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College Football Playoff: Top Legitimate Contenders

By Eric Robinson

Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) waits for a play to begin during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

                                                 Oklahoma Sooners 

Big Game Bob Stoops showed his critics why he’s one of the best coaches in the country by taking his 2015 Sooners squad to a berth in the Playoff. Going 11-2 last season was pretty much based on the elite offensive trio of quarterback Baker Mayfield (3,700 yards, 36 TDs, seven INTs), running back Samaje Perine (226 carries, 1,349 yards, 16 TDs), and wide out Sterling Shepard, who is now a member of the New York Giants.

Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners /

Oklahoma Sooners

In place of Shepard, offensive coordinator

Lincoln Riley

will now try to incorporate the likes of receiver

Dede Westbrook

and his 743 receiving yards and four touchdowns into the lead role at the position. Not to mention having the productive

Joe Mixon

in the mix as he totaled 1,109 yards from scrimmage last season and 11 touchdowns backing up Perine. Even replacing two starters on the offensive line doesn’t seem that great of a task.

On defense, that’s a different story. Stoops will be looking to replace Dominique Alexander, Eric Striker, Devante Bond, Charles Tapper, and Zack Sanchez, all starters. However, this is Oklahoma and talent still exists.

Corner Jordan Thomas and his five interceptions last season provides a solid defender in the secondary, while the team’s fifth leading tackler, safety Steven Parker, provides more experience on the back-end.

A unit that was tied for sixth in the nation in total sacks last season will look to end Charles Walker (36 tackles, 10 TFLs, six sacks) to lead the charge.

Opening up against the Houston Cougars won’t be a cakewalk by any means. However, it is still a winnable game. Playing Ohio State at home, at TCU, and the rivalry game against Texas in three consecutive weeks will be the biggest hurdle for the Sooners.

Beating Houston, Ohio State, TCU, and Oklahoma State to end the season will be a very polished resume for the Sooners.

Next: Contender #6

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