ate did some good things the other day for sure. Still, I

Oklahoma will learn quickly whether it has what it takes to return to the College Football Playoff.The Sooners made a surprising run to win the Big 12 title last season before losing to Clemson in the national semifinals. Now, with much of the key talent returning from that 11-2 squad, Oklahoma is poised to finish the job.The Sooners will be tested immediately when they open with Houston at Reliant Stadium on Sept. 3. Two weeks later, they will host Ohio State in one of the seasons biggest games.Theres two of the teams in the top 12-13 in the country, and deservedly so, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said of Houston and Ohio State. Excellent football teams.In conference play, the Sooners will play at TCU on Oct. 1, then will play Texas in Dallas the following week. If the Sooners can get past the second weekend of October unscathed, theyll be in position to have some margin for error if they fall later in the season.Our season, the front part of it is very loaded up, quarterback Baker Mayfield said. We have been preparing to be ready for the season at the very beginning. We cant have any rust to knock off. We have to go in ready to play, and thats how were treating camp right now.Here are some things to watch for this season.HEISMAN HYPE: Mayfield, one of the nations most exciting and innovative players, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting last season after passing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns.He is still striving for improvement.My work ethic has been the same, if not even harder, he said. Ive been pushing myself and I need those guys to see that, because if they were to see me taking a day off or just saying, `Oh, Ive got it figured out, that wouldnt be good for the program. So Ive been working hard and thats how I expect the other guys to do it, too.REPLACING STRIKER: Eric Striker was one of Oklahomas all-time leaders in sacks from the outside linebacker slot, but hes now in the NFL. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound redshirt junior, is in line to fill the void.He is getting his opportunity, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. Hes played in certain situations the last two years. Hes very fast and explosive. Great rusher.RECEIVING THREATS: Sterling Shepard, one of the schools top three all-time receivers in most categories, has gone to the NFL.Dede Westbrook, last years No. 2 receiver, had 46 catches for 743 yards last season. Mark Andrews, an All-Big 12 selection last season, had 19 grabs, but seven touchdowns. They are the most likely players to receive an uptick in targets. Geno Lewis, a transfer from Penn State, should be a factor.JOE MIXON: The explosive running back burst onto the scene last season with 1,119 all-purpose yards last season. He was one of the conferences top all-around threats, and now that Shepard is gone, hell be expected to do more as a playmaker. Bob Stoops said Mixon could have a bigger role in the passing game.LINCOLN RILEY: The 32-year-old offensive coordinator was given a huge raise in the offseason for helping to make the Sooners one of the nations most productive and balanced offenses. Oklahoma struggled out of the gate last season as the team got used to his version of the Air Raid. Now, the Sooners are comfortable, and Riley has had time to tinker.SEASON OPENER: Sept. 3 vs. Houston at Reliant Stadium.PREDICTION: 12-0 regular season, Big 12 champion.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . Cincinnati Reds Pro Shop . 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Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Cincinnati Reds Shirts ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Barry Odom has tried to maintain optimism throughout his tumultuous first season as coach at Missouri.The Tigers (3-8, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) have struggled with everything from closing out games to scheme adjustment, as well as a string of season-ending injuries.Among the biggest bright spots was the development of the running game, especially the emergence of freshman Damarea Crockett, who eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in Saturdays 63-37 loss to Tennessee . He rushed 24 times for a season-high 225 yards and a touchdown, surpassing former quarterback Brad Smiths school record for rushing yards by a freshman.Early Sunday, Crockett was arrested for suspicion of possession of marijuana and he was suspended for the season finale Friday against Arkansas.Odom expressed frustration with the incident , but also hopes others can learn from it.Damareas done a lot of great things and hes going to have a tremendous future, Odom said. He realizes one decision obviously affects this football program and it affects him. Its the discipline of doing everything right every day. Kids make mistakes and Im going to use every one of them that I can as a teachable moment on how we can become better.With 153 carries for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns, Crockett is Missouris leading rusher by more than 300 yards and ranks fourth in the SEC in total rushing, above names like Georgias Nick Chubb and LSUs Leonard Fouurnette.dddddddddddd Arkansas (7-4, 3-4) ranks seventh in the conference in rushing yards allowed, surrendering 216.5 yards per game.Odom said replacing Crocketts production will likely be a collective effort between Ish Witter and Nate Strong.Itll be those two, Odom said. I thought Nate did some good things the other day for sure. Still, I said right after the game, I think hes got a really bright future ahead of him. Hes got size, hes got speed. Hes getting an understanding of the tempo and pace of the game.Witter has 157 carries for 738 yards and six touchdowns, which ranks 15th in the conference. He had career highs for attempts and rushing yards against Tennessee with 31 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns.Ish did a great job the other night, Odom said. Im proud of what Ish has done this year. Hes fought through some injuries. He runs with more energy, with a little more purpose than he has. Hes done a good job.Witter attributes much of the teams success running the ball to its offensive line.Just being patient and reading the holes, Witter said. Our O-linemen theyve been doing their jobs. Theyre definitely making holes, so just figuring out how to be patient ... then see what happens.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '