OVERHYPED?

     Will the Oklahoma offensive line live up to its hype this season?

     Before last year got underway there were some publications that listed the Sooner O-line as the best in the country. There were times that it was very good, like the Oklahoma State encounter. And there were times it was very bad. Does anyone still remember the West Virginia game in the Fiesta Bowl?

     Everyone talks about what kind of pro potential this line has on it. I also hear some say that it may be the best in Sooner history. I may buy the first point, I definitely don’t on the second.

     You would definitely think the guys from the NFL are going to give players like Phil Loadholt, Duke Robinson and Brandon Braxton serious looks. These guys all stand at least at 6-5 and they all tip the scales over 300 pounds. And they run well for big guys. Robinson thought about declaring for the NFL draft just a couple of months ago.

     But to be great players they have to be more consistent. Last year Bob Stoops kept telling the media that guard Brandon Walker graded the best out of all the linemen. People didn’t listen though because he didn’t earn any postseason honors.

    Most of the season the line did a very good job of pass protecting. However, at times there just weren’t many holes for the running backs. And the Sooners had a very good stable of backs.

     As far as the best line in OU history, this group has a ways to go. It seems like just yesterday that the Sooners had players such as Jammal Brown, Davin Joseph, Chris Chester, Wes Sims and Vince Carter manning the posts. That was an impressive collection of O-linemen.

     We’ll see how this outfit performs this season and what their legacy will be in future years.