Tulsa World: OU: Three Questions

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OU: Three Questions

OU's Dominique Franks (over the ball) and Nic Harris recover a fumble during the first half of the Sooners' win over Washington. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World

By JOHN E. HOOVER, World sports writer
Published: 9/17/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 9/17/2008 2:45 AM

Is this team better than a year ago?

It would seem so. Last week's dominating victory at Washington may have been an absolution of whatever problems OU had in road games last season.

"It has a chance to be special. It's not there yet though," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "It is way too early to decide that after only three games. They are a great group to work with, with their attitude and the way that they are focused."

Aside from more experience, the corners are more athletic, the wideouts are more diverse and Sam Bradford — first nationally in completion percentage (79.01), second in pass efficiency and TDs — is better than ever.

What aspect of the team has been better than expected?

Linebacker was a major concern, with Ryan Reynolds having never been fully healthy and the other two spots manned by untested and unproven players.

But through three games, linebacker has been a strength, with Reynolds playing solid in the middle, Keenan Clayton making plays on the strong side and Travis Lewis ready to become a star on the weak side.

Cornerback was also a question mark, with Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson both unknown quantities. But both have been good so far, with Franks getting an end zone interception against Cincinnati and Jackson getting in on two fumbles at Washington.

In what areas do the Sooners need to improve?

Garrett Hartley, sixth in OU history in scoring and a human ball launcher on kickoffs,

is missed. Matthew Moreland's kickoffs have rarely reached the end zone, whereas Hartley was a field position weapon. And Jimmy Stevens has been erratic on placekicks, having already missed two PATs and made just one field goal.

Worst of all are busted assignments on kickoff coverage. Where the Sooners were once one of college football's best, they've given up returns of 51, 63, 97 and 38 yards, the latter almost a touchdown.

Against Washington, Stoops said, "we were more aggressive overall and tackled better." By JOHN E. HOOVER, World sports writer

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