It's decision time<br/><span class='hl2'>Peterson's broken collar bone could be a blessing to pro teams

Colorado at Oklahoma
Saturday, 6 p.m. • Where: Norman, Gaylord-Family Memorial Stadium.

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o wouldn't? But he's better off keeping his options open. Better off working to get healthy and leaving open the chance to play in a bowl game, because that's the prudent thing to do.

Drop out of school or sign with an agent, and Peterson's college career is over. It might be anyway, if doctors advise against him playing in a late-December bowl game, but better to keep all doors open.

Stoops said Peterson is a "strong-willed" person who has done a laudable job keeping unscrupulous influences at bay.

"I have a hard time finding AD myself sometimes," Stoops said. "I trust him; he's been awfully good with me, communicating. I know AD to be a pretty strong-willed young guy."

Will Peterson want to play in a bowl game?

His roommate, fellow tailback Allen Patrick, said, "I have no idea."

But OU flanker Malcolm Kelly said: "I'm pretty sure he's focused on getting healthy. But I think he wants to come back, knowing him and his work ethic."

I vote with Kelly. Peterson needs 151 yards to break Billy Sims' OU career rushing record of 4,118 yards. Peterson will not equal Sims as a Heisman winner; why not take aim at the record book?

Look at it this way. Peterson loves to play. He's played hurt. He's played long. He's never slacked off. The only real criticism I've ever had of Peterson is sometimes he tries too much.

Does that sound like a guy who wants to shrug off a bowl game?

But for that to happen, he must ward off those who want him to take a shortcut to riches. That money will be there and soon. Peterson is smart enough to know that.

I say he's back for the bowl game.

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