Coming into the season, Oklahoma needed only to settle on a quarterback. It appears the Sooners hit the jackpot. With redshirt freshman Sam Bradford throwing 14 touchdown passes to complement a stable of explosive tailbacks, third-ranked Oklahoma leads the nation in scoring with 61.5 points per game. OU mauled Miami (Fla.) 51-13.
“Sam’s doing everything well,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Monday during the Big 12 teleconference. “And he’s getting more and more confident and sure of himself.”
The Sooners defense, which has made swarming to the ball an art form, does its part, ranking eighth nationally in scoring defense by allowing just 11.8 points per game.
It marks a stark turnaround from the troubles of 2006. In August last year, starting quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn were kicked off the team for accepting money from an auto dealership for work they never did. Oklahoma lost at Oregon on an official’s blown call, and three games later, tailback Adrian Peterson broke a collarbone when he dived into the end zone.
Perhaps fittingly, Oklahoma was upset by Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl – on a Statue of Liberty gadget play.
“I know Coach Stoops has been around long enough that he knows you’re going to have setbacks,” Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said this week. “But you can use that thing as some energy (for motivation), and you come out swinging a little bit harder in everything you do.”
Bradford’s performance – he ranks second nationally in passing efficiency – has helped the entire team focus.
“It’s not always going to be perfect,” Bradford told reporters after the Tulsa game. “You’re going to have to battle back.”
As the entire Sooners team has done.
Passing becomes Big 12’s latest fancy
Staff writer Tom Kensler looks at the Big 12 as conference play goes into full swing this weekend:
IS BIG 12 BECOMING ANOTHER PAC-10?
Eleven Big 12 teams were in action last week, and 10 of the 11 starting quarterbacks passed for 200 yards or more. Four threw for 300 yards or more, and Missouri’s Chase Daniel fell just short, with 294 yards, when taken out during an easy victory over Illinois State. Colorado’s Cody Hawkins threw for 275 yards against Miami (Ohio).
Nebraska’s Sam Keller (school-record 438 yards), Kansas’ Todd Reesing (368) and Texas’ Colt McCoy (333) had huge games. But those seem to pale in comparison with Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell, who completed 46-of-67 passes for 646 yards in a loss at Oklahoma State.
“I didn’t (see this coming),” Texas coach Mack Brown said of a suddenly pass-happy Big 12. “But everybody has gotten into the stop-the-run defensive game. We’re seeing so much more blitzing than ever. That either gets more sacks or gets beat with a big play.”
HAS THE NORTH DIVISION CLOSED THE GAP WITH THE SOUTH?
Most North teams appear to be improved. And some South teams (including Texas A&M and Oklahoma State) may fall short of preseason expectations.
The problem is, the best North teams, Missouri and Nebraska, rank 89th and 75th, respectively, in total defense. That’s not the way to close a gap. Or to be competitive in the Big 12 championship game.
THE FAVORITE:
Oklahoma. The third-ranked Sooners rate among the top 10 nationally, on both sides of the ball, in more than a half-dozen team statistical categories. Those include the two most important categories: first in scoring (61.5), eighth in scoring defense (11.8). The 51-13 pounding of Miami (Fla.) has been the most impressive win of any team in the league.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma redshirt freshman quarterback – Amazingly composed with 14 touchdown passes against just two interceptions.
WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech redshirt freshman receiver – The 6-foot-3, 222-pounder already has 52 catches and 11 touchdowns. That’s a good year for most.
LB Jordon Dizon, Colorado senior linebacker – High-intensity Hawaiian leads the nation with 13.8 tackles per game. Next best in Big 12, OU’s Curtis Lofton, averages 10.5.
THREE GAMES TO WATCH:
Oct. 6: Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas) – For Oklahoma, this could be the only hurdle en route to an unbeaten regular season.
Oct. 6: Nebraska at Missouri – It would be a surprise if this doesn’t ultimately decided the Big 12 North.
Nov. 17: Oklahoma at Texas Tech: Let us count the pass attempts by Tech quarterback Graham Harrell: 50 … 60 … more?
SURPRISE TEAM:
Kansas. Sure the 4-0 Jayhawks didn’t face a demanding nonconference schedule – Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International – but outscoring any quartet by a combined 214-23 can’t be overlooked.
