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By Jordan Sigler
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Despite making an appearance in the College Football Playoff in December, the Oklahoma Sooners are flying under the radar before the upcoming season.
The Sooners should have one of the better defenses in the SEC, though there are worries about how well the offense will compete outside of quarterback John Mateer, who should be better this season after battling through an injury to his throwing hand last season.
Super Bowl-champion head coach Jon Gruden gave a speech to Oklahoma players this week in a clip released by the school on Friday. He fired up the Sooners, telling the players that they had a great roster and that they needed to be responsible for their teammates.
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“Now this team right here, okay, if you think about it the way I see it, and I’ve done a lot of research, and I really don’t have a stake in the game, but, it’s hard to assemble a team like this,” Gruden said. “You’ve got a great kicker, you’ve got a hell of a quarterback. You’ve got a great coaching staff. We got what we need here. Are we clear on that?
“So when you look to your right and look to your left, everybody do that real quick. That guy sitting next to you is your responsibility. Are you clear with that? He is your responsibility. We got what we need, and you guys better understand that.”
Oklahoma will need its players to trust each other with one of the toughest schedules in college football this fall. The Sooners will travel to play Michigan in Week 2 on Sept. 12. Their SEC schedule includes Georgia, Texas, Florida, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
Mateer will be key to the Sooners' hopes of returning to the CFP. He threw for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. If he can limit turnovers, Oklahoma will have a chance. But his surrounding cast will need to step up.
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