Oklahoma Sooners
2010 record:  12-2 overall, 6-2 conference
2010 Bowl Game:  48-20 win over Connecticut in Fiesta Bowl
2010 ATS:  8-6
2010 O/U:  7-7
Returning starters:  14 total (8 on offense, 6 on defense)

Over the month of August, our team of writers will be previewing the top teams heading into an exciting 2011 campaign.  The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are also preparing and have season-long packages readily available for clients.  Let’s head to Norman and take a look at the team that was recently named the No. 1 team in the USA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Offense

Oklahoma brings back plenty of firepower from a unit that ranked second in conference and 14th nationally in averaging 37.2 points per game.  One improvement is necessary heading into a possible BCS championship game is gaining more explosive plays on the ground, as the team came away with just nine runs of 20 yards or more in 2010.

NFL draftee DeMarco Murray is gone and who fills his shoes is anyone’s guess, as he left the program as the record holder for career touchdowns and all-purpose yards.  The leading candidate is sophomore Brennan Clay, but he gained just 127 yards last season.

The lack of game-time experience in the backfield may not even matter due to the explosive nature of the passing game that features quarterback Landry Jones and wide receiver Ryan Broyles.  The passing attack finished third nationally with 343.4 yards a game through the air.

Jones is a Heisman Trophy candidate and Broyles has his eyes set on the Biletnikoff Award after missing out on the prize last year despite catching 131 balls.

Six players with starting experience are set to return on the offensive line, giving the unit an ability to call any play in the playbook.

Defense

Multiple starters return from a unit that was among the top 10 nationally last season in both passing efficiency defense and tackles for loss.  The unit prides itself on being physical and playing at a high speed.

The front seven is certainly talented and will need to address the unfortunate loss of linebacker Austin Box, who died on May 19.  He started five games last year and was penciled in to man the middle of the defense.

Cornerbacks Demontre Hurst and Jamell Fleming return to Norman, but the secondary will have two new starters at the safety position.  Size is the biggest concern in camp for likely candidates Aaron Colvin and Javon Harris, especially Colvin at just 175 pounds.

Special Teams

Senior Jimmy Stevens gives the coaching staff comfort during field goal situations and hit 19-of-23 attempts last year.

Punter Tress Way has established himself as one of the top players at his position nationally, which has led the team to rank among the nation’s leaders in punt coverage defense.

Broyles is an exciting return man that opposing teams must game plan against each and every week.

Against the Spread

The Oklahoma Sooners have won 36-straight home games and won bettors money in 2010 by posting a 4-2 ATS mark in Norman.

Bet On

Bedlam has been lopsided in terms of the spread, as Oklahoma is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings with Oklahoma State.

Fade Away

A potential letdown awaits the team after an early season road contest in Tallahassee and that could spell trouble in Week 3.  The school is 1-3 ATS in its last four meetings with Missouri at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.