No. 7 Oklahoma (2-0) vs. Air Force (2-0), 3:30 p.m. (FSN)
Line: Oklahoma by 17.
Series Record: Oklahoma leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: 2001, Oklahoma, 44-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Sitting just outside the Top 25, Air Force gets a rare chance to prove itself against a team from one of the conferences with automatic BCS berths. The Falcons are 0-2 in such games under Troy Calhoun, although they have a win against Notre Dame in that span. Oklahoma has won 32 straight at home.
KEY MATCHUP
Air Force run game vs. Oklahoma defense. The Falcons are averaging an NCAA-best 423 yards rushing per game and will need to find holes against a Sooners D that’s been among the top 20 teams against the run for nine straight years.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Air Force: CB Anthony Wright Jr. A playmaker on defense and special teams, Wright led the Mountain West with seven interceptions last season and returned two of them for scores, to go along with a punt he ran back for a touchdown. He also had a punt return TD called back two weeks ago.
Oklahoma: DE Frank Alexander. After missing the Sooners’ opener with a sprained ankle, Alexander doubled his sack total from last year with a pair last week against Florida State. His test this week will be slowing the Falcons’ option along the edge.
FACTS & FIGURES
Air Force hasn’t faced a Big 12 opponent since losing to Oklahoma in 2001. … Oklahoma has scored a touchdown on its opening possession in three straight games. … The Falcons have outscored opponents 55-0 in the second half. … DE Rick Ricketts, Air Force’s leading tackler, is the brother of Sooners softball ace Keilani Ricketts. Their sister, Samantha, also played softball at Oklahoma.
