Sooner Spotlight: Baker Mayfield Ready To Take Over

Baker Mayfield hopes to duplicate the smashing success he enjoyed in his first career start at Texas Tech when he became the first true freshman walk-on to start a game at quarterback. Mayfield has plenty of weapons at his disposal but will be breaking in three new offensive linemen and will not utilize the complete playbook against Akron with the big Tennessee game on deck. 

By all accounts, Mayfield has the arm to do what new Offensive Coordinator Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense does best — spread the field. Bob Stoops has told me on multiple occasions that Mayfield’s wheels may not win forty yard dashes, but that he’s plenty quick and elusive enough to extend plays with his feet. With the feet, the arm, the offense and the playmakers around him, there’s only one thing left. And I believe its the one thing that will determine whether OU surprises the experts and challenges for the league title or could finish with finishes with up to four losses. It’s what’s between Mayfield’s ears — his decision-making. 

The jocular junior clearly improved in this area from what we saw in the spring game with multiple losing plays where Mayfield lobbed deep balls into double and even triple coverage. If he can make the quick decisions necessary of the QB in this system and know where to go with the ball and when to unload, Mayfield and OU have a great chance of having a very big year. If not, with the way the schedule sets up, it could swing the other way. I tend to believe the former. 

Enjoy…