The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off an 8-5 season, normally that would be a huge disappointment, but after the season it had last year it could set up big things this year. The Sooners played the entire season without Jermaine Gresham and virtually without Sam Bradford.

That was not where the injuries stopped, the offensive line was riddled throughout the season and the defense had to deal with nicked up players as well. Coach Bob Stoops hopes last seasons bad luck will not be common place in Norman this year.

The injuries may not have at all helped last season, but with the 2011 season upcoming, they could be looked at as a postive. Many of the starters this season will come in with valuable game minutes because they filled in last season with injuries. That list is headlined by quarterback Landry Jones.

Jones started for Sam Bradford in all but two Sooner football games and performed well considering the circumstances. Jones had games where he led the Sooners to victories and performed at a very high level. If Jones can get more support at the wide receiver position, something OU lacked last season, it could be an explosive season for the Sooners offensively.

The defense is again expected to be a very solid unit. There is no reason to argue with that thought since the Sooners return both Jeremy Beal and Travis Lewis to a unit that was very stingy a year ago.

Oklahoma will open its season September 4th against Utah State in what should be an easy start, but after that will have three noteable non-conference games that will allow fans to see exactly where OU stands heading into conference play.