Removing emotion, Oklahoma features the more loaded roster and figures to own a decent edge when it puts the ball in the hands of Mayfield. Houston struggled in pass defense last year, and the opener may serve as a stage for Penn State transfer Geno Lewis to announce his presence.
But the Sooners’ talented defense must slow Ward in a way that it could not Deshaun Watson of Clemson on New Year’s Eve – or Oklahoma can likely forget about a return to the four-team playoff.