Tulsa World: Osborne 'Puzzled' by Spread

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Osborne `Puzzled' by Spread

By Dan O'Kane
Published: 11/24/1995
Last Modified: 2/27/2007 8:12 AM

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tom Osborne is usually one of the most prepared
coaches in college football, but he got caught off guard this week.
Osborne was shocked that No. 1 Nebraska (10-0, 6-0 Big Eight) is
favored by 33 points over unranked Oklahoma (5-4-1, 2-4).
``I don't understand that at all,'' Osborne said. ``I think a
lot of times coaches are credited with saying stuff they don't
mean, but I'm genuinely puzzled by that one.''
The two teams enter from completely different spectrums. The
Sooners are licking their wounds from a disappointing season,
having lost three of their last four games. Nebraska needs the win
to advance to its third consecutive national championship game on
Jan. 2 at the Fiesta Bowl.
Despite the differences, Osborne thinks back to last year when the
Sooners were struggling, but gave the eventual national champions fits until
NU prevailed 13-3. Lawrence Phillips was held to 50 yards last year on 21
carries. NU didn't pull away until quarterback Brook Berringer scored on a
1-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Osborne was complimentary of the Sooners' defensive line
performance last year and continues to feel that way this year.
Rushing is Nebraska's bread-and-butter. The Huskers lead the
nation, averaging 413 yards per game. They're also No. 1 in scoring
offense (54 points per game).
Defending the run is OU's strength. The Sooners are ranked fifth
nationally in rushing defense, yielding 92.9 yards per game.
``Their front seven is excellent,'' NU quarterback Tommie Frazier said.
`'They have great speed. They're strong up front. They're quick. It's kind
of hard to run the ball against a team which has seven guys who can pursue
or close to the ball as good as they do.''
But then, no one has blamed OU's run defense for its 5-4-1
record this year.
The Sooners' pass defense has been vulnerable and is ranked 72nd
nationally, yielding 127.8 yards a game. Nebraska's aerial attack
can be effective. The Huskers scored 17 touchdowns through the air.
OU's passing has struggled under redshirt freshman Eric Moore,
receivers have dropped balls, and the offensive line still gets too
many penalties called against it.
The ineffective passing game has turned to more of a reliance on fullback
Jerald Moore and the ground game. Since missing the Iowa State game due to a
sprained toe, he has run for 605 yards and five touchdowns. He's also
averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He needs 38 more yards to become the first OU
back to go over the 1,000-yard mark since Mike Gaddis in 1991.
It could be Jerald Moore's last game as a Sooner. He said he
will evaluate his status after the season before making a decision
on coming out early for the NFL Draft.
``I really don't know what I'm going to do after the season is
over,'' Jerald Moore said. ``Right now, I'd like to end this season
with a victory. That's what I want.''
One of the biggest differences in the two programs right now is
that Nebraska, unlike OU, isn't making mistakes that get it beat.
The Huskers are third nationally in turnover ratio while the
Sooners are 85th.
OU has committed 26 turnovers and also averages 78 yards in
penalties per game.
``(Nebraska) is the best I've seen in a long, long time,'' said Sooner
coach Howard Schnellenberger. ``They've been good a long time, and I've seen
a lot of their teams play. I don't see a weakness on their team anywhere.
Obviously, they have got experienced players at every position, and they
have depth at every position. They have been consistent for 30 some-odd
years with the same head coach, and that is what usually makes up
consistency. They have done an excellent job of recruiting and keeping a
high level of interest and the roll going. They are outstanding, there is no
question about that. When you look at the statistics, it frightens you, and
we are certainly going against the No. 1 team at this juncture.''
By Dan O'Kane

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