. He might want to avoid a two- quarterback system. That tends to divide a team.

The Sooners, more than anything, will need some luck.

They didn’t have that in 2006 when two controversial calls cost OU a game at Oregon.

Ditto for the loss at Texas Tech in 2005.

Ditto for the Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise State, a game in which the Bronchos were successful on three trick plays.

The Sooners can come in with confidence without Adrian Peterson.

Peterson will be missed, but few teams will have the firepower OU has at running back with DeMarco Murray, Allen Patrick, Chris Brown, Mossis Madu and Jacob Gutierrez.

Look for the Sooners to be in another BCS bowl, especially if OU gets by Texas.



Campbell is a News & Eagle sports writer.