Three storylines for OU-Texas Tech
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Saturday, October 06, 2012
10/06/12 at 3:13 AM
Damien's day?
OU coaches spent last week hinting that Damien Williams will be a big part of their game plan. Bigger, certainly, than he has been the first three games, in which he has averaged 10 carries (and 10 yards per carry). It makes sense for somebody to carry the ball, whether it's Williams or Dominique Whaley, who looked spry in his few carries against Kansas State. Quarterback Landry Jones is slumping, and Texas Tech has the nation's top-ranked pass defense.
Who are these masked men?
The Red Raiders can still chuck it around and score points. But they won their Big 12 opener at Iowa State last week on the strength of defense, not offense. Maybe Tommy Tuberville's influence is finally kicking in. Maybe Art Kaufman, Tuberville's third defensive coordinator in three years, is the right right-hand man. Whatever the reason, the Red Raiders are stopping people at last.
Travelers' advisory
Lose in Lubbock, the Sooners slide to 2-2 and 0-2 in the Big 12. Bob Stoops has never opened a conference season in a two-game hole. Texas awaits next Saturday, with currently unbeaten Notre Dame due up Oct. 27. OU's November includes Bedlam, plus trips to West Virginia and Iowa State. If the Sooners fall Saturday, it will be easy to wonder just how far they could ultimately plunge.
Original Print Headline: OU: Three storylines
Associated Images:
OU's Damien Williams plows past John Ojo (right) into the end zone during the Sooners' game against Florida A&M in Norman earlier this season. OU coaches have hinted that Williams will play a larger role this week. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
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