Not that you were ever gone, but drifting… yes, Saturday, before DeMarco Murray and Sam Bradford and others — including many on a late-denying defense — snapped the squad back into championship focus in the Cotton Bowl.
Stakes for the Red River Rivalry, always high, doubled when both OU and Texas lost last week. That's what happens when seasons are defined by championships, as they are in Norman and Austin.
So Saturday's meeting amounted to a Big 12 Death Match.
OU buried the Bevos.
The loser was doomed to an 0-2 conference start, a fate now fully felt by the Longhorns, after OU's 28-21 win in Dallas. The verdict spurred one wisecracker to suggest: "You can't spell Longhorns without two Ls.”
"Fortunes are out of our control right now as far as the championship at the end,” said Texas coach Mack Brown.
The Sooners, meanwhile, maintain complete control.
Last week's loss at Colorado? That was a North foe.
"I'm not worried about last week,” said OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly.
No need to.
While the breakdown in Boulder at least temporarily blemished OU in the national title picture, it did nothing to the Sooners' status in the South — provided they reclaim Red River bragging rights.
By surging past the Longhorns, OU re-established itself as a team – the team? – to beat in the South.
Work remains in what is shaping up as a wild ride through the league schedule. Still, the goal of a championship remains intact, boosted in Big D.
"It isn't just the fact that it's Texas,” Bob Stoops warned Saturday. "Winning means nothing if we don't win next week.
"In the end, it's one game in a series of a lot that we still have to go, that we've got to win.”
One had-to-have game, now secured.
The Sooners get four of their final six league opponents on Owen Field, where no league rival has won since 2001.
The road trips: to Iowa State and Texas Tech, hardly houses of horror, although OU lost in its last visit to Lubbock.
For Texas, the Red River rub digs deep. Alarmingly in Austin, the Longhorns have now dropped four straight conference games dating back to last season.
While Oklahoma State and Texas A&M and Texas Tech have a right to talk title, barring a near-miracle, the Horns can be dismissed from championship chatter just two full weeks into league play.
Welcome back, Sooners.
So long, L-Longhorns.
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Yes, I understand that Texas has two losses, hence two 'L's. I'm just not understanding the joke that one can't spell "longhorns" without two Ls. Usually that joke makes sense, like "you can't spell 'SUCK' without USC". This joke doesn't make sense, because you can indeed spell "longhorns" without two L's. On to Mizzou.
Christopher, Kansas City - Oct 9, 2007 at 10:38 am
Chase Daniels is a fantastic QB and he has some nice receivers. The pass rush needs to bring it to force quick throws and hopefully turnovers. OU also needs to control the time of possession and score TD's on long drives to keep the Mizzou Offense off the field. Hartley has to be ready this week as it may come down to a field goal. I believe the defense will make the necessary adjustments, but you never know what can happen. Should be a fun game to watch.
Did most of you notice that OU only rushed 4 most of the game against Texas? We got pressure on the quarterback even only rushing 4. We got sacks when we blitzed. As far as shoring up the pass defense, I was at the game and noticed that the big TE caught passes when we did have good coverage on him. The Texas TE just made some outstanding, Malcolm Kelly type receptions. Texas played a good game finally and gave us a good test before playing Missouri this week. Misso looks stout right now, but I guess we'll see how stout this weekend.
Don't look now but Missouri is undeated and looks not only good but really good. I hope someone was watching last night but Missouri is running a similiar offense that Tulsa has and remember what they did on the OU defense. AND Missouri has a good defense. Next week will be a tough tough game for the Sooners and they better not have a hangover after the Texas game.
Should be a wild game next week against Mizzou. The secondary better be prepared. I don't think we are ready for LSU yet, but if we keep winning, we may just get another crack at those rude fans in New Orleans. Bad thing is, they will get to play for another national championship in their own back yard.
This was an important and much needed win. OU came ready and prepared (unlike last week). Tony - while Texas was over rated to start the season, they are still a good team and good enough to remain ranked in the Top 25 at #23 despite two losses. Reed, we beat Mizzou & Chase Daniel 26-10 last year (on the road). I feel OU will prevail in next week's game, especially since it's a home game. I'm proud to be a Sooner fan! Go Sooners!
I do think we'll win the rest of our games, and be on the outside looking in at an Ohio State-LSU NC game. LSU was ripe to be picked last night and Florida let them get away. The Big 10 is TERRIBLE, way worse than Big 12, so who beats Ohio St.?
Teams are dropping like flies in the TOP 10. Big game against Missouri next Saturday. The nice thing is it's at home. Just need to take them one at a time and see what happens with the other teams in the Top 10.
Great win for the team. That said, let's just focus on winning the Big 12 and let the chips fall. At this point, with the Big 12's weak national image, a one loss Pac 10, SEC, Big 10 or ACC team will get the nod for the BCS game. Let's win the Big 12 first.
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Quarterback Colt McCoy walks off the field after Texas' 28-21 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Longhorns fell to 0-2 in the Big 12. by BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
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