OU football: Five key questions for Sooners ahead of 2024 opener

NORMAN — Heading into the 2024 season, there are no shortage of questions surrounding OU football .

The Sooners make their inaugural foray into the SEC , break in not only a new starting quarterback but two new coordinators, have plenty of unknowns across the offensive line and added transfers who will potentially shape the season at virtually every position group.

The Sooners enter the season ranked No. 16, though OU plays six teams ranked ahead of them during conference play, beginning with its SEC opener Sept. 21 against Tennessee.

Here are five key questions to the season for OU football:

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How does Jackson Arnold handle the starting job?

No question figures to frame the outcome of the season the way this one does.

The Sooners have had inexperienced quarterbacks at times in recent years, but it’s been awhile since they’ve had one this inexperienced.

Arnold no doubt has the skills to be a high-level quarterback.

But he also has started just one game — the Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona, where he showed both how good he can be and how far he still has to go.

Perhaps the biggest factor in Arnold’s success this season will be how well he’s able to protect the football.

If Arnold can avoid costly turnovers, OU’s offense figures to be in excellent shape.

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What will the Sooners' offensive line look like?

Arnold’s success will also depend on how much protection he gets.

The Sooners’ offensive line is no doubt their biggest question mark going into the season, as pretty much the whole unit from last season is being replaced.

The new-look group figures to consist of plenty of newcomers with experience — SMU transfer Branson Hickman is the likely starter at center and North Texas transfer Febechi Nwaiwu figures to start at one of the guard spots — but some of the talent figures to be homegrown as well.

Jacob Sexton earned his way into the starting lineup late last season and has the most experience starting for the Sooners, and Jake Taylor has a chance to be a starter as well.

The group figures to be a work in progress, though, as OU has battled injuries up front during preseason camp.

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How good can the Sooners' defense be?

Brent Venables said Tuesday that he expected the Sooners’ defense to be better than they were in 2023.

But playing a significantly tougher schedule could mean OU could be better on that side of the ball and still slip some statistically.

The Sooners return much of the group that made significant strides last season, though players like Robert Spears-Jennings and Kip Lewis figure to see their roles grow significantly.

How effective the defensive line is, especially on the pass rush, figures to go a long way toward determining the ceiling for this group.

TCU transfer Damonic Williams and Miami (Ohio) transfer Caiden Woullard are part of a new-look group and have a chance to help give the Sooners more depth up front defensively than they’ve had in quite a few years.

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Which freshman makes the biggest impact?

There are plenty of options here, but it’s hard not to start off with the defensive linemen.

David Stone and Jayden Jackson were centerpieces of the Sooners’ 2024 signing class and so far have lived up to the hype — though the real test is about to begin.

Jackson seems more likely to have an immediate impact, though both figure to be in the rotation among interior defensive linemen.

On the back end, Eli Bowen and Reggie Powers look like the most ready to contribute.

It might be tougher for the offensive newcomers to find their way to the field right away but wide receiver might be an area to watch, with Ivan Carreon, Zion Kearney and Zion Ragins all having a chance to work their way into contributing roles, especially after the season-ending injury to Jayden Gibson.

Running back Taylor Tatum arrived late but he’s got a chance to push for carries behind Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes.

More: Which OU football position group is Sooners' biggest strength in 2024?

Who handles kicking duties for OU?

Venables has been very complimentary of Zach Schmit during preseason camp, but Venables said similar things last season when Schmit went just 15 of 21 on field goals.

Schmit has plenty of competition, though, as freshman Liam Evans of Moore has earned praise from Venables as well, plus Florida State transfer Tyler Keltner is a factor in the race.

With OU’s two regular-season losses a year ago coming by a combined eight points, and close games being a hallmark of the Sooners so far under Venables, having a reliable kicker figures to be at a premium.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Five key questions for Sooners ahead of 2024 opener