Oklahoma powered by its passing game

After a 41-3 victory over the Akron Zips, there is optimism abound in Oklahoma that the Sooners have something special in quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a score on the ground in Saturday's win.

Grades have yet to come in for the game, but an improvement at quarterback would be huge for an Oklahoma team that wants to compete in the Big 12. Last season both Trevor Knight and Cody Thomas graded poorly as passers, struggling with or without pressure and failing to make much happen down the field.

Mayfield will be helped by having a playmaker like Sterling Shephard to work with, especially if he can regain his form from early in 2014. Shephard put up 911 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the first eight weeks of the season last year. He was the team's second leading receiver against Akron, with Joe Mixon's big 76-yard score seeing him finish the game with 115 receiving yards.

Expectations will be high that the Oklahoma passing game — along with running back Samaje Perine — can power the Sooners to a big season in 2015.