Notebook: The Sporting News is high on the Sooners

Former OU running back Allen Patrick was injured during the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday night in Houston.

Patrick left the game in the first quarter with an apparent knee sprain, though the injury didn't appear to be too serious.

The injury came as disappointing news for Patrick who had impressed scouts during the workouts leading up to the game with his ability to find running lanes.

Patrick is expected to be drafted between the fourth and sixth rounds.

OU tight end Joe Jon Finley also missed time with an apparent hamstring injury.

Minnesota Vikings and former OU running back Adrian Peterson was in attendance to cheer on good friend and Sooner cornerback Marcus Walker.

Walker made one of the big plays in the game when he intercepted a pass by Penn State's Anthony Morelli and returned it 22 yards in the second quarter.

The other Sooner playing was kicker Garrett Hartley, who missed a 29-yard field goal but made up for it by connecting on a 23-yarder to put the West ahead 10-3 at halftime.

All four Sooners were on the West team, which went on to win, 31-13.

This Saturday, OU safety D.J. Wolfe will compete in the Under Armour Senior Bowl, which will be televised at 3 p.m. on the NFL Network.

•No. 1: It came before either Curtis Lofton or Reggie Smith declared for the NFL Draft, but last week The Sporting News picked OU as next season's preseason No. 1 because of its high-powered offense.

"I know, I know, the Sooners can't win a BCS game,” wrote Matt Hayes of The Sporting News. "The trio of QB Sam Bradford, TB DeMarco Murray and WR Juaquin Iglesias, and a bulldozing offensive line, however, will translate to the best offense in the country.”

•SI moves OU down: After debuting at No. 3 in Sports Illustrated's 2008 preseason poll, the Sooners were dropped to No. 7 in a revised version by Stewart Mandel after Lofton and Smith both declared for the draft.

Wrote Mandel: "No team was hit harder by NFL defections than OU, which lost its three best players. The offense is still stacked, but the defense now has several holes.”

•Former OU commit commits again: Former Sooner commitment Taylor Hill of Youngstown, Ohio, committed to Michigan and new coach Rich Rodriguez last week.

Hill had originally pledged with OU, but had a mutual parting with the Sooners last month after Hill decided he wanted to stay closer to home.

Three-star Ohio athlete Zach Domicone, who nearly visited OU last weekend, committed to Ohio State last week as well.