Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/86170,CST-SPT-cfb06.article
The buzz isn't quite as big around the nation for this Red River Shootout because No. 7 Texas and No. 14 Oklahoma each has a loss -- even if the Sooners and their fans remain infuriated by game-turning officials' mistakes at Oregon.
What matters now, though, is the 101st meeting between the Longhorns and Sooners.
''You don't get redos in college football,'' Texas coach Mack Brown said. ''Ohio State beat us. We can't get that one back. Oklahoma had a controversial game with Oregon that was very difficult for them.''
In other words, a second loss has big implications for the South Division of the Big 12, the conference championship and the bowl landscape beyond. That means this duel at the Cotton Bowl figures to be a desperate one.
To make it more intriguing, it's difficult to say who has the upper hand.
Texas has the higher ranking, favorite status in the eyes of the oddsmakers and the monkey off its back. After losing five straight to Oklahoma by a combined 189-54, the Longhorns won 45-12 last year en route to the national championship.
But Texas no longer has whirlwind quarterback Vince Young. And Oklahoma has a healthy Adrian Peterson. After rushing for 225 yards on 32 carries in the Sooners' 12-0 victory in 2004, the Heisman Trophy candidate was held to 10 yards on three carries last year by both the Longhorns and a sprained ankle.
''Adrian Peterson's healthy. That changes everything,'' said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who indicated that defending Texas is less complicated with Colt McCoy at quarterback than with Young.
''Colt McCoy's doing an excellent job. But you're talking about a guy who was picked third in the NFL draft who can make plays happen when they aren't there. That's a big difference in how you attack what they do. There's a different dimension when [Young] is back there.''
Peterson vs. the Longhorns' run defense is one key. The junior is third in the nation in rushing with 160.8 yards per game, while Texas ranks second against the run, allowing 36.6 yards per game and 1.4 per carry.
Another is whether Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson, who's off to a good start, can be effective against a pass defense that might be vulnerable.
The Longhorns' secondary, which is younger and greener than anticipated because of injuries, has allowed six touchdown passes. Only three Big 12 teams have allowed more.
Or it might come down to whether Stoops can ''coach 'em up'' better than Brown.
That's less of a factor because of the way Brown handled last year's magical run -- and because some key Stoops assistants are coaching their own teams now. But it's a factor nonetheless.
One certainty is that the Cotton Bowl will be rocking.
''You've got OU fans on one side, Texas fans on the other, the whole State Fair and the excitement it brings,'' said Longhorns defensive tackle Frank Okam, a Dallas native. ''Half orange, half red -- it's an experience that is second to none, though I may be a little biased because it is my hometown.''
An atmosphere second to none, a second loss hanging in the balance ... should be an awfully entertaining time at the Cotton Bowl.
The line: Texas by 4. Gould's pick: Oklahoma, 27-24.
The buzz isn't quite as big around the nation for this Red River Shootout because No. 7 Texas and No. 14 Oklahoma each has a loss -- even if the Sooners and their fans remain infuriated by game-turning officials' mistakes at Oregon.
What matters now, though, is the 101st meeting between the Longhorns and Sooners.
''You don't get redos in college football,'' Texas coach Mack Brown said. ''Ohio State beat us. We can't get that one back. Oklahoma had a controversial game with Oregon that was very difficult for them.''
In other words, a second loss has big implications for the South Division of the Big 12, the conference championship and the bowl landscape beyond. That means this duel at the Cotton Bowl figures to be a desperate one.
To make it more intriguing, it's difficult to say who has the upper hand.
Texas has the higher ranking, favorite status in the eyes of the oddsmakers and the monkey off its back. After losing five straight to Oklahoma by a combined 189-54, the Longhorns won 45-12 last year en route to the national championship.
But Texas no longer has whirlwind quarterback Vince Young. And Oklahoma has a healthy Adrian Peterson. After rushing for 225 yards on 32 carries in the Sooners' 12-0 victory in 2004, the Heisman Trophy candidate was held to 10 yards on three carries last year by both the Longhorns and a sprained ankle.
''Adrian Peterson's healthy. That changes everything,'' said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who indicated that defending Texas is less complicated with Colt McCoy at quarterback than with Young.
''Colt McCoy's doing an excellent job. But you're talking about a guy who was picked third in the NFL draft who can make plays happen when they aren't there. That's a big difference in how you attack what they do. There's a different dimension when [Young] is back there.''
Peterson vs. the Longhorns' run defense is one key. The junior is third in the nation in rushing with 160.8 yards per game, while Texas ranks second against the run, allowing 36.6 yards per game and 1.4 per carry.
Another is whether Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson, who's off to a good start, can be effective against a pass defense that might be vulnerable.
The Longhorns' secondary, which is younger and greener than anticipated because of injuries, has allowed six touchdown passes. Only three Big 12 teams have allowed more.
Or it might come down to whether Stoops can ''coach 'em up'' better than Brown.
That's less of a factor because of the way Brown handled last year's magical run -- and because some key Stoops assistants are coaching their own teams now. But it's a factor nonetheless.
One certainty is that the Cotton Bowl will be rocking.
''You've got OU fans on one side, Texas fans on the other, the whole State Fair and the excitement it brings,'' said Longhorns defensive tackle Frank Okam, a Dallas native. ''Half orange, half red -- it's an experience that is second to none, though I may be a little biased because it is my hometown.''
An atmosphere second to none, a second loss hanging in the balance ... should be an awfully entertaining time at the Cotton Bowl.
The line: Texas by 4. Gould's pick: Oklahoma, 27-24.