Oklahoma was ranked No. 8 in the first USA Today coaches poll of the season, released Friday. The Sooners are right behind West Virginia and Wisconsin, four spots behind No. 4 Texas, while USC and LSU sit atop the list at No. 1 and 2, respectively.

The reaction so far is one of surprise for the Sooners, who without a starting quarterback looked to be rebuilding this year. But not so fast, I say.

First and foremost -- this quarterback competition is over. A friend of a friend, who works as an academic advisor or tutor, not really at an official level, to many of these athletes, is said to have worked infinitely more with Sam Bradford the past few weeks than with Joey Halzle or Keith Nichol, so much so that she is convinced and certain that he IS and WILL BE Oklahoma's starter come Sept. 1.

And I say -- hooray for that. Bradford is a mobile signal-caller with a bit of Josh Heupel in him, not afraid to dink and dunk and play ugly for wins. I wasn't a big fan of his at PC North, but what I saw of him this spring indicates that we should be quite optimistic this fall.

But we lost Adrian Peterson?

Do not worry about that in the slightest. Oklahoma has probably the most exciting tailback combo in the country in Allen Patrick, who I think could win the Heisman on his own, and DeMarco Murray, who many say is as good as Reggie Bush was as a freshman.

Oklahoma has an All-America caliber tight end in Brody Eldridge, and the Sooners' defense returns Reggie Smith, Nic Harris and Marcus Walker, who to me are the most exciting defensive backs we've had in six or seven years.

I'm telling you, preaching it from the mountaintops -- there's a reason these coaches have ranked OU in the Top 10. It's not a reputation thing alone. And while I don't want to overhype this team, as young as it is, I think this is a special, special group. Seriously.