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Heisman Hopefuls

Adrian Peterson

Oklahoma, running back, Jr.

2005 Heisman voting: Not in top 10.

2005 stats: 11 games, 220 rushes for 1,108 yards, 14 TDs; 9 catches for 50 yards.

Outlook: Peterson’s Heisman hopes went from Mostly Sunny to Mostly Cloudy in one day when promising quarterback Rhett Bomar was kicked off the team permanently for violating NCAA rules.

So will all Peterson see is eight-man fronts this season? Will Bomar’s replacement, Paul Thompson, be able to provide even a threat of a passing game? Will the Bomar Hangover last for a couple of weeks, a couple of games, or a couple of months?

These are all questions that can only be answered with time. But one thing is for certain; Peterson’s hopes of being a serious Heisman candidate are in question. With Bomar in the backfield, it would have forced opponents to at least think of another option. Until proven otherwise, now all they have to do is concern themselves with stopping the Sooners’ only option.

Biggest plus: Peterson’s pedigree. He finished second in the Heisman voting as a freshman and his reputation will force people to pay attention all season. He remains the best running back in the land, until he proves otherwise.

Biggest minus: Can Peterson stay healthy? He was plagued by ankle injuries the first half of last season — in one three-game stretch he had just 6 yards in 8 carries —

and that ended his Heisman campaign. He rebounded nicely after he returned, topping 100 yards in each of his final four regular-season games. But with Bomar gone and the focus on him, will his body be able to stand up to the extra work that is sure to be placed on his shoulders?

First game (vs. UAB, 9/2): The Blazers return seven starters to a defense that ranked 56th in the country overall last year and was 59th against the run. This was a team that underachieved at 5-6 and is looking to make amends, but this is not the place to start. For Oklahoma fans, it will be their first chance to gauge is the Sooners offense will have anything to offer outside of Peterson.

Schedule: vs. UAB (9/2); vs. Washington (9/9); at Oregon (9/16); vs. Middle Tennessee St. (9/23); at Texas (10/7); vs. Iowa State (10/14); vs. Colorado (10/21); at Missouri (10/28); at Texas A&M (11/4); vs. Texas Tech (11/11); at Baylor (11/18); at Oklahoma St. (11/25).