Trench warfare

Even with the diminished expectations for the Texas and Oklahoma programs in the 2015 season, as always, the Red River Rivalry is one of, if not the, most important game on the schedule. The rich 110 year history of this game cannot be summed up by anything less than “fantastic.” In all of college football there are few rivalries that can match the Red River Shootout.

Losing 31-26 last season left a bitter taste in the mouths of Texas fans, and Charlie Strong is set for vengeance. In 2014 season the Sooners won eight games. Despite one of the wins being over UT, there were losses to “less than outstanding teams” and a blowout loss suffered at the hands of the Clemson Tigers in the Russell Athletics Bowl. OU fans are asking many of the same questions that Texas fans did at the end of Mack Brown’s tenure.

However, Oklahoma still boasts some impressive talent and a solid pool of experienced players. Plus the Sooners play well in the RRS under Head Coach Bob Stoops. The Texas-OU game is never one that the Longhorns should treat casually.

Offense

The University of Oklahoma’s offensive line coach, Bill Bedenbaugh, is entering his third season with the Sooners and his twentieth year coaching. In his previous years at OU, Coach Bedenbaugh put three offensive linemen in the NFL and last season produced the number one offensive line in the nation by allowing only 9 sacks all season long.

Entering this season with three, three-year lettermen, Coach Bedenbaugh should have the right amount of talent and experience to produce similar results. The projected starting line-up is: #55 Josiah St. John (SR), #52 Jamal Danley (JR), #56 Ty Darlington (SR), #54 Nila Kasitati (SR), and #72 Derek Farniok (SR).

The Sooners lack a true star returnee, but Darlington and Kasitiati form a solid interior tandem. The other three spots are essentially open with the names above considered the favorites to start.

Defense

Also entering his twentieth year of coaching, Diron Reynolds was named the defensive line coach for the Sooners in late February. Coach Reynolds has an impressive track record including four years with the Indianapolis Colts, one year as the defensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins, and another five years with the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Reynolds’ vast knowledge of the game and the different types of defensive fronts and schemes will undoubtedly improve the Sooner defense. However, in what ways specifically are still a mystery.

With Oklahoma’s aggressive and unique pass rush, it remains to be seen if the Sooners’ defensive linemen or their linebackers will take a majority of the pass rushing responsibility. Generally with a three-man defensive line, the nose tackle and defensive ends are tasked with maintaining the line of scrimmage and attacking the offensive line. Coach Reynolds’ NFL experience will aid OU – NFL linemen are taught to play more ‘base’ techniques as to not have seasoned quarterbacks and offensive linemen exploit complicated stunts and blitzes.

The Sooners’ starting defensive linemen are projected as: #92 Matthew Romar (SO), #93 Jordan Wade (JR), and #91 Charles Tapper (SR). Also in the rotation will be #87 D.J. Ward (SO ), #99 Dwayne Orso (rFR), and #97 Charles Walker (SO). The Sooners’ lack of experience on the defensive line almost guarantees a more frequent rotation of players.

As the lone senior, there is tremendous pressure on Charles Tapper. After being named to the 2013 All-Conference team, last year Tapper only earned an honorable mention. In 2015, Tapper needs to recapture his production from two season ago, and give the talented linebacking corps room to make plays.

“It’s 2:15 in Austin and…”