Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and his staff seem to be getting a kick out of all that chatter about how Missouri “gave away” the game in their regular-season meeting.
Missouri did commit four turnovers and held the lead entering the fourth quarter of the 41-31 Sooners victory Oct. 13 in Norman. But Stoops pointed out it that wasn’t like Oklahoma had to pull out the victory at the end.
The rematch comes Saturday night in the Big 12 Championship Game in San Antonio’s Alamodome.
“You can spin it however you want,” Stoops told reporters this week. “I guess it’s convenient to look at your miscues and not look at the other team’s miscues.”
Oklahoma lost two fumbles in the earlier meeting that Missouri converted into 14 points.
“We’re kicking off with (2:39) left in the game, (and) we’re up by three possessions,” Stoops added. “If that’s ‘giving it to us,’ we’ll take that every time.”
Going after its first Big 12 championship in football, Missouri (11-1, 7-1 Big 12) has bragging rights in the national rankings, having climbed to No. 1 in The Associated Press media poll for the second time in school history. The Tigers lasted one week at No. 1 in 1960.
They’re looking for a much longer celebration this time because a victory Saturday night would send Missouri to the BCS title game (Jan. 7 in New Orleans) for the first time.
Ninth-ranked Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2) is accustomed to wearing a crown. The Sooners have won four of the 11 Big 12 championships and will be appearing in their sixth conference title game in eight years.
Oklahoma has produced seven national championships, 40 conference titles and four Heisman Trophy winners. Missouri is trying to shake its “basketball school” image.
“We’re comfortable playing in big games. We don’t have any pressure on us,” said Oklahoma junior linebacker Curtis Lofton, who split 2007 Big 12 defensive player of the year honors with Colorado’s Jordon Dizon. (Lofton earned the media award, and Dizon got the nod from the league’s coaches). “There is a comfort level there. It’s kind of, ‘Been there, done that.’ ”
“Oklahoma has been through all these experiences; this is just another game for them,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “No question they have an advantage.”
The Tigers are making their Big 12 title game debut. They sound confident. But Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Oklahoma a 3-point favorite. Although the Sooners are out of the national-championship picture, there is plenty to play for. In addition to earning another Big 12 trophy, a Sooners victory would guarantee a spot in a BCS bowl.
“Missouri says they’ll show us a better game,” Lofton said. “I thought (in the earlier meeting) they brought their A-game and we brought our A-game.
“But it’s definitely hard to beat a team twice. We just have to prepare hard.”
Missouri’s spread offense, directed by Heisman Trophy candidate Chase Daniel at quarterback, is among the nation’s most efficient. Daniel, a junior who throws to pro prospects at every receiving position including a pair at tight end, has 33 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions. Missouri scored more than 30 points in every game.
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford operates more of a multiple look and leads the nation in pass efficiency as a redshirt freshman, with 32 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
The Sooners appear to have the edge on defense, but Missouri has been more consistent offensively.
A shootout would surprise nobody, perhaps surpassing the 72 points scored in the earlier meeting.
“Hopefully we can luck out again,” Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables said with a laugh during a teleconference this week.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
