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OKLAHOMA SOONERS BY DAN MURPHY klahoma's coffers on offense are well stocked this season, which should help as they prepare for life after the program's most prolific passer. Landry Jones led the country's No. 5 passing offense last year and helped the Sooners average 38.2 points per game — 15th most in the nation. This year's group might look different, but isn't expected to take much of a step backward. Redshirt junior Blake Bell started with the pole shot in the quarterback race this spring, but head coach Bob Stoops won't be naming his starter until August. Bell played in 19 games the past two seasons, mostly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The 6-6, 263-pound Kansas native is a bruising runner. That doesn't mean he can't throw the ball, though, says longtime Oklahoma reporter and radio host James Hale. "There's a perception that Blake can't pass, but that's totally off. He was recruited as a guy who could throw the football," Hale said. "He's got a strong arm, and they wouldn't play him if he couldn't make all the NFL throws." Bell's competition in the spring came O Quick Facts All-Time Series: Notre Dame leads 9-1 Last Meeting: Notre Dame 30, Oklahoma 13 (Oct. 27, 2012, at Norman, Okla.) Head Coach: Bob Stoops, 149-37 (15th year) 2012 In Review: 10-3 overall, 8-1 Big 12 (2nd) Final 2012 Ranking: No. 15 (AP) and No. 15 (coaches) 2012 National Stats Rankings: 12th in total offense (497.9 yards per game) and 64th in total defense (398.3 yards allowed per game) Returning Starters: 13 (8 offense and 5 defense) Key Losses: QB Landry Jones (4,267 passing yards in 2012) and S Tony Jefferson (119 tackles) 2013 Preseason Rankings: No. 15 by Lindy's, No. 17 by Athlon and No. 19 by Phil Steele's Last Bowl Appearance: 2012 (Cotton Bowl, Texas A&M, L 41-13) Did You Know?: The Irish gave Sooners head coach Bob Stoops his first career loss, in South Bend on Oct. 2, 1999, his only previous trip to Notre Dame … Oklahoma center Gabe Ikard, a two-time all-conference selection, is the top center in the country this year, according to Lindy's … Oklahoma completed more passes for 10 yards or more (196) last season than any other team in the country. Returning Leaders Rushing: Damien Williams (946 yards, 11 TD) Passing: Blake Bell (107 yards, 0 TD) Receiving: Jalen Saunders (829 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: Aaron Colvin (61) Sacks: Chuka Ndulue (5) Interceptions: Aaron Colvin (4) 120 ! GAME 5 • SEPT. 28 • NOTRE DAME STADIUM from redshirt sophomore Kendal Thompson and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight. All three candidates are more mobile than Jones was during his career. That should help the Sooners, who are trying to return to a more downhill running team after throwing the ball all over the field the past four years with Jones. Senior running back Damien Williams (946 yards, 11 touchdowns in 2012) will be the workhorse for Oklahoma in the run game. He should benefit from a much healthier offensive line at least at the start of the season. Senior Gabe Ikard has shifted to center to anchor this group in his final year of eligibility. Redshirt juniors Tyrus Thomas and Daryl Williams both weigh 315 pounds and will start at the two tackle spots. In Oklahoma's six losses during the previous two seasons, they gave up an average of 37.5 points per game. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops experimented with playing only one linebacker at times last year to try to find a solution in the high-scoring Big 12 conference. He scrapped that plan in the spring and has settled on a 4-2 defensive front with a hybrid nickel back/linebacker position that will be played by Julian Wilson. "Defensively there are still a lot more question marks, but they'll believe in what they're doing," Hale said. "Last year, there was no trust in the scheme. They were disenchanted." Prediction Oklahoma 33, Notre Dame 24 — Notre Dame's benddon't-break approach on defense worked against the Sooners last year, but this time around they should be better equipped to punch in a few touchdowns. The Irish have won nine of 10 games against Oklahoma, and the law of averages says sooner or later Stoops has to come away on top. 2013 Schedule Date Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 7 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Dec. 7 Opponent Louisiana-Monroe West Virginia Tulsa at Notre Dame TCU Texas at Kansas Texas Tech at Baylor Iowa State at Kansas State at Oklahoma State 2012 Result — W, 50-49 — L, 30-13 W, 24-17 W, 63-21 W, 52-7 W, 41-20 W, 42-34 W, 35-20 L, 24-19 W, 51-48 (OT) Strength: Skill Positions There aren't enough footballs to give all of Oklahoma's offensive weapons the touches they deserve. At the receiver position, former junior college All-American Lacoltan Bester and blue-chip recruit Trey Metoyer looked ready to be major contributors during spring ball. They'll join the already established Jalen Saunders and Sterling Shepard to form a group that will be tough to stop. The running backs are also stocked with a deep lineup of players who can bring different strengths to the arsenal. Senior Damien Williams can play physical while the versatile Roy Finch adds a speedy element. He averaged 8.9 yards per touch last season. X-FACTOR: Former Fresno State transfer and new go-to receiver Jalen Saunders tied a school record with 15 catches against Notre Dame in Norman last October. He finished his first season as a Sooner with 62 receptions for 829 yards despite missing the first four games. PHOTO BY TY RUSSELL/COURTESY OKLAHOMA Weakness: Defensive Line For all of the top-notch talent Oklahoma recruits each year, they have a void of star players along the defensive line. Sophomore defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, a 6-6, 320-pound athlete who can do standing backflips, could develop into a big-time player and help add a piece to the run defense that has been missing. "Oklahoma didn't have two big defensive tackles at 315 to 320 pounds that they can plug in to anchor that defense," Hale said. "It was a disaster at tackle last year." Junior Geneo Grissom could become a force at defensive end, but he is also unproven at this point without a career start to his name. BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2013 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 116-127.Opponent Previews.indd 120 6/25/13 2:54 PM