By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

2010: 12-2 overall, 6-2 in Big 12.
Bowl: Defeated Connecticut 48-20 in Fiesta Bowl.
Starters returning: 8 on offense, 7 on defense.

Overview
Oklahoma and coach Bob Stoops welcome the expectations facing the Sooners this season. After all, being the likely preseason No. 1 and one of the favorites to win the national championship is where OU expects to be every year.

The decisions of wide receiver Ryan Broyles and linebacker Travis Lewis to pass on the NFL Draft to play their senior seasons indicate the Oklahoma mind set. After a 12-win season and with 15 starters returning, the Sooners have experience and talent on both sides of the ball.



Who’s missing
DeMarco Murray, one of the top running backs in school history, will be difficult for a single player to replace. Safety Quinton Carter was a play maker and leader in the secondary. Defensive end Jeremy Beal was the team’s top pass rusher. Jamell Fleming, an all-Big 12 cornerback, is out of school because of academic issues. He missed spring practice and his status for the 2011 season is up in the air.

Who’s back
Quarterback Landry Jones was outstanding, particularly as the Sooners closed the season with five victories. Jones finished the season with 4,718 yards passing and 38 touchdowns. Broyles led the nation with 131 receptions and had 14 touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Kenny Stills had 61 receptions as a freshman. Travis Lewis leads a group of linebackers who are experienced and talented.

Spring news
* It appears that Oklahoma will replace DeMarco Murray by using a committee approach. Roy Finch, Brennan Clay, Brandon Williams, Jonathon Miller and possibly even walk-on Dominique Whaley could all see playing time at running back depending on the situation and how their skill sets best fit what’s needed.

* Right offensive tackle Jarvis Jones will miss five months after suffering a torn knee ligament. However, Lane Johnson played well during the spring as he replaced Jones. The 6-7, 280-pound Johnson is a former junior-college quarterback recruited to OU as a tight end and moved to defensive end last season. “He's going to end up being a really special player there,” Bob Stoops said of Johnson moving to tackle.

* Sophomore Corey Nelson was ranked as the third-best high school linebacker in the 2010 recruiting class. After a year of bulking up at OU, he had an outstanding spring. Bob Stoops even said that Nelson was "the best player" on the Sooners’ defense at times. With Travis Lewis, Tom Wort and Austin Box all linebackers with extensive experience, defensive coordinator Brent Venables has the good problem of trying to find a place for a talented play maker like Nelson.

* While the secondary might have to replace up to three starters, Stoops isn’t concerned. Aaron Colvin made a smooth transition from cornerback to safety and Gabe Lynn took over at the cornerback spot opposite veteran Demontre Hurst. “The secondary is where we've lost people,” Stoops said. “But I believe these guys in there are going to be really good.”

Coach Bob Stoops says
"The improvement in our offensive line this spring was very noticeable. Just being sounder, being able to run the football was something I've seen throughout the entire spring, in particular the last half of spring."

Schedule

Sept. 3	Tulsa
Sept. 17	at Florida State
Sept. 24	Missouri
Oct. 1	Ball State
Oct. 8	vs. Texas (Dallas, Texas)
Oct. 15	at Kansas
Oct. 22	Texas Tech
Oct. 29	at Kansas State
Nov. 5	Texas A&M
Nov. 19	at Baylor
Nov. 26	Iowa State
Dec. 3	at Oklahoma State