Keeping Boykin from running wild was a nice start, but containing Manziel is an entirely different animal. He set the SEC's single-season record for total yards, rushing for 1,181 of them to go with his 19 rushing scores.
In his signature win of the season, Manziel made big plays with his arm and legs against Alabama's vaunted defense; he rushed for 92 yards and threw for 253 in A&M's 29-24 upset victory, which vaulted the freshman into serious Heisman contention.
Perhaps time will be Oklahoma's greatest ally in its Cotton Bowl preparations; Mike Stoops' defense struggled mightily through most of November, but did seem to improve against TCU.
With several weeks to strategize for Manziel and Texas A&M, a familiar opponent with a familiar head coach — former OU co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin — Stoops is certain to have his defense prepared as possible for the Cotton Bowl.
Oklahoma lost to the second- and third-place Heisman finalists; it remains to be seen if — in the next few weeks — the Sooners can prepare, improve and adjust enough to have a chance against Manziel.
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