OU football notebook: GameDay trend is ominous for Sooners

GameDay heading to Columbia, however, might not be the best thing for the No.1-ranked Sooners because of this stat: the host team for each GameDay site has won this year. And the last two included upsets of the No. 1 ranked team (South Carolina over Alabama and Wisconsin over Ohio State).

SATURDAY SELLOUT

Missouri announced that Saturday's game with OU is officially a sellout. School officials say they expect a crowd of more than 70,000.

FINCH STILL NEEDING CONDITIONING, BUT IN GAME PLAN FOR SATURDAY

Freshman running back Roy Finch dazzled Saturday with 93 yards on 16 carries in his collegiate debut.

But Finch, who missed two months with a preseason hairline fracture in his ankle, said he isn't quite in the game shape he'd like to be. But he's getting closer.

"Coming into the game I didn't know how many carries I might get," Finch said. "I was just trying to be mentally ready. My conditioning isn't where I want it to be. I was in really good condition during two-a-days leading up to the season.

"It's something I have to keep working on in practice, keep getting in better shape."

Bob Stoops admitted there wasn't much hesitation in deciding to play Finch instead of redshirting him.

"We (and the offensive staff) felt he gives you too much of a different pace of play and style of running that he's going to contribute, and has a chance to in a really positive way," Stoops said. "Plus we have two seniors (DeMarco Murray and Mossis Madu) graduating. He'll be better and more prepared no matter how much he plays, just by going game preparation during the week."

Still, even with Murray and Madu commanding the majority of carries, the Sooners have plans to get Finch involved again at Missouri.

"If we can execute on third downs and stay on the field, there's enough (snaps)," said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. "You can start doing things with two tailbacks on the field. We've done that in years past. DeMarco can play out there in space along with Mossis. But the key as much as anything, no disrespect to our two seniors, but (Finch) the other night played as good as they did. Coach Gundy goes with who he feels is hot, or if a guy needs a blow.