NORMAN – The Oklahoma-Texas rivalry often delivers high drama – and high stakes.
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Since Bob Stoops’ arrival at OU, either the Sooners or Longhorns have represented the South in the Big 12 championship game.
The winner in the Cotton Bowl has advanced to the title contest in seven of nine years. Twice, the loser has rallied to play for the championship.
“It’s a big step towards it,” Stoops said Monday during his weekly media luncheon. “But then, it doesn’t mean much if you don’t finish them. You’ve got a whole bunch of other steps, too.
“This is only the sixth game of the year. There’s six other conference games coming. That’s a main factor. If you win this one, it’s a big step. But the next one is a big step, too.”
The Sooners won in the Cotton Bowl a year ago and advanced to beat Missouri for the conference title in San Antonio, even though both OU and Texas limped into the Red River Rivalry after losses the previous week.
This time, they meet in the nation’s premier showdown of the weekend.
The Sooners are No. 1; Texas No. 5. Both are unbeaten and untested. OU is fourth nationally in scoring margin at 49.6 points a game; the Longhorns are sixth at 47.2.
It appears both teams are improved from 2007.
“That’s probably fair to say,” Stoops said. “I feel as though we’re a stronger team than a year ago overall. And I feel that Texas is better as well.
“It’s a major challenge. And an exciting one as well. They’re playing well in all parts of the game.”
This series has been marked by streaks.
Stoops and OU won five straight from 2000 through 2004. Texas won in 2005 and ’06.
Are the Sooners on the verge of another victory run?
“You earn each one on its own work and its own competition,” Stoops said. “One has nothing to do with the other. In the end, it’s what you do now and how you prepare for the week and the play and what you do.”
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EDBO, If I can make myself look like I'm about to pass out asleep all the time like Barry Tramel can I get 4 digits?
Not to mention Sam fires under pressure very well and will burn those young corners, possibly within the first three plays from scrimmage at the beginning of the game!
First series: Handoff to RB; Handoff to RB; Long Pass (TD).
The O-line has more than lived up to the hype. They got a little out of line with TCU but they've corrected that. Demarco has a case of mistrust of the leg with the dislocated kneecap. His issue is all mental, but he's still putting up good numbers, and the rest of the OU running backs are chipping in as well. As for my salary offer, 3 digits sounds perfect!
And you're kicking game point is shattered. The Sooners have kicked just one field goal all season and that was just over 30 yards. They've gone for it on every other 4th down in the redzone all season. He's missed two PATs, and Moreland has had problems kicking to a couple games this season. Oh, and let's not forget the kickoff and punt coverage. Make no mistake, Texas is not lacking in speed or blockers. Solid? Hardly. At least not yet.
All in all...if the playmakers arrive and the run game gets going, look for OU to beat the spread, but don't think for a second Texas doesn't have enough dignity to hold the Sooners under 40. OU-38, Texas-24.
Shep...I sure hope you're right, but if that was the case, OU never should have lost to OU in 2001 and 02. You can play matchups all day, but the fact is, that doesn't always matter. OU has playmakers, yes, but where has its run game been the last two games? The O-line hasn't lived up to hype and if they don't pick it up, Bradford will be on the ground all day and the run game will get stuffed. Anyone remember how many times Bradford saw the turf against TCU? This is a more dominant front than that TCU line. Texas' tackle..Objacka or whatever leads the Big 12 in sacks, and does winning in Colorado 38-14 really mean that little? Doubt it.
My biggest concern is the health of the interior line. They tell us they are fine, but they also told us Heupel and White were fine, and that Murray is 100%. That is the strength of our defense. If they dont play or dont play well, the pressure goes to the DE's LB's and Secondary.
I'm not sure what a Cooter is in Cooterville, but to the rest of the world, a cooter isn't something you want to call yourself. Like the commercial says, "Dude?!?!"
Nice article, Shep. We'll see how your analysis stacks up and if all goes well, we'll have an offer in the mail Monday. We are thinking about 3 figures, is that in the ballpark?
EDBO, SOONRZ IN TX
It's time to tell the truth about the upcoming Oklahoma Texas game. The hype machine is working to build the game up, but from this prognosticator's viewpoint, it's going to be a rout. Texas can't match the Sooners at this point. Why? It all starts up front. The Sooners offensive line is massive, quick, and employs superb technique. The Texas defensive front, while agile and able to pressure normal teams, will not have that luxury Saturday. The accurate passing game, relies on the deepest big play-threat receiving corps in the NCAA. With 5 threat options on the field at any given time and a no-huddle offense, the Texas defense will not hold up to the coverage requirements. Every question mark about the Sooner defense has been answered this year. From the outstanding linebacker play to the cornerbacks, the young players have stepped up and become marquee players for the Sooners. The experienced defensive line is getting pressure every down, and the players are focused and committed. The kicking game, the only possible weakness, has gone from questionable to solid and is improving. I don't think the 7 point spread is nearly enough. I predict the Sooners to win it 52-17. You heard it here first.
The road only gets harder with this game. OU needs to come out and just smother the 'Horns and give them no chnace to breath. Shepard I am on that train as well, OU 65-17.
to further demonstrate his comedic genius, you notice he went right to explaining what the tears were from instead of leaving it right there. i mean, nobody would have gotten the joke had he not explained it. i would have thought they would be crying from the team screening of sleepless in seattle, but, no, i understand now that they would be crying from the loss. ok, good one, cooter. you don't happen to have a pistol pete tattoo do you?
I've been to the OU-TX game for 30 years in a row and about to go to my 31st. My first OU-Tx game was when I was a freshman at OU. In 30 years of attending this game, OU is 14-14-2 against Texas. If we can win this year, I'll get back to a winning record. I would rather beat Texas than any other team in the country. I also want the game to stay at the Cotton Bowl forever!
I think Cooter has predicted a loss every week so far. I guess he is bound to be right at some point. If OU does win, he wont say a word about it but will start in with predicting OU's demise against Kansas. When he finally is right and OU gets beat (maybe this year, maybe not) He will be on here trumpeting and giving it up to himself. Get a life Cooter!
Oh look...he put his city as Cooterville, and his name Cooter! Holy crap! Pure comedic genius and so clever! Does everyone see what he did there? I just can't get over it! *end sarcasm*
Who cares, come Saturday you Sooners will be driving home with tears in your eyes...tears from losing so bad on TV in front of a huge audience again that you will be bawling from Dallas to Norman.
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
First series: Handoff to RB; Handoff to RB; Long Pass (TD).
EDBO, SOONRZ IN TX
go sooners!!!